20 Harris Teeter Interview Questions and Answers

Harris Teeter is a grocery store chain that operates in eight states. The company is known for its customer service, and its employees are often lauded for their friendliness and helpfulness. If you’re interviewing for a job at Harris Teeter, you can expect to be asked questions about your customer service experience and your ability to handle difficult situations. You may also be asked questions about your knowledge of the company and its products.

Harris Teeter Interview Process

The interview process at Harris Teeter is relatively quick and easy. Most applicants report that the entire process, from start to finish, takes about two weeks. The first step is usually an initial phone screening with a member of the HR team. This call is mostly to ensure that you meet the basic qualifications for the position you’re applying for. If you pass this stage, you’ll be invited to come in for an in-person interview.

The in-person interview is generally pretty straightforward. You can expect to be asked questions about your previous experience, why you’re interested in working at Harris Teeter, and what you think you could bring to the role. Some applicants report being asked behavioral questions, but this isn’t always the case. Overall, most people find the interview process to be fairly easy and stress-free.

1. How would you handle a customer that was angry with the service they received?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle stressful situations and whether or not you have experience dealing with customers who are upset. In your answer, try to show that you’re willing to take responsibility for any mistakes you make and that you know how to apologize to customers.

Example: “If a customer was angry with me, I would first listen to what they had to say and then apologize for my mistake. If it was something I could fix immediately, like if they were waiting in line too long at the checkout, I would do so right away. If it was something I couldn’t fix on the spot, like if they didn’t like their produce, I would offer them a refund or replacement and let them know I would be happy to assist them further once I got back to the store.”

2. What made you want to apply for this position at Harris Teeter?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in the position and company. They want to know what motivated you to apply for their open position, so they can understand if you’re a good fit for Harris Teeter. When preparing your answer, think of specific details that made you interested in working at Harris Teeter. Consider mentioning any information you learned from the job listing or research you did on the company.

Example: “I applied for this position because I was looking for a new opportunity with a grocery store chain. After doing some research online, I found out that Harris Teeter is one of the top grocery stores in the country. I also read through the job description and saw that this position would be a great fit for me. I am very customer service-oriented, and I love helping people find exactly what they need. This role seems like it would give me plenty of opportunities to do just that.”

3. Do you have any experience working in a grocery store?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how it relates to working at Harris Teeter. If you have worked in a grocery store before, share what your responsibilities were and how they relate to this position. If you haven’t worked in a grocery store before, you can still answer this question by describing any previous retail or customer service experience that may be similar to working in a grocery store.

Example: “I’ve never worked in a grocery store before, but I do have plenty of experience working in customer service. In my last job as a barista, I was responsible for making coffee drinks and providing excellent customer service to customers. This experience has taught me many skills that are applicable to this position, including multitasking and problem-solving.”

4. Have you had any previous customer service training? If so, what did you learn?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with customer service and how you’ve grown in this area. If you haven’t had any formal training, you can discuss what you learned on the job or from a previous employer.

Example: “I have taken several courses at my local community college that focused on customer service skills. I learned about different ways to interact with customers based on their moods and behaviors. I also learned how to handle difficult situations like angry customers and shoplifters.”

5. What are some qualities of good customer service?

Customer service is a major part of working at Harris Teeter. The company wants to make sure you understand what it means to provide good customer service and how you can apply those skills in your role as a cashier. When answering this question, think about the qualities that made your previous job experience positive.

Example: “Good customer service starts with being friendly and helpful. I always try to greet customers with a smile and offer help if they need it. Another important quality is patience. Sometimes people are in a rush or have questions, so I try to be patient while they ask me for more information. Finally, I think it’s important to remember that everyone has different needs. I treat every person who comes through my line like an individual.”

6. When was the last time you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your customer service skills. They want to know that you’re willing to go above and beyond for customers, even if it’s not part of your job description.

Example: “At my last job, I had a regular customer who would come in every week to buy their groceries. One day, they came in with a baby and asked me where we kept our baby food. I showed them where all of the baby food was located and told them about some of our other products that were good for babies. The next week, they thanked me for helping them find what they needed.”

7. Are you comfortable operating cash registers and handling money?

Cashiers are responsible for handling money and operating cash registers. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to perform these tasks accurately and efficiently. In your answer, explain that you understand how to operate a register and count money. Share any experience you have with these processes.

Example: “I’ve worked as a cashier at my local grocery store for five years now. I’m very comfortable counting money and using cash registers. I know how to use all of the functions on our registers, including barcode scanners and credit card readers. I also know how to handle large crowds and keep customers happy while they wait in line.”

8. Describe your work ethic.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you approach your job. They want to know that you are a hard worker who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. When answering, think of an example from your past where you worked extra hours or took on additional responsibilities.

Example: “I have always been someone who approaches my work with a positive attitude. I am committed to doing whatever it takes to get the job done. In my last position, there was a time when we were short-staffed and under pressure to meet our sales goals. I volunteered to stay late every night for two weeks until we could hire new employees. This helped us meet our goals and allowed me to develop my leadership skills.”

9. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an unhappy or difficult coworker or manager.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you handle conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation or example of how you helped resolve the issue.

Example: “At my last job, I had a coworker who was always late for work. This made it difficult for us to complete our tasks on time, which caused stress for everyone else in the office. After talking with him several times about his lateness, he still didn’t change his behavior. So, I decided to switch desks with him so that he would have to do all of the work while I took a break. He quickly realized that being late wasn’t worth it and changed his behavior.”

10. What is your availability like? Can you work weekends, holidays?

Harris Teeter is a large grocery store chain that operates in many states. They may ask this question to make sure you are willing to work the hours they need their employees to work. If you have any scheduling conflicts, it’s important to let them know as soon as possible so they can find someone who is available.

Example: “I am able to work weekends and holidays. I understand that these times are when most people shop for groceries, so I’m happy to help out during those busy periods. I also understand that working nights and weekends means I will be missing some family time, but I am committed to providing excellent customer service.”

11. Which department are you most interested in working for? Why?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have done your research on Harris Teeter and understand what each department does. It also shows them which departments are hiring, so they can tell you about those opportunities if they know of any.

Example: “I am most interested in working for the produce department because I love fresh food and enjoy interacting with customers who come into the store looking for specific fruits or vegetables. I think my customer service skills would be an asset to this department as well.”

12. How do you think Harris Teeter can improve their current processes?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and how you can help it grow. When answering this question, make sure you are honest about what you think could be improved but also show that you have ideas on how to improve those processes.

Example: “I believe Harris Teeter’s biggest opportunity for improvement is in its customer service. I’ve noticed that many customers leave the store unhappy because they don’t feel like their needs were met by employees. To solve this problem, I would implement a training program for all employees on how to better serve customers. This will give them the tools they need to provide excellent customer service.”

13. As a personal shopper, how will you ensure that customers’ orders are correct?

This question is an opportunity to show your attention to detail and customer service skills. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped customers with their orders or ensured that the items they ordered were correct.

Example: “I have a lot of experience as a personal shopper, so I know how important it is to double-check all of my work before handing over the order to the customer. In my last position, I had a customer who was ordering for a large family gathering. She wanted me to make sure everything was right, so she watched me put together her entire order. After checking off each item on her list, she thanked me and left.”

14. What is your greatest strength? Weakness?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They want to know what skills you have that will help you succeed in the role, but they also want to make sure you are aware of any areas for improvement. When answering this question, be honest and specific.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am a very friendly person who enjoys making customers feel welcome when they come into the store. I always try to greet everyone by name and remember their preferences. This helps me create relationships with our regular customers and build loyalty among them. My weakness is that sometimes I get so excited to see familiar faces that I forget to take care of other customers. I’m working on remembering to greet everyone as soon as they walk through the door.”

15. Tell us about a time when you worked on a team project and struggled to communicate effectively with other members of the team.

When an interviewer asks you to talk about a time when you struggled with communication, they are trying to understand how you overcame the challenge and what steps you took to improve your ability to communicate. This question is also an opportunity for you to show that you can take responsibility for your actions and learn from your mistakes.

Example: “In my last position as a customer service representative, I was working on a team project where we had to create a new marketing campaign for one of our products. My teammates were all very creative people who each wanted to do things their own way. We would often get into arguments over whose ideas were best or which ones should be used in the final product. Eventually, we learned to compromise and work together to come up with a solution that everyone could agree upon.”

16. Do you enjoy helping people?

This question is a great way to determine if you are the right fit for this position. Harris Teeter wants employees who enjoy helping customers and providing excellent customer service. This shows that you have empathy, which is an important quality in retail positions. When answering this question, make sure to emphasize your desire to help others.

Example: “I love working with people and making their day better. I find it rewarding when I can provide someone with exactly what they need or want. It makes me feel good knowing that I made someone’s life easier. I am always willing to go above and beyond to ensure my customers are happy.”

17. Give us an example of a time when you had to lead a group of people. How did you approach it?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to work with others and inspire change or improvement.

Example: “In my last position as a grocery store manager, I had to lead a team of employees who were working on a new inventory system. The transition from our old system to the new one was challenging for some employees, so I held weekly meetings where we discussed the new system and practiced using it. This helped me build relationships with my team members and allowed us to overcome any challenges that came up during the transition.”

18. We often have to work quickly to keep up with our busy schedules here. Do you think you could handle the pace?

This question is a great way to see how well you would fit in with the Harris Teeter team. It’s important for employees to be able to work together and communicate effectively, so it’s helpful if they can also keep up with the pace of the store. When answering this question, make sure to emphasize your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks.

Example: “I think I could handle the pace here at Harris Teeter. I’m used to working quickly and efficiently, especially when there are many things that need to get done at once. I’ve always been good at prioritizing my tasks and communicating with others, which helps me stay organized and on track.”

19. Sometimes we have to lift heavy boxes as part of our job. Is this something that you’re comfortable doing?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your physical capabilities. They want to make sure you’re capable of doing the job safely and efficiently. In your answer, explain that you have no problem lifting heavy boxes as long as you have the proper equipment.

Example: “I’m very comfortable with lifting heavy objects as part of my job. I’ve worked in grocery stores before where we had to lift large bags of dog food or cat litter. We always made sure to use carts or dollies so we didn’t injure ourselves. I think it’s important to be safe when handling these types of products.”

20. It’s important to be able to work independently. Do you think you’d be able to do that?

Harris Teeter is a large company that has many different departments. The interviewer wants to know if you can work independently and be successful in your role. Use examples from previous jobs where you’ve had to complete tasks without much guidance or support.

Example: “I think it’s important to have some independence when working for a larger organization like Harris Teeter. In my last job, I was the only person on my team who worked with customers. This meant I had to learn how to do everything myself, including ordering supplies and completing inventory checks. While this was challenging at first, I eventually got used to doing everything by myself and became comfortable with handling all of these responsibilities.”