20 SPAR Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, being prepared is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at SPAR, a leading voluntary food retail chain, then you’ll want to know what kinds of questions to expect.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common SPAR interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence. We’ll cover everything from questions about your experience working in customer service to questions about how you would handle a difficult situation.

So whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a first-time job seeker, read on for some helpful tips on how to ace your SPAR interview.

SPAR Interview Process

The interview process at SPAR is generally quite simple and straightforward. Most interviews will just be a brief chat about your experience and why you want to work for the company. However, some positions may require a more formal interview process. For example, cashier positions may require a basic math test. Overall, the interview process is relatively quick and easy.

1. Why do you want to work at SPAR?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done some research on the organization and understand what they do. You can also use this time to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the position.

Example: “I want to work at SPAR because I am passionate about food, nutrition and helping people eat well. I think my customer service experience would be an asset to the team as I know how important it is to provide excellent service to customers. I also love working with others and collaborating to solve problems.”

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a retail sales assistant?

This question is a common one in retail interviews. It allows you to highlight your skills and also show that you are self-aware. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the most important qualities of a good salesperson. You may want to mention traits like communication, problem solving or customer service.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented. I always make sure to have all my paperwork ready before each shift and keep track of any inventory issues as they arise. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on work that I forget to take breaks. This has happened a few times where I didn’t realize how long I had been working until someone else pointed it out.”

3. Do you have any experience operating tills or handling cash?

This question is a great way to determine if you have the skills and experience needed for this role. If you do, it’s important to highlight those experiences in your answer. If you don’t, you can explain why you’re still qualified for the position.

Example: “I’ve worked as a cashier at my local grocery store since I was 16 years old. This has given me valuable experience with handling money and operating tills. In fact, I’m quite comfortable using any point-of-sale system or register. I also know how to use all of the different scanners and barcode readers that are used in supermarkets.”

4. Give an example of when you had to deal with conflict in the workplace. How did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from previous jobs where you had to resolve a conflict with a coworker or customer and how you handled it.

Example: “In my last position, I was working as the cashier while also helping customers find items in the store. One day, a customer came up to me looking for an item that wasn’t on display. I told them we didn’t have any of those left but would order some more if they wanted to place an order. The customer became upset and started yelling at me because they wanted to buy one right then. I apologized and explained our policy again. They eventually understood and left the store.”

5. Can you tell us about a time when you worked well under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see how you handle stressful situations. They want to know that you can stay calm and focused when things get hectic. In your answer, share a specific time when you worked under pressure and what you did to manage it effectively. Explain the steps you took to complete your work on time or meet your deadline.

Example: “When I was working as a cashier at my previous job, we had an extremely busy day where there were long lines of customers waiting to check out. The store manager asked me to help with customer service while another employee helped bag groceries. I knew I would have to multitask between checking people out and helping them find items in the store.

I stayed calm and focused by taking deep breaths before each task. I also made sure to prioritize which tasks needed to be completed first so I could finish everything on time.”

6. Tell me about a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your customer service skills and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific situation where you helped someone in need or went above and beyond for a customer.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a regular customer who would come into the store every day. One day, she came in with her son, who was about two years old. He started crying because he wanted his mommy. She apologized profusely but said that she needed to get her groceries. I took him out of the cart and let him play on the floor while she finished shopping. After she left, I told my manager what happened so they could write up an employee commendation.”

7. Have you ever been caught stealing from a store?

This question is a common one in retail, and it’s used to assess your honesty. If you have been caught stealing from a store, be honest about what happened and how you resolved the situation.

Example: “I was working at a grocery store when I was 18 years old. One day, I forgot to scan an item that I put into a customer’s bag. The next week, the manager called me into his office and asked if I had forgotten to scan any items. I told him yes, and he fired me on the spot. He said that I could come back after six months of good behavior. After six months, I returned to work for the company as a cashier.”

8. Are you comfortable working alone?

Working in retail can require a lot of time alone. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with that aspect of the job. If you have experience working alone, share what made it successful for you. If you haven’t worked alone before, explain how you would handle it if you were hired.

Example: “I’ve worked alone before and I find it quite enjoyable. It’s nice to be able to focus on my work without distractions from others. However, I also enjoy collaborating with others. When I was working as a cashier at a grocery store, I found that having another cashier nearby helped me stay focused. I think I could do well working alone at SPAR because I’m good at staying motivated.”

9. What would you do if you saw that another employee was not following company policy?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a situation that could affect your work or the company’s reputation. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to address the issue and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I saw another employee not following policy, I would first speak with them privately about the issue. If they were aware of their mistake but continued to do so, I would document the incident in case it happened again. If they didn’t realize their mistake, I would have a conversation with my manager about the issue and ask for advice on how to proceed.”

10. Describe a situation when you were unable to complete a task on time. How did you manage it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to manage the situation and how you overcame it.

Example: “In my previous role as a manager at a grocery store, I was responsible for ordering food supplies for the entire store. One day, I realized that I had forgotten to order some of our produce items. I immediately called my supplier and explained the situation. They were able to deliver the missing items within two days. This helped us avoid any major issues with customers.”

11. What is your availability?

Employers may ask this question to determine your availability for the position. They want to know if you can work their hours and how many days a week you are available to work. When answering, be honest about your availability. If you have other commitments that might prevent you from working certain shifts or days, let them know as soon as possible so they can find someone who is available.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I do not have any conflicts with those hours at all. However, I will need to leave by 3 p.m. on Wednesdays because of my child care responsibilities.”

12. We often receive complaints from customers who say they can’t find what they are looking for, how would you address this?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills and ability to solve problems. Your answer should include a specific example of how you would address this issue, as well as the steps you would take to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “I once worked at a grocery store where we received many complaints from customers who couldn’t find what they were looking for. I started by asking my coworkers if they had any similar complaints, which led me to discover that our inventory system was outdated. We then updated our inventory software so we could track items more efficiently.”

13. If a customer returned something without a receipt, what would you do?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a common customer service issue. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions quickly.

Example: “If I didn’t have a receipt, I would try my best to remember what they purchased. If I couldn’t remember exactly, I would ask them for more details about what they bought. Then, I would use that information to find the item in our system or compare it to similar items we sell. If I still couldn’t find the exact product, I would offer store credit as an alternative.”

14. What type of leadership style do you respond best to?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your leadership style aligns with that of their company. It’s important to be honest about which type of leader you are and how it has helped you in previous roles.

Example: “I respond best to a democratic leadership style, where I am given autonomy over my work but have access to resources when needed. In my last role as a produce manager at Whole Foods Market, I was responsible for hiring new employees and delegating tasks among my team members. I found this method of leadership most effective because it allowed me to delegate responsibilities while still maintaining control over the quality of our produce department.”

15. Describe a time where you had to use good judgement when dealing with a difficult customer.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and customer service experience.

Example: “In my previous role as a cashier, I had a customer who was upset because they didn’t get the sale price on an item that was advertised in the store. The customer started yelling at me and demanding a refund for the difference between the regular price and the sale price. I calmly explained to the customer that we couldn’t give them a refund since it wasn’t our fault that they missed the sale sign. They were still unhappy but eventually left the store without causing any more trouble.”

16. In your opinion, what does being a team player mean?

Teamwork is an important skill for any retail employee. Employers ask this question to see if you understand what it means to be a team player and how your skills can benefit their company. In your answer, explain what teamwork means to you and give examples of when you have worked as part of a team in the past.

Example: “Being a team player means that I am willing to work with others to achieve a common goal. When working on a team, I make sure to communicate openly with my coworkers so we all know what our responsibilities are. I also try to help other employees whenever they need assistance. For example, at my last job, one of my coworkers was having trouble scanning items into the system. I offered to help her scan some of her items while she helped me.”

17. How would you handle a dispute between two employees?

This question can help the interviewer assess your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from past experiences to highlight how you handled a disagreement between two employees and helped them resolve their differences.

Example: “In my last position, I had an employee who was consistently late for work. This caused other employees to cover his shifts, which led to some of them missing their scheduled breaks. When I first spoke with this employee about his tardiness, he became defensive and insisted that he wasn’t late. After explaining our policy on attendance, he apologized and promised to be more punctual in the future. He also agreed to take responsibility for covering the shifts of any employees who were inconvenienced by his absence.”

18. Who has been the greatest inspiration in your life?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s values and what they consider important. It can also help you determine if their goals align with those of the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention someone who has inspired you in your career or helped you achieve success.

Example: “My grandmother was my greatest inspiration growing up. She worked as a cashier at a grocery store for over 30 years, and she always told me that I could do anything I set my mind to. Her positive attitude and work ethic have been an inspiration to me throughout my life.”

19. What would you do if a customer asked you a question that you didn’t know the answer to?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle uncertainty and whether you’re willing to admit when you don’t know something. It’s important to be honest, but it’s also important to show that you’re willing to learn more about the topic in question.

Example: “If a customer asked me a question I didn’t know the answer to, I would first apologize for not knowing the answer. Then, I would tell them that I’d find out the answer as soon as possible and get back to them with an answer.”

20. What are you most proud of achieving so far in your career?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s values and goals. It can also help you understand what they consider success, which can be helpful when determining whether or not they are a good fit for your company culture.

Example: “I am most proud of my ability to work well with others. I have always been someone who enjoys collaborating with others on projects, so I was thrilled when I got my first job as an assistant manager at a grocery store. There were many people working there that I didn’t know very well, but we all worked together to make sure our customers had a positive shopping experience. That teamwork helped me realize how important it is to find a workplace where everyone gets along.”