20 Stater Bros. Interview Questions and Answers

Stater Bros. is one of the largest supermarket chains in Southern California, with over 170 stores in operation. The company is known for its commitment to customer service, and its employees are expected to provide a high level of service to every customer who comes into the store.

If you’re applying for a job at Stater Bros., you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your customer service experience and how you would handle various customer service scenarios. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Stater Bros. interview questions and answers.

Stater Bros. Interview Process

The interview process at Stater Bros. is generally pretty quick and easy. Most applicants report being hired on the spot after a brief interview, though some positions may require a second interview. The questions asked during the interview are usually fairly basic and focus on your availability and previous experience (if any). Overall, the interview process is relatively simple and straightforward.

1. What do you know about Stater Bros?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see how much you know about their company. It’s important that you show your knowledge of the company and its values, as well as what makes it unique. You can answer this question by describing some of the things you’ve learned from researching Stater Bros., such as:

The history of the company
What sets them apart from other grocery stores
Their mission statement
Example: “I know that Stater Bros was founded in 1936 by Pete Van Helden. He started the company with his brother-in-law, Frank Canelos, who later became Pete’s business partner. The first store opened in San Bernardino, California, and they were originally called P&F Markets. They changed their name to Stater Bros when they expanded into Riverside County.

Stater Bros has been family owned and operated since day one. I also know that they are committed to providing fresh food at affordable prices. Their motto is ‘We’re here for you,’ which shows that they care about their customers.”

2. Why should we hire you?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel they can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I believe I am the best person for this job because of my extensive customer service experience. Throughout my career, I have worked in both fast-paced and slow-paced environments, which has helped me develop excellent communication and problem-solving skills. My ability to work well under pressure makes me confident that I could thrive in this role.”

3. How would you approach a customer looking for help in the store?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with customers and whether you have any special skills or techniques for helping them. Use your answer to highlight a specific skill, such as active listening, that helps you provide excellent customer service.

Example: “When I see a customer looking for assistance, I immediately walk over to them and introduce myself. I ask if they need help finding anything in particular and listen carefully to their response. If they’re having trouble locating an item, I use my knowledge of the store’s layout to guide them to where it might be located. For more complicated questions, I try to find someone who has more expertise than me so I can direct the customer to them.”

4. If hired, what kind of work ethic will you bring to this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you plan to contribute to the company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you had a strong work ethic or what led you to develop one.

Example: “I have always been someone who strives for excellence in my work. I believe that if you’re going to do something, you should do it well. In my last position as a cashier, I was known for having the cleanest checkout area and being able to help other employees with questions they had. I also received several compliments from customers on my customer service skills.”

5. Are you available to work nights and weekends?

Stater Bros. is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. The company wants to make sure you’re willing to work nights and weekends if necessary. In your answer, explain that you are available to work these shifts. Explain that you understand the importance of working when most people need groceries.

Example: “I am happy to work any shift at Stater Bros. I know how important it is for the company to be open when its customers need it. I have worked many night and weekend shifts in my previous jobs. I’m used to this schedule and don’t mind it at all.”

6. Do you have any experience working with food?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential co-workers. If you have experience working with food, share what you did and how it helped the company. If you don’t have any experience, you can talk about your interest in food or mention that you’re willing to learn.

Example: “I worked as a server at a restaurant for three years. I learned how to work quickly while still providing excellent customer service. I also developed my communication skills by talking to customers and other employees. I’m excited to apply these skills to Stater Bros., where I know we’ll provide excellent customer service.”

7. Tell me about your previous retail experience.

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your previous work experience. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include details about the type of retail you worked in and how that prepared you for working at Stater Bros.

Example: “I have two years of experience as a cashier at a local grocery store. While I was there, I learned how to interact with customers and solve problems on my own. This helped me develop customer service skills and problem-solving abilities that I use every day when interacting with customers.”

8. I see that you used to work at another grocery store, why did you leave?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your career path and how you’ve grown as a professional. Use this opportunity to explain what you learned from that experience, what you enjoyed most and why you’re excited for a new challenge at Stater Bros.

Example: “I left my last job because I wanted to work somewhere with more opportunities for growth. My previous employer was great, but I felt like I had reached my potential there. When I saw the open position here, I knew it would be a good fit for me. I’m excited to use my skills in customer service and organization to make a difference in this company.”

9. Are you willing to go through our training program?

Stater Bros. has a training program for new employees to help them learn the company’s policies and procedures. The interviewer wants to know if you’re willing to go through this process, which can take several weeks. Show that you are committed to learning about the company by answering yes.

Example: “Yes, I am willing to go through your training program. I understand it will be an important part of my job as a cashier at Stater Bros. I’m excited to learn more about the company and how to do my job well.”

10. What is your availability like?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can work the hours they need. They also want to know if you have any conflicts with their current employees’ schedules. When answering, be honest about your availability and try to find a time that works for both parties. If there are no times that fit, offer some alternatives or explain why you’re not available at those times.

Example: “I am currently only available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. I do have one conflict on Wednesday afternoons, however, as I take my son to his soccer practice then. I’m free all other days of the week.”

11. How would you handle an angry customer?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle stressful situations. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped an angry customer and the outcome of your actions.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t get their free coffee that day. I apologized for the inconvenience and explained that we were out of coffee. The customer seemed satisfied with my answer and left the store. In this case, I handled the situation by being honest and showing empathy toward the customer.”

12. Do you have any experience using a cash register?

This question is a great way to determine if you have any experience working in the retail industry. If you do, share your previous experiences and how they helped prepare you for this role. If you don’t have cash register experience, explain what other types of registers you’ve used or describe your overall experience with computers and technology.

Example: “I worked at my local grocery store throughout high school and college. I was responsible for using their point-of-sale system to ring up customers’ purchases. This experience taught me how to use a computerized cash register and gave me valuable customer service skills.”

13. Can you tell us about a time where you had to deal with difficult customers or situations?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you handle stressful situations. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional in these types of scenarios. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to diffuse a situation.

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. The customer started yelling at me and demanding a manager. I remained calm and explained that we were out of the sale items and couldn’t offer them any more discounts. The customer continued to yell but eventually left the store without making a purchase.”

14. Have you ever worked in a fast-paced environment before?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Employers ask this question because they want to know if you can handle the pace of their store and keep up with customer demands. In your answer, explain how you have worked in a fast-paced environment before and what skills you developed while doing so.

Example: “I’ve worked in a fast-paced environment before at my previous job as a cashier. I had to scan items quickly and make sure customers were happy. It was challenging but rewarding when I could help someone find something or get them through checkout quickly. I think that experience has prepared me for working here.”

15. Are you comfortable lifting up to 50lbs?

This question is asked to determine if you are physically capable of performing the job duties. The interviewer wants to make sure that you can lift heavy items and move them around the store as needed. In your answer, explain how often you have lifted this amount in the past and what kind of challenges you faced while doing so.

Example: “In my previous position, I was responsible for moving large boxes of food from the back room to the sales floor. This required me to lift up to 50lbs at a time. While it was challenging at first, I quickly got used to lifting these amounts. Now, I am confident in my ability to perform this task.”

16. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what you’re good at and where you can improve. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented. I also have excellent communication skills and work well under pressure. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too much information. To overcome this, I make sure to prioritize tasks and break them down into smaller steps.”

17. Are you able to stand on your feet for long periods of time?

This question is a way for employers to assess your physical stamina. They want to make sure you can handle the demands of their job, which may include standing for long periods of time and lifting heavy objects. In your answer, explain how you have prepared yourself physically for this role.

Example: “I am very physically fit and I enjoy working out regularly. I find that it helps me stay focused throughout my workday and gives me more energy. I also try to eat healthy meals so that I have enough fuel to get through my shifts.”

18. Do you have reliable transportation?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your availability for work. If you are interviewing for a position that requires you to drive, the employer will want to know if you have access to a vehicle and how reliable it is. In your answer, be honest about whether or not you have transportation and what type of car you own. Explain any challenges you might face in getting to work on time.

Example: “I do have my own vehicle, but I would need to get it repaired before I could start working here. My current car broke down last week, so I’m currently relying on public transportation. Luckily, there’s a bus stop right outside the store where I can catch the bus to work.”

19. What does good customer service mean to you?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of customer service. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you provide good customer service in your current role.

Example: “Good customer service means being friendly and helpful while also making sure customers get what they need. I think it’s important to listen to their needs and respond with solutions. In my last position, I had a regular customer who would come into the store every day for coffee. One day, she came in and told me her usual order wasn’t tasting right. I asked her if she wanted something different or if she just wanted a refund. She said she’d like a new drink but didn’t want to wait in line again. So, I made her a new drink on the house.”

20. Is there anything else you would like us to know about you?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded person. You can use this time to talk about any other skills or experiences that may be relevant to the job, such as volunteer work, hobbies or family life.

Example: “I have two children and am very involved in their school activities. I also coach my son’s baseball team, which has been an amazing experience for me. It’s great to see kids learn new things and develop confidence on the field.”