Is it hard to get hired as a Mate at Trader Joe's?

Mate applicants have rated the interview process at Trader Joe's with 2.8 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 66% positive. To compare, the company-average is 72.5% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.

How long does it take to get hired as a Mate at Trader Joe's?

Candidates applying for Mate roles take an average of 45 days to get hired, when considering 36 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Trader Joe's overall takes an average of 14 days.

Where can I find Trader Joe's interview experiences by job title?

Crew Member (5958) ; Cashier (341) ; Crew (315) ; Mate (216) ; Part Time Crew Member (152) ; Sales Associate/Cashier (119) ; Manager (113) ; Sales Associate (113) ; Section Leader (74) ; Trader Joes Crew Member (63) ; Assistant Manager (56) ; Mate (Assistant Manager) (52) ; Grocery Clerk (51) ; Trader Joe's Crew Member (42) ; Stocker (34)

Skip to content Skip to footer

Notifications

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's Mate interview questions

based on 36 ratings - Updated Mar 3, 2026

Average interview difficulty

Very positive interview experience

How others got an interview

47%
In Person
In Person
44%
Applied online
Applied online
9%
Employee Referral
Employee Referral

Interview search

36 interviews

Mate Interview

Dec 8, 2015

Anonymous Interview Candidate

Declined offer

Positive experience

Average interview

Application

I applied online. The process took 6 weeks. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (Jenkintown, PA) in Nov 2015

Interview

Rather convoluted interview process. Starts with a phone interview with HR, then an interview with a Captain. If the HR person and the Captain both agree on you, you get an interview with a different Captain. If then all three agree on you, you get an interview with a Regional Manager. Then if everyone finally agrees I'd imagine you get a job.

Interview questions [1]

Question 1

Why Trader Joes?

Answer question

Mate Interview

Nov 20, 2015

Anonymous employee

Accepted offer

Positive experience

Average interview

Application

I applied online. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (Boston, MA) in May 2011

Interview

it took about 3 months from first contact to the hiring. I spoke with a recruiter who then had me interview with two store Captains. I was offered the job from the Regional Vice President.

Interview questions [1]

Question 1

Tell me about a time that you offered excellent customer service to a difficult customer and how did it end up working out?

1 Answer

Mate Interview

Sep 29, 2015

Anonymous employee

Accepted offer

Negative experience

Difficult interview

Application

I applied in-person. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Trader Joe's (Arlington, VA) in Aug 2013

Interview

The process is laborious! Six rounds of interviews over a one hundred square mile area over the course of three weeks. This took a LOT of time and effort just to meet the interview requirements. I got the job, but if I had not, then this entire process would have been a complete waste of time.

Interview questions [1]

Question 1

What is your favorite Trader Joe's item and why?

Answer question

Viewing 26 - 30 of 36 Interviews

Jobs at Trader Joe's

Mate (Assistant Store Manager)

Mate (Assistant Store Manager)

Mate (Assistant Store Manager)

Mate (Assistant Store Manager)

Mate (Assistant Store Manager)

Trader Joe's interviews FAQs

Trader Joe's interviews Trader Joe's Mate interviews

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's Mate interview questions

Average interview difficulty

Very positive interview experience

How others got an interview

Interview search

Mate Interview

Mate Interview

Mate Interview

Jobs at Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's interviews FAQs

Want the inside scoop on your own company?

Bowls

Followed companies

Job searches

Mate Interview

Mate Interview

Mate Interview

Trader Joe's interviews FAQs

Jobs at Trader Joe's