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Costco Interview Questions and Answers

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Practice for your upcoming Costco job interview by using our mock interview. Click 'First Question' below to get started.

First Question

40 Costco Interview Questions

10 Interview Questions With Sample Answers

1.   Tell me about yourself.

What You Need to Know

This introductory question is meant to break the ice and allow the interviewer to get a glimpse of the real you. They are looking for a particular type of person to fill this role within their company, and the more you are yourself, the better of an idea they'll have of whether you are the right fit for this job and their teams. So feel free to be yourself and let your personality shine.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

How to Answer

Construct a dual-purposed bio that defines who you are as a professional and showcase you possess all the qualities they are looking for in an ideal candidate. As they advertise on their careers webpage, "If you are an ambitious, energetic person who enjoys a fast-paced team environment filled with challenges and opportunities, you've come to the right place. Our successful employees are service-oriented people with integrity and commitment toward a common goal of excellence."

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I started working at Trader Joe's eight years ago, and they identified my leadership potential early on and started mentoring me to join their leadership team. In no time, I was promoted and helped open three stores. But even though I learned a lot from the company, am proud of my accomplishments, and am grateful for all the opportunities they provided me, I feel stagnant in my career. They are currently hiring more managers from outside the company than they are promoting from within. Still, I am not quite ready to give up or committed to leaving the company. But I decided to explore companies that shared my values and were more likely to give me the opportunity to manage a store or transfer to corporate. When I learned that Costco only promotes from within, even though I would have to start from the ground up, this excited me. I thought I did it at Trader Joe's in record time. I can do it here too. So, this opportunity is the only one I would consider entertaining. Otherwise, I'll stick it out with TJ's. So that's what brings me here today."

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

2.   What is your availability?

What You Need to Know

As with most retailers, especially a store whose square footage and the range of their departments is as large as Costco's stores, employees are expected to work around the clock, from early morning to late at night. According to employee reviews online, a newer hire is expected to have a more flexible schedule of five to eight hours a day and be willing to work a variety of shifts with varying days off. Other Costco employees say preference is awarded to employees with more seniority. Your interviewer may consider someone with an open schedule a more ideal candidate. Whatever your availability, evaluate your priorities and career goals, and answer honestly. Better to be clear at the onset to avoid burning out on the job quickly or giving them false expectations.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 11th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I currently have open availability and don't anticipate that changing. Although, I prefer working nights rather than early mornings. I'm not much of a morning person and lean more toward being a night owl. But I would rise to whatever occasion I was called to, given the opportunity."

Written by Kevin Downey on June 11th, 2023

3.   Tell me about the last time you had to adapt to a major change in your workplace.

What You Need to Know

"Everything is changing. We have to be mindful of changes. There is always going to be change. If we are going to be successful in the future, we are going to have to be as innovative in the next fifteen years as the last fifteen years. It will be imperative or we won't survive. The customers vote at the checkout stand. If we aren't doing our job, they won't be buying the products." - James Sinegal

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question

Your interviewer is curious about how well you adapt to change. Changes are constant in every industry. As a result, most businesses occasionally have to alter their course to remain relevant in a constantly changing world. Yet, too often, a percentage of a workforce reads too deeply into the messaging guiding their teams through such change. Then, that percentage of workers might feel a false sense of job insecurity and sow discontent over their misguided interpretations. Other times, the messaging gets diluted and is communicated poorly by their leadership to their teams. So with this question, your interviewer is trying to get a sense of your emotional maturity, communication skills, and support/loyalty during such periods of transition.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

Experienced Example

"Our company executed a major rebranding of our career opportunities, renaming many of our positions, especially in leadership, and creating a fairer structure for our chain of command. Certain positions were to be designated positions of honor, yet with less restriction and less career growth. The messaging wasn't clear, and many people who were interested in growing their careers felt misled and robbed of opportunity, and others feared they would lose their jobs or be demoted. I did everything I could to support our manager through this period and clarified the messaging wherever I could, yet many people quit and sought other opportunities elsewhere."

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

4.   How would your references describe you?

What You Need to Know

The interviewer wants to hear that your references will positively describe you. Think about the positive things your references have said about you. Be specific and include an example of times you made an impact on their lives. For instance, you might say, "My reference, John Smith, has told me that I am a hard worker and that he likes that I am always happy to be at work!" These concrete examples will be sure to impress the interviewer.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

Answer Example

"My reference, John Smith, has told me that I am a hard worker, and he has told me that he likes how I am always happy to be at work!"

Written by Rachelle Enns

5.   What is your best personal trait?

What You Need to Know

The interviewer wants to learn more about who you are, at the core. Think about the one thing that people repeatedly commend you for; this is your answer to this question! If you are not sure of what to mention, you can take a free personality test, like 16personalities.com and comb through your results for ideas.

Written by Rachelle Enns

Experienced Example

"I have been told that my best trait is my ability to relate to people. My co-workers often mention that they really admire this trait. I can strike up a meaningful conversation with nearly anyone."

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

6.   What are your greatest strengths?

What You Need to Know

Which personal strengths make you excellent at your job? Strengths can be skills or qualities that help you overcome difficult circumstances or accomplish challenging tasks. In a work context, your strengths will help you to complete your to-do list, understand client needs, and help you to apply what you have learned in your training. Talk to the interviewer about a couple of your strengths and why those will help you to be successful in this role. If you can tie your strengths into the qualities mentioned in the job posting, even better!

Some great strengths to mention are:

- Communicative
- Loyal
- Collaborative
- Tech Savvy
- Flexible in Schedule/Availability
- Persistent and Determined
- Eager for Knowledge/New Skills

Written by Rachelle Enns

Experienced Example

"My strongest skills that help me on a daily basis are my people-skills, and the ability to close a sale without being pushy. I relate to the customer, get to know them and their needs, build excellent rapport and can make solid recommendations that suit them. They buy, return, and repeat. And it is something I enjoy a lot. I love to see my regulars, hear about their lives, help them look and feel their best!"

Written by Rachelle Enns

7.   Where do you see yourself in the Costco organization in two years?

What You Need to Know

The interviewer wants to hear that you have realistic career progression expectations within Costco.

Tell the interviewer that you are excited about joining the team at Costco, and you anticipate that you will likely be in the same job in two years that you are hired for. If a promotion or another opportunity is available before then, that is great! But, you recognize that it takes time for developments and internal job changes to occur, so in two years, there is a good chance you will still be in the same job title, and that is okay with you! Be sure to mention that your goal is to learn as much as you can, so when the opportunity arises, you can be promoted.

If you are a student, tell the interviewer that you plan to stay at Costco through graduation in the role that you are hired into, and then share what career or further education you hope to be pursuing following graduation. If Costco offers jobs in your field, such as management, be sure to mention that you would be open to considering a career in your area at Costco if one is available upon graduation.

Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"In two years I would like to be on track for a promotion to assistant manager. I realize that a move like that takes time and dedication; both of which I am more than willing to contribute."

Written by Rachelle Enns

8.   Why do you want to work here, and why should we hire you?

What You Need to Know

Costco's focus is bringing its members quality, brand-name products at great prices. Tell the interviewer that you support Costco's goal of providing families with these great products and reasonable prices. Recognize that you would be helping create an environment where friends, family, and business colleagues come to shop together. Be excited about being a part of something great as an employee at Costco! As James Sinegal, the founder of Costco once said, "If you've got to work for the rest of your life, you'd better do something you'll enjoy."

Why should they hire you? Talking about ourselves in this way can be challenging. If you are unsure, talk about it to a few colleagues, family members, and friends. Ask them for their opinion. You'll probably be surprised at the consistency in their responses! Their answers will give you insight into how to answer this part of the question. Tell the interviewer what sets you apart, and explain how your co-workers, family members, and friends have encouraged you with your gift in this area.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

Experienced Example

"I want to work here because your organization is huge and offers an incredible opportunity for growth. You should hire me because I would be a loyal and long-term hire. I understand what goes into sourcing, onboarding, and training a new employee, and I would be fully dedicated to this process and my potential career growth with Costco."

Written by Rachelle Enns

9.   What motivates you in your work?

What You Need to Know

We all have different things that motivate us. Goals drive some of us. Some of us are excited by having someone we look up to who mentors us. Some of us are inspired by strong leadership. Think about your life; what has been your primary motivator? Staying away from answers that involve money is always a good idea. As the founder of Costco, James Sinegal, said, "I think that most people running companies are motivated, and pay is a small portion of the motivation." Share with the interviewer what drives you to excel and achieve.

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

Answer Example

"I was raised to have an excellent work ethic, which means I work hard every day. I show up when I am expected, and I give my all to my employer. I especially like to work hard for my customers, making them feel special and cared for when they are in my store."

Written by Rachelle Enns

10.   How does Costco fit into your overall career plans?

What You Need to Know

The interviewer hopes to hear that you will stay with the company long-term.

If you are a student, tell the interviewer that you plan to stay at Costco through graduation, and then share what career or further education you hope to be pursuing following graduation. If Costco offers jobs in your field, such as management, be sure to mention that you would be open to considering a career in your area at Costco if one is available upon graduating.

If you are not a student, no problem! Simply share that you see yourself working at Costco long-term, and share if you desire to be promoted at some point in your career along with what promotion you might be interested in. You might say something like, "I see myself working at Costco long-term. I would like to start out as a Cashier, and I hope to be promoted to a management position within the next 5-10 years."

Written by Rachelle Enns

Experienced Example

"I see myself working at Costco long-term. I would like to quickly work my way up to cashier, and I hope to be promoted to a management position within the next 5-10 years."

Written by Kevin Downey on June 10th, 2023

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