Executive Team Leader at Target interview questions

We’ve got an incredible team, a growing business and great pay and benefits — but no matter how you slice it, it’s always a great time to be on Team Target. And with you on board, we’re only gonna get better. Whether you’re thinking about applying to become a team member or joining one of our internship programs, you’re in the right place to join more than 400,000 people who have carved out a place of their own at Target.

Whatever your interest, you’re sure to find a way to tap into your experience and passion at Target. The first step? Researching roles. We recommend starting at our Careers and Internships pages, where you can learn more about open positions and hear team members’ stories about what it’s like to work at the Bullseye.

You’ve found the perfect posting and applied … now’s the time you may want to prep. Head here to get all the latest and greatest details on interviewing — including a handy PDF of our brand-new interview prep guide. (Yep, we’ve got everything you need to prepare to make a great impression.) Want more? We asked five Target recruiters — the very pros who interview and hire Team Target’s newest members — for insight into their process, and of course, their best tips. Here’s what Kate (who recruits for store leadership roles), Andy (supply chain roles), Kelly (tech roles) Abriana (campus recruiting) and Lindsay (human resources roles) had to say:

EXECUTIVE TEAM LEADER Interview Questions & Answers! (Team Leader Job Interview Tips!)

20 Target Interview Questions with 40+ User Answer Examples

  • 1. What is the toughest group that you have had to get cooperation from?
  • 2. Why did you decide to apply at Target?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. As mentioned earlier, I like the fact that Target believes in diversity. The fact that Target believes in giving back to the community as Target averages $4M a week, 5% of the income.
    2. I like the atmosphere of the stores I have been in and I like the stuff they do for the community.
    3. I like the fact that I very rarely hear anything bad about Target and the community, and that it stays strong despite the economys ups and downs.I also like the fact that not only it is a company of diversity, but one that sees no limits when it comes to age either. Some companies seem to only want those that have little experience, but when I shop Target I see all ages in all positions. I also like what you do for the community.
  • 3. What are some of your weaknesses?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. Impatience, sometimes I think that certain policy violations take to long to meet an end. Depression, everyone has a bad day.
    2. Sometimes depression can make me look at things negatively, not understanding the grey between policies.
    3. My depression sometimes makes me see the negative side of issues instead of the silver lining. Sometimes not allowing the policies to take the time needed to get something done.
    4. I tend to step in and get my hands dirty. Sometimes I believe this can make it look as though I do not trust my employees to do the work. This is one of those moments where I would sit back and analyze the situation to see if I am even needed to complete the task and encourage and praise those that are responsible for the task when it is completed.
  • 4. Why would you like a position at Target?
  • 5. How often did you call off work at your last position?
  • 6. Describe a time when you had to sacrifice quality to complete a job?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. One time, my office was tasked with a very short suspense for information. A job that would normally take 1-2 hours to complete, needed to be accomplished in a half to quarter of the time. All the required data and information was provided, but it did not look very pretty and was not to the highest quality for presentation purposes.
    2. A busy night at petsmart, and facing had to be left for better customer service.
    3. Some times at Pet Smart the appearance of the store has to be put aside for better customer service or for those last customers that have last minute questions.
    4. Sometimes at PetSmart customer service will take priority of facing of the shelves close to closing.
    5. Sometimes at PetSmart customer service will take priority of facing of the shelves close to closing.
  • 7. What are your career goals with our company?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. I want to move up. I’d like to be in a high enough position where I can be a positive influence on people, and where my ideas could make a difference. With this position, I would also like to gain even more leadership experience. I think I had a good run with the Food pantry, and now I’d like to take it to the next step. I want to work more experience with bringing out the best in people. Richmond has an enormous amount of talent, and tons of recent college graduates, and I want to work with it.
    2. To learn all position in a store to ensure that I have the knowledge to manage the employees properly and effectively in order to answer any of their questions. To help them progress to their professional and personal goals.
    3. Eventually I would like to be a District manager or district manager over HR
  • 8. What do you know about the company culture at Target?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. The culture is to provide a good product at a good price. Target believes in volunteerism and offers great career planning and development.
    2. Friendly, fun and collaborative and diversity. I have heard many things, but from those I know that work there it is like working for a large company that is trying to keep the associate in mind while give the customer the best shopping experience they can find.
  • 9. Why are you the best candidate for us?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. I have good managerial skills that have been foster and taught to me through my Air Force Career. I am a hard worker and strive to reach job accomplishment with the highest quality possible, which will increase the customers satisfaction and bring in repeat shoppers.
    2. I feel that my 25 plus years of experience, at least 7 years of various levels of management experience and my excellent customer service allows me to be one of the best candidates for Target.
  • 10. How long do you see yourself working at Target, if hired?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. As long as possible, I would like to make this a second career as opposed to just a job. I can see the potential to help develop, mentor, and coach co-workers to be successfull.
    2. I can see myself making Target a career not just a job.
    3. I am at a point in my life that I could see my self as a store manager in time and even higher. I would like to find a home with Target.
  • 11. Tell me about yourself.

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. I like to work, I believe a busy day is easier to get through. I like coaching and developing people so that they can achieve the best that they can, and then push them a little harder so they can achieve more. I have taken a liking to coaching childrens sports team and bringing a group of children, who may not know each other, together to work as a team and watch them grow and develop their skills.
    2. The many years I have been in the retail industry has taught me that nothing stays the same. Being at Petsmart is fun and I love the fact that I get to play with the animals but dont have to take them home. My repeat customers actually look for me to ask their questions, and will come back when I am there. Their dogs search the store if they hear my voice and wont let their owners shop until we have had our time. these experiences only add to to my reputation of excellent customer service. within the short amount of time we spend talking each time they come in they feel that we are friends. It is fun and challenging to meet deadlines and still be there for the customer. Though the team at PetSmart is strong and fun to be around 8 years of having to do the humane thing for the animals we sell is finally taking a toll on my emotions. I love PetSmart, but would like to step into a more human oriented customer service area with advancement possibilities.
    3. Having over 25 years of experience in the retail business, one of my proudest moments was bringing a failing infants department from not being in the top 100 of the district to being 3rd and keeping it there until I moved on to the assistant manager program. I am also proud of the fact that while I was a support manager at Petsmart associates felt that they could come to me with any problem and felt that I would at least look into it and get them an answer. I enjoy being a leader and helping others become the best they can be for the company. I am very good at listening to figure out what my customer wants even if there is a language barrier.
  • 12. What are your greatest strengths?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. I am dedicated and thoughtful for my employees and try to look out for what is best for them. When given a task or new job, I learn as much as possible about the job and I am not afraid to ask for help to learn. I use this information so that I can help my co-workers understand what is needed and what is asked of us.
    2. Ability to adapt to the moment, think out of the box, and read what the customer wants.
    3. Dependability, adaptability, knowledge, willingness to help train new people.
    4. Experience, dependability, adaptability, thinking outside the box, making the job fun.
  • 13. How would you define good customer service?
  • 14. How do you handle stressful situations?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. I believe I handle them very well. I sit back and do a quick analysis of the situation, gather all the information that is available and attack the situation and guide my employees to get the task accomplished.
    2. I take a deep breath and deal with the moment calmly. after the moment is gone I take a moment to shake off the adrenaline.
    3. I take a deep breath, think of how I want to be treated, get through the stress then find a quite place to let my mind do what it needs to then move on.
    4. I take a deep breath do what needs to be done or delegate what I can and do the rest with a smile and calm voice.
  • 15. Tell me about a time when you had to be a leader. How was the outcome?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. The Food Pantry at VCU has been one of my biggest challenges because it was the first time I led the start-up of a new program. I took a Food for Thought class and learned about the issues some students had with not getting enough food and having nowhere to turn. I found another student to partner with who shared my interest to help me get started. I first researched other similar programs, then we solicited Food Lion as a partner to keep the pantry stocked. We placed an article in The Commonwealth Times and on social media to advertise the Food Pantry and find volunteers. Once we had volunteers, I organized the setup of the pantry and scheduled the volunteers so we could open. With the help of those volunteers and other members of the community, the Food Pantry turned out to be a big success and ended up helping a lot of students who needed it.
    2. I have had to be the leader multiple times in my career in the Air Force. One specific time was when I deployed to Iraq with 3 employees who had never deployed, including our boss. I had to ensure that they all were prepared and ready to work in a quick and sometimes harsh environment. When we left, we left with praise from our supported customer.
    3. When I was in the deli section of walmart the department manager had an emergency and I had to finish the ordering, set the lunch schedules and change the schedules of the crew for two days. impressed the assistant manager and the department manager.
    4. While I was an unloader/flow team member for Walmart our assistant manager had to take some time off and I had to make sure the trucks were done on time and the freight made it to the floor for the stockers to put away. When my store manage saw the job was being done without any hesitations when the next opening for department manage came open he gave me a chance to preform there. The out come was very good.
    5. While at Walmart the unloader lead became sick and the assistant manager was busy on the floor so I took charge and made sure that the rest of the truck got unloaded and to the floor in a timely manner. The store manager approved and the next time there was an opening I was given a chance to do it.
  • 16. Give me an example when you were praised for your people skills in a past job.

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. When I was working at kohls, I opened for black friday, and the lines ended up getting mixed up, so some guests hadnt moved in line because they werent actually in line. I was working on the floor, and my normal floor duties were all completed, so I was saying hello to the customers in line and trying to make their time in line a bit more enjoyable. When I moved to one line they said that they hadnt been moving, and I noticed that they werent on the footprints that we had laid on the floor to indicate the line. I apologized for the wait thanked them for their patience, and told them I would personally investigate how to make the line go faster. After following the line they were in, I realized that it joined into another line, and that we hadnd laid out enough footprints. I returned to the customer and explained that the lines were extremely long and the path that the line took and gave them an estimate of how long the wait would be. At that point I informed my supervisor and was placed in charge of combining the lines. Many of the customers were unhappy when they reached the point when they merged lines, and I was praised later that day by my supervisor for my ability to calmly address them and enhance their experience.
  • 17. Do you have a consistent form of transportation?
  • 18. What was your biggest success in hiring someone? What did you do?
  • 19. Give an example of a time in which you felt you were able to build motivation in your co-workers at work.

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. When I was the program manager of the summer swim league at tacoma lawn tennis club, I was in charge of coming up with a plan, organizing, and running the swim meets. I was able to build motivation in my coworkers by communicating the importance of their task, and making sure they were comfortable and prepared for doing the job they were assigned. I held a meeting before the meets to ensure everyone knew what their role entailed, and why it mattered. If they didnt quite understand, we did a role play or gave a visual example of what their task was. I used a very positive approach when I was talking with my coworkers, and made sure that they knew that they could have fun while working in the swim meet, which motivated them to do a good job. I ran more than a few meets this last summer, and my supervisor told me that the meets went better than he had ever seen them before.
    2. During my time working at Tri-State Iron Works LLC., we would all work on a job site usually between 6-7am to about 5-8pm. The first half of the day would always go by fast and was where energy was at its highest. After our lunch break, which was at 12pm, most of my co-workers were drained and had little motivation to continue. What I did was go make a quick run to the store, and buy everyone their favorite drinks. If I had enough battery life, I would put on a fun playlist in which everyone had music that they could enjoy. The most effective thing that I believe gave them the most motivation was to have a sudden burst of energy where I would pick up the pace at a pace where I had a fun rythmn to work too.
  • 20. Why do you need this job at Target?

      User-Submitted Answers

    1. I would like to use my degrees in business with a company that has history.
  • Practice specific career interviews within Target

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    7 . Tell me about a time when you had an issue with your previous boss

    Every relationship, both personal and professional, encounters some sort of issues. This is why disagreements at work, especially with your manager, are likely to happen.

    Hiring managers ask this question to get a sense of how you might handle possible disagreements with them once you are hired.

    They want someone who can speak the truth to them in a way that builds a strong, positive relationship.

    They are curious about the respect you show to a higher authority while having the courage enough to stand up for what you believe in.

    Finally, they want to discover whether you are a team player who can get along well with your boss and others in the workplace.

  • About YourselfThink of an issue you had with your boss, and how you behaved in that situation. Which of the following elements played a role in that circumstance?
    • What’s your ‘conflict style’?
    • What’s your ideal way to solve a disagreement?
    • Do you get very stressed out and confront it head-on?
    • Do you just go along with what the boss wants even if you don’t agree?
    • Or do you push forward until change happens?
    • Are you able to be positive even about difficult situations?
    • How did you personally grow from the experience?
  • About The CompanyResearch the company and its culture.
    • What do they value?
    • Is there anything that you can find about how they deal with conflict resolution?
    • What problems and obstacles might an employee face in a conflict situation with this company?
  • About The FitWhatever you say regarding your old or current boss, keep it factual, relevant and positive. The best way to respond is to use an example that illustrates a situation where you were able to persuade your boss to try things your way — and ultimately, it worked out well for both of you. Your story should ideally show how competent you are at your work and how you will be a good fit for the company. This answer can also display other great skills such as negotiating, selling an idea and inspiring others. Answer this question using the STAR method. Your answer should reflect your strong communication skills, how you took appropriate action, and end with a good outcome. Try to keep the story to around 60 seconds but no longer than a minute and a half.
  • Your response will reveal your interpersonal skills and your ability to create smooth working relationships even in difficult situations, which are important in every job.

    Don’t speak badly about your previous supervisor; answer this question with extreme tact and diplomacy.

    The key to a successful resolution of any issue is to fully listen and understand the other person’s perspective, then work together to come up with a solution. If you can identify a common goal, the solution is easier to find.

    3 . Tell me about yourself

    This question may sound vague, but it actually requires a matter of fact, concise and relevant answer. Here’s how you can approach it.

  • About YourselfWhat is your current occupation? Define yourself professionally in one statement. Pick 3 key skills that make you great at your work (your Key Selling Points). How have you applied these skills? Try to give some numbers to support your statement.
  • About The CompanyResearch the company. Based on what you know about the company and the job description, why are you interested in the position you are applying for?
  • About The Fit
    • Based on your Key Selling Points and your knowledge about the company, why do you think you are a good fit for this position?
    • Can you support your statement with relevant examples from your past experiences?

    Try to be concise and stay within 1-2 minutes.

  • You can also end with a question like:

    “Do you know what the current needs in the company/department are, where my skills and experience can help?”

    That can help you learn more about the company and the job, turn the “interrogation” into a conversation and will allow you to relax some tension.

    Read our blog post to learn more about how to answer this question.

    Take a quick quiz and check if you’re ready to answer this question at your next job interview:

    Pick the best answer:

    AMy name is Andrew Franklin, I am 28 years old, and I am looking for a job that pays well.

    BHello, my name is Natalie Price. I have two children and I love playing billiards and travelling. I am 33 years old.

    CHi Mr. Simon, my name is Stanley Clark and I am a certified Project Management professional known for completing projects on time and on budget. I am passionate about building agile work culture and delivering results.

    DHi Mr. Simon, my name is Dorothy Hanson. I have previously worked as an accountant in retail, but currently I am trying to transition into the field of healthcare.

    Now that you have read some of our recommendations, you may wonder: “Ok, so what’s next? I seem to understand these concepts quite well and they kind of make sense to me, but how do I make sure my answers are actually in accordance with these recommendations, and I will stand out as a strong candidate in my upcoming interview?”

    Good question. Assuming you are indeed qualified and fit for the position you are interviewing for, the best thing you can do is make sure the interviewer sees this fit.

    There are two ways how you can leverage Mr. Simon’s expertise to help you shine your best:

  • Go ahead and practice with the Mr. Simon app – it is a completely free, fun and helpful experience!
  • Request a mock interview with a real human career mentor. During the session we will help you identify your Key Selling Points to emphasize in the interview, and to present them in a way that strongly communicates your value to the company. The 1-hour session costs USD 79.99 and is supplemented by 2 weeks of support via email, free of additional charge.
  • To request the session, shoot us an email to [email protected] and attach your resume and job description to expedite the process.

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