Working at PetSmart is something like a dream come true for someone who loves animals. If you’ve been invited to interview for a job there, you must be anxious to do your best.
To help you prepare, we compiled a list of all typical PetSmart interview questions, so you’ll be ready for the big day. Carry on reading for the questions and possible answers you can give!
PetSmart Interview Questions In 2024
PetSmart interview questions will ask about your retail experience, experience working with animals, understanding of customer service, and how well you work as part of a team in 2024. The interviewer will be trying to understand you as a person and how you are with animals. Further, you should also demonstrate familiarity with PetSmart products, services, and charity work.
To learn more about PetSmart interview questions and how to answer them, read on for all you need to know.
What Are Some PetSmart Interview Questions?
When you’re preparing for an interview at PetSmart, the good news is that it is quite an informal process.
You can expect to have a friendly and casual conversation with a manager, and possibly get a tour of the store.
The questions will focus on your experience in retail, how you feel about animals and which pets you’ve cared for.
Furthermore, they might ask how you handle stressful situations, and your schedule and availability.
Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly-asked questions and how to best answer them.
1. Could You Tell Me A Bit About Yourself?
The interviewer genuinely wants to know about you as a person since you will be a future colleague working with animals.
Your answer should be genuine, and express how you can fulfill your goal of working with animals through a job at PetSmart.
2. Tell Me About Your Favorite Pet
That’s the green signal for any pet owner, and here you have a legitimate reason to talk about your pet/s, why you love them, and how you care for them.
This is also a good time to establish your knowledge of pet care, foods, grooming, medical needs, and more.
3. Why Do You Want To Work At PetSmart?
You can stress that you want to work with animals, and learn about the pet retail industry.
Also mention how much you admire the work PetSmart has done with animal charities to find homes for shelter pets.
4. Can You Tell Me About Your Experience In Working With Animals?
In addition to talking about your pets, you can mention any paid or unpaid work experience you have with pet sitting for family or neighbors, volunteering at shelters, etc.
5. Tell Me About Your Experience In Retail
This is your chance to discuss your past work experience and especially any time you have been the cashier or handled money from sales.
Additionally, you can include any volunteer experience that relates to working with the public.
However, if you don’t have any retail experience, that doesn’t disqualify you, since this is an entry-level job.
Instead, you can talk about how much you want to work at PetSmart and that you are a quick learner.
6. Is There A Type Of Pet You Are Afraid To Work With?
If there are any kinds of animals you have reservations about working with, such as certain breeds of dogs, it’s best to be upfront about it.
It may be possible for you to avoid encountering these animals in the course of your job. You could add that you are willing to learn how to work around such animals.
7. What Do You Know About PetSmart?
When preparing for the interview, you should research the company and its stores and services.
PetSmart is the largest specialty pet retailer and has around 1,650 stores in the US and Canada.
Besides selling pet care products like food, toys, bedding, medications, and more, PetSmart also has over 200 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel dog and cat boarding facilities.
Furthermore, PetSmart also offers other services such as dog training, grooming, and PetSmart Doggie Day Camp.
Further, PetSmart Charities work with animal welfare organizations to run adoption centers for shelter pets in its stores.
8. Who Are PetSmart’s Main Competitors?
In the area of pet care, products, and grooming, PetSmart’s main competitors are big stores like PetCo and Pet Supplies Plus.
It also faces online competition from retailers like Chewy and Amazon.
9. How Do You Define Good Customer Service?
Good customer service is key for any business in ensuring customer loyalty and return visits.
Good customer service consists above all in making sure that customers feel that their concerns are heard and their problems are resolved.
In stores, it is helpful to know all about PetSmart products and pet care in general, so you can answer all the customer questions.
Employees should also take the responsibility for making sure the store is clean, the aisles are clear and customers don’t have to wait too long for any service.
10. How Have You Dealt With Difficult Customers In The Past?
With this question, the interviewer wants to know how you will conduct yourself in a stressful situation.
If you have encountered such a situation in the past, describe what happened. If necessary, add what you would do differently now.
If you have not been in such a situation in the past, address how you would handle a hypothetical customer who was being difficult.
The first and most important thing is to let the customer have their say and show that you understand their problem.
Next, you have to show that you are willing to help them as far as possible to resolve their problems.
Finally, you can ask a manager for help if necessary.
11. How Would You Handle A Customer Who Asks You To Bend The Returns Policy?
Once in a while, you may get a customer who asks you to bend the rules on the returns policy.
If you’re asked this, your answer should stress that you would listen to the customer and attempt to resolve the problem while following all returns procedures.
12. How Does Teamwork Contribute To A Better Workplace?
The best way to answer this question and to show that you are a team player is to describe an occasion in the past when you worked as part of a team to make something happen.
This could be an adoption event for homeless pets, a school outing, a fundraiser, or any event that required a collaborative effort.
Your answer could show how working as a team produced a better outcome, and also how this would apply to working at PetSmart.
13. Why Should I Hire You?
Your answer should focus on your experience and love of animals, and highlight how these match the requirements in the job description.
Besides your experience and skills, some of the qualities you could mention that will be an asset could be: good communicator, fast learner, energetic, and good with people.
This is also an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of PetSmart’s products and services, which makes you a good fit for the job.
14. How Was Your Experience In Your Previous Job?
This can be a tricky question to answer if your experience at your previous job was not a happy one.
However, it’s important to remember that you should never criticize your previous job, supervisor, or colleagues.
Instead, you could stress all that you learned from the job and the things about it that you appreciated.
You should also make it clear that it was a positive decision to move to a new job, especially since you want to work with pets.
15. What Was Your Favorite Workplace?
An honest answer is best because it will demonstrate the passion and commitment you can bring to your work.
If your favorite workplace was anything animal or pet-related, such as volunteering at a shelter or wildlife center, this is even better.
16. Are You Interested In Training For Managerial Roles In The Future At PetSmart?
PetSmart is committed to training and professional development for workers for promotion to managerial roles.
If you’re asked about your interest in this possibility, you should emphasize your interest.
17. What Are Your Preferred Hours?
This is a very important part of the interview, since they would like to hire someone who can fill the shifts needed.
In general, the more availability you have in terms of hours and weekends, the better. This is also a good time to discuss other commitments you have such as school and family.
18. When Can You Start Work?
You should clearly state the best starting date for you, but again, flexibility is good. Most managers will be looking for someone who can start as soon as possible.
19. How Do You Feel About Wearing A Uniform At Work?
PetSmart employees have to follow a dress code, and wear a blue PetSmart t-shirt and black or khaki pants. They may also have to wear a smock in some work areas.
If you’re asked this question, your answer should be that you will be happy and proud to wear the PetSmart shirt at work and will follow the dress code.
20. How Would You Handle An Emergency With An Animal?
In an emergency, the most important thing is to stay calm and focus on the needs of the animal.
PetSmart has emergency protocols in place, which must be followed, to ensure that the animal is removed from the danger and is in a stable condition, and at a safe location.
21. Do You Have Any Questions For Me?
You can bring up any topics that were not covered during the conversation, like benefits, expectations for the role, etc.
To know more, you can also read our posts on PetSmart hiring process, Chewy vs PetSmart, and PetSmart Union.
Conclusion
The PetSmart job interview is the gateway to your dream job working with animals and making the world a better place.
With a little preparation, you can breeze through and move into a new and exciting career at a great company!
