My Interview process with Target started before I was aware it had. I was at my Universities career fair and Target was one of the organizations recruiting that day. I had no intentions on anything promising from Target, however I went to their booth to see what they were about. Representing the organization that day was the APBP of my local group, along with two ETL’s. One thing you will notice through all interactions with Target team members is their enthusiasm and love for what they do. In talking with the ETL’s and APBP, something in my PERSONALITY stood out to them. I have a very impressive resume; however, Target values ones personality as much as they do of concrete experience.
About two weeks later, I received an email from the APBP I had spoken with informing me that I had been selected to attend an invite only information session. I still had little interest in this organization at this time, but I still went to see what this was about. When I arrived, I found out that I was one of about 20 students from my university (enrolment of 20,000+ students) that was screened and selected from the career fair to interview for an ETL position or Executive Intern Position. We were taught a little about the culture, along with tips for interviewing, and what to expect from each of the two positions. Although this was just an information session where we were talked to, we were all still being evaluated and measured.
The next step to this process was a personality evaluation. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THIS ASSESSMENT! This consisted of general personality questions, math questions, reasoning questions, logistical questions, and scheduling questions.
About two weeks later, I had my first series of in person interviews. This set of interviews consisted of 3 30-minute BEHAVIORAL style interviews. My first was with the APBP, followed by a STL, and last was with a STL and an ETL who was being promoted to STL. The biggest things to remember are: show yourself through your own true stories, do not be afraid to tell them drastic mistakes you have made if you can show what you did to better yourself after, and show your interest and desire for the position. Some questions I was asked were: Tell me about a time when you have to make a tough decision in a limited amount of time, tell me about a time where you inspired one to be a better leader, tell me about a time when you did not live up to expectations, tell me about a time when you disagreed with your leader. For me, I used a mix of stories to show my inner-leadership skills and accountability, supervisory experience, and team work leadership and experience. Once again, these were three tough back-to-back interviews; however, I was extremely well prepared and it showed.
I made it through that round and the next step was to meet with the DTL (district team leader) this was about 2 weeks after my first set of interviews. With this interview, I had no clue what to expect, so I one again prepared for another round for behavioral style questions. The Interview was nothing of what I prepared for. For one, the DTL was more serious then the other people I had interacted with. He had me run through my resume, tell him about my strengths and weaknesses as a leader, and also asked me where I would like to work. Although simple, I felt as if the DTL was just there to see if I was a fit for their group.
I passed interview and next was set to have a phone interview with the Group HR Lead. This was the final stage in the interview process, and with her, she too wanted to get to know me, along with two structured behavioral style questions. (Which caught me off guard because I was unprepared) After this interview, I thought I had messed up my opportunity with Target; however, their interview system is set up to allow you to shine through the majority of interviews and if you have one bad one, you still have a group of people who saw you at your best and will fight for you.
The next day I received a phone call from an HR Rep who offered me A ETL position pending criminal and drug screening results, along with completion of my degree. Accepted the position and I am scheduled to begin my tenure in a few months when I graduate college!
So once again here are my tips: Be yourself at all times, get to know some of the jargon of Target, show your leadership skills and how you used them for the good or bad and what you got out of that situation, show you have self-accountability, and lastly prepare and practice!!! Sites like this one were extremely helpful for myself and I feel it showed through my process. Just that fact that your reading this now shows that you have a desire to go above and beyond and you should have a wonder interview process with Target if you just be you self!
