If you are a job applicant and desire to join Sheetz, you should expect interrogations about your experience and ability to handle busy work environments.
This article presents popular Sheetz interview questions you should expect in your upcoming interview. We also share some tips on responding so that you will get shortlisted.
1. What Information Do You Have On Sheetz Inc.?
Sheetz Inc. is a 24/7 service of an American chain of convenience stores selling food, beverages, and assorted items. Almost all stores sell gasoline, while others are complete travel centers with showers and self-service laundry stations. Founded by Robert G. Sheetz in 1952 with its headquarters in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz has stores in other locations, including Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Ohio.
2. What Do You Know About Sheetz’s Expansion And Growth Strategy?
In 1952 Robert Sheetz bought one of his dad’s dairy stores in Altoona and nine years later he hired his brother Steve on a part-time basis. They opened the second store in 1963 and a third in 1968. In 1969, Steve became general manager. One of their ambitious goals was to open a store every year which they did. They had a target of opening seven stores by 1972; that year, the company had grown from 7 to 14 stores. In 1973, Sheetz began selling gasoline and opened the first gas pump in Pennsylvania. He remained at the company’s helm until 1981 when he retired, and Steve took over as president. By 1983, the siblings had 100 branches located in different locations.
3. Why Do You Want To Work Here?
Since I was young, I’ve always enjoyed the service and products delivered by Sheetz representatives. I particularly love their commitment to quality and have always desired to be a part of that success. The employees are sincere, friendly, and always ready to assist customers. It would be great to have a job that keeps me active. I believe the key to success is in customer care, and employees should always provide excellent service. I also enjoy Sheetz’s food selection, mainly its fresh sandwiches. I believe my experience as a pastry chef would make me a superb addition to the team.
4. What Makes You Think You Are The Best Candidate For This Position?
I have worked hard in previous roles where I developed technical and soft skills that make me a suitable solution for this role. My excellent organizational skills and deep knowledge of a wide range of computer programming languages will come in handy in streamlining procedures to automate processes and effectively store files.
Just recently, I completed a refresher course on the latest updates to Python. I consider myself an expert at coding and also training colleagues, a role I handled effectively in my last position. I am a skilled source controller and am good at writing tests for codes. If you hire me for the technology and innovation position, the company will not have to outsource the services of a tester, which will save time and improve efficiency.
5. What Is Sheetz Inc.’s Company Mission?
Sheetz Inc. is a company that cares about its customers and works tirelessly to deliver its promises to its stakeholders. Its mission is to provide fast, high-quality services in a clean environment and convenient locality.
6. What Is Sheetz Culture?
Bob Sheetz started this company by sharing his childhood dreams with his employees to build a strong brand. The company values its employees and commits to investing in them by rewarding hard work. It also maintains standards to attract the best talent, which makes me look forward to working here. Whether in the corporate office, kitchens, distribution centers or transport, the company invests in its workforce to bring out its best. It also creates a great working environment where employees feel valued and have the support they need to deliver, grow and learn.
Being a family-based business, Sheetz celebrates hard work and participates in countless events to support charitable organizations like Sheetz For The Kids, Special Olympics, and youth sports teams. For instance, Sheetz For Kids was started in 1992 by staff to raise funds to buy toys, clothes, and other necessities for needy kids during the holiday seasons.
7. How Would You Describe Your Personality Type?
I am an extrovert who loves meeting and interacting with new people. Working at Sheetz will enable me to intermingle with customers all day long, helping them find whatever they need within a short time. I always greet and welcome customers with a smile and am happy to assist them with anything they need while on our premises. I believe that my outgoing personality makes me a fantastic sales rep.
8. What Experience Do You Have Working In The Food Industry?
While on campus, I got a part-time job as a waitress in a casual dining establishment, where I learned how to interact with patrons. Being in a busy entertainment joint helped me gain the necessary skills to help me thrive in this position. I am comfortable taking orders from impatient customers who can be rude, which is common when patrons are hungry.
9. Sheetz Is An Established Business That Attracts Many Clients, Making It Very Busy. What Approach Do You Integrate While Working Under Pressure?
I once worked in a busy, 24/7 restaurant for three years, where I got a firsthand experience in a dynamic environment. Due to its prime location and 24-hour service, the place attracted high traffic of tourists in transit to other destinations. There were nights when we had long queues of patrons waiting to order food. During these peak hours, it was essential to focus and remain calm. I would also take orders in batches of ten patrons each so as to move faster and serve more people within a short time.
10. What Are The Two Most Important Values For Being An Effective Team Player?
I have worked in this industry for the last seven years, and I believe that integrity and excellence are two values that help in a teamwork setting. I know how important customers are to any business and commit to providing excellent customer care service. I always welcome customers and engage them in casual conversation before taking their orders. I believe this has earned me many reliable prospects who become repeat and long-term customers. I also take integrity very seriously because it is a value that encourages customers to trust you and spend more resources on your brand.
11. Have You Ever Dealt With A Problematic Patron? How Did You Manage The Situation?
Once while working at a convenience store, a customer dropped by and found we had closed to conduct a stock take. Since I was near the exit, she explained that she didn’t know we would be closed and requested I open as she needed to pick up a few things. I tried to explain the situation calmly, but she would hear none of it and start yelling in frustration. Noticing her mood, I went to the manager’s office and got permission to allow her in. she picked a few things and clarified that she was traveling on a long road trip and would not have found somewhere else to pick up her toiletries. After handing over the purchases to her, she thanked me, and her anger dissipated as she managed to give me a warm smile as she walked out of the store into her waiting car.
12. How Do You Handle Intoxicated Or Unruly Patrons?
Soon after campus, I got an opportunity to work in a hotel but in the liquor section. Working at the bar section helped me experience dealing with revelers who sometimes took the fun too far. Suppose a customer comes while drunk; in that case, I have learned from experience that the best way to handle such a scenario is to turn them away. This will save the business from risk and guarantee customers’ and employees’ safety.
But if patrons get drunk while under our care, all staff must handle every customer in a non-confrontational manner. By gauging a client’s mannerisms, I refrain from offering drinks to a visibly over-intoxicated patron. Dealing with a drunk person can become a challenge and sometimes needs drastic action like enforcing company policy which gives the right to refrain from selling more liquor to an already out-of-control person. I also make arrangements to help them get home safely or contact their loved ones to come to pick them up.
13. What Benefits Are You Bringing To This Position?
I am passionate about customer service and believe that my long-term experience and unique skill set make me a suitable applicant for this role. My previous experience as a store assistant gives me an upper hand as I have vast experience in procurement and store management. I am well versed and can streamline store operations to improve efficiency, save time and encourage business growth. I can work under pressure and deliver positive results with proper planning and organization.
14. Do You Have Any Experience Working As A Shift Supervisor?
Last year, I worked as a shift supervisor in an acting capacity. Our supervisor had gone on maternity leave, which allowed me to fill that slot. My duties involved delegating tasks, addressing concerns, supervising stock inventory, and streamlining processes to ensure everything was moving swiftly.
I particularly enjoyed supporting my team and looking for ways to improve and streamline workflows. If given an opportunity, I would replicate my skills and experience to make an impact in the advertised position.
15. Share An Experience Where You Went Out Of Your Way To Assist A Customer.
Going far and beyond at work is a skill I continually strive to perfect. As a middle-level customer care representative, I understand the importance of regularly checking in on customers. Whether there’s an issue or not, checking in on customers makes them feel special while improving the company’s image. I take it upon myself to contact customers and celebrate any exceptional achievements with them. It is not a company requirement, but I believe checking in on customers goes beyond their expectations and builds lasting relationships. It also mitigates competition by retaining customer loyalty.
16. Being A 24-Hour Convenience Store Means Long Working Hours At Sheetz. What Shift Are You Comfortable Working?
This field has made me aware of the shifts and prolonged working hours that are associated with this vacancy. I’ve always had difficulty adjusting to the night shifts during my first year as an entry-level employee. I had to adapt to the changes, which took time. But currently, I don’t mind working the night shift. I like it because I find fewer distractions and am more productive. I’ve also learned to fill in during emergencies or adjust to working double shifts to cover for a sick colleague. My passion for service delivery makes me flexible and willing to work on any shift, day or night.
17. At Sheetz, We Believe In In-House Promotions Whenever Possible. So, Where Do You Envision Yourself In The Near Future?
I love Sheetz’s culture and mission statement, which makes me desire to work here. I love the company’s commitment to employee development and growth. I believe the company’s mission statement perfectly aligns with my skills and experiences, precisely what the company is looking for. Later on, I hope to hold a managerial position that facilitates me to mentor interns and help them grow career-wise.
18. This Position Is Demanding And Needs Multitasking Skills. How Do You Intend To Juggle Between Roles And Responsibilities?
In my previous role as a cashier, I had to alternate between taking orders, cleaning tables, and addressing customer concerns. I learned the importance of prioritizing and utilizing my time wisely to complete tasks on time. For instance, unless there was an emergency, I would always prioritize taking orders first, then do the rest. I also learned how to quickly clear tables before a new set of customers came in. If a customer came with an issue, I would stop everything and attend to them. Depending on the complexity of the issue, I always refer intricate issues to my supervisor so as to concentrate on incoming clientele.
19. In Your View, What Makes A Good Supervisor?
I believe a suitable supervisor can alternate between being a leader and a team player. They should be able to offer guidance and oversight to ensure employees maintain quality in all processes. Any leader must motivate staff and help them nurture and develop their skills. They should also create avenues for employees to exercise their creativity in their areas of specialization.
20. What Challenges Do You Foresee In This Role?
The main challenge with working in a busy convenience store is that I have to adjust to working night shifts, alternate weekends, holidays, and sometimes overtime. While I am prepared to work any shift because I understand the nature of the job, I strategize and organize my time wisely so as not to be overwhelmed or suffer burnout.
21. Working At Sheetz Can Be Overwhelming, Especially During Peak Hours. How Do You Motivate Yourself To Keep Going?
The fulfillment of overcoming obstacles is my most excellent motivator. Irrespective of how busy or overwhelmed I feel, I always experience energy renewal by focusing on the outcome. I get motivated by analyzing complex data to draw clear and simple conclusions. No matter how much data I have to investigate, I always remain enthusiastic, for I know that the outcome will help us create an effective marketing campaign.
22. What’s Your Most Outstanding Achievement?
My most outstanding achievement was getting a scholarship to study at the prestigious Stanford University. As a reward for exemplary performance, my then employer rewarded me with a scholarship that enabled me to advance and attain a master’s degree in human resources. I intend to utilize my knowledge and leadership skills to mentor the youth by helping them discover their purpose.
23. What Other Abilities Do You Possess Apart From This Job Description?
I spend my free time creating blog content. As an introvert, I love to express my creativity through writing. I have this personal blog where I write on different topics. I also like sharing information and sensitizing the public on controversial issues through my blog. Even though I am applying for a shift manager’s position, I am also a qualified content creator, a skill I taught myself online.
24. Have You Had A Chance To Work In A Convenience Store Before?
Yes, I’ve had the privilege of working at Walmart, where I gained plenty of experience handling customers and managing their expectations. Some beneficial skills I gained while there include working under pressure where I developed excellent communication skills.
25. What Approach Do You Have To Ensure Customers Always Feel Welcome In This Store?
Given my years of experience, I understand the importance of making customers feel valued and welcomed into the store. I position myself where they can see me as they get in and greet them with a warm smile. I can also assist in any way I can where I offer support and guidance. I try to remember names and personalize communication if they are repeat visitors. Remembering customers’ names is an excellent way of showing them how valued and important they are.
Conclusion
Interviews don’t have to make you anxious as you anticipate the d-day or have to wait for the outcome after the interview. If you adequately prepare and research the company in question, chances are that you will surpass expectations and beat the competition to get your dream job. But, you must remember to articulate your responses and be familiar with everything about Sheetz to increase your chances of landing that chance,