Instacart Retail Associate Interview Questions
& Process

I applied online and got a quick response within about 5 days, including a weekend, and had an interview scheduled. I arrived early for my interview, but the interviewer wasn't there initially, and I wasn't acknowledged, so I had to find them and confirm they were from Instacart. The first part of the interview was alright. The second part involved a task using a laminated sheet with 6 items. This didn't go as planned because some items weren't in stock, and I had to take clear pictures of each item (or a comparable one) showing all words and the barcode. The store was busy with many customers, which made it difficult to move around and get the required pictures within the 10-minute time limit. I finished just over a minute late. I questioned the fairness of this timed task, considering potential variations in item availability, store layout, customer traffic, and even cashier speed, suggesting the process might not be entirely fair. I also wasn't told beforehand to watch any demo videos.

There was no interview process, more of an information session at a Whole Foods where we sat around a laptop. The shift leader introduced the company and what they look for in a shopper, then quickly showed us how to use the app. We opened the app together and went through an order as a group. Afterwards, we did a timed demo order on our own. When we returned, the shift leader checked our selections and sent us on another run. After that, we were told to wait at the table again. I noticed that half of our group of 5 didn't return. He then said congratulations and finished the presentation, which was all about shifts and payday. He mentioned efficiency was important, which is why he sent the other three home (all older women over 50). Then we got our pex cards and lanyards, were entered into the system, and asked which store and location we wanted to work at (only two options available). Lastly, he told us we start in two weeks. It was an easy process, as long as you don't take too long picking items, and knowing your way around the grocery store helps.

So, there wasn't really an interview, it was more like a meeting where they went over how things work. It was super casual for me, and the person running it was trying to be funny but, honestly, not really. She mentioned she could only hire one person out of the 8 of us that day. Turns out, one of the other people had worked for Instacart before, so yeah, you can guess who got picked. She did a demo order and spent time on that. She also asked us how we found out about Instacart.