Target publishes its own sample interview questions. Its interview guide lists five, each with the quality it is testing: job knowledge, inclusivity, problem-solving, connection and drive. Target's FAQ adds that interviewers ask for specific examples of how you handled past situations. Below are those five questions, more to prepare, and how to answer each one for Target.
Everything about the process comes from Target's careers pages, linked as we go. Where Target doesn't say something, we say so.
The Target hiring process at a glance
| Step | What happens | What Target says about timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Applying | Apply online through Workday. Some roles add availability questions or a quick skills assessment. | Not published |
| 2. Recruiting | Target's recruitment team reviews applications and may contact or email you. | Not published |
| 3. Interviewing | Phone or virtual, in person, or a recorded video interview. You may have more than one. | Video interviews: a reply within five business days |
| 4. Offer | An offer letter in Workday, then pre-hire screening, including a background check. | Drug screen, where required, within 24 hours of accepting |
| 5. Onboarding | Starts at the offer and continues through Target Welcome orientation. | Not published |
| 6. Training | Training and development once you start. | Not published |
What is the Target hiring process?
Target's hiring process page lists six stages: applying, recruiting, interviewing, offer and hire, onboarding, and training and development. The interview format depends on the position and location.
Target doesn't publish how long the whole process takes.
Cohesyve
Get some practice in before you apply to Target
Try an AI job simulation of the everyday work in roles like these and see where you lost marks. 3 free practice assessments, no card.
What is the Target application process?
Every application goes through Workday, Target's applicant tracking system, from corporate.target.com/careers. You can:
- enter your details manually,
- upload a resume to fill the form automatically,
- reuse a previous Target application, or
- autofill from LinkedIn.
A resume isn't required, but Target encourages one. Other points from Target's hiring FAQ:
- Some applications ask for more, such as your work availability or a quick job-related skills assessment.
- You can apply for several jobs with the same profile. Target recommends applying only for roles that fit your experience and interests.
- A current team member can refer you. You get an email with a link to the posting; apply with the same email address.
- Beware of scams. Target says it will never ask for personal information through text or email messages. Apply only through its careers site or Workday.
- Current team members apply through the internal Workday Career Hub and upload their Talent Card.
In the autumn, Target also lists in-store holiday recruiting events for seasonal roles, by store and date.
Does Target have an assessment?
Some roles do. Target says certain applications include a quick assessment of job-related skills. It doesn't name the vendor or publish what the assessment covers, how long it takes or how it's scored. If you have technical problems, Target's FAQ points you to the vendor's support form.
Treat it like any short pre-hire test: do it somewhere quiet, read each question fully and answer as you would actually work. If it gives you workplace scenarios, our guide to situational judgement tests explains how that format works.
What is the Target interview process like?
Target chooses the format by position and location. Its hiring process page lists three:
| Format | What Target says |
|---|---|
| Phone or virtual | A live conversation by phone or video |
| In person | Face to face at a designated location |
| Recorded video | You answer pre-recorded questions on Hirevue, and your answers are reviewed later |
You may have one or more of these. Target uses self-scheduling in Workday: you pick a time from a pending task, and you can reschedule under "My Scheduled Events".
According to Target's interview guide, an interview opens with introductions, then an overview of the job and what the interviewer hopes to learn about you. Target describes it as a conversation and says to aim for about five minutes per question.
Target has a rule on AI: your answers must reflect your own knowledge and judgement, without external AI-generated help, except approved accommodations or assistive technology.
The recorded video interview
Target's recorded video interview page says:
- The invitation comes from "Target Careers" through Hirevue. Check spam and promotions folders.
- Allow about 30 minutes. You can use a phone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone; Target recommends Chrome on a computer.
- Watch the introduction video fully. You can't replay it.
- Complete the practice question before the real ones. Target recommends it to get used to the system and check your audio and video.
- You can re-record an answer you don't like before submitting, but Target allows no retakes after you submit.
- Complete it promptly, or you may no longer be considered.
- A recruiter or hiring manager responds within five business days. If it has been more than ten days, contact your recruiter or the Target location.
Target doesn't publish how many questions there are or how long you get for each. Our guide to one-way video interviews covers how this format works in general.
Target interview questions and how to answer them
Questions 1 to 5 are Target's own published samples; Target says real questions vary by role. Questions 6 to 12 are more to prepare, chosen to match Target's values: care, grow and win, as described on its culture page, and its purpose, "To help all families discover the joy of everyday life".
Use the STAR structure (situation, task, action, result) and end every story with a result. Our STAR method guide walks through it.
1. Talk to us about your background, prior work, training or other experiences that have prepared you for this job.
Target says this assesses job knowledge. Its guide suggests explaining why you want the position and sharing the skills, experience or personal qualities that fit. Pick two or three things from the posting and match each to something you've done.
2. Describe how you work with people who think differently than you do.
Target says this assesses inclusivity. Its guide asks how you create a fair environment, listen and respect other views. Give a real example where a different opinion changed your approach or improved the result.
3. Describe a time you were confronted with a problem and had to help find a solution.
Target says this assesses problem-solving. Explain how you sized up the problem and decided what to do, then walk through the steps you took. For store roles, a stock, queue or customer issue works well.
4. Describe how you partner and communicate with others to create strong working relationships.
Target says this assesses connection. Its guide asks what collaboration means to you. Show a habit you use: checking in, handing over clearly, helping a teammate who's behind.
5. Describe how you make sure your work is impactful or successful.
Target says this assesses drive. Its guide asks how you define success over a task or project. Say how you set a target, track it and know when you've hit it.
6. Tell me about a time you helped a customer who was frustrated.
Target's care value is about making people the priority and treating each other with respect. Show that you listened, stayed calm and fixed what you could.
7. Tell me about a time you learned a new skill to do your job better.
Target's grow value covers development and reaching your potential. Pick something you chose to learn, and what it let you do afterwards.
8. Tell me about a time you did the right thing when a shortcut was available.
Target's win value starts with doing the right thing and winning the right way. Name the shortcut you didn't take.
9. Tell me about a time your team hit a goal together.
The same value says Target succeeds "as part of a team". Describe your part and how you helped others with theirs.
10. How would you handle several tasks at once during a busy shift?
Target's win value is about succeeding "as part of a team". Talk through how you decide what comes first, when you ask a teammate for help, and how you keep guests looked after while you work. Give a real example if you have one.
11. Why do you want to work at Target?
Tie your answer to the purpose of helping families "discover the joy of everyday life", or to something you've noticed as a shopper. Target's guide also reminds you that you're interviewing Target as much as it's interviewing you.
12. What is your availability?
Some Target applications ask for availability up front. Make sure your answer in the interview matches it.
For more practice prompts, see our behavioural interview questions.
What happens after the Target interview?
Target sends an offer by email if you're selected, with instructions to open the offer letter in Workday. If you're working with a recruiter, they may phone you too. From Target's FAQ and hiring process pages:
- The offer letter sets out the position, pay and benefits. You acknowledge it and complete pre-hire screening in the Workday Candidate Homepage.
- A background check is required for all offers. It starts after you accept a conditional offer and is run by Accurate Background.
- Some jobs need a drug screen, completed within 24 hours of accepting the offer. Bring a government-issued photo ID.
- If you're not selected, you'll usually hear by email or from the recruiter. You can reapply for similar or other jobs, though possibly not the same one.
- Check your status at any time under "My Applications" in Workday.
Onboarding begins at the offer and continues through Target Welcome, an orientation covering Target's values and expectations.
How to prepare for a Target interview
- Read the job description so you can talk about the role and your fit, as Target's guide advises.
- Prepare an answer for each of Target's five sample questions. They're published, so walk in ready for them.
- Build five STAR stories you can adapt: a problem you solved, a difficult customer, a team win, learning something new and working with someone who disagreed.
- Keep answers focused. Target says to aim for about five minutes per question.
- For a video interview, find a quiet, well-lit room, charge your device and use the practice question.
- Prepare your own questions about the team, the business or the role.
- Practise out loud, ideally in a mock interview.
- Thank the interviewer and confirm next steps at the end, as Target's guide suggests.
Practising realistic work tasks
Interviews reward prepared stories; the job rewards judgement with customers and teammates. Both improve with practice on realistic tasks. Cohesyve, which publishes this guide, runs practice job simulations for your role, with a scored report on where you lost marks. Cohesyve isn't affiliated with Target and doesn't use Target's assessments or questions.
FAQs
How long does the Target hiring process take?
Target doesn't publish an overall timeline. For recorded video interviews, it says a recruiter or hiring manager responds within five business days, and to contact them if more than ten days pass.
Does Target do video interviews?
Yes, for some roles. Target uses recorded video interviews on Hirevue, which take about 30 minutes. You can practise and re-record, but there are no retakes after you submit.
Do I need a resume to apply at Target?
No. Target says a resume isn't required but is encouraged. You can enter your history manually or apply with your LinkedIn profile.
Does Target do background checks?
Yes. Target says all job offers depend on passing its pre-employment screening, which starts after you accept a conditional offer.
Can I use AI in a Target interview?
No. Target says your answers must reflect your own knowledge and judgement, without external AI-generated assistance. Approved accommodations and assistive technology are the exception.
How do I check my Target application status?
Log in to the Workday Candidate Homepage and open "My Applications".
Sources
Target's own pages, checked 27 October 2026:
- corporate.target.com: Hiring process
- corporate.target.com: Hiring process FAQs
- corporate.target.com: Interview guide
- corporate.target.com: Recorded video interviews
- corporate.target.com: Culture and Purpose and history
- corporate.target.com: Seasonal recruiting events