I just relocated to this town for University, went to Whole Foods one day and saw a friend working there! I needed a job badly so he told me to go online and put in an application. I did, and 8 days later received a call to come in for an interview. Spoke first to one woman, then a second, in what I imagine was a pre-screening process. I was asked basically the same questions by both women. They were trying to get a feel for me, how much I wanted to work, if I understood the goals of Whole Foods (fortunately I used to work at a health food store, which they seemed to really like). They asked if I could come back later to talk to the manager. I did, and met with a nice young man who asked me some more 'interviewy' questions, like "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" and "What's your strongest asset / weakest trait on a job?". The last question he asked me was "What are you passionate about?" The first thing I said was "Food!" b/c I study food as part of cultural anthropology and I volunteer on an organic farm. Now I realize all this is making me sound like a big hippie, but honestly I'm not. I wore J. Crew pants and a nice gray sweater to the interview. I honestly was afraid I wouldn't be 'heady' enough for them, lots of people there with dreads and ear plugs. But apparently they liked me b/c a few days after speaking to the manager, another lady called and asked me to come talk to her. I went up there and she asked me some of the SAME q's I was asked during the first interview. But I was desperate for a job so I really didn't mind. Now all this time, I thought I was interviewing for Customer Service, since that's the position I applied for online. But when she asked me how I felt about 'menial tasks' I realized they needed a cashier! After assuring her I'd ran a cash register before, at a different grocery store even, and knew what to expect from standing all day, I was offered the job. Took 4 people and 3 separate trips up there, but I was so relieved!
I've read not to mention that you love 'organic/health food', and honestly I worried that doing so might make them think I was just saying whatever it took to work there, but my work/activity history corroborated my statement, so why hide it? Don't hesitate to mention that you are passionate about the kinds of things they sell there, especially if your life reflects it. This will help them see that you'll be a good fit, unless they're just absolute hipster snobs who don't like someone with enthusiasm. Sadly this seems to be the case at some stores. This store is a lot more down to earth and I'm glad to be an employee.