Mastering Behavioral Interviews at PetSmart: Using Our Values to Shine

Life at PetSmart
Oct 29
3 min read

If you’ve ever been in an interview and heard:

“Tell me about a time when you…”
“Give me a specific example of when you…”

…you’ve experienced behavioral interviewing. These questions aren’t about hypotheticals or what you think you might do. They’re designed to uncover what you’ve actually done. Interviewers believe the best way to predict future behavior is to study past behavior.

The most effective way to answer is by using the STAR format:

Situation – Set the stage with context.
Task – Explain what needed to be accomplished.
Action – Describe what you did.
Result – Share the outcome, ideally with measurable impact.

But here’s the secret: you don’t have to wait for the question to be asked to figure out your answer. You can predict which behavioral questions are most likely to come up, and then prepare strong STAR examples in advance.

Start with PetSmart’s Mission, Vision, and Values

Whether you’re applying for a new role at PetSmart or interviewing externally, your first step is to understand the company’s mission, vision, and values:

Mission: Help everyone experience more joy with pets

Vision: Be the favorite pet retailer

Values:

Passion for Pets
Customer First
Responsible Leadership
Excellence in All We Do
Do What’s Right
Team PetSmart

Check the Careers page, About Us section, LinkedIn and employment brand channels for how PetSmart communicates its culture, service, and leadership. Notice the words used to describe how associates interact with pets, customers, and each other.

Turn Values into Likely Questions

Once you understand PetSmart’s values, imagine how they could show up in an interview. Here are a few examples:

Customer First

“Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer.”

“Give an example of how you handled a challenging customer situation.”

Passion for Pets

“Describe a moment you helped improve a pet’s wellbeing.”

“Share an experience where your knowledge of pets made a difference.”

Team PetSmart

“Give an example of how you collaborated to achieve a team goal.”

“Tell me about a time you helped resolve a team conflict.”

Do What’s Right

“Describe a situation where you had to make a tough ethical decision.”

The more you connect values to questions, the fewer surprises you’ll face.

Build Your STAR Answer Bank

For each PetSmart value, prepare at least two examples from your experience. Keep them:

Specific – Include concrete actions you took.

Fact-based – Focus on real outcomes, not hypotheticals.

Recent – Use examples from the last few years when possible.

Many stories can demonstrate multiple values. For instance, calming a frustrated customer might showcase Customer First, Do What’s Right, or Responsible Leadership. Choose the story that best fits the question.

Organize for Quick Recall

You don’t need to memorize your answers word for word, but you should have a system to keep them fresh:

Write STAR examples on index cards.
Store them in your phone notes app.
Keep them handy for phone or video interviews (without making it obvious).

This quick-reference system helps you stay confident and on track.

Practice Out Loud

Preparation isn’t just about what you say—it’s about how you deliver it:

Practice aloud to refine timing and clarity.
Keep each STAR story to around 90 seconds.
If possible, practice in front of a mirror to monitor body language, eye contact, and facial expressions.

For Both Internal and External Candidates

Internal candidates: You may already know the culture, but you still need to show you’ve demonstrated the competencies for the new role.
External candidates: Your examples should demonstrate that you can thrive within PetSmart’s culture—even without prior experience.

Bottom Line

Behavioral interviews at PetSmart aren’t pop quizzes—they’re open-book tests you can prepare for. By studying the company’s mission, vision, and values, predicting likely questions, building versatile STAR examples, and practicing your delivery, you’ll be ready to show that your past behavior is the strongest predictor of your future success at PetSmart.