u/BlueRoseOtter

I'm applying for a full-time Produce Team Member position at a brand-new Whole Foods that's opening soon.

I currently work in the Publix deli, which is a very hectic, fast-paced department. I'm used to constant customer interaction, multitasking, working under pressure, and staying busy throughout my shift. I'm hoping to transition into Produce because it's the department I'm most interested in long term.

I'm trying to figure out which availability would make me the strongest candidate for a full-time position.

One important limitation is that I cannot start before 7:00 a.m. I can stay until closing when scheduled—I just can't work the really early 4–6 a.m. produce shifts.

I don't care which two days I have off each week.

Here are the availability options I'm considering:

Option 1

• 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
• 7:00 a.m. to close Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday
• I don't care which two days I have off

Option 2

• 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
• Available to close Saturday and Sunday
• I don't care which two days I have off

Option 3

• Any 3 days: 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
• Any 2 days: 7:00 a.m. to close
• I don't care which two days I have off

If you were the Produce Team Leader or Store Team Leader at a new store, which availability would make you the most likely to hire someone full-time?

Also, how much does not being available before 7:00 a.m. hurt my chances? Is that likely to be a deal-breaker for Produce, or are there usually enough later morning and closing shifts to make it workable?

I'd especially appreciate hearing from current or former Whole Foods Produce Team Members, Produce Team Leaders, or anyone involved in hiring. Thanks!

EDIT: Thanks for all the feedback. It sounds like my original availability was probably too restrictive, so I've been rethinking it.

Instead of giving fixed hours every day, I'm thinking of telling the hiring manager that I can start as early as 6:00 AM any day. I'm also willing to close every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday if needed, and I can close up to three nights per week total. I don't care which weekdays I have off, and I'd ideally like two of my five workdays to end around 3:00 or 4:00 PM, but I'm otherwise happy to work a flexible full-time schedule. I just don't want to be scheduled to close five nights a week like I currently am at Publix deli.

For the TLs and ATLs who have responded, does this sound like a much more competitive availability for a full-time produce position at a new store?

I also have another question. I'll be finishing my Master's in English soon, but I'm applying because I genuinely want to build a career in Whole Foods produce. My goal is to start as a produce team member, learn the department, become an order writer, and eventually work toward ATL if I earn it.

If you were reviewing my application, would my availability sound competitive? And would my master's degree make you think I'd leave quickly, or would it not matter if I explained my long-term career goals during the interview?