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General Labor- New Hire- 2nd Shift

Smithfield Foods · Monmouth, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 16, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you worked a physically tough job. How did you handle it day after day?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the physical demands of production work and have stuck with hard work before.

Tell me about a time someone showed you a new task. How did you make sure you got it right?

What they are checking: Whether they listen, ask questions and are willing to learn as a new hire.

What does being a good teammate on a production line mean to you?

What they are checking: Whether they see how their pace and effort affect the people working next to them.

Tell me about a time you made a mistake at work. What did you do about it?

What they are checking: Whether they own mistakes honestly, which matters when errors can affect food safety.

What would you do

This is second shift work. Is there anything that would make it hard for you to be here on time every day?

What they are checking: Whether they can be reliable on this schedule, since attendance is the biggest factor in this job.

Production areas can be cold, wet and loud. How do you feel about working in that kind of environment?

What they are checking: Whether they have realistic expectations about plant conditions so they don't quit in the first week.

If you saw something unsafe on the line, what would you do?

What they are checking: Whether they would speak up about safety instead of staying quiet to avoid trouble.

You're asked to move to a different job on the line partway through your shift. How do you handle that?

What they are checking: Whether they are flexible about job assignments, which helps the line cover gaps.

How would you take care of your body to avoid getting hurt doing repetitive work?

What they are checking: Whether they would use proper technique, stretch and report pain early before it becomes an injury.

About the work

Why do you think rules like hairnets, gloves and handwashing matter so much in a food plant?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that food safety rules protect the families eating the product, not just the company.

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The full job description

As published by Smithfield Foods.

If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub. Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now! The Value You’ll Bring As a General Laborer team member at Smithfield Foods, you’ll play a key role in delivering safe, high-quality food by performing essential production tasks and supporting your coworkers. Your reliability, attention to detail, and strong work ethic will help us meet our standards for safety, quality, and teamwork every day. You’ll contribute to a positive work environment, help maintain a safe and efficient production line, and ensure our products reach families across America. Your dedication and willingness to learn will make a real difference—both to your team and to our mission of delivering good food, responsibly. Your Opportunity Our team members receive industry-leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages: • Competitive Starting Pay - $22.95/hr • $.50/hr. Shift Differential for 2nd Shift • Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More • Education benefit available to full and part-time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements What You’ll Do Production employees will work with hand tools, knives, machinery and other equipment to process meat products for the consumer. These positions can be physically demanding and require good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail. Production team members must be able to work their scheduled shift and may be required to work overtime depending on production demands. Physical Demands & Work Environment To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age. Applicants must be willing and able to: • Understand and follow oral and written instructions • Perform a task requiring continuous/repetitive movement, including grasping, pinching hands, flexing, and extending arms • Stand on concrete and/or platforms for up to a 12-hour shift • Work around animal blood and/or carcass parts • Work with a knife (if trained) • Work in cold areas (approximately 20-40 degrees) and/or warm areas (over 100 degrees) • Work in an environment that is wet and humid • Work while wearing a hard hat, hearing/eye protection, and steel-toed safety shoes • Work in a noisy environment using personal protective equipment (PPE) • Work with sanitation/cleaning chemicals • Work around strong smells/odors • Climb/move on ladders, steps, stairways, walkways and platforms • Bend, stoop, and twist repetitively over the course of an entire shift • Walk long distances • May require certification in order to operate various pieces of equipment required for the position • This work is physically demanding and can require the use of some or all body parts and muscle groups. Some positions may require repetitive overhead lifting up to 30 lbs, single lifting of heavy objects which can weigh up to 60 lbs, or lifting of objects using mechanical assistance. • Additional essential functions may be applicable to specific jobs. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned. 

Relocation Package Available

No

 EEO Information Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

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