Getting to an interview for a retail sales assistant position is half the battle won. To win the rest, you may need to work very hard. Since this last bit will decide if you will have a job from the next month, you do not want to decrease your chances at this stage.
It does not matter how many interviews you have given; interview time is always stressful. The build-up to an interview is heavy, and the actual meeting can be even more so.
There is so much uncertainty about interviews that it can eventually take a toll on you and make you perform poorly at the actual time of the interview.
So what does one do as this seems impossible to counter?
No way! You need to determine why an interview is such a difficult time for you.
Is it not knowing what questions you will be asked? Or the dread of being interrogated by people you have never met before? Or the crippling uncertainty of how to respond to tough questioning?
It could be any or all of these. The trick is to research what you may be asked in an interview.
So if you are a retail sales assistant due for an interview, the following set of interview questions and answers will help you prepare:
Recommended: Retail Sales Assistant Resume
Retail Sales Assistant Interview Questions and Answers
1. Why did you choose to work in a retail environment?
I have always been fascinated by the buzz of a retail environment. There is so much that is going on, and it is this busy bee nature of the work that drove me to choose retail as my choice of career. I enjoy working with people, and I am good at endorsing products.
2. What are your strengths as a retail sales assistant?
Ever since I began working in retail, I have been able to meet all my sales goals. And I attribute this success to my understanding of what customers want. While I am an aggressive seller, I never tramp on a customer’s right to choose and buy.
For me, customer services spell “customers first.” I have a great sense of urgency, and I am also a fast learner, which is both the essence of working in a customer-oriented retail environment. Also, I am able to assist clients in making a product choice, I am also thoroughly familiar with cash handling protocols associated with the position.
3. Why should we hire you?
(Mention the value you will add by joining)
I possess all the skills and abilities your job advertisement states, plus I have extensive experience in the retail and customer service arena.
4. Why did you leave your last job?
Due to my family relocation in San Diego, I was unable to continue my job.
Tip: Do not give any negative comments regarding the previous employer.
5. Tell us about a particularly tricky situation that you handled successfully.
The retail world poses many problematic situations at times. It is not always easy to please customers and keep within the limitations set by the company. While servicing a customer, I was propositioned for a certain amount of dollars if I could unveil my company’s pricing strategy. The customer was a spy competitor. I figured this much out and politely told him that I am not at liberty to answer his question. I offered him a discount on the washing machine he was looking at and gently turned him away. He was almost screaming obscenities at me!
6. How do you deal with an angry customer who is not satisfied with the product?
I always begin by apologizing that the product did not turn out what they expected it to be. Then, if the item is returnable I process a refund otherwise I politely explain the policy to the clients and am usually able to calm them down
7. Give an example of a time when you were challenged? How did you cope?
Last holiday season the staff was short, and it happened that I had five clients waiting in a queue to be attended and the lady standing foremost was taking too much time in deciding. I did not panic, what I did have I explained the product details to her patiently and suggested appropriate products for her skin type. Still, she wasn’t able to make her mind, so I handed her a catalog to study while I attended to other customers
8. What is the best thing about the retail sales profession?
For me, it’s meeting new people every day. I like to meet new people, and if I’m selling fashion products as this position requires me to, I love to discuss the detailed features and specifications of various cosmetics and skin products since I have a deep-rooted interest and ample knowledge regarding skin products