Top Assistant Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Assistant Manager interview by going through these most asked Assistant Manager interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

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  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to overcome an obstacle and what steps did you take?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers face obstacles daily when managing a retail store. They must be able to overcome these obstacles and devise solutions to improve business practices. The candidate must be able to identify the problem and find a solution that works.

    Sample Answer: I had to overcome a problem with a vendor who was late with an order. I called the vendor and asked them to deliver the product on time. I also asked them to provide a discount for the late delivery.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of overcoming obstacles
    • - Examples of devising solutions to improve business practices
    • - Ability to identify problems and find solutions

  • Question: Why do you want to relocate?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers relocate to new cities for a variety of reasons. They may be following a spouse who is transferred to a new city for work. They may be seeking a new job in a new city. They may be seeking a new job in the same city but in a different retail store. The candidate must have a positive attitude and be willing to relocate.

    Sample Answer: I am willing to relocate to any city that has a retail store that needs an assistant manager. I am willing to relocate because I enjoy working in the retail industry and want to expand my career opportunities.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive attitude
    • - Willingness to relocate
    • - Examples of relocating for different reasons

  • Question: Why did you leave your previous job?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers leave their previous jobs for a variety of reasons. They may be looking for a new challenge, a higher salary or a better work environment. The candidate must be able to explain why they left their previous job and how the new position will benefit them.

    Sample Answer: I left my previous job because I was looking for a new challenge. I am excited to join your team and contribute to your company's success.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Reason for leaving previous job
    • - How the new position will benefit them
    • - How they will contribute to the company

  • Question: How would you handle a customer complaint?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers handle customer complaints and resolve them in a timely manner. They also keep track of customer feedback to improve the customer experience. The candidate must be able to determine if the complaint is valid and provide a solution to the problem.

    Sample Answer: I would listen to the customer's complaint and determine if it is valid. If so, I would offer a solution to the problem and follow up with the customer after the solution is implemented.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience resolving customer complaints
    • - Knowledge of how to determine if a complaint is valid
    • - Ability to provide solutions to customer problems

  • Question: What is your definition of good customer service?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers provide customer service to customers entering the store. They greet customers, answer questions about products and assist with purchases. They also take care of customer complaints and resolve issues in a timely manner. The assistant manager must be able to handle difficult customers and resolve issues in a positive manner.

    Sample Answer: I believe that good customer service is when the customer leaves the store with a smile on their face and a product they are satisfied with.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of customer service
    • - Ability to handle difficult customers
    • - Ability to resolve issues in a positive manner

  • Question: Tell me about a time when the company went through a change, what did you do to make the change successful?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers oversee changes in the business. They make sure that the changes are implemented in the correct manner and that the business is running smoothly. The candidate must be able to communicate with employees and customers about the changes and how they will affect the business. The assistant manager must also be able to motivate employees to work harder during the change period.

    Sample Answer: I was involved in a change that required me to train new workers on a new system. I made sure that all workers were trained properly and that the new system was implemented correctly.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with implementing changes
    • - Knowledge of how to communicate with employees and customers
    • - Ability to motivate workers during change periods

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers are often promoted to store manager positions. They must have a clear vision of where they want to be in the future and how they will get there. The candidate must have a plan for the future and be able to communicate it to the interviewer.

    Sample Answer: I see myself as a store manager in 5 years. I will continue to work hard and gain more experience in the retail industry.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Clear vision of future goals
    • - Ability to communicate goals and plans to interviewer
    • - Examples of past achievements that support future goals

  • Question: If you don't get this job, where will you go?
  • Question Overview: The assistant manager must be prepared to discuss his or her plans if he or she doesn't get the job. The candidate should be able to discuss other job opportunities and how he or she will pursue them.

    Sample Answer: If I don't get this job, I will pursue other retail management positions. I have a few leads that I will contact as soon as I am rejected.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Plans for future employment
    • - Other job opportunities and plans for pursuing them

  • Question: What would you do if a store has high shrink?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers are responsible for reducing shrink in the retail store. They identify the cause of the shrink and implement strategies to reduce it. The candidate must be able to identify the cause of the shrink and implement strategies to reduce it.

    Sample Answer: I would analyze the data and identify the cause of the shrink. I would implement a strategy to reduce it by increasing security and monitoring workers more closely.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience reducing shrink
    • - Experience identifying causes of shrink
    • - Ability to implement strategies to reduce shrink

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: The assistant manager must be able to identify his or her strengths and weaknesses. The candidate must be able to explain how they can improve their weaknesses and use their strengths to benefit the company.

    Sample Answer: My strengths include my ability to work well with others and my ability to analyze data. I am also a quick learner. My weaknesses are that I am not as organized as I should be and I tend to procrastinate.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of strengths and weaknesses
    • - Explanation of how to improve weaknesses and use strengths to benefit the company

  • Question: What was one of your greatest challenges as a manager and how did you overcome it?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers face challenges every day. They must be able to overcome these challenges and continue to provide excellent customer service. The candidate must be able to identify the challenge and provide a solution that benefits the company.

    Sample Answer: One of my greatest challenges was when I was managing a retail store. We were short-staffed and I had to work alone for several days. I was able to overcome this challenge by delegating tasks to other workers and communicating with them on a regular basis. I also made sure that all tasks were completed in a timely manner.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of challenges faced
    • - Examples of how the assistant manager overcame the challenges
    • - Examples of how the assistant manager benefited the company

  • Question: How will you add value to the company?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers add value to the company by improving sales and increasing profit margins. They also manage expenses and overhead costs and devise strategies to lower these costs. The assistant manager is responsible for the entire store and must have a strong knowledge of all aspects of the business.

    Sample Answer: I will add value to the company by managing the entire store and increasing sales. I will cut down on overhead costs and devise strategies to lower these costs.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience in improving sales
    • - Experience in cutting down on expenses
    • - Knowledge of all aspects of the business

  • Question: How would you respond to an employee who lies about stealing product, when you catch him/her in the act?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers must have the ability to discipline workers who steal from the company. They must also have the ability to fire workers who are stealing. The candidate must be able to handle the situation in a professional manner and protect the company's interests.

    Sample Answer: I would first ask for an explanation from the worker and then check his or her story with other employees in the area. If I found that the worker was lying, I would fire him or her immediately.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to handle employee theft
    • - Ability to discipline workers who steal product
    • - Ability to fire workers who are stealing

  • Question: How do you motivate your team members?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers motivate their team members by setting up contests and rewarding the workers who achieve the highest sales totals. They also set up training programs for new hires and reward the workers who complete the training. The assistant manager also sets up contests for the workers who complete daily tasks on time and reward them with gift cards or other incentives.

    Sample Answer: I set up contests to motivate my team members. I rewarded them with gift cards and other incentives. I also set up training programs for new hires and rewarded them with gift cards.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of setting up contests to motivate team members
    • - Examples of rewarding team members for completing tasks
    • - Examples of setting up training programs for new hires

  • Question: What are your favorite brands?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers must be familiar with the products they are selling and know the brands of the products. They must be able to identify the products and know how to sell them. The candidate must be able to identify the top-selling products and know how to promote them.

    Sample Answer: I like the Nike brand because of their high-quality products and competitive prices.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of top-selling brands
    • - Knowledge of retail products
    • - Ability to promote products

  • Question: What is the most embarassing thing that ever happened to you?
  • Question Overview: The candidate must be able to answer this question with a positive attitude and show that he or she learned from the experience. The candidate should also be able to explain how he or she overcame the situation.

    Sample Answer: I was working on a project and I accidentally deleted an important file. I was able to recover the file before it was too late.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive attitude
    • - Ability to learn from mistakes
    • - Ability to overcome obstacles

  • Question: What is the most important thing to a business?
  • Question Overview: The most important thing to a business is its customers. The assistant manager must be able to provide exceptional customer service and keep the customers coming back. The candidate must also be able to handle customer complaints and resolve issues in a timely manner.

    Sample Answer: The most important thing to a business is its customers. I always made sure that the customers were satisfied with their purchases and that they would return to the store. I also handled customer complaints and resolved issues in a timely manner.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Customer service skills
    • - Ability to resolve customer complaints
    • - Superior communication skills

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had difficulty with a customer and how did you resolve it?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers handle customer service issues and complaints. They must be able to resolve issues and complaints in a timely manner. The candidate must have the ability to listen to the customer's concerns and address them in a professional manner.

    Sample Answer: I had a customer who was upset with the prices of the products. I listened to his concerns and offered him a discount on his purchase.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience resolving customer service issues
    • - Ability to listen to customers and address concerns
    • - Professional demeanor

  • Question: Tell me about your self.
  • Question Overview: The candidate should discuss his or her strengths and weaknesses and how they relate to the job. The candidate should also discuss his or her education and work experience.

    Sample Answer: I have a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. I have three years of experience in retail management. My strengths include my ability to work with others and my communication skills. My weaknesses include my lack of experience with inventory control.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Work experience
    • - Education
    • - Strengths and weaknesses

  • Question: What is the most valuable thing in your life?
  • Question Overview: The most valuable thing in my life is my family. I have a wife and two children. I spend most of my free time with them. I enjoy spending time with my family and helping them with their activities.

    Sample Answer: My family is the most valuable thing in my life. I spend most of my free time with them. I enjoy spending time with my family and helping them with their activities.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Family
    • - Enjoyment of family time
    • - Involvement in family activities