Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a genuine interest in the position and will be able to provide a specific reason why they are interested in working for your company. The individual should be able to provide an answer that is not generic.
Sample Answer: I have been working as a stocker for the past 10 years and I am looking to move into a management position. I have heard great things about your company and I am very interested in becoming a part of your team.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a clear vision of their future. They should be able to explain how their current position will help them achieve their career goals. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge their level of ambition and how they plan to achieve their goals.
Sample Answer: I see myself in a management position in the next 5 years. I plan on working hard and taking advantage of every opportunity that is presented to me.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have previously gone the extra mile for a customer. This could be anything from providing exceptional customer service to going out of their way to help a shopper. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how much effort they put into their work.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I assisted a customer with finding a product that was out of stock. I provided the customer with the option of purchasing a similar item at a discounted price.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience as a stocker. The individual should be able to provide specific examples of their duties and responsibilities. The applicant's response will allow you to gauge how much experience they have as a stocker.
Sample Answer: I have been a stocker for the past five years. I have worked in grocery stores, retail stores, and warehouses.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have learned from their mistakes and will be able to provide an example of a time when they failed at a task. The individual should be able to explain what they learned from this experience and how they would handle the situation differently in the future.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I failed to check the expiration dates on a few items. I was able to identify the items and dispose of them before any customers purchased them. I learned that I need to check expiration dates more often.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be available to work the hours that your establishment needs. The applicant should be able to provide you with a schedule of their availability.
Sample Answer: I am available to work any hours that are needed.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a weakness that they are aware of and have taken steps to improve. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how they handle their weaknesses.
Sample Answer: My biggest weakness is that I am not a morning person. I have been working on getting up earlier in the morning to ensure that I am ready for my shift.
Question Overview: This is a simple question to gauge the applicant's personality. The ideal candidate will have a positive response and be able to explain why they like the brand.
Sample Answer: I really enjoy Nike shoes because they are comfortable and stylish.
Question Overview: Theft is a common issue in retail. The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with this issue and will know how to handle it. The individual should be able to explain how they would handle the situation.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I had a customer steal a bottle of wine. I immediately notified my manager and we were able to retrieve the bottle from the customer.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to provide you with a start date. The individual should be confident in their availability and be able to provide a specific date.
Sample Answer: I am available to start on Monday, October 1st.
Question Overview: This question will gauge the individual's moral compass. The ideal candidate will have a strong sense of right and wrong and will not hesitate to report any illegal activity.
Sample Answer: I would turn in my supervisor if I directly witnessed them in the midst of illegal activity.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be able to lift items over a certain weight. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how much weight they are able to lift.
Sample Answer: I am able to lift up to 50 pounds.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of the position and what it entails. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge their knowledge of the position.
Sample Answer: I have been a stocker for over 10 years. I know that I am responsible for restocking shelves with merchandise and keeping the store organized.
Question Overview: This is a question that is asked to gauge the applicant's salary expectations. The ideal candidate will have a realistic expectation of their worth in the market. It is important to note that this question is not meant to be a negotiation tool. The interviewer is simply trying to understand the applicant's expectations.
Sample Answer: I am looking for a salary of $45,000 annually.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience helping customers in a variety of ways. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how much they have assisted customers in the past.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I assisted a customer by locating a product that was not in stock. I found the item in another store and drove it over to the customer's location.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience helping others. This could be a customer or another employee. The individual should be able to provide a specific example of when they went out of their way to assist someone.
Sample Answer: I once assisted a customer who was looking for a specific item. I took the time to look through the entire store and found the item for them.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will be in school to further their education. The individual should be studying a field that will help them in the future. If the applicant is not currently in school, they should have a plan to go back to school in the near future.
Sample Answer: I am currently studying business management at a local college. I plan on transferring to a university in the next year to pursue my degree in business management.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with customers in a positive manner. They should be able to identify the different types of customers that they encounter and how they handle each situation.
Sample Answer: I always greet customers with a smile and provide them with the information they need. I also make sure to listen to their concerns and respond accordingly.
Question Overview: The ideal applicant will be able to confidently answer this question. The individual should be able to lift items that are above 25 pounds without any assistance.
Sample Answer: I have no problem lifting items above 25 pounds. I have been doing this for the past 10 years.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be confident in their availability and eager to start the new position. The individual should be able to provide a start date and time that is convenient for you.
Sample Answer: I am available to start immediately. My schedule is flexible and I can work any hours that are needed.