Retail Job Description:
Working in retail specifically requires a number of skills and competencies that enable the organization, brand, shop or store to deliver quality goods and services. These important skills and competencies include providing brilliant customer service, acting as a positive role model for the company, serving customers in a timely manner, having a good knowledge and understanding of clothing/product lines so you can advise customers, assisting customers in making the correct purchasing decisions and also being flexible in your role. In order to meet the modern day demands of customers and shoppers, people who work in retail need to adopt a flexible approach to the hours they work, often having to work unsociable hours and at weekends.
Q1. Tell me about yourself and why you are suited to a role in retail?
"Before applying for this job, I studied the job description in detail to make sure I had the skills and expertise to perform to a high standard. I have lots of experience working with people and making people happy is something I thrive on. I am a self-motivated person who promises to come to work every day with an enthusiastic and consistent attitude. I have a customer-focused mindset and understand your business won't operate successfully without happy and returning customers. I am attentive, have an eye for detail and can be relied upon to learn the job quickly. Finally, I am flexible and reliable and would be available to work extra hours if required, either to cover someone's shift at short notice, or help out the business as and when required."
Q2. You are due to leave work at 5 pm. Your replacement worker doesn't show up. What would you do?
Q3. A customer wants to return some goods that have clearly been opened and used. What would you do and say?
Q4. What do you think is more important - great service or a great quality product?
Q5. Describe a time when you dealt with an unhappy customer?
Q6. Why do you want this job and what can you specifically bring to the role?
Q7. What skills, qualities and attributes do you have that are a match for a role within customer services?
Q8. Give an example of when you delivered excellent customer service.Q9. Describe the steps you would go through when dealing with a customer complaint.
Q10. Describe a time when you successfully worked on a project with a team of people. What role did you play in making the project a success?
Q11. What's your biggest weakness?
Q12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years' time?
5 TIPS FOR PASSING THE RETAIL INTERVIEW!
TIP #1 - You will undoubtedly be asked a series of interview questions that are relevant to your ability to provide outstanding customer service and care. Be sure you have ready-made responses to the retail interview questions:
- Tell me about a time when you delivered outstanding customer service?
- Explain a situation you were in when you went above and beyond for a customer?
- Describe a time when you successfully resolved a customer complaint?
TIP #2 - Having a basic knowledge of how to deal efficiently with a customer's complaint is an important aspect of the retail role. Whilst you will be given full in-house training on what is expected, you should have knowledge of dealing with customer complaints in preparation for your retail job interview.
TIP #3 - During your retail interview, have specific examples of when you have worked unsociable hours, gone above and beyond for your employer, gone above and beyond for a customer, worked under pressure, dealt with a difficult customer and also worked closely with other members of a close-knit team.
TIP #4 - You will be required to serve customers and also handle payments within the retail outlet you are working for. Therefore, don't be surprised if you get asked questions at your retail interview based on very basic numerical calculations of addition and subtraction. You should also be aware of the local VAT charges applicable for your country. The current rate of VAT in the United Kingdom is 20%.
TIP #5 - At the end of your retail job interview, we recommend you ask the following two questions that will help make you stand out from the other interviewees:
QUESTION TO ASK #1 - Who is your greatest competitor, and can I do anything within this retail role to help better them?
QUESTION TO ASK #2 - I am actually a big fan of your brand. Do you have any new and exciting product lines coming out in the near future?
