Retail Sales Associate Interview Questions

You enter a store, you start browsing around for something that you want, but can't seem to find it. All of a sudden a smiling sales associate appears at your side and helps you find what you want and in his own disarming manner, convinces you to buy a lot of other stuff that you don't really need.

It's amazing how they can just make you buy stuff, isn't it? Intrigued by the whole idea of convincing people to buy things and helping them in doing so, just to watch them walk away with a heavier bag, a lighter wallet, and a flashy grin on their face?

Well then, being a sales associate will work out just great for you. This story will help you with some of the types of questions that can be asked at a sales associate interview. Go through them and keep your answers ready!

• Tell me something about you that's not already mentioned in your resume.
• Give me 3 good reasons why this organization should hire you.
• Why have you chosen sales as a career path?
• Do you have any prior experience in the field of sales and customer service?
• If yes, then what kind of experience and how many years?

• What's the one most important thing that you learned in your previous organization?
• What kind of products do you think you're best at selling?
• What do you think is the most important characteristic that a good sales associate should possess?

• What is the most difficult experience that you've had as a sales associate?
• (placing an object on the table) Sell this to me in the next 10 minutes.
• How important do you think it is to have a knowledge of market trends for a sales associate?

• Here's a situation: A customer fusses over a product that he wants, you order it for him and check it, he buys it, and the next day he returns saying that he does not want it anymore and demands a refund. What would be your plan of action in such a situation?
• Why did you choose this organization to apply for the position of a sales associate?

• Have you ever lied to a customer just to sell a product and meet your target?
• Do you think it is alright to misguide a customer into buying something that you know is intentionally overpriced?

• What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Is the customer indeed always right?
• Are you a team player or do you prefer working alone?
• Give me one reason why I shouldn't hire the next candidate instead of you?

• How do you think you'll make a difference in the sales process of this organization?
• From your past work experience, narrate to me an instance when you thought you handled a disgruntled customer really well and were applauded for it.
• How good are you with targets and deadlines? Explain with examples.

• Let's fast forward to five years from today. Where do you see yourself professionally?
• How flexible are you regarding work timings and working on holidays and weekends?
• As a customer, where do you think you were given excellent customer service? What did you learn from that experience?

• Do you think you have what it takes to be a good leader or are you more comfortable following another's lead?
• How efficient are you in communicating with people? Rate yourself on a scale from 1 to 10.

• What if an angry customer demanded to see your superiors for no fault of yours, and your boss reprimands you in front of the entire staff and customers? What would your reaction be?

There are sure to be so many more different kinds of questions that could go into hiring the perfect candidate to fit into the job description of a retail sales associate. It is not an easy job to convince people to buy things that they sometimes may not even require.

Even more difficult is to get hired to such a position and know exactly how to work your charm. So, dress smart, talk smart, revise the answers to the questions given above and nothing can stop you from becoming an excellent sales associate. Good luck!