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 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 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: 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 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 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 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: 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 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: The ideal candidate will have faced many challenges in their past work experience and will have developed the skills to overcome them. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how they handle stressful situations.
Sample Answer: In my last position, I was required to restock the shelves on a daily basis. Due to the high volume of customers, I often had to restock the same shelf multiple times. I quickly learned that I needed to restock the most popular items first as they were often depleted.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience working with others in a team environment. The individual should be able to work well with their co-workers and managers. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how well they work with others.
Sample Answer: I have always worked well with my co-workers and managers. I am able to communicate effectively and efficiently with others.
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 candidate will have the ability to work efficiently while maintaining a high level of quality. The individual should be able to complete tasks in a timely manner without sacrificing the quality of their work.
Sample Answer: I always make sure that I am completing my tasks in a timely manner. I do not take short cuts when it comes to my work.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have realistic expectations of the job and will be able to explain how they will meet these goals. The individual should be able to describe what they expect from the company and what they can provide in return.
Sample Answer: I am looking for a long-term position where I can utilize my experience as a stocker. I am confident that I can meet your expectations by providing excellent customer service and maintaining a clean work environment.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have researched the company and will be able to provide specific examples of why they want to work for your establishment. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge their knowledge of the company and their desire to work for you.
Sample Answer: I have been a loyal customer of your establishment for years. I have always enjoyed shopping at your store and would like to be a part of the team that provides excellent customer service.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with problems at work. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how they handle stressful situations. Did the individual take the initiative to solve the problem or did they wait for management to intervene?
Sample Answer: In my last position, I had a customer who was upset that a product was placed above the wrong label as it reflected the price of another item. I provided the customer with the option to purchase the product at that price as it was a stocking error.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a favorite restaurant and will be able to explain why they like it. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge their tastes and preferences.
Sample Answer: I love eating at Olive Garden. I love the food and the atmosphere. I have been going there for years and I have never been disappointed.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will be confident in their ability to organize all of the items in the store. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to gauge how organized they are in their personal life.
Sample Answer: I have always been organized in my personal life and I am confident that I can do the same in this position.
Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience resolving customer complaints in a professional manner. The individual should be able to identify the customer's issue and offer a solution that will satisfy the customer.
Sample Answer: In my last position, a customer was upset that a product was placed above the wrong label as it reflected the price of another item. I provided the customer with the option to purchase the product at that price as it was a stocking error.