Top Store Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

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

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  • Question: What makes you think that you are qualified for this position?
  • Question Overview: This question gives the candidate the opportunity to sell themselves to you. You can learn if they have the skills and experience needed to succeed in the position. This question also helps you see if they are qualified for the job, and it lets you know if they are confident enough to handle the responsibilities of a store manager.

    Sample Answer: I have several years of experience in retail management, and I'm confident that my skills will help me succeed in this position.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Strong communication skills
    • - Knowledge of the industry
    • - Experience with similar positions

  • Question: How do you prioritize your daily schedule?
  • Question Overview: This interview question helps you see how well the candidate manages their time. It also tells you how organized they are and how well they can prioritize their tasks. This question is useful because it helps you see if the manager would be able to handle the demands of a busy schedule.

    Sample Answer: I like to start my day by checking emails and making sure I have everything I need for the day. Then, I schedule my tasks and work on them one by one.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Prioritizes tasks based on importance
    • - Lists out daily schedule
    • - Shows a willingness to work hard

  • Question: How would you create an inspiring moment?
  • Question Overview: This interview question gives the candidate the chance to show you how they would motivate your employees. You can learn if they have a good understanding of how to inspire others. Their answer can also tell you if they have a good understanding of the importance of employee morale and motivation.

    Sample Answer: I'd create an inspiring moment by giving a speech about how we can all work together to make the store better.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passionate about inspiring others
    • - Creates an inspirational moment
    • - Shows a desire to improve employee morale

  • Question: What are your reasons for wanting to be promoted?
  • Question Overview: This interview question gives you a chance to see if the applicant has a realistic view of what it takes to be a store manager. You can also learn if they are motivated by money, or if they have other reasons for wanting the promotion. Their answer can help you decide if they are likely to stay with the company for a long time.

    Sample Answer: I love working with customers and employees, and I want to be able to help more people. I also want to be able to make more money.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for the job
    • - Desire to help others
    • - Willingness to work hard

  • Question: How do you manage your team?
  • Question Overview: This interview question gives you the chance to see how the applicant manages people. You can learn if they are a good leader and if they would be a good fit for your company culture. You can also see if they have the skills needed to manage a team of employees.

    Sample Answer: I like to give my employees a lot of freedom and make sure they know I'm there for them if they need help. I also like to make sure they know what's expected of them and that I'm available to help them meet those expectations.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Strong leadership skills
    • - Ability to listen to employees
    • - Creativity in motivating workers

  • Question: What is your biggest weakness?
  • Question Overview: This is a classic interview question that helps you see how the candidate would respond to a difficult question. You can learn if they are honest and humble or if they try to make themselves look better than they really are. Their answer also gives you an idea of what they consider to be their biggest weakness.

    Sample Answer: I'm a perfectionist, so I can sometimes be too hard on myself and others.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honest and humble
    • - Honest but doesn't admit to any weaknesses
    • - Doesn't answer the question

  • Question: Tell me what you do at your current job?
  • Question Overview: This question helps you learn more about the candidate's current job and how they handle it. You can see if they are a good fit for your store by seeing how they handle their current job. This question also helps you see if the candidate has the experience needed to do the job.

    Sample Answer: I'm currently a store manager at a large retail chain. I handle all aspects of running the store, from hiring and training employees to ordering merchandise and handling customer complaints.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed description of their current job
    • - Knowledge of their role in the company
    • - Demonstrates a desire to do well in their current job

  • Question: How would you adjust to dealing with less volume than your used to?
  • Question Overview: This interview question helps you see how well the applicant would handle a sudden drop in sales. It also shows you how flexible they are. You can learn if they would try to find ways to increase sales or if they would focus on cutting costs. This question also lets you know if the manager would be able to make do with fewer employees.

    Sample Answer: I'd focus on cutting costs by reducing hours and laying off employees if needed. I'd also try to find new ways to increase sales and bring in new customers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Willingness to cut costs
    • - Creativity in finding ways to increase sales
    • - Ability to work with fewer employees

  • Question: How do you hold your team accountable?
  • Question Overview: This question helps you learn how the candidate would handle employee discipline. You can see if they would fire an innocent employee to satisfy the customer or avoid disciplining a misbehaving employee just because the customer was annoying.

    Sample Answer: I like to make sure everyone is following company policies and procedures. If someone isn't doing their job correctly, I'll talk to them about it and give them another chance. If they don't improve, I'll have to let them go.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Prioritizes customer care first
    • - Demonstrates a desire to discover truth behind an issue
    • - Shows a willingness to properly discipline employees if they were wrong

  • Question: How do you organize your day?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see if the candidate is organized and efficient. You can learn if they have a system for managing their time and tasks. This question also gives you a chance to see if they have a good work ethic.

    Sample Answer: I like to start my day by checking email and making sure I have everything I need for the day. Then, I like to get in a little exercise before starting my work.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Well-organized schedule
    • - Prioritizes tasks and time
    • - Shows a willingness to work hard

  • Question: What do you think we can do to overcome the obstacle of limited repeat shoppers?
  • Question Overview: This interview question gives the candidate a chance to show you how they would handle a common problem in retail. You can learn if they have the creativity and flexibility to come up with new ideas for increasing repeat business. This question also helps you see if the applicant is willing to take the time to think about solutions.

    Sample Answer: I'd try to get more repeat customers by offering loyalty programs and special discounts for frequent shoppers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passionate about overcoming obstacles
    • - Thinks of creative ways to increase repeat business
    • - Prioritizes customer service

  • Question: What are the things you look for in a candidate?
  • Question Overview: This question gives you a chance to see how the candidate would evaluate potential employees. You can learn if they would focus on skills or personality. Their answer also tells you if they would hire someone who didn't have the best experience but had the right attitude.

    Sample Answer: I look for people who are friendly and outgoing. I also like to hire people who are eager to learn and have a good work ethic.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Prioritizes skills over personality
    • - Looks for candidates who are eager to learn
    • - Looks for people who are friendly and outgoing

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: This interview question is a great way to learn about the candidate's interest in your company. Their answer can tell you if they are willing to take the time to learn more about your company and its products. It also gives you a chance to see if they are willing to work hard for your company.

    Sample Answer: I've always been a big fan of your products. I'm really interested in working for a company that makes such high-quality products.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passion for the company's products
    • - Interest in learning more about the company
    • - Willingness to work hard for the company

  • Question: Do you own a car?
  • Question Overview: This interview question is a simple way to learn if the candidate owns a car. If they don't, you can ask them why not. If they do, you can ask them what kind of car they own. This question is useful because it helps you learn if the candidate is willing to drive to work.

    Sample Answer: Yes, I own a car. It's a Toyota Camry.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Car ownership
    • - Car type

  • Question: What is your availability?
  • Question Overview: This question is a simple way to learn about the candidate's availability and how flexible they are. You can also learn if they have any scheduling conflicts that would prevent them from working the hours you need.

    Sample Answer: I'm available to work any shifts you need me to.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Flexibility
    • - Availability

  • Question: What are the most important values in your life?
  • Question Overview: This interview question gives you the chance to see how the candidate's personal values align with your company's values. It also lets you know if they have the right personality for the job. You can learn if they are honest, hard-working and loyal, which are all important traits in a store manager.

    Sample Answer: I value honesty and hard work above all else. I also believe in loyalty to my company and its employees.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Values that align with your company's values
    • - Honest and hard-working
    • - Loyal to the company and its employees

  • Question: What would you want your headline to be?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see how the candidate thinks on their feet. You can learn how they would promote your store and what sort of image they would want to portray. This question also helps you see if they understand the importance of marketing and advertising.

    Sample Answer: I would want my headline to be "The Best Store in Town" because I know that I can make it true.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Creativity
    • - Passion for marketing
    • - Knowledge of current trends

  • Question: Where do you live?
  • Question Overview: This question is used to see if the candidate lives close enough to the store to make it to work on time. It also gives you an idea of how far they are willing to travel to work.

    Sample Answer: I live about 20 minutes from the store.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Close enough to get to work on time
    • - Willingness to travel a reasonable distance

  • Question: Are you willing to relocate?
  • Question Overview: This question is a simple yes or no question, but it can tell you a lot about the candidate's willingness to relocate. It also gives you an idea of how flexible they are. If they are unwilling to relocate, you can rule them out for positions that require moving to another store.

    Sample Answer: Yes, I am willing to relocate.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Flexibility
    • - Desire to move to a new location

  • Question: How will you grow the business?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to see if the applicant has a good grasp of how to increase sales. It also shows you if they have the creativity and flexibility to come up with new ideas. You can also learn if they have the ability to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions.

    Sample Answer: I'd focus on increasing sales by offering more promotions and discounts. I'd also try to get more people in the store by offering a free gift card for every 10 items purchased.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Creativity and flexibility
    • - Ability to think outside the box
    • - Prioritization of customer service