what are typical interview questions and answers for retail and customer services jobs?

Answer 1

How would you deal with a difficult customer is the prime one, just say you would act curtiously and with empathy and try and diffuse any situation that might turn nasty even if you really would want to beat the s**t out of them.

Answer 2

I have had more interviews than most people! I think that you will be asked why you want to work for that company and what retail experience you have. You might also be asked to show industry awareness for example, if you were apllying to HMV what do you know about music or if you were applying to Topshop, what do you know about fashion? Many interviewers will want you to give examples of sales experience and or when you have provided good customer service. Be prepared to give an actual example of an experience you had. I also had to do a live role play at Marks and Spencer and interact with a few customers!

Answer 3

These days interviews tend to be 'competence based' ie looking at your specific experience and skills and linked to the job description and person spec. For example, if on the person spec it states you need to have experience of dealing with complaints, you could be asked to give an example of a time when you have dealt with a complaint, what action did you take etc. So you need to go through all the skill areas on the person spec (communication skills, dealing with the public, handling complaints, dealing with money/stock etc etc) and think of examples you can give which will show that you have had experience in those area. You might get a few more traditional questions thrown in like your strengths, weaknesses, potted history, ambitions etc, it will depend on the style of interview the employer gives (and that will depend on the size of the company and whether they have a structured recruitment process or whether it's a bit ad hoc).
Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Fifty Standard Interview Questions


It is not enough to have solid answers only for the above questions. You need to be prepared for the full spectrum of questions that may be presented. For further practice, make sure you go through the required mock interview (see the "Competitive Interview Prep" Section) and for further review, look at some of the following questions:

Tell me about yourself.
What do you want to do with your life?
Do you have any actual work experience?
How would you describe your ideal job?
Why did you choose this career?
When did you decide on this career?
What goals do you have in your career?
How do you plan to achieve these goals?
How do you evaluate success?
Describe a situation in which you were successful.
What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
If you had to live your life over again, what would you change?
Would your rather work with information or with people?
Are you a team player?
What motivates you?
Why should I hire you?
Are you a goal-oriented person?
Tell me about some of your recent goals and what you did to achieve them.
What are your short-term goals?
What is your long-range objective?
What do you see yourself doing five years from now?
Where do you want to be ten years from now?
Do you handle conflict well?
Have you ever had a conflict with a boss or professor? How did you resolve it?
What major problem have you had to deal with recently?
Do you handle pressure well?
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
If I were to ask one of your professors to describe you, what would he or she say?
Why did you choose to attend your college?
What changes would you make at your college?
How has your education prepared you for your career?
What were your favorite classes? Why?
Do you enjoy doing independent research?
Who were your favorite professors? Why?
Why is your GPA not higher?
Do you have any plans for further education?
How much training do you think you'll need to become a productive employee?
What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
Why do you want to work in the _____ industry?
What do you know about our company?
Why are you interested in our company?
Do you have any location preferences?
How familiar are you with the community that we're located in?
Will you relocate? In the future?
Are you willing to travel? How much?
Is money important to you?
How much money do you need to make to be happy?
What kind of salary are you looking for?
Don't just read these questions--practice and rehearse the answers. Don't let the company interview be the first time you have actually formulated an answer in spoken words. It is not enough to think about them in your head--practice! Sit down with a friend, a significant other, or your roommate (an especially effective critic, given the amount of preparation to date) and go through all of the questions. Make the most of every single interview opportunity by being fully prepared!

Answer 5

You will more than likely be asked to give examples of good service you have given, and also how you have resolved a problem to the satisfaction of both parties. You'll be expected to know something about the company you are applying for and who their customers are. They will ask how well you feel you deal with pressure, and will expect you to be calm and articulate, while also being friendly and approachable. Hope your interview goes well!

Answer 6

Can you speak very well? How best can you dress to attract customers? What is market strategy for our product? How can you improve your sales given the opportunity?....

Answer 7

they will ask about ur service, any situation u had to handle, how to handle customers, how to work in team, good days & bad days...etc