Retail Interview Questions & Answers

The first interview was a video interview to complete in your own time. It was quite straightforward, consisting of around three questions. You were given a short period of time to formulate your answer before the video starts recording. You do not have to use up all the time given by the software! Questions included introducing yourself, an achievement you were proud of and what you could bring to the company.

There were then two separate Skype interviews with A&F employees at their US head office. The first was mainly biographical, talking about your education and experiences such as team work, work ethic and leadership. The second interview was more technical, testing your knowledge of the role and the retail market. A project relating to the role of a merchandiser will be sent to you in advance and this will be discussed during the first half of the interview.

Talk about 3 trends you have observed recently.

Even though it is a Skype interview, A&F are a very image-conscious company - be prepared! It would be helpful to wear their clothes if you have any, or clothes of a similar style. You will be probed about your knowledge of fashion, current trends and competitor activity.

In comparison to other companies, the interviews are quite relaxed. Try to relax as much as possible when giving your answers in order to show yourself in the best possible light - this is a key part of the culture of A&F.

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I've just finished the Aldi video interview. It's made up of 10 questions. You're given 30 seconds to prepare and think of an answer before recording, which starts automatically. Most question answers are 60 seconds and some are 30. I felt very nervous and under pressure to say everything in time.

A time you achieved something ambitious, how you did it and why you were proud of it.

Research the company. As far as I know the questions are different for everyone but I was asked what I was surprised to find out when researching the company. I was also asked why I wanted to work there so it was useful to be able to say I agreed with their policies etc

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My first interview was on the phone with a manager of the company. He asked me questions about my CV, the reason why I applied for the position, my motivation to work for the company. After successfully completing the first interview, I had been invited to participate to the assessment day. After group exercises, the face to face interview was with two managers. They asked specific questions about my CV, my knowledge about the role, the company, the different projects that I drove successfully as a leader, and so on.

Are you a team worker or a leader? How would you deal with a conflict?

Being yourself, knowing perfectly your CV and the company as well as the reasons why you should have the role.

We should have been more but for some reasons we were just three. During the morning, it was about presentations and group exercises. The most difficult part of the group exercise was the debate. Then, you have lunch with the others candidates and during the afternoon it was the face to face interviews with two managers of the company.

My one-to-one interview took place at the assessment centre. After completing a presentation to an area manager, he then asked me a variety of questions relating to my background and motivation for the role. This was unusual due to the fact two other candidates were presenting and being interviewed in the same room as me while other assessors were circling the room. My tip here would be to focus on yourself and ignore what is going on around you. After asking about my University life and work experience he moved onto specifics about the role. Questions ranged from 'What do think the key skill of a retail manager is?' to 'How would you improve your current shop (I work in a charity shop)?' I was also asked if I had visited a Farmfoods store so would definitely recommend going to one beforehand. I was then asked how I would improve the store/what impressed me. He also asked about how I would deal with difficult/unmotivated employees.

How would you deal with an uncooperative employee?

Do your research on Farmfoods and retail in general. Make sure you visit a store and have ideas on what you would do to make it run better. Know your presentation inside out before you arrive as this is the one aspect you can control. Be focused during the interview and presentation as assessors are circling and other interviews are taking place so the room can be noisy. Just focus on your own performance. During the group task always look for the simplest/cheapest solution and don't over complicate answers.

Split into two groups of 3. Had to introduce yourself and say a fun fact. Then had to complete an icebreaker with the assessors by finding out information about them. Next was a group task in the groups of 3 where we were given two fictional issues in a store which we had to come up with solutions for and present back to the other group and assessors. Following this was a ten minute solo presentation which I had prepared beforehand (you have to send in your slides a month before attending) to a member of the senior management. After the presentation you complete an interview with this person. Returning to the main room, our group then completed a short spelling and situational judgement test. The assessment centre started at 1pm and was completed by 3pm.

My phone interview was with a member of the HR team in which we went through certain aspects of my CV and there were also some competency questions to answer at the end

Describe a time where you failed to meet an objective

Try not to be nervous and do plenty of research about the company beforehand

We were split into teams of 5 and each given a title of something which we had to discuss and then go on to debate between team members

My initial interview was with the store manager. He was very friendly and it wasn't too formal. He asked me questions about my CV, work experience, why I wanted to work for Decathlon and what I could bring to this role. I was very happy with how the interview went as the questions were quite straightforward to understand and not confusing.
He also gave me feedback which to me shows the commitment of the organisation and the staff towards the people they interact with, including candidates.

what were your career aspirations during sixth form and have they changed?

Prepare in advance, show your enthusiasm for the job

Havn't yet had an assessment centre visit - this may be yet to come

Application was very straight forward - CV and cover letter. This was followed by a phone interview, a 5 minute (pre-recorded) video interview and an assessment centre.

The phone interview was quick and not too detailed at all - very straight forward. The video interview was 5 questions e.g why do you want to work here etc. - You have a minute to answer each.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Such a difficult question to answer for someone still at uni that has had little or no experience in actual workplaces.

Really know the company inside out. The whole business as well not just the UK and know what direction they are going in. They have subsidiary companies in the Nordics so be sure to mention them. Also be confident and display that you really would like to work for DC - an exciting and innovative company.

Day begins with basic introductions.
Then moves into a group task (teams of 3/4 join to solve a real-life business issue and create a presentation to give back to 2/3 interviewers).
This was followed by a personal presentation everyone had prepared (presented to 2/3 people).
Lastly there was a 3 on 1 interview which lasted an hour (1 candidate 3 interviewers).

A very relaxed atmosphere with me and one other person asking questions.
The questions were to do with times you have shown certain qualities. You must provide examples which, then show that the example worked. For example customer support, I have called people asking for them to send data in, then to prove I was successful in my task you say that you received the data.
I was asked 'why marks and spencers?'

The most difficult question in my opinion was 'What other organisation do you feel is on par with M&S, and why?' I wasn't sure how to answer it. Do you quickly say a company, answering the question too honestly? Take your time, but still be name a company? Or say there is none?

There is no right answer, but it was certainly one that I wasn't sure how to answer 'correctly'.

Research the interview questions! I found them online.
Be positive in the role play.
Make decent notes for your presentation.
And make sure you fit in well within the other candidates.

Be calm. They were very nice. I hate assessments, but this couldn't have gone smoother. They provided food, drinks, gave you a tour of a store nearby etc.

Group Discussion- Everyone in my group was very nice. I was very nervous going into the day, but this certainly calmed me down. The task was to go through a pack for 15mins, in the pack was information on a fictitious company, closely resembling M&S. You were told the store had a few issues, and that it was nearing christmas and that you had an extra 30 staff you had to choose where to put them. Also for CSR you needed to pick a charity out of a possible 4.
This was all very easy and was not about being right or wrong, but how you work in a team. MAKE SURE YOU LET PEOPLE TALK, AND TALK YOURSELF! NOD, SMILE AND COME TO A MUTUAL DECISION.

Then was the presentation. You had an hour to read another pack, on the same pretend company closely resembling M&S. You could make changes to the store, but you were told a new christmas range was coming in, and you had to set it up etc. This was very easy in ways, BUT, watch your time! The hour seems like a minute! You present to one person. It is not daunting, but you do have 10 minutes! And it feels like an hour.... Make sure you have all your points on one sheet!

Then was a role play. You were given 10mins to read a pack, understand the situation, then get into character... A worker in the store comes in, isn't happy he has been called in, is a little negative, quiet, etc. You must tell him that he is to re-design the womens range layout, and you must give him his feedback. Be motivational, but make sure he knows you are the boss. I felt I may have been too stern.... oops

Then the interview. The easier part! I know myself, and so interviews are fine! I don't know pretend store workers and companies, so those can be challenging. Just make sure you look up all possible questions, have an answer for them, smile and be polite. Thats all.

The first stage of my interview was a numeric and verbal test. This was done under timed exam conditions in one of Ocado's meeting rooms at Ocados headquarters in Hatfield. I wrote the test with three other candidates and we were monitored by the Operations Planning Manager. It was a relaxed atmosphere and we were permitted to use calculators. We could also ask questions during the test. We had about 20 minutes to complete the numeric test and another 20 minutes to answer the verbal reasoning part of the test. Following the assessment we were told we would be invited to an interview if we were successful.Later on the same day I got an email inviting me to an interview the following week.

My interview was also held at the Ocado headquarters in Hatfield. It was conducted by a member of staff who had started in a Warehouse position but had worked their way up to resource planner. The manager of Operations planning was also supposed to be present at the interview but got held up so we went ahead without her.
I started the interview with a logistics test where I had to plan the routes for Ocado delivery trucks. The test lasted 10 minutes and I handed the test back to the interviewer. We then had an initial chat about my background what I was currently doing. The interviewer then went on to start the interview by asking what I thought the role of Operations Planner involved doing. The question was quite easy to answer and I based my answer on the job description which I had read. The interviewer then went on to ask competency based questions and finally asked why I wanted to work for Ocado.

What would you say are your weaknesses.

My advice would be to arrive in good time. This allows you to prepare yourself mentally and be comfortable with your surroundings. By arriving early I managed to speak to other staff members such as the receptionist and security and asked questions about how they found it working at Ocado. You never know who they will go on to speak to. Speaking to other staff members shows you are keen and shows your ability to interact with others. Showing up early meant I had time to observe my surroundings and note certain aesthetics and design elements. I mentioned in my interview that I liked how the offices were designed with the use of vegetables and fruit to name offices instead of using room numbers. This shows to the employer that I am very observant. It also shows that I am aware of Ocados strong brand image. Another tip is to dress smart. Even for the numeric test and verbal test I made the effort to wear a smart office dress and blazer. You never know who will take your interview or conduct your test so it is best to make a good first impression whatever you are invited for. Do not think because it is just a test you can dress casual. Wear something smart anyway. I ended up meeting the Operations planning manager at my interview so it was well worth dressing smart. A further tip is to carry a calculator and pen. You will probably be able to borrow a pen but do not assume this so doesnt hurt to bring a pen just in case. Its unlikely they will supply calculators so make sure you take your own. Another tip is to go over some basic maths questions before the numeric test just to refresh your mind. It might help if you haven't practised maths in a while. A final tip would be to leave time at the end of your test to check over your work.
With regards to the competency interview a good tip is to research the company so thoroughly so you can try link every answer to an aspect of Ocado. So for example if they ask 'tell us when you have worked to a timetable' link it back to maybe how you will apply your skill to the role you apply for.

There was no assessment center.
However we did do the numeric and verbal test under timed conditions, individually but there was three of us in the same room. We were allowed to use a calculator for the numeric test.

My initial telephone interview was with a member of the recruitment team, this lasted around 15 minutes - this covered what I knew about Ocado, my CV and why I applied for the role, I was immediately invited to a Assessment Centre in around 10 days time.

Give me an example when you overcame a challenging situation?

Make sure they hear you speaking up and arguing your point in the group exercises.

The assessment centre had three stages and had around 25 candidates. The first stage involved a numerical and a verbal reasoning test and group discussions, after this some people were asked to leave and the rest of us went on a tour of the warehouse followed by 2 group exercises (One was a survival task and the other a building exercise) - I left at this stage but the final stage was individual interviews for around 5 people.