Retail Interview Questions & Answers

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

Aldi's recruitment process is as follows:

Online application (info about yourself, education, work experience)
Situational questions (v. basic)
Verbal, Numerical and Diagrammatical Tests
Video Interview (9 questions, 30 seconds to prepare for each)
Group Assessment Centre
Final Interview

"Describe a time that you have set high standards for yourself?"

My main advice is to fully research the company to give support in your answers but also to help you understand if you do present a suitable fit to the company and to the programme - it's your career!

I can't comment on that yet but I have read from others that it is more laid back than you think, although due to their criteria being so specific it is vital that if you get to the assessment centre you have to try and stand out from the rest and really prove that you've done your research on the company.
They want to see that you have the ability to lead others yet aren't too dominant and forceful in your approach - after all, it's important that you try to get on with others and build positive working relationships.

First I went to the recruiting day where I interacted with other candidates and I also had an one on one interview. The entire day was really interesting, informative and practical. It was an enjoyable environment.

I also had the unique opportunity to experience one day in the store where I could meet more people and especially, I had a clear understanding of the job and its responsibilities. This was the best part for me. Few companies offer this "real" experience as part of the recruiting process.

The difficult part is to evaluate if your own characteristics match with company's culture. Whenever you realize Decathlon is the right company to you, everything will be enjoyable and you will not face major difficulties.

Just be yourself. The company has a friendly and open culture which facilitates your performance during the recruiting process.
It is important to search about the company and check if your personality match with Decathlons' culture. Furthermore, the most important thing is to be passionate about sports. This is what leads the company and its employees.

It was a normal space. Nothing special that would make the candidates more stressed or tense. We spent most of the day in one of the rooms and we also spent some time inside the real store.

I had numerous interviews during the process. The first was a phone interview, competency based. The standard 'give me a time when you've had to make a decisive decision' etc. Also a commercial question, such as why did I think halfords had offices based overseas. Once successful, you're invited to their assessment centre based in their support office in Redditch. There was a 5 minute 'get to know you' introduction at the beginning, very informal, nice way to start the day.

This was followed by an icebreaker where we broke off into 2 teams, we had to build the tallest tower with the materials given, highest tower wins. Chance to demonstrate your team working skills.

We then had speed interviews with 6 assessors, 10 minutes each. All competency based so prepare well and you'll be fine. A few tricky ones which I've listed in another sectiosection.

Then we had had to a presentation, this was communicated before hand so practice it and you'll do fine.

Next was role play exercise, again described in another section further along.

The day concluded with a group exercise to pitch a pit stop to the store (assessors acting as store colleagues)

If you had a newspaper advert, what 6 things would it say?
What would your colleagues criticise about you?

Do your research on the company, think of areas you think they could improve to pitch during your interview, this will show initiative. Think about why you really want the job, why Halfords? Why retail? There was a big focus on this so make sure you get it right. There were 24 of us in the assessment centre split into 2 sessions, 4 of us were chosen for the final interview. Be confident, be yourself and most importantly have fun!

Ice breaker - Given a bunch of materials and had to make the tallest tower against the other group. Speed interviews - 5 seseparate interviews with the assessors, 10 minutes each, all competency based. Role play - approaching a customer in the store and helping establish their needs, also involved a bit of conflict resolution. Group exercise - formulate a 'Pit-Stop', we were given a few pages of information about the store and it's sales then had to come up with a team talk to communicate this with the store.

The person who called me was very sympathetic and assertive. I think it was a good opportunity to a fist contact and impression. The interviewer tried to show how works the brand, which is its point of view, vision and another important informations and asked if we really would like to part of this.

Why did you decided to work for Decathlon if it is a different job of your graduation?

About the telephone first interview, try to be clear and honest. To the second part, which is another interview and team group work, it is advisable wear comfortable clothes and shoes or trainers and be prepared to work with different persons.

It was in a good place near one of the Decathlon Shops, which is very interesting because make possible take a look around the shop, the products and to see how everything works.
The interviews and dynamics happend in in a comfortable office, were very interesting and exciting. We could feel about the idea of team work proposed for Decathlon.

In my telephone interview it lasted 15 minutes i was asked a series of questioms which included why I want to work for Decathlon? For this question you need to know why you want to apply for this position.
My retail experience? Link your previous roles to this and do not talk about irrelevant roles.
Which sports were my favourite?
Have I shopped in decathlon before?
Do I know what the job entails?

I think the most difficult question was why did I apply for the role and what could I bring to it.

Research the company properly and the job role I never dis this fully so when I had the telephone interview I realised it was not the right position for me, possibly go to the store and ask questions to get a bit more knowledge of the role.

It was a telephone interview

The first interview was over the telephone. It lasted for approximately 20 minutes, and was carried out by one of the members of the recruitment team. The tone of the interview was relaxed and friendly. I was asked a series of set questions, asking about knowledge surrounding the company itself. They were short, but tested the depth of research carried out prior to the call. It was not difficult if sufficient preparation was undertaken.

The face-to-face interview was with two members of HR, and myself. It lasted for around an hour, comprising of a series of competency based questions followed by around 15 minutes of general chat at the end. Again, the tone was professional but friendly.
I was asked to provide scenarios of when I had shown qualities such as leadership, and to give examples of my greatest achievements. The interviewers then asked specific questions about my CV; not challenging it, but asking for an expansion of parts they found interesting and asking for more detail.

"Provide an example of a time when you had to change your natural behaviour to suit the situation in hand."

Remember that you are not competing with the other graduates on the assessment day - the company can offer all of you, or none of you the job. Go with a friendly, relaxed attitude and let the assessors see your genuine personality.

We were divided into two groups of six. We were supplied with a packet of spaghetti and a bag of marshmallows, and in a 30 minute slot were challenged to compete with the other group to see who could build the tallest tower. Additional materials were supplied in the middle of the time, and we could use these if we wished.

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

n/a

In the beginning we were given a group interview where there were basic questions that were asked. Some of the questions that were asked were just basic interview questions. Also, when given a question, it was just going around in circles so each person would answer one question, and not the same person answering the question first every time.

Afterwards when given the position, we were to watch a video on the store and the rules that the associate is to follow if given the position. The video just talked about the rules and regulations. For instance, if someone was to steal what the person should do, or if someone was to ask for merchandise that was advertised on the Mancin, what does the model/associate do?

I got the call to work a couple days later. It was important to subtmit your availability as soon as you knew when you were going to be able to start. It is also really important to before hand try and figure out the days you are going to have off because the day you forget, it may be the day you will be scheduled.

What would be my biggest weakness and why?
How can I try and overcome that weakness?

I would say just be yourself, and just stay positive. It is important to have some background knowledge on the company, and even the progression of the company. I also feel that the managers will ask you random questions that may be from previous work positions you've had, just make sure you are up to date on what has happened, and what may happen in the position that will be offered.
I also will tell the person that the company may have strict rules and regulations that one is to abide by, so make sure those rules and regulations are followed by and just make sure you are following them the right way because the manager will remember the odd ball before the good one.

Customer Service, just keeping up to date on the floor setting. Making sure that customers are being talked to and just have been updated on the important sales and promotions that are going on.

Online Application:
You will be asked competency based questions (team work, organisation , leadership) as well as your reasons for working for Halfords and on their scheme.
You also have to submit a cover letter and CV.

Telephone interview:
More competency based questions - it is helpful to review what you said in your application as you don't want to repeat yourself.
Other questions included: your role model, motivations and influences, greatest achievement.
They praised me on my enthusiasm for Halfords and passion for retail.
Make sure you do your research on the company, as this can be impressive if you can include it in your answers.

Assessment Centre:
See below

Final Interview:
You meet with the head of retail, and head of retail (people) for a half hour interview. They had my CV in front of them, and asked me questions based on that. One was taking notes, while the other asked the questions. They asked me to describe why I had studied my degree, why my part-time jobs had been useful etc.
They also ask you to give examples of things you have done as part of your job or society - and they asked specifically from what I had on my CV, so make sure you come up with some competency examples for all of the things you include on your CV. They were really friendly and relaxing during the interview, but they seem to be quite specific about what they want and who they want, so they mark you harshly on how well you do. I think they want a 'type' of person. So don't be surprised if you do well in your interview but don't get offered a job.

If you had a newspaper advert, with 6 things on, what would they be?

What's the most interesting thing you found out when researching Halfords?

If you could have any super power what would it be and why?

What has been your greatest achievement? Why is this a good achievement?

I feel I did by best all the way through the process and got to the very end, but didn't fit the right type. So give it your all, and take it as good experience. They were really friendly, and you learn a lot (especially from the assessment centre) so use the experience wisely. I haven't been to an assessment centre so friendly before! But be aware, they are always watching you to give you credit or take it away, so you need to constantly be on the ball!

At the assessment centre we did a short icebreaker where we have to make a tower from straws, newspapers and marshmallows. They are looking for your team working skills and how you interact with the other people in the group.

Then you do a presentation (which you prepare before hand) about Halfords values based on an object personal to you. You do this to other people in the group - listen and ask questions after their presentations. Try and think of interesting links of your object to Halfords and be prepared to answer questions afterwards. Make sure you practice timings as they are harsh on that.

Then you go to speed interviews. There were 6 tables and you got 10 minutes at each one. Each table ask you different questions. Try and come up with good examples to competency questions which you can articulate well in a short period of time as the questions are quick fire. You need to make a good impression quickly so try not to be nervous!

Then you do a big group task called a 'pit stop' They are looking for how well you deal with the team but also with the data provided. You get an A4 sheet filled with target and sales data as well as key store information and you need to show you can understand and interpret it, without stepping on other people in the group. try and give yourself a task in the group, specific to you, so you stand out (eg. time keeper, scribe). Then you have to do a presentation to the assessors about the data you have interpreted. be confident, and make sure all of the group is involved. They will ask you questions and interrupt you to put you under pressure, so stay calm!

Finally, you do a role play task. You have ten minutes to prepare from a brief that you provide you with. Try and remember as much as you can from the sheet and use the time wisely - they commented that I prepared well, so they might mark your notes! Then you have to interact with one of the assessors (the customer) and solve their problems. try and understand everything they need help with before you advise them. They don't want you to be an expert of the Halfords equipment, but they are looking for your communication with the customer and how you deal with the situation, so take your time and go with it!