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Are you interested in taking on a job in retail? For some, working in retail can be a demanding and tiring experience, but there are many perks, too. You can learn a lot of skills, enjoy flexible work schedules, and you may even get store discounts!
However, the search for luxury retail jobs requires some preparation on your part. Aside from preparing a good CV, you will also want to ace the job interview. What should you do if you haven’t worked in retail before? Research and prepare…
Here are some of the most common job interview questions and how you can answer them.
1. “Can You Work for a Minimum of 16 Hours per Week?”
You’re being interviewed because the company wants to know if you can sustain the job. When they ask you this question, they want to see if you have time to spare, so they can make sure you can devote some of your time to the job.
How to answer: If you have time in your schedule, you should say yes. You can also say you’re looking forward to it, especially since you’re applying for the job. Explain during the interview if you have other responsibilities, like study commitments or other pursuits.
2. “Do You Have Experience Working in Retail?”
This is a common question that will help the interviewer determine whether you’re a good fit for the job or not. If you’re confident enough to say yes, then go for it. But if you want to go for it, make sure you have some experience to back it up.
How to answer: If you have no prior experience, then say you’re ready to learn and why you think you’re a great fit for the job. If you have some retail experience, then you can point out the transferable skills you’ve attained from your previous jobs.
3. “Can You Work Weekends?”
This question is mostly asked to those applying for a job that requires a flexible schedule. If you can work anytime or anywhere, you should be honest and say yes.
How to answer: If you have time to spare, you can say yes. If you have other commitments, then you should mention them to manage expectations from the outset.
4. “Why Do You Want to Work in Retail / for our brand?”
While the interviewer might already know this answer, they want to hear it from you. It’s essential to do your homework on the company you are interviewing for, which could be both the retailer itself, as well as the brand or brands within their store that you are most interested in.
How to answer: Choose a few points about the retail industry that excites you—dynamics, opportunities for growth, experience in handling various types of customers. Being honest and specific will make a good impact on your potential employer.
5. “Why Should We Hire You?”
This is the second most common question, and they’re asking this because they want to know how well you know yourself, as well as why you’d be a good fit for the job. They’re also trying to figure out how confident you are that you’d be a high performer.
How to answer: You should know what skills and abilities you’re good at, and then highlight them. If you have applicable examples, you can also talk about them during the interview.
Final Thoughts
Job interviews are stressful, and they can be nerve-wracking even if you’re used to interviews. However, if you know how to cope, proceed and perform well, then you’re sure to make a good impression on the interviewer.
Are you looking for a retail agency in London to help you score a job? Join us at Chimera Recruitment today. We can connect you with sales specialist opportunities that are fulfilling and challenging, especially in the luxury retail industry. Apply now to learn more about our openings.
