Action sports clothing retailer Tillys maintains strong retail teams by hiring talented, diligent workers. The business uses a casual interview process that looks at personality, interests, and job skills to decide who to hire. Interviews remain brief, and applicants often receive job offers within the same week of interviewing.
Applicants seeking sales associate jobs usually need to participate in group interviews. Group interviews are usually run by two managers. They happen in the back of the store and have between five and ten candidates. Interviewers usually start group interviews with personality-gauging questions like:
So you have an interview coming up for a sales associate position at Tillys. Congratulations! Working at this laidback, surf-inspired retailer can be a really fun and rewarding job. But first, you have to impress the hiring manager and prove you have what it takes to exceed sales goals and provide top-notch customer service.
The interview is your chance to showcase your skills However, it can also feel nerve-wracking if you don’t properly prepare. The good news is that many Tillys interview questions fall into predictable categories We’ve compiled the top 25 most commonly asked questions, along with tips on how to craft winning answers.
Read on to learn exactly what to expect so you can walk into your Tillys interview feeling cool calm and collected.
Understanding the Tillys Brand
Tillys prides itself on embodying a relaxed SoCal vibe. Interviewers want to know you understand the youthful, edgy brand image. Be ready for questions like:
1. How would you describe the Tillys brand?
The interviewer is looking for evidence you’ve done your research on the company. Mention Tillys’ origins in surf culture and its mission to spread the laidback SoCal mindset. Bring up signature Tillys qualities like trendiness, individuality and adventure.
2. Why do you want to work for Tillys?
Don’t just say you need a job or are passionate about retail. Demonstrate you connect with the Tillys brand identity. Describe what about their style and culture interests you, such as the music they play in stores.
3. How would our customers describe the Tillys shopping experience?
Highlight the elevated customer service, cool store soundtrack and on-trend merchandise. Emphasize that Tillys makes shopping fun rather than just transactional.
Sales Expertise
Because a sales associate lives and breathes sales, interviewers will ask you about your skills in this area. Common questions include:
4. How would you go about hitting sales targets each shift?
Share strategies like engaging customers, learning their preferences, promoting current deals and knowing your inventory inside and out. Emphasize exceeding goals through teamwork and a positive attitude.
5. How would you encourage customers to open a Tillys credit card?
Mention benefits like discounts and earning points while highlighting it takes less than 60 seconds to apply. Share techniques like asking customers throughout the checkout process or promoting new cardholder perks.
6. How would you handle a customer who was unsure about a purchase?
Explain you would listen to their concerns, offer information to address any issues and give them space to think it over without pressure. Share your ability to read body language to know when to encourage and when to back off.
Customer Service Scenarios
Providing awesome customer service is a huge part of the job. Interviewers will present scenarios to assess your skills. Expect questions like:
7. A customer comes in looking for a sold-out item. What do you do?
Tell them you’re sorry for the trouble, check to see if it’s in stock at nearby stores, and offer to order it or help them find other options. Emphasize going above and beyond to satisfy the customer.
8. How would you handle an angry customer complaining about poor service?
Highlight that you would listen empathetically without getting defensive, apologize sincerely and do everything possible to immediately resolve their issue. Mention following up to ensure they were satisfied with the resolution.
9. You notice a customer shopping for athletic wear who seems to need assistance. What would you do?
Explain you would make friendly contact, ask open-ended questions to learn their needs and offer tailored product recommendations. Share your ability to read body language and initiate helpful customer interactions.
Tillys Product Knowledge
You can’t sell what you don’t know. Interviewers will probe your knowledge of the merchandise. Prepare for questions like:
10. Tell me about the products Tillys sells.
Concisely summarize Tillys’ main merchandise categories like casual apparel, footwear, accessories and gear for surf, skate, yoga, festival fashion and more. Mention major brands carried. Share your excitement for Tillys’ vast, diverse offerings.
11. How would you get up to speed on new products arriving in store?
Discuss strategies like thoroughly reading company memos, attending manufacturer trainings and proactively asking coworkers. Share your dedication to continuous learning so you can inform customers about the latest gear.
12. How would you convince a customer to buy Tillys-brand merchandise versus third-party brands?
Highlight quality construction at lower price points and connecting purchases to Tillys’ values and community initiatives. Share how you would promote current sales or discounts on Tillys’ own products to provide an incentive.
Navigating the Retail Environment
Working retail can be hectic. Interviewers will want to know you can handle the fast-paced environment. Expect questions like:
13. This job can involve long hours on your feet. How would you prepare for that?
Demonstrate you understand the realities of the role. Mention you’re conditioned to being active all day from previous jobs. Share tips like wearing comfortable shoes, eating well, staying hydrated and taking breaks when possible.
14. What would you do if you noticed a safety hazard in the store?
Explain that you would immediately report any hazards or unsafe conditions to store leadership. Mention you’d err on the side of caution and prevent access to the hazardous area if appropriate. Share your dedication to maintaining a safe environment.
15. How would you prioritize helping customers when the store is very busy?
Discuss strategies like greeting everyone warmly, informing them you’ll be right with them and quickly determining who needs help first. Explain that you would multitask efficiently without rushing customers or neglecting their needs.
Leadership and Teamwork
While sales associates work closely with customers, they also collaborate with the store team daily. Expect questions about your teamwork skills, such as:
16. How would you work effectively with your Store Manager and other associates?
Emphasize open communication, accountability and upholding your end as part of the team. Share that you take direction well and will support leadership in executing store initiatives. Mention your enthusiasm to learn from mentors and experienced peers.
17. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a coworker. How did you resolve it?
Briefly summarize the situation then spotlight your conflict management and communication skills. Explain how you approached the coworker, found common ground and arrived at a mutually satisfactory solution. Demonstrate maturity and level-headedness.
18. How would you contribute to a positive team culture at Tillys?
Discuss ideas like being friendly and helpful to all coworkers, avoiding gossip or negativity and collaborating to throw birthday or appreciation events. Share that you motivate and lift up those around you.
Motivation and Values
Tillys seeks associates who embody the brand’s culture. Be ready for questions about what drives you and your work style. For example:
19. Why do you feel you’re a good fit for Tillys?
Connect your values like positivity and creativity to the lively Tillys culture. Share relevant skills and passions like connecting with people, problem-solving and fashion. Convey genuine excitement to join the Tillys team.
20. What motivates you in your work?
Share what energizes you in a sales role, like interacting with diverse customers, mastering product knowledge and beating goals. Convey your inner drive to continuously improve. Emphasize loving what you do leads to high performance.
21. What three words would your friends use to describe you?
Pick positive words that reflect sales strengths like enthusiastic, friendly and motivated. Share why those qualities allow you to thrive in customer-facing roles.
Behavioral Questions
Many Tillys interview questions will be behavioral, asking you to share examples and stories. Prepare STAR responses highlighting sales achievements. Expect questions like:
22. Tell me about a time you provided excellent customer service.
Share a story demonstrating patience, empathy and problem-solving when assisting a difficult customer. Emphasize how you turned their experience around and earned their loyalty.
23. When have you overcome objections and persuaded someone to make a purchase?
Describe a scenario where you carefully listened to a hesitant customer’s concerns, provided informative answers and offered incentives or add-ons to earn their business. Spotlight sales skills.
24. Discuss a time you missed a sales target and how you bounced back.
Detail how you reviewed your approach, worked with leadership to create an improvement plan and implemented new strategies to get sales on track and exceed future targets.
25. Give an example of when you had to adapt to a sudden change on the job.
Share a story of a last-minute shift in store procedures or policies and how you demonstrated flexibility and commitment to successfully implement the change.
Tilly’s Sales Associate Interview Video
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties. Tilly’s Sales Associate: I was a sales associate. I would help customers make sale decisions and also help them out at the cash register. If they had any problems, I would try to help them as much as I can. Like that. I would also help my boss with putting new shipments on the sales floor and other things like that.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?Tilly’s Sales Associate: Everyone got along. It wasn’t stressful at all. You can talk to the manager if you had any problems.
Asker: How would you describe the application and interview process? Tilly’s Sales Associate: I applied because I saw the job opening before it opened. They had a website to go to and apply online. I applied online and a few months later, I got a call. Then they were saying that they were opening. I started working before they opened, helping to set up the store. When they did open, I went right to work and became a regular salesperson.
Interviewer: What was the interview like?Tilly’s Sales Associate: We had group interviews actually. That went pretty well. There was more to it than that. It took away a lot of my stress and nervousness.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview? Tilly’s Sales Associate: They would ask things like “why do you want to work for the company?” and “what do you think makes a good employee?” and “what would be an ideal work environment?”
The interviewer asked, “What made you stand out from other candidates?” Tilly’s Sales Associate: I told them that I could balance my work and personal life and that I liked helping people. I feel like that was a position that I would enjoy.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to someone looking for work? Tilly’s Sales Associate: I would tell them to just be themselves because employers like workers who are comfortable in their environment and can work with others.
Tilly’s Interview – Sales Associate
FAQ
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