Hiring the wrong person can be very costly. A small business blog post in the New York Times says that a bad hire can cost at least $40,000 for a company. Sure, screening applicants and checking references are important parts of the hiring process. But being able to do good interviews could mean the difference between making money and not making money this year. And when it comes to interviewing, CBS News reporter Charlie Rose is one of the best. The Financial Times called him “a brilliantly skilled interviewer.” Rose has spent a lot of time interviewing some of the most interesting people in the world. He is a “master at charming his subjects into revealing interesting pieces of information.” What makes Rose so unique is that she can easily and clearly talk to politicians, celebrities, generals, scientists, musicians, and anyone else. It looks like nothing is more important to him than his guest, so he sets the scene with a simple oak table and a black background. He always comes to meetings ready to jump on an answer, but he’s also willing to let the conversation flow naturally as long as certain rules are followed. Also, the Financial Times says that Rose rarely takes sides in interviews and instead tries to be fair. Rose also seems much more “thoughtful” and willing to have a conversation than a shouting match than her competitors on other cable news channels. After looking at how he did things in several online interviews, I came up with five best practices (there may be more) that should be used when hiring: 1. After Pleasantries, Get Right to It. Rose doesn’t waste a lot of time in his interviews. He introduces his guests, shakes their hand, and jumps right into questions. Some might say that this fast-paced style works better for TV viewers with short attention spans. But for a corporate interviewer who has five to seven interviews in a row, it makes a lot of sense to get right to the point. 2. Do Your Homework. If you want to work for a company, recruiters will often tell you to learn as much as you can about its history, culture, and needs before you meet with a hiring manager. In fact, a well-prepared candidate is one who is excited about the job and ready to go for the interview. Not only should the candidate be ready for the interview, but so should the hiring manager. See what Rose said? Charlie Rose does his homework. He doesn’t fumble in his questioning. He knows exactly what he wants to ask and when. And his detailed preparation is obvious. 3. Go Deeper. Because of Rose’s detailed preparation, he’s ready for questions that do more than simply skim the surface. In fact, he often asks deep questions that go two or three levels deep to make sure he understands something better. To dive deeper in questioning, one must have familiarity with the subject matter and the interviewee. Charlie Rose doesn’t know everything, but because he does, he can show that he knows a lot about a subject and ask more in-depth questions than most interviewers. 4. Interviewing Style Matters. Rose has an almost casual bent to his interviews. One writer for the Financial Times says that their two-hour lunch with Charlie Rose “slid by, seamlessly and unnoticed.” This kind of easygoing interview might not be liked by a tough boss who likes to keep candidates “on their toes” with quick questions. If hiring managers want to be smart, they should remember that while they are interviewing candidates, the other way around is also true. 5. Listen and Learn. Sadly, a lot of hiring managers would rather think of their next question than listen to the candidate answer the last one. And that’s a real shame because an interview provides a gold mine of information for both parties. Interviewers should take a cue from Charlie Rose and really listen to the answers provided by candidates. Listening carefully to someone talk can reveal a lot of useful information. Do you think Charlie Rose is a great interviewer? What do you like and dislike about his style and methods? What interviewing methods help you find the best qualified candidate?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul Barsch is in charge of services marketing programs for Teradata, which is the biggest data warehousing and analytics company in the world. Previously, Paul was marketing director for HP Enterprise Services $1. 3 billion healthcare industry and a senior marketing manager at global consultancy, BearingPoint. Paul writes a regular column for MarketingProfs DailyFix and is a senior contributor to MarketingProfs. He has also written more than fifteen articles for magazines and newspapers in the fields of marketing, management, technology, and healthcare. Paul earned his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He and his family reside in San Diego, CA.
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Getting hired at the popular women’s fashion and accessories retailer Charming Charlie can be a competitive process With over 390 brick-and-mortar stores across the United States and Canada, along with a thriving ecommerce business, Charming Charlie receives thousands of applications every year Standing out from the crowd and nailing your Charming Charlie interview is crucial.
Based on research of real interviews that candidates have had, this guide will go over the top 20 most common Charming Charlie interview questions. We’ll tell you what the interviewers really want to know about each question and give you examples of good answers.
Whether you’re interviewing for a retail sales associate, store manager, corporate role, or any other position, use this advice to thoroughly prepare and increase your chances of landing your dream job at this beloved brand
Overview of the Charming Charlie Interview Process
The Charming Charlie interview process typically consists of one or two rounds depending on the role you are applying for,
For retail store positions like sales associates and assistant managers, you can expect a relatively straightforward single interview focused on assessing your customer service skills, retail experience, ability to meet sales goals, and overall fit with the brand. Interview questions will revolve around scenarios you may encounter on the job.
For corporate roles, you can expect at least two rounds of interviews, often including both phone/video screening interviews as well as in-person interviews. The focus will be more on skills like business acumen, analytics, leadership, strategic thinking, and collaboration abilities. You may also be asked to complete case study questions or presentations.
Across all interviews, Charming Charlie looks for candidates that embody the brand’s culture of high energy, passion, positivity, and delivering wow experiences for customers. Showcasing your customer-focused attitude is key.
Now, let’s talk about the 20 most common questions and how to answer them very well.
1. Why do you want to work for Charming Charlie?
This is one of the most common opening questions in any interview across industries. It allows the interviewer to assess your genuine interest in the company and role. They want to know what attracts you specifically to the Charming Charlie brand.
How to answer:
- Demonstrate your passion for the brand by discussing aspects of the company that excite you. Mention specifics like their product selection, store experience, values, growth, etc.
- Share why you feel you would be a great cultural fit based on your alignment with their mission of inspiring self-expression and delivering joy.
- Avoid generic answers – make it personal by tying it back to your background, interests, and career goals.
Example: I’m truly excited by Charming Charlie’s mission of inspiring self-expression and cultivating joy through fashion and accessories. Throughout my career in retail, I’ve found my passion lies in helping women feel confident, stylish, and empowered through finding that perfect item. Charming Charlie’s incredible product variety allows me to do just that by giving women exciting new ways to showcase their personal style. I’m drawn to how your stores bring unbridled enthusiasm and make it easy for customers to explore their creativity. If given the opportunity, I would be honored to contribute my retail experience and customer-focused mindset to furthering the Charming Charlie experience.
2. What do you know about our company culture? How would you fit in?
Culture fit is hugely important at Charming Charlie. They look for people as vibrant and colorful as their products. With this question, interviewers want to see that you’ve done your research and truly understand the essence of their culture.
How to answer:
- Showcase your understanding of their culture of positivity, passion, innovation, and commitment to customer delight. Use examples.
- Share specific ways you naturally align with and would contribute to that culture based on your own attitudes, energy level, and people skills.
- Discuss how you would fit into their fast-paced, collaborative environment. Provide examples of thriving in similar environments.
Example: From my research, it’s clear Charming Charlie has cultivated an amazing culture centered around creativity, self-expression, and delivering joy to your customers. The high energy and vibrant enthusiasm I’ve seen exuded by your store associates is contagious. I’m naturally an optimistic, passionate person, so I would thrive in an environment that celebrates and empowers people to color outside the lines. I also love collaborating and bouncing new ideas off others. In my last role, my manager often pointed out how my high energy and cheerfulness boosted team morale during busy seasons. I have no doubt I would fit right in and help spread Charming Charlie’s unique brand of positivity.
3. How would you handle an unhappy customer?
Retail interviews almost always include behavioral questions about dealing with unhappy customers. Charming Charlie wants to ensure you can maintain composure and resolve issues effectively.
How to answer:
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Provide a real example of turning around an unhappy customer. Discuss your calm, understanding approach and the positive outcome.
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If no experience, share the step-by-step approach you would take focused on empathy, active listening, identifying solutions, and meeting their needs.
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Emphasize patience, communication skills, and commitment to 100% customer satisfaction.
Example: When dealing with an unhappy customer, I would first listen attentively to understand the full context of their dissatisfaction. I’d thank them for bringing the issue to my attention and apologize sincerely for the inconvenience while remaining positive. Next, I would ask probing questions to get to the root of the problem and provide all possible solutions to make it right. Whether that means locating a replacement item, offering a discount, or providing a refund, my goal is always total customer satisfaction. I aim to turn every negative experience into a positive one that leaves the customer feeling heard, valued, and appreciated. In fact, one of my unhappy customers ended up referring three friends to our store after I handled her complaint effectively and she appreciated the care I provided.
4. How do you stay motivated when it’s busy and stressful?
Retail can be highly demanding. Interviewers want to know that you are energized (rather than exhausted) by the fast-paced retail environment. They want to see your ability to thrive under pressure.
How to answer:
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Share examples of staying focused, positive, and driven during busy retail rushes like holiday seasons, flash sales, etc.
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Discuss tactics you use for self-motivation when stressed like taking deep breaths, having an upbeat internal dialogue, concentrating on customer needs, etc.
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Emphasize your passion for retail and providing great customer experiences. Position stress as a catalyst rather than detriment.
Example: Working in a busy, high-energy environment actually motivates me further because I thrive under pressure. When the store gets hectic, I remind myself to take deep breaths and tackle one task at a time. I concentrate on making each customer interaction positive – that instantly boosts my motivation. When I feel pulled in multiple directions, I make quick to-do lists to stay focused on priorities. Most importantly, I genuinely enjoy connecting with customers and problem-solving during rushes. Knowing I’m creating a fun experience for shoppers keeps me engaged even during 12-hour shifts. For me, stress is just an indicator that I get to fully utilize my skills in delivering excellent service.
5. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest fashion trends?
Charm bracelets, tassel earrings, neon purses – Charming Charlie’s product selection is always on top of the latest trends. They need sales associates who live and breathe fashion. This question tests your passion for style and how you actively educate yourself on what’s hot.
How to answer:
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Share the fashion blogs, magazines, social media influencers, and other sources you follow to stay in-the-know. Demonstrate a genuine enthusiasm for trends.
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Discuss how you would tap into these resources daily to advise customers on the most current looks and styles.
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Give examples of how you incorporated trend knowledge into sales and outfits at previous retail jobs.
Example: I have a lifelong passion for fashion and actively stay on top of the latest trends through resources like Glamour magazine, Instagram influencers, and attending local fashion shows. I’m constantly inspired by the latest styles, fabrics, and accessories. In fact, I like to keep an inspiration notebook where I jot down or clip pictures of my favorite looks. This helps me easily reference the most on-trend items when assisting customers in finding pieces that make them look and feel their best. In previous roles, I enjoyed creating store displays that married our classic inventory with these fresh new trends to attract clientele seeking the latest styles.
6. Tell me about a time you had to handle an angry customer. What was the situation and how did you handle it?
Similar to question #3, this behavioral interview question allows you to demonstrate your customer service skills via a real example. The interviewer wants to hear details on how you used empathy, problem-solving, and communication to resolve the situation.
How to answer:
- Set up the context briefly then dive into the actions you took to resolve the issue. Discuss how you listened, identified a
3 Sales Interview Tips for Charming Charlie – Real or Fake?
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