Payless ShoeSource job applicants may have to go through more than one interview process before they are hired. Most entry-level shoe store applicants need only complete a single question-and-answer session with a store manager. Depending on the number of applicants, a group interview may be required to handle the overload. People who want to move up in their careers may have more than one interview, usually with a district manager or corporate representative. Aside from these interviews, applicants don’t have to go through much else before they are hired, except for a training or trial period with the company.
Employees often perform many different duties. So, during interviews with the shoe store, applicants are often asked to show how well they can handle common tasks and requirements of the job. Common questions include:
Looking to get your foot in the door at Payless ShoeSource? As one of the largest budget shoe retailers globally, Payless offers ample growth opportunities for retail and sales professionals. But along with over 3,500 stores, comes a highly competitive hiring process.
This comprehensive guide will explore Payless ShoeSource’s interview formats, commonly asked questions, proven tips and sample responses to help you ace your upcoming interview.
We’ll cover
- Payless ShoeSource’s interview process overview
- Most frequent interview questions asked
- Detailed sample responses for key questions
- Top strategies to succeed in your Payless interview prep
Let’s get started!
Overview of Payless ShoeSource’s Interview Process
Payless ShoeSource’s interview process typically comprises:
- Initial phone or in-person screening interview
- One or more in-person interviews
- Potential group interviews for team/culture fit
In interviews for customer-facing jobs like store managers and salespeople, the goal is to find out:
- Passion for footwear and fashion
- Sales driven attitude and persuasion skills
- Customer focus and problem solving abilities
- Teamwork and communication skills
What are some of the most common Payless ShoeSource interview questions? Here’s how to answer them in the best way.
Most Frequently Asked Payless ShoeSource Interview Questions
Here are typical questions asked for positions like sales associate, cashier, stock person and more during Payless interviews:
1. Walk me through your resume
This is often used as an icebreaker question to get a quick overview of your background and qualifications. Focus on highlights relevant to the role you are interviewing for at Payless.
2. Why do you want to work at Payless?
Demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and your motivations for joining. Show you’ve researched Payless and align your skills to the role.
3. What qualities make you a good salesperson?
Use real examples to showcase your persuasion skills, passion, product knowledge and putting customer needs first.
4. How do you stay up-to-date on fashion trends?
For customer facing roles, highlight your interest in fashion and footwear. Give examples of trend spotting.
5. How would you handle an unhappy customer?
Share your approach to diffusing tensions, listening empathetically and finding solutions. Use CAR – Context, Action, Result.
6. Tell me about a time you exceeded sales targets.
With metrics being key in retail, discuss a sales win where you went above and beyond expectations.
7. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Balance ambition with realism tailored to growth opportunities at Payless. Convey interest in taking on more responsibility long-term.
8. Do you have any questions for me?
Prepare 2-3 thoughtful questions to show engagement. Inquire about growth prospects, team culture, management style etc.
Next, let’s look at sample responses for some of the most common questions asked at Payless interviews.
Detailed Sample Responses to Key Payless ShoeSource Interview Questions
Let’s explore examples of strong answers to typical Payless interview questions:
Question: Tell me about your resume
Sample Response: “I just completed my undergraduate degree in Fashion Merchandising. As part of the curriculum, I undertook multiple internships and part-time roles in retail. For instance, I worked at Nordstrom last summer assisting the store manager with daily operations, inventory and sales. I also interned at a boutique PR agency and helped organize New York Fashion Week events. These experiences all developed my passion for fashion and honed my customer service, sales and organizational skills. I’m now excited to apply this background in a full-time role at a thriving company like Payless ShoeSource”.
Question: Why do you want to work at Payless?
Sample Response: “I’m particularly interested in Payless ShoeSource for a few key reasons: Firstly, I’ve always admired Payless’s commitment to democratizing fashion and making on-trend styles affordable and accessible to all. Secondly, with over 3,500 stores, Payless offers unmatched scale and reach in the budget retail segment. I’m drawn to the opportunity to grow professionally in such a large organization. Thirdly, I’m inspired by Payless’s mission of inspiring fun in everyone through fashion and footwear. Having started my career in this industry, I’m eager to contribute my skills and passion at a values-driven company like Payless.”
Question: How do you stay up-to-date on fashion trends?
Sample Response: “Staying current on the latest fashion and footwear trends is essential for me. As a visual person, I follow leading brands like Payless on Instagram and Pinterest to get inspired by upcoming collections and spot trends early. I also regularly browsey style blogs and magazines like Vogue to see what’s hot on the runway. Whenever I travel, I make it a point to check out high street stores across the globe to observe regional styles. As for shoes specifically, I study the new collections major brands release each season. And I people watch everywhere I go to see what’s trending in real-time on the streets.”
Question: How would you handle an unhappy customer?
Sample Response: “When dealing with an unhappy customer, I would first empathize and apologize for any inconvenience caused. I’d listen closely to understand the full context of their complaint while maintaining patience and professionalism, even if their tone becomes heated. Once I grasp the issue, I’d calmly explain possible solutions to rectify the situation based on store policy. If needed, I’d involve my manager while reassuring the customer we are committed to finding a satisfactory resolution. Post resolution, I’d loop back to check on the customer’s satisfaction. Going above and beyond to turn frustrated customers into happy ones is key.”
Using these kinds of well-structured examples can help you differentiate yourself during the Payless interview process.
With thorough preparation using the tips in this guide, you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward and land the job at Payless ShoeSource. Good luck!
Payless ShoeSource Keyholder Interview Video
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties. Payless ShoeSource Keyholder: I was a key holder. Basically I was in charge of opening and closing the store, as well as training other associates. I was in charge of the deposits, which included making change, taking the deposits to the bank, and other tasks. A group lead position.
Interviewer: What was it like to work there? Payless ShoeSource Keyholder: Most of the stores in this area aren’t too big, so there are only two or three people in there at a time. You can pretty much see the whole store from the front. I worked with two or three people most of the time, and sometimes a manager or supervisor in the back room. You weren’t really with me on the sales floor.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?Payless ShoeSource Keyholder: It was pretty basic. What I did was once I did my online application, then I came in for the interview. The interview was just basic questions really. Any customer service experience? A lot of scenario questions is mainly what they had too. Like, what would you do if an employee came to you with a certain problem? I would say to go over all the common situations again. What would you do if someone told you they were late on the deposit and didn’t make it? Would you go to a manager? Questions like that How would you handle an irate customer? That’s basically it. They like bilingual as well because Payless, it is the majority Hispanic company. People from Latin America come there a lot, so they’d really like it if you could speak Spanish with them.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?Payless ShoeSource Keyholder: I am a very social person. With Payless because that’s mainly what you’re doing. You’re talking to customers, you’re trying to add on accessories and things like that. That means you have to be able to talk to them and ask them deep questions in person. Definitely the biggest thing they like is open ended questions. Questions where you cannot say no or yes to. You want a question where they have to tell them what color you want? “Oh, red, blue, nothing.” ” They can be like, “Oh no,” or stuff like that. Being able to talk to anyone, face-to-face, or on the phone, and really get through to them, not really… I don’t know what to say, but one of those people who… You can’t be one of those people who someone stops talking to and you stop talking to them. I guess with the close ended questions. If they be like, “No,” and you’re like, “Okay bye. ” No stay, you got to get able to go, “Okay well” … Push more. It’s important to go the extra mile and really connect with the customer to find out what they’re doing and what they want.
Interviewer: How were you notified that you received the job?Payless ShoeSource Keyholder: Oh, they called me. I received a call. I received a call.
Interviewer: What else would you tell someone looking for work?Payless ShoeSource Keyholder: As I already said, I would review the scenarios. I would try to go there, even if you use some of the key words I said. Open ended questions. There are times when I would say things like, “Oh yeah, I think open-ended questions are a good idea.” ” I would throw open ended questions in there. Definitely say that you’re a sociable person who likes to communicate with different people. Know how to stay on your feet because you won’t be able to sit down, not even behind the register. You’ll be on your feet the whole time. You’re constantly walking around. People who can keep themselves busy, even when the store is… Because it does get slow sometimes, and one of the main things you do when it’s slow is fix shoes. Not one of them people who are like it’s slow and you just stand there like, “I’m bored. “No, you have to be able to keep moving, even if all you do is walk around the floor.” Do be prepared to be on your feet your whole shift. It’s not really a sit down. Also, be able to work alone, because sometimes you may be the only person in the store. Know how to do more than one thing at once, like talking to a customer and telling them you’ll be back to help another customer, as well as checking someone out and watching what other customers are doing over your shoulder. I would say multitasking skills are very important as well.
Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate Interview Video
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties. Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate: Job title was sales associate. To put it simply, it was our job to clean up the shoes, tag and run them, check that they had the right price written on them, and greet customers as they came in.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate: The work environment was fun. You met new people, found out what they liked and didn’t like, and helped them choose shoes. It’s the best thing.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate: The work environment was fun. You met new people, found out what they liked and didn’t like, and helped them choose shoes. It’s the best thing.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee. Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate: A typical work day. Okay, you get there at like 9:45. We open at 10 o’clock. The manager would be there before that, so she’ll have everything straightened up. You count the drawer down. You might have to run to the bank to make a deposit from last night’s money. Customer enters the store, you help them figure out what shoe they want, what they’re looking for. They might need shoelaces, shoe cleaner. They leave the store and you straighten up and wait for the next customer to come.
Interviewer: How would you describe the process of applying and being interviewed? Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate: The application process is done online. You answer, do your name, where you live, if you’re in school or not. That test tells them whether to put your application in a pool or just put it in a drawer and hope that someone picks you to work there. If you pass the test, then you’ll get hired. You’ll have your interview and then you start working.
Interviewer: What questions did the hiring manager ask? Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate: She asked about your strengths and weaknesses and asked you to sell her something. That one was random for me, but I did really good on it. She asked you about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.
Person interviewing: What made you different from other applicants? Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate: I’m good at customer service and I’m not afraid to ask someone what they’re looking for or if they need help or if they found the right shoe. I think I was just perfect for the job.
Talking Head: How did you find out you got the job? Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate: It took a while. Thought I filled it out before I left school. I heard from them about a month and a half later, in the summer. It was a phone call, and she let you know you got the job, you got the interview. She set up an interview, then you learned if you had the job or not.
What other piece of advice would you give someone looking for work? Payless ShoeSource Sales Associate: I would say learn a little about the company. I think all employers will ask you to sell shoes, so learn how to do it. Just be sure you can talk to customers and the person interviewing you without any problems, and you should do fine.
