Applying for a job at Five Below? You’ll want to be ready to ace the interview by expecting and practicing these common Five Below interview questions
With over 1,000 stores across America, Five Below is one of the fastest growing discount retailers catering to tweens, teens and beyond. The company prides itself on offering extreme $1-$5 value on trendy brands and merchandise across categories like gaming, sports, style, room decor, party favor supplies, candy, and more.
As Five Below continues expanding, more job opportunities arise at stores across the country. However, to land one of these coveted retail positions, you must pass the Five Below interview with flying colors.
In this comprehensive guide, we provide an inside look at the Five Below hiring process and interview format. Additionally, we share the top 25 most frequently asked Five Below interview questions along with sample answers to help you craft winning responses
Overview of the Five Below Interview Process
The Five Below interview process typically follows these key steps:
-
Online application – Visit FiveBelowcom careers page and submit an application for your desired role This kicks off the hiring process.
-
Prescreening call: A member of the hiring team may call you for 10 to 15 minutes to make sure you’re available and to find out about your experience and salary expectations.
-
In-person interview – Eligible candidates are invited for one or two in-person interviews, usually with the store manager. This covers questions about your skills and fit.
-
Background check—Five Below does background checks on job applicants who make it to the final stage of the hiring process.
-
Final interview – For management roles, a second or third interview may be required involving district/regional managers.
-
Job offer—If you are chosen, you will get a formal job offer from Five Below!
Five Below Interview Format
-
Length – Interviews last between 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the role.
-
Method – A mix of behavioral, situational and general questions. Expect to talk about past experiences a lot.
-
Panel – Primarily the store manager or supervisor. District managers may join for upper management roles.
-
Assessment – Personality and critical thinking tests may be required. Math tests for cashiers.
Now let’s get into the top 25 most frequently asked Five Below interview questions and how to prepare winning answers.
Top 25 Five Below Interview Questions
1. Why do you want to work at Five Below?
This is one of the most common Five Below interview questions. The interviewer is looking to assess your genuine interest and motivations for wanting to join Five Below specifically. Show them you’ve done your research!
Sample Answer: I’m excited to work at Five Below because I love the company’s focus on providing affordable trendy merchandise to teens and beyond. After researching Five Below, I was impressed with the unique business model of offering extreme value at accessible price points. Additionally, Five Below seems to foster a lively work culture centered around fun and energy which greatly appeals to me. If hired, I’m confident my background handling fast-paced retail workflows would allow me to contribute to Five Below’s continued success.
2. What do you know about Five Below?
Here, the interviewer aims to gauge how much you know about the company. They want to see you’ve taken the time to research Five Below prior to the interview. Highlight facts that emphasize your interest.
Sample Answer: Five Below is a rapidly growing discount retail chain that offers trendy merchandise across a variety of categories like style, room, sports, tech, party, candy and more. Everything is priced at just $1-$5 which caters perfectly to tweens, teens and college students on a budget. The company was founded in 2002 and now has over 1,000 stores across America. Five Below promises an exciting treasure hunt shopping experience full of discoveries across over 4,000 products. The brand mantra highlights extreme $1-$5 value, WOW products and a vibrant in-store experience.
3. Why do you want to work in retail?
Interviewers often ask this to understand your motivations and gauge your commitment to a retail career. Be specific on what attracts you to the retail industry and avoid generic answers.
Sample Answer: I’m passionate about working in retail because I truly enjoy interacting with and assisting customers. I love fostering relationships and bringing joy through helping customers find the perfect item. Retail also moves at a dynamic fast-pace which keeps me energized and engaged every day. Additionally, I’m motivated to grow within the industry by learning new skills like visual merchandising, inventory management, loss prevention and more throughout my career.
4. How does your previous experience make you a strong candidate for this role?
This question allows you to directly connect your background with the role at Five Below. Concisely walk through your most relevant skills, achievements and qualities that make you a great fit.
Sample Answer: Through my 3 years working at a popular clothing store in the mall, I’ve developed the key skills in customer service, sales, and retail operations that would allow me to excel in this role at Five Below. My ability to create welcoming experiences, provide targeted product recommendations and resolve issues quickly will enable me to deliver exceptional service. I also possess strengths in handling inventory, cash transactions, merchandising, and driving sales through promotions – all of which are crucial to success in a Five Below retail position.
5. What do you know about our products?
Since Five Below sells affordable products across a wide range of categories, it’s essential you demonstrate knowledge of their key offerings and value proposition. Do your research beforehand!
Sample Answer: Five Below stores offer over 4,000 products priced at just $1-$5 across your WOW departments like style, room, party, candy, tech and more. Some best-selling products include licensed toys, sports gear, trendy accessories, room décor, party supplies, beauty and hygiene essentials, cool tech gadgets, candy in giant packages and seasonal items. The wide, affordable assortment provides a treasure hunt experience for tweens, teens and college students seeking fun discoveries on a budget.
6. How would you create a welcoming environment for customers?
Employers want retail workers who can cultivate positive, inviting shopping experiences. Share your best practices for making customers feel welcomed and valued.
Sample Answer: Creating a welcoming environment starts with greeting every customer with a warm smile and friendly greeting as they enter the store. I would ensure I make eye contact and acknowledge their presence immediately. Additionally, keeping the store clean, well-organized and easy to navigate contributes greatly to a welcoming atmosphere. During interactions, I always try to be enthusiastic in my tone, actively listen to customers’ needs, and make conversation to get to know them better. My goal is for every customer to feel happy, supported and excited to shop the moment they walk into our store.
7. This job requires standing for long periods. How will you cope with that?
Since retail roles involve long hours on your feet, interviewers want to confirm you can handle this. Demonstrate you understand the demands of the job and have the energy and stamina for it.
Sample Answer: I fully understand that working in retail requires being on your feet and active for many hours at a time. This has never been an issue for me as I am extremely energetic – I love being on-the-go all day long! In my previous retail experience, 8-hour shifts would fly by as I actively engaged with customers and tasks. Comfortable shoes are a must, and I also make sure to stay hydrated and take short breaks when possible. Maintaining this level of energy comes naturally to me, and I’m excited to be constantly active in this retail role at Five Below.
8. How do you stay motivated in a retail job?
Interviewers want to gauge your long-term commitment and energy level for a retail career. Share what truly drives you to stay motivated in these customer-facing roles.
Sample Answer: I stay motivated in retail positions by keeping my focus on the customer and their happiness. Knowing I’m helping create enjoyable shopping experiences is incredibly rewarding and keeps me driven every day. I also aim to learn something new through every interaction which keeps the job exciting – whether it’s a product, trend, or skill. Additionally, I stay motivated by setting goals and celebrating small wins, like positive customer feedback. And nothing beats the high-energy environment itself! The lively atmosphere of a store intrinsically keeps me engaged all day long.
9. How do you handle an angry or difficult customer?
Retail workers inevitably have to deal with upset customers. Hiring managers want to see you can diffuse situations calmly and diplomatically. Share your best strategies.
Sample Answer: When faced with an angry or difficult customer, I make sure to first let them speak and express their grievances without interrupting. I intently listen to fully understand the situation from their perspective. Next, I apologize for the issue and ask clarifying questions to get to the root of problem. If I cannot resolve the issue directly, I involve a supervisor right away. With further escalations, I remain calm and polite, promising to have the issue properly addressed. Ensuring the customer feels heard and valued is always my priority.
Job Series: Five Below | interview process, wage, hours & more! |
What are the 5th and 6th questions in an interview?
So asking the interviewer about their cause of interest could spark your interest to work for the company or probably give you a hint to flee. The 5th and 6th questions give you more understanding of the role that you’re about to fill and employers will be willing to give a job to someone who already understands the role they have for them.
What is five below?
Five Below is a retail store that offers affordable products ranging from one dollar to five dollars. The company focuses on products in the teen and pre-teen market. They have a large selection of consumer goods for teens including games, candy, bath and body products, and more.
How do you dress for a five below interview?
If you look at the Five Below dress code you will notice the staff dresses pretty casually. Therefore it is recommended to dress business casual if you are on a Five Below Sales Associate Interview. If you are in a management position then dress formally. There is no evidence on their website that Five Below Drug Tests their employees.
What are the 5 below categories?
Five Below is one of the fastest-growing retailers in the U.S. with more than 1300 stores in 42 states. Five Below products are broken into one of 8 categories: Style, Room, Sports, Tech, Crafts, Party, Candy, and Now. 6. How would you deal with an upset customer?