Getting hired as a sales associate at Journeys requires impressing the interviewers with your passion for fashion, customer service skills, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced retail environment With popular brands like Vans, Converse, and UGG, Journeys caters to trendy teenagers and young adults looking to express their individual styles
To stand out among other applicants vying for this vibrant role you need to ace the Journeys sales associate interview. This comprehensive guide will equip you with insider tips on the most common interview questions, along with suggested responses to showcase your credentials effectively.
Why Do You Want To Be A Sales Associate At Journeys?
This open-ended question gives you a chance to show how excited you are about the job and working at Journeys in particular. The people interviewing you want to know how much you love retail, how interested you are in fashion and shoes, and how much you know about the Journeys brand.
Suggested Response I am excited by the prospect of being a sales associate at Journeys because it would allow me to combine my interest in fashion with my customer service experience I love interacting with customers, getting to know their styles, and helping them find products that express their individuality Journeys’ focus on the latest trends and vast selection of popular brands like Vans and Converse appeals to me. I feel the positive, energetic environment would enable me to thrive while doing what I enjoy – working in retail and fashion.
What Hours/Days Are You Available To Work?
Retail scheduling often requires availability on weekends, holidays, and late nights. This question is meant to see how flexible you are and how willing you are to work during the busiest times of the store.
Suggested Response: I’m available to work a flexible schedule based on the store’s needs. That includes mornings, afternoons, evenings, weekends and holidays. I understand the retail environment requires more availability during peak times, which I’m fully prepared for. I can work additional shifts during seasonal rushes or staff shortages. My priority is being present during the hours that are best for the store and its customers.
Describe Your Previous Retail Experience. How Did You Handle Difficult Customers?
Past retail roles provide valuable insights into your skills and experience. Interviewers also want specific examples of how you’ve resolved conflicts with challenging customers. This evaluates your customer service abilities under pressure.
Suggested Response: In my previous role as a retail sales associate at XYZ Store, I directly assisted customers with purchases, handled payments, and supported general operations. In one instance, an upset customer complained that an item she purchased was defective. I listened calmly to her concerns, showed empathy, then suggested solutions like replacing the item or issuing a refund, following company policy. She appreciated that I handled the situation professionally without getting defensive. This experience taught me how resolving issues with understanding, even when customers are unhappy, preserves loyalty.
How Do You Stay Up-To-Date On Fashion Trends?
Working at Journeys requires knowledge of emerging styles and brands popular among teenagers/young adults. Interviewers aim to assess your passion for fashion and commitment to continuously learning about the latest trends.
Suggested Response: I stay current on fashion trends by following relevant Instagram accounts, reading blogs and magazines like Teen Vogue, and browsing sites like Polyvore to see what styles are resonating. I also make note of what customers, especially those in Journeys’ target demographic, are gravitating towards. Trying trends out myself and talking to peers allows me to understand their appeal. This hands-on approach ensures I’m always up-to-date on looks that Journeys’ core customers will be excited about.
How Would You Encourage Someone To Make A Purchase?
This evaluates your ability to read customers, overcome objections, and close sales. Interviewers want to ensure you can balance building relationships with driving the business.
Suggested Response: My goal is always to ensure customers make purchases they’re fully satisfied with. I would start by actively listening and asking thoughtful questions to understand their needs and preferences. From there, I can offer suggestions tailored to their style and budget without being pushy. If any concerns arise, I would focus on overcoming them by highlighting the product benefits, value, and quality. My aim is to make customers feel understood, respected and excited about their purchase.
How Do You Build Relationships With Customers?
Retail is all about interactions, so interviewers want to know that you can form authentic connections with customers. This impacts their experience, likelihood to return, and the store’s success.
Suggested Response: I build relationships by providing excellent service and showing I genuinely care about each customer as an individual. I remember small details, like style preferences or occasion-based needs, to provide personalized suggestions every time they visit. I also ensure consistent follow up via email campaigns or SMS messages highlighting new arrivals I think they may like. Going the extra mile is crucial – from complimentary gift wrapping to simply recalling a previous conversation. These efforts delight customers and build loyalty.
What Qualities Make You Ideal For This Role?
This is your chance to directly highlight your strongest attributes for the job. Keep your answer concise and focused on the top sales associate qualities they’re looking for.
Suggested Response: I’m passionate about fashion retail and love interacting with customers. I thrive in energetic environments and am willing to work flexible schedules to support the store. Most importantly, I’m eager to learn and grow in this role. I want to deeply understand the Journeys brand and its products so I can provide exceptional service. My positive attitude also enables me to resolve issues calmly and motivate my team. These qualities would allow me to excel as a sales associate.
How Do You Handle Stressful Situations?
Retail can be high-pressure, especially during busy periods. Interviewers want to see that you’re level-headed and focused when under stress. This is key to maintaining great service.
Suggested Response: In stressful situations, I stay composed by taking a moment to breathe and clear my mind. I focus on prioritizing the most urgent tasks, while keeping long-term goals in perspective. Being organized and asking colleagues for assistance when needed also helps minimize anxiety. Most importantly, I put the customer first – staying calm allows me to resolve any issues effectively. My ability to thrive under pressure would enable me to provide consistent, quality service even on the busiest days.
What Are Your Strengths And Weaknesses?
This classic question allows you to highlight your top sales associate strengths, while being honest about areas you can improve. Discussing your weaknesses positively demonstrates self-awareness.
Suggested Response: My greatest strengths are passion for retail, friendliness, patience, and a problem-solving attitude. I love interacting with customers and thrive in sales environments. In terms of weaknesses, I can occasionally struggle with time management when multitasking. However, I’m actively working to improve my organizational skills. I know my strengths in customer service along with my self-driven nature to refine my weaknesses would allow me to excel and grow in this role.
Why Do You Want To Work For Our Company?
Closing with your enthusiasm for Journeys specifically leaves interviewers with a memorable last impression. Use this final question to express your admiration for their brand and culture.
Suggested Response: I want to work for Journeys because I greatly admire your brand’s fun, youthful identity and product variety. You enable customers to showcase their individuality. The lively environment and focus on personal expression inspire me. Most importantly, Journeysvalues its employees and encourages growth, which aligns perfectly with my goals. I would be proud to represent such an iconic brand that customers are passionate about.
With insider tips on the most frequently asked questions, thoughtful responses, and an authentic desire to join the Journeys retail crew, you can ace your upcoming sales associate interview. Show them you’re the enthusiastic, customer-focused team player they’re looking for, and you’ll be well on your way to landing this exciting role!
Journeys Retail Associate Interview Video
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Journeys Retail Associate: So I was a retail associate. I would talk to people who come into the store, greet them, and try to make a sale with them. I ring them out after making the sale, and that’s what I do all day all day long. After that, I put away drags at night. These are shoes that we had left out because no one wanted to buy them. And we just do a basic cleanup.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Journeys Retail Associate: It was a pretty fun place to be in. You felt very comfortable when you walked through the doors, workers were wonderful. That’s pretty much it.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Experienced Sales Associate at Journeys: Meeting new people and being able to connect with them while making a sale. Somewhat get it, and you can learn a lot from them, whether it’s from the way they bought shoes or anything else. Sometimes you just build a conversation with them and kind of build a little relationship with them. It seems like they only come to you when you tell them they want to buy shoes.
Interviewer: Please describe the application and interview process.
Journeys Retail Associate: The application is online. Go to the Journeys website and fill out an application. They will call you or you will call them to set up an interview. During the interview, they will ask you questions like, “Have you worked in retail before?” or “Why do you want to work in retail?”
Interviewer: How were you notified that you received the job?
Journeys Retail Associate: I was hired right away, and I started training the following week, which was also done online. And from there that’s when I started working.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Journeys Retail Associate: The ability to want to work and meet new people. Me as a person, I am not easy, it’s hard for me to meet people. So working in an environment where you’re somewhat forced to kind of brought that side out of me. And I liked that. You can talk to someone, whether it’s to make a sale or just to talk about shoes. I learned that talking to people isn’t such a bad thing.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Journeys Retail Associate: It’s a great first entry job. It’s wonderful on flexible schedule. Also, if you want to build a career from there, they can help. It’s a good place to start if you want to work, especially for teens.
Journeys Sales Associate Interview Video
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Journeys Sales Associate: At Journeys, I was a sales associate. But it was a lot of sales. As soon as you were done helping customers, you had to do a lot of work in the back room, like putting shoes away and new shipments away. But it also meant keeping track of who came in and out of the store, making sure it was organized, and making sure that no one was trying to steal anything from Journeys.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Journeys Sales Associate: The work environment at Journeys was fun. I really liked it. One thing I really liked about it was how fast-paced it was. You were always doing something, you were always encouraged to do something. And so the coworkers were very supportive. If you ever had any questions about anything, they tried to help you as best as they could. If your daily sales goal was, say, 400, they would try to help you reach that goal by telling you about socks and other things that would get the customer interested.
Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Journeys Sales Associate: My favorite part was using the employee discount. It’s 40% off. It’s more than you can get just being as a customer. And also you had commission based on your sales goal. Also, the company gives employees free shoes every holiday season, so that’s something they do a lot.
Interviewer: Please describe the application and interview process.
Journeys Sales Associate: I went to the store and gave my resume to the hiring manager in person. She liked what she saw. She invited me to apply online. After I applied, they called me for an interview after about two weeks. And it was a pretty standard interview as well. I was asked, “What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?” At the end of the interview, I was given the job offer. So that was good.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Journeys Sales Associate: They asked the same thing, like “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a rude customer.” “How would you deal with them? What did you do to make things better?” And finally, “Why should we hire you?” I think this question is asked for every job.
Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
Roads Sales Associate: I think what made me stand out from other applicants was how I made the manager feel. I think I came off as someone that’s very hands on, entrepreneurial, and of course personable. I think that’s what made me stand out and got me the job offer at the end of the interview.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Assistant Sales Manager at Journey’s: If you want to work there, I think you should get to know the hiring manager well, go there in person, and hand your resume to them. That makes a strong impression that you’re willing to work and you’re ready to work. For the interview, I would also say to definitely be ready, because they might throw you a few curve balls. You should be ready to show up and tell the company why they should hire you, just like you would at any other interview.
Journeys Interview – Sales Associate
FAQ
Why do you want to work for Journeys?
What should I wear to a journeys interview?
Why should we hire you as a sales associate?
How much do journeys sales jobs pay?
Oct 18, 2022 · How much does Journeys pay? The average Journeys salary ranges from approximately $31,550 per year for a Customer Service Representative to $119,422 per year for a District Sales Manager . The average Journeys hourly pay ranges from approximately $13 per hour for a Cashier to $83 per hour for an IP Project Manager .
What questions are asked in a retail sales associate interview?
Interviews want to know what knowledge and specific skills you have that relate to the position they need to fill. Some retail sales associate questions may include: Have you ever worked in retail before? What were your main duties in your previous jobs? Do you have experience merchandising? Have you ever been a manager or supervisor?
What is a sales associate interview?
Interviewing for sales associate positions is an opportunity to share your interests, experience and skills with hiring managers. These interviews are typically for positions such as retail sales associates that require you to work directly with customers selling products.
What questions do interviewers ask?
Often, interviewers begin your meeting with easier, introductory questions to help you relax and ease into the interview. Here are some of the general questions they may ask: Where are you from? How would your friends describe you? Why did you leave your last job? What was your previous salary? What do you know about our company?
