4 Top Tips for Your Retail Job Interview

Chances are you put lots of effort into getting that retail interview. So, it’s worth doing some homework on retail job etiquette to make the most of it.

We’ve put together a simple guide to help you prepare for the big day. Knowing what to expect goes a long way towards helping you give a balanced, confident performance.    

RESEARCH THE RETAIL COMPANY

Find out as much as possible about the company before attending your interview.

• Study the company website for valuable background.
• Assess company culture in terms of sustainability, diversity or professional development.
• Get to know company products in as much detail as possible.
• Check out customer reviews to see how well the company is doing.
• Look for staff feedback to see whether employees are enjoying their work.
• Glean interesting facts about company history, heritage and goals.

You can use this knowledge to impress interviewers and ask some pointed questions of your own.  

PREPARE YOUR IMAGE

Personal presentation is important in a retail interview. You need to present yourself as a confident yet relaxed person who is comfortable meeting new people. While nerves are inevitable, a little work on your body language can work wonders when you walk through the interview door.

• Choose clothes which are clean, smart and appropriate.
• Smile as you greet your interviewers.
• Sit upright and make eye contact with your hirers.
• Make sure arms and legs stay uncrossed.
• Talk calmly and clearly, without rushing.

It’s like taking an exam though. After you’ve done all your preparation, it’s okay to relax and go with the flow. If you’re well prepared, it will show through.  

BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR HIRER

Even candidates with little retail experience can win jobs by impressing their interviewer in other ways. They do this by demonstrating their soft or transferable skills – think clear communication, creative thinking, winning personality and problem solving ability.

• Show genuine interest in the company and enthusiasm about the role.
• Use real-life stories to show how you’ve overcome obstacles in the past.
• Find areas of common ground with your interviewers.
• Try to strike the right balance between listening and talking.
• Answer the question asked rather than waffling or fudging.
• Mirror your interviewer’s body language.

FRAME YOUR OWN INTERESTING QUESTIONS

Make sure you have three or four interesting questions of your own to ask at the end of the interview. Weave in significant details about the company to show you’ve done your homework. Consider:

• What special qualities would be needed to excel in this role?
• What would a typical day look like for the successful candidate?
• How would the role develop over time?
• Are there opportunities to advance into supervisory or management roles?
• What single quality would you most like to see in your candidate?

If you need help winning interviews for jobs in retail, why not consult a specialist recruitment agency with years of experience filling retail roles?