What Should I Say In A Sales Assistant Interview?
Although this role is considered an ‘entry level’ role, it doesn’t mean it is easy to find sales assistant jobs. Each vacancy is likely to attract dozens of candidates and the only way to land the job is to go through the dreaded ordeal of answering sales assistant interview questions.
We saw the above in jest, because when you are well prepared for the sales assistant interview and the questions likely to be thrown your way, it becomes that much easier to allow your natural personality to shine through.
Although your sales assistant CV and cover letter are important, and are the basis upon which you’re called into a sales assistant interview in the first place, once you’re in the room, it is time to lay on the charm. Hiring managers are looking for energetic and vibrant people who demonstrate a positive approach in their attitude to work and life.
How to be a goood Sales Assistant
Remember, as a sales assistant, your job is to assist customers and induce a purchase. Every single customer interaction is critical, and it only takes a few seconds to tarnish a company’s brand via a terse exchange. In the era of social media, companies are conscious of the need to present a friendly face at every turn. During the interview, make sure you look at the interviewer(s) in the eye, smile, and try to relax!
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It’s normal to be nervous but all you need to do is read the following sales questions and answers, and you’ll be well prepared for the big day.
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Sales Assistant Interview Questions and Answers
What Are Your Strengths and Weaknesses When Interacting with Customers?
With this question, the interview is hoping to find out if your qualities are a good fit for the job. They also want to see if you have the ability to turn a negative into a positive. Although the answer varies depending on your skills and experience, you could mention that you have a keen eye for detail which enables you to spot what a customer needs.
As for weaknesses, please steer clear of clichés such as “I work too hard” or “I care too much”. It is okay to be honest here, as long as you show the interviewer that you are working hard to turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you could have a habit of taking on too many things at once. You understand the problem and are trying to focus on completing tasks properly and separately.
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Why You Do Think Customers Shop at This Store?
This is a tricky question that will catch the unprepared candidate off-guard. To answer this question effectively, you need to research the company. Find out its Unique Selling Point (USP), along with the products and services they offer. From that point on, it is a question of joining the dots and explaining the reasons for the organisation’s success.
How Do You Handle a Difficult Customer?
With this question, the interviewer wants to know if you have the ability to handle a difficult situation or if you crack under pressure. Although you need to tell a story of how you dealt with a tough customer in the past, it is better to focus on the skills you used rather than going into detail about the issue itself. Ultimately, you need to show how you solved the problem and made the customer happy.
What Makes a Good Sales Assistant?
Indirectly, you’re being asked what makes YOU a good salesperson, and the interviewer also wants to know if you even understand what good customer service looks like. One of the best ways to answer this question is to link your skills to your experience. Perhaps you can tell a story of how you completed a sale to an especially tricky client.
For example:
“I closed the sale of 500 units of our firm’s fridges to Acme Inc. by examining their current needs, and anticipating how our products could help the company in the future.”
How Do You Close a Sale?
This requires you to provide a tangible example of how and why you were successful. Ideally, you will be able to give a detailed breakdown of how you closed a hard sale. You could also mention how you helped your firm to increase sales by 40%.
Ultimately, you need to tell a coherent story, discuss your accomplishments with an onus on how it helped both customer and company, and describe why the sales process went so smoothly.
Retail Sales Assistant Job Interview Questions and Answers
How Long Have You Worked in Retail?
The interviewer wants to know if you have previous experience working in the sector. Candidates who have been employed in retail may require less training and have a natural ability to handle customers.
Here is a possible answer:
“I have worked in the retail industry for seven years. I love working with people and helping them find what they need. I enjoy the challenge of ensuring customers are satisfied and feel a great sense of satisfaction myself when someone I speak to leaves with a smile on their face.”
Do You Have Experience Managing Inventory?
Retail inventory management involves ensuring the store carries merchandise that customers want while ensuring there isn’t excessive stock or shortages. The hiring team wants to know if you’re capable of keeping things in order to help reduce costs. Experience in inventory management also suggests you understand sales patterns.
Here is a possible answer:
“I helped manage the inventory at ACME Limited. Indeed, I have seen the various ways in which inventory errors can happen and have developed several strategies to prevent them from negatively impacting the needs of customers.”
How Do You Intend to Stay in Retail as a Career?
A lot depends on whether you have worked in retail before. If not, don’t get stressed. After all, the company still offered you an interview! If you have switched jobs a few times, explain that while you accepted exciting opportunities in the past, you’re now looking for a long-term career opportunity. Regardless of your past, emphasise a desire to remain with the company for the long run.
Here is a possible answer:
“If hired, I would love to work with ACME Fashions on a long-term basis. While I understand that the role of a sales assistant is entry-level, I intend to become a supervisor and then a manager. I know that your company is renowned for internal hiring, and I am willing to take a managerial course on my own time if necessary to achieve my goals.”
Have You Ever Been Had a Managerial Role at a Previous Employer?
Companies prefer sales assistants capable of working on their initiative rather than waiting for orders. Even if you haven’t had a managerial position before, you can demonstrate your suitability for responsibility by outlining a time where you assumed a leadership role.
Here is a possible answer:
“In my last job, I was part of a team that had to give a presentation to a client. A senior staff member was chosen to take the lead but got nervous in the minutes leading up to the presentation. As I was heavily involved in the presentation and knew exactly what to say, I volunteered to replace him. We landed the client, and that company is still at my former employer today.”
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Next steps
If you are currently on the hunt for a sales career and you have already the right skills, the next step will be to find a job. Check out how to write an amazing sales assistant CV and an outstanding cover letter and download the templates to create yours. And best of luck!