A retail manager is the administrator of the department assigned, and has many responsibilities as compared to the other retail stores’ employees.
Questions that are asked in an interview for retail managerial positions designed to evaluate several competencies of the candidates such as, professional qualifications, personality, organizational capabilities, team managements and communication skills.
The article presents some of these questions with tips on responding to these questions.
Retail Manager
Job Interview Questions and Answers
► Tell us a bit about your professional background and educational qualification.
Speak about your professional background. If you have experience in retail sales, provide dates and other details such as product range, number of customers per day or hour, size of outlet, etc. If you lack experience in this specific field, try to relate any experience you do have, even if volunteer, to the retail manager position. Find commonalities; relate some anecdotes that will show you can perform as a retail manager. Consult with friends involved in retail establishments for assistance if need be.
► What do you feel is the key role of a retail manager?
This question is asked to determine whether you have an understanding of what a retail manager’s position is. Use this opportunity to speak about the retail management business and what you think would be your responsibilities would be. Read up about the position! Once the interviewer is convinced that you understand the role of a retail manager, your chances of being hired are good.
Some duties and qualities required of the retail manager are:
- Team leadership and team development abilities.
- Managing the hiring process: HR activities and employee training.
- Workplace scheduling – Day to day operations.
- Problem solving skills – Communications skills.
- Sales management.
- Product and project management – Professional qualities and prioritization.
► If you have worked as a retail manager before, what did you like the most in your job and what did you not like?
It is always good to start and end on a positive note. Make a list of the pros and cons of your previous job(s). Pick a few facets and add some specific examples. Speak about the most important first, and end with an upbeat anecdote. In the middle, speak briefly about a negative aspect. Speak with others in this field to get a better idea of what to emphasize.
► What do you feel are the basic qualities that a retail manager should have?
A general yet brief answer would be vision, planning and follow through. An idea is just that until it is actualized. A manager needs to do just that – manage others, according to a planned and thought out strategy.
A retail manager is similar to the proprietor of a store and has many responsibilities as compared to the other employees. If a retail manager is good at planning and has a vision for the future, he or she can take the company to the next level.
► What would you consider your biggest advantage as a retail manager?
Use your personal experience and speak to people in the field – enter any store and ask the manager this question. You will probably pick up some very relevant points. Consult with a friend if need be to see which of your qualities make you most suited for this position.
Possible answers could be – Leadership ability, sales manager or good communications skills.
These are just some of the questions that may be asked during a retail management interview.
There may be several other questions that may differ from company to company.
For more details and other questions and answers, refer to the related articles –
Sales and Marketing Job Interviews