Top 25 Aerie Interview Questions and Answers in 2024

Editorial Team

Aerie Interview Questions and Answers

Aerie, fully known as American Eagle Lingeries, is a sub-brand of American Eagle Outfitters that sells several women’s intimate apparel. If you want to work with them, you should be ready to appear before an interview panel and showcase your experience and skills. To make your work easier and help you prepare for your interview, we have compiled a list of the most common Aerie interview questions, complete with their answers, which we hope you will take your time and go through. Let’s get started.

1.  What Do You Know About This Establishment?

Aerie is a lingerie and loungewear sub-brand owned by American Eagle Outfitters. It sells lingeries, undergarments, active apparel, dorm wear, sleepwear, and accessories. It is available in 13 countries and has over 80 licensed international franchise stores. This sub-brand is widely known for its body positivity-themed marketing campaigns encouraging women of all body types to embrace self-love and exude confidence. 

2.  Why Do You Want To Work Here?

I would love to be part of the Aerie team for several reasons. First, I am your loyal customer owing to your quality offerings that I have enjoyed using for the past ten years. Working for a company whose products I trust would be an honor. Second, I love your inclusive marketing campaigns that champion body positivity and recognize plus-sized women, a demography that has been neglected for a long time by intimate apparel brands. Lastly, this company promotes sustainability through eco-friendly packaging and products, which impresses me as an environmentally-conscious person.

3.  Do You Have Any Retail Experience

I possess vast retail experience, given that I have worked in retail for the past 15 years. I have been in different industries, including fashion, and dealt with various types of customers. I will use my customer service experience to make your customers feel valued and help them find outfits and items that meet their needs and preferences owing to the customer service experience. I will also help arrange the store and manage inventory through my visual merchandising and inventory management skills.

4.  We Need Someone Who Can Offer Exceptional Customer Service To All Our Customers. Do You Fit The Profile?

Yes. I can provide exceptional customer service to all your customers by making them feel welcome, heard, and valued. I will actively listen to their needs, ask questions to understand their preferences, and recommend items they would love. I will also be friendly, attentive, approachable, and willing to help them around the store. Additionally, I intend to go above and beyond to satisfy them. I don’t mind offering styling advice and following up with them after the purchase.

5.  Do You Think We Are Living Up To Our Mission Statement?

Yes. I believe you are living up to your mission statement: to empower every woman to love themselves, in and out. Your efforts to eliminate the retouching of photos and represent different body types and sizes in your marketing campaigns have been noticed. Your products also come in a range of sizes for everyone. Additionally, your messaging is premised on authenticity and self-confidence, going hand in hand with your mission statement.

6.  What Makes You Think You Are The Right Fit For This Job?

I am a people person, which is a necessary attribute in retail. I enjoy helping people and can give your customers a positive shopping experience. I believe that every customer deserves to be treated with warmness, kindness, and respect. My values also align with your mission statement, which champions inclusivity and body positivity. Lastly, I possess several qualities that I am confident will help me thrive in this job; that is, I am a kind, passionate, quick learner who can easily adapt to workplace changes.

7.  What Would You Do If One Of Our Customers Complained About A Product?

Excellent customer service demands that customers must feel heard at all times. I would empathetically listen to their complaint, offer an apology, and then find a good solution subject to the company’s policies, which can be a replacement, credit, or refund. I would also follow up with the customer to ensure they are satisfied with the solution or a new product in case of a replacement.

8.  How Would You Deal With An Angry Or Frustrated Customer?

I have encountered several angry and frustrated customers in my career before. The best way to handle them is to remain calm and professional throughout the encounter. Without taking their frustration personally, I would let them vent out,  actively and empathetically listen to them, offer an apology, and then get down to finding a solution for their issue, if any. If the situation escalates, I would professionally and respectfully involve someone better positioned to handle it, such as a manager or supervisor.

9.  How Would You Handle A Product Return?

I understand that Aerie allows returns. I would first apologize to the customer for any inconvenience and then find out why they are returning the product. The next step is to follow Aerie’s return policy by ensuring that the customer provides proof of purchase and the credit card used to make the original purchase. I would also check to see if the product is in a sellable condition and then promptly and professionally process the return to customer satisfaction. I am confident that I will perform excellently in managing such situations.

10. Can You Upsell Or Recommend Additional Products To Customers?

Yes. I can easily upsell and recommend additional products using my experience in this field. I would first have a brief discussion with the customer to understand their needs, preferences, interests, and budget before offering complimentary products. I would also go out of my way to highlight the benefits and features of every product and offer additional information. Above all, I would respect their decision and not pressure them into buying what they do not want or need at that moment.

11. Can You Handle The Stress That Comes With A Fast-Paced Environment?

Yes. I have vast experience working in fast-paced environments. I have been a customer service associate in thrift shops and a restaurant server. To stay active and useful in such environments, I usually stay focused and organized, prioritizing tasks where possible. Additional strategies that have helped me survive in such environments include staying calm, maintaining a positive mindset and attitude, taking short breaks to rest and recharge, and maintaining communication with other team members to ensure adequate support.

12. How Would You Prioritize Tasks And Responsibilities In Such A Busy Environment?

One must know how to prioritize tasks and responsibilities in such an establishment. I would first spare time to identify important and urgent tasks/responsibilities, such as restocking low inventory items and helping customers around the store, then prioritize them. I would also allocate time accordingly, remembering to stay organized and focused on the most important tasks. I am also flexible and highly adaptable, which will help me make adjustments where and when necessary.

13. Have You Ever Been In A Situation Where You Could Not Answer A Customer’s Question? What Did You Do?

I was once asked a technical question I could not answer regarding a product. I apologized for not having a ready answer and asked for a few seconds to find out more. I looked up the question online but couldn’t find a simple answer, so I consulted a coworker who happened to know more about the product, got a good answer, and gave it to the customer. I remembered to take some time after work to obtain more information about our products to prevent such an occurrence from happening again.

14.  Are You Comfortable Working In A  Team Environment?

Yes. Most of the jobs I have had over the years were team-oriented. Therefore, I know it is important to prioritize collaboration, effective communication, and active listening for successful teamwork. I can respectfully contribute ideas and perspectives, support and encourage others to be at their best, and ensure everyone works towards the same goals. I also have extensive conflict resolution skills useful in team settings, as disagreements are sometimes inevitable. I am confident I will blend well with the existing team and work with them for this organization’s success.

15. How Do You Normally Stay Informed About Fashion Trends And Styles?

I normally ensure that I am informed about emerging fashion trends and styles owing to my fascination with fashion. I follow fashion influencers and blogs, attend fashion shows and events, and read fashion magazines and articles. I am also active in several fashion forums that discuss new trends and styles. Lastly, I follow major brands, including American Eagle Outfitters and Aerie, to stay updated on the latest product releases.

16. Have You Ever Gone Above And Beyond For A Customer?

Yes. I am normally ready to go above and beyond to satisfy customers. I once encountered a client who wanted to gift his spouse but could not remember the correct size. She couldn’t also call to ask for the right measurements because it was meant to be a surprise. I asked if she had a photo of the spouse and, based on my experience, suggested an approximate size. I even tried it out for her to see, given that I had a similar body type and height to the person in the photo. She was grateful and returned days later, filled with joy and pride because I helped her find the perfect fit. 

17. What Would You Do If You Caught A Fellow Employee Stealing From The Establishment?

I believe in accountability and integrity, which have helped me live a fulfilling life. I am sure this company has a policy against theft, which should be strictly followed. I would report the issue to the proper authority or chain of command to ensure that the employee is held accountable for their acts and notify the establishment’s security to swing into action and stop the theft if it is in progress. I am ready to discharge my responsibility as a good employee and citizen to ensure that the company does not incur losses due to theft.

18. Have You Ever Disagreed With A Coworker? How Did You Resolve The Conflict?

I once disagreed with a coworker on how to go about a customer’s complaint. Even though it wasn’t a heated argument, we could not decide on the best approach. When I noticed tensions rising, I decided to put the matter to rest by suggesting that we take a short break and figure out the best approach calmly and respectfully, which was well received. We listened to each other’s perspectives and reached a good compromise ten minutes later. We then worked together to give the customer a satisfactory solution.

19. Can You Handle Sensitive Data And Confidential Information?

Yes. Before joining the retail industry, I worked as a junior accountant, a role that bombarded me with lots of sensitive data and confidential information. I followed the company’s security and privacy protocols which dictated that sensitive information must be kept secure and only shared on a need-to-know basis. I did not discuss confidential information over unsecured communication channels and in public, preventing data breaches. I was also ready to report any data breach or potential risks to the IT team as fast as possible if I encountered one. 

20. How Would You Learn A New Technology Quickly?

I am a quick learner, an attribute that allows me to learn how to use new technologies quickly. I would enroll in an online course or conduct extensive research depending on the type of technology to ensure that I have a perfect understanding of what it is and how it works. I would also dedicate a few minutes or hours outside work to practice and ask experienced colleagues for help and guidance. Above all, I would ensure I extensively learn everything about it without brushing over some concepts.

21. Mention The Strategies And Mindset Needed To Thrive In The Retail Industry

A retail employee must cultivate customer-focused, team-oriented, problem-solving, and results-driven mindsets to meet targets and overcome common challenges in this industry. Regarding strategies, one needs prioritization techniques to tackle retail tasks and responsibilities. Investing in product knowledge also helps answer customer questions and make recommendations.

22. How Would You Define Excellent Customer Service

Excellent customer service is the cornerstone of every business’s success. I would define it as the readiness to go above and beyond to ensure customers are satisfied with the business’s products and services. Any organization that prioritizes customer service should have a friendly staff ready and willing to help customers find what they need. They should also have adequate strategies to prevent customers from waiting for ages during checkout. Additionally, excellent customer service demands actively listening to customer queries and concerns, communicating effectively with them, being empathetic, and making regular follow-ups to ensure their issues are satisfactorily resolved. I am ready and willing to use my experience in this field to offer your customers excellent customer service.

23. Do You Understand Why We Dwell So Much On Customer Service?

Yes. I have learned that the level of service offered to customers directly influences the performance of an organization. Clients who feel heard, valued and appreciated generally return for more purchases, becoming loyal customers in the long run. They are also willing to increase how much they spend per visit, generating more revenue for the business. Lastly, businesses that offer excellent customer service enjoy free marketing from customers through positive word of mouth. I am ready to uphold excellent customer service if given a chance to work in this organization.

24. Can You Work Over The Weekend And On Holidays?

I am currently flexible as I do not have any side engagements or other jobs. Therefore, I do not mind working over the weekend and on some holidays, provided I am given sufficient notice. Additionally, I prefer to be consulted first since I may have family commitments on some weekends and holidays. I am confident we will find a way to go about such arrangements.

25. This Job Requires You To Stand On Your Feet For Longer Durations. Can You Do That?

Absolutely. I do not have a problem standing on my feet for long periods since I have worked in such an establishment before. I will wear comfortable shoes, probably those with rubber soles, to give me an easy time. I also exercise four times a week to stay fit; therefore, I have the stamina needed for such a task. I assure you that I will handle the physical aspects of this job exceedingly well.

Conclusion

We understand that preparing for an interview can be challenging. However, you can make things easier by familiarizing yourself with possible interview questions so you are not caught off-guard. We hope our suggestions will help you approach the interview with renewed confidence and impress the hiring team. We wish you all the best and hope you will get the job.