Are you a fashion lover with little experience in retail and would love to make some money? Well, Forever 21 is a good place to consider. This American fast fashion retailer deals in a number of affordable and trendy products, enjoying a huge customer base in return.
This article will cover some of the most common questions in Forever 21 interviews to increase your chances of landing your preferred position. However, remember to also focus on other aspects of your interview, such as grooming and first impression. Take a look at the following:
1. What Do You Know About Us?
Forever 21 is a fast fashion retailer with stores in Asia, America, Europe, and the Middle East. You are currently headquartered in Los Angeles, US. This establishment was founded in 1984 and has steadily grown to have its clothing lines and over 700 stores. You offer fashionable products at relatively lower prices, which explains the huge customer base you enjoy. Some of these products are home goods, accessories, beauty products, and clothes.
2. Why Are You Interested In This Job?
As your regular shopper, I have first-hand witnessed your excellent customer service and the value you put on your product’s quality. I have also had a chance to talk to some of your employees, who have nice things to say about this establishment. I am confident that I can fit in well in this environment and work towards helping you achieve your vision and missions. I would also love to experience and conquer new challenges that will definitely help me in my career.
3. Mention Some Of The Qualities That Will Make You Succeed In This Role
I have several qualities that will come in handy in this establishment. I am an excellent communicator, a skill needed to thrive in the retail industry. I am also a great team player, given my experience working in different team settings. Additionally, I have excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills needed in such an environment. Coupled with my dedication and hard work, I believe all the fore-mentioned qualities will help me thrive here.
4. Why Should We Give You This Chance?
First, I am one of your most loyal customers. I have marketed your products and referred lots of my friends, who are wowed by the quality of your products, which shows just how proud I am of shopping here. Second, I have various skills obtained from years of experience that will help me thrive in this entity. I am an excellent team player and problem solver, among several other qualities needed for this role. I am confident that I will succeed, given a chance.
5. What Is Your Availability?
I am available round the clock. I recently cleared from my former workplace, making me free at the moment. I can work day and night shifts and, when necessary, fill in for my fellow employees. I would also love to point out that I can work during weekends and holidays, provided I am notified early enough.
6. Why Us?
There are several reasons why I would love to work here. First, you are a big entity with over 700 stores worldwide, so working here would be a plus to my career as I will meet new challenges and experiences. Second, I love the quality of your products. I have been shopping with you for some time now and haven’t regretted even a single purchase, which shows just how thorough you are regarding your offerings. Working here and being your ‘ambassador’ would therefore make me happy.
7. Do You Value Customer Service?
I highly value customer service. I can never return to a store that doesn’t treat its customers well. Excellent customer service is the basis of a successful store and should always be valued. I am willing and ready to go the extra mile to ensure that your client base enjoys excellent service. I am glad I have obtained many customer service skills from several years of experience.
8. In Your Opinion, Why Is Customer Service Important?
As I mentioned, excellent customer service is the cornerstone of an organization’s success. Satisfied customers will always come back, proof that it fosters customer loyalty. Also, one of the best ways to market a store is through the customers. Satisfied customers are always ready and willing to refer others, be it family or friends, to obtain their purchases from a given store hence marketing it. Lastly, excellent customer service shows clients they are loved and valued, which is important when running a business. People are naturally inclined to go where they feel valued and loved.
9. Mention Some Of The Challenges You Have Faced In This Field?
Even though I have had heartwarming and amazing experiences in the retail industry, I have also faced and conquered several challenges. First, this industry can get stressful at times, especially during festivities and holidays, due to increased customer demand. One must therefore come up with a way of coping with such fast-paced situations. Also, dealing with customers is not always a rosy experience. Some are usually difficult and mean, which may negatively impact one’s morale, even though you still have to be warm and cheerful at all times. Lastly, working in the retail industry also comes with a level of pressure that one must know how to handle. It is not, therefore, as rosy as it always looks.
10. How Do You Intend To Work Under Pressure?
I believe that my previous experiences have hardened me, making me ready for any situation. Targets, workloads, or deadlines mostly bring about workplace pressure. For increased workload, I intend to organize myself well and prioritize tasks, which always come in handy. Regarding targets, I will work extra hard and bring my customer service skills to play to woe customers. Lastly, deadlines, like workloads, are best met by task prioritization and going the extra mile. I am confident that I will excel given a chance.
11. Mention An Experience Showing Your Integrity
I am a person of high integrity, an attribute I take great pride in. As a cashier in my former store, a customer once forgot their wallet on the counter after paying for a few goods. I only realized this a while later when wiping the surrounding surfaces. I went through the different compartments and located his ID and, luckily, his home phone number. I made a call informing him of his wallet. He came back and found everything intact. This is just one of the few experiences where I acted with integrity.
12. What’s Your Take On Store Theft?
I don’t condone any theft, be it at the workplace or outside. I believe that store theft should be strictly dealt with, and whoever is found guilty be subjected to the store’s policies on theft and even prosecuted. This is because it affects employees directly and indirectly. I am happy that I managed to stop an organized theft in my former workplace that would have caused the store over $1000. I am ready and willing to do the same here.
13. How Do You Handle Stress?
Situations can get highly stressful when working in the retail industry, calling for a clear and well-defined stress-handling technique. I have since discovered that one of the best ways of dealing with the stress occasioned by increasing workloads or steep targets is to stay composed and strategize quickly. You can only come up with solutions when you have a clear mind, which explains why I am always calm when going about my duties. Also, when strategizing, it is imperative that one focuses on options with the greatest results.
14. Can You Work Well In Team Settings?
I can function absolutely well and thrive in team settings. I am an excellent team player, with lots of important teamwork skills that I have obtained from experience. I always contribute to the team’s success and avoid being a freeloader. I can also solve conflicts between team members thanks to my excellent conflict resolution skills, which come in handy in such settings. Lastly, I know how to motivate everyone around me to do their best and contribute to the organization’s overall success. I understand that this entity values teamwork, which makes me confident that I will do an excellent job.
15. How Do You Maintain An Excellent Work-Life Balance?
I understand the importance of a proper work-life balance as it directly impacts focus and productivity. I have always strived to maintain an excellent one at all times by giving my all during work hours and focusing on what I love most outside work. I have several hobbies that I successfully pursue, such as drawing and calisthenics. I also meditate and work out a lot, which helps me focus and stay motivated. Lastly, I hang out with friends and family members at the end of the week, which is handy.
16. Mention Your Biggest Strength
I believe that my biggest strength is my team working ability. I can easily fit into different team settings and successfully collaborate with others on projects. I have many teamwork skills I have acquired in my seven years of retail work that will come in handy here. As a team player, I normally motivate my colleagues and go the extra mile to ensure they are in the right mindset for work. I am happy that it has always come in handy in my former workplaces.
17. Describe A Time When You Went Above And Beyond For A Customer
I am a believer in excellent customer service, which makes me ready to go above and beyond for customers. I love seeing them smile or walk out of the store happy. I once helped a customer decide between two different ointments by giving them a personal experience. I had tried both and therefore had first-hand experience. I narrated my experience with both, and by the end of it, she knew what to pick. However, I always ensure that I am within the store’s policies when going above and beyond for customers.
18. How Can You Help A Customer Decide Between Two Accessories?
As a regular shopper here, I understand how challenging deciding between two accessories can get, especially if they both look amazing. In helping a customer make such a decision, I would ask them to picture how the accessories would blend in with their wardrobe or fashion pieces. Do they have matching clothes that can be worn with an accessory? Will it complement their wardrobe? How easy will it be to find matching outfits? When answered well, these questions help in proper decision-making.
19. Can You Work Overtime?
As a person, I believe in pushing myself and going the extra mile. It not only ensures success but also builds discipline and personal development. Therefore, I don’t have a problem working overtime or going the extra mile for the organization’s success. However, I only ask for early notice. If I am expected to fill in for someone at the end of my shift, I’d prefer it if it is communicated early enough to get into the right mindset. The same also applies to working over the weekend or during holidays. All in all, I am positive that it won’t be an issue.
20. Do You Think You Are A Reliable Person?
I know I am reliable, a quality my friends, colleagues, and employers find worthy. You can always count on me to attend to my duties, collaborate with others on projects, and work towards the development and success of the store. I can also fill in for other employees and, where possible, work over the holidays and weekends. Additionally, you can expect me to follow all workplace policies and maintain high levels of integrity in and outside work.
21. Do You Have Any Weaknesses?
I believe that every self-aware person knows their weaknesses, which they have to work on conquering. I am glad that mine doesn’t define me. To answer the question, a weakness I have been successfully working on is procrastination. I had a habit of postponing tasks until the last minute and handling them under pressure. I am glad that my efforts to deal with this weakness have been bearing fruit, given that I can now start working on tasks long before their deadline. It has also improved my personal life and helped me take charge of many aspects.
22. Mention Any Relevant Experience That Will Help You Succeed In This Job
I have lots of experience in retail, this being my seventh year. I have worked in retail stores, warehouses, hotels, and even restaurants- places that have equipped me with excellent customer service skills. I know how to handle different customer situations and satisfy clients. I also worked as a cashier at the beginning of my retail experience, where I learned lots of important information about cash handling. Lastly, I have vast experience in inventory management from the time I worked in a warehouse. I am willing to use these experiences for the betterment of this organization.
23. What’s Your Ideal Working Environment?
I have had the chance to experience different working environments in this field. I was particularly wowed by one that was invested in intrinsic employee motivation. Our voices were heard, and we felt valued, making us proud of the organization and willing to go the extra mile for its betterment. The management was equally good, however strict. As a result, we were never bothered by targets as we easily exceeded them.
24. Do You Have Any Preferred Management Style?
Even though I am flexible enough and can work with different management styles, I still have a preferred style. I believe in one that empowers and inspires employees to give their all instead of harsh policies to boost performance. I love working with managers that are more leaders than bosses as they know how to get employees to their best without threats or unnecessary harshness. However, I also love a management style that keeps employees on their toes. I am glad that I have worked with excellent managers in my time in the retail industry.
25. How Would You Deal With An Angry Client?
I discovered long ago that the best way to deal with an angry customer is to prevent further agitation. It would be best if you gave them time to vent while listening calmly and patiently, showing empathy in the process. Once they are through with venting out their frustrations, you should apologize and get down to finding a solution for their issue or finding someone who can help them. All customers must be subjected to excellent service, regardless of their anger or impatience.
Conclusion
These are some of the most important questions you should expect in your upcoming Forever 21 interview. We ask you to prepare adequately before the interview to have an easy time. We wish you all the best and stay tuned for similar articles that might make you fancy a career change.
