How do you like to be recognized for your accomplishments?

"I am very much an over-achiever and find that the best way for me to be recognized for a job well done is through words of kindness and recognition. I am easily encouraged, and the best reward for me is to know that my hard work is noticed."

We all like recognition in some way for our accomplishments in the workplace. Share with the interviewer how you would want credit for your hard work. Through gifts? Financial perks? Public recognition? Kind words? Title promotions?

"As a sales professional, I am driven by a challenge with a financial perk. Sales contests, for example, are a great way to motivate me."

How do you handle situations that could cause you to be late or miss work?

"I stay calm and composed when issues arise. My dad got rear ended one time when driving me to school. I texted my friend to see if she could tell my teacher what happened. I explained the situation to my teacher when I got to class. If this happened on my way to work, I would call ahead of time to ensure someone could cover my shift."

Proper planning will get you far, but sometimes life happens, and you'll need a plan B. Think about some of the variables in your life that could affect your ability to arrive on time for work. Sick children, traffic, car breakdowns... the list goes on. It may not be possible for everything to work out so smoothly, getting your shift covered or still making it to work on time. Your interviewer is looking to see that you are proactive and that you can handle the stress of unexpected situations that can arise.

"I hope never to be late! When I started working at a restaurant at sixteen years old, we were taught the adage of 'if you're on time, you're late,' so I've worked to implement that into my life. I always try to arrive 15 minutes early, but there are unforeseen circumstances that can arise. I handle surprises using common sense and keeping courtesy to others top of mind."

Do you have reliable transportation?

"I have reliable transportation. I have a well-maintained vehicle, and I am comfortable with the amount of travel required to get to your office every day."

Even if you're not expected to drive for the job, you will need to have some form of reliable transportation. If you take the bus or ride a bike, that works too! Merely share that you have the means to get to work consistently and on time.

"I take public transit; however, I find it to be very reliable. I was late to work only once last year, and that was due to a snowstorm which stalled all of our employee's commute - including those with personal vehicles. Rest assured, I am reliable and will always come to work on time."

What do you hope to learn from this job at REI?

"I'm really hoping that I can build friendships with some of my coworkers so that I have a chance to try out new outdoor adventures with them! There's so much I'm excited to learn about, especially rock climbing."

One of the great things about working at REI is that there are always new things to learn. From communication and sales skills, to managerial and leadership opportunities, to discovering new ways to love the outdoors -- we hope that every REI employee finds ways to learn something new every day. Talk to the interviewer about what you hope to learn during your time at REI.

REI has a competitive incentive plan. How do you feel about performance incentives?

"I feel that performance incentives are a great idea. They keep an employee motivated to do a great job and ensure that they are on top of their KPI's. The majority of people are very enthused about being rewarded for their successes."

When REI does well, we all do well. Incentive pay through our annual incentive plan is based on reaching individual, department, and company goals. Talk to the interviewer about how you feel about performance incentives.

"I do not require performance incentives, to do a great job; however, small perks are always nice to have!"

What are your salary expectations?

"Currently, I earn a base salary of $45,000 per year plus a potential 20% annual bonus. Last year my earnings were $52,000, and I would like to stay in the same range or slightly higher."

The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to use your current earnings as an example. Be open, and honest. Transparency is the best choice when salary based questions arise.

"I am currently making $22/hour with two bonus opportunities. I am looking for compensation that is aligned with the role and provides an opportunity for growth."

How can REI motivate you on the job?

"Knowing that the culture here is so positive and healthy is already a great motivator. When I'm engaged in the company and feel like our values are aligned, that's really all the motivation I need."

We measure our employee engagement every year, and it's consistently among the highest in the retail industry. In fact, this year 96% of our employees say that they support REI's values. This value alignment and engagement means that our employees feel motivated to do their best work while on the job. Talk to the interviewer about what motivates you at work and what our management team can do to keep you energized about working at REI.

"I feel most motivated when I'm working with like-minded individuals who are all working for a common goal. It's important to me that I get along with my coworkers and have plenty in common with them. When I feel like I'm really a member of a team instead of just a cog in a machine, that's when I feel most motivated to do my best work."

Describe to me your ideal employer.

"I need to feel like I'm a part of something bigger than myself, so I want to work for a company who has a vision I feel aligned with and actionable steps that make me feel like I'm a part of that vision. That's exactly what a job at REI seems like it would be. I'm already a passionate advocate about getting people outside and active, so it's amazing to think about getting to help people get outside for a living!"

There's a lot to love about a job at REI: from our competitive pay and benefits to our high employee engagement, we're doing our best to make sure that REI employees stay happy and excited about their work here. Talk to the interviewer about what you think makes a great employer.

"My ideal employer is one who is taking active steps to reduce their carbon footprint and has environmentally ethical practices across their supply chain. I love this planet, and I feel like it's my duty to do all I can to protect, nurture, and heal it. That's why I'm interviewing at REI in the first place -- they donate so much money to conservation efforts and are transparent about their business practices, so this is definitely my ideal employer."

We need reliable people on our team at REI. How many days were you absent from work last year?

"I had zero unexcused absences last year. In total, I took 12 vacation days out of my 15 allotted days. I was sick just 2, and a note from my Doctor accompanied those. Once I was late due to a terrible snow storm, and I always try to be 10 minutes early for my shift."

A part of being a diligent employee is to ensure that you are always on time and present when expected. It's great to even be 10 minutes early rather than just showing up right on the dot. Talk to the interviewer about your attendance.

"I am very committed to my employer and am only absent in events of sickness or the odd family emergency. I do my best always to be available and present when expected."

What is your favorite outdoor activity?

"Hiking is my first love. There's something so serene and spiritual about being out in the woods or getting to a crest or peak. I love that feeling of accomplishment. I've recently started trying my hand at rock-climbing as well, and REI has been so helpful as I've been getting started! I actually took one of the rock climbing classes here a few months ago, and I immediately fell in love with it!"

At REI, we love to get outside and play, so it goes without saying that our ideal applicants will enjoy the great outdoors as much as we do. Talk to the interviewer about your favorite outdoor activities, and maybe mention how REI has helped to inspire, educate, and outfit you for your outdoor adventures.

"I can't pick just one favorite way to be outside -- I enjoy it all! You name it, I've probably tried it ad loved it. Lately, I've been going out on the river with big groups of friends for kayaking and paddle boarding trips, and we're having a blast. I'm really looking forward to winter so I can finally get back out on the slopes, and I'm hoping to try out backcountry skiing for the first time -- and REI will be my first stop for all the gear I need!"

Personality fit is important to us at REI. How would you describe your personality?

"I'm a really eager and enthusiastic worker -- it honestly doesn't matter what task I'm working on, if I'm in the right environment, that means I'm having fun and enjoying the work. I'm definitely a focused, efficient worker, but that doesn't stop me from having fun while I'm on the job. I look for opportunities to bring light into other people's days."

REI is looking for employees who embody and are energized by our core values of authenticity, quality, service, respect, integrity, and balance -- but we're also looking for personalities that fit our unique teams. Talk to the interviewer about your personality traits rather than your character. Are you introverted or extroverted? Do you like to crack jokes or are you more serious and disciplined?

"I'm a major extrovert -- I really come to life when I'm around a lot of people, and I especially love talking to strangers. There's something to exciting about getting to know someone new, even if it's just a five minute conversation with a customer. That's why I love retail so much: every day is different and exciting because there are always new people to interact with. I'm especially excited about the chance to work at REI because I'll have common ground with most customers."

How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?

"Last year, I was working one retail job and then applied for and got a position at another retailer as well. When I showed up for orientation for my new job, there had been miscommunication about how many hours the orientation would be -- I quickly realized I would be late to my other job if I didn't speak up. I respectfully addressed the situation with the manager, apologized if I had had anything to do with the misunderstanding, and told her I was going to need to leave. She was really nice about it, and the next time I came in for a shift at that job, she told me she had reviewed our email exchange and realized she had made the scheduling mistake. After that, we had a great relationship with excellent communication."

REI is looking for employees who can take initiative 'to set effective work goals and keep their managers informed of their progress and goals.' Strong communication skills are key to accomplishing that task, but miscommunication still happens from time to time. Talk to the interviewer about how you approach a situation where miscommunication has happened between you and a manager or supervisor. What did you learn from that situation?

"I have had great supervisors in my previous positions; however, if faced with a communication challenge like this, I would ask the supervisor how I could improve communication between us. Rather than placing blame, I believe it's always more effective to ask for growth recommendations."

What type of manager brings out the best in you?

"I'm really grateful to have had great managers throughout my career, but my most recent manager stands out as the best. She always knew exactly what each of her employees was working on, but she was never guilty of micro-managing. I always felt empowered to do my work but also ask for help or feedback if I felt stuck. Her enthusiasm for the work was contagious; if a coworker was having a bad day, she always had a kind work or positive spin on the situation that turned the energy around. She's the exact kind of person I love working for."

Employee engagement is very high at REI, and we're proud of that. Our leadership teams work hard in every level of our organization to make sure we're motivating and bringing out the best in each of our employees. Talk to the interviewer about positive relationships you've had with your managers in the past. What made those relationships so positive?

"In the past, I have worked best with managers who are strong mentors but also offer autonomy when it comes to the tasks they know I am well versed in."

Based on your research into REI, where do you see room for improvement? What can we be doing better?

"I love everything I read about how REI is really committed to making outdoor adventuring more accessible for women and welcoming for the LGBTQ community. The Force of Nature and Outside With Pride programs, for example, seem really cool. I do think REI could be doing more in this area, though -- 42% female leadership in your stores is great, but it could be so much better than that. I would love to see REI take more direct steps to encourage female and LGBTQ applicants for managerial and leadership roles."

At REI, we believe in continuous improvement, and our work to inspire, educate, and outfit our customers for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship is never done. We do a lot of great things, but we know there's always room for improvement. What is an area where you think REI could be doing better?

"REI is obviously a great place to work -- everyone seems to agree about that across the board. I don't see any information on your website about 'diversity' when it comes to POC. I would love to see programs that are specifically geared toward POC who love the outdoors and for REI to make an effort to attract employees of color, just as they've done the same for women and LGBTQ communities."

What is the most competitive work situation you have experienced? How did you handle it? What was the result?

"My current sales position is highly commission based, so my colleagues and I are quite competitive. Despite being competitive, we have a great work environment where we help each other when someone is struggling to meet their quota. We coach each other on sales techniques and share success stories. The result has been a positive work environment with healthy competition."

This question is designed to determine if you can function well in a competitive environment. Think back to a time when you were racing others to achieve the highest sales, were working towards a promotion, or eagerly trying to win a new contract. Show the interviewer that you rose to the challenge and that you were excited to push yourself to be the best. It is a definite plus if you have cheered on your competitors and helped them along the way. Finally, be sure to mention any successful outcome.

"Last year I worked at a high-end jewelry store where sales goals were intense, and the rewards were high. I am geared for healthy competition, so when we had contests, it greatly motivated me. I ended up winning 7 of the 12 contests! I won an iPad, cash incentives, and concert tickets. It was great."

Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion requesting change in an organization.

"A few years ago, I was working for a small family-owned business that had a strong customer base that hadn't really grown in several years. The company didn't have any kind of marketing or PR strategy, and I thought it was really keeping the company from achieving its yearly goals. For several evenings after work, I researched marketing plans and implementation strategies, and then I put together a presentation for the owners. They approved my marketing plan, and we implemented it over the next several months. That's one of the things I'm most proud of in my career, and I'm really glad to know that REI values employee feedback and ideas as well."

At REI, we want all of our employees to feel like they can be themselves and that their opinions are heard and respected. If you have an idea about how we can improve, we want to hear from you! Have you ever made a suggestion for improvement at work? How was it received?

"Last year when I was managing our weekend shift, I noticed a pretty solid opportunity for us to save on overtime hours. I created a presentation and gave it to my manager who took it to upper management. The changes were implemented, and I was very proud of the suggestion that I made."

This position requires a flexible schedule as we are open evenings, weekends, and most holidays. Are you able to commit to these hours?

"I am happy to offer a flexible schedule, and to work overtime as needed. I do take an evening college course on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I would not be available those days, after 5 PM."

Most retail positions require a wide range of hours that may include evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and split shifts. Assure the interviewer that you can commit to a wide range of hours. If there is anything in your schedule that may hinder your availability, be sure to address this.

"I understand that this role will include working evenings, weekends, and holidays. I am available to work anytime and am happy to work overtime as well."

Do you have any experience with volunteer work? Are you interested in being on volunteer cleanup teams?

"I love volunteering! My friends and I plan monthly cleanups in our area, like picking up trash at the local park. It means getting to spend more time outside, which is my favorite thing, and I love knowing that I'm doing my small part to help the environment. I would love to be on a volunteer team at REI."

We love the outdoors at REI, and we want to do our part to keep our planet clean and healthy. REI regularly sends out teams to build trails, clean up beaches, restore habitats, and more. Talk to the interviewer about any interest you have in participating on a team like that.

"I've never participated in anything like that, but I'm definitely interested to find out more information! I love that REI practices what they preach when it comes to caring for the earth."

For REI employees, retail experience is preferred but not essential. Do you have any retail or sales experience?

"I started working retail about 4 years ago and have really grown to enjoy it. My favorite part about working in this industry is that there are always new problems to solve, so it keeps my mind engaged. I love collaboration and teamwork, so I'm really excited that REI values a collaborative spirit in their employees."

At REI, retail or sales experience is useful, but it's more important that REI employees exude a passion for the outdoors, a desire to collaborate with their teammates, an innovative mind, and an ability to build rapport with customers from every walk of life. Talk to the interviewer about any retail experience you have, or describe any experience that makes you suited to accomplish the tasks and assignments of an REI employee.

"While I don't yet have any retail experience, I'm really excited to get started! I have a firm grasp on solid customer service: for the last 2 years, I've worked at an IT call center helping clients with computer issues. Even though it's a very different industry, the essential qualities of good customer service are consistent -- a positive, helpful attitude; the ability to confidently communicate information to customers; and the ability to prioritize to find the most efficient way of solving a problem or accomplishing a task. I think my experience has made me very well-suited for a job at REI."

Have you researched our company values? What makes you the best candidate for REI?

"Balance is a really important thing to me -- from maintaining work/life balance to spending plenty of time in nature. I really appreciate that REI puts such an emphasis on having a balanced life, from their 'yay days' to the way they give back to organizations that conserve and protect our environment."

At REI, our company values -- authenticity, quality, service, respect, integrity, and balance -- are the foundation of our business. Talk to the interviewer about which of these values stand out to you most and which you most identify with.

"I think that being a leader means being a servant -- to me, that's what customer service really means. My goal as a retail worker is to have a servanthood mindset when I'm interacting with customers, to do everything I can to make sure that they have the best possible experience at REI."

You will be responsible for a large amount of cash and valuable merchandise at REI. What would your most recent employer say about your character and honesty?

"I've worked in luxury retail environments in the past, so I'm familiar and comfortable with the sale of products with a high price point. My integrity and honesty have never been questioned at work -- in fact, my most recent manager told me that she found me to be an authentic, respectful person and that she would hire me again if I ever wanted to return to the company."

Our values at REI include authenticity, respect, and integrity. It goes without saying that we expect to be able to trust our employees to treat the cash and valuable merchandise with respect. Assure the interviewer that you display integrity and honesty at work.

"For example: "My most recent employer and all others would say that I have strong character and always choose honesty first. I have solid references who will attest to that as well."

How would you feel if your manager asked you to fill in for a coworker who quit unexpectedly or failed to show up for their shift?

"It's good to know that REI's employee turnover rate is so low! That makes me even more excited about the possibility of working here. I am more than willing to cover a shift for a coworker if I'm able."

REI has one of the lowest turnover rates in the retail industry -- just 32%! -- but turnover does happen. Talk to the interviewer about how you would handle it if your coworker didn't show up for their shift and your manager asked you to come in at the last minute.

"If a co-worker failed to show up for their shift, I would pick it up if possible. I always strive to be a team player."

Working in a retail environment, you will sometimes come across rude customers. How would you handle a customer who is aggressive towards you or a co-worker?

"If I had a customer who was being aggressive and disrespectful, I would calmly but firmly ask them to calm down. If security needed to be called, I would do so. Everyone needs to remain respectful, and I would not hesitate to ask a customer to offer that respect, in return."

Retail and customer service based roles will often require diplomacy when it comes to working with the public. Discuss with the interviewer how you would handle an aggressive customer.

"Most places that I have worked have procedures in place for these kinds of scenarios, and I am happy to follow the procedures put in place by REI."

Tell me 3 qualities you possess that make you a strong fit for this position with REI.

"I love that REI is looking for innovative thinkers -- that's exactly how I would describe myself. I enjoy the process of solving problems creatively and collaboratively. I'm also a big, friendly goofball who loves interacting with new people and lightening up a workplace with positive, enthusiastic energy."

REI employees share our values and passion for the outdoors. We're looking for candidates who are excited to collaborate with their team to achieve business goals, who use innovative thinking and sound judgement to solve problems, and who build rapport with all kinds of people inside and outside the organization. Talk to the interviewer about what you would add to the REI team.

"One of my personal values and challenges I set for myself is to learn something new every single day, whether that's an aspect of my work I haven't explored, a fact about a coworker, or trying out a new skill. I love to help people, so I'm looking for a career where I can really see my impact, big or small, on others' lives. And I'm also a huge nature-lover, and I love backpacking, so I'm looking forward to the chance to talk to customers about their adventures!"

At REI we firmly believe in grooming our employees into management roles as they show potential. Are you interested in potential leadership roles with us?

"I'm looking to begin a long career with REI and would love the opportunity to earn a place in the management and leadership structure in the future, especially since the leadership model here is based on respect, individuality, and love of the outdoors."

REI has one of the lowest turnover rates in the retail industry, and it's been named in Fortune Magazine's 100 best companies to work for every year since the list began in 1998. Talk to the interviewer about your interest in remaining with the company and any desire you have to move into a leadership role.

"I would be very excited about obtaining a role in leadership within REI in the future. I am prepared to express my interest through hard work and taking on leadership duties as you feel I am ready."

In our retail stores we take pride in our merchandising and displays. Do you consider yourself to be a creative person, capable of making an attractive retail display?

"I have a strong creative flair and enjoy creating attractive displays. I think I have enough experience in retail to understand what attracts a customer and what prompts them to purchase. The displays I have seen in your stores are fascinating, and I would love to be a part of that creative flair."

Do you have examples of displays that you have created? Do you have unique ideas that you can share with REI in regards to their current merchandising? Show the interviewer that you are interested in the creative aspect of creating an attractive retail display.

"I believe that with some training, I could very easily create some attractive displays. I have a natural flair for the creative and look forward to exercising that."

What do you think about REI's co-op approach to their business?

"I became an REI co-op member several years ago, and it's been amazing. My favorite thing about it is access to the REI Garage Sales, where you can snag returned or gently used items at crazy discounts. The annual dividend is a great perk, too!"

REI is the world's largest consumer cooperative, and co-op membership comes with many benefits. What do you think about this business model? How would you talk about co-op membership with a customer?

"Co-op membership is really a no-brainer for anyone who spends a lot of time outside -- it's super cheap for a lifetime membership, and it practically pays for itself in no time because of the perks: access to and discounts on special classes, members-only special offers, and access to the REI Co-op World Mastercard."

In this role you will be required to handle customer transactions. On a scale of 1-10 how strong are your mathematical skills?

"I did very well in math during High School and am comfortable with the math skills required when it comes to accepting cash, balancing a cash float, and performing inventory-related tasks."

Strong math skills are an asset in any retail based role. Assure the interviewer that you are comfortable with the math associated with handling cash transactions and performing inventory counts.

"My math skills are strong, and I am confident that I can meet your expectations when it comes to accepting payment from customers."

We have a strong employee honesty program in place at REI to prevent loss. What would you do if you discovered that a co-worker was stealing product or money?

"My reaction to employee theft would differ if I were a retail associate or a retail manager. If I were a manager and caught an employee stealing, I would terminate them immediately. If I were an associate, I would report the incident according to company protocol. I would avoid approaching the employee as I would not want to make it a personal issue."

Loss prevention initiatives are incredibly important in the retail sector. Discuss with the interviewer how you would handle a situation surrounding employee theft. Be sure to avoid sounding self-righteous in your answer. Be diplomatic and refer to company protocol in these situations.

"I value honesty so if I saw a co-worker stealing; I would tell my manager immediately. Do you have a process in place for reporting these types of situations?"

At REI, we have a very clear return policy. How would you handle a customer who was arguing with you about a potential return?

"First, I would tell the customer that REI's return policy is extremely generous, and there are very few exceptions to the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If they were trying to return an item that didn't meet the criteria, I would gently but firmly tell the customer we can't accept the return. If they continued to argue and were becoming combative or aggressive, I would get my manager involved."

REI has a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for the majority of our products, but from time to time customers may try to return items that don't meet the criteria for this return policy. Talk to the interviewer about how you would respond to a customer who wanted to argue with you about making a return.

"There are so few exceptions to the satisfaction guarantee rule that I would be surprised if a customer was upset about not being able to make a return that doesn't meet the criteria. I would explain to the customer exactly why we're unable to process the return -- whether it's because the item was damaged due to improper use or just had normal wear-and-tear -- and then assure them that we're always happy to accept returns for products that don't work out."

What do you know about REI? Why do you want to work for us?

"The thing that really made an impact on me when I was researching the company is that they really put in the hard work to live their values in the world by donating millions of dollars to conservation efforts, reducing their environmental impact through responsible business practices, and sending teams to build trails and clean up beaches. REI as a company clearly cares about the environment, which is extremely important to me."

There's a lot to love about REI, from our dedication to conservation efforts to reputation for quality and integrity. Talk to the interviewer about what stands out most to you about REI's company culture and vision.

"As a salesperson, it's important to me to be able to stand behind the products I'm selling, and that would be easy to do at REI. They have a strong reputation for selling quality products, and their REI-branded clothing and gear has won awards for durability and design. I love that I would not only enjoy the work but be able to rest easy at night knowing that I was working for a company with integrity and a real mission to make the world a better place."

REI seeks to 'educate, inspire, and outfit customers for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.' How would you incorporate this model into your customer service strategy?

"I love being outside and am eager to encourage others to find joy in the outdoors -- but I also know that many people don't know how to enjoy their time outside safely. One way I would provide the REI customer with the best service is by encouraging any aspiring or inexperienced outdoor adventurer to take one of REI's great classes to learn more about how to enjoy their adventure safely, taking into consideration all of the experience and know-how of the great team of educators at REI."

At REI, we work hard to make sure that our customers are equipped with the knowledge and gear necessary to enjoy all of their outdoor adventures safely. How would you make sure that your customers at REI receive the best service from you?

"First and foremost, I would greet a new customer with a friendly smile and ask if I can help them find anything specific. If there's one thing I know about people who love the outdoors, it's that we all love talking about the next fun adventure we're planning. I think that engaging customers about something they're passionate about makes for natural relationship-building, which means it's more likely for customers to return to the store for all of their outdoor-wear needs."

REI Interview Questions

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1. How do you like to be recognized for your accomplishments?
2. How do you handle situations that could cause you to be late or miss work?
3. Do you have reliable transportation?
4. What do you hope to learn from this job at REI?
5. REI has a competitive incentive plan. How do you feel about performance incentives?
6. What are your salary expectations?
7. How can REI motivate you on the job?
8. Describe to me your ideal employer.
9. We need reliable people on our team at REI. How many days were you absent from work last year?
10. What is your favorite outdoor activity?
11. Personality fit is important to us at REI. How would you describe your personality?
12. How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?
13. What type of manager brings out the best in you?
14. Based on your research into REI, where do you see room for improvement? What can we be doing better?
15. What is the most competitive work situation you have experienced? How did you handle it? What was the result?
16. Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion requesting change in an organization.
17. This position requires a flexible schedule as we are open evenings, weekends, and most holidays. Are you able to commit to these hours?
18. Do you have any experience with volunteer work? Are you interested in being on volunteer cleanup teams?
19. For REI employees, retail experience is preferred but not essential. Do you have any retail or sales experience?
20. Have you researched our company values? What makes you the best candidate for REI?
21. You will be responsible for a large amount of cash and valuable merchandise at REI. What would your most recent employer say about your character and honesty?
22. How would you feel if your manager asked you to fill in for a coworker who quit unexpectedly or failed to show up for their shift?
23. Working in a retail environment, you will sometimes come across rude customers. How would you handle a customer who is aggressive towards you or a co-worker?
24. Tell me 3 qualities you possess that make you a strong fit for this position with REI.
25. At REI we firmly believe in grooming our employees into management roles as they show potential. Are you interested in potential leadership roles with us?
26. In our retail stores we take pride in our merchandising and displays. Do you consider yourself to be a creative person, capable of making an attractive retail display?
27. What do you think about REI's co-op approach to their business?
28. In this role you will be required to handle customer transactions. On a scale of 1-10 how strong are your mathematical skills?
29. We have a strong employee honesty program in place at REI to prevent loss. What would you do if you discovered that a co-worker was stealing product or money?
30. At REI, we have a very clear return policy. How would you handle a customer who was arguing with you about a potential return?
31. What do you know about REI? Why do you want to work for us?
32. REI seeks to 'educate, inspire, and outfit customers for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.' How would you incorporate this model into your customer service strategy?

REI Interview Questions

1. How do you like to be recognized for your accomplishments?

2. How do you handle situations that could cause you to be late or miss work?

3. Do you have reliable transportation?

4. What do you hope to learn from this job at REI?

5. REI has a competitive incentive plan. How do you feel about performance incentives?

6. What are your salary expectations?

7. How can REI motivate you on the job?

8. Describe to me your ideal employer.

9. We need reliable people on our team at REI. How many days were you absent from work last year?

10. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

11. Personality fit is important to us at REI. How would you describe your personality?

12. How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?

13. What type of manager brings out the best in you?

14. Based on your research into REI, where do you see room for improvement? What can we be doing better?

15. What is the most competitive work situation you have experienced? How did you handle it? What was the result?

16. Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion requesting change in an organization.

17. This position requires a flexible schedule as we are open evenings, weekends, and most holidays. Are you able to commit to these hours?

18. Do you have any experience with volunteer work? Are you interested in being on volunteer cleanup teams?

19. For REI employees, retail experience is preferred but not essential. Do you have any retail or sales experience?

20. Have you researched our company values? What makes you the best candidate for REI?

21. You will be responsible for a large amount of cash and valuable merchandise at REI. What would your most recent employer say about your character and honesty?

22. How would you feel if your manager asked you to fill in for a coworker who quit unexpectedly or failed to show up for their shift?

23. Working in a retail environment, you will sometimes come across rude customers. How would you handle a customer who is aggressive towards you or a co-worker?

24. Tell me 3 qualities you possess that make you a strong fit for this position with REI.

25. At REI we firmly believe in grooming our employees into management roles as they show potential. Are you interested in potential leadership roles with us?

26. In our retail stores we take pride in our merchandising and displays. Do you consider yourself to be a creative person, capable of making an attractive retail display?

27. What do you think about REI's co-op approach to their business?

28. In this role you will be required to handle customer transactions. On a scale of 1-10 how strong are your mathematical skills?

29. We have a strong employee honesty program in place at REI to prevent loss. What would you do if you discovered that a co-worker was stealing product or money?

30. At REI, we have a very clear return policy. How would you handle a customer who was arguing with you about a potential return?

31. What do you know about REI? Why do you want to work for us?

32. REI seeks to 'educate, inspire, and outfit customers for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.' How would you incorporate this model into your customer service strategy?