How well do you handle customer complaints?

How to Answer
1st Answer Example
2nd Answer Example

In a retail situation like a job at Target, addressing customer complaints with understanding and kindness is an essential part of customer service. The interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable talking to customers and dealing with hard situations. If you have experience in this area, give an example of a way you dealt with a complaint from a customer. If you don't have experience, that's okay -- try to imagine yourself in that situation and describe what you would do.

"When I worked at my former retail job, we often had customers who were upset or dissatisfied with corporate policy or garment construction -- that's just part of working retail! It was hard to deal with upset customers at first, but then I started to understand that most of the time, angry customers have good intentions when they have a complaint like that. I always try to listen to and repeat the complaint so I know I understand it, and then take any steps I can to fix the problem. If I can't fix the problem, then I worked with my manager to come up with a solution that made the customer happy. I believe there's always a way to make a bad situation better, even if the mistake can't be totally undone."

"I think one of my best qualities is being a good listener, and that's what I would try to do with a customer who had a complaint. Part of being a good listener is making eye contact, smiling, and paying attention to the customer's body language. I would make sure the customer knows that I hear their complaint and understand why they're upset, and I would apologize for any trouble they're having with our products. And I'd always make sure to offer to correct any mistakes that were made or try my best to fix the problem."

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How to Answer: How well do you handle customer complaints?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Target job interview.

24. How well do you handle customer complaints?

How to Answer

In a retail situation like a job at Target, addressing customer complaints with understanding and kindness is an essential part of customer service. The interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable talking to customers and dealing with hard situations. If you have experience in this area, give an example of a way you dealt with a complaint from a customer. If you don't have experience, that's okay -- try to imagine yourself in that situation and describe what you would do.

Written by Jordan Henry on July 6th, 2018

1st Answer Example

"When I worked at my former retail job, we often had customers who were upset or dissatisfied with corporate policy or garment construction -- that's just part of working retail! It was hard to deal with upset customers at first, but then I started to understand that most of the time, angry customers have good intentions when they have a complaint like that. I always try to listen to and repeat the complaint so I know I understand it, and then take any steps I can to fix the problem. If I can't fix the problem, then I worked with my manager to come up with a solution that made the customer happy. I believe there's always a way to make a bad situation better, even if the mistake can't be totally undone."

Written by Jordan Henry on July 6th, 2018

2nd Answer Example

"I think one of my best qualities is being a good listener, and that's what I would try to do with a customer who had a complaint. Part of being a good listener is making eye contact, smiling, and paying attention to the customer's body language. I would make sure the customer knows that I hear their complaint and understand why they're upset, and I would apologize for any trouble they're having with our products. And I'd always make sure to offer to correct any mistakes that were made or try my best to fix the problem."

Written by Jordan Henry on July 6th, 2018

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