Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.

"The greatest accomplishment in my career was graduating from college as an honors student while still working full time in a related field. I was top of my class, and working full time. This showed me that I am able to dedicate myself to my career, and reach the goals that I set for myself. It felt great to accomplish so much and be recognized for my dedication."

Talking about your greatest accomplishment will give the interviewer a strong idea of where you place your values. It will also show the interviewer more about your personality, how you like to be motivated, and how to coach you in the future. It is okay to brag a little bit when answering this question. Show that you are proud of yourself and your career accomplishments!

"I have many accomplishments that I am very proud of. Overall, I would say that my greatest work accomplishment is the positive reputation that I have in this industry."

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."

Performance incentives can be very motivating. Talk to the interviewer about your feelings re: performance incentives.

"I think performance incentives are important for driving people to get results. For me, personally, they give me some skin in the game and get my team engaged in making an impact towards the results."

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 are 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 $100,000 per year with two bonus opportunities. I am looking for compensation that is aligned with the role and provides opportunity for growth."

Days can sometimes be hectic at White House Black Market. How do you handle stress on the job?

"I handle stress very well, and when you call my references, I believe they will attest to this fact. When I am under pressure on the job, I focus on the task at hand and make sure not to get distracted. Staying on deadline is very helpful, and I will delegate when necessary to alleviate stress where I can."

Are you someone who can handle stress on the job? How do you manage the stressful times? Talk to the interviewer about your ability to control pressure in the workplace.

"Stress is part of any fast-paced job, and I embrace it to the fullest. Sometimes the demands of a bustling e-commerce environment are actually energizing to me. I try to make sure I'm well prepared for the day's challenges and then let myself live in the moment from there, handling each complication as it comes. I also take good care of my physical health and prioritize my workload to maintain a healthy balance in my stress levels."

When have you worked among a diverse group of people?

"I have worked with diverse groups of people most of my career, including my time in college. I am most comfortable, and happy, in this type of environment because it offers a great learning opportunity."

Are you accustomed to working with a very large or diverse team of individuals? Assure the interviewer that you are able to handle an environment that offers diversity.

"For my entire career, I have worked with diverse groups of people. I fully believe that diversity is not only important, but it should be mandatory. When we work with people different from us, we can learn so much!"

Do you have experience in managing online sales?

"Yes, absolutely - a couple of years ago I worked as a sales manager for a local furniture store. Our sales were slower than usual, so I started an Instagram account for the store where we would feature particular pieces. We garnered quite a strong following, and we did see an increase in walk-in traffic over time. I am also well versed in managing web-based sales as my current employer has a strong e-commerce presence."

Online sales and marketing are incredibly important for White House Black Market. Talk to the interviewer about your experience and understanding when it comes to social media and online marketing efforts. Has there ever been a time that your online sales efforts have made a significant impact on your employer?

"I fully respect the fact that online sales are the driver for White House Black Market's success. As such, those who drive online sales need to be tech-savvy, knowledgeable and incredibly responsive. Given my experience running both social media marketing and online sales initiatives in my current position, I feel confident I could step into the online sales team seamlessly and manage the process consistently with White House Black Market's values."

Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

"I rate my communication skills as a 9/10 as I will, on occasion, have times when I am not as clear as I would like to be. My supervisor and co-workers will attest to my clear and concise communication skills. Because I am an open leader, my team will let me know if I need to clarify anything."

On a scale of 1-10, how skilled are you in communication? Why did you choose that particular rating for yourself?

"I will rate myself an 8.5 because I consider myself a strong communicator. It is the foundation of all success in business. I am always striving to be a better communicator so I leave the rest of the scale as an aspirational measure."

How do you believe you would exemplify the Chico's/White House Black Market values?

"I was very encouraged to learn about the Chico's/White House Black Market formal corporate values. Customer first, respect, integrity, vibrant spirit and high performance are all values that are personally important to me as well. Most of all, I'm encouraged by respect and integrity being part of the corporate values; these are so important toward fostering the kind of workplace in which everyone can thrive."

This is your chance to show that you fully understand the culture of the Chico's/White House Black Market brand and to impress the interviewer with how your own personal values align with the corporate culture.

Would your former or current boss describe you as a worker who gladly goes the extra mile to complete their tasks?

"My former boss would definitely describe me as an employee who goes the extra mile. In my most recent position, I was always available on my email and many of my service clients had my cell phone number just in case of an after-hours emergency. When you call my reference he will be happy to expand on that for you, I am sure."

You can absolutely say that you will go the extra mile but it's best to give a real life example to the interviewer about a time when you did just that. Offer up your references as well and discuss with the interviewer what you feel your most recent employer would say about you.

"I go the extra mile whenever possible because that's what great employees do! I have received very positive feedback from all of my previous employers."

At White House Black Market, we have a wide range of products and SKUs. Are you able to learn about a wide range of products without becoming overwhelmed?

"I love this kind of challenge! In my current position we have approximately 150 different SKUs, which doesn't seem like a lot; however, we have many different color and design options within each SKU. If awarded this position, I can certainly commit to spending overtime hours studying and memorizing your product base so that I can speak to them with the authority, passion and creativity that are hallmarks of the White House Black Market brand."

Handling a multitude of SKU's is a tricky skill. Assure the interviewer that you are capable of learning a significant amount of information in a short amount of time. What will you do to make sure that you are a quick study?

"I am fully prepared for the learning curve ahead, should I be the successful candidate with White House Black Market. I'm already familiar with many of your products because I've followed your brand in recent years, and I'm passionate about the way you promote a sense of elegance and sophistication. I would embrace the challenge of getting familiar with the entire range of products in order to do them justice."

Think about a difficult boss, professor or other person. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

"I once worked at a locally owned shop where the owner was very demanding. When the owner would walk into the store, employees would announce over their headset system that the owner was in the building, so that everyone could be prepared for his entrance into their department. The owner had great intentions; however, his people skills were a little rough. I could see that he meant well, and I recognized that he wanted to do a lot of good things. When we interacted, I always took his feedback with the understanding that he didn't mean things as harshly as he might say them."

Show the interviewer that you work well with most personalities even though you recognize there are some folks out there who are quite difficult to please. Think about that one person at work who is seen as hard to please. Perhaps there is someone at work who tries to intimidate others. Talk to the interviewer about what made this person challenging and what their relationship was to you. Avoid speaking poorly of anyone and be sure to end your response on a positive note.

"I once worked with a peer who was very difficult in meetings and with interacting in groups of others. I took it upon myself to help this person interact better with others. When she would bark orders, I would reiterate what she was trying to say to the group in a more professional manner. It took some time, but she learned to behave in a way that made people want to work with her."

What do you know about careers within the Chico's family of brands?

"I'm very familiar with the Chico's family of brands. I know that, overall, the company is a leading women's omni-channel specialty retailer of private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories and other items. Under the Chico's, White House Black Market, and Soma Intimates names, the company operates more than 1,550 boutiques and outlets throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as an online presence for each brand."

The interviewer would like to see that you understand where White House Black Market fits within the parent company's suite of brands. This information is available on the White House Black Market website, so make sure to take some time to review before your interview.

When have you had to adapt to change?

"In my current role there is a lot of turnover when it comes to our management team. I have had to adapt to 3 new managers in the past 4 years. It is not the ideal situation but I am able to adjust for the good of the team."

Being able to adapt to change in the workplace is a very important skill to possess. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have had to adjust to changes on the job. How did you handle the change? Was it a positive reaction?

"Last year our company was sold to a competitor and a lot of our management team changed hands. It was a lot of change to handle in a short time."

If you were hired today, what would you accomplish first?

"When we were speaking earlier, about sales targets in this position, you mentioned that most new sales professionals hit their KPI's after 120 days. If I were hired today, my goal would be to exceed my KPI's after the first 90 days. I plan to make a positive impact very quickly."

When you start a new position it is important to set a goal on how you will make a positive impact quickly after being hired. Tell the interviewer what your impact goal is, should you be the successful candidate.

"If I were hired today I would place my focus where you have the greatest need. In my opinion, the biggest impact I can make is through being a dedicated employee."

At White House Black Market we encourage our customers to create their own style. How would you describe your personal style?

"I would describe my personal style as 'sloppy chic' because I love large cable knit sweaters paired with leather leggings and a pair of great booties. My personal style is important to me because it's an expression of my mood on a day to day basis. It's how I can best express myself."

Having your own personal style is very important in fashion. Talk to the interviewer about how you define your style and what it means to you.

"I think it's important for everyone to have their own personal style and wear what they feel most comfortable in. If I could describe my personal style I would say it's ladylike with a touch of bohemian. My style icons include Kate Middleton and the Olsens."

Do you consider yourself to be more creative or analytical minded?

"I lean more towards being creative minded; however, I am very capable of being analytically minded as well. I feel this greatly helps me with my management skills as I am a creative yet well organized leader."

Whether you consider yourself creative, or analytical - assure the interviewer that you are capable of providing both to the employer, if hired.

"I am more analytically minded; however, I do have a creative flair as well. The factors that make me analytically minded are my desire to get to the bottom of things. I am curious about process, and motives. I like to dig deeper than the surface of things."

Sales performance is very important to White House Black Market. How do you plan to contribute to our profitability?

"I plan to contribute to your profitability through hard work, strategy, tenacity and paying close attention to the needs of my customers. I have solid results in my most recent position and look forward to bringing these same successes to White House Black Market."

Talk to the interviewer about your sales targets, results, and contributions in the past. Be sure to highlight your biggest wins and talk about the ways you will bring the same performance to White House Black Market if hired.

"My first step would be to examine current performance against KPIs and then develop a 30-, 60- and 90-day plan for how I can help the company achieve, and even exceed, them. I have a solid history of identifying strong lead measures that help support overall organizational strategies, and then leading a team to achieve those measures."

How do you stay on top of trends in the fashion industry?

"I stay on top of trends through reading high fashion magazines and browsing sites like Pinterest and Instagram. I also follow a few design houses and fashion bloggers on a variety of social media platforms."

Fashion is always changing and trends change faster than any other industry. Talk to the interviewer about the ways in which you stay in tune with new and top trends.

"My favorite place to stay on top of fashion trends is Instagram. I follow a multitude of trend setters, designers, and stylists. I find it easy and fast to scroll through the feed and see what others are wearing, and talking about."

What is it that's so special about the White House Black Market fit?

"White House Black Market has built a reputation on how its fit differentiates it from the rest of the off-the-rack fashion market. I love that the company describes its selection as, "

This is an opportunity to show that you have researched the differentiating factors White House Black Market brings to the industry. What about its products stands out from the competition?

Our industry is fast-paced, competitive, and stressful. How do you cope with high levels of pressure?

"I have been working in fast-paced, stressful environments for the past 10 years. When I am under pressure, my performance is the best. It's like a runners high for me. My current references will attest to my strong ability to perform under pressure."

Assure the interviewer that you are capable of handling the stressful and fast-paced world of fashion. Share how you cope with high levels of pressure and be sure to comment on your ability to handle stress in previous positions. You can also draw on your references.

"I handle stress very well and when you call my references, they will attest to this fact. When I am under pressure on the job, I focus on the task at hand and make sure to not get distracted. Staying on deadline is very helpful and I will delegate when necessary to alleviate some stress."

As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?

"As a manager, I feel that my greatest weakness is in separating employees as quickly as possible when they begin to show signs that they are not going to work out. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and have been known to continue trying to nurture people when they really are overdue for termination. I have taken a couple of management training classes focusing on this area, and I'm also working with an industry mentor; I feel I'm improving in being able to objectively approach separating employees who aren't a good fit."

Everyone has his/her weaknesses, and that is OK. Talk to the hiring manager about what you feel you could work on the most, and what you are doing about it. Avoid discussing a weakness that could be detrimental to you securing the position.

"Some feedback that I have received in my current role is that I could improve my technical skills when it comes to Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. I have all the basics covered, but when it comes to more complicated formulas or visualization of data, I don't have much experience. To remedy this, I have enrolled in a course for next month, and my goal is to come out of that experience as a more intermediate user."

At White House Black Market we aim to be a step ahead of our competitors. In your opinion, what do you think will be the biggest fashion trend for next spring?

"The fact that White House Black Market is always a step ahead of competitors is one of the many reasons why I want to work for you. I love to keep up to date on new trends and think that this spring the trend will continue to be platform loafers, oversized trenches, and chokers."

Assure the interviewer that you keep up with the latest trends in fashion and that you have a personal opinion when it comes to forecasting trends.

"I admire that White House Black Market is always a step ahead of the trends. One account that I follow regularly, to get a beat on what is coming up, is Nasty Gal. They are always a few steps ahead and at the moment I am seeing a lot of embroidery, cut-outs, and glitter accents."

Who is your favorite fashion designer and why?

"My favourite fashion designer is Ted Baker. The designs are classic yet bold and unique. I love the use of pattern. When someone is wearing a Ted Baker piece - you know!"

Display to the interviewer that you follow fashion design by discussing your favourite designer. The more you can assure the interviewer that you know what you're talking about, the better your chances of landing the position.

"I am most attracted to the classic labels like Hermes and Balenciaga. They are true luxury brands that have remained relevant yet stand the test of time and tradition."

At White House Black Market we have thousands of applicants per year. Why should we choose you for this position?

"You should hire me for this position because I can guarantee you that nobody else has followed your brand as closely as I have. I am passionate about fashion and see this as much more than just a job. Working for White House Black Market would change my path and I plan to make a positive impact immediately."

What makes you a stand-out candidate for this opportunity? Why should the interviewer give you the position over another candidate? Make your answer unique and memorable. Show confidence and don't be afraid to brag about yourself!

"In addition to my recently acquired degree in Fashion Design, I also have a background in film. I am a world traveler as well. These 3 factors combined, make me an incredibly well-rounded candidate who will offer you a perspective and insight that others cannot."

Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue? At White House Black Market, we view our employees holistically and understand it's important for them to be passionate about things outside of work.

"Outside of work I like to attend dance classes and I also attend the odd paint and sip wine nights at a local wine shop. I also enjoy reading as a way of nurturing my creative side. And, of course, I love experimenting with fashion trends and combinations."

Tell the interviewer about the variety of ways in which you express your creativity. If you can work in a connection to the fashion industry, that's a plus. Try always to connect back to this opportunity.

"Outside of work I love to explore my creative side. I practice photography for fun and also hang out with friends. As an avid reader, I try to read one new book per week. I also explore writing. I believe the more interests I have outside of work, the better able I am to find common interests with customers and build a rapport."

Your current employer has a strong reputation in the fashion industry. Why do you want to work for White House Black Market?

"I have worked with Company ABC for the past 5 years and because they are a smaller organization there is no longer room for me to grow unless I were to relocate. This is why I am seeking a new opportunity. Working for White House Black Market would allow me to grow into bigger opportunities while remaining local - White House Black market is know for its couture feel, and I believe there's a lot I can learn from that."

Discuss with the hiring manager the ways in which you feel that working for White House Black Market will provide you with the aspects you are currently missing in your position.

"I have had my eye on openings with White House Black Market for quite some time. I have heard excellent things about working here which is why I am so excited about the opportunity to join your team. My reason for seeking a new opportunity is not out of dissatisfaction for my current company but more so for continued growth and career advancement."

What can you tell me about how White House Black Market empowers women?

"White House Black Market was founded by women and has had the best interests of women at its forefront ever since. I love that the company espouses an overall focus on unity and togetherness, which helps not only women, but everyone. Specifically, White House Black Market supports several organizations designed specifically around women's issues, like Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Dress for Success."

The interviewer wants to see that you've done your homework. Speak to the research you've done ahead of time that will outline how the company empowers women through various means and initiatives.

White House Black Market Interview Questions

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1. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.
2. How do you feel about performance incentives?
3. What are your salary expectations?
4. Days can sometimes be hectic at White House Black Market. How do you handle stress on the job?
5. When have you worked among a diverse group of people?
6. Do you have experience in managing online sales?
7. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.
8. How do you believe you would exemplify the Chico's/White House Black Market values?
9. Would your former or current boss describe you as a worker who gladly goes the extra mile to complete their tasks?
10. At White House Black Market, we have a wide range of products and SKUs. Are you able to learn about a wide range of products without becoming overwhelmed?
11. Think about a difficult boss, professor or other person. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?
12. What do you know about careers within the Chico's family of brands?
13. When have you had to adapt to change?
14. If you were hired today, what would you accomplish first?
15. At White House Black Market we encourage our customers to create their own style. How would you describe your personal style?
16. Do you consider yourself to be more creative or analytical minded?
17. Sales performance is very important to White House Black Market. How do you plan to contribute to our profitability?
18. How do you stay on top of trends in the fashion industry?
19. What is it that's so special about the White House Black Market fit?
20. Our industry is fast-paced, competitive, and stressful. How do you cope with high levels of pressure?
21. As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?
22. At White House Black Market we aim to be a step ahead of our competitors. In your opinion, what do you think will be the biggest fashion trend for next spring?
23. Who is your favorite fashion designer and why?
24. At White House Black Market we have thousands of applicants per year. Why should we choose you for this position?
25. Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue? At White House Black Market, we view our employees holistically and understand it's important for them to be passionate about things outside of work.
26. Your current employer has a strong reputation in the fashion industry. Why do you want to work for White House Black Market?
27. What can you tell me about how White House Black Market empowers women?

White House Black Market Interview Questions

1. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.

2. How do you feel about performance incentives?

3. What are your salary expectations?

4. Days can sometimes be hectic at White House Black Market. How do you handle stress on the job?

5. When have you worked among a diverse group of people?

6. Do you have experience in managing online sales?

7. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

8. How do you believe you would exemplify the Chico's/White House Black Market values?

9. Would your former or current boss describe you as a worker who gladly goes the extra mile to complete their tasks?

10. At White House Black Market, we have a wide range of products and SKUs. Are you able to learn about a wide range of products without becoming overwhelmed?

11. Think about a difficult boss, professor or other person. What made him or her difficult? How did you successfully interact with this person?

12. What do you know about careers within the Chico's family of brands?

13. When have you had to adapt to change?

14. If you were hired today, what would you accomplish first?

15. At White House Black Market we encourage our customers to create their own style. How would you describe your personal style?

16. Do you consider yourself to be more creative or analytical minded?

17. Sales performance is very important to White House Black Market. How do you plan to contribute to our profitability?

18. How do you stay on top of trends in the fashion industry?

19. What is it that's so special about the White House Black Market fit?

20. Our industry is fast-paced, competitive, and stressful. How do you cope with high levels of pressure?

21. As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?

22. At White House Black Market we aim to be a step ahead of our competitors. In your opinion, what do you think will be the biggest fashion trend for next spring?

23. Who is your favorite fashion designer and why?

24. At White House Black Market we have thousands of applicants per year. Why should we choose you for this position?

25. Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue? At White House Black Market, we view our employees holistically and understand it's important for them to be passionate about things outside of work.

26. Your current employer has a strong reputation in the fashion industry. Why do you want to work for White House Black Market?

27. What can you tell me about how White House Black Market empowers women?