How would you handle a situation where your Zara supervisor did not properly communicate information to you?

"Whenever I have had a supervisor who does not properly communicate with me, I first try to learn their style of communication and emulate it. I also try to ask a lot of questions and document instructions in writing as much as possible in order to make sure I'm understanding."

Others don't always communicate with you in the style that you would prefer. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have handled a supervisor who does not interact with you in a way that you like or that is clear to you.

"I try to be independent and find as many answers as possible on my own. As much as I would love to always work with supervisors who are great communicators, that is not always a realistic ask. I also try to repeat instructions just to verify that I'm hearing and interpreting what the supervisor really wants."

How would you sum up Zara's commitment to the environment?

"When preparing for this interview, I was very happy to see Zara's comprehensive outline of its commitment to environmental sustainability. Encompassing everything from water and energy use, climate change, biodiversity and the product life cycle, Zara's approach to limiting its negative effects on the environment fully mirrors its Right to Wear philosophy."

The interviewer would like to see that you can speak confidently and knowledgeably about Zara's philosophy regarding environmental sustainability. Show that you have a general familiarity with Zara's stance on this issue.

"Zara shows a full understanding that the pressures on our planet's limited natural resources and the challenge of climate change require prompt and concerted action from us all. To that end, the company takes wide-ranging measures to protect biodiversity, reduce consumption of water, energy and other resources, avoid waste, and combat climate change. It's a very impressive and responsible effort, and one that is very important to me in a potential employer."

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 gain a slight increase. According to my research, this seems consistent with the market."

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 would like to earn slightly above where I am now. Currently, I make $25/hour plus benefits and a 10% commission on all sales. My target income for the coming year is $65,000. If that is out-of-range for this position, I would hope we could discuss alternative benefits and/or a path to reach that salary goal."

How do you manage a large workload?

"When I have a large workload on my plate, I do not stress over the tasks that are in front of me. Rather, I make a simple plan of which tasks are a high priority and which tasks are a low priority. The higher priority tasks, I complete first. Through this system, I am able to focus on my tasks individually, rather than stress out by the multitude of tasks ahead of me."

Start off your answer by clarifying you never let a large workload stress you out. Each morning you review your tasks using a task manager application (if you do not have one I suggest google searching 'task manager application' and giving one a try). Continue to discuss how you complete each task by priority level and, before you know it, your large workload is completed.

"I work best when I have a large workload because it keeps me active, keen, and attentive to the project at hand. I also use Trello to keep my team and I on task."

When have you worked among a diverse group of people?

"The global nature of the Zara brand is one that I'm most excited about. I'm accustomed to being around people who aren't exactly like me, and I've been able to learn from exposure to a lot of different perspectives. However, I believe that truly being part of the global economy will be a life-changing experience that I will relish."

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

"In my current company, we have a very diverse group of people that range in age, race, experience, gender, and more. I embrace it fully, and the commitment to all types of style, no matter what it looks like or where it's from, is one of my favorite aspects of the Zara brand."

What is your favorite Zara product? What do you love about it?

"I have several Zara pieces that I really love, but one of my favorites is my briefcase handbag. First, it's huge, so it holds absolutely everything I need during a workday, plus it has clean, modern lines that present a professional look. I always feel very put together when I carry it and I get tons of compliments on it."

This is a great opportunity to display both your knowledge of the Zara brand and your personal connection to its products. Try to make your story unique and memorable, and most of all, authentic to you.

"I think my favorite Zara product this season would be my hooded faux fur jacket. It feels sassy and modern, so I love the way it looks and the way I feel when I wear it. And I also love the fact that I can feel good about the purchase because I know the product was sourced in an environmentally responsible and ethical way."

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 deal with distracting coworkers who stand in the way of your progress?

"I typically just set a kind, but clear, boundary and tell my coworker that I need to focus at the moment. I will offer an alternate time for a catch-up, over lunch for example. It is important for the sake of workplace culture to set aside time to be social with coworkers, so I usually just let them know when I'll be available for a quick break in the day."

Even the most well-meaning coworkers can distract you from getting things done at work from time to time. The funny and entertaining coworkers who like to chat online and send YouTube videos are often the ones who can get in the way of your productivity if you let them. How do you respond? Show off your ability to set professional boundaries, when needed.

"If I have a distracting co-worker, I will highlight the distraction right away while remaining kind. I feel it's always best to nip issues in the bud before they get out of control. Overall, I'm very good at setting personal and professional boundaries, so this has never been much of an issue for me. I've found that if I'm clear that my time is currently allocated to another task, people respect that and are happy to catch up and be social at another specified time."

What can you tell me about the Zara/Inditex Right to Wear approach to the business of fashion?

"I really enjoyed learning about the Right to Wear philosophy; it very closely mirrors my own point of view when it comes to doing business. Both Zara and Inditex aim to create beautiful, ethical, quality products that are not only right for their customers, but right for the people who work for the company, right for communities and right for the environment. That means thinking and acting sustainably and transparently, which is very important to me in an employer."

Show the interviewer that you've taken the initiative to research both Zara and Inditex and can speak knowledgeably about their philosophical approach to business. The interviewer would also like to see how the company's approach aligns with your own personal ethical code.

"I love that Zara's aim is for its products to be right to wear from all standpoints: from how the products are designed to the working conditions of employees and the use of energy and water. I greatly respect the fact that Zara and Inditex have developed the highest standards of sustainability and the strictest codes of conduct and are regarded by many as industry-leading. This is the kind of environment I'd like to be part of."

What career path interests you the most in this company?

"What interests me most about your company is that there are so many options when it comes to career growth. Ideally, I would like to earn my way into a Territory Sales role, then a Regional Manager position. Eventually, a Director of Sales or Marketing position would be ideal. Of course, I understand that this will take many years of dedication and hard work."

This is where it is really important to have completed some research on the interviewing company. Be sure to envision where you can see yourself fitting, and growing, with the organization prior to your interview. Do some research on what a career path could look like with this particular company.

"I am interested in a variety of paths with your company. I love that internal promotion is in the fabric of your company; it's encouraging to think about the various paths I could ultimately take. I could absolutely see myself working in your sales and marketing department as I further my knowledge on your product and collections."

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."

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

"Last year when I was managing shifts for my company 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."

In addition to being able to handle change, can you also recognize when change is required and be confident enough to present that to your organization? Talk to the interviewer about a time when you were able to make a suggestion for change in the workplace.

"My current company did not have a strong policy around workplace harassment and bullying when I first started. Over my first couple of years with the company, I was able to work with the leadership team to create a new program, which has been readily welcomed by our staff."

When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be a bit disheartening, but I understand that it happens from time to time. If I experience a major setback, I will take a few moments to debrief with my manager and discuss what I could have done differently. Then, I move on!"

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with setbacks in the workplace.

"Setbacks happen no matter what, and for that reason I try not to let them affect me emotionally in the least. I am a pragmatic thinker and stay focused despite challenges that come my way. I once had a colleague who described setbacks as "forward fumbles," which is a philosophy I have internalized and try to share with others. What looks in the moment like a setback can often, in retrospect, be a catalyst for change or an inadvertent step toward a successful outcome you weren't even able to imagine."

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. I'd look at where my efforts could cause the greatest impact in the company's bottom line, and I would pursue those aggressively. In my opinion, the biggest impact I can make is through being a dedicated employee."

At Zara 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, and I enjoy solving problems."

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."

At Zara, we pride ourselves on being resourceful. When have you been able to resolve a problem in your workplace?

"In my most recent position we had a consistent problem with employees showing up late for their shifts or calling in sick at the last minute. Rather than the typical documenting and reprimanding style, I decided to track the results of an accountability reward system. For 180 days, my employees received a reward for coming to work 10 minutes early. Also, for every month with zero sick days, a bonus was added. In the end, we awarded those with perfect attendance a $600 bonus. The bonuses cost us less money than the cost of lowered productivity due to absent employees. The program was a success, and upper management chose to keep it implemented for another six months. We will re-assess in December, but it seems to be working very well. If I were to be hired, I'd bring that same sense of problem-solving and positive reinforcement to the Zara team."

Problem-solving and dispute resolution are fundamental skills to possess. Display to Zara that you are capable of problem-solving within the workplace.

"Currently as assistant manager, I resolve problems on a daily basis. The most recent resolution process I was a part of included a customer complaint about an allergic reaction to one of our products. I was able to resolve her concern by listening to her, apologizing, issuing a refund, and offering a replacement product. I am no stranger to dispute resolution, problem-solving, and creative customer service, and I believe my approach would be in-line with the kind of environment Zara espouses."

What can you tell me about Zara' sustainable approach to logistics?

"First, your approach to logistics is very efficient and impressive - you refresh your physical and online store collections twice a week and can deliver orders to stores anywhere in the world within 48 hours, and often sooner. It certainly seems like a well-oiled machine. Your 10 logistics centers are close to the head offices of your eight brands, and most production is also carried out in proximity, cutting travel distances, and reducing energy consumption and emissions."

This is a great opportunity to show the interviewer that you've done your research and can speak knowledgeably about Zara's supply chain and its approach to sustainability. This information is available on the Inditex website, so take a few moments to review before your interview.

"I really respect the fact that the Zara and Inditex approach to logistics is not only incredibly efficient, but it also reflects your commitment to sustainability. Your logistics centers are built and managed to the highest international sustainability standards, and I've recently learned that you have been upgrading all your existing logistics platforms, introducing eco-efficient lighting, improving insulation, installing sophisticated climate-control equipment, supplying bicycles and electric vehicles for internal transport, and using renewable energy sources. It's an intentional and comprehensive effort to operate as sustainably as possible."

At Zara we offer many areas of opportunity and growth. Where would you like to see your career in the next 3-5 years?

"Over the next few years I would like to grow into a management function with Zara. I am willing to prove myself and do what it takes to get there. I believe the experience I bring to this position puts me in a prime spot to make an impact, while also continuing to hone my expertise so that I'm able to advance further."

Everyone wants to see growth and opportunity in their career. Share with the interviewer the ways that you want to grow with Zara over the next few years. Assure the hiring manager that you are willing to work hard for growth opportunities.

"Ideally, 5 years from now, I would love to see myself growing into a more prominent leadership role within Zara's ranks. My career interests align very nicely with your Zara's an Inditex's goals, which helps me to see a great long term fit here. I believe you have the kind of environment in which I can be very successfu"

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 runner's 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."

Performance within the consumer fashion industry relies greatly on advertising and marketing efforts. Do you have any experience with advertising, marketing, or market research?

"I have always been fascinated with the correlation between marketing strategies and product performance. This is why I studied marketing and communication in college. I have a bachelor's degree in marketing, plus additional training in advertising methods from my current employer. I have seen creative and strategic marketing campaigns take an underperforming product and make it a strong contender in as short as 90 days. I look forward to putting my knowledge in marketing and advertising toward a role with Zara."

Talk to the interviewer about any experience you have in advertising and marketing, whether that be on the job training or formal education. Discuss how you have seen robust marketing strategies directly affect the performance of a product.

"Although I do not have formal training and education in advertising and marketing, I love to research new marketing techniques. I'm a strong writer, so I feel that I could put that skill to use in helping the organization communicate effectively with both internal and external audiences. On the consumer front, I also have a strong understanding of several social media algorithms, including how to have your posts seen by the right audience. I'd look forward to using that skill for the good of the organization, along with learning more about more traditional marketing, advertising and communications tactics."

What can you tell me about Zara's recent expansion into 106 new markets?

"This is an exciting development for Zara, for certain. The move means that Zara is now present in 202 markets across the globe, and it also opens the door for global online sales to continue to grow throughout the next few months. Driven by an online platform, most of the new markets are in Africa and include Angola, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Ghana. The online store is also making its d?but in numerous parts of the Caribbean and Indonesia. For a brand that has been comfortable in the European market for some time, this is very exciting."

This is an opportunity to show that you've done your research and can speak knowledgeably about Zara's business development. Much of this information is available on the Zara website; take some time to review it so you can share a confident answer.

"Moving into new markets via an online platform is a smart development on Zara's part. Zara currently has stores in 96 markets with an online presence in 49 of those markets. With this expansion, and thanks to store and online integration, orders placed online can be delivered to customers' homes from the stores in the country closest to where they live or they can be picked up in-store, ensuring that customer service is fast and convenient. I find this development heartening; it inspires confidence that Zara is thriving and continuing to expand into new markets with new customer concentrations."

Who is your favorite fashion designer and why?

"My favorite 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."

How would you define Zara's level of community support?

"From what I've researched, Zara, as part of the Inditex portfolio, contributed to more than 1.5 million people receiving help in some form through nearly 600 individual community projects. That's astounding, and I cannot wait to be part of these efforts. Whether it's supporting clean water, the health of mothers or access to education, Zara is involved worldwide with a variety of causes that I'm passionate about."

Take some time to read through Zara's website or any other available materials so you can familiarize yourself with Zara's corporate responsibility philosophy. How does the company operate within the communities it serves? Also be prepared to connect corporate community engagement with your own personal philosophy of philanthropy.

"I am heartened by what I've learned about Zara's involvement in communities around the world, as part of the Inditex family of brands. From what I've read, I'm very impressed by two key facets of Zara's community commitment: first, that it's aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. I appreciate that Zara and Inditex have sought to augment programs already in place at a global level. Second, I love that Inditex and Zara measure their impact so that they make sound and logical decisions about how to adjust their involvement with a particular program, depending on its measurable effectiveness."

At Zara, we always think of the consumer first. What are the top 3 ways that we can ensure consumer satisfaction?

"Consumer satisfaction first comes from offering value. The product must meet the needs of the consumer n a way that the customer feels is worth or even exceeds the price he/she paid. Second, consumer satisfaction stems from outstanding customer service - when a consumer has a question, can he or she quickly get a response that's helpful? And third would be anticipating consumer needs and being first to meet them in the marketplace - constantly testing products and learning as much as we can about our consumers' habits can help make sure we know what they need, sometimes even before they do."

When it comes to consumer goods, the satisfaction of the consumer is everything! These days with reviews online and the power of social media, how will you ensure that consumer satisfaction is a priority when working at Zara?

"There are many ways to ensure consumer satisfaction; however, I feel that the top three ways are through top-notch customer service, investment in research and development, and consistently providing a product that solves a specific need. Ultimately, our products need to make a difference in the lives of our consumers, our end users need to trust us when they have a question or need help regarding a product, and they need to be continually surprised with new products that continue to make their lives better."

How do you believe it helps Zara to be part of the Inditex distribution group?

"Becoming part of the Inditex distribution group is a huge benefit for Zara; being aligned with fashion houses like Massimo Dutti and Stradivarius opens up diverse markets for Zara and places it in company of high regard. From an operational standpoint, Inditex is present in 96 markets in all five continents, with more than 7,000 stores, so this certainly represents significant opportunity for Zara to continue growing its market share."

Show the interviewer that you have a passing familiarity with Zara's role within the Inditex distribution group and what it means for the company's success. Spend some time on the Zara and Inditex websites so that you can speak confidently in this area.

"Being part of the Inditex distribution group sends a clear message about the way Zara is committed to doing business. Inditex is known for acting precisely and responsibly in every stage of the fashion process- from design and sourcing, to manufacturing and quality control, logistics and sales through stores and online. By aligning itself with other Inditex brands, Zara is committing to operating its business the same way. This is an important aspect of any future employer for me, so I'm very happy to see this level of corporate responsibility."

In your opinion, which designer has been the biggest fashion trailblazer in the past decade?

"I feel that the biggest fashion trailblazer in the past decade is Vera Wang. She is everywhere and her style speaks to people of all walk and budgets. I love that she can design clothes, wedding dresses, couture, and even home goods - proving that fashion isn't limited and is truly an art."

The interviewer would like to know that you have a true interest in fashion and the ability to have an intellectual opinion on the happenings in the fashion world. Give your personal opinion on your favourite fashion trailblazer and back up your reasoning.

"The fascinating thing about the fashion industry is that there is no real one trailblazer anymore. Designers can make a huge impact when they are barely known, and sometimes the designers who are household names, have an 'off' year. At this moment in time, I feel that Tom Ford is the best known trailblazer because his style has remained distinct and consistent throughout the years."

Zara Interview Questions

Go Back

1. How would you handle a situation where your Zara supervisor did not properly communicate information to you?
2. How would you sum up Zara's commitment to the environment?
3. What are your salary expectations?
4. How do you manage a large workload?
5. When have you worked among a diverse group of people?
6. What is your favorite Zara product? What do you love about it?
7. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.
8. How do you deal with distracting coworkers who stand in the way of your progress?
9. What can you tell me about the Zara/Inditex Right to Wear approach to the business of fashion?
10. What career path interests you the most in this company?
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. Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion requesting change in an organization.
13. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
14. If you were hired today, what would you accomplish first?
15. At Zara 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. At Zara, we pride ourselves on being resourceful. When have you been able to resolve a problem in your workplace?
18. What can you tell me about Zara' sustainable approach to logistics?
19. At Zara we offer many areas of opportunity and growth. Where would you like to see your career in the next 3-5 years?
20. Our industry is fast-paced, competitive, and stressful. How do you cope with high levels of pressure?
21. Performance within the consumer fashion industry relies greatly on advertising and marketing efforts. Do you have any experience with advertising, marketing, or market research?
22. What can you tell me about Zara's recent expansion into 106 new markets?
23. Who is your favorite fashion designer and why?
24. How would you define Zara's level of community support?
25. At Zara, we always think of the consumer first. What are the top 3 ways that we can ensure consumer satisfaction?
26. How do you believe it helps Zara to be part of the Inditex distribution group?
27. In your opinion, which designer has been the biggest fashion trailblazer in the past decade?

Zara Interview Questions

1. How would you handle a situation where your Zara supervisor did not properly communicate information to you?

2. How would you sum up Zara's commitment to the environment?

3. What are your salary expectations?

4. How do you manage a large workload?

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

6. What is your favorite Zara product? What do you love about it?

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

8. How do you deal with distracting coworkers who stand in the way of your progress?

9. What can you tell me about the Zara/Inditex Right to Wear approach to the business of fashion?

10. What career path interests you the most in this company?

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

13. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

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

15. At Zara 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. At Zara, we pride ourselves on being resourceful. When have you been able to resolve a problem in your workplace?

18. What can you tell me about Zara' sustainable approach to logistics?

19. At Zara we offer many areas of opportunity and growth. Where would you like to see your career in the next 3-5 years?

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

21. Performance within the consumer fashion industry relies greatly on advertising and marketing efforts. Do you have any experience with advertising, marketing, or market research?

22. What can you tell me about Zara's recent expansion into 106 new markets?

23. Who is your favorite fashion designer and why?

24. How would you define Zara's level of community support?

25. At Zara, we always think of the consumer first. What are the top 3 ways that we can ensure consumer satisfaction?

26. How do you believe it helps Zara to be part of the Inditex distribution group?

27. In your opinion, which designer has been the biggest fashion trailblazer in the past decade?