At Company ABC we understand that our market is a competitive one. In your opinion, what makes us stand out from the crowd?

"Through some online research I see that your reviews are much stronger than those of your competitors. Your product lines are superior, and your reputation for great customer service seems to be unmatched. I am very excited to work with such a thoughtful and responsible company."

It is essential that you research Company ABC before your interview. Take a good look at their competitors and make a note of any awards or recognition that Company ABC may have received. Be sure to compliment them on what they are doing right!

"I understand that this market is competitive; however, this is where my family and I have always shopped for our appliance and furniture needs. My experiences have always been amazing, so I would be honored to work here."

In our industry you will communicate with customers of all kinds including designers, builders, commercial companies, and private customers. How will you adjust to the variety of contacts?

"In my current position I work with a large range of clients that include walk-ins as well as taking orders over the phone and by email. Everyone has their communication style, and I am confident in my ability to meet their needs."

Assure the interviewer that you can communicate with a wide range of customers who have varying needs. Talk about the scope of customers that you deal with in your current position.

"I have always had a knack for getting along with a variety of personalities. I have full faith in my ability to adjust to a variety of contacts. I do have some training in customer service and dispute resolution, which I believe will help."

What do you know about wholesale pricing and how we come to a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)?

"I learned a bit about competitive pricing, markups, and successful price-driven promotions when I was taking my business degree. I understand that most companies seek a markup of at least 60 points and can discount from there if they are overstocked or need room for negotiations."

The interviewer would like to know that you understand the basics of pricing when it comes to wholesale and manufacturer markups. This knowledge will help you to understand how discounting works when it comes to negotiating with your customers. In this industry, strong negotiation skills can be the key to your success. Assure the interviewer that you are familiar with a variety of pricing practices. Be sure to mention any business classes you may have taken as well.

"I am new to retail pricing, and this industry; however, I am great with math calculations as well as negotiations, so I am confident in my ability to pick up the idea of MSRP."

At Company ABC we like to hire team members who value customer service as much as we do. What is your customer service philosophy?

"My customer service philosophy is that you should always say 'yes' or 'I will try.' When it comes to customer service, I avoid saying the word 'no' as often as possible. Even if I can't make it happen for my customers in the end, at least I tried. Many customers have given my supervisor positive reviews on their experience with me. It's always nice to be told that you're doing a great job!"

When you are in a competitive market such as this, you need to bring your 'A' game when it comes to customer service. Draw on any compliments or feedback that you have received from your customers in the past. Assure the interviewer that you are ready to uphold their customer service standards.

"Even though I am new to my career in customer service, I can confidently say that the key to great customer service is actively listening and being a friendly individual. I am prepared to uphold the customer service standards of Company ABC."

Do you have experience working with a point of sale (POS) system and inventory management software?

"I am an intermediate user in Microsoft Dynamics and Retail Pro. In addition to these point of sales systems, I have 3 years' experience in Paragon ERP."

Give the interviewer a brief overview of the POS and Inventory Management software and systems that you have used in the past. You can also list any additional programs that you are well versed in.

"I have not worked directly with a point of sale system; however, I am very savvy when it comes to technical systems."

Company ABC has many competitors in the area. Are you currently interviewing with any of them? If you were offered multiple positions, why would you choose us?

"I have sent out only a few resumes, and the majority of them are within this industry. With that said, my first choice would be with Company ABC. I like that you promote from within and give opportunities based on performance."

The interviewer would like to know if you are currently meeting with any of their competitors to discuss open positions. If you were to receive multiple offers that were similar, why would you choose Company ABC? Assure the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in joining them, and not just looking for any job to fill your time at the moment.

"You are the only company with which I am currently interviewing. I have been very selective with my job applications."

At Company ABC we have a wide range of products and SKU's. Are you able to learn about a wide range of products without becoming overwhelmed?

"In my current position we have approximately 150 different SKU's 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."

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 Company ABC."

Do you have experience in managing online sales?

"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."

For most industries, online sales and marketing have become incredibly important. 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 have a lot of experience with social media marketing, and even attended a few online marketing courses while attending my business degree."

Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.

"Last month our company asked upper management to complete a full inventory audit. There were 4 of us in total and so we broke the audit requirements into shifts. These shifts had to take place when the warehouse was closed. In the end, there was one additional shift that nobody wanted to take. I volunteered myself to do that shift to show my dedication to my job and my co-workers. The gesture was appreciated, and the audit was completed on time."

It is essential to show the interviewer that you are a team player. Talk about a time that you were recently expected to achieve a goal in a team setting. How did you go over and above to ensure that your contribution was felt?

"The most recent team-based project that I was a part of was in University while earning my Business degree. I worked on a final project with four others, and my contribution was strong. I found myself stepping into a leadership role where I delegated tasks and helped the team maintain a good pace. We hit our deadline and received a solid grade."

When have you been asked to perform a function or complete a task in which you had little or no experience in doing?

"When my manager went on unexpected medical leave for three months last year I was asked to step into her position in the interim. I knew the basics but was certainly not trained on the specifics of the role. I was able to take it on successfully by leaning on my team, reading a lot of company manuals, and asking many questions. Once my manager returned she was very pleased with the progress that I made, and I was awarded a promotion."

Have you ever had to take on a task or a role that you felt was over your experience level? Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have dealt with this type of situation. What was the outcome, and what did you learn?

"In my current position, I was put on the sales floor before I received any training. It was certainly more than I expected; however, my natural sales instinct kicked in, and I had a successful first day, and beyond!"

Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

"Overall, my career has progressed a touch slower than I would have liked. I have held a couple of positions that didn't offer the growth and learning that I was expecting; however, I have bounced back nicely. I feel that this particular position would take my career exactly where it should be."

Career progression can be a touchy subject, especially if you feel that your career hasn't progressed as well as you would have liked. Talk to the interviewer about your career progression and what you would like to see in the future.

"I am happy with my career progression and wouldn't change a thing. Great opportunities have come my way at the best times, and I believe that this position is a perfect fit for me at this stage in my career."

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

"Whenever I have had a supervisor who does not properly communicate with me, I try to learn their style of communication and emulate it. Sometimes you have to relate to others in their style to be understood."

You cannot force others to communicate with you in a way that you would always prefer. Talk to the interviewer about a time that you have handled a supervisor who does not interact with you in a way that you like.

"It is not always up to my supervisor to communicate everything to me, exactly. I believe that I should also take responsibility for my learning. If a supervisor is not meeting my communication expectations, I will find the answer through my efforts."

How do you believe you will complement our department, if you were hired?

"If hired, I feel that I would compliment your organization because I am a fast learner and I already bring six years' experience in this industry. The time to train me will be reduced significantly."

If awarded the position, what would you bring to the department or organization? Assure the interviewer that you are the right fit for this position.

"If hired, I will bring a powerful portfolio of clients with me which will make a financial impact on Company ABC almost immediately."

Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue?

"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."

A genuinely creative minded person will have outside activities aside from what's happening in the workplace. Tell the interviewer about the variety of ways in which you express your creativity.

"I am an active person and believe in the importance of pursuing creative interests outside of work. I most enjoy working out and going to pottery classes."

Do you always double check or proofread your work?

"Spelling and grammatical errors are a pet peeve of mine. I will triple check my work if there is time! I feel that it is essential to submit error-free work."

Double checking your work and proofreading are critical parts of a job well done. Assure the interviewer that you are diligent when it comes to submitting good, clean, work.

"I try to double check or proofread my work on a regular basis, as time allows. I can say that I do have a stronger level of attention to detail than most."

We are asking for 8 years of industry experience and you have just 5. Why do you think you are qualified for this position?

"Although I have five years' experience vs. eight years' experience I can do this job well. In my previous role, I was outperforming colleagues who had 12 years of experience. To me, it's all about drive and ability to be a quick study. I have all of these qualities and more."

To many employers, the number of years' experience is flexible - so long as you have the results to show for the years that you do have. Talk to the interviewer about your major career successes. This question is the time to sell yourself. Make no apologies for your lack of years!

"My five years of experience have been strong ones, with great results, and true dedication. I am confident in my ability to thrive in this role."

Do people see you as a trustworthy and honest individual?

"I am told quite often that I am an honest and trustworthy individual and you will be able to hear that directly from my supervisor when you call for a reference. I hold honesty and trustworthiness as fundamental virtues."

It is easy to say that you are trustworthy and honest, but it's best if you can back it up with a review or words from a previous supervisor.

"Yes, people see me as trustworthy and honest. I was raised with a strong moral compass, and I try hard to be my best, every day."

How can we motivate you on the job?

"I am best motivated through words of praise and recognition for a job well done. I do like to know that my efforts are noticed. In my current position, we have a leaderboard, and I do like that concept because it creates a healthy bit of personal competition for me as well."

Every employer should know how each staff member is best motivated. Talk to the interviewer about the variety of ways in which you are best motivated on the job.

"When I feel listened to, and appreciated, I am very motivated to do my best. It isn't difficult to keep me motivated on a daily basis when I enjoy what I do."

As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?

"As a manager, I feel that my greatest weakness is in terminating employees at the first sign that they are not going to work out. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and have been guilty of trying to nurture people when they are overdue for termination. I have worked on this and am becoming much better at "

Everyone has their weaknesses, and that is okay! 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.

"The feedback that I have received in the past is that I could improve my technical skills when it comes to Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. I have enrolled myself in a course for next month where I should come out as an intermediate user."

How competitive are you?

"I think that on a scale of 1-10, I would rate myself as a 7 when it comes to being competitive. I love a great competition in the workplace when it comes to sales goals and breaking through last years' numbers. I am not competitive to the point that it would hurt my team or colleagues."

Being a competitive person is an excellent thing if you are appropriately competitive in the workplace. Assure the interviewer that you have a tremendous competitive edge when necessary but are still able to balance that competition healthily.

"I can be competitive when it's required. For instance; when a sales goal is at hand, or a contest is offered. Other than that, I prefer a balanced team environment."

What part of this career brings you the most stress?

"The part of my career that brings me the most stress is when the schedule is running behind due to lack of hustle on my teams part. I like to be on time with my schedule to ensure that my clients are assisted properly."

Stress can often be a regular part of the day to day work experience. Talk to the interviewer about which areas of your career are the most stressful. Ensure that your answer does not include a factor that would make you appear unfit for the position. (IE: a bus driver should not find driving to be the most stressful part of the job).

"I find that the primary stressor in my current position is the fact that my team is not as reliable as I would like. For this reason, I am seeking a new opportunity, within a professional environment, with a team who values their job as much as I do."

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.

"Although my current salary is $45K/year, I am seeking $52K in my next position. Because I work for a very small organization, they are not able to offer me a competitive compensation compared to the industry marketplace."

Tell me about a time when you received criticism from your manager. How did you react to that criticism? How did you make improvements based on that criticism?

"I was instructed to create some presentations for our events. After my manager reviewed my work, some of the slides required additional copy, and he had different design concepts in mind. He had a background in graphic design, and since I do not, I listened to his ideas and incorporated them. I thought they looked very professional and in the following presentations I tried to include those design concepts."

When you are thinking about examples of criticism, it's best to show that you want to grow as an employee and that you can handle constructive criticism because it helps you learn and improve the quality of your work.

"My current manager is quite critical of my work and often double checks to ensure that I am following protocol at all times. I understand that he values thoroughness and it doesn't bother me much because I am very detail oriented, anyways. Anything he catches, I am quick to fix. I believe that our customers deserve that level of attention and care."

At Company ABC we seek to hire those who want a long-term fit. What is your long-range career objective?

"While visiting your company website I noticed that you have some leadership opportunities available in a variety of locations. I would love to work my way into a management or leadership role with your organization and would be willing to relocate to do so. I really like what your organization stands for, and I hope to see a current fit, and future growth, here."

Onboarding new employees is a time consuming and costly endeavor so the interviewer wants to make sure that this role will be a long-term fit for you. Be open with the interviewer about your dreams within Company ABC, on a long-term basis. Share what promotions you hope to eventually receive and discuss what you wish to learn from being a part of their organization. The key to answering this question is to express to the interviewer that you plan to be employed by the company for many years to come.

"I am looking for a position with which I can grow, specifically into a Director of Marketing position. I know it's a few years off, of course, but that's where I am looking to end up within the next 5 or so years."

What questions do you have for me about working with Company ABC?

"Thank you for asking - I do have a few questions. What is top of mind when it comes to filling this role? Also, what types of career growth opportunities would follow this position? And lastly, do you have internal candidates who are also interviewing for this position?"

It's always a great idea to have questions ready for the interviewer. Review the company website and other online resources to ensure the questions you are asking are not mundane, or redundant. The last thing an interviewer wants to hear is a list of items you could have found the answers to from merely watching a video on their company site! Here are some sample questions: - When would you like to have this position filled? - How long has this role been vacant? - Is this a replacement search or a newly created role? - What is your favorite part about working here? - What is the company's primary goal for this position in the next 12 months? - Is there anything from my background and experience that I can clarify for you? - What do you see as the most significant change in this industry over the past three years? - Is there any reason why you would not hire me?

How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due?

"I will determine which project requires my attention by the number of hours we are behind and then the project size. I am comfortable delegating tasks when needed, but I am also aware that these times will require an additional commitment of hours from me. Never have I under delivered on a deadline."

When you feel torn between multiple projects or tasks, how do you decide which one needs your attention the most? Assure the interviewer that you can be diligent when it comes to assessing your priorities.

"Assuming that the projects have different stakeholders, I interview each to determine the value of increased productivity, morale or revenue, decreased costs, and the overall impact."

Do you have reliable transportation?

"I have reliable transportation. My vehicle is well maintained, 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."

Appliances and Furniture Interview Questions

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1. At Company ABC we understand that our market is a competitive one. In your opinion, what makes us stand out from the crowd?
2. In our industry you will communicate with customers of all kinds including designers, builders, commercial companies, and private customers. How will you adjust to the variety of contacts?
3. What do you know about wholesale pricing and how we come to a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)?
4. At Company ABC we like to hire team members who value customer service as much as we do. What is your customer service philosophy?
5. Do you have experience working with a point of sale (POS) system and inventory management software?
6. Company ABC has many competitors in the area. Are you currently interviewing with any of them? If you were offered multiple positions, why would you choose us?
7. At Company ABC we have a wide range of products and SKU's. Are you able to learn about a wide range of products without becoming overwhelmed?
8. Do you have experience in managing online sales?
9. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.
10. When have you been asked to perform a function or complete a task in which you had little or no experience in doing?
11. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
12. How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?
13. How do you believe you will complement our department, if you were hired?
14. Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue?
15. Do you always double check or proofread your work?
16. We are asking for 8 years of industry experience and you have just 5. Why do you think you are qualified for this position?
17. Do people see you as a trustworthy and honest individual?
18. How can we motivate you on the job?
19. As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?
20. How competitive are you?
21. What part of this career brings you the most stress?
22. What are your salary expectations?
23. Tell me about a time when you received criticism from your manager. How did you react to that criticism? How did you make improvements based on that criticism?
24. At Company ABC we seek to hire those who want a long-term fit. What is your long-range career objective?
25. What questions do you have for me about working with Company ABC?
26. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due?
27. Do you have reliable transportation?

Appliances and Furniture Interview Questions

1. At Company ABC we understand that our market is a competitive one. In your opinion, what makes us stand out from the crowd?

2. In our industry you will communicate with customers of all kinds including designers, builders, commercial companies, and private customers. How will you adjust to the variety of contacts?

3. What do you know about wholesale pricing and how we come to a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP)?

4. At Company ABC we like to hire team members who value customer service as much as we do. What is your customer service philosophy?

5. Do you have experience working with a point of sale (POS) system and inventory management software?

6. Company ABC has many competitors in the area. Are you currently interviewing with any of them? If you were offered multiple positions, why would you choose us?

7. At Company ABC we have a wide range of products and SKU's. Are you able to learn about a wide range of products without becoming overwhelmed?

8. Do you have experience in managing online sales?

9. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.

10. When have you been asked to perform a function or complete a task in which you had little or no experience in doing?

11. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

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

13. How do you believe you will complement our department, if you were hired?

14. Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue?

15. Do you always double check or proofread your work?

16. We are asking for 8 years of industry experience and you have just 5. Why do you think you are qualified for this position?

17. Do people see you as a trustworthy and honest individual?

18. How can we motivate you on the job?

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

20. How competitive are you?

21. What part of this career brings you the most stress?

22. What are your salary expectations?

23. Tell me about a time when you received criticism from your manager. How did you react to that criticism? How did you make improvements based on that criticism?

24. At Company ABC we seek to hire those who want a long-term fit. What is your long-range career objective?

25. What questions do you have for me about working with Company ABC?

26. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due?

27. Do you have reliable transportation?