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Sales Associate interview questions and answers

Use these Sales Associate interview questions as a guide to discover the right qualifications for sales executives in candidates.

Nikoletta Bika
Nikoletta Bika

Nikoletta holds an MSc in HR management and has written extensively about all things HR and recruiting.

sales associate interview questions

10 good sales associate interview questions

  1. What would you do if a client asked you a question about a product you didn’t know the answer to?
  2. Imagine a customer is upset because there is a shortage of a product they want to buy. How would you handle it?
  3. Have you used any retail software before?
  4. If a customer destroyed a piece of merchandise, what would you do?
  5. What would you do to let customers know of temporary discounts?
  6. How would you handle it if you saw a customer stealing an item?
  7. Imagine a customer told you they’re looking for a gift. Can you walk me through the process of closing a sale?
  8. Are you familiar with our products? Which one would you most enjoy selling and why?
  9. Do you know how to operate a cash register?
  10. How do you stay calm and motivated when there are too many customers in the store?

Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.

1. What would you do if a client asked you a question about a product you didn’t know the answer to?

This question assesses how the candidate handles situations where they lack information.

Sample answer:

“I would politely tell the customer that I’m not sure about the answer but would be happy to find out for them. I’d then either consult a colleague or look up the information.”

2. Imagine a customer is upset because there is a shortage of a product they want to buy. How would you handle it?

This question evaluates the candidate’s customer service skills in challenging situations.

Sample answer:

“I would apologize for the inconvenience and offer to notify them when the product is back in stock. I might also suggest a similar product as an alternative.”

3. Have you used any retail software before?

This question aims to understand the candidate’s familiarity with tools commonly used in retail settings.

Sample answer:

“Yes, I have experience using POS systems and inventory management software.”

4. If a customer destroyed a piece of merchandise, what would you do?

This question assesses how the candidate would handle unexpected incidents in the store.

Sample answer:

“I would assess the situation calmly and determine if it was an accident. Depending on store policy, I might have to charge the customer for the damaged item.”

5. What would you do to let customers know of temporary discounts?

This question evaluates the candidate’s ability to drive sales through promotions.

Sample answer:

“I would place promotional signs near the discounted items and also personally inform customers about the sale as they enter the store.”

6. How would you handle it if you saw a customer stealing an item?

This question tests the candidate’s ability to handle sensitive and potentially dangerous situations.

Sample answer:

“I would follow store policy, which usually involves informing security or management rather than confronting the customer myself.”

7. Imagine a customer told you they’re looking for a gift. Can you walk me through the process of closing a sale?

This question assesses the candidate’s sales skills and ability to meet customer needs.

Sample answer:

“I would ask the customer questions to understand the preferences of the person they’re buying for. Then, I’d suggest appropriate gift options and try to upsell by showing complementary items.”

8. Are you familiar with our products? Which one would you most enjoy selling and why?

This question aims to gauge the candidate’s knowledge of your product line and enthusiasm for selling it.

Sample answer:

“I am familiar with your product range. I would enjoy selling your eco-friendly kitchenware because it aligns with my personal values of sustainability.”

9. Do you know how to operate a cash register?

This question checks for basic operational skills necessary for the job.

Sample answer:

“Yes, I have experience operating various types of cash registers and am comfortable making transactions and giving change.”

10. How do you stay calm and motivated when there are too many customers in the store?

This question assesses the candidate’s ability to handle stress and maintain a positive attitude.

Sample answer:

“I focus on one task at a time and remind myself that busy periods are good for the business. I also take deep breaths if I start to feel overwhelmed.”

What does a good sales associate candidate look like?

A strong Sales Associate candidate should have excellent communication skills, a customer-focused attitude, and the ability to adapt to various situations.



Sales Associate Interview Questions

Sales associate are the driving force of sales in retail environments. Look for outgoing, enthusiastic and communicative individuals. Experience in sales or customer service is desirable but not required since on-the-job training works well on those with passion for sales. Education beyond a high school diploma isn’t typically required but it largely depends on the setting.

What does a sales associate do?

The Sales Associate’s responsibilities include working closely with customers to determine their needs, answer their questions about our products and recommend the right solutions.

During the interview, you can ask a candidate to demonstrate how they’d sell one of the company’s products to you. This will help you assess three things: the candidate’s ability to think under pressure, their interest in your products and their sales skills. Use the following questions as a guide to discover other qualities such as customer service orientation, problem-solving and patience.

It’s also a good idea to add questions specific to your type of merchandise such as “what is your favorite computer brand and why?”. The answers to these questions will help you see whether they understand and like the products from the consumer’s point of view. The best candidates will stand out by asking more questions about your products, objectives and their opportunities to learn and develop.

Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.

Operational and Situational questions

  • What would you do if a client asked you a question about a product you didn’t know the answer to?
  • Imagine a customer is upset because there is a shortage of a product they want to buy. How would you handle it?
  • Have you used any retail software before?
  • If a customer destroyed a piece of merchandise, what would you do?
  • What would you do to let customers know of temporary discounts?
  • How would you handle it if you saw a customer stealing an item?
  • Imagine a customer told you they’re looking for a gift. Can you walk me through the process of closing a sale?

Role-specific questions

  • Are you familiar with our products? Which one would you most enjoy selling and why?
  • Do you know how to operate a cash register?
  • How would you greet each customer when they enter the store?
  • What steps would you take to close the store?
  • How do you stay calm and motivated when there are too many customers in the store?

Behavioral questions

  • Tell me about a time you managed to provide excellent customer service
  • Have you ever had a conflict with a coworker? How did you resolve it?
  • Describe a time you had to deal with a difficult or angry customer. How did you diffuse the tension? What solution did you provide?

For more general sales interviews, see our sales interview questions.

Frequently asked questions

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