Question Overview: An assistant store manager must be able to effectively manage all types of employees, from specialists to generalists. This question tests the candidate's ability to handle a situation with a specialist who is underperforming. The candidate should be able to assess the situation, determine the cause and implement a solution.
Sample Answer: I'd first try to determine the cause of the underperformance and then address it. If it was a lack of training, I'd provide it. If it was a lack of motivation, I'd find out why and address that too.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager is a high-stress position that can involve long hours and multiple sudden dilemmas. A candidate should be healthy and strong enough to safely endure this. He or she should also know how to delegate tasks to avoid taking on unnecessary stress and adequately attend to his or her own self-care, like taking breaks, to prevent bad decision-making and burnout.
Sample Answer: I'm in excellent health because I know how to take care of myself while taking care of my responsibilities. I thrive in active environments, viewing problems as challenges.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager must be able to handle pressure well. He or she should be able to remain calm and focused under pressure and not make rash decisions.
Sample Answer: I've been in stressful situations before and I know how to remain calm and focused. I've also learned that it's important to delegate tasks to others when the pressure is on.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager must be able to effectively manage a team of employees. He or she must be able to identify and address problems, like drama or gossip, and prevent them from spreading.
Sample Answer: I'd talk with the employees involved and find out what's going on. If it's just a misunderstanding, I'd try to clear it up. If it's something more serious, I'd talk with the employees involved and find out what's going on. If it's just a misunderstanding, I'd try to clear it up. If it's something more serious, I'd talk with the employees involved and find out what's going on. If it's just a misunderstanding, I'd try to clear it up. If it's something more serious, I'd talk with the employees involved and find out what's going on. If it's just a misunderstanding, I'd try to clear it up. If it's something more serious, I'd talk with the employees involved and find out what's going on.
Question Overview: The retail industry is a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. A candidate should have at least a few years of experience in the industry to demonstrate an ability to adapt to change.
Sample Answer: I've worked in retail for five years, and I've seen many changes in that time. For example, I've seen the rise of online shopping and the decline of brick-and-mortar stores.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager is a people person, and this question tests the candidate's ability to communicate effectively about his or herself. The candidate should be able to clearly and concisely explain his or her strengths, weaknesses, goals and personality.
Sample Answer: I'm a hard worker who's always willing to learn new things. I'm also very friendly and outgoing.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager is a high-level employee who should expect to be treated as such. He or she should expect to be paid well, with a fair and transparent pay scale and benefits package. The candidate should expect to be treated with respect and dignity, with a clear understanding of his or her role and responsibilities.
Sample Answer: I expect to be treated with respect and dignity, with a clear understanding of my role and responsibilities.
Question Overview: A candidate should be a lifelong learner, always seeking to improve his or her skills and knowledge. A candidate should be able to identify a time when he or she learned something new and explain how it happened.
Sample Answer: I've always been interested in learning new things, so I've taken classes in everything from basic computer skills to advanced business management.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager should have a solid track record of employment, ideally with a growing company. A candidate should have left his or her last job for a good reason, like a promotion or a better opportunity. A candidate should not have left due to poor performance or conflict with management.
Sample Answer: I left my last job because I was promoted to assistant store manager.
Question Overview: A candidate should be able to demonstrate his or her value to the company. This can be done by highlighting past achievements, like exceeding sales goals, or by describing how the candidate's skills and experience will benefit the company.
Sample Answer: I've been a top salesperson for every employer I've worked for, and I've been recognized as a top performer in my industry. I've also been a manager for three years, and I've consistently received positive reviews.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager must be able to handle any customer situation, from a simple complaint to a complex problem. A candidate should be able to calmly and effectively resolve the issue while maintaining a positive relationship with the customer.
Sample Answer: I once had a customer who was upset about a product's price. I explained that the price was set by the manufacturer and that I couldn't change it. He then became angry and started yelling at me. I remained calm and told him that if he didn't stop yelling, I'd have to ask him to leave. He apologized and left without further incident.
Question Overview: A candidate should be able to demonstrate a history of community involvement, ideally with a focus on helping others. A candidate should be able to describe his or her involvement and the positive impact it had.
Sample Answer: I volunteer at a local soup kitchen every Tuesday night. I've been doing so for three years now, and I've seen many lives changed for the better thanks to my efforts.
Question Overview: A good assistant store manager is a good leader. He or she should be able to communicate clearly and effectively, delegate tasks and responsibilities, and hold team members accountable for their performance. A candidate should be able to balance the needs of the individual with the needs of the team and the company.
Sample Answer: I lead by example. I'm always on time, prepared and ready to work. I'm also always willing to pitch in wherever needed.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager must be able to prioritize tasks and make decisions about which to perform first. A candidate should be able to explain how he or she made the decision and what the outcome was.
Sample Answer: I had to choose between attending a mandatory training session and helping a customer with a return. I chose the customer because he was in a hurry and needed the item right away. I explained my decision to my manager, who understood my reasoning.
Question Overview: A candidate should be familiar with the key performance indicators of the position, including sales, profit, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction and safety. He or she should also be familiar with how those KPIs are measured and how they are used to make decisions.
Sample Answer: My last employer used a combination of sales data, customer surveys and employee satisfaction surveys to measure its KPIs.
Question Overview: Motivation is a key component of employee performance. A motivated employee is a productive employee. An assistant store manager must be able to motivate his or her team members to achieve the company's goals. This involves understanding each employee's strengths and weaknesses and using that knowledge to motivate them.
Sample Answer: I motivate my employees by praising them when they do well and offering constructive criticism when they don't.
Question Overview: A candidate who has never failed at anything is either lying or has never done anything. A candidate who has failed but doesn't know how to learn from it is also not a good fit. A good candidate will have a story of failure that he or she can discuss with humility and honesty, and will have learned from it.
Sample Answer: I once failed to meet a sales goal by $10,000. I took the time to analyze the problem and found that I had been spending too much time on the floor interacting with customers and not enough time on the phone closing deals. I adjusted my schedule accordingly and met my goal the next quarter.
Question Overview: A candidate should be able to demonstrate his or her ability to resolve personnel problems and bring together a diverse group of employees. This is a key skill for an assistant store manager, who must be able to lead a team of employees with varying levels of experience and training.
Sample Answer: I've had to do this at my last job, where I had to lead a team of employees with varying levels of experience and training. I was able to do so by delegating tasks and responsibilities to others while providing clear, consistent direction and support.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager must be able to implement new programs and policies, but he or she must also be able to deal with resistance from employees who don't want to change. A candidate should have a plan for dealing with this resistance, whether it involves a one-on-one conversation, a group meeting or simply waiting for the employee to come around.
Sample Answer: I'd first try to have a one-on-one conversation with the employee. If that didn't work, I'd bring the employee into a group meeting with other employees. I would also explain the new program in detail to all employees.
Question Overview: An assistant store manager must be able to build a team that can work together to achieve the company's goals. A candidate should be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of team members and assign them tasks accordingly. He or she should also be able to motivate and inspire team members to work hard and achieve their goals.
Sample Answer: I'd first get to know each member of the team and learn what motivates them. I'd then assign tasks according to each person's strengths and weaknesses. I'd also make sure they know how much I appreciate their hard work.