Top Sales Associate Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Sales Associate interview by going through these most asked Sales Associate interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

Search Sales Associate Questions:


  • Question: What are your interests?
  • Question Overview: This is a great question for you to ask because it gives you insight into the candidate's personality. You want to hire someone who is passionate about something. It shows that they have a life outside of work and that they are a well-rounded person.

    Sample Answer: I am passionate about music and I play the guitar. I have been playing for over 10 years.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Passionate about something
    • - Well-rounded

  • Question: How did you come to know about the job?
  • Question Overview: This question is important because it allows you to determine if the candidate is a good fit for your company. If they are a current employee, you can assess their work ethic and how they handle their current job. If they are applying for a position online, you can determine if they are actively seeking employment.

    Sample Answer: I heard about the job from a friend who works here.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Good work ethic
    • - Good communication skills
    • - Active job search

  • Question: How would you sell me your purse?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to assess the applicant's ability to sell products. The ideal candidate will be able to explain the benefits of the purse and how it is different from other similar products.

    Sample Answer: I would start by asking you what you are looking for in a purse. I would then explain the benefits of this purse over others. It is made of genuine leather and has a removable strap.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to sell products
    • - Passion for products
    • - Creativity in selling

  • Question: Why do you want to work in a sales team?
  • Question Overview: Working in a sales team requires a certain level of collaboration. The ideal candidate will be able to work well with others and be able to communicate effectively. The applicant's response will allow you to assess their ability to work in a team environment.

    Sample Answer: I am very excited to be working in a sales team because I know that I will be able to learn from my coworkers. I am also looking forward to being able to help my fellow sales associates.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Collaborative spirit
    • - Ability to communicate effectively
    • - Team player

  • Question: How would you approach a client?
  • Question Overview: As a sales associate, you must be able to approach a client in a way that makes them feel comfortable. The applicant's response will allow you to assess their communication skills and how they interact with others.

    Sample Answer: I always make sure to greet my clients with a smile and ask how they are doing. I try to engage them in conversation so that they feel comfortable with me.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Friendly demeanor
    • - Good communication skills
    • - Ability to make customers feel comfortable

  • Question: What makes you special?
  • Question Overview: This is a great question to ask at the end of an interview. It allows the applicant to show their personality and confidence. The ideal candidate will have a few stories prepared that highlight their strengths and unique qualities.

    Sample Answer: I am special because I am a hard worker who is always willing to go above and beyond for my customers. I am also very detail-oriented and have strong communication skills.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence
    • - Strong communication skills
    • - Positive attitude

  • Question: Why did you leave your last company?
  • Question Overview: When a sales associate leaves a company, it is important to know why they left. The applicant's response will allow you to determine if they were fired or if they left on good terms. If they left on good terms, you can ask them why they decided to leave. If they were fired, you can ask them what they would have done differently.

    Sample Answer: I left my last job because I was not making enough money. I would have stayed if I was making more money.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Honesty
    • - Ability to learn from mistakes

  • Question: What do you know about the company?
  • Question Overview: As a sales associate, you are the face of the company. It is important for you to know about the company's history, mission statement and goals. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the organization and its products.

    Sample Answer: I know that your company was founded in 1995 and has been growing ever since. I also know that your company is committed to providing high-quality products to your customers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of company history
    • - Mission statement and goals

  • Question: What is fashion to you?
  • Question Overview: Fashion is a broad term that can mean different things to different people. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to determine if they have a clear understanding of the industry. The ideal candidate will be able to give you a detailed explanation of what they think fashion is and how it relates to your company.

    Sample Answer: Fashion is a way for people to express themselves through clothing. It is a way for people to show their personality and individuality.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed explanation of fashion
    • - Ability to relate fashion to your company

  • Question: Where do you get your fashion inspiration?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to assess the applicant's sense of style. The ideal candidate will have a unique sense of fashion that is not only trendy, but also appropriate for the workplace.

    Sample Answer: I get my fashion inspiration from my friends and family. I also like to look at magazines and online for new trends.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Unique sense of style
    • - Trendy fashion sense
    • - Appropriate for the workplace

  • Question: What are your strengths/weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: It is important for a sales associate to be honest about their strengths and weaknesses. The ideal candidate will be able to identify their weaknesses and explain how they are working to improve them.

    Sample Answer: My biggest weakness is my ability to multitask. I am working on improving this skill by focusing on one task at a time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to identify weaknesses
    • - Commitment to improving weaknesses

  • Question: What motivates you?
  • Question Overview: This is a common interview question that is used to assess the applicant's work ethic. The ideal candidate will have a strong desire to succeed and will be self-motivated. They should be able to explain how they have been able to motivate themselves in the past.

    Sample Answer: I am motivated by the desire to help others succeed. I want to be a part of a company that helps people reach their goals.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Driven to succeed
    • - Strong work ethic
    • - Self-motivated

  • Question: Why should we hire you over other candidates?
  • Question Overview: This is a great question to ask because it allows the applicant to show their confidence in their abilities. The ideal candidate will be able to explain why they are the best fit for the job. They should be able to explain what sets them apart from other candidates.

    Sample Answer: I am the best candidate for this position because I am a hard worker who is always willing to go above and beyond. I have been working in retail for six years and I have experience with POS systems and cash registers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in their abilities
    • - Ability to sell themselves
    • - Creativity in explaining why they are the best candidate

  • Question: Have you worked in retail before?
  • Question Overview: It is important for the applicant to have experience in the retail industry. The ideal candidate will have worked in a similar position at another store. It is helpful to know what type of experience they have had in the past.

    Sample Answer: I have worked as a sales associate for the past six years. I have also worked as a cashier and a stocker.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience working in retail
    • - Experience working with POS systems
    • - Experience with customer service

  • Question: How would you handle a difficult situation with a customer?
  • Question Overview: In retail, there are times when customers can be difficult to deal with. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to assess how well they handle stressful situations and their ability to solve problems.

    Sample Answer: I would try to understand the customer's needs and find a solution that would make them happy. I would also ask for help from my manager if I needed it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Calm demeanor under pressure
    • - Good communication skills in times of conflict
    • - Ability to provide out-of-the-box solutions to problems

  • Question: What can you do for the team?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that is asked to determine the applicant's personality and work ethic. The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude and be willing to help out in any way possible.

    Sample Answer: I am a hard worker who is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. I always try my best to exceed my manager's expectations.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive attitude
    • - Willingness to help out

  • Question: What are your shortcomings?
  • Question Overview: It is important for the applicant to be honest about their shortcomings. They should be able to explain how they have tried to improve their weaknesses in the past. The ideal candidate will be able to explain how they have worked on their shortcomings and improved their skills.

    Sample Answer: I am a perfectionist, which can sometimes be a weakness. I have learned to let go of minor mistakes and focus on the bigger picture.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to recognize and improve upon weaknesses
    • - Self-motivation to improve

  • Question: How good are you in customer service?
  • Question Overview: As a sales associate, it is important to be able to provide excellent customer service. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to assess their ability to communicate with clients and their level of professionalism.

    Sample Answer: I am very good at providing customer service. I always make sure to greet my customers with a smile and make them feel welcome in the store. I also make sure to listen to their needs and respond accordingly.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Friendly demeanor
    • - Ability to communicate with customers
    • - Professional appearance