Top Assistant Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

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

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  • Question: What is your definition of good customer service?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers provide customer service to customers entering the store. They greet customers, answer questions about products and assist with purchases. They also take care of customer complaints and resolve issues in a timely manner. The assistant manager must be able to handle difficult customers and resolve issues in a positive manner.

    Sample Answer: I believe that good customer service is when the customer leaves the store with a smile on their face and a product they are satisfied with.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of customer service
    • - Ability to handle difficult customers
    • - Ability to resolve issues in a positive manner

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: The assistant manager must be able to identify his or her strengths and weaknesses. The candidate must be able to explain how they can improve their weaknesses and use their strengths to benefit the company.

    Sample Answer: My strengths include my ability to work well with others and my ability to analyze data. I am also a quick learner. My weaknesses are that I am not as organized as I should be and I tend to procrastinate.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of strengths and weaknesses
    • - Explanation of how to improve weaknesses and use strengths to benefit the company

  • Question: How would you handle a customer complaint?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers handle customer complaints and resolve them in a timely manner. They also keep track of customer feedback to improve the customer experience. The candidate must be able to determine if the complaint is valid and provide a solution to the problem.

    Sample Answer: I would listen to the customer's complaint and determine if it is valid. If so, I would offer a solution to the problem and follow up with the customer after the solution is implemented.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience resolving customer complaints
    • - Knowledge of how to determine if a complaint is valid
    • - Ability to provide solutions to customer problems

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers are often promoted to store manager positions. They must have a clear vision of where they want to be in the future and how they will get there. The candidate must have a plan for the future and be able to communicate it to the interviewer.

    Sample Answer: I see myself as a store manager in 5 years. I will continue to work hard and gain more experience in the retail industry.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Clear vision of future goals
    • - Ability to communicate goals and plans to interviewer
    • - Examples of past achievements that support future goals

  • Question: Why do you want to relocate?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers relocate to new cities for a variety of reasons. They may be following a spouse who is transferred to a new city for work. They may be seeking a new job in a new city. They may be seeking a new job in the same city but in a different retail store. The candidate must have a positive attitude and be willing to relocate.

    Sample Answer: I am willing to relocate to any city that has a retail store that needs an assistant manager. I am willing to relocate because I enjoy working in the retail industry and want to expand my career opportunities.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive attitude
    • - Willingness to relocate
    • - Examples of relocating for different reasons

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to overcome an obstacle and what steps did you take?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers face obstacles daily when managing a retail store. They must be able to overcome these obstacles and devise solutions to improve business practices. The candidate must be able to identify the problem and find a solution that works.

    Sample Answer: I had to overcome a problem with a vendor who was late with an order. I called the vendor and asked them to deliver the product on time. I also asked them to provide a discount for the late delivery.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of overcoming obstacles
    • - Examples of devising solutions to improve business practices
    • - Ability to identify problems and find solutions

  • Question: Tell me about a time when the company went through a change, what did you do to make the change successful?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers oversee changes in the business. They make sure that the changes are implemented in the correct manner and that the business is running smoothly. The candidate must be able to communicate with employees and customers about the changes and how they will affect the business. The assistant manager must also be able to motivate employees to work harder during the change period.

    Sample Answer: I was involved in a change that required me to train new workers on a new system. I made sure that all workers were trained properly and that the new system was implemented correctly.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with implementing changes
    • - Knowledge of how to communicate with employees and customers
    • - Ability to motivate workers during change periods

  • Question: Why did you leave your previous job?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers leave their previous jobs for a variety of reasons. They may be looking for a new challenge, a higher salary or a better work environment. The candidate must be able to explain why they left their previous job and how the new position will benefit them.

    Sample Answer: I left my previous job because I was looking for a new challenge. I am excited to join your team and contribute to your company's success.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Reason for leaving previous job
    • - How the new position will benefit them
    • - How they will contribute to the company

  • Question: How would you contribute to this company 10 years down the road?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers must have a long-term vision for the company and how they can contribute to the company's success. They must be able to identify problems and provide solutions to the company's problems. The assistant manager must be able to work with the company's leaders to develop new strategies that will improve the company's performance.

    Sample Answer: I would like to contribute to this company by developing a long-term strategy that will improve sales and profits. I would like to develop a plan that will help the company grow and prosper in the future.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Long-term vision for the company
    • - Ability to identify problems and provide solutions
    • - Ability to work with leaders and develop strategies

  • Question: What are three projects you worked on that made the most impact at your current organization?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers work on projects that make the most impact in the organization. They may be assigned to a project by the store manager or they may come up with their own ideas. The projects are meant to improve sales, reduce costs and increase profits. The projects may include new product launches, new marketing strategies and new employee training programs.

    Sample Answer: I worked on a project to increase sales by 20% in the next quarter. I also worked on a project to reduce overhead costs by 10%. Finally, I worked on a project to increase profits by 5%.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of three projects that made the most impact
    • - Examples of improved sales
    • - reduced costs and increased profits

  • Question: What was a difficult retail experience of yours and how did you overcome it?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers face difficult situations when dealing with customers who are upset or dissatisfied with the service they received. The candidate must be able to handle the situation and calm the customer down. They must also be able to apologize for the mistake and offer a solution to fix the problem.

    Sample Answer: I had a difficult situation when a customer was upset with a product he purchased. I apologized for the mistake and offered him a refund or replacement product.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience in handling difficult situations
    • - Ability to apologize for mistakes and offer solutions
    • - Superior customer service skills

  • Question: Would you accept a job as a sales associate?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers work as sales associates when the store is short-staffed. They must have a positive attitude and be able to work with customers. They must be able to work with other employees and follow company policies. They must also be able to work alone and follow company policies.

    Sample Answer: I would accept a job as a sales associate if it was offered. I enjoy working with customers and helping them find the right products for their needs.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work as a sales associate
    • - Positive attitude
    • - Ability to work with customers
    • - Ability to work alone and follow company policies

  • Question: What brands do we carry in our store?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers must know the brands carried in the retail store. They must be able to identify the products and explain the advantages of each brand. The candidate must be able to answer customer questions about the products and direct them to the right product.

    Sample Answer: We carry a variety of brands, including Nike, Adidas and Under Armour. I am familiar with each brand and their advantages over competitors.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of product brands
    • - Knowledge of customer service
    • - Ability to answer customer questions

  • Question: What is a time you had conflict with a coworker/boss and how did you handle it?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers are in charge of managing the staff and resolving conflicts. They must be able to handle difficult situations and maintain a positive attitude. The candidate must be able to resolve conflicts with coworkers and bosses in a professional manner.

    Sample Answer: I had a conflict with a coworker when he was not completing his tasks on time. I spoke with him about the situation and he agreed to complete his work on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of conflict resolution
    • - Ability to maintain a positive attitude in difficult situations
    • - Ability to manage staff

  • Question: What makes a good manager?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers must be able to identify what makes a good manager. They must be able to work well with the manager and other employees. They must be able to lead a team and motivate workers to perform their best. The assistant manager must be able to communicate effectively with all workers and customers. They must be able to follow instructions and complete tasks on time.

    Sample Answer: A good manager is someone who can communicate effectively with others. They are able to lead a team and motivate workers to perform their best. A good manager is also able to follow instructions and complete tasks on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of what makes a good manager
    • - Ability to work well with others
    • - Communication skills that motivate workers and customers
    • - Follows instructions and completes tasks on time

  • Question: What would you change about your previous company?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers are responsible for implementing changes in the retail store. They make decisions based on sales figures and customer feedback. The candidate must have a creative mind and be able to think outside the box. They must be able to implement changes that will improve the business and increase sales.

    Sample Answer: I would change the layout of the retail store to make it more accessible to customers. I would also change the products we sell to match customer preferences.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience in implementing changes in a retail store
    • - Examples of implementing changes that increased sales
    • - Examples of implementing changes that reduced costs

  • Question: How does your operations management background makes you fit for a sales & marketing role?
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers are responsible for managing the operations of the retail store. They oversee daily operations and manage the staff. The candidate must have experience in managing a large staff and be able to handle multiple tasks at once. The assistant manager must be able to work well with others and manage a large volume of workers.

    Sample Answer: I have experience managing a large staff of 100 employees. I have worked well with others and managed daily operations of the store.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience managing a large staff
    • - Ability to work well with others
    • - Experience in managing daily operations of a retail store

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you led a team of people through a project.
  • Question Overview: Assistant managers lead teams of workers to complete projects. The candidate must be able to manage the team and delegate tasks to the workers. The assistant manager must also be able to motivate the team to complete the project on time and within budget. The candidate must have experience leading a team through a project and completing the project successfully.

    Sample Answer: I led a team of five workers through a project that required us to set up new displays in the retail store. I delegated tasks to each worker and managed their progress. I motivated them to complete the project on time and within budget.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of leading a team through a project
    • - Ability to motivate workers
    • - Ability to manage workers and delegate tasks