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.

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  • 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: Where do you like to shop for clothes?
  • Question Overview: As a sales associate, it is important to know what type of clothing your customers are interested in. The ideal candidate will have experience shopping at the same stores as your target market. This shows that they understand what products are popular in your industry.

    Sample Answer: I like to shop at Macy's and Nordstrom.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience shopping at the same stores as your target market
    • - Awareness of current trends in the industry

  • Question: How would you describe your coding style?
  • Question Overview: When working with customers, it is important for a sales associate to be able to communicate effectively. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to assess their writing style and how well they can convey their thoughts.

    Sample Answer: I always try to be as clear and concise as possible when writing. I feel that it is important for my customers to understand what I am trying to convey.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Clear and concise writing style
    • - Ability to convey thoughts in writing

  • Question: How do you keep yourself organized?
  • Question Overview: As a sales associate, you are responsible for completing many tasks in a day. The ideal candidate will be able to explain how they stay on top of their responsibilities. It is important for the applicant to be organized in order to meet daily, weekly and monthly quotas.

    Sample Answer: I keep myself organized by writing down all of my tasks for the day. I also use a planner to keep track of my weekly and monthly goals.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to prioritize tasks
    • - Organization skills
    • - Follows through with daily
    • - weekly and monthly tasks

  • Question: What makes you a good fit for this position?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to find out why you are interested in the position. The ideal candidate will be able to explain how their skills and experience make them a good fit for the job.

    Sample Answer: I am a great fit for this position because I have a lot of experience working in retail. I have been a sales associate for six years and have worked my way up to management.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Answers in terms of skills and experience
    • - Demonstrates passion for the position

  • Question: What do you know about Pandora?
  • Question Overview: The applicant's response to this question will allow you to determine their knowledge of your company and products. It is important for the sales associate to be familiar with the merchandise they are selling.

    Sample Answer: I have used Pandora in the past and I know that it is a streaming music service.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of products
    • - Familiarity with company

  • Question: What is your previous experience in this field?
  • Question Overview: As a sales associate, you will be required to sell a variety of products. The ideal candidate will have experience selling a variety of merchandise. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to determine their knowledge of the products they are selling.

    Sample Answer: I have been selling electronics for the past three years. I have experience with televisions, computers, and audio equipment.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience selling a variety of products
    • - Knowledge of product lines

  • Question: What drives you?
  • Question Overview: The applicant's answer to this question will allow you to assess their motivation. Do they have a strong desire to succeed? Are they willing to work long hours? Do they have a passion for the industry?

    Sample Answer: I am driven by the desire to help others. I want to make sure that my clients are happy with their purchases. I also want to make sure that my company is successful.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Driven to succeed
    • - Passionate about the industry
    • - Willingness to work long hours

  • Question: How would you convince me to buy this pen?
  • Question Overview: As a sales associate, it is important to be able to persuade customers to purchase a product. The applicant's response to this question will allow you to assess their ability to sell products and their ability to think on their feet.

    Sample Answer: I would first ask you what you like about your current pen. Then I would tell you about the features of this pen that I think would be beneficial for you.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to persuade customers
    • - Creativity in sales pitches
    • - Confidence in product knowledge

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: This is a common question that is asked in interviews. The applicant's response to this question allows you to assess their self-awareness and honesty. The ideal candidate will be able to identify their strengths as well as their weaknesses.

    Sample Answer: My strengths are my ability to work independently and my attention to detail. My weakness is that I am not always the best at multitasking.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Self-aware
    • - Honest

  • Question: What do you like to do in your free time?
  • Question Overview: The applicant's answer to this question will give you a better idea of their interests and hobbies. It is important for a sales associate to have interests outside of work. The ideal candidate will have a variety of interests that they enjoy.

    Sample Answer: I like to spend my free time with my family and friends. I also enjoy reading and going to the movies.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A variety of interests
    • - Enjoys spending time with family and friends