40 Most Asked Banana Republic Interview Questions with Answers

Here are the top 10 most asked Banana Republic interview questions, along with suggested answers that will help prepare for your interview. Like many retail positions, there may be multiple rounds of the interview process, so be sure to prepare for questions like these when getting ready for your interview.

1. Why do you want to work for Banana Republic?

This is one of the first questions you will encounter for nearly every company you interview with. This does not need to be a very deep answer, but you should still be honest and direct. If this brand is one that you frequently purchase, this job could be a great opportunity to learn more about it. However, if you are simply looking for a seasonal job, you could tactfully answer in this way as well.

Answer:
I have worked for several retail stores in the past, and am looking for the next opportunity. I have always wanted to work for a premium clothing outlet, and I love the styles offered at Banana Republic. Getting to work in the place I shop at seems like the perfect job for me.

2. What motivates you at work?

Some employees may seem to be unmotivated in their work, which may require extra attention from managers in their already busy schedules. If an interviewer asks this question, they may be trying to understand if you will be motivated and dedicated enough to work well without constant supervision, or they may be trying to see if you are the right fit for a hectic clothing sales position.

Answer:
I love providing excellent customer service. If I am able to make someone’s day better by helping them get what they need, that’s a good day in my book. I am also a team player, always willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that my team can succeed in their goals.

3. Can you tell us about your previous work experience?

This is another fairly standard question and one that you should definitely be prepared to answer. Remember that the interviewer has likely already reviewed your resume before you arrive, so there’s no need to simply read off the list of everywhere you’ve worked. You can simply give the highlights and list your major accomplishments. If you have a diverse work background, you can selectively talk about the positions that most closely align with this one.

Answer:
I have worked in several retail positions in the past with other department and clothing stores. I spent two summers with Old Navy in high school, then worked at H&M for two years while I was in college as a sales clerk and eventually a shift manager.

4. Do you work well within a team setting?

Teamwork is very important in a retail setting. Managers need to know that you can be trusted not only to complete your work, but to make sure that the entire store is running smoothly even if a section or task is not part of your typical responsibilities. If you or a teammate is caught up for a long time with a single customer, you may be called upon to help fill their duties in the meantime. This question is a chance for the interviewer to see how you will behave in this kind of setting.

Answer:
The good of the team is very important to me – I’m always happy to help a coworker out. I think that supporting your team is the foundation to the group’s success. For example, if someone needed extra help stocking their section, or if I needed to cover a register while they manned the fitting rooms, I would do so if I wasn’t currently engaged with a customer or had the time and ability to do so.

5. Are you able to “style” a customer as requested?

Working in a clothing store means that you may have to offer fashion advice on occasion. This is a unique setting versus other positions, where you will likely have to have an eye for design and styling. This will be an important question to answer, because you can’t simply impose your own personal style onto someone else if they don’t like it. You will need to be flexible, find out what the customer wants, and try to work with them to find the right fit or color or cut. You may need to go into some detail on this answer, but it’s certainly nothing to be scared of.

Answer:
I feel like I have a pretty good eye for fashion design. I know what I like, but I can also tell what pieces would go well together. If a customer came in wanting to change their look, or find the right accessories to complete their outfit, I would walk them to the right section and talk about the different options we have in stock. I would also try to memorize the current sales in order to promote the products we want to move, but ultimately it would be up to the customer and what they wanted.

6. How have you increased sales or productivity in your previous work experiences?

Clothing and retail are all about sales. You may not be working on commission, but the store’s success is your success. If you have previous work experience in this kind of setting, you should definitely be prepared to talk about ways that you contributed to the success of the store or the team (without bragging too much). If you were directly involved in higher sales, talk about that as well.

Answer:
When I worked at American Eagle, our store was one of the busiest in the region. Our holiday sales figures were always above average, and that was a testament to how well our team worked together. When I had a shift, I tried to check out every customer quickly and cheerfully, offering add-ons and upsells when it was appropriate and also signing people up for the rewards programs. If I wasn’t at a register, I tried to make sure every shelf and display was organized and fully stocked so people could find what they wanted.

7. How do you manage a busy workload throughout the day?

You will probably do something different every hour of your day at Banana Republic, or any clothing store. Your manager will want to know that you can stay on task and get things done, making you a valuable employee to have on the team.

Answer:
I try to make sure that my primary assignments are completed as soon as possible (such as putting inventory on the racks or organizing a display), but I can definitely remain flexible if customers need to ask me a question. I am always happy to direct people to the right section based on their choices, and I also know that things will probably change very quickly based on how things are selling throughout the day.

8. How do you feel about working on weekends and around the holidays?

When applying for any retail position, the interviewer will want to assess how flexible you are with your scheduling. If you are not able to work for certain periods of the year, be upfront about that now, so there are no problems or confusion later. However, if you can open up your availability at all, this will help you seem like a better fit for the team.

Answer:
I am available for most types of shifts, including evenings and weekends. I am still taking a couple of college courses, so I might need to ask for some time off around finals week, but I am also more widely available during summers and in the breaks between semesters.

9. If a customer asked where an item is in the store, what would you tell them?

Being able to memorize the entire layout of the store will be very helpful when a customer asks you where to find something. You need to be able to help anyone find anything at a moment’s notice, so taking time to learn the store will be very important.

Answer:
I shop at Banana Republic pretty frequently, so I already know where most things are. That being said, if I were selected for this position I would be sure to learn where each section and clothing item are located to be able to direct someone if they asked. I also know that the layout can change based on the sales we have, so I would do my best to keep up with those changes when they come.

10. How would you deal with an upset customer?

Some customers just can’t be satisfied, and some may complain or get angry if they can’t find what they want or aren’t able to take advantage of certain sale pricing. The interviewer may not be looking for a single “right” answer here, but will try to assess if you are able to keep your cool when dealing with a problem customer.

Answer:
If a customer was unhappy with their purchase or wasn’t able to find what they wanted, I would try to remain pleasant and helpful and do my best to answer their questions or provide an alternative if we are out of stock. If they continue to complain, I would bring my manager and explain the situation as best as I could, always trying to advocate on behalf of the customer.

Next 30 Most Asked Banana Republic Interview Questions

• Why should I hire you?
• What is your greatest strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
• Do you see yourself entering a long-term career with Banana Republic?
• What do you know about Banana Republic?
• What does Banana Republic mean to you?
• What was your greatest accomplishment in your last job?
• Tell us about a goal you achieved recently.
• Talk about a time you made a mistake at work, and what you learned from it.
• What would you do if a customer complained to your manager about your service?
• How do you plan to build strong relationships with customers?
• How would you describe an ideal colleague?
• Do you know anyone who works for Banana Republic?
• Describe your “dream job.”
• Why are you seeking a job change?
• Describe your communication skills.
• Tell us about a time you were flexible on the job.
• How do you stay organized at work?
• How do you handle repetitive work?
• How would your bosses and coworkers describe you?
• Describe a time that you exercised good leadership skills.
• If you know you will be tardy or absent, how would you handle that situation?
• Why are you interested in working for a clothing store?
• How well do you know the clothing/fashion industry?
• Describe your personal sense of style.
• What do you know about our loyalty and rewards programs?
• What do you like to do outside of work?
• What are your salary expectations?
• What did you like best about your previous job?

10 Best Questions to Ask in a Banana Republic Interview

After the interviewer is finished asking you questions, he or she should ask you if you have any questions. You should be prepared with several questions, so that you have at least a few to ask that haven’t been answered in the interview. It is important to be prepared to ask questions, as it makes you sound like you are interested in the job and have spent time thinking about working there.

• What do you like best about working here?
• How would you measure my success, and how can I exceed your expectations?
• What opportunities for growth and advancement are available with this position?
• How would you describe your ideal candidate for this position?
• What is the most important thing to know for this position?
• How can I make sure I am learning what I need to learn for this position?
• Can you tell me what a typical day’s duties entail?
• How often would I be responsible for closing the store?
• How does the holiday schedule work?
• What kind of employee perks programs are available?

Getting a job at Banana Republic may seem like a breeze, but clothing retail is no joke! Being prepared for interview questions like these can not only help you land the job, but know what to expect before you even apply.