Abercrombie & Fitch Interview Questions & Reviews in Columbus, OH Area

Interview Details – I was approached on a social/career networking site by an Abercombie HR recruiter. After the initial exchange through email, we scheduled a time to chat on the phone, a converstion which consisted mostly of him telling me about how exciting he thought Abercrombie was, how great the New Albany campus was, and how Columbus was quite a decent city, too. (I was not a local candidate.)

Subsequently, we set up a Skype interview, which lasted well over an hour - quite atypical for an HR conversation. Many of the questions were behaviorally based, but the strangest and most irrelevant questions were the ones that I felt were geared more towards teenagers or college students. Obviously, he was trying to gauge whether I was one of the "cool kids," and whether what I did when I was 18 would fit the target demographic of Abercrombie today.

A few days later, he emailed me to tell me that he wanted me to Skype with another HR colleague. This conversation was about 40 minutes, and again consisted of some behavioral questions, but also had the typical interview questions like, "What is your biggest strength/weakness?" and "What is your biggest accomplishment?"

After these two encounters, their recruiting team made the travel arrangements to fly me to Columbus, stay overnight, and then go to the office the next morning for a half-day of interviews. I was informed by HR that the dress code was casual, and that their brands were encouraged, so I packed several Abercrombie and Hollister outfits with me. The first thing that I noticed was that it is a walk to get to the front of the office, and you can smell the office from a mile away. (They spray the same fragrance as in the store.) The front desk is manned by flip-flop clad people who look like they would work at the retail store.

The schedule for the morning consisted of the Wonderlic personnel test, then 4 back-to-back interviews of 30 minutes each. I met with another HR person, the hiring manager, a counterpart/peer, and then a business partner. I sat in one of the interview rooms the entire time, where the store music was piped through to the room. None of the interviewers really asked me any questions. They mostly just wanted to chat about how great the brand was, and how they loved their campus.

Afterwards, I had a campus tour with two of the campus tour guides. (I'm not sure if that is their official title, but it was 2 guys in their early 20's who probably wanted to be Abercrombie models.) They showed me the mock-up stores, the gym, the cafeteria, and some of the work spaces. The campus is reminscent of college. it is literally in the woods in the middle of nowhere, New Albany. Everyone is dressed in Abercrombie, and people seem to travel in groups. I didn't see anyone walking around by themselves.

After the campus tour, the initial HR contact came and took me to lunch at the cafeteria. The cafeteria offers a wide variety of food, and supposedly, everything is organic. The music was on full blast in the cafeteria.

Following lunch, they made arrangements for a real estate broker to take me around Columbus and drop me off at the airport.

I didn't hear back from anyone for about 2 weeks, so I figured that they weren't interested, and I was right. I got a call from HR explaining that they decided not to hire anyone externally for the role.

Interview Details – I discovered their Leadership Development Program through the Internship Fair at my school. Show as much enthusiasm and excitement for the company as you can and they will remember you, which is important considering they have 10000 people apply each year.
When they notified me of the first interview, they had a Preparty the Sunday before. Don't sweat this at all. During the first interview, I interviewed with one HR person, one Inventory Management person, and had an Intelligence Test (the one they give to the players at the NFL Combine). These interviews are short (20-30 minutes) so be concise with your answers. You cannot finish the test in the allotted time so just go as fast as you can. Two weeks later they called and invited me out to their Home Office for two days.
This is where it gets serious. They will fly you in if you are not from Columbus, put you up in one of the nicest hotels downtown with your own room, and give you a bag of free clothing. Do not get distracted by all the perks. They are evaluating you the entire time. The first day consisted of a tour around Columbus, a series of discussions and presentations by high-up people in HR, and some tours of their on-site flagship store and DC. The second day was made up of more tours of their mock stores on campus, more presentations, and the interviews. One group project, one case study, a video project, one HR interview, and two Inventory Management interviews. Just be yourself and stay consistent with your answers, or else you will come off as fake. Use the knowledge you learned on the tours, be happy and positive, and show them you are a good fit for their unique but exciting company.
They called me only a couple days later offering me the position. It was a very long and exhausting process, but very worth it in the end.

Negotiation Details – There wasn't any negotiation. The benefit package is competitive and very appealing to college students.

Interview Details – The process is really simple and focuses on a group interview. You should come in wearing the brands clothes (and flip flops.) The manager will take your group to one of the sitting areas in the store or to the Starbucks outside and ask everyone a few questions. It seems like a competition, who answers better but it isn't that serious, they just want to see that you are communicative. She will then explain the position and its over.

Interview Details – I applied through my university's job board and was contacted a week later. The first round interviews were very straightforward: everyone took the Wonderlich test and had very simple qualitiative interview questions. They place a lot of emphasis on leadership, brand awareness, and image. Make sure to wear their clothes to the interview; they love that. The second round included a fully funded trip to Home Office where we were greeted at the hotel with $200+ in merchandise. Throughout the two days. there is a lot of touring, socializing, and merchandising activities. Best to be vocal and cooperative.

Interview Details – Initial interview was by phone. First on-sight interview was with HR, and at that time was given an IQ test. Once the results are back, interview with team is arranged. First meeting with direct supervisors, then if they approve, on to another interview with the rest of the team.

Negotiation Details – I was offered a salary that was about the same as the salary + bonus I was making. I was able to get them up just above that number.

Interview Details – The interview process is usually in a group by the store manager. You will fill out an online or in store application first, then the interview questions will begin.

Negotiation Details – Wear A&F clothing to the interview, be enthusiastic, and outgoing.

Interview Details – Was contact by A&F lead recruiter following campus career fair. A&F held a get together the sunday before interviews began. Interviews very laid back process.

Interview Details – Asked to complete a product category project prior to meeting. Pick 3 of the 10 brand categories and allocate a percentage of the total units (350,00). Interview was an hour long with two people. One from HR the other from the merchandise planner group. Asked me pretty standard interview questions.

Interview Details – I was hired for an internship through my University. You are required to do a project, and after that I only had to complete one interview, then was hired directly after full time upon my graduation. I've heard it is more involved and arduous going the normal route of applying.

Negotiation Details – Flat offer for an internship. $17/hr for 8 weeks.