Banana Republic Sales Associate Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – I applied online in the summer, went through that whole annoying Taleo questionnaire and didn't hear anything back until about 2 months later. I received an email from Gap Inc. saying to call the manager for an interview if I was still interested. I did, and she asked me if I was available the coming Saturday at 4, so I said yes. I got there, she wasn't ready yet, so I was asked to just look around the store until she came out. Then I noticed there were other people my age walking around with report covers in their hands and I realized it was a group interview. I started to panic. No one had told me, so I had the initial impression that it would be one-on-one with the manager, which I would have preferred. It wasn't. There were 7 OTHER CANDIDATES. Very unprofessional of Banana Republic Square One. Also, the interviewer was rude and awkward. You'd think she would have looked at my resume, but I guess not, as she proceeded to ask questions about customer service experience, something I did not have, forcing me to make scenarios and examples up as to not embarrass myself in front of the other (far more qualified) candidates. Half way through the interview I literally wanted to get up and walk out. She said that if we have good references that we can expect an email within 3 days, but if not, they would not be taking the hiring process any further. It was my third interview and by far the worst. I do not even wish to work there anymore. Everyone is very superficial. Long story short: don't apply if you do not have prior experience. This interview will be hell for you.

Interview Details – After applying online, I received a callback from HR and was scheduled for a group interview. The group interview consisted, primarily, of "on the job" questions. After that, I was called back for a in-store interview. They asked me to run around the store and pick items for the manager to wear to an interview (pretending she was a customer) and tell her why she should buy them. Something that made the second interview a little annoying was the fact that there were several people in the store doing the exact same thing.

Interview Details – It was a group interview. There were 7 of us, and 2 of the managers were "grading." The questions they asked were:

1) Tell me about yourself.
2) Has there been a time where you worked as a team and it didn't really work well? What did you do to overcome it.
3) Was there a time in your life where you took on the responsibility for something you weren't assigned to do? Explain.
4) Was there a time in your life you were extremely busy and had many tasks? If so, tell us how you prioritized what to do first.
5) In one word, describe to us how you perceive Banana Republic Clothing.

I don't remember I think there was another question, but these questions were hard!! for me of course only. All the other group people answered it like a breeze because they had retail work experience at like BR, Macy's and A&F... some people just love to brag. Anyways, I felt over dressed because people wore casual things, like a nice silk shirt with pants... well I don't know this was my first ever interview. They think their clothing is "professional." The managers commented if they liked your work ethic... but obviously I couldn't answer HALF their questions so I based stuff on school work though because they let you do that. Well, I don't think I will get the job.. but here was my experience. Hope you do well in your interview, and just be prepared for these questions; they don't give you time to think... just sit in the middle because they have you sit in a circle like you're in an AA meeting. Ahhhhhh :(

Interview Details – I was called in for a group interview, and they asked me a number of questions. It was friendly and I liked it.

Interview Details – I went in and asked for holiday/part time work from the copley mall store. they gave me an app and got me an interview right away. I did a group interview first. the manager was nice and professional- it seemed organized. i got a call two days later that they wanted me to come in for the second interview- which is the one before they hire you. I learned that saturdays are madatory and that after 80 days they decide if they will make you part time from holiday work. The discount is great and people are nice. I am looking forward to starting work soon

Interview Details – I applied online on the gap inc website. A few days later, I had received a call about scheduling an interview. It was an easy, relaxed interview. The manager was sweet. They had notified me that they were conducting a few interviews, and they would call in a few days with the decision. The next day, I received a call from them saying that I was hired and was told when orientation was. Having no retail experience and being only 16, I was shocked I got the job.

Interview Details – This is my first job. Full-time college student. I applied online to all the Banana Republic hiring nearby. I got a phone call about a week later from the woman who'd be interviewing me. Over the phone, she asked if I could come in for an interview and we easily set on a date a few days later. This was an immediate one-on-one interview.

I figured my attire would be key since this is a clothing store and fashion is paramount. I also considered Banana Republic's image, which is business-casual and sophisticated. I wore a striped dress and striped blazer with flats.

I showed up in good time (about 10 minutes before my appointment) and walked around the store until the interviewer arrived. She was very friendly and welcoming. We went out to a table in the food court of the mall. I got the typical, dreadful questions of an interviewing process: "Tell Me About Yourself," "What does customer service mean to you," "Why do you want to work here," "Tell me about a time...," and so on. I answered them well enough.

She set up hypothetical scenarios where I had to help a customer. I gave my best answers and she critiqued them. By the end, she told me I'd be an asset to the company, told me about employer discounts, and basically told me I was hired. She had more interviews that day and even had one before me.

She told me they had to a do a background check and if things check out, they'd call me. She was very enthusiastic about hiring me and told me she could tell how passionate I am. She called a week later and gave me the date for the new-hire orientation, which is in a week!

Negotiation Details – Wage is already set and you can accept or reject it. No choice really.

Interview Details – Group interview with about 6 applicants and 1 manager. Everyone got a chance to answer each question. The manager asked about applicants' retail and customer service experience, availability, what customer service means to them, etc. At the end there was a time for everyone to ask the manager questions about the job- most people asked about getting time off approved.

Interview Details – I applied online to every GAP Inc. store hiring in SF. I got calls from 2 Banana Republics and 1 GAP in about a span of a week or so.

The GAP interview was unprofessional, they called the morning of and asked if I could be there at 5. I said yes of course, but had already left my house, luckily I was in a pretty GAP appropriate outfit. There was about 6-7 other people there. They have you interview a partner, then share their info, then the interviewer asks you some questions in front of everyone. Examples: When have you given someone style advice, Where do you go to stay on trend, Why this company, typical questions. After that part she asked 5 of us to stay, the rest to leave. We had to put together an outfit for different characters. It was fun and interactive.

The interview at the Banana Republic flagship store is a lot like the GAP one, pretty much same set up and questions. The interview at the Embarcedero location was a more formal group interview. Neither of the Banana interviews had the outfit thing though. We were told we'd get a call about another interview in a few days.

I got called back for the two Banana stores first and went to those interviews, but wanted GAP and was waiting for them to call. I ended up getting hired at Banana Flagship. Pretty easy, just a lot of interviews.

Negotiation Details – No negotiation. However, it's important to remember that each store has a different budget for pay, larger stores can pay you more.