Glassdoor is your free inside look at Nordstrom Retail Sales Associate interview questions and advice. All 15 interview reviews posted anonymously by Nordstrom employees and interview candidates.
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Pleasanton, CA – Reviewed May 20, 2013 New
Interview Details –
First was a phone interview with the HR manager. I was asked about 3 questions: Why Nordstrom? How would you deal with a difficult customer? What was the most difficult situation that you overcome?
Next was 1:1 interview with the department manager. I was asked the same questions. Managers follow a standard packet where they pick a few questions to ask.
Interview Question – How do you deal with a co worker that has "sharked" your customer? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – Not able to negotiate since everyone is at a standard base pay and a standard percentage for commission in your department.
No Offer – Interviewed in Skokie, IL – Reviewed May 9, 2013
Interview Details –
Went on snag a job and got an email literally the next day asking for a phone interview. Did a phone interview with HR and she really liked me so helped me set up a skype interview with the department manager. (I was going out of town for a week so i couldn't go in to interview)
HR Questions:
Why do you want to work at Nordstrom? What are some of the negative things you see from commission based pay? When is a time you went above and beyond? What are the steps you take to maintain the relationship with a customer?
Department Question:
When is a time when you worked in a team environment and what was the result? When is a time when you exceeded expectations in the work place? When have you delt with an irate customer? Tell me about a time when you have worked in a competitive environment.
Interview Questions
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Centennial, CO May 2012 – Reviewed Apr 23, 2013
Interview Details – I applied online and was contacted by email about a week later saying that they wanted to schedule a phone interview. The available times for a phone interview were two weeks later, which I thought was kind of weird but accepted it anyway. The phone interview lasts about ten minutes and is a basic check on your previous experience. Then there was the in person interview. First you're interviewed by a person in HR- they ask a lot of the same questions as the phone interview, just rephrased. Make sure to stress how important customer service is to you. Then I was interviewed by the manager of the department I was applying for. This was much more relaxed. Again, a lot of the same questions, I think they mostly just want to see how well you click with your manager. Then we went to the department and she asked me to sell her something. It was my first sales position, but as long as you're upfront about your experience and your dedication to the job you'll do great.
Interview Question – How do you feel about competition with your coworkers? Answer Question
No Offer – Reviewed Apr 3, 2013
Interview Details – I applied online and then a few days later I got an email to schedule a phone interview. My phone interview was for the next day but they never called, so I called the HR department and left several VM. I got a call back about 3 days later. The manager asked me to come in for an interview. I went in for my interview two days later.
Interview Question – A lot of the questions were the same just different scenarios. Answer Question
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Mar 29, 2013
Interview Details – Submitted application via Taleo. Contacted by Store level HR/recruiter. Face-to-Face, followed by interview with Department manager. Wanted to know basics- Why Nordstrom? Why sales? Tell me about a time when you went above & beyond for someone. (How do we know you deliver great customer service.)
Interview Question – Pretty basic stuff Answer Question
Negotiation Details – non-negotiable
No Offer – Interviewed in North Atlanta, GA Feb 2009 – Reviewed Mar 20, 2013
Interview Details – I submitted an online application, as well as following up with a resume drop off in-store. I was called in for a one-on-one interview with a sales manager a couple days after submitting the resumes. I was given a time and arrived early to wait on line with several other young female candidates. My interview did not begin until 45 minutes after the scheduled time. It lasted 15 minutes. The manager seemed to be going through the motions and trying to make her way through the laundry list of interviews as quickly as possible. Standard form interview procedure of unoriginal questions about myself and my school/work experiences, mostly prompted from what appeared to be her first reading of my resume.
Interview Question – At the end of the "humoring" review and affected discussion of my resume, I was asked why a person with my level of education with a degree from a college well known for its exclusivity of aptitude and challenging degree programs (obviously, more brusquely put than this, i think it was more like, "someone who went to a smart school") wanted a "job at a mall?" Not only was the delivery of her quick, astute summary of my resume unexpected, so was the suddenly subjective turn in questioning, and thus the inherent risk therein of an explanatory, comprehensive answer... View Answer
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in Seattle, WA Jul 2012 – Reviewed Mar 13, 2013
Interview Details – Initially there was an online application process which led to an interview with the HR manager at the store I worked. After the interview with him I moved on to the next interview which was with the department manager. I found out I had the job within a few days and then started orientation a couple days prior to beginning work.
Interview Question – What about a commission based salary do you look forward to? View Answer
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Feb 25, 2013
Interview Details – I applied on a Sunday night and I received a phone call Monday morning to schedule an interview. For the first interview, I met with the Human Resource manager. She asked me really basic questions. Then I was called in for a second interview where I met with one of the department managers. She asked more important questions. After that, I was offered a position.
Interview Question – Name 3 traits that describes you and why? View Answer
Accepted Offer – Reviewed Feb 21, 2013
Interview Details – After researching the history, outlook, compensation, and benefits of working within Nordstrom, I decided to apply. The companies application process is online (Nordstrom Recruiting), and you will be able to choose multiple job's to apply for in your Job Cart. The detailed listings of these positions does not usually state whether they are Full or Part Time. After applying throughly online, (Make SURE to have a strong resume!) you may contact the HR department in the location you were desiring and ask the desired availability for the position. omg there you will receive a Thank You email stating that if you are of interest to them they will contact you. If there is one thing to keep in mind while filling out your application, it is to make sure to tailor your Core Compentcies to that of texting company. Mention lot's of customer relationship building and stress management. If they are interested, they will most likely set up an interview with HR, you choose the time and date, where they will ask basic questions like "Why Nordstrom?" or "What does customer service mean to you?" If the answers you provide are what they are looking for, they will most likely start to question availability. It is a short process. You will then be scheduled an interview with HR. Be mindful of the company and have a good attitude and be prepared to answer questions such as "Name a difficult time where you has to reach a goal, what was the outcome and how did you contribute?" Every interview is set up in the same way with the Manager or whomever reading off of a packet of questions where they will jot down your responses. Practice your answers before hand so you will not go blank during the interview. Some questions about reaching goals will be similar so have at least three valuable examples to have. It is imperative to dress professional and trendy as well. I put together a printed pencil skirt, sheer button up with a rosette pattern camino underneath, topped with a jcrew cardigan and heels. Do not dress drab, rather what you would expect in a high end boutique. Bring a copy of a resume and cover letter to interview. You will also be a part of a selling scenario they will choose a piece of clothing and you have to act as if they are the customer. COMPLETE THE OUTFIT. After this you will have a final interview, which is usually quick. Ask questions and be attentive throughout the process. The compensation is fully commission so working here is not for the shy sales associate. The hiring process is quite speedy and detailed. Good luck!
Interview Question – Name a time when you had to deal with a overly expecting customer and how did you handle it? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – Compensation is purely commission (9% typically). If goals are not met they will pay you 9$ an hour.
Accepted Offer – Interviewed in White Plains, NY Oct 2009 – Reviewed Jan 16, 2013
Interview Details – About a week after submitting my resume, I received a call from someone in the human resources office at Nordstrom. I did an interview over the phone which took about ten minutes and apparently went well because I was asked to come in a few days later for another interview. I did my in person interview with the same human resources rep that did my over the phone interview and was asked to sit tight so that I could do a third interview with the department manager. After that interview I was given a brief tour around the store and was told that they would be in contact with me. About a week later, I was given a call asking me to start work the very next day.
Interview Question – Give an example of the most difficult customer issue you've had to solve with your previous employer? Answer Question
Negotiation Details – At the time, I was desperate for a job so I was not interested in negotiating anything.
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Nordstrom, Inc. is one of the nation's leading fashion specialty retailers, with 231 U.S. stores located in 31 states. Founded in 1901 as a shoe store in Seattle, today Nordstrom operates 117 Full-Line Stores… — Full Overview
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