Williams-Sonoma Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Nov 19, 2011 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 23 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 23 ratings
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| 1–10 of 23 Williams-Sonoma Interviews | Sort by |
Executive Assistant at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Nov 19, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 in San Francisco, CA (took 3 days)
The recruiter for this position was very positive and easy to interview with - basic behavioral interview questions. I met with 3 people for an in person interview. This panel consisted of the current EA, the CEO's EA, and one of the two VPs that this position would support.
My initial thoughts: The lobby was less than inviting - in need of a major face lift. Restrooms were down a dark, narrow hallway where pallets and pallet movers lined the walls. Understandably this location is an old warehouse in SF, however, given Williams-Sonoma reputation, they could do a much more inviting decore. Offices were not much better - dirty carpets throughout.
The interviewers were cordial and predictable. Basic questions around skills and behavior.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Seasonal Sales Associate at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Nov 12, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2011 (took a day)
Picked up an application from the store, filled it up and brought it back the next day.This was a seasonal position.
I gave it to the person at the register who happened to be an assistant manager. She told me to come for a group interview. I arrived to the interview and met another 7 applicants. We were taken to the back of the store to a small room and were seated in a circle facing each other.The interviewer told us about the company and it's founder. Then asked each of us to tell its name and what kind of experience we have in retail and customer service.Then she told us about the kind of opening they have for the holidays ( cashiers,stock room, gift wrappers) each of us has to choose a position and tell the interviewer their choice and why. During the interview another person (manager?) joined the interviewer they both were writing notes.
We were told about the rate and schedule, and about the parking arrangements.
I have never heard back from them. Forgot to mention I have no previous experience in retail therefor I choose the gift wrapper position.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.
More Williams-Sonoma Seasonal Sales Associate Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Visual at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Oct 13, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 (took a day)
The general manager interviewed me in the back room. She was very friendly and made eye contact. She asked me about my background and also about the competitors that the company might have. Overall it went really well.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Store Associate at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Sep 30, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2009 in Hackensack, NJ (took a day)
walked in to the store and requested an application. Filled it out, waited, and store manager asked me to come to the office to discuss.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
over qualified (BA plus studying toward master's) and under compensated ($9/hour)
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Stock - Hourly at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Sep 23, 2011
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1.0
Very Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2011 in Seattle, WA (took 2 days)
Two different interview sessions. 2:1 and 3:1. Basic interview questions of background and future goals. I found interviewers being very scripted and predictable. Nothing surprising nor stimulating
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Flat hourly wage was offered with no room for negotiations
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Seasonal Help at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Sep 1, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Aug 2011 in Las Vegas, NV (took 1 week)
filled out an application, scheduled a skills test for 2 days later. Passed that and had interview later that day. Offered position that day.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Assistant Manager at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Jun 27, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jun 2011 (took 1 week)
I originally spoke with the Manager to organize a time to be able to get back to speak further regarding the opening of an Assistant Manager position. We had a very relaxed, productive interview.
The manager eventually did respond back to me that they had hired someone else~ someone with more experience and qualifications, but understandably the better person for the job.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I applied In-Person.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Treasury Analyst at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Jun 21, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2010 in San Francisco, CA (took 2 weeks)
I applied online for the Treasury Analyst position on the Williams-Sonoma website and then I received an email from the recruiter a few days later. She set up a phone screen and eventually contacted me a few days later to conduct the screen. The phone screen was easy and consisted of basic interview questions such as "walk me through your resume" and "why do you want this position?". The recruiter then informed me during the interview that she would pass my resume to the hiring manager.
A few days later, I received a response from the recruiter and was set up for another phone interview with the hiring manager. The phone interview with the hiring manager lasted for 30 minutes and also consisted of rather basic fit questions such as "why do you want this position?" and "walk me through your resume". A few days later, I received an email from the recruiter telling me that they would not be moving forward.
I suspect that my previous salary played a strong role in my rejection as it was over 50% higher than the maximum salary Williams-Sonoma could offer for this role and as both the recruiter and hiring manager throughout the interview kept asking me whether I would work for that kind of pay. The sad thing about Williams-Sonoma's pay is that my previous employer was known for paying slightly below market in the Bay Area. Williams-Sonoma is notorious in the Bay Area for paying near the bottom of the pay scale (just read all the reviews in Glassdoor) and for having long hours so I was neither disappointed nor surprised by the rejection.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Database Analyst at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Jan 24, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2010 in San Francisco, CA (took 2 weeks)
Had phone interview with director for 30 minutes for position expectations and requirements.
After, I was invited to come on-site to interview with the Sr. Analyst and Analyst and meet the director. Total time spent on-site was three hours.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Negotiated rate through agency for a year long contract. If you go in through an agency and not as a WSI temp, be aware that the hiring manager may have to negotiate your rate with his or her VP after it is decided they want you. It is vital that you are firm with the agency in terms of the rate you demand because once you are in the budget, you won't be compensated over what is in the budget.
Other Details
I got the interview through a Staffing Agency and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Operations Manager at Williams-Sonoma
Posted Dec 1, 2010
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2010 in Elizabeth, NJ (took 3 days)
Deceptive posting – stringent and lengthy interview process in a panel interview style questioning about specific scenarios on work history and performance that lead nowhere. Website consistently showing multiple permanent positions, but in reality there was only one. The best-kept secret was presented after all of the interviews – the call with an offer on a temporary position at below market compensation without benefits.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
Discourage about deceptive job postings and below market compensation even for a temporary position
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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