20 99 Cents Only Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to company specific interview questions, 99 Cents Only is in a league of its own. The discount retailer is known for its unique approach to pricing, and its interview questions reflect that.

Prospective employees can expect to be asked about their knowledge of the company’s pricing strategy, as well as their ability to negotiate and haggle. Other questions may touch on the applicant’s ability to handle customer complaints and deal with difficult situations.

Answering these questions well is key to landing a job at 99 Cents Only. This guide will give you a leg up on the competition by providing you with some of the most commonly asked questions, as well as tips on how to answer them.

99 Cents Only Interview Process

The interview process at 99 Cents Only is generally quick and easy. Most applicants report being asked basic questions about their availability and previous work experience. Some positions may require a more in-depth interview, but overall the process is fairly straightforward.

1. What is your experience with handling money and operating a cash register?

This question is an opportunity to show your experience with handling cash and operating a register. If you have previous experience, describe how it prepared you for this role. If you don’t have any prior experience, explain what you would do if faced with a situation where the register was short or over-counted money.

Example: “I’ve worked as a cashier at my local grocery store since I graduated high school. This position has given me valuable experience in counting money and balancing registers. In fact, I recently discovered that one of our registers was over-counted by $100. I immediately notified my manager so they could address the issue before customers left the store.”

2. How would you describe your customer service style?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would interact with customers at their company. Your answer should include examples of how you’ve helped customers in the past and what your goals are for customer service.

Example: “I believe that every customer deserves to be treated with respect, regardless of whether they’re making a large purchase or just browsing. I always make sure to greet customers as soon as they enter the store and ask if there’s anything I can do to help them find something or answer any questions. My goal is to provide excellent customer service so that customers feel welcome and want to return.”

3. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you helped the customer.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, I had a customer who came in looking for a certain type of dish soap. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any in stock, but I offered to call other stores within driving distance to see if they had any available. After calling several locations, I found one that had some in stock and told the customer so they could go purchase it there instead.”

4. If a customer was unhappy with their purchase, how would you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle customer complaints and whether you have experience with conflict resolution. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you helped resolve an issue for a customer.

Example: “If a customer was unhappy with their purchase, I would first apologize for any inconvenience they experienced. Then, I would ask them what they were looking for in a solution. If they wanted a refund or exchange, I would offer to replace the item at no additional cost. If they wanted to keep the product but receive a discount, I would work with them to find a mutually beneficial solution.”

5. Describe your experience working as part of a team.

Teamwork is an important skill to have in any workplace, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to collaborate with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific example of how you helped your team achieve a goal or overcome a challenge.

Example: “In my last position as a customer service representative at a local bank, I was part of a large team that worked together to help customers resolve their issues over the phone. In one instance, I had a customer who needed assistance transferring money from one account to another. While I was able to answer most of their questions, they still had some additional concerns after our call ended. They called back and asked for me specifically because they knew I could help them with their issue.”

6. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you work with others and your ability to resolve conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to resolve the conflict and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager at a local grocery store, I was working on a team project with two other employees who were both senior to me in terms of tenure. One employee had been there for five years while the other had only been there for one year. The employee who had been there longer felt that they should have more authority over the project than the newer employee.

I spoke with each employee separately about their concerns and asked them to come up with solutions together. We then met again as a group and discussed our ideas. In the end, we all agreed upon a solution that would benefit everyone.”

7. Do you have any experience training new employees?

Training new employees is an important part of the hiring process at 99 Cents Only. The company wants to ensure that its new hires are able to learn and adapt quickly, so they ask this question to see if you have experience training others. If you do, explain how you did it and what your approach was.

Example: “I’ve had a lot of experience training new employees in my previous roles as a manager and team leader. I find that the best way to train someone is by breaking down tasks into smaller steps and providing clear instructions on how to complete them. This helps new employees understand exactly what’s expected of them and gives them confidence when performing their job duties.”

8. Tell us why you want to work at 99 Cents Only.

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s interest in working for your company. It also allows you to see how much they know about the company and its culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that attracted you to the job posting or company.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in retail work, but I was looking for a place where I could make an impact on customers’ lives. 99 Cents Only has such a unique business model, and I think I would really enjoy being part of a team that helps people save money while still getting what they need.”

9. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful store manager?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you would apply them in a management role. When answering, consider what qualities the company values most in its managers and highlight those that are important to you as well.

Example: “I think it’s important for store managers to be highly organized and detail-oriented. I also believe they should have strong communication skills so they can effectively communicate with their team members and customers. Finally, I think it’s essential for managers to be empathetic and compassionate because they often serve as the primary point of contact for employees who need help or want to voice concerns.”

10. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. The interviewer wants to know what your greatest strengths are so they can see how you will contribute to the company, but they also want to understand any areas of improvement that you may need help with.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well under pressure. I am able to stay calm and focused when there are many things going on at once, which has helped me succeed in previous roles. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed by too much information at once. If I’m given a lot of instructions or details about a project, I try to remember everything as best I can, but sometimes I forget something. I’ve learned to ask for clarification if I don’t understand something.”

11. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle conflict and stress. Your answer should show that you have good problem-solving skills, are able to remain calm under pressure and can work well with others.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a customer who was upset because we didn’t carry their favorite brand of paper towels. They were very rude and demanded to speak to a manager. I calmly explained that we don’t always have every item in stock but that we do our best to find what they’re looking for. The customer apologized and left the store.”

12. Have you worked in a fast-paced environment before?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you’re a good fit for their company. They want to know that you have experience working in a fast-paced environment and how well you perform under pressure. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work quickly while maintaining quality results.

Example: “I’ve worked in a fast-paced environment before, but I prefer it when things are a little slower. In my last position, we had to move through our tasks at a rapid pace because of the high volume of customers we saw each day. However, I was able to adapt to this type of environment and learned how to prioritize my tasks so I could get everything done on time.”

13. Which shift are you available to work?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your availability for the position. If you are only available during certain shifts, it’s important to let them know as soon as possible so they can find a suitable replacement.

Example: “I am available to work any shift that is offered at 99 Cents Only. I have no preference and would be happy to work whatever hours are needed.”

14. We would like our sales associates and cashiers to be able to work independently. Would that be something you could do?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate can work independently and how they feel about it. It’s important for employees to be able to do their job without constant supervision, so this is an essential skill that you want in your team members.

Example: “I am very comfortable working on my own and have done so many times throughout my career. I find that being independent allows me to focus more on my tasks and get them done quickly and efficiently.”

15. Are you willing to lift heavy boxes and merchandise?

This question is a great way to determine if the company has any lifting requirements. If they do, you can explain that you are physically capable of doing so and have done it in previous roles.

Example: “Yes, I am willing to lift heavy boxes and merchandise as long as my physical abilities meet the job’s requirements. In my last role, I was responsible for unloading trucks and stocking shelves with heavier items like canned goods and cleaning supplies. I also had to move large pallets of merchandise from the truck into the store.”

16. In what areas do you think 99 Cents Only could improve?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of self-awareness and how you would approach a problem. Your answer should show that you are willing to take on challenges, but also highlight areas where you think the company is already doing well.

Example: “I think 99 Cents Only could improve its customer service by hiring more cashiers during peak hours. I’ve noticed that there have been times when lines were long and customers had to wait for several minutes before they could check out. This may be because the store only has one or two registers open at any given time. If I was hired, I would suggest hiring additional cashiers so that lines could move faster.”

17. You will likely be interacting with customers all day long. How well do you work under pressure?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you can handle a fast-paced environment and work well under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you had to perform in a high-pressure situation and how you handled it successfully.

Example: “I have worked at several different retail stores throughout my career, so I am used to working with customers who are looking for specific items. In my last position, the store was hosting a sale event where we were offering discounts on all of our merchandise. This meant that there were more customers than usual shopping in the store, which made it challenging to find certain items. However, I remained calm and helped each customer until they found what they were looking for.”

18. How would you organize and prioritize product shipments?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan and organize your work. Use examples from previous experience to highlight your organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as a deep-discount retailer, I was responsible for organizing shipments of up to 100 pallets per day. To ensure that all products were accounted for, I used an RF scanner to track each product’s location in the warehouse. This helped me prioritize which products needed to be shipped first so they would arrive at stores before customers arrived.”

19. As a stocker, you need to be able to identify items quickly. Are you comfortable working with numbers?

This question is designed to assess your math skills and ability to work quickly. If you have previous experience working with numbers, it can be beneficial to mention this in your answer.

Example: “I am comfortable working with numbers, especially when they are part of a system or formula that I’ve learned before. In my last position, I was responsible for keeping track of the inventory on each aisle. This required me to know how many items were left on each shelf so I could order more if needed. I found that by using a simple formula, I could keep track of all the shelves without any issues.”

20. How would you decide where to place certain products around the store?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you use your organizational skills to keep a store’s shelves and displays neat and tidy. Use examples from previous experience that highlight your attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks and overall organization skills.

Example: “I would first consider what customers are looking for when they come into the store. For example, if I was working at a grocery store, I would place produce near the front of the store so shoppers could find it easily. If I was working in a clothing store, I would organize by size or style to make shopping easier for customers.”