20 Athleta Interview Questions and Answers

Athleta is a popular retailer for women’s yoga clothing, swimwear, running clothing, and athletic clothing. If you’re interviewing for a position at Athleta, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with yoga, swimming, running, and other athletic activities. You’ll also likely be asked questions about your experience working with women’s clothing and fitness apparel. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Athleta interview questions and answers.

Athleta Interview Process

The interview process at Athleta is relatively quick and easy. Most applicants can expect to receive a call back within a week or two of applying, and the entire process usually takes no more than a month. The interviews themselves are generally quite relaxed and informal, with managers simply looking to get to know the applicant better and gauge their interest in the company. However, some positions (such as Assistant Manager) may require a more formal interview process. Overall, the experience is generally positive and applicants should have no trouble getting hired if they are qualified for the position.

1. What do you know about Athleta and our products?

This question is a great way for employers to see how much you know about their company and the products they sell. When preparing for your interview, make sure to research the company thoroughly so that you can answer this question with confidence.

Example: “I’ve been an avid fan of Athleta’s clothing line since I first discovered it in my local mall. I love the variety of athletic wear and fitness clothes that you offer. I also really appreciate the fact that you have a wide range of sizes available, which makes shopping for new workout gear more enjoyable.”

2. What does a typical day at work look like for you?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of what your daily responsibilities are and how they align with the job description. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include details about your typical workday that show you’re qualified for the position.

Example: “In my previous role as an assistant manager at a local gym, I would arrive at work around 7:30 in the morning to open up the facility for members. Throughout the day, I would check in on staff members to make sure everyone was doing their jobs well and helping members. After closing, I would review sales reports from the day and prepare for the next day.”

3. Why are you interested in working for Athleta?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing for this interview, make sure you read through the job description and highlight any aspects that particularly interest you. You can also use this time to ask questions about what it’s like to work at Athleta.

Example: “I’m interested in working for Athleta because I love fitness and I’ve heard so many good things about this brand. I think it would be an amazing opportunity to work with such a successful company. I am very passionate about helping women feel confident and comfortable in their workout clothes.”

4. Do you have any experience with commission sales?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience selling to customers and how well you perform under pressure. If you do not have commission sales experience, you can explain what other types of sales you’ve done in the past.

Example: “I haven’t had any experience with commission sales, but I have worked as a cashier at my local grocery store for three years. During that time, I learned how to interact with customers and handle money effectively. I also developed strong customer service skills and became familiar with different payment methods.”

5. How would you handle an unhappy customer?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation where a customer is upset with their experience at the store or online. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you can empathize with customers and resolve issues quickly.

Example: “I once had a customer who was unhappy because she couldn’t find her size in our store. I apologized for the inconvenience and offered to order the item for her online so she could have it shipped to her home. She appreciated my offer, and I made sure to follow up with her after we received the shipment to make sure she was happy with her purchase.”

6. Tell me about your previous retail experience, including what you liked and disliked most.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience in the retail industry and how it relates to their company. When answering, consider what you liked most about working at a previous job and what skills you gained from that position.

Example: “I worked as a sales associate at a local boutique for two years before moving here. I loved interacting with customers and helping them find clothing they loved. However, I disliked having to work on commission because sometimes I felt like I had to push products onto customers even if they didn’t want them.”

7. How would you deal with upset or difficult customers?

This question can help employers understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you helped an upset customer and the positive outcome of your actions.

Example: “I once had a customer who was unhappy with her purchase because she thought it was supposed to fit differently than it did. I asked her if there was anything we could do to make her more satisfied with her order. She said that she wanted a full refund but didn’t want to return the item. We ended up offering her a gift card for the amount of the original purchase so she could buy something else from our store.”

8. How do you motivate yourself to consistently perform well?

This question can help interviewers understand your work ethic and how you stay motivated. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you had to push yourself to complete a task or project.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when I have a set schedule for my day. For example, if I know I need to write 1,000 words by noon, I will get started right away and keep working until the task is done. This helps me avoid procrastination and ensures I meet all of my deadlines.”

9. Walk me through how you would sell something to someone who doesn’t think they need it.

This question is a great way to test your sales skills. It’s important for any employee in retail to be able to sell products and services, so the interviewer may ask this question to see how you would approach selling something that isn’t necessarily needed by every customer. In your answer, try to show that you can convince customers to buy things they didn’t know they wanted or needed.

Example: “I would first find out what their goals are and then I’d explain why my product or service could help them achieve those goals. For example, if someone came into the store looking for running shoes but said they weren’t sure they needed new ones, I would talk with them about how our shoes have features that will help them run more efficiently and avoid injuries.”

10. Describe a time when you had to go above and beyond for a customer.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you helped a customer solve a problem or provided exceptional service. This can help the interviewer understand your commitment to helping others and how you might do so in your new role.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was looking for a specific type of workout clothing that we didn’t have in stock. She called our store multiple times asking if we had what she wanted, but we didn’t. I offered to order her size from another location, which would take two weeks to arrive. She agreed, and I placed an order with another store. When the shipment arrived, I personally delivered it to her home.”

11. Can you describe a situation where you found a creative solution to a problem?

This question can help the interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you apply them to work. Use examples from previous jobs or describe a time when you helped resolve an issue in a volunteer position.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that our inventory was running low on some of our most popular items. We had just received a shipment of new products, so I spoke with the manager about it. She told me she would look into it and get back to me. Later that day, she informed me that one of our employees had accidentally thrown out several boxes of merchandise. I volunteered to go through all of the remaining inventory and find any missing pieces.”

12. What is the best compliment you’ve ever received on your customer service skills?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you’ve used them in the past. When answering, think of a time when someone complimented you on your customer service skills or an example of how you provided excellent customer service.

Example: “Once, I was working at a clothing store that sold both men’s and women’s clothing. A woman came into the store looking for a specific style of dress shirt for her husband. She didn’t know what size he wore, but she knew his favorite color. I asked her if she had any other details about him that might help me find the right shirt. She said that he liked to wear loose-fitting shirts with buttons down the front.

I showed her several different styles of shirts in different colors and sizes until we found one that matched all of her criteria. She was so grateful for my help and told me it was the best shopping experience she’d ever had.”

13. What is your favorite clothing brand?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s fashion sense and style. It can also help you determine if they have experience with similar brands to Athleta, which can be helpful when making hiring decisions.

Example: “My favorite clothing brand is Lululemon because of their high-quality athletic wear that lasts for years. I love how comfortable their clothes are and how stylish they look. I’ve been wearing Lululemon since college, so it’s safe to say I’m a loyal customer.”

14. Tell me about a time when you were able to resolve a conflict between two or more people.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you resolve conflict and your interpersonal skills. Use examples from previous work or school experiences to highlight your communication, problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my last job as a sales associate at a clothing store, I had two customers who were arguing over the price of a dress. One customer thought it was on sale for $50 but another customer said she saw it listed online for $100. I asked them both to wait while I checked the computer system. Sure enough, the dress was listed for $100. I apologized to both customers and offered to give them 10% off their next purchase.”

15. Have you ever worked as part of a team to complete a project? If so, what was your role in the group?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you work with others. When answering, try to highlight a time when you worked well with others on a project or task.

Example: “In my previous role as an assistant manager at a retail store, I was part of a team that helped the manager complete tasks like hiring new employees, creating marketing campaigns and organizing inventory. My role in the group was to help the manager by researching information for her and completing smaller tasks so she could focus on larger projects.”

16. How would you improve upon the way we currently run our business?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills and ability to think critically. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have the ability to analyze data and make decisions based on what you find.

Example: “I would start by analyzing our current sales numbers and customer feedback. I’d use these metrics to determine which products are selling well and which ones aren’t. From there, I’d look at how we can improve upon those items or create new products that will sell better.”

17. Give an example of a successful sale that you closed.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your sales experience and how you approach a customer. To answer, think of a time when you closed a sale with a customer who was hesitant or needed extra convincing. Explain what steps you took to help the customer make their decision.

Example: “I recently helped a customer find the right pair of running shoes for them. They were looking for something that would be comfortable but also provide support for their feet. I showed them several different pairs of shoes and explained the benefits of each one. In the end, they decided on a pair of shoes that I recommended.”

18. What are some ways that you would use social media to advertise new products?

Social media is a great way to reach out to customers and promote new products. Employers want to know that you have experience using social media for marketing purposes, so be sure to discuss your past experiences with this type of advertising.

Example: “I would use social media to create contests where people can enter by sharing the post or tagging their friends in it. I’ve done this before at my previous job, and it was very successful. It’s also important to respond to comments on posts as well as ask questions to get more engagement from followers.”

19. What kind of tools would you use to analyze product trends?

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand your analytical skills and how you would use them in the role. Use examples from past experience to show that you can analyze data, identify trends and make recommendations based on those findings.

Example: “I have used Google Analytics extensively in my previous roles as a marketing analyst. I would first look at which products are selling well and which ones aren’t performing as expected. Then, I would compare these results with customer feedback and social media engagement to see if there is any correlation between sales and consumer sentiment. If so, I would recommend changes to improve product performance.”

20. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service. What are some of the things you would do to make sure that customers feel valued?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience in customer service and can apply those skills to their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your interpersonal skills and how they help you connect with customers.

Example: “I believe that providing exceptional customer service starts with making sure that I am friendly and helpful when speaking with them. I also make sure to listen carefully so that I understand exactly what they need. In my last role as a sales associate at a clothing store, I had a customer who was looking for a specific type of dress. After asking her questions about what she wanted, I found several dresses that matched her description. She ended up buying two of them.”