20 Build-A-Bear Interview Questions and Answers

Build-A-Bear is a unique company that allows customers to create their own stuffed animals. The company was founded in 1997 and now has over 400 stores worldwide. Build-A-Bear is a fun and friendly place to work, and the company is always looking for new employees who share its passion for customer service.

If you’re hoping to land a job at Build-A-Bear, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your customer service experience, as well as your knowledge of the company and its products. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Build-A-Bear interview questions and answers.

Build-A-Bear Interview Process

The interview process at Build-A-Bear can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, such as Sales Associate or Bear Builder, the process is generally fairly straightforward and may only consist of one or two interviews. For more senior positions, such as Floor Leader or Store Manager, the process may be more extensive and include multiple rounds of interviews. Overall, the interview process is designed to assess your fit with the company values and culture, as well as your ability to perform the duties of the role you are applying for.

1. What is your favorite Build-A-Bear animal and why?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new coworkers. It’s also an opportunity for you to show off your creativity and personality. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific features of the animal that make it your favorite.

Example: “My favorite Build-A-Bear animal is the unicorn because I love how magical they are. The first time I saw one was at my friend’s birthday party when I was in elementary school. My friend got a unicorn from Build-A-Bear, and I thought it was so beautiful. Since then, I’ve always wanted to work here because I think we do such a good job capturing the magic of childhood.”

2. How would you handle a customer who was upset about their order?

Build-A-Bear is a company that focuses on customer service, so it’s likely you’ll encounter customers who are upset about their order. This question helps the interviewer determine how you would handle this situation and if you have experience with similar situations in the past. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to help calm the customer down and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Example: “I’ve had previous experience working at a restaurant where we also focused on excellent customer service. I remember one time when a customer was upset because they didn’t receive all of their food from our drive-thru. I apologized for the inconvenience and offered them a free meal on us. They were happy with the resolution and left the restaurant satisfied.”

3. Do you have any experience working with children?

Build-A-Bear is a popular destination for children, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with kids. If you do, share an example of how you helped them learn or grow in your role. If you don’t have any experience working with children, you can talk about your experience working with other age groups and what skills you developed that could be useful when working with children.

Example: “I worked as a camp counselor at my local YMCA last summer, where I led arts and crafts projects, planned games and activities and taught swimming lessons. Working with children was one of my favorite parts of the job, and I enjoyed helping them develop their creativity and confidence.”

4. Why do you want to work for Build-A-Bear Workshop?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done research on Build-A-Bear Workshop and are excited about what they do. Consider mentioning a few things that drew you to apply, such as benefits or career advancement opportunities.

Example: “I want to work for Build-A-Bear Workshop because I am passionate about customer service. I love helping people find the perfect gift for their loved ones and making sure they leave with a smile. I also really like how Build-A-Bear Workshop offers discounts for active duty military members and their families. It’s important to me to be part of a company that cares about its community.”

5. Describe a time when you had to deal with an angry parent in regards to a child’s birthday party.

Build-A-Bear is a popular place for children’s birthday parties. The interviewer wants to know how you handle stressful situations and ensure the parent leaves satisfied with your customer service skills.

Example: “I once had a situation where a child was upset because they didn’t get the bear they wanted at their party. I explained that Build-A-Bear doesn’t allow us to give out specific bears, but we can make any kind of bear the child wants. In this case, I made a special bear just for them and gave it to them as a gift from me.”

6. Tell me about a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

Build-A-Bear is a customer service-oriented company, so interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience in providing excellent customer service. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how your actions helped the customer and also benefited the company.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who came into our store with her daughter every week. The mother would buy her daughter a new outfit for each season, but she never bought anything for herself. One day, I noticed that she was looking through our clearance rack and asked her if there was anything she needed from us. She told me that she wanted some new work clothes, but didn’t want to spend too much money on them. I showed her some items on sale that were similar to what she wore to work and she ended up buying two outfits.”

7. What other companies have you worked at that are similar to Build-A-Bear Workshop?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new employer. It can also help you determine if the company is a good fit for you. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and highlight what you liked about each of those companies.

Example: “I’ve worked at two other companies that are similar to Build-A-Bear Workshop. One was a children’s clothing store where I helped customers find clothes that matched their child’s personality. The other was an ice cream shop where I learned how to make delicious treats. Both of these jobs taught me valuable skills that I use every day in my current position.”

8. What makes you qualified to be a Bear Builder?

Build-A-Bear is looking for candidates who are passionate about the company and its products. They want to know that you have a genuine interest in working with children and helping them create their own stuffed animals. Your answer should show your enthusiasm for the job and how you can benefit the company.

Example: “I love kids, and I am always excited to see their excitement when they get to make their own stuffed animal. I think it’s important to give kids an opportunity to be creative and use their imaginations. I also understand that there are many different types of stuffed animals, so I am committed to learning all of the details about each one. This will help me provide excellent customer service.”

9. Provide an example of a time when you were able to successfully sell a product or service.

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your sales and customer service skills. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight how you helped customers make a purchase or successfully sold a product.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for selling tickets to our company’s annual event. I created marketing campaigns that included social media ads and email blasts to reach as many people as possible. In addition, I spoke with coworkers about the event and encouraged them to buy tickets. By doing this, I was able to sell out all of the available tickets before the deadline.”

10. What do you think the most important aspect of being a sales associate is?

This question is a great way to see how you prioritize your work. It also shows the interviewer what skills and abilities are most important to you as an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about which aspects of your job have helped you succeed in the past.

Example: “I believe that the most important aspect of being a sales associate is customer service. I know that Build-A-Bear has a reputation for excellent customer service, so I would make sure to uphold that standard if hired. I am always willing to go above and beyond for customers because I know that happy customers lead to more sales.”

11. Are you comfortable handling money, counting back change and operating a cash register?

Build-A-Bear is a retail store, so the interviewer will likely want to know if you have experience working in a similar environment. This question can also help them determine whether or not you would be comfortable with the job’s responsibilities and expectations. In your answer, try to show that you are responsible with money and enjoy interacting with customers.

Example: “I’ve worked as a cashier at my local grocery store for three years now, so I am very familiar with handling money and counting back change. I’m confident in my math skills, which helps me make sure I give the right amount of change back to customers. I love helping customers find what they’re looking for and answering their questions about our products.”

12. If we called one of your past employers, what would they say about you?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s work history and how they’ve been perceived by their past employers. It can also be an opportunity for you to ask them what they learned from previous jobs that helped them grow as a professional.

Example: “My last employer would say I’m a hard worker who always does my best. They’d tell you that I was eager to learn new things, but I also had some trouble with time management at times. I think those two things are related, though, because I want to do everything well and sometimes get overwhelmed when there’s too much on my plate.”

13. Can you tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision at work?

Build-A-Bear often asks this question to learn more about your decision-making skills. This is because the company values collaboration and teamwork in its employees. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you had to make a tough call but also explain how you made that choice with input from others.

Example: “In my last role as an assistant manager at a retail store, I was responsible for hiring new team members. One day, I received two applications for one open position. Both applicants were qualified, however, one applicant had much more experience than the other. After reviewing both resumes, I decided to hire the candidate with more experience. However, before making that final decision, I asked my manager if she would like to interview both candidates herself.”

14. Do you have any retail management experience?

Build-A-Bear is a retail store, so it’s likely that you’ll be managing other employees. The company wants to know if you have any experience in this area and how you would handle the responsibilities of being a manager. If you don’t have management experience, you can talk about your leadership skills and how they could help you succeed as a manager.

Example: “I’ve never been a manager before, but I do have some leadership experience. In my last job, I was one of the top performers, which led to me getting promoted to team leader. I learned how to delegate tasks and motivate others to get work done. I think these skills will help me become an effective manager at Build-A-Bear.”

15. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would lead a team of your own. Your leadership style is unique to you, and it’s important that you’re able to adapt to different situations. In your answer, try to describe what makes you a good leader while also explaining why this skill is important.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable leader who encourages my team members to ask questions when they need clarification or assistance. I think it’s important for leaders to be available to their teams so everyone feels comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas. I’m also a firm believer in encouraging creativity among employees. I like to give my team members autonomy over their projects so they feel invested in their work.”

16. Have you ever dealt with a situation where you felt like you weren’t being treated fairly by a manager or coworker?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re willing to speak up for yourself. In your answer, try to explain what happened without criticizing the person who may have been acting within their authority.

Example: “I once worked with a manager who would frequently change our schedules at the last minute. This made it difficult to plan my life outside of work because I never knew when I was going to be working. When I asked her about this, she told me that we were expected to be available on short notice. However, after talking with some coworkers, I learned that many of us had different expectations. We all met with the manager together and explained that we wanted more advance notice so we could better plan our lives. She agreed to give us two weeks’ notice before changing our schedules.”

17. How would you motivate someone who wasn’t performing well?

Build-A-Bear is a fun place to work, and employees should enjoy their job. However, there may be times when an employee isn’t performing well or they’re having a bad day. Your answer should show that you can help someone through this situation by offering them support and encouragement.

Example: “I would first ask the employee what was going on in their life. Sometimes, personal issues affect our performance at work. If it’s something I could help with, such as giving them some time off, then I would do so. Otherwise, I would try to offer them advice and support. For example, if they were struggling with a task, I would offer to help them learn how to complete it.”

18. What do you think it takes to be successful as a Sales Lead?

Build-A-Bear is looking for a Sales Lead who can help the company achieve its goals. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you would approach this role. In your answer, explain what qualities you think are important in a leader. Share examples of when you have demonstrated these qualities in the past.

Example: “I believe that it takes someone with strong communication skills to be successful as a Sales Lead. I am always sure to communicate clearly with my team members so everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. Another quality I think is important is being able to motivate others. As a Sales Lead, I would want to inspire my team to do their best work every day. I feel like I could accomplish both of these things by setting clear expectations and providing positive feedback.”

19. We believe employees should always be learning and expanding their knowledge base. How would you go about doing this on a regular basis?

This question is a great way to show your interest in continuing education and development. It’s also an opportunity for you to share any resources or programs that have helped you grow professionally in the past.

Example: “I believe it’s important to always be learning, so I regularly attend webinars and seminars on topics like project management, time management and communication skills. These types of events help me stay up-to-date with current trends and best practices in my industry. In addition, I’ve found online courses to be very helpful as well. There are many free resources available that can teach you new things while allowing you to work at your own pace.”

20. What qualities do you possess that will help you succeed as an Assistant Manager?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities as they relate to the job. They want to know what you can bring to their organization that will help it succeed. In your answer, try to highlight a few of your strongest skills and how they apply to this role.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work and meet deadlines. I also have excellent communication skills, so I’m comfortable speaking with customers and other team members. These qualities helped me excel in previous roles, and I think they’ll be beneficial for this position too.”