19 DSW Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to company specific interview questions, DSW Inc. is no different than any other company. In order to be prepared for your interview with DSW Inc., it is important to familiarize yourself with the company and its history. Additionally, you should be prepared to answer questions about your experience, your qualifications, and your goals.

DSW Inc. is a United States branded footwear and accessories specialty retailer operating 326 shoe stores in 40 states. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. DSW Inc. offers a wide variety of shoes for men, women, and children, as well as handbags, accessories, and more.

When interviewing with DSW Inc., you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the retail industry, your knowledge of DSW Inc. products and services, your availability and flexibility, and your customer service skills. Additionally, you may be asked questions about your sales experience and your ability to meet sales goals. Be prepared to answer these questions and more in order to increase your chances of being hired by DSW Inc.

DSW Interview Process

The interview process at DSW is generally quick and easy. Most applicants report being asked general questions about their experience and availability during their interviews. Some positions may require more in-depth interviewing, but overall the process is fairly straightforward.

1. Which work schedule are you available for?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your availability and how it fits with the company’s schedule. If you’re unsure of which days or hours you can work, explain that you are flexible and will do whatever is needed to meet the needs of the job.

Example: “I am available for full-time employment Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. I have experience working weekends and evenings as well, so if those times are necessary, I’m happy to accommodate.”

2. Do you have any experience managing a team of sales associates?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience managing a team of employees and how well you did it. If you do not have any management experience, you can talk about your leadership skills or other experiences that helped you work with others to achieve goals.

Example: “I’ve never had the opportunity to manage a team of sales associates, but I have worked in retail for five years now. In my current position, I am responsible for training new hires on our products and helping them learn the company’s policies. I also assist more experienced sales associates when they need help finding an item or assisting customers.”

3. What is your favorite brand and why?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new coworker’s interests and preferences. It can also help you determine which brands DSW carries in its stores, so you can mention how much you enjoy shopping there.

Example: “I love the brand Steve Madden because they have such cute shoes that are always on sale. I’m not sure if you carry them at DSW, but I would be thrilled if you did! I think it’s important to find good deals when shopping for clothes and accessories.”

4. Tell us about a time when you had to manage conflict between two members of the same team. How did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to resolve a conflict between two members of the same team and how you handled it.

Example: “At my last job, I worked with two sales associates who were constantly arguing about their sales numbers. One associate would always claim that they sold more shoes than the other, which led to an argument every day. To solve this problem, I scheduled a meeting with both employees and asked them to discuss their concerns in private. After hearing both sides, I told them that there was no need for competition as long as they both did their best.”

5. Describe how you would approach an unhappy customer.

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation where a customer is unhappy with their purchase or the way they were treated in the store. In your answer, demonstrate that you value customers and are willing to go above and beyond to ensure they have a positive experience.

Example: “I believe it’s important to treat every customer as if they’re my most important client. If I ever had an unhappy customer, I would first apologize for any inconvenience they experienced. Then, I would try to find out what they wanted from me so I could make things right. For example, if they returned an item, I would offer them a refund or exchange. Or, if they were upset about something else, I would do everything I could to fix the situation.”

6. Are you willing to learn new software programs and systems?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you’re willing to adapt to new systems and processes in the workplace. Use your answer to show that you’re a quick learner who’s eager to learn more about the company’s software programs and other tools used for daily operations.

Example: “I’m always open to learning new things, especially when it comes to my career. I’ve taken several online courses on how to use different types of software programs and have learned quite a bit from them. If hired, I would be happy to take any additional training or classes needed to help me get up-to-speed with the company’s current systems.”

7. Why should we hire you instead of someone else?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I am highly motivated and eager to learn new things. I have excellent communication skills and enjoy working with others. My attention to detail makes me a valuable asset in any organization. I also have experience working as a part-time sales associate at a shoe store where I learned many of the skills necessary to succeed in this role.”

8. Are you comfortable working in retail environments?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in retail environments. If you have previous experience, share what you enjoyed most about the job and how it prepared you for a career at DSW Inc. If you don’t have any prior experience, explain why you are excited to work in a retail environment.

Example: “I worked as a sales associate at a clothing store during my college years. I loved interacting with customers and helping them find the right outfit for their style. It was rewarding to see people leave the store feeling confident in their new outfits.”

9. DSW prides itself on its ability to adapt quickly to change, give an example of a time when you adapted to change quickly.

This question is a great way to show your ability to adapt and learn new things. It also shows that you are willing to take on challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of something you learned recently or how you adapted to a change in the past.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous job, I was hired as a sales associate. After six months, I was promoted to manager because of my excellent customer service skills and my ability to work well with others. This was a big change for me, but I took the time to learn everything I needed to know about being a manager. Now, I am able to use those skills every day.”

10. Tell me about a time when you were not able to meet a deadline, what happened?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to learn from mistakes and how you can improve. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about the situation and explain what steps you took to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “In my previous role as a social media manager, I was responsible for creating content on our company’s Instagram account every day. One week, I had a particularly busy workweek and forgot to post one of the days. My boss called me into her office and asked why I hadn’t posted in two days. I explained that I had been very busy with other projects and assured her that it would never happen again.”

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

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are a dedicated employee who cares about the company’s customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped a customer in need or went out of your way to make their shopping experience more enjoyable.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as a sales associate, I had a customer come into the store looking for a pair of shoes to wear to her daughter’s wedding. She was having trouble finding something she liked and kept asking me if we had any other styles. After searching through our inventory several times, I realized we didn’t have anything else in stock that would work for her. So, I offered to order some additional pairs from our headquarters so she could try them on before deciding which ones she wanted.”

12. Can you tell me about a time when you made an important decision that was not straightforward? Explain the steps you took to make the decision.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and what your thought process is. It can also show them that you are able to think critically about a situation and come up with an appropriate solution.

Example: “When I was working as a social worker, there were many times when my clients would ask me for advice on which treatment they should pursue. While I always encouraged them to do their own research and decide what felt right for them, sometimes they would insist that I tell them what I would do in their situation. In those cases, I would explain that each person’s situation is unique and that no one decision is necessarily better than another. Instead, I would encourage them to consider all of their options and choose the one that made them feel most comfortable.”

13. Have you ever worked with scheduling or financial reports?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a variety of tasks and responsibilities. Use examples from previous work to highlight your skills in these areas.

Example: “I have worked with scheduling software before, but I’ve also used Microsoft Excel for financial reports. At my last job, I was responsible for creating weekly sales reports that included information on customer demographics, average sale amounts and more. I also created monthly budget reports that helped me stay within company spending limits.”

14. What aspect of this job do you think will be most challenging for you?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of what you think will be most challenging about this role. They are looking for someone who can overcome challenges and thrive in their position. When answering, it’s important to highlight your ability to adapt to change and learn new things.

Example: “I think that the biggest challenge I might face would be learning how to navigate the company’s inventory system. I’ve never worked with one before, so I’m excited to learn something new. I am confident that I have the skills necessary to quickly learn any software or program.”

15. What is your experience with working as part of a team?

Working as part of a team is an important aspect of the role. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you work with others. To answer, think of a time when you worked well with others on a project or task.

Example: “I have experience working in teams throughout my career. In my last position, I was one of three people who managed our store’s social media accounts. We would meet once a week to discuss what we posted that week and any ideas for new content. This helped us stay organized and collaborate on different aspects of our job.”

16. DSW offers multiple products and services, which ones interest you the most?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with their products and services. It also shows them which ones you’re most passionate about, which can help them decide whether or not to hire you. When answering this question, make sure to mention a few of the company’s offerings that interest you the most.

Example: “I’m very interested in DSW’s shoe repair service. I’ve always been good at fixing things, so I think it would be fun to work as a shoemaker. I’d also like to try selling shoes because I love helping people find the right pair for them. I know how important it is to feel comfortable when wearing new shoes.”

17. What do you think makes a good manager?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a potential manager. As a social worker, you may not have much experience managing others, but your answer should show that you understand what makes a good leader and how you would apply those skills in this role.

Example: “I think a good manager is someone who can be both empathetic and decisive. I believe it’s important to listen to my team members’ concerns and ideas while also making sure they are performing their jobs well. In my last position, I had a coworker who was struggling with her work. I listened to her concerns and offered advice on how she could improve. After several conversations, she felt more confident in her abilities and returned to her normal performance level.”

19. What type of footwear do you like to wear and why?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a passion for shoes and footwear. You can use this question as an opportunity to share some of the brands you like, why you like them and what makes them unique or special.

Example: “I love wearing high heels because they make me feel confident and powerful. I also think they’re beautiful and elegant. However, I don’t wear them all the time because I know it’s important to take care of my feet. For example, I always wear closed-toe shoes when I’m at work.”

20. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new hire’s career goals. It also helps employers determine if you’re likely to stay with the company for an extended period of time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you want to accomplish in your career and how working at DSW Inc. will help you achieve those goals.

Example: “I see myself as a store manager by the end of next year. I’ve been working toward that goal since starting my career, and I feel like now is the right time to make that transition. Working here would give me the opportunity to gain valuable management experience while continuing to provide excellent customer service.”