20 Finish Line Interview Questions and Answers

Finish Line is a popular retailer that specializes in athletic shoes and apparel. If you’re interviewing for a job at Finish Line, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with customer service, your knowledge of the athletic footwear industry, and your ability to sell products.

You may also be asked questions specific to Finish Line’s products and services. For example, you may be asked to describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or to explain how you would handle a situation if a customer was unhappy with a purchase.

Preparing for your interview by familiarizing yourself with Finish Line’s products and services, as well as common interview questions, will help you make a great impression and increase your chances of being hired.

Finish Line Interview Process

The interview process at Finish Line can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, such as Sales Associate or Cashier, the interview process is typically fairly straightforward and may only consist of one or two interviews. For more managerial positions, such as Store Manager or Assistant Manager, the interview process may be more extensive and may include multiple rounds of interviews. Overall, the interview process at Finish Line is generally not too difficult, although it can vary depending on the position you are applying for.

1. Why do you want to work at Finish Line?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. It also helps them determine if your values align with those of Finish Line. When preparing for this question, think about what attracted you to this position in the first place. Consider mentioning something specific that drew you to the job listing or something you learned from the job description.

Example: “I was drawn to this position because I saw that it offered plenty of opportunities for advancement. I am passionate about helping others succeed, so I would love to have the chance to mentor other employees as they advance through the ranks. I also really value teamwork, which is something I noticed when reading about the culture here.”

2. What experience do you have working in a retail environment?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you interact with customers and whether you have experience working in a fast-paced environment. When answering, think of a time when you helped a customer find something or assisted them with their purchase.

Example: “I worked at a clothing store for three years while I was in college. It was a small shop, so we all had different roles. During the summer months, it got really busy, but I enjoyed helping customers find what they were looking for. I also learned how to work quickly because there were always people waiting in line.”

3. How would you handle an employee who was not performing their job as well as they should be?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to hold employees accountable for their performance and provide them with the resources they need to improve.

Example: “If I noticed an employee was not performing well, I would first meet with them to discuss my concerns. If it was something that could be fixed by providing additional training or resources, I would do so. However, if the issue was more serious, such as consistently missing deadlines or failing to meet expectations, I would have a conversation with them about the steps we would take to part ways.”

4. Tell me about your past customer service experiences, what did you learn from them?

Customer service is a vital part of working in retail. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with customer service and how it can help you succeed at their company. When answering, think about what you learned from your past experiences. Consider mentioning that you are always looking for ways to improve your customer service skills.

Example: “In my last job as a cashier, I had the opportunity to interact with customers on a daily basis. One thing I learned was that no matter what kind of mood I am in, I need to put on a smile when interacting with customers. Customers notice if you’re having a bad day or not being genuine. It’s important to be friendly and helpful even when you’re feeling stressed out.”

5. Tell us something that you think we can improve on as a company.

This question is a great way to see how you can contribute to the company’s success. It also shows that the interviewer wants to know your opinion and values. When answering this question, it’s important to be respectful of the company and its employees. You should focus on one or two areas where you think the company could improve.

Example: “I think there are some opportunities for improvement in communication between departments. I’ve noticed that sometimes we don’t have all the information we need when working on projects. If I were hired here, I would like to start a monthly newsletter with updates from each department. This would help us stay informed about what’s going on within the company.”

6. If hired, how would you approach the first 30 days of your new position?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you plan to get started in the role. Your answer should include a list of tasks you would complete during your first month on the job, such as:

Meeting with coworkers
Learning company policies
Completing any training programs
Example: “I believe it’s important to start my new position by learning everything I can about the company culture and expectations for my role. During my first week, I would attend orientation and meet with my manager to discuss their expectations for me. In my second week, I would complete any required training or certification courses so that I’m ready to hit the ground running when my 30-day probation period ends.”

7. Do you consider yourself a leader or a follower and why?

This question can help interviewers understand your leadership style and how you interact with others. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but it can also be helpful to provide an example of a time when you were both a leader and follower.

Example: “I consider myself a natural leader who is comfortable taking on that role when necessary. In my last position, I was the lead developer for our team, which meant I had to make sure everyone was working efficiently and communicating effectively. However, I’m also someone who likes to learn from others, so I always try to listen to what other people have to say and incorporate their ideas into my work.”

8. Give an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation involving a customer.

Interviewers ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can be assertive and confident when dealing with challenging situations, especially if the job requires customer service. In your answer, try to show that you are empathetic and willing to help customers in any way possible.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. I listened to what they were saying and tried to understand why they were so frustrated. After talking to them for a few minutes, I realized that they hadn’t read the shipping information before ordering. I apologized for the inconvenience and offered to send another shipment at no cost.”

9. Would you rather lead a team or be part of a team?

This question is a great way to determine how you feel about working in a team. It also helps the interviewer understand your leadership skills and whether or not you prefer to be led by someone else. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you were part of a team that was successful.

Example: “I would rather lead a team than be part of one. I find that I am more confident in my abilities as a leader and enjoy having the responsibility of making sure everyone on my team is doing their job well. In my last position, I was promoted from being an entry-level employee to leading a team of five employees. We all worked together to meet our goals for the company.”

10. What is one thing that you learned in a previous job that you use in your personal life today?

This question can give the interviewer insight into your personality and how you apply what you learn in the workplace to your personal life. Use this opportunity to showcase a skill or trait that you have developed over time, such as communication skills, organization or leadership qualities.

Example: “In my last job, I learned how to manage multiple projects at once. This skill has helped me stay organized and prioritize my tasks more effectively. Now, I use this knowledge to help plan out my week and make sure I get everything done on time.”

11. Can you tell us about a time where you were forced to make a quick decision, what was it and how did it turn out?

This question is a great way to see how you react under pressure. It’s important for employers to know that you can make quick decisions and still be successful. When answering this question, it’s best to focus on the positive outcome of your decision.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant, I was working with a client who needed their financials by the end of the day. I had just started working there, so I didn’t have all of the information yet. I told them I would get the information to them by the end of the day, but when I got back to my desk, I realized I wouldn’t be able to finish in time. I called the client and explained the situation. They were understanding and said they could wait until the next morning.”

12. Are you comfortable being physically active throughout your shift?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re physically capable of working a long shift. They want employees who can stay active and focused throughout their workday. In your answer, explain that you enjoy being active at work. Share an example of how you’ve stayed active in the past.

Example: “I am very comfortable being physically active during my shift. I have worked as a cashier before, where I had to stand for eight hours straight. I would walk around every hour or so to stretch my legs. I also made it a point to take short breaks to walk outside. This helped me stay energized throughout my entire shift.”

13. Describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question can help interviewers understand your dedication to customer service. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and how you helped the customer.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was having trouble with their website. They were frustrated because they couldn’t figure out what was wrong. After working on the issue for several hours, I realized that there was an error in the coding of the site. I stayed late into the night to fix the problem so that the customer could have access to their website by morning.”

14. What are some attributes that successful sales associates have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of your own strengths that will help you be successful in this position.

Example: “I believe a successful sales associate needs to be confident, organized and empathetic. Confidence is important because it helps us overcome objections from customers and shows them we are knowledgeable about our products. Being organized is also important because it allows us to stay on top of our tasks and meet deadlines. Empathy is essential because it helps us understand what our customers need and how we can best serve them.”

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

This question can help interviewers understand how you might fit into their company’s culture. If the position requires a lot of multitasking, consider mentioning your experience with that and how it helped you succeed in your previous roles.

Example: “In my last role as an accountant, I had to balance multiple accounts at once while also ensuring all financial documents were filed correctly. This was challenging but rewarding because I got used to working quickly and efficiently. I think this skill would be beneficial if hired for this position.”

16. What skills do you believe are important for success in this role?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it takes to succeed in this role. You can answer this question by listing several skills and explaining how they help you achieve success.

Example: “I believe communication, problem-solving and teamwork are all important skills for success in this role. I am always open to speaking with my teammates about any questions or concerns I may have regarding a project. This helps me learn more about their processes and gives them an opportunity to ask me questions as well. Being able to communicate effectively with my team members allows us to work together efficiently and successfully complete our projects.”

17. In your opinion, what makes someone a good manager?

This question can help interviewers understand your management style and how you would approach managing a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes you a good manager or leader. You can also consider the qualities of managers you’ve worked with in the past that helped them succeed.

Example: “I believe a good manager is someone who is able to motivate their team members while still allowing them to feel like they have autonomy over their work. I think it’s important for managers to set clear expectations but also allow employees to find their own ways to meet those expectations. A good manager should also be someone who is willing to listen to their team and take their feedback into consideration.”

18. What’s your favorite pair of shoes?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you better. They want to see if your favorite pair of shoes are similar to those worn by their company’s employees. If they’re not, it can be an indication that you might have trouble fitting in with the team. Your answer should show that you understand what type of footwear the company uses and why you like them.

Example: “I love my Nike Free Run 3s because they’re lightweight but still provide plenty of support. I also appreciate how breathable they are, which makes them great for hot days at work. I’ve been wearing these sneakers since college, so I’m used to them. However, I would definitely switch brands if our company started providing different types of shoes.”

19. What gets you excited about coming into work every day?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your passion for the job. They want to know what motivates you and how you stay motivated throughout your workday. When answering this question, think of a few things that excite you about working in this role. You can also mention any personal goals you have related to this position.

Example: “I love coming into work every day because I get to help people achieve their goals. Whether it’s helping someone find a new career or getting them back on track with their current one, I enjoy being able to make a positive impact on someone’s life. In my last position, I helped an employee who was struggling with her workload. She had been taking on too much at once, so I helped her prioritize her tasks and delegate some of her responsibilities. After following my advice, she felt less stressed and was able to focus on her most important projects.”

20. What hours are you available to work?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re available for the hours they need. They also want to know if your availability matches their needs. Before your interview, research the company’s website and social media pages to see when they post about work events or publish articles. If you can find a pattern in their posts, use that information to answer this question.

Example: “I am available to work from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. I have noticed on your Instagram account that you often host events at night. Based on my availability, I would be able to attend those events as well.”