17 Floral Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

Floral assistants are responsible for helping florists with arrangements, deliveries, and customer service. If you’re hoping to land a job as a floral assistant, you’ll need to be able to answer a few key questions in your interview.

Some questions may be general, such as “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.” But you’ll also need to be prepared to answer more specific questions about your experience with flowers and plants.

Not sure what to expect? We’ve put together a list of sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you detail-oriented?

Employers ask this question to see if you can perform the job duties with accuracy. Detail-oriented employees are more likely to make fewer mistakes and complete tasks on time. Use your answer to highlight your attention to detail by describing a situation where you were able to notice small details that helped you succeed in your work.

Example: “I am very detail-oriented, which has helped me throughout my career as a floral assistant. In my last position, I noticed that one of our flower arrangements was missing a few flowers. I asked my supervisor what we should do about it, and she told me to remove some flowers from other arrangements so we could replace them. I removed flowers from two other arrangements and added them to the arrangement that was missing flowers. The customer never knew they were missing any flowers.”

What are your favorite flowers to work with? Least favorite?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a passion for flowers and floral design. They want someone who is excited about working with their company’s flowers, so they can help the business grow. Your answer should include your favorite flower types and why you like them. You can also mention any least-favorite flowers that you are willing to work with.

Example: “I love working with all kinds of flowers, but my favorites are roses and peonies. I find both of these flowers to be elegant and beautiful. When I was in high school, I took a class on floral design. We had to create an arrangement using only one type of flower. I chose peonies because of how unique they were. The teacher gave me an A+ on my project.”

How would you describe your work ethic?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your dedication and passion for the floral industry. They want to know that you will work hard in their store, so they can be sure you’re a good fit for their team. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your commitment to excellence and how you plan to contribute to the company.

Example: “I have a very strong work ethic, which is why I am passionate about working in the floral industry. I love being able to create beautiful arrangements while also helping customers find what they need. I’m always willing to go above and beyond to ensure my customers are happy with their purchases. In fact, I often stay late after my shift ends to make sure all of our arrangements are ready for delivery.”

What is your experience working with flowers?

Employers ask this question to see if you have experience working with flowers and how much. They want someone who has a lot of experience, but they also want someone who can learn quickly. Show them that you are eager to learn more about the floral industry by telling them what you know so far.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in flowers, so I took some classes at my local community college. There, I learned about different types of flowers and their meanings. I also learned how to care for flowers and how to arrange bouquets. I worked as an assistant in a florist shop last summer, where I learned even more about flowers and how to work with customers.”

Provide an example of a time you overcame an obstacle at work.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. They want to know that you can use your critical thinking and communication skills to overcome challenges in the workplace. When answering this question, think of a time when you faced an obstacle at work and overcame it with your own initiative or by asking for help from your supervisor.

Example: “When I was working as a floral assistant at my previous job, we were running low on supplies one day. I noticed that some of our vases were cracked, so I asked my supervisor if she could order more. She told me she would take care of it, but later that week, I realized we still didn’t have enough vases. So, I went ahead and ordered more myself. By ordering them early, we had plenty of vases for all of our arrangements.”

If a customer wanted a floral arrangement that you did not have the supplies for, how would you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle customer requests and inquiries. Your answer should show that you are willing to go above and beyond for customers, even if it means finding a way to meet their needs despite not having the necessary supplies on hand.

Example: “If a customer wanted an arrangement I didn’t have the supplies for, I would first apologize to them and explain that we don’t have those particular flowers in stock at the moment. Then, I would offer to make another floral arrangement with similar flowers or suggest other arrangements they may like based on what they were looking for.”

What would you do if you made a mistake while arranging flowers?

Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle errors and learn from them. They want to see that you can take responsibility for your actions, apologize and fix the problem. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to correct the mistake and prevent it from happening again in the future.

Example: “If I made a mistake while arranging flowers, I would first try to find out if anyone noticed. If they did, I would immediately tell my manager so we could fix the arrangement before someone purchased it. Then, I would remove the incorrect flower arrangement and replace it with the correct one. Finally, I would write down what happened so I could remember not to do it again.”

How well do you handle criticism?

Employers may ask this question to see how you respond to constructive criticism. They want to know that you can take their feedback and use it to improve your work. In your answer, explain that you welcome feedback because it helps you learn and grow as a floral assistant. Share an example of a time when someone gave you feedback on your work and how you used it to make improvements.

Example: “I love learning new things about the floral industry, so I always appreciate when my employer gives me constructive criticism. When I first started working in this role, my manager told me that my bouquet designs were too symmetrical. She explained that asymmetry is more visually appealing for customers. After hearing her advice, I made sure to include asymmetrical elements in all of my arrangements.”

Do you have any experience working in a retail environment?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience working in a customer service role. Working as a floral assistant can involve interacting with customers, so employers want to make sure you’re comfortable doing so. In your answer, share about any retail or customer service experience you have. Explain how it prepared you for this role.

Example: “I worked at a clothing store during my college years. I was the first person customers would interact with when they came into the store. I learned that being friendly and helpful is the best way to help customers find what they need. This experience taught me how important it is to be patient and kind while helping people.”

When is it appropriate to give advice to a customer?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you can balance customer service with your own opinions. They want to know that you will give advice when appropriate, but also be honest about what you think the customer should do.

Example: “I would only give advice to a customer if I felt confident in my opinion and knew they were open to hearing it. If I thought their idea was good, but could be improved upon, I would offer suggestions on how to make it better. For example, if someone wanted to send flowers to their mother for Mother’s Day, but didn’t have much money to spend, I might suggest some less expensive options or ways they could add more value to the gift.”

We want our floral assistants to be able to work independently. How would you handle your day if you were left on your own?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle working in a fast-paced environment and whether or not you have enough experience to work independently. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks so that you can complete them efficiently.

Example: “If I were left on my own, I would first make sure all of my coworkers had everything they needed before starting any projects myself. Then, I would start with the most urgent task at hand, which is usually customer orders. After completing those tasks, I would move onto other important tasks like cleaning up the workspace and organizing inventory.”

Describe your experience working with flowers in a professional setting.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience and skills working with flowers. Use examples from previous jobs to explain how you’ve used your knowledge of flowers in a professional setting.

Example: “I worked as a floral assistant at a local flower shop for two years, where I learned the basics of flower care and arrangement. My primary job was helping customers find the right flowers for their arrangements or bouquets. I also helped arrange flowers for weddings and events. In my last year there, I took on more responsibilities by arranging orders and assisting with deliveries.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their floral shop. Before your interview, make a list of three things that make you unique from other candidates. These could be skills or experiences that are relevant to the job. Share these with your interviewer so they know what makes you special.

Example: “I am passionate about flowers and plants. I have been growing my own garden for years, which has taught me many different techniques for caring for various types of plants. I also have experience working in a busy environment, as I worked at a coffee shop during college. This helped me develop excellent time management skills and customer service abilities.”

Which floral design techniques do you have the most experience with? Least experience with?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have the skills and experience they’re looking for. They might also use it as an opportunity to teach you about techniques you don’t know. When answering, be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. If you don’t have any experience with a particular technique, explain why.

Example: “I’m most experienced with creating centerpieces and bouquets. I’ve worked on many of these types of arrangements in my previous job, so I feel confident in my abilities. However, I haven’t had much experience working with boutonnieres or corsages. I would like to learn more about how to create those arrangements.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Employers ask this question to see if you understand the importance of customer service in a retail environment. They want to know that you will be able to provide excellent customer service to their customers and help grow their business. When answering, make sure to emphasize how important it is to listen to customers’ needs and respond with helpful solutions.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of customer service is listening to what your customers need and responding with helpful solutions. I always try to take time to listen to my customers and find out exactly what they are looking for. Then, I use my knowledge of the products to recommend something that fits their needs. This helps me ensure that I am providing them with quality service.”

How often do you think you should update a floral display?

This question can help an interviewer determine how much you know about the industry and your ability to work independently. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of changing floral displays regularly, but also that you’re aware of the costs associated with doing so.

Example: “I think it’s important to change a display every two days or when flowers start to wilt. This ensures customers are seeing fresh arrangements and helps prevent waste. However, I would only do this if there was enough budget for new arrangements. If not, I’d wait until we had more funds.”

There is a miscommunication with a customer and they end up unhappy with their floral arrangement. How do you handle the situation?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you handle customer service situations. It can also show them your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate with customers. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to resolve the situation.

Example: “I would first apologize to the customer for any inconvenience they experienced. Then I would ask them what their expectations were when ordering the arrangement. If there was a misunderstanding on my part or if the customer’s expectations changed after placing the order, I would offer to remake the arrangement at no cost. If the customer is still unhappy with the arrangement, I would offer to give them a discount on their next purchase.”