20 Guitar Center Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to an interview, you want to be prepared to answer any question the interviewer might throw at you. However, you also want to be prepared to answer questions specific to the company you’re interviewing with.

Guitar Center is a chain of guitar and amplifier stores, so they’re going to be looking for candidates with a passion for music. They’re also going to be looking for candidates who are sales-oriented and have experience working in a retail environment.

To help you prepare for your interview at Guitar Center, we’ve compiled a list of some sample questions you might be asked, along with some tips on how to answer them.

Guitar Center Interview Process

The interview process at Guitar Center can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, like Sales Associate or Instructor, the interview process may be relatively easy and straightforward. However, for other positions, like Digital Marketing Manager or Project Manager Supervisor, the interview process may be more difficult. Overall, the interview process is generally smooth and efficient.

1. Do you have any experience in the music industry?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed for this role. If you do, share what you’ve done in the past. If not, explain how you can learn quickly and apply those skills to this position.

Example: “I worked as a guitar teacher at my local music store for three years. I taught students of all ages how to play the guitar and helped them find the right equipment for their skill level. I also performed with my band at many venues around town. We even opened for some national acts.”

2. What are your favorite brands of musical instruments? Why?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your knowledge of musical instruments and brands. It can also show them what kind of music you like to play or listen to, which can be helpful if they’re looking for someone who plays a certain genre. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention a few specific brands that you know well and some that you’ve only heard of.

Example: “I have always been a fan of Fender guitars because I love their sound quality. I also really enjoy playing acoustic guitars by Martin and Taylor. As far as amplifiers go, I think Orange makes some of the best ones on the market.”

3. Are you familiar with our products and services here at Guitar Center?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to gauge your knowledge of their company and its products. If you are interviewing with Guitar Center, it’s likely that you will be working in one of their stores selling guitars, amplifiers and other musical instruments. It’s important to show the interviewer that you have experience using these products and can provide quality customer service.

Example: “I am very familiar with the products and services offered at Guitar Center. I’ve been playing guitar for over ten years now, so I’ve purchased many items from this store. In fact, I bought my first electric guitar here when I was just starting out as a musician. The sales associate helped me find the perfect instrument for my skill level and budget.”

4. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

Guitar Center, Inc. wants to know that you can think critically and solve problems when they arise. This is an important skill for any employee in a customer service role because it shows that you are able to help customers with their unique needs. When answering this question, try to provide specific details about the problem and how you solved it.

Example: “When I was working as a cashier at my local grocery store, one of our regular customers came up to me looking for a new brand of cereal. He said he had been eating his usual brand for years but wanted something different. I asked him what he liked about his old cereal and if there were any flavors or ingredients he didn’t like. Then, I showed him several brands that we carried that matched those criteria.”

5. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Guitar Center, Inc. is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. They want to know how you handle conflict in the workplace. This question can help them determine if you have any experience with conflict resolution.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager at a local music store, I was working on a project with two other employees. We were trying to decide what new products we should carry in our store. One employee wanted to focus on more expensive instruments while another wanted to focus on beginner-friendly items. I suggested we do both. That way, we could offer something for everyone.”

6. Tell us why you want to work at Guitar Center.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s interest in working for Guitar Center. It also allows you to see how much they know about our company and what we do. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific things that attracted you to the job listing or explain why you’re passionate about music.

Example: “I’ve been playing guitar for over ten years now, and I’m always looking for new ways to improve my skills. I saw your job posting online and was immediately drawn to the idea of working at a place where I could meet other musicians and learn from them. I love the idea of being able to help others find the right equipment for their needs.”

7. Describe your previous customer service experience.

Guitar Center is a customer service-oriented company, so it’s important to show that you have experience in this area. If you’ve worked as a sales associate or cashier before, describe your best customer service moments and how they helped the customers.

Example: “I once had a customer who was looking for an amplifier but didn’t know what kind of sound he wanted. I asked him about his favorite bands and styles of music, then showed him amplifiers that would be good for those genres. He ended up buying one of them and said he couldn’t wait to try it out.”

8. We pride ourselves on having an extensive knowledge of all things music related. How would you approach learning everything you need to know?

Guitar Center, Inc. wants to know that you’re willing to put in the time and effort to learn everything about their company culture and products. This question is your chance to show them how dedicated you are to learning new things.

Example: “I’m a self-motivated learner who’s always looking for ways to improve my skills. I would start by reading through all of the information on the company website. Then, I’d attend one of your training sessions or workshops to get an idea of what it’s like working here. After that, I’d ask questions when I didn’t understand something and do some research online to find answers.”

9. Do you play any musical instruments? If so, which ones?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague’s background and interests. It can also help you determine if they have any experience working in a music store before. If the candidate has no musical experience, it may be helpful to ask them what other retail or customer service jobs they’ve had in the past.

Example: “I play guitar, bass and drums. I started playing guitar when I was 12 years old and haven’t stopped since. I love being able to create my own music and share it with others. In college, I played in a band that opened for some pretty big names. We even got signed to a record label but unfortunately never released an album.”

10. Do you have sales experience?

Guitar Center is a sales-oriented company, so they may ask this question to see if you have experience selling products or services. If you do not have direct sales experience, you can talk about your customer service skills and how you helped customers in the past.

Example: “I’ve worked as a guitar instructor for five years now, and I’ve had plenty of opportunities to sell my students on lessons. I also used to work at a music store where I sold instruments and equipment to musicians. In both cases, I was able to help customers find what they needed and answer any questions they had.”

11. Describe a situation where you had to be flexible in order to meet company needs.

Guitar Center is a large company that operates in many locations. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to adapt to different situations and environments. Use your answer to explain how you can be flexible while still maintaining high-quality work.

Example: “I once worked for a small music store where I was the only salesperson on staff. One day, we had an influx of customers who needed help finding specific instruments or amplifiers. Rather than turn them away, I asked if it would be okay to assist them even though it meant working past my scheduled end time. My manager agreed, and I spent the next two hours helping each customer find what they were looking for.”

12. Do you consider yourself to be a people person?

Guitar Center is a retail store that relies on customer service. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have experience interacting with customers and resolving their issues. Use your answer to highlight any relevant skills or experiences that make you a good communicator.

Example: “I consider myself to be a very friendly person, which has helped me in my previous roles as a sales associate. I enjoy talking to people and helping them find the right products for their needs. In fact, I’ve received many positive reviews from customers who appreciated my patience and willingness to help them learn more about our inventory.”

13. Have you ever used social media as part of your job?

Social media is a popular way to connect with customers and promote products. Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience using social media in your current or past job. If you do, share an example of how you used it effectively. If you don’t, explain that you’re willing to learn.

Example: “I use social media as part of my marketing strategy at my current job. I post about new product releases on our company’s Facebook page and Instagram account. I also respond to customer questions and concerns on these platforms. This helps me build relationships with our customers and show them we care about their opinions.”

14. What do you believe is the most important quality for a successful employee here at Guitar Center?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the company’s values and how you can contribute to them. When answering, it can be helpful to refer to a specific quality that Guitar Center promotes in its employees.

Example: “I believe the most important quality for a successful employee at Guitar Center is passion. I have been playing guitar for many years now, and I know how much joy music can bring to people. It would make me so happy to help others find their own musical passions. I also think it’s important to be honest and trustworthy as a salesperson because customers are trusting us with their money. If they feel like we’re being dishonest or not giving them all the information they need, they may not come back.”

15. A lot of our inventory comes from online orders. Would you be comfortable packing items and shipping them out?

Guitar Center often hires people who are passionate about music and guitars, but they also need employees who can perform basic tasks like packing orders. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have the necessary skills to do this job well. If you’ve packed orders before, explain how you did it. If you haven’t, let them know that you’re willing to learn.

Example: “I’m very familiar with shipping because I used to work at a record store where we shipped out CDs all day long. We had a system for organizing shipments so everything was easy to find when it arrived. I would be happy to pack your online orders.”

16. Can you describe a time when you went above and beyond for a customer? How did they respond?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your customer service skills. They want to know that you’re willing to go above and beyond for customers, even if it’s not in your job description.

Example: “I had a customer who came into my store looking for an amp. He was having trouble finding one he liked because he didn’t have much experience with amps. I offered to let him try out some different ones so he could find one that suited his needs. After trying out several amps, he found one that he really liked. He thanked me for helping him find what he needed.”

17. We value team members who can take initiative if they see something that needs to be done. Can you give an example of a time when you took initiative?

Guitar Center, Inc. wants to know that you’re a self-starter who can take initiative when needed. This is an important quality for employees in this role because they may need to make decisions on their own if the manager isn’t around.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as a sales associate, I noticed that we were running low on some of our most popular guitar strings. Rather than waiting until someone else noticed, I took it upon myself to order more inventory so we wouldn’t run out. It was a small thing, but it helped ensure customers could find what they needed.”

18. How well do you work under pressure?

Guitar Center is a fast-paced environment, and employees must be able to work under pressure. This question helps the interviewer determine how well you can handle stress in a busy workplace. In your answer, explain that you are comfortable working in high-pressure situations and have experience doing so.

Example: “I am very comfortable working under pressure. I’ve worked at Guitar Center for five years now, and during this time, I’ve learned how to manage my time effectively while still providing excellent customer service. When there’s a rush of customers, I make sure to prioritize tasks and delegate where necessary. I also use my phone as a timer when I’m helping customers so I know exactly how long each interaction should take.”

19. Provide a time when you handled a difficult customer.

Guitar Center is a place where customers can test out and purchase musical instruments. The company wants to know that you have experience dealing with difficult people, as this could happen in your role. When answering this question, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the situation.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because he couldn’t find the right guitar for him. I showed him several different guitars and amps until we found one that suited his needs. He ended up buying it and left happy.”

20. When was the last time you made a mistake? How did you handle it?

Guitar Center, Inc. wants to know that you’re human and can make mistakes. They want to see how you handle them and learn from them. When answering this question, be honest about your mistake but focus on what you learned from it.

Example: “The last time I made a mistake was when I forgot to put in an order for a customer’s guitar strings. The customer had been waiting for the strings for two weeks and was very upset with me. I apologized profusely and offered him a discount on his next purchase. He accepted my apology and said he would return to shop at Guitar Center again.”