20 Harrods Interview Questions and Answers

Harrods is known for its luxury goods and high-end services, so it’s no surprise that the company has high standards for its employees. If you’re lucky enough to score an interview with Harrods, you can expect to be asked some tough questions.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Harrods interview questions, along with sample answers to give you an idea of what the company is looking for.

Harrods Interview Process

The interview process at Harrods is generally quick and easy, with most applicants being offered a job within a week or two of applying. However, some positions may require additional rounds of interviews, including an assessment day, and the process can take up to a month for these roles. Overall, the interview experience is positive, with friendly and welcoming interviewers.

1. Why do you want to work at Harrods?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at Harrods. It’s also an opportunity for you to show how much research you’ve done on the company and its culture.

Example: “I want to work at Harrods because I’m passionate about luxury goods, and I think that this would be a great place to further my career as a retail professional. I love the idea of being able to provide excellent customer service to people who are looking for high-quality products. I know that Harrods has a reputation for excellence, so I’m excited to join such a successful team.”

2. Do you think the retail industry is changing? How so?

This question is a great way to see how the interviewer views the retail industry and whether they think it’s changing for the better or worse. It also gives you an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and its trends.

Example: “I do believe that the retail industry is changing, but I think this change is positive. Customers are more informed than ever before, which means retailers need to be as well. They’re looking for stores that offer unique products, excellent customer service and competitive prices. Harrods has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to these things, so I’m excited to join such a forward-thinking company.”

3. What are your thoughts on customer service?

Harrods is known for its excellent customer service, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with providing exceptional customer care. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a time when you went above and beyond to help a customer.

Example: “I believe that customer service is one of the most important aspects of working in retail. I have always strived to provide my customers with an exceptional shopping experience, whether they are buying something small or large. For example, once I had a customer who was looking for a specific item but couldn’t find it anywhere. I spent over an hour searching through our inventory until I found what she needed.”

4. Have you had any experience with inventory management?

Harrods is a large department store that sells many different types of products. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with inventory management software and how it can help them in their organization. If you do, share your knowledge on the topic and explain what you like about using these systems.

Example: “I’ve used several inventory management systems throughout my career. I find they’re great for keeping track of all the items we sell at our stores. They also allow me to monitor sales trends and make adjustments as needed. For example, when I worked at Macy’s, I noticed that one particular style of shoe was selling out faster than others. We were able to order more pairs from the manufacturer and restock the shelves before customers started asking where the shoes were.”

5. Which department would you be most interested in working for and why?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and its departments. It also allows you to express which department interests you most, as well as what type of work you would like to do.

Example: “I am very interested in working for the Beauty Department at Harrods because I have always been passionate about makeup and skincare products. I think my customer service skills and attention to detail would be an asset to this department.”

6. Describe a time when you had to deal with an angry customer, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would react in a challenging situation and whether or not you have the necessary experience to handle it. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can remain calm under pressure and use conflict resolution techniques to diffuse the situation.

Example: “I once had an angry customer who was upset because they couldn’t find what they were looking for. I listened carefully to their concerns and apologized for any inconvenience. Then, I asked them if there was anything else we could do to help them. After some discussion, we found the item they were looking for and resolved the issue.”

7. Describe a time where you were successful at selling something to a customer who was not previously interested.

This question is a great way to show your sales skills and how you can persuade customers. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to convince the customer to make a purchase.

Example: “I once had a customer who was looking for a specific type of purse but didn’t want to spend more than $100 on it. I showed her several purses that were similar in style to what she was looking for but were priced at less than $100. She ended up buying two purses from me.”

8. Tell me about a time where you had to interact with someone from another country, what cultural differences did you notice?

This question is a great way to test your ability to work with people from different backgrounds. Harrods has many international customers, so it’s important that you can interact with them effectively and respectfully.

Example: “I once worked at an upscale restaurant where we had several foreign customers. One night, I was waiting on a table of four French men who were celebrating their friend’s birthday. They spoke very little English, but they were all having a good time. I made sure to greet them in French and used my best pronunciation. We communicated through hand gestures and broken sentences until the end of the meal when I gave them a card with our website on it.”

9. Can you tell us about a time where you disagreed with a colleague or manager, but still got the job done?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential future colleagues and how they work together. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you can be diplomatic when working with others, even if you disagree with them.

Example: “I once worked with a manager who was very strict about the dress code. She would often tell us what we could wear and what we couldn’t. I disagreed with her on this matter because I felt it was important to allow employees to express themselves through their clothing choices. However, I understood that she had been in charge of the company for many years and didn’t want to upset her or cause any problems. Instead, I talked to her privately about my concerns and asked her to consider changing her policy. She agreed to think about it and eventually changed her mind.”

10. What are some of the brands that we sell here at Harrods?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see if you have done your research on Harrods. It’s important that you know what brands they carry and how well-known they are.

Example: “Harrods carries many high-end brands, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Chanel, Fendi, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Yves Saint Laurent, Celine, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Hugo Boss, Lanvin, Bottega Veneta, Tom Ford, Ermenegildo Zegna, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui, Moschino, Roberto Cavalli, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu, Zac Posen, Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Diane Von Furstenberg, Elie Tahari, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez, Monique Lhuillier, Marchesa, Reem Acra, Jenny Packham, Peter Som, Tadashi Shoji, Thakoon Panichgul, Proenza Schouler, Phillip Lim, Derek Lam, Richard Nicoll, Tibi, Alice + Olivia, J Brand, Frame Denim

11. If hired, how would you ensure that all customers receive excellent service?

Harrods is known for its excellent customer service, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. To answer this question, think of a time you provided exceptional service to a client or customer.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent service starts with having an interest in people. I would make it my goal to get to know each customer on a personal level so that I can provide them with exactly what they need. For example, when working at a clothing store, I would try to find out what their favorite colors are and what styles they prefer. This way, I could help them find clothes that fit their style and personality.”

12. Can you describe a challenging situation you have faced at work and how you handled it?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react in stressful situations. When answering, try to describe a situation that was challenging but also one where you were able to find a solution or resolve the issue.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a manager who would often criticize me for things I didn’t do. This made it difficult to work effectively because I felt like I couldn’t make any mistakes without being reprimanded. Eventually, I decided to speak with my manager about the issue. She apologized and promised to be more positive in her feedback. After that conversation, she became much more supportive of my work and helped me develop my skills.”

13. What qualities do you look for in a sales associate?

Harrods is a high-end department store that sells luxury goods. As such, the company looks for sales associates who are professional and knowledgeable about their products. When answering this question, make sure to highlight your customer service skills and ability to work with others.

Example: “I look for sales associates who are friendly and outgoing. I also want someone who can provide excellent customer service and answer any questions customers may have. In my previous role as a sales associate at Macy’s, I was always willing to help other associates when they needed it.”

14. What makes Harrods special compared to other stores?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and its history. You can use this opportunity to discuss what you like about Harrods, as well as how it compares to other stores in the industry.

Example: “Harrods has been around for over 150 years, which makes it one of the oldest department stores in London. It’s known for being an upscale store that offers high-quality products at reasonable prices. I’ve shopped there before, and I love the unique items they carry. For example, when I was looking for a new pair of boots last year, I found some really cute ones from their designer collection.”

15. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your strengths while also being honest about any weaknesses you may have.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well under pressure. I am able to stay calm when faced with challenges or unexpected situations, which helps me find solutions quickly. My weakness is that sometimes I can get overwhelmed by the amount of information I need to remember at once. In these cases, I try to take notes so I don’t forget anything.”

16. What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s career goals and how they plan to achieve them. It also gives you an idea of what their timeline looks like, which can be helpful if you’re looking for someone who can start right away. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have realistic expectations while still being ambitious.

Example: “I’m hoping to continue my retail experience in a management role within five years. I’ve been working toward this goal by taking on as many leadership roles as possible at my current job, including training new employees and helping with inventory.”

17. What kind of products and services does Harrods offer?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its offerings. It also allows you to show that you have researched Harrods before applying for the job.

Example: “Harrods offers an extensive range of products, including clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, home goods, food and wine. The store has several different departments, such as fashion, beauty, homeware, toys and gifts. There are also several restaurants and cafes on site, which offer both quick bites and sit-down meals.”

18. Give us an example of a time when you had to use your communication skills in order to get a point across that was important to you?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are able to communicate effectively and work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example from your previous job where you had to use your communication skills to get something done or explain something to someone.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on a project with another employee who wasn’t as familiar with the program we were using. I noticed they were having trouble with one part of the assignment and decided to help them out by explaining how to do it in more detail. This helped them complete their portion of the assignment and allowed us to finish our project on time.”

19. What do you know about the history of the company?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company and its history. They want to know that you are interested in working for their organization, so it’s important to show enthusiasm when answering this question.

Example: “I am very excited about the opportunity to work at Harrods because I’ve always admired the brand. I did some research on the company before my interview, and I learned that Harrods was founded by Henry Charles Harrod in 1834. The store has been a staple of London since then, and I’m thrilled to be part of such an iconic institution.”

20. What did you like and dislike about your previous positions?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work history and how you feel about previous employers. When answering, try to be positive about your past positions while also explaining what led you to apply for the Harrods job.

Example: “I enjoyed working at my last position because of the friendly coworkers and customers. However, I am looking for a new opportunity where I can use my customer service skills in a different way. I think that working at Harrods would give me the chance to do so.”