20 Lids Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to company specific interview questions, Lids is all about sports. The retailer, which specializes in sports headwear, apparel, accessories, and novelties, asks candidates about their favorite sports teams and players, as well as their knowledge of the latest sports trends.

While this may seem like a lot of pressure for a job that’s all about selling hats, the company is actually looking for customer service representatives who are passionate about sports and can connect with customers on a personal level. If you’re a sports fan with great people skills, a job at Lids may be the perfect fit for you.

To help you prepare for your interview at Lids, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers.

Lids Interview Process

The interview process at Lids can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For seasonal sales associate positions, you may be asked to sit down with a manager and answer questions about customer service. For store manager positions, you may be asked to interview with the district manager. Overall, the interview process is generally quick and easy, although it may vary depending on the position you are applying for.

1. Tell us about your experience with retail or customer service.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your retail experience and how you interact with customers. If you have previous experience working in retail, be sure to highlight any skills or qualities that helped you succeed in this role.

Example: “I worked as a cashier at my local grocery store during high school. I enjoyed interacting with customers and helping them find what they were looking for. My manager recognized my customer service skills and promoted me to sales associate where I learned how to help customers find exactly what they needed while also selling additional products.”

2. What is the highest level of education you have completed?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to determine if you are qualified for the position. If you have a degree or certification that is relevant to the job, be sure to mention it.

Example: “I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration from State University. I chose this major because of my love of sports and my desire to work in retail.”

3. Do you consider yourself a self-starter, and if so, give an example of when you demonstrated this trait.

Lids is a company that values independent thinking and action. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to take initiative, solve problems independently and make decisions on the job.

Example: “I am definitely a self-starter. In my last position as an assistant manager at a sporting goods store, I noticed we were running low on inventory of our most popular hats. Rather than wait for my supervisor to notice, I took it upon myself to order more stock from our supplier. This proactive decision saved us time and money by avoiding backorders.”

4. Describe your management style.

Lids is a retail store that requires managers to oversee the daily operations of their stores. Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your management style and how you would approach managing employees at Lids. In your answer, describe what makes you a good manager and highlight any skills or experiences that make you qualified for this role.

Example: “I believe my management style is collaborative and inclusive. I like to involve all members of the team in decision-making processes so everyone feels invested in the outcomes. I also think it’s important to be flexible when working with others because different people have different needs. For example, if an employee asks for a schedule change, I try to accommodate them as much as possible.”

5. What are some skills you think would make you successful in working for Lids?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your qualifications and how you might fit into their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight skills that are directly related to the job description.

Example: “I think my creativity and problem-solving skills would make me successful in working for Lids. I’ve always been passionate about sports, so I’m excited to work with an organization that supports athletes of all ages. I also think my customer service experience will help me succeed here because I know how important it is to provide excellent service to customers.”

6. Why do you want to work for our company?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know that you’ve done some research on the organization and are genuinely interested in working there. When preparing for this question, make sure you read through the job description thoroughly. Highlight any aspects of the role or company that particularly interest you.

Example: “I’m very passionate about sports, so I was excited to see that Lids is a retailer of sporting goods. I also noticed that you have an excellent reputation within the community. I would love to be part of a team that makes customers feel valued and supported.”

7. How do you feel about wearing a uniform at work?

Lids employees wear a uniform of black pants, white shirts and red ties. The interviewer is asking you this question to make sure you’re comfortable wearing a uniform at work. If you are, explain how it makes your job easier. If you aren’t, explain why you wouldn’t be comfortable in a uniform.

Example: “I’m actually quite comfortable with wearing a uniform at work. I find that uniforms help me feel more professional and confident when I go into work each day. It also helps me fit in with my coworkers and the company culture.”

8. If hired, what would be expected of you on a typical day as a sales associate?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what your job duties would be if hired. It’s important to make sure you know exactly what a sales associate does before going into an interview, so you can prepare answers to questions like this one.

Example: “On a typical day as a sales associate, I’d greet customers and help them find the right products for their needs. If they needed any assistance with sizing or color options, I’d offer my expertise in these areas. I’d also assist other associates when necessary, such as helping stock inventory or restocking shelves.”

9. Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with an upset customer, how did you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation and how you handled it.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they couldn’t find the hat they wanted in their size. I asked them if they were looking for any particular style or color of hat, and then went through our inventory to see if we had anything similar in stock. We found one that matched what they were looking for, but in a different size. They were happy with the replacement hat.”

10. What type of schedule are you looking for?

Lids is a retail job that requires you to work weekends and holidays. The interviewer may ask this question to see if your schedule matches theirs. If you’re not sure what their current schedule looks like, try asking them about it during the interview.

Example: “I’m looking for a full-time position with regular hours. I have two young children at home, so I need to be able to get to my job on time every day. I also prefer to work five days per week instead of six or seven.”

11. Are you willing to relocate if we find that there is a better fit for your skill set elsewhere?

Lids is a national retailer with locations in many states. If you are interviewing for an open position, it’s likely that the company will want to know if you’re willing to relocate. When answering this question, be honest about your willingness to move and discuss any factors that may affect your decision.

Example: “I am happy to relocate as long as my family can come along. I have two children who would need to find new schools, but they’ve been doing well in their current school district so we’d like to stay there if possible.”

12. We pride ourselves on providing customers with excellent service. Give an example of when you provided great customer service.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you can apply them in their organization. When answering, think of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or helped resolve an issue.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a customer who came into the store looking for a specific hat that we didn’t have in stock. I told him I would call other locations to see if they had it in stock. After calling several stores, I found one that did have his hat in stock. I drove there immediately after work and picked up the hat so he could get it before leaving town.”

13. What other companies are you applying to?

Hiring managers may ask this question to learn more about your experience and how you compare it to other companies. If you have applied to multiple Lids locations, explain why you are interested in working for each one.

Example: “I am also applying to a local sporting goods store because I think my customer service skills would be an asset there as well. The company has been around for many years, so I know the employees must be doing something right. I feel that my ability to connect with customers and solve their problems would help both of these companies thrive.”

14. Can you tell me about a time when you were able to communicate effectively with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa)?

This question is designed to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. It’s important that you demonstrate the ability to be a team player, even if you’re not always working directly with other employees of Lids.

Example: “I once worked for a company where I was one of two salespeople in my department. The other salesperson had very different communication styles than me, which made it difficult to collaborate on projects. However, we were both equally responsible for our sales quotas, so I learned how to adapt my communication style to better suit his preferences. This helped us develop a more productive relationship and ultimately led to an increase in sales.”

15. What would be your first priority as a manager?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s management style and how they would fit into your team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific example from your past experience that shows you prioritize similar values as Lids.

Example: “My first priority as a manager would be to make sure my employees are happy and healthy. I believe that if my team members feel supported and valued, then they will be able to provide excellent customer service and support for one another. In my last position, I noticed that some of my teammates were having trouble with their work-life balance. So, I started a weekly wellness group where we could discuss our goals and challenges and offer each other advice.”

16. At times, managers are responsible for opening and/or closing the store. Are you comfortable handling money and operating cash registers?

Lids often requires employees to work both the front and back of the store. This question helps employers understand if you have experience with cash handling, customer service and operating a register. If you don’t have any retail experience, consider sharing your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.

Example: “I’ve worked in retail for five years now, but I haven’t had much opportunity to handle money or operate registers. However, I’m confident that I can learn these skills fairly quickly. In my previous position, I was responsible for opening and closing the store on several occasions when our usual employee wasn’t available. I found it challenging at first, but after a few days, I felt comfortable performing those duties.”

17. Tell us about a time when you worked well under pressure.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your ability to perform well in a fast-paced environment. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a time when you were able to complete an important task or project despite having limited time to do so.

Example: “In my previous role as a sales associate at a sporting goods store, I was responsible for helping customers find the right hats and apparel for their needs. One day, a customer came into the store looking for a specific hat that they had seen on TV. They described it to me, but we didn’t have any hats like that in stock. So, I used my phone to search online for the hat and found one available for sale. I placed an order for the hat and then called the customer to let them know that we would have it in stock by the next morning.”

18. Tell us about a time when you showed initiative to help out a coworker.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your teamwork skills and how you approach helping others. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your ability to collaborate with others, solve problems and communicate effectively.

Example: “In my last position as an assistant manager at a sporting goods store, I noticed that one of my coworkers was having trouble keeping up with their responsibilities because they were also taking care of some family matters. I approached my manager about the situation and asked if there was anything we could do to help out our coworker. My manager decided to hire another employee to cover for our coworker while they took time off to focus on their personal life.”

19. We value teamwork here at LIDS Sports Group. Tell us about a time when you contributed to a team effort.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential coworkers and how they work together. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’re a team player who can contribute to the success of LIDS Sports Group.

Example: “I’ve worked in retail for five years, and I have always been part of a team. In my last position at a sporting goods store, I was on a team with two other sales associates. We all had different strengths, but we were able to collaborate and help each other out when needed. For example, one day I was running low on inventory and didn’t have time to restock it before my shift ended. My coworker noticed this and offered to cover my register so I could go back and get more inventory. This teamwork helped us provide better service to our customers.”

20. Have you ever been fired from a job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work history and how you’ve grown from past experiences. If you have been fired, be honest about the situation and explain what you learned from it.

Example: “I was working as a sales associate at a department store when I got into an argument with my manager over a customer complaint. My manager told me that I needed to be more professional in my interactions with customers, but I disagreed with her assessment of the situation. We argued for several minutes before she fired me on the spot.”

“After getting fired, I realized that I should have handled the situation differently. I apologized to my manager and asked if there were any other positions available within the company. She hired me back as a cashier two weeks later, and I worked hard to prove myself to her and the rest of the team. Since then, I’ve always tried to handle conflicts professionally and respectfully.”