20 Macy’s Interview Questions and Answers

Macy’s is a popular department store known for offering high-quality clothing at reasonable prices. If you’re interviewing for a job at Macy’s, you can expect to be asked questions about your customer service skills, your ability to handle difficult situations, and your knowledge of the Macy’s product line.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Macy’s interview questions and answers. With these questions and answers in hand, you’ll be ready to impress your interviewer and land the job you want.

Macy’s Interview Process

The interview process at Macy’s can vary depending on the position you are applying for. Generally, the process consists of an initial phone screen with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews with a hiring manager and/or members of the team you would be working with. The entire process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Interviews at Macy’s are generally pretty straightforward and not overly difficult. However, they can be somewhat lengthy, so be prepared to answer questions about your experience and qualifications in detail. Overall, the interview experience is generally positive, and Macy’s is known for being a great place to work.

1. How would you define great customer service?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what great customer service looks like. Use examples from your experience working in retail or other customer-facing roles to explain how you would implement this quality into your work at Macy’s.

Example: “Great customer service means providing a positive shopping experience for every customer who walks through our doors. I believe that it starts with making eye contact and smiling when customers enter the store, and continues with offering them assistance finding items they’re looking for and answering any questions they may have about products. It also involves being attentive to their needs while they shop so that we can help them find exactly what they need.”

2. What do you think is the most important quality to have when working in sales?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong work ethic and are willing to put in extra effort. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss how your own qualities help you succeed at sales.

Example: “I think the most important quality for working in sales is being able to connect with customers. I enjoy talking to people and learning about their lives, which helps me understand what they’re looking for when shopping. This has helped me develop my customer service skills and learn more about different types of clothing.”

3. When was a time that you had to deal with an unhappy customer and how did you handle it?

Macy’s wants to know that you can handle customer complaints and help them find a solution. This is an important part of the job, so it’s likely they’ll ask this question to see how you’ve handled similar situations in the past.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a customer who was upset because she didn’t like her purchase. She wanted me to give her money back, but we couldn’t do that since she used a gift card. Instead, I offered to exchange the item for something else or give her store credit. She agreed to take store credit, and I helped her find another item that she liked.”

4. Why should we hire you over someone else for this position?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your skills and abilities that make you an ideal candidate for the job.

Example: “I believe I am the best person for this position because of my customer service experience and my ability to work well with others. Throughout my career, I have worked in several different retail positions where I was responsible for helping customers find what they were looking for while also providing them with excellent customer service. I enjoy working with people and making sure they leave happy.”

5. How familiar are you with Macy’s products and brands?

Macy’s is known for its wide variety of brands and products. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with their products or brands. Use your answer to highlight any specific knowledge you have about Macy’s products, such as the quality of the clothing or how much it costs.

Example: “I’ve shopped at Macy’s before, but I haven’t had a chance to try out all of the brands they offer. However, I do know that Macy’s has some of the best designer brands in the world. For example, I love the shoes from Nine West because they are so comfortable and stylish. I also really like the affordable prices on Tommy Hilfiger clothes.”

6. Do you consider yourself a self starter, describe a situation where you demonstrated initiative at work?

Macy’s is looking for employees who are motivated and can work independently. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have these qualities. Use your answer to highlight a time when you took initiative at work, even if it was not in retail.

Example: “I consider myself a self-starter because I’ve had to be one throughout my career. In my last job as an administrative assistant, I noticed that our department was running low on supplies. Rather than waiting for someone else to notice, I ordered more supplies so we wouldn’t run out again. My supervisor appreciated my initiative.”

7. Describe your experience working on a team.

Macy’s is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. Your interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to work with others. To answer, think of a time you worked on a team in the past. Explain what made it successful.

Example: “In my last position as a retail associate at a clothing store, I was part of a team that helped me learn how to interact with customers. My manager would assign us different tasks each day, such as helping customers find sizes or assisting them with returns. We all learned from one another and became better employees because of our teamwork.”

8. What is one of your weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Interviewers ask this question to see if you can identify your weaknesses and how you plan to improve them. When answering this question, try to choose a weakness that isn’t too severe or something that you don’t think will affect your ability to do the job well.

Example: “I sometimes get so focused on my work that I forget to take breaks. This has led to me feeling overwhelmed at times, but I’ve learned to set alarms on my phone to remind myself to take short breaks throughout the day.”

9. Tell me about a time you provided exceptional customer service.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are passionate about helping others and improving their shopping experience. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you helped a customer find what they were looking for or assisted them with finding the right size clothing.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as a sales associate, I had a customer who was looking for a specific type of shirt but couldn’t find one in our store. Instead of just telling her we didn’t have any more in stock, I asked if she could describe the shirt so I could look online to see if there were any other stores that carried it. After searching through several websites, I found out that another Macy’s location had the same shirt in her size.”

10. Are you comfortable working with numbers, cash registers and money handling?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience with handling cash and money. If you don’t, you can explain how you would learn this skill if hired.

Example: “I’ve worked in retail for five years now, so I’m very comfortable working with cash registers and money. However, I do understand that Macy’s has a specific way of doing things when it comes to handling cash and money, so I’d be happy to take any training courses necessary to ensure I’m up-to-date on your policies.”

11. When have you faced conflict with a coworker or manager and what did you learn from it?

Macy’s wants to know that you can work well with others and resolve conflict. When answering this question, it is important to show your ability to communicate effectively and solve problems.

Example: “I once had a disagreement with my manager about the best way to handle a customer complaint. I was eager to help the customer while my manager wanted to follow protocol. After discussing our different perspectives, we came up with a solution that satisfied both the customer and Macy’s policies.”

12. Provide us with an example of a time when you took initiative to improve something at work.

Macy’s wants to know that you’re a self-starter who can take on challenges and make improvements. When answering this question, think of an example from your previous job where you took initiative and improved something in the workplace.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that our inventory was low on several items. This caused some customers to leave without making a purchase because we didn’t have what they were looking for. So, I volunteered to work overtime one night to restock all of the missing items. By doing so, I saved the company money by not having to order more products and helped customers find what they needed.”

13. Do you prefer to work alone or as part of a team?

Macy’s is a large company that offers many opportunities for advancement. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you prefer working alone or with others and how well you work in a team environment. To answer, consider your past experiences working on teams and the skills you developed while doing so.

Example: “I have had experience working both as part of a team and independently. In my last position, I worked mostly independently but also collaborated with other employees when necessary. For example, I would often collaborate with my coworkers to solve problems or brainstorm new ideas. However, I am comfortable working independently and can complete tasks without much guidance.”

14. What other retail stores have you worked at before?

This question is a great way to learn about your potential new employer’s competition. If you have experience working at other department stores, explain how it prepared you for this role and what skills you gained from that job.

Example: “I worked at Target before coming here, where I learned the importance of customer service. At Macy’s, I would love to continue providing excellent customer service by helping customers find exactly what they’re looking for. I also learned how to work in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple tasks at once.”

15. What are some things that get you excited about coming into work everyday?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list specific things that you enjoy about working in retail or customer service.

Example: “I love helping customers find exactly what they’re looking for. I also really enjoy learning new information from my coworkers. At my last job, I learned how to use a cash register with an integrated barcode scanner. It was challenging at first, but now I feel like I’m pretty good at using it.”

16. How do you ensure that all customers receive excellent customer service?

Macy’s is a department store that prides itself on excellent customer service. The hiring manager will want to know how you plan to provide this for their customers. Use examples from your previous experience where you provided exceptional customer service and helped the company achieve its goals.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service starts with having an open mind. I am always willing to help customers find what they are looking for, even if it means going above and beyond my job description. For example, when I worked at a clothing boutique, a woman came in looking for a dress for her daughter’s wedding. She was very particular about what she wanted but also didn’t want to spend too much money. I showed her several dresses within her budget and finally found one that she loved.”

17. If you were given a task that seemed impossible to complete, how would you go about it?

Macy’s is a large company that requires its employees to complete many tasks each day. The interviewer may ask this question to see how you would handle an overwhelming workload and still meet your deadlines. In your answer, explain how you would prioritize the task and break it down into smaller steps. Show the interviewer that you are organized and can manage multiple projects at once.

Example: “If I were given a task that seemed impossible to complete, I would first take a moment to assess my current resources. If I had enough time to gather more information about the project, I would do so. Then, I would prioritize the most important aspects of the task and create a plan for completing them. I would then break down the remaining elements of the task into smaller pieces until they were manageable.”

18. What previous experience do you have with merchandising/visuals?

Macy’s is a large department store that offers many different products to consumers. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with merchandising and visuals in the past. If you have previous experience, share what you did and how it helped you develop skills for this role.

Example: “In my last position as a visual specialist at a local boutique, I was responsible for creating seasonal displays and window designs. This required me to work closely with other team members to create cohesive looks throughout the store. My experience working on these projects has prepared me for this opportunity at Macy’s.”

19. Why are you interested in cosmetics?

This question is a great way to show your passion for cosmetics and the industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific brands or products you enjoy using.

Example: “I am passionate about makeup because I love seeing how different colors and techniques can change someone’s appearance. In my previous role as a sales associate at Sephora, I would help customers find the right products for their skin tone and preferences. It was so rewarding to see them leave with new confidence after trying out some of our products.”

20. Have you ever dealt with a difficult customer, tell us how you handled it?

Macy’s wants to know that you can handle difficult customers with tact and grace. This is an important skill for any retail employee, as it shows your ability to work well under pressure.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they couldn’t find the item they were looking for in our store. I asked them what color it was, where they thought we might have it and if there was anything else about it that would help me locate it. After searching through all of our inventory, I found out that we didn’t carry that particular item. I apologized profusely and offered them a discount on another item.”