20 Mattress Firm Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, Mattress Firm is all about getting to know the customer and creating a unique shopping experience. To that end, they focus on questions that will help them learn more about who you are and what you’re looking for in a mattress.

Whether you’re a first-time shopper or a seasoned pro, you can expect to be asked about your sleep habits, preferences, and budget. Mattress Firm also likes to ask questions that will help them understand your decision-making process and what you value most in a mattress.

With so many options on the market, it can be tough to know where to start when it comes to shopping for a mattress. But with a little preparation, you can ace your Mattress Firm interview and find the perfect bed for you.

Mattress Firm Interview Process

The interview process at Mattress Firm can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, the process is generally fairly straightforward and may just consist of a phone interview followed by an in-person interview. For more senior positions, the process may be more extensive and include multiple rounds of interviews. Overall, the interview process seems to be fairly positive, with most reviewers finding the interviewer friendly and the questions not too difficult. However, some reviewers have found the process to be very unorganized, especially when it comes to communication between candidates and the hiring team.

1. How would you handle a situation where two customers are in disagreement about the same product?

This question can help the interviewer assess your conflict resolution skills and ability to remain calm in a tense situation. Your answer should show that you are able to listen to both sides of an argument, empathize with customers and find a solution that satisfies everyone involved.

Example: “I would first ask each customer what their issue is and then try to understand why they feel the way they do about the product. I would also make sure to get all the facts before making my decision so that I am not swayed by one person’s opinion. If it seems like there is no clear right or wrong answer, I would offer to exchange the product for another item.”

2. What is your experience working with commission?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are comfortable with earning a commission. If you have experience working on commission, describe how it helped you achieve your goals and what strategies you used to increase sales. If you do not have experience working on commission, explain that you are willing to learn about this process.

Example: “I am very comfortable working on commission because I know it motivates me to sell more mattresses. In my previous role as a mattress salesman, I was able to earn up to 20% of each sale I made. This motivated me to work hard every day to meet my quota and exceed expectations.”

3. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s used to determine your career goals. When answering this question, be honest about what you want for yourself and how you plan to achieve those goals.

Example: “I see myself as the manager of my own mattress store. I would like to have enough experience under my belt to open up my own business by then. To do that, I will continue to work hard at Mattress Firm, learning everything I can from my managers and coworkers. I also plan to take any additional training courses offered.”

4. How familiar are you with selling mattresses?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can help improve sales at Mattress Firm. You should answer this question by explaining what you know about selling mattresses, including any experience you have with it.

Example: “I’ve worked in retail for five years now, so I’m very familiar with selling mattresses. In my previous position, I was responsible for helping customers find the right mattress for them based on their needs. I also helped customers understand the different types of mattresses available and which ones would be best for them.”

5. What kind of environment are you most comfortable in, fast-paced and high stress or slow and relaxed?

Interviewers ask this question to determine if you are a good fit for their company. They want to know that you can adapt to the environment they have created and will be able to work well with your coworkers. When answering, try to show that you can adjust to different environments while also explaining what kind of environment you prefer.

Example: “I am most comfortable in a fast-paced environment where I can get a lot done each day. However, I understand that not all workplaces are like that, so I am willing to slow down and take my time when needed. I think it’s important to balance both types of environments to ensure employees feel happy and productive.”

6. How would you approach an employee who has been consistently late to work?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to hold your team accountable for their actions. In your answer, explain how you would approach the employee and what steps you would take to ensure they arrive on time in the future.

Example: “I would first talk with them about why I was addressing their tardiness. Then, I would give them a specific deadline by which they needed to be at work. If they were late again after that point, I would follow up with another meeting to discuss the consequences of continued tardiness.”

7. Do you have any sales training certifications?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your experience in the mattress industry. If you have any certifications, share them with the interviewer and explain what they taught you.

Example: “I am a Certified Sleep Specialist through the National Sleep Foundation. This certification teaches me how to help customers find the right mattress for their sleep needs. It also helps me understand the different types of mattresses available on the market.”

8. Tell me about a time that you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way.

This question is designed to assess your communication skills and ability to persuade others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time you used persuasion to convince someone to see things your way.

Example: “When I was working as a sales associate at a clothing store, one customer came in looking for a specific style of dress that they couldn’t find anywhere else. After searching the entire store, we were unable to locate the dress. I convinced them to try on a similar dress from our inventory so they could get an idea of how it would look on them.”

9. What is your management philosophy?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed to manage a team of sales associates. Your answer should include examples of how you’ve managed teams in the past, as well as any specific management philosophies you follow.

Example: “I believe that managers are responsible for creating a positive work environment where employees feel valued and appreciated. I also think it’s important to be approachable and available to my team so they know I’m there to support them when they need me. In my last role, I had a small team of three sales associates who were all new to the industry. I made sure to hold weekly meetings with each associate to discuss their performance and offer advice on how they could improve.”

10. What qualities do you think make someone a good manager?

A good manager is someone who can inspire their team to work hard and achieve goals. A hiring manager may ask this question to see if you have the qualities of a good leader. In your answer, try to describe what makes a great manager and how those skills apply to you.

Example: “I think a good manager should be able to motivate their team members while also being approachable. They should be able to communicate clearly with their employees and give them constructive feedback when needed. I feel that these are all skills that I possess. I am an empathetic person who wants to help others succeed. I always strive to make sure my coworkers know they can come to me for advice or support.”

11. Please describe a time when you had to be very strategic in order to meet all your top priorities.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage multiple projects. Use examples from previous jobs to describe how you organized your time, set goals and met deadlines.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for managing a large team of sales associates while also ensuring that all customer service needs were being met. This required me to be very strategic in my scheduling so that I could meet with each associate at least once per week to discuss their performance and provide feedback. Additionally, I had to ensure that I was available to customers when they needed assistance.”

12. Have you ever received coaching from a superior on how to improve performance? If so what did they suggest and what was the result?

This question is a great way to show your willingness to improve and learn from others. It also shows that you are open to feedback, which can be an important skill for any employee. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to implement the suggestions and how they helped you perform better.

Example: “I have had several supervisors throughout my career who have given me advice on how I could improve my performance. One of my previous managers suggested I try using more visual aids when presenting information to customers. At first, I was hesitant because I felt like I was already doing a good job with my presentations. However, after trying out his suggestion, I found that it really helped me connect with the customer and make them feel more comfortable.”

13. How would you react if a customer asked for your help but seemed distracted by other things?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle customer service challenges. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and the steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “I once had a customer who came in looking for a mattress but seemed distracted by his phone. I asked him if he needed any help finding anything, and he said no. I then explained that we have many different types of mattresses and offered to show him around the store. He agreed and was able to find a mattress that suited his needs.”

14. Describe a typical day as it relates to this position.

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you understand what’s expected of this position and how it relates to your daily responsibilities. When answering, be sure to include all tasks related to the job description and explain how they relate to your day-to-day activities.

Example: “I arrive at work 30 minutes before my scheduled shift starts to ensure I’m ready for customers when they arrive. During this time, I make sure all mattresses are clean and organized so customers can easily find the mattress they’re looking for. After arriving, I greet each customer with a smile and help them find the right mattress based on their needs.”

15. How well do you deal with ambiguity and change?

The mattress industry is constantly changing, and the interviewer wants to know how you will adapt to these changes. Your answer should show that you are willing to learn new things and adjust your work style as needed.

Example: “I am a very flexible person who can easily adapt to change. In my previous position, I was responsible for managing inventory levels of our store’s mattresses. One day, we received an order of 100 more mattresses than usual. I had to quickly figure out what to do with this extra stock. I decided to sell them at a discount online while also selling some in-store. This helped us clear out the excess stock without having to throw any away.”

16. What is one thing you wish you knew how to do that is related to this job?

This question is a great way to show your willingness to learn and grow as an employee. It also allows you to demonstrate that you are aware of the skills you need to succeed in this role. When answering, think about what you would like to be able to do but haven’t had the opportunity to learn yet.

Example: “I have always wanted to know how to make my own mattress. I am sure it’s quite complicated, but I find it fascinating. If given the chance, I would love to take a class on making mattresses.”

17. What motivates you to succeed?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality might fit in with their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about yourself that motivates you or an accomplishment that makes you proud.

Example: “I am motivated by helping others succeed. I love being able to provide customers with quality mattresses at affordable prices so they can have a good night’s sleep. In my last position, I helped a customer find a mattress that would work for them after they told me they were having trouble sleeping due to back pain. After finding the right mattress, they thanked me profusely and said they could finally get a full night’s rest.”

18. What is something you have done recently that shows initiative?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go above and beyond for the company. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to talk about something you did in your previous role or even something you have done outside of work.

Example: “At my current job, I noticed that we were running low on some inventory. Rather than waiting until our manager told us to restock, I took initiative and ordered more inventory before we ran out completely. This helped ensure that customers could still purchase what they needed from us.”

19. We want to hire people who are passionate about their jobs. Talk about a time when you went above and beyond for someone at work.

This question is a great way to show your passion for the mattress industry and how you can help Mattress Firm succeed. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your willingness to go above and beyond for customers or coworkers.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was looking for a specific type of mattress that we didn’t have in stock. Instead of just telling them we couldn’t order it, I offered to call other stores in our area to see if they had one available. After calling several locations, I found one store that had exactly what they were looking for. I drove over there and picked up the mattress so we could deliver it to them.”

20. Are you familiar with Mattress Firm’s products?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company’s products and services. It also allows you to show that you have researched the company before applying for the position.

Example: “I am familiar with Mattress Firm’s product line, as I’ve shopped at several locations in my area. I find their selection of quality mattresses and bedding to be quite impressive. In fact, I recently purchased a mattress from one of their stores after doing some research on the brand.”