20 Maurices Interview Questions and Answers

Maurices is a women’s clothing retailer with over 900 stores across the United States and Canada. The company is known for its trendy and affordable clothing, as well as its commitment to customer service.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Maurices, you can expect to be asked questions about your customer service experience, your fashion sense, and your ability to work as part of a team. You may also be asked questions specific to Maurices, such as “What do you know about our company?” or “Why do you want to work for Maurices?”

Preparing for your interview by familiarizing yourself with the company and its values, as well as practicing your answers to common interview questions, will help you make a great impression and increase your chances of getting the job.

Maurices Interview Process

The interview process at Maurices is generally pretty straightforward. For most positions, you can expect to have an initial phone interview followed by one or two in-person interviews. The questions asked will be mostly about your experience and availability. However, for stylist positions, you may be asked some questions about your sense of fashion. Overall, the interview process is relatively quick and easy.

1. How do you relate to the maurices brand?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what makes Maurices unique. You can answer this question by describing a specific aspect of the brand and how it relates to your own personal values or experiences.

Example: “Maurices has always been my favorite place to shop for plus-size clothing because I love the bright colors and fun styles they offer. Plus, their clothes are so comfortable that I feel confident wearing them anywhere. In fact, I wore a pair of Maurices jeans to my high school graduation, and I felt great in them. That’s why I’m excited to work here—I know I’ll be able to help other women find clothes that make them feel as good as I do when I wear Maurices.”

2. What are your short term goals and how will working at maurices help you achieve them?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your career goals and how you plan to achieve them. When answering, it can be helpful to include a few specific details about what you hope to accomplish in the next year or two. You may also want to mention any skills you hope to develop during that time.

Example: “My short term goal is to become a manager at Maurices. I know that working hard as an associate will help me get there, so I’m excited to start my career here. In the next year, I would like to earn a promotion to sales associate. I have experience selling clothing online, so I think I could excel at helping customers find the right items for their needs.”

3. When was a time where you had to deliver excellent customer service while under pressure, what did you do to handle it?

Customer service is a major part of working at Maurices, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal and problem-solving skills.

Example: “At my previous job, I was helping a customer who had questions about our return policy. She seemed very frustrated with me because she wanted to exchange an item that had been worn. I explained our policy again, but she still wasn’t satisfied. Instead of getting upset, I asked her if there was anything else I could do for her. She said no, so I apologized and wished her a nice day. A few minutes later, she came back and told me she would keep the dress.”

4. Why should we hire you as opposed to some of our other applicants who have more experience than you?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of how you feel about your own skills and abilities. It’s important to be honest in this situation, but also highlight some unique or special skill that makes you stand out from other applicants.

Example: “I have been working retail since I was 16 years old, so I have plenty of experience with customer service. However, my previous job required me to work on the sales floor as well as in the fitting room area, which gave me valuable experience interacting with customers who were trying on clothes. This experience has helped me develop excellent communication skills and learn how to help people find what they’re looking for.”

5. Do you have any retail or sales experience? If so, tell us about it.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to Maurices. If you have retail or sales experience, share what you learned from that job and how it can help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I worked as a cashier at my local grocery store throughout high school and college. I learned valuable customer service skills and developed an eye for detail when it came to checking out customers’ purchases. I also gained experience working with different types of people and handling conflict resolution.”

6. Have you ever worked in a fast-paced environment before?

Working in retail can be a fast-paced environment. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working in an environment like that. They want employees who can keep up with the pace of the store and perform their job well under pressure. When answering, explain what your experience is with working in a fast-paced environment. If you have never worked in retail before, talk about another fast-paced job you had.

Example: “I’ve worked in customer service for most of my career. I am used to talking to customers quickly and efficiently. I also worked as a server at a restaurant for two years. That was definitely a fast-paced environment. We were always busy, so I learned how to multitask and work quickly.”

7. Tell me about a time when you were part of a team that wasn’t performing up to standards. What did you do to improve it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might approach challenges at work. They want to know that you’re willing to take on responsibility and are able to motivate others when needed. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to improve the situation and highlight any skills or abilities you used in doing so.

Example: “I was working as a sales associate for a clothing store when we had a rush of customers during our busiest time of year. We were short-staffed, which led to some employees not being able to keep up with customer needs. I noticed this first and approached my manager about it. She agreed to hire more staff, but they wouldn’t be available until later in the day.

In the meantime, I helped other associates by taking over their tasks while they went to get coffee or bathroom breaks. This allowed them to focus on helping customers instead of worrying about whether someone else would cover for them.”

8. Describe a time when you assisted someone in selecting an outfit for a special event.

This question can help the interviewer determine your customer service skills and how you interact with customers. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your interpersonal skills, communication abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “When I worked at a clothing store in high school, I had a regular customer who would come in every week looking for something new to wear. She was always so excited when she found something that fit her style but also matched what she already owned. One day, she came into the store wearing a beautiful dress that looked like it belonged on the red carpet. When I asked her about it, she told me she bought it online and wore it to an awards ceremony. She said she felt confident and beautiful in it, but she wanted my opinion on whether or not she should return it.”

9. Can you provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you helped a customer find something they were looking for or assisted them with a problem.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a customer who was looking for a specific pair of jeans. After searching through our inventory, we didn’t have any in her size. Instead of giving up, she asked if I could call other stores to see if they had her size. I called three other locations and found one store that had her size. She was so happy that I went out of my way to help her.”

10. What would you do if two customers began arguing over merchandise?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a conflict situation. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm in tense situations.

Example: “If two customers began arguing over merchandise, I would first ask them if they needed any assistance. If they said no, I would let them know that I was available should they need me. If they said yes, I would listen carefully to both sides of the story and then find out what each customer wanted. Then, I would use my knowledge of Maurices’ return policy to determine which item they could exchange for or get a refund on.”

11. Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision on the job.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your decision-making skills and how you handle stressful situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you had to make a tough call that benefited the company or helped customers in some way.

Example: “When I was working as a sales associate at a clothing store, we were having a sale on all of our dresses. However, one day before the sale started, an entire rack of dresses got damaged by water. We didn’t have enough time to order new ones, so I decided to take five dresses from each size to create a smaller sale for those sizes only. This allowed us to sell out of all of the damaged dresses while still offering a sale.”

12. What is your leadership style?

Maurices is a retail store that offers customer service, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience leading others. Your leadership style can be influenced by your personality and past experiences, so it’s important to answer honestly about how you would lead your team members at Maurices.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable leader who encourages my team members to speak up with ideas or concerns. I also think it’s important to set clear expectations for employees so they know what is expected of them. In my last role, I had two managers who were very hands-off, but I found that sometimes employees needed more direction from management. So, I started holding weekly meetings where I discussed our goals for the week and answered any questions employees had.”

13. How would you describe your availability?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can work the hours they need. They also want to know if you have any scheduling conflicts that might affect your ability to work at their store. When answering, be honest about your availability and how it fits with the job’s requirements. If you’re not available during certain times, explain why.

Example: “I am available for full-time employment. I do have a part-time job right now, but my schedule is flexible enough that I could switch shifts or take time off as needed. My current employer has been very accommodating of my school schedule, so I’m confident I could find a way to balance both jobs.”

14. As a leader, what qualities would you look for in an ideal employee?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership style and how you would approach hiring decisions if you’re hired. Your answer should include a few qualities that are important to you, such as honesty, dependability, communication skills or teamwork.

Example: “I look for employees who are motivated and eager to learn new things. I also value people who have strong communication skills and work well in teams. In my last role, I hired someone who was very organized and detail-oriented, which helped her excel at customer service. She also had excellent time management skills, so she always met deadlines.”

15. What is your previous management experience like?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience and how you might fit into their management team. If you have previous management experience, share what your responsibilities were and how they helped prepare you for this role. If you don’t have any management experience, you can talk about a time when you had to lead a group or project.

Example: “In my last position as a sales associate at a boutique clothing store, I was promoted to manager after only six months on the job. My promotion came with many new responsibilities, including hiring and training new employees, managing inventory and creating marketing campaigns. These experiences taught me how to delegate tasks effectively and work well under pressure.”

16. What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you can contribute to their team. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or trait that makes you unique from other applicants. You could also mention something that sets Maurices apart as a company.

Example: “I believe my customer service skills are what set me apart from the other candidates. I’ve worked in retail for five years now, so I have plenty of experience interacting with customers and helping them find exactly what they’re looking for. I’m also very organized, which is why I always meet deadlines and stay ahead of tasks.”

17. What kind of work environment brings out the best in you?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit for Maurices’ work environment. Your answer should reflect your personality and preferences, but it’s also important to consider how they operate as an organization.

Example: “I thrive in a fast-paced environment where I have plenty of opportunities to learn new things. In my last job, we had weekly meetings that helped us stay on track with our goals, which was helpful because it kept me motivated throughout the week. I also like working in teams because I enjoy collaborating with others and learning from their experiences.”

18. What is your availability?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are available for the job. They want someone who can work full-time and be committed to the position. When answering, list your availability in terms of days, times and shifts. If you have flexibility with any of these details, mention that as well.

Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but I also have some flexibility. For example, I could start at 8 a.m. if needed. I also have weekends free, so I would be able to work overtime or extra hours when necessary.”

19. How many hours per week are you looking to work?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your availability. If you’re looking for part-time work, let them know that in your answer. If you’re looking for full-time work, explain that as well. It’s also important to be honest with this question because if you say you can work 40 hours per week when you really only want 20, it could lead to problems down the road.

Example: “I’m hoping to find a position where I can work at least 30 hours per week. My schedule is flexible and I would be able to work any day of the week.”

20. If hired, what would be your approach to managing employees?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and how you would approach managing a team of employees. Your answer should include examples of how you have managed teams in the past, including specific strategies you used to motivate your team members and achieve company goals.

Example: “I believe that managers are responsible for motivating their employees and ensuring they feel supported at work. In my last role as a manager, I held weekly meetings with my team where we discussed our progress on projects and any challenges we were facing. This allowed me to learn more about each employee’s strengths and weaknesses so I could provide them with constructive feedback and support when needed. It also helped us identify ways to improve our processes and increase productivity.”