20 Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Interview Questions and Answers

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is one of the largest retailers of closeout merchandise and excess inventory in the United States. With over 700 stores in 47 states, Ollie’s offers a wide variety of products, from food and housewares to toys and electronics.

If you’re applying for a job at Ollie’s, you can expect the interview process to be pretty straightforward. Most interviews will consist of behavioral questions, which are designed to assess your customer service skills and ability to handle difficult situations.

In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample Ollie’s Bargain Outlet interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Interview Process

The interview process at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is generally pretty quick and easy. Most applicants report having only one or two interviews before being hired. The interviews are usually pretty casual, with questions focusing on your past experience and why you want to work at Ollie’s. Some applicants have reported waiting up to a week to hear back after their interview, but most say they heard back within a few days. Overall, the interview process at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is pretty straightforward and efficient.

1. What do you know about Ollie’s Bargain Outlet?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to see how much you know about their company. It also gives them an opportunity to share more information with you if they feel like you don’t have enough knowledge of the company. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’ve done your research and are familiar with the company.

Example: “I know Ollie’s Bargain Outlet has been in business since 1999. I also know that you’re one of the largest discount retailers in the country. You offer customers low prices on name-brand items, which makes you very popular among shoppers.”

2. Why do you want to work at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Ollie’s Bargain Outlet that interests you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I applied for this position because I am passionate about finding great deals on items my family needs. I have been shopping at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet since I was in high school, and I love how much money I save when I shop there. I also really enjoy helping customers find exactly what they need while saving as much money as possible.”

3. How would you describe your customer service style?

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is a customer-focused company, so it’s important that you have the right personality to work with customers. Your answer should show that you are friendly and enjoy helping people. You can also mention any specific skills or experiences that make you good at providing excellent service.

Example: “I believe in treating every customer like they are my best friend. I am always smiling and eager to help them find what they need. I also try to remember details about their preferences and shopping history so I can provide them with an even better experience next time. My previous job was working as a sales associate at a clothing store, where I learned how to interact with all kinds of different people.”

4. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific situation where you helped someone in need or went above and beyond for a customer.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a regular customer who would come into the store every week looking for a certain type of item. After several weeks of searching, we were unable to find what they needed. Instead of giving up, I asked them if there was anything else that could work as an alternative. They told me about another product that worked well for them. We ordered the new product and delivered it to their home. The next time they came into the store, they thanked us for going out of our way to make sure they got what they needed.”

5. If a customer was unhappy with their purchase, how would you handle the situation?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience with customer service. Use examples from your past experience to show that you are capable of handling difficult situations, while also maintaining a positive attitude.

Example: “I would first apologize for their dissatisfaction and ask what I could do to make it right. If they were unhappy with an item, I would offer them a refund or exchange. If they were unhappy with their shopping experience in general, I would try my best to resolve the issue by offering coupons or discounts on future purchases.”

6. Describe your experience working in retail.

This question is a great way to learn about your potential new employer and how they operate. It also gives you the opportunity to show them what kind of employee you are by describing your previous experience in retail.

Example: “I have worked in retail for five years, starting at my local grocery store as a cashier when I was 16. After working there for two years, I moved up to customer service where I helped customers find items on our shelves. Then, I applied for an assistant manager position at another grocery store and got it. I learned so much from that job, including how to manage employees and handle inventory.”

7. Do you have any previous leadership or management experience?

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is a large company with many locations. They may ask this question to see if you have any experience working in a similar environment or for a larger organization. If you do, share your experiences and how they helped you develop as a leader. If you don’t have previous leadership experience, talk about the responsibilities you’ve had at work and how you developed into a leader.

Example: “I’ve worked my way up from sales associate to assistant manager at my current job. I started out as a sales associate, where I learned all of the products we sold and how to help customers find what they were looking for. As an assistant manager, I was responsible for training new employees and helping them learn our systems. I also oversaw inventory control and customer service.”

8. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a customer who was upset because they couldn’t find an item on sale that week. I explained to them that we have different sales every week, but if they brought in their receipt from the previous week, we would honor the sale price. They were happy with this solution, and it helped diffuse the situation.”

9. Are you comfortable using a computer to process orders and returns?

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is a technology-driven company, and the interviewer wants to make sure you have the necessary computer skills for the job. If you are not comfortable using computers, consider taking some time to learn before your interview.

Example: “I am very comfortable using computers to process orders and returns. I use an inventory system at my current job that allows me to scan items as they come in and out of stock. It also helps me keep track of customer purchases and refunds. I find it much easier than writing everything down by hand.”

10. Which shift are you available to work?

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet may ask this question to determine which shifts you are available to work. This can help them decide if you would be a good fit for their company and the open position. When answering this question, make sure to mention all of your availability so that they know you are willing to work any shift.

Example: “I am available to work any shift at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet. I have worked many different shifts in my previous job, including evenings, nights and weekends. I am comfortable working any shift as long as it is reasonable.”

11. What is one thing that makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and see if you are a good fit for their company. They want to know what makes you unique, so share something that is not on your resume but shows who you are as a person.

Example: “I am the type of person who always wants to do better. I have never been satisfied with my work, which has helped me get promotions at every job I’ve had. At my last job, I was promoted from cashier to sales associate after only three months because I was one of the top performers in customer service.”

12. Tell me about a time when you were able to resolve a conflict between two customers.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle customer service issues. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to resolve conflict.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a customer who was upset because they couldn’t find an item on our website that they wanted to purchase in store. The item wasn’t available online at all, so I told them we didn’t have it in stock but would be happy to order it for them if they were willing to wait until it arrived. They said they weren’t interested in waiting and left the store without making a purchase.

I called the manager over and explained what happened. We decided to call the customer back and offer them a discount on another product as an apology. They ended up buying two other items instead of just one. By offering them something else, we were able to make things right with the customer and still sell them more than they originally intended to buy.”

13. Have you ever worked on commission before?

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is a company that offers commission to its sales associates. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working on commission and how it may affect your work ethic. If you do not have any experience, explain what you would do differently than someone who does.

Example: “I have worked on commission before at my previous job. I found that the best way to ensure success was to always be friendly with customers and provide them with excellent customer service. This helped me build strong relationships with many of my regulars, which led to more sales.”

14. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful team member?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities they look for in their team members. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of your own personal qualities and how they relate to those that are important to the company.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities is being able to work well with others. I am always willing to listen to other people’s ideas and opinions, and I try my best to support my coworkers when they need me. Another quality I think is important is having a positive attitude. I believe that no matter what happens, there is always something we can learn from the experience. By keeping a positive attitude, I can make sure everyone else on the team feels supported and valued.”

15. What type of environment do you feel most comfortable in?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with their team. Your answer should include information about what type of environment you enjoy working in, as well as why that particular environment makes you feel comfortable.

Example: “I have found that I am most comfortable in an environment where there are clear expectations and goals. At my last job, we had weekly meetings where our manager would go over any changes or updates to our schedule. This helped me feel confident in my work and understand what was expected from me each day.”

16. Do you consider yourself a competitive person?

Employers ask this question to see if you are motivated by competition. They want employees who will work hard and try their best at all times, even when there is no prize or recognition for doing so. In your answer, explain that you do consider yourself competitive but also emphasize the importance of teamwork. Explain that you enjoy working with others to achieve a common goal.

Example: “I definitely consider myself a competitive person. I love being able to push myself to be better than I was yesterday. However, I think it’s important to remember that we’re all in this together. While I am certainly going to try my hardest to win any prizes or awards, I know that sometimes other people may have similar goals. I would never want to put anyone else down just because I wanted to succeed.”

17. How would you motivate someone who has been underperforming?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped someone overcome a challenge or improve their performance.

Example: “I have worked with many employees who were underperforming and needed some extra motivation. I find that the best way to motivate them is by showing them what they are capable of. For example, if an employee was having trouble finding products in the warehouse, I would give them more responsibility within the department until they felt comfortable again. This method has always been successful for me because it allows employees to feel like they are progressing and gaining confidence.”

18. Talk about a time when you had to adapt to change quickly. What did you do?

When working in retail, it’s common to have to adapt to change quickly. This question helps employers understand how you handle adapting to new situations and challenges. Use your answer to highlight a time when you had to adapt to something unexpected. Explain what steps you took to make the situation work.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for restocking shelves and organizing merchandise. One day, we received an entire shipment of products that were all mislabeled. Instead of putting them back on the shelf, I organized them by color so customers could still find items they wanted. It wasn’t ideal, but it helped us stay open longer while we waited for the correct labels to arrive.”

19. Do you have any experience managing inventory?

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is a large retailer that sells many different types of products. The company needs employees who can manage inventory and ensure the store has enough stock to meet customer demand. Your answer should show the interviewer you have the skills needed for this role. If you don’t have experience managing inventory, you can talk about other relevant retail experience.

Example: “I worked at a small electronics store where I was responsible for maintaining the inventory database. This involved entering new items into the system and updating prices as necessary. I also had to make sure we always had enough stock on hand so customers could find what they were looking for.”

20. We often receive large shipments at once. Can you tell us about a time where you received a large shipment and what steps you took to organize it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle large shipments and the organizational skills you have. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any specific steps or processes that helped you organize the shipment.

Example: “At my previous job, we received shipments of over 10,000 items at once. I was in charge of organizing all of these items into our inventory system. To do so, I first separated the shipment by department. Then, I organized each item by size and color. This allowed me to quickly find an item when needed.”