17 Personal Stylist Interview Questions and Answers

A personal stylist helps people shop for clothing and accessorizes that suit their individual taste, body type, and lifestyle. If you’re interested in becoming a personal stylist, you’ll need to have a passion for fashion, a good eye for detail, and excellent customer service skills. You should also be prepared to answer a few questions during your job interview.

While the questions you’ll be asked will vary depending on the employer, there are a few common personal stylist interview questions you can expect. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the latest trends in fashion?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re up-to-date with the latest fashion trends. They want to know that you can help their clients stay fashionable and stylish without breaking the bank. In your answer, share a few of the most recent fashion trends you’ve noticed in stores or online. Explain how these trends might appeal to different types of customers.

Example: “I’m always looking for new ways to style my wardrobe. I recently saw some celebrities wearing denim on denim outfits, which inspired me to try it out myself. It’s a great way to add interest to an outfit while still keeping things casual. I also love the idea of mixing prints and patterns together. I think it’s a fun way to show off your personality.”

What are some of the most important things you do to maintain a professional relationship with your clients?

Employers want to know that you can maintain a professional relationship with your clients. They also want to make sure you have the ability to keep their customers happy and satisfied. Your answer should show that you understand how important it is to treat your clients well. You can talk about some of the ways you maintain a good relationship with your clients, such as being on time for appointments or following up after each appointment to see if they need anything else.

Example: “I always arrive at my client’s home five minutes early so I can get settled in before our appointment begins. This allows me to greet them when they come out of their house and makes them feel more comfortable. I also like to send a follow-up text message or email after every appointment to ask if there is anything else I can do for them.”

How do you help your clients feel confident and comfortable when giving their feedback on potential outfits?

Personal stylists often work with clients who are not as familiar with fashion and style. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you help clients feel comfortable during the personal styling process. Use examples from past experiences to show that you can be empathetic and encouraging when working with a client.

Example: “I always make sure to listen carefully to my clients’ feedback on outfits I’ve chosen for them. When someone is giving their opinion, I try to remain calm and respectful of their thoughts. This helps me avoid getting defensive or frustrated if they don’t like an outfit I chose. Instead, I use their feedback to find new options that we both agree upon.”

What is your process for finding the right pieces for each client?

Interviewers want to know how you use your skills and experience to help clients find the right clothing for their needs. Explain what steps you take when helping a client shop, such as asking questions about their lifestyle or preferences.

Example: “I start by getting to know my client’s style and budget. I ask them about their favorite colors, if they have any special occasions coming up and what types of pieces they already own. From there, I look at each piece of clothing they currently wear and decide which ones are worth keeping and which ones need to be replaced. Then, I go through my inventory to find similar items that fit with their personal style.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a client achieve a specific look or goal with their wardrobe.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your skills and expertise to help clients achieve their goals. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped a client develop a style or make an important wardrobe decision that contributed to their success.

Example: “I once worked with a client who was interviewing for a new job. She wanted to look professional but also confident, so I helped her choose a few different outfits that she could mix and match to create multiple looks. We chose colors and patterns that complemented each other and created a variety of outfit combinations. The client felt confident in all of her interview outfits and got the job.”

If a client came to you saying they were bored with their wardrobe and wanted to completely redo it, what would be your first steps?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would approach a client’s needs and what your process is for helping them. Your answer should include steps that show you are organized, detail-oriented and able to work independently.

Example: “First, I would ask them about their lifestyle and what they wear on a daily basis. Then, I would look at their current wardrobe and assess which pieces they wear regularly and which ones they don’t. From there, I would create a shopping list of items that fit with their style and budget. Once we had shopped for those items, I would organize them in my system so that when it came time to put together outfits, it would be easy.”

What would you do if a client came to you saying they were having trouble finding things they liked in your selections?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you have the ability to problem-solve and find solutions for clients who may be struggling with finding things they like in your selections.

Example: “If a client came to me saying this, I would first ask them what their preferences are when it comes to style. Then, I would look at my current inventory of clothing and accessories to see if there is anything else I could offer them that might fit their tastes better. If not, I would take some time to search through other stores or websites to find something that fits their needs.”

How well do you handle pressure and time constraints when working with clients?

Time constraints and pressure are common in the personal styling industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle these situations well. In your answer, explain how you stay calm under pressure and manage time effectively. Show that you have strong organizational skills and a sense of urgency when working with clients.

Example: “I am very organized and I always plan ahead for my client’s appointments. This helps me avoid any last-minute stress or confusion. When I first meet with a client, I create an itinerary for their entire day. Then, I write down all the tasks I need to complete before each appointment. This allows me to prioritize what needs to get done first and ensures I don’t forget anything.

In addition, I try to anticipate any problems that may arise during the day. For example, if I know we will be going to several stores, I’ll bring extra outfits just in case something doesn’t fit right. By being prepared, I can keep myself calm and focused on providing excellent service.”

Do you have experience working with clients of different ages and genders?

Personal stylists often work with clients of all ages and genders. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with a variety of people. Use your answer to explain that you are comfortable working with anyone. Explain that you enjoy helping everyone find their personal style.

Example: “I’ve worked with many different types of clients in my previous role as a personal stylist. I am comfortable working with anyone, regardless of age or gender. I love the challenge of finding clothing for each client’s unique body type. I also enjoy learning about new cultures and how they influence fashion.”

When a client comes to you saying they want to look more professional, what do you tell them?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you tailor your advice to clients based on their needs. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a client look more professional and discuss what steps they took to achieve that goal.

Example: “When a client comes to me saying they want to look more professional, I first ask them what they mean by ‘professional.’ In my experience, this word means different things to different people. For example, some people think of professionalism as wearing suits every day while others think it’s dressing in business casual attire. I usually ask them about their job and what they hope to accomplish with looking more professional so I can give them specific advice.”

We want to attract more millennial clients. How would you approach this demographic?

Personal stylists often work with clients of all ages, but the interviewer may want to know how you would approach a specific demographic. Use your answer to highlight any experience working with this age group and what strategies you used to attract them to your services.

Example: “I have worked with many millennial clients in my previous role as a personal stylist. I find that millennials are more likely to use online shopping platforms than traditional brick-and-mortar stores. As such, I make sure to include plenty of images on my website so they can see exactly what they’re purchasing. I also offer free shipping for orders over $100.”

Describe your personal style and how it differs from the styles of your clients.

This question can help interviewers understand how you apply your own style to the clients you work with. You can use this opportunity to describe your personal style and explain how it differs from the styles of your clients. This can show that you are able to adapt your own style to meet the needs of others while still maintaining your unique sense of self.

Example: “My personal style is very casual, but I enjoy helping my clients find more polished looks for special occasions. My clients often have a lot of fun trying out new outfits and learning about different fashion trends. While my personal style is casual, I am always looking for ways to add some flair to my wardrobe.”

What makes you qualified for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and experience. They want to know what you can bring to their team that other candidates might not have. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills you have that relate to personal styling. Think about which ones are most relevant to this position. Share these with the interviewer so they can see how your skills match up with the job requirements.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others look their best. I’ve been doing this for years as a freelance stylist, and my clients always leave happy with their new looks. In fact, many of them return to me when they need help finding new outfits or updating their wardrobes. I also understand the importance of budgeting and shopping for deals. As a result, I am skilled at finding quality clothing at affordable prices.”

Which personal styling software programs are you familiar with?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience using the software they use in their company. Before your interview, research which personal styling software the employer uses and familiarize yourself with it. If you don’t know what program they use, explain that you are willing to learn any new software programs.

Example: “I am very familiar with Stylebook Pro because I used it at my last job. It’s a great program for organizing client information and keeping track of all the details of each client’s style. I also know how to use Stylebook Lite, but I prefer the Pro version because it has more features.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of personal styling?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to a client’s needs. Your answer should include what you think is most important about personal styling, as well as why that aspect is so vital.

Example: “I believe the most important part of being a personal stylist is understanding my clients’ lifestyles. I need to know where they work, what their hobbies are, who their friends are and more in order to create outfits that fit them perfectly. For example, if someone works in a corporate office, I would dress them in professional clothing. However, if they’re also into rock climbing, I might pair those clothes with athletic shoes or other accessories.”

How often do you update your wardrobe?

This question can help interviewers understand your personal style and how often you update your wardrobe. They may want to know if you have a budget for clothing or if you prefer shopping at discount stores. You can answer this question by describing the frequency of your wardrobe updates, including any specific details about what you buy.

Example: “I try to shop for new clothes every season. I find that it’s easier to keep up with trends when I’m buying new items each time they’re in fashion. I also like to shop online because there are so many sales going on during the off-season. I’ve found some great deals on designer brands through my favorite websites.”

There is a trend in your client’s favorite color. What would you do?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of current fashion trends. It also shows the interviewer how you would handle client requests that may be outside of their comfort zone. In your answer, show the employer that you can use your creativity and problem-solving skills to find solutions for clients who want something different than what’s currently in style.

Example: “I once had a client who wanted to wear all pink clothing. She was having a baby girl and wanted to incorporate her favorite color into everything she wore. I started by asking her about her favorite colors and then found ways to incorporate those colors into her wardrobe. For example, I suggested she try wearing a bright yellow top with some black pants and a pair of heels. This helped her feel comfortable while still incorporating her favorite color.”