20 Plato’s Closet Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a Plato’s Closet interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your customer service skills, your experience with fashion and clothing, and your ability to work with the public. You may also be asked questions about your ability to handle money and to stay organized while working.

Plato’s Closet Interview Process

The interview process at Plato’s Closet is generally quick and easy. Most interviews are conducted in-person, and last around 15 minutes. Questions asked during the interview are usually basic and focus on your customer service skills and availability. You may be asked to complete a short math test as part of the interview process.

1. How would you describe your style?

Interviewers may ask this question to get a better sense of your personal style and how it aligns with the company’s brand. When you answer, try to be as honest as possible about what type of clothing you like to wear. You can also mention any brands or designers that you prefer.

Example: “I would describe my style as classic but trendy. I love wearing high-quality pieces that are versatile enough to mix and match with other items in my closet. My favorite designer is Gucci because they make timeless pieces that always look fashionable.”

2. What are some of your favorite stores to shop at?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you a little better and see if your style matches with Plato’s Closet. Answer honestly, but also try to include some of the brands that Plato’s Closet sells in its stores.

Example: “I love shopping at Forever 21 because they have such cute clothes for affordable prices. I also like shopping at H&M because their clothes are trendy and stylish without being too expensive. I think both of these brands would be great additions to Plato’s Closet.”

3. What is your experience with retail sales?

This question can help the interviewer learn about your experience with customer service and sales. Use examples from previous jobs to explain how you helped customers find what they needed, assisted them in finding sizes or helped them make purchases.

Example: “I worked at a retail store for two years where I learned how to interact with customers of all ages. I was responsible for helping customers find items that fit their needs, answering questions about sizing and explaining promotions and discounts. I also used my knowledge of inventory to locate specific items when customers asked me to.”

4. Tell us about a time when you had to work in a fast-paced environment and how you handled it.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of how you might handle working in retail. Use your answer to highlight any skills or experiences that could be beneficial for this role, such as multitasking and time management.

Example: “In my previous position, I worked with a team of five people who were responsible for processing incoming inventory. We had to process all of the items within 24 hours of receiving them so we could send them out to our stores. This was challenging at times because there were often more shipments than we could process in one day. However, we developed a system where each person would take on a specific task, which helped us meet our goal.”

5. Describe your experience working on a team.

Plato’s Closet is a team-oriented environment, so the interviewer wants to know that you can work well with others. Use your answer to highlight your teamwork skills and how they benefit your workplace.

Example: “I’ve worked on several teams throughout my career, including my college volleyball team and my internship at a marketing firm. I enjoy working in a collaborative setting where everyone has different strengths and we all work together to achieve our goals. In my last position as an assistant manager, I helped lead a team of five employees who were responsible for organizing merchandise and maintaining inventory.”

6. What would you do if two customers were arguing over the same item?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a conflict in the workplace. Use your answer to show that you are able to resolve conflicts and keep customers happy.

Example: “I would first try to calm both customers down by asking them to take deep breaths and explaining that I am going to find a solution for everyone. Then, I would ask each customer what they were willing to do to solve the problem. If one of the customers was willing to give up the item, I would let the other customer buy it at a discounted price. If neither customer wanted to compromise, I would call my manager over to make a final decision.”

7. If hired, what steps would you take to ensure that all items were organized on the sales floor?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your organizational skills and how you would contribute to the overall success of the store. In your answer, describe a specific process or system that you use for organizing items on the sales floor.

Example: “I have experience working in retail environments where organization is key to keeping customers happy and ensuring employees can find what they need quickly. At my last job, I used color-coded tags to organize clothing by size and gender. This helped me keep track of inventory more efficiently and ensured that we always had enough sizes available for our customers.”

8. Why should we hire you instead of the other applicants?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your relevant skills and experience while also showing enthusiasm for the position.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate because of my customer service skills and ability to work well with others. Throughout my time working at Plato’s Closet, I have learned that providing excellent customer service is one of the most important things we can do as employees. I would love to continue doing so in this role.”

9. Provide an example of a situation where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your customer service skills and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped someone who was in need or went above and beyond for a customer.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer come into the store looking for a pair of shoes that were on sale but no longer available online. I offered to call other Plato’s Closet locations to see if they had any pairs left in stock. After calling several stores, I found one location that still had two pairs of the shoe in size six. I drove there immediately and brought them back to our store so the customer could purchase them.”

10. Do you have any experience merchandising clothes?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with a similar job and how your previous work experience may be transferable to this position. Use examples from past jobs that show your ability to organize, categorize or display merchandise in an appealing way.

Example: “In my last retail position, I helped create displays for our seasonal sales. This included organizing clothes by color and style so they were easy to find. I also used mannequins and props to make the store more visually appealing. These skills are transferrable to Plato’s Closet because they allow me to showcase the clothing we sell.”

11. Can you tell me about a time when you disagreed with a manager or supervisor’s decision, and how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you’re able to respectfully disagree with authority. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you disagreed with a manager’s decision but still followed through with their orders.

Example: “In my last position as a sales associate at a clothing store, I disagreed with my manager’s decision to discontinue selling a certain style of jeans that were very popular among customers. I expressed my concerns about losing revenue from this decision, however, my manager explained that we needed to focus on our most profitable products. I accepted her decision and focused on selling the remaining inventory of those jeans.”

12. What would you do if you noticed something was not priced correctly?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a mistake and whether you have experience with pricing. Use your answer to highlight your attention to detail, problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “If I noticed something was not priced correctly, I would first ask my manager for permission before changing it. Then, I would make sure that all of the prices were accurate by comparing them to the price list. If there were any discrepancies, I would immediately inform my manager so they could fix the issue.”

13. We often have to deal with rude and unhappy customers, how would you handle a situation like that?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and difficult situations. They want to know that you can remain calm, polite and professional in these types of situations.

Example: “I have had experience working with customers who were unhappy about the quality of their items or the price we offered them for their items. I always try to be as kind and helpful as possible when dealing with these kinds of situations. If they are upset, I let them vent while I listen calmly. Then, I explain our policies clearly and offer to help them find a solution.”

14. Plato’s Closet values teamwork. Are you comfortable working on a team?

Teamwork is an important skill for employees to have at Plato’s Closet. The interviewer wants to know that you can work well with others and are willing to do so.

Example: “I am a strong believer in teamwork, as I think it makes the whole more than the sum of its parts. In my last job, I was part of a team that worked on a project together. We each had our own strengths and weaknesses, but we were able to combine them into one cohesive product. It was rewarding to see how much better our final product was compared to what we would have produced individually.”

15. What is your availability during the week?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can work the hours they need. Before your interview, check out the company’s website or job listing to see what days and times they are open. If you have a full-time job already, let them know that you’re only looking for part-time work.

Example: “I’m available Monday through Friday from 10am to 6pm. I am also available on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm if needed.”

16. Is there anything else you would like to add?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded person. You can use this time to talk about any volunteer work, community involvement or other skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the job.

Example: “I have been working as a cashier at my local grocery store since I graduated high school. While I enjoy interacting with customers, I am ready to move into a more challenging role where I can apply my organizational and problem-solving skills. I also feel like I would be a great fit for Plato’s Closet because of my ability to remain calm under pressure.”

17. What is your experience with handling money and operating a cash register?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to handle money and work with a cash register. If you have experience working in retail, use that as proof of your skills. If not, explain how you would learn the process quickly if hired.

Example: “I worked at my high school’s bookstore for two years. During this time, I learned how to operate a cash register and count change accurately. I also developed strong customer service skills by helping customers find what they were looking for and answering their questions.”

18. What skills or experience do you bring that would help our company grow?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have researched the company and understand what they are looking for in an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention skills or experience that align with the job description.

Example: “I believe my customer service skills would help Plato’s Closet grow because I am always willing to go above and beyond to make sure customers leave happy. In my last position, I was responsible for training new employees on our return policy, which helped me develop my communication skills.”

19. Our store has a large inventory, can you give an example of a time when you had to keep track of many different things at once?

This question is a great way to show your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you organized the information or what tools you used to keep track of everything.

Example: “In my previous position as a sales associate at a clothing store, I had to manage multiple customers while also keeping track of inventory levels for each item in our store. To help me stay on top of all these things, I created a spreadsheet that listed each item we carried in the store with its current stock level. This helped me quickly find out which items were low in stock so I could restock them before they sold out.”

20. At Plato’s Closet we value honesty and integrity, why do you think those traits are important to have as an employee?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you value honesty and integrity, which are two traits the company looks for in its employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give a personal example of when you’ve been honest or how being honest has helped you in the past.

Example: “Honesty and integrity are important to me because I believe they help build trust with others. In my last job as a cashier at a grocery store, I was working one day when a customer came up to me and asked if we had any more bananas left. I told them that we didn’t have any more bananas but that we did have some apples. The customer seemed happy with that answer and bought some apples from me.”