20 rue21 Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, being prepared is key. And one way to prepare is to know what kind of questions you might be asked. If you’re interviewing for a position at rue21, you’re in luck. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most common rue21 interview questions, with sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

rue21 Interview Process

The interview process at rue21 is generally pretty quick and easy. Most applicants report being interviewed within a week or two of applying, and the interviews themselves are usually fairly casual. You can expect to be asked about your availability, past work experience, and why you want to work at rue21. The interviewer will also likely ask if you have any questions about the position or the company.

1. Why do you want to work for rue21?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of rue21 that you like or how you learned about the job opening.

Example: “I want to work for rue21 because I love the clothing and accessories available in stores. I’ve been shopping here since high school, and I’m excited to have the chance to help others find their own unique style. I also really enjoy working with customers and helping them find what they’re looking for.”

2. What are your short and long term career goals?

Rue21 is a growing company that offers many career opportunities. Your answer to this question can help the interviewer determine if you are interested in moving up within the organization and how quickly you might be able to do so. When answering, make sure to mention your interest in learning more about the company’s internal promotions process.

Example: “My short-term goal is to become an expert on all of the products we sell at Rue21. I am passionate about fashion and would love to learn more about what our customers like and dislike about our current offerings. My long-term goal is to move into a management position where I can oversee my own team of employees.”

3. How would you describe your management style?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you would interact with your team members and other store associates. Your management style is an important part of your overall job performance, so it’s important to be honest about what type of manager you are.

Example: “I am a very hands-on manager who likes to get involved in my employees’ work. I believe that managers should lead by example and show their employees how they expect them to perform. I also think it’s important for managers to provide support and guidance when needed. I like to make sure all of my employees feel comfortable coming to me if they have any questions or concerns.”

4. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an upset customer, how did you handle it?

Rue21 is a retail store that sells clothing and accessories to customers. As such, it’s likely you’ll have to deal with upset or angry customers at some point in your career. An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and whether you can resolve issues quickly. In your answer, try to demonstrate empathy for the customer while also showing confidence in your ability to solve problems.

Example: “I once had an upset customer who was returning a shirt because she said it didn’t fit her properly. I asked her if there was anything else we could do to help her, and she told me she wanted a different size but couldn’t find one online. I offered to look through our inventory to see if we had any other sizes available. After searching, I found another shirt in her size and gave her a discount on it.”

5. Describe a time where you had to prioritize, how did you choose what comes first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your tasks and goals. Use examples from previous work experiences to explain how you make decisions about what’s most important.

Example: “In my last role, I had a lot of projects that were due at the same time. I started by making a list of all the things I needed to do and then ranked them based on importance. For example, I would rank something like filing paperwork over organizing inventory because it was more urgent. Then, I worked through each task one-by-one until they were all complete.”

6. Do you have previous retail experience?

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

Example: “I worked as a cashier at a local boutique when I was in college. While working there, I learned how important it is to provide excellent customer service and make sure customers are happy with their purchases. This helped me develop my communication skills and taught me how to work well under pressure.”

7. Can you tell me about a time where you didn’t agree with the actions of a manager or supervisor? How did you handle it?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle conflict and disagreements. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but it’s also important to show that you’re willing to work with others and learn from mistakes.

Example: “I once disagreed with a manager about the best way to organize our inventory. I felt like my method was more efficient because it allowed employees to find items faster. However, after talking with my manager, we decided that her method would be better for the store as a whole. We implemented both methods so that customers could find what they were looking for no matter which system they used.”

8. Are you available to work nights and weekends?

Rue21 is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends, so the interviewer wants to know if you’re available for these hours. If you are, explain why. If not, let them know what your availability looks like.

Example: “I am happy to work nights and weekends as long as I get adequate rest during the day. I find that working late at night can be quite productive because there aren’t many customers in the store. This means I can focus more on my tasks without having to wait on anyone.”

9. Is there anything else we should know about you that was not covered in the interview?

This question is a great way to show your personality and unique qualities. You can use this opportunity to share any additional information that you feel will help the interviewer get to know you better.

Example: “I am an avid reader, so I would love to have a book club at work. I think it would be fun to discuss books with my coworkers and learn about their interests.”

10. What do you think is most important to ensure the success of a retail store?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the retail industry and how you can contribute to a company’s success. You can answer this question by explaining what you think contributes to a store’s success, such as customer service, sales techniques or inventory management.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service is one of the most important things for a retail store to do in order to succeed. Customers want to feel welcome when they come into a store, so I would make sure my coworkers and I are friendly and helpful to customers at all times. Another thing I think is important is having a wide variety of products available for customers to choose from. This way, shoppers will be able to find something they like no matter what their preferences are.”

11. Have you ever worked on commission before?

Rue21 is a retailer that offers commission to its sales associates. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience working on commission and how well you perform under this type of compensation plan. If you haven’t worked on commission before, consider explaining why you’re excited about the opportunity to do so in your answer.

Example: “I’ve never worked on commission before, but I’m excited for the opportunity to do so at Rue21. I understand that it’s important to meet or exceed my daily goals to earn a commission. I am confident that I can achieve these goals by providing excellent customer service and selling quality products.”

12. If hired, what would be your approach to achieving sales targets?

Rue21 is a company that relies on its sales associates to meet and exceed targets. This question helps the interviewer determine how you plan to contribute to the success of the store. Use your answer to highlight your ability to work with customers, build relationships and achieve goals.

Example: “I believe my approach to achieving sales targets would be to focus on customer service and building relationships with shoppers. I know from experience that when I take the time to get to know my customers and provide them with excellent service, they are more likely to return and make additional purchases. In fact, in my last role, I increased sales by 20% over a six-month period by focusing on these two areas.”

13. What qualities make someone a good leader?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you would apply them in a new role. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a time when you were a leader or helped someone else become one.

Example: “A good leader is someone who has the ability to motivate others to work hard and achieve their goals. I believe that leaders should also be able to listen to their team members and help them find solutions to problems they’re facing. In my last position as an assistant manager at a clothing store, I was responsible for training new employees on our company’s policies and procedures. I found that by being patient with them and explaining things clearly, I could help my team feel confident in their roles.”

14. We like our team members to work independently. Would you say this describes you?

Rue21 wants to know if you can work independently and how much experience you have with this. When answering, explain your previous experiences working alone or in a team environment.

Example: “I’ve worked on my own for the past two years as an online seller. I enjoy being able to set my own schedule and work from home. However, I also like collaborating with others when it comes to brainstorming new ideas and selling strategies.”

15. What do you consider your biggest personal strength?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and abilities necessary for the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you are most proud of in your life or career.

Example: “My biggest personal strength is my ability to work well with others. I am always looking for ways to help others succeed and find success myself. In my last position as a cashier at a clothing store, I noticed that one of my coworkers was having trouble finding an item for a customer. I offered to help her look through our inventory until we found the right piece of clothing.”

16. How well do you perform under pressure?

Rue21 is a fast-paced environment, and employees must be able to perform well under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an example of how you handled a time when you were under pressure at your previous job.

Example: “I have worked in retail for five years now, and I’ve learned that there are times when the store gets very busy. During my first year working here, we had a rush of customers come into the store right before closing time. At first, I was nervous because I didn’t know if I could handle all of the customers by myself. However, I took a deep breath and focused on helping each customer as best as I could.”

17. What is your greatest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see how you respond to criticism. When answering this question, be honest about your weaknesses but also highlight what steps you’ve taken to improve them.

Example: “My greatest weakness is that I am sometimes too eager to please others. In the past, I have gone above and beyond for customers and coworkers alike, which has led me to work long hours without breaks. Now, I make sure to prioritize my own needs so that I can maintain a healthy work-life balance.”

18. What type of personality traits do you think are necessary to succeed at rue21?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong work ethic and are willing to put in the effort necessary to succeed at rue21. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention traits like creativity, problem-solving skills, communication skills and more.

Example: “I think that one of the most important personality traits for success at rue21 is being able to work well with others. I am someone who enjoys collaborating with others on projects and feel that my ability to communicate effectively makes me a good fit for this position.”

19. Give us an example of a difficult situation you were involved in and how you handled it.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react in challenging situations. Your answer should include a specific example of a time when you faced a challenge at work, the actions you took to resolve it and the result of your actions.

Example: “At my previous job, I had to handle an upset customer who was unhappy with her purchase. She called me on the phone and asked for a refund because she didn’t like the color of the shirt she bought online. I tried to calm her down by explaining that we don’t offer refunds once the item is shipped. However, I offered her a store credit instead. She accepted the offer and thanked me for being so helpful.”

20. What can you offer to the company that other candidates cannot?

This question is a great way to show your unique skills and talents. It’s also an opportunity for you to highlight any experience that may not be listed in the job description.

Example: “I have extensive customer service experience, which I believe will help me succeed at this position. In my last role as a cashier, I was responsible for helping customers find what they were looking for while providing them with excellent customer service. This helped me develop my communication and problem-solving skills, which are important for working in retail.”