20 Torrid Interview Questions and Answers

As a company that specializes in fashion for plus-size women, Torrid is always looking for new and creative ways to engage with their customer base. One way they do this is through company specific interview questions.

These questions help to not only get to know the applicant on a personal level, but also to gauge their understanding of and interest in the plus-size fashion industry.

If you’re hoping to land a job at Torrid, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions about your fashion sense and knowledge of the plus-size market. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common questions asked in a Torrid interview, as well as some tips on how to answer them.

Torrid Interview Process

The interview process at Torrid is generally pretty quick and easy. Most interviews are conducted in-person, though some may be done over the phone or via Zoom. The questions asked are usually fairly standard, focusing on your availability, past retail experience, and personal style. In some cases, you may be asked to style a customer or the interviewer. Overall, the interview process is relatively simple and straightforward.

1. Tell me about a time you had to deal with an unhappy customer.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have experience working with customers. Use your answer to highlight your customer service skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a lot of unhappy customers because our store was always so busy. One day, a woman came in looking for a dress she saw online but couldn’t find in her size. She became very upset when I told her that we didn’t carry it in her size. Instead of getting frustrated or defensive, I calmly explained that we only carried sizes 0 through 16 in stock and offered to order one for her if she gave me her email address.”

2. What is your experience working in retail?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience working in retail and can apply the skills you learned from previous jobs. If you don’t have any retail experience, consider talking about other customer service or sales positions you’ve held.

Example: “I worked as a cashier at my local grocery store for two years while I was in college. It was a part-time job, but it taught me how to work with customers and handle money. I also learned how to multitask and prioritize tasks so I could get everything done on time.”

3. How would you handle a situation where a fellow team member wasn’t pulling their weight?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to resolve conflict. In your answer, try to show that you value teamwork and collaboration. Explain what steps you would take to address the situation directly with the employee in a positive way.

Example: “I believe it’s important for everyone on the team to contribute equally. If I noticed someone wasn’t pulling their weight, I would first approach them privately to discuss my concerns. I would explain that I want to support them and help them succeed at their job. I would also offer to provide additional training or resources if they needed any.”

4. Do you have any management experience?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience managing a team of employees. If you do, share your previous management experiences and how they helped you develop as a leader. If you don’t have any management experience, you can talk about other leadership roles you’ve held in the past.

Example: “I’ve been working at my current job for three years now, where I started out as an assistant manager before moving up to store manager. In this role, I learned how to delegate tasks effectively and motivate my staff members to work hard. I also developed strong communication skills that helped me resolve conflicts between my employees.”

5. Give us an example of how you’ve supported and led a sales team.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can motivate others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your communication and collaboration skills.

Example: “In my last role as a store manager, I had the opportunity to lead a team of five sales associates. We all worked together to create an effective plan for our store that included daily goals and weekly targets. Each week we would meet to discuss our progress and make any necessary adjustments. This process helped us achieve record-breaking sales each month.”

6. Describe what makes for a good manager.

A good manager is someone who can help their team members succeed. They’re also someone who’s willing to learn from their employees and adapt their management style as needed.

Example: “A good manager should be a leader, not just a boss. A good manager understands that they don’t have all the answers and knows when it’s time to ask for help or advice. A good manager is also someone who’s open to feedback and willing to change their approach if necessary.”

7. Are you available to work on the weekends?

The retail industry is known for its weekend work, and the interviewer may want to know if you’re willing to put in extra hours. If you are, explain why you enjoy working weekends. If you aren’t available on the weekends, let them know what your availability looks like.

Example: “I am happy to work any shift that fits into my schedule. I have a flexible schedule, so I’m able to work most days of the week. However, I do prefer to avoid working on Sundays because it’s my only day off from work.”

8. Walk us through your resume, why did you choose this path?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the industry and how you got started. If you have experience in retail, explain what drew you to this field. If you are new to retail, talk about why you chose this company or brand.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about fashion and style. I worked as a sales associate at my local mall when I was in high school, which helped me learn more about the industry. After graduating from college with a degree in marketing, I decided to apply for a job here because of the unique clothing options and inclusive sizing.”

9. How would you set goals for yourself as a sales associate?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you plan for success. When answering, consider the goals you set for yourself in previous positions and explain how they helped you achieve success.

Example: “I would first identify my strengths as a sales associate and use them to help me meet my goals. For example, I am very outgoing and friendly, so I would try to make sure that every customer who comes into the store feels welcome and comfortable. I also know that I have strong communication skills, so I would use those to listen to customers’ needs and find ways to address them.”

10. Why do you want to work at Torrid?

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 Torrid that interests you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I want to work at Torrid because I love your clothing line. The clothes are always so stylish and fun, and they make me feel confident when I wear them. I also really like how inclusive the brand is, with sizes ranging from 12 to 28. It’s important to me to work somewhere that values diversity.”

11. Have you ever worked with apparel before?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have experience working with clothing and can apply those skills to the job. If you haven’t worked in apparel, consider discussing other work experiences that relate to this position.

Example: “I’ve never worked specifically with apparel before, but I do have plenty of experience working with customers who are looking for fashionable clothes. In my last retail job, I was responsible for helping customers find the right sizes and styles of clothing that fit their needs. This helped me develop an eye for what looks good on different body types.”

12. Which shift are you interested in working?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your availability. They want to make sure you can work the hours they need their employees to work. In your answer, let them know which shift you are most comfortable working and why.

Example: “I am available for all of the shifts at Torrid. I have worked both day and evening shifts in previous positions, so I feel confident that I could do either one here. However, I would prefer to work the evening shift because it allows me to spend time with my family during the day.”

13. What interests you about Torrid’s mission statement?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company’s values and goals. When you answer, make sure you reference Torrid’s mission statement in your response.

Example: “I am passionate about helping women feel confident and beautiful no matter their size or shape. I believe that everyone deserves to feel good about themselves, and Torrid’s mission statement reflects this belief. The brand wants to help women find clothes they love while also making them feel good about themselves. This is something I can relate to because I have struggled with body image issues myself.”

14. If hired, how would you go about meeting your monthly sales goal?

This question is a great way to determine how you plan and execute your work. It also shows the interviewer that you understand what’s expected of you in this role. When answering, be sure to explain your strategy for meeting goals and highlight any previous experience doing so.

Example: “I would start by identifying my target market and researching which stores they shop at most often. I’d then create a marketing campaign based on these findings. For example, if I found that many of my customers shopped at Target, I might send out an email blast with a coupon code or sale information. This would help me reach more potential customers while still providing value to those who already shop at Torrid.”

15. Do you know anything about our products?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. If you have experience working in retail, it’s likely that you’ve heard about Torrid before. However, if this is your first time hearing about the brand, do some research on their website or social media accounts to learn more about what they offer customers.

Example: “I actually haven’t had the pleasure of shopping at Torrid before, but I did look through your website and saw that you carry sizes 12 to 28. I also noticed that you have an online store as well as physical locations. I think it’s important for retailers to have both options available to their customers.”

16. What was the most difficult thing about being a key holder?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your management style and how you handle challenges. Your answer should include a specific example of a time when you had to make a tough decision, but it should also highlight your leadership skills and ability to motivate others.

Example: “The most difficult thing about being a key holder was having to let go of an employee who wasn’t performing well. I knew that letting them go would be hard for everyone involved, so I met with the employee in private to discuss their performance. They understood why they were being let go, and we parted on good terms.”

17. What is your biggest weakness?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They want to know that you are self-aware, humble and willing to improve. When answering this question, be honest but also highlight a weakness that is not as important or relevant to the job.

Example: “My biggest weakness is my perfectionism. I am always striving for excellence, which can sometimes lead me to work longer hours than necessary. However, I have learned to balance this by delegating tasks to others when needed.”

18. When was the last time you had to deal with an upset customer?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience dealing with customers. Use your answer to highlight your customer service skills, communication abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a lot of customers who would call in asking for specific sizes that were out of stock. This happened so often that it became a major issue for us because we couldn’t keep up with the demand. We decided to start offering free shipping on all orders over $50 to try to solve this problem. While this helped some, there were still many upset customers.

I started working with our marketing team to create an email campaign that offered 20% off any order when they referred a friend. This solved the problem completely and made both the customer and myself happy.”

19. What do you think are important qualities that make up a successful salesperson?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience in sales and can apply those skills to your new role. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight qualities that are relevant to working at Torrid, such as confidence, communication skills and customer service abilities.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for a successful salesperson is being able to connect with customers on an emotional level. I always try to make sure my customers feel comfortable and confident when they’re shopping with me. Another quality I think is essential is having empathy for others. I believe that if you can put yourself in someone else’s shoes, you’ll be better equipped to help them find what they need.”

20. Explain a time when you discovered a new product that ended up becoming very popular. What made it so popular?

This question is a great way to show your creativity and problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain how you discovered the product and what made it so popular.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, I noticed that many of our customers were asking for more plus size clothing options. At first, we didn’t have any plans to expand our line, but after talking with some other employees, we decided to start offering larger sizes in select styles. We ended up selling out of those items within two weeks.”