20 Vans Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at Vans, one of the best ways to prepare is to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that are commonly asked in interviews for positions at the company.

Of course, no two interviews are exactly alike. But by doing your research and being prepared to answer questions about your experience, qualifications, and goals, you’ll be in a much better position to make a great impression and land the job you want.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common interview questions asked by Vans. Read on to learn more.

Vans Interview Process

The interview process at Vans is generally quick and easy. Most applicants will be asked to do a video interview, which can be done at your convenience. The questions are usually straightforward and focus on your previous experience and qualifications. In some cases, you may be asked to do a group interview or an in-person interview. Overall, the interview process is relatively painless and should not take more than a few days.

1. What is your favorite Vans product?

This question is a great way to see if you are familiar with the company’s products. It also gives you an opportunity to show your personality and enthusiasm for the brand. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific product that you have used in the past or one that you would like to try.

Example: “My favorite Vans product is actually the classic slip-on shoe. I love how comfortable they are and how easy they are to wear. They’re my go-to shoes when I’m running errands on the weekend.”

2. How would you describe the Vans brand to someone who has never heard of it before?

This question is a great way to test your understanding of the company’s brand and products. It also gives you an opportunity to show that you have done some research on the company before your interview.

Example: “Vans is one of the most iconic brands in action sports, with a rich history dating back to 1966. The brand has always been about freedom and creativity, which is why it was so popular among skateboarders in the ’70s. Vans shoes are still very popular today, especially among skaters, surfers and snowboarders.”

3. Are you comfortable working in a fast paced environment?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re a good fit for their company. They want employees who can keep up with the pace of work and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. In your answer, explain that you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment as long as you have clear expectations. Explain how you stay organized and prioritize tasks.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable working in a fast-paced environment. I thrive on being able to multitask and getting things done quickly. At my last job, we had a lot of deadlines to meet, so I got used to working at a quick pace. Now, I’m even faster than before because I’ve learned some new time management skills.”

4. Why do you want to work at Vans?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what attracted you to the role and whether you have done any research on the organization. Before your interview, read through the job description to see if there are any specific skills or qualifications they’re looking for. If so, make sure to mention how you possess those skills.

Example: “I’m interested in working at Vans because I’ve been a fan of the brand since high school. I love that the products are stylish but also functional. I think my background in design makes me a good fit for this position. I am eager to use my creativity to help develop new designs and styles.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experiences that highlight your time management skills, organizational abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my last position as a customer service representative for an online retailer, I had to handle multiple calls at once while also answering emails and resolving issues with customers’ orders. This was especially challenging when there were technical difficulties with the website or other issues with shipping. However, I prioritized each call based on urgency and worked through each issue until it was resolved.”

6. Do you have any experience with visual merchandising?

Visual merchandising is the process of displaying products in a way that makes them appealing to customers. Visual merchandising can be used for both online and brick-and-mortar stores, so this question helps employers determine if you have experience with visual merchandising displays. If you do, share an example of how you helped create a display that increased sales or customer engagement.

Example: “I worked at a skate shop where we had limited space for our inventory. We wanted to make sure our customers could see all of our products, so I created a system for organizing our shoes by color. This made it easy for customers to find what they were looking for and also allowed us to maximize the amount of product we could fit on our shelves.”

7. How do you think you will contribute to creating a positive shopping experience for our customers?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you can help the company achieve its goals. Use examples from previous work experiences or discuss what you hope to accomplish in this role.

Example: “I think it’s important for customers to have a positive shopping experience when they visit Vans.com. I plan to use my communication and problem-solving skills to resolve any issues that arise during checkout or while customers are browsing our products. For example, if a shopper is looking for a specific product but can’t find it on our website, I would contact a member of the sales team to see if we could add the item to our inventory.”

8. Describe a time where you resolved a conflict between two parties.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to resolve conflict. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to resolve the conflict and how you helped both parties feel satisfied with the outcome.

Example: “At my previous job, I had two coworkers who were constantly arguing about whose turn it was to take out the trash. One coworker would always forget to take out the trash, which led to arguments between them. I decided to help solve the issue by creating a schedule for taking out the trash that everyone could agree on. This allowed me to ensure that no one ever forgot to take out the trash again.”

9. If a customer was complaining that they could not find what they were looking for, how would you help them?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills and how you can help customers. It also gives the interviewer insight into what it might be like to work with you if they were a customer.

Example: “I would first apologize for their experience and ask them what they were looking for. Then, I would use my knowledge of the website to find similar products or search for the product in our database. If we did not have the item in stock, I would offer to order it from another location.”

10. Provide an example of a time when you helped a customer find exactly what they were looking for.

This question can help the interviewer understand your customer service skills and how you use them to solve problems. Use examples from previous jobs or describe a time when you helped a friend find what they were looking for on a website.

Example: “At my last job, I had a customer who was looking for a specific pair of shoes that would be good for skateboarding. They wanted something with a low profile but also durable enough to withstand falls. After asking some questions about their skating style, I recommended a few pairs of shoes that might work well for them. The customer ended up purchasing one of those pairs.”

11. What are some qualities you would look for in a good team member?

Employers ask this question to see if you have the same qualities as their current team members. They want someone who is a good fit for their company culture and values. Before your interview, read through the job description and look at the qualifications of other employees. Think about what they have in common and how that might relate to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “I think it’s important to find people with different skill sets than myself. I would look for someone who has a unique perspective on things and can offer new ideas. I also value hard workers who are dedicated to the success of the team. Teamwork is essential to any successful business, so I’m looking for someone who will be willing to work well with others.”

12. Have you ever worked on a project that didn’t go well and what did you learn from it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you learn from mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a time when you made a mistake but also the steps you took to fix it or prevent it in the future.

Example: “In my last role as an online marketing specialist, I was tasked with creating a social media campaign for our new line of shoes. The company wanted to target millennials who were interested in skateboarding. However, after launching the campaign, we realized that many of the people interacting with our posts weren’t skateboarders at all. We learned that we needed to do more research on our audience before launching any campaigns.”

13. Do you have previous supervisory or leadership experience?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience managing a team or group of employees. If you do, share your leadership skills and how they helped you achieve success in your previous role. If you don’t have supervisory or management experience, you can still answer this question by describing any other leadership roles you’ve held in the past.

Example: “I haven’t had the opportunity to manage others yet, but I am eager to learn more about that aspect of business operations. In my current position as an assistant manager at a skate shop, I learned how to delegate tasks to employees and motivate them to perform well. I also developed strong communication skills with customers and coworkers.”

14. Tell me about a time where you coached or trained another employee.

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership skills and how you might apply them to your role at Vans. Use examples from your past experience where you helped a colleague learn something new or develop their skills.

Example: “In my last position, I had an employee who was very eager to get started on her projects but didn’t have much experience with our software. She asked me for some tips on using it more efficiently, so I spent 30 minutes showing her how to use the program’s shortcuts and other features that would save her time when working on projects. After she got comfortable with the software, she thanked me for helping her out.”

15. When hiring, we like to see enthusiasm for the company and its products. Can you tell us why you love Vans so much?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the company and its products. If you’re interviewing for an entry-level position, it’s likely that you don’t have much experience with Vans. However, if you’ve ever worked in retail or customer service, you can use this opportunity to talk about how much you love the brand.

Example: “I’m so excited to be here today because I’ve been a huge fan of Vans since I was a kid. My parents took me to my first skate park when I was seven years old, and I fell in love with the brand. I still remember the feeling of putting on my first pair of authentic Vans shoes. It was like nothing else I’d ever experienced before.”

16. We value teamwork here at Vans. Tell us about your experience working as part of a team.

Teamwork is an important skill to have when working at Vans. The company values collaboration and communication, so your interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about how you work with others. To answer this question, think of a time you worked as part of a team to complete a project or goal. Explain what made the experience successful for you.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed teamwork because it allows me to use my skills while also learning from other people. In college, I was on a team that designed new skate parks. We had to collaborate to come up with ideas and then present them to our professor. It was challenging but rewarding to work together to create something we were all proud of.”

17. As a Store Manager, one of your responsibilities would be to evaluate each employees performance. How would you approach this task?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you would approach a task that is important for their organization. When answering, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take when conducting an employee evaluation.

Example: “I believe that each employee should receive regular feedback on their performance. I would hold quarterly meetings with my team where we discuss our goals for the quarter and evaluate our progress at the end of each month. At these meetings, I would also provide employees with constructive criticism so they know what areas they need to improve in and praise them for their work.”

18. What area of management are you most interested in?

This question can help the interviewer determine your career goals and how you might fit into their organization. If you have experience in multiple areas of management, explain which one interests you most and why.

Example: “I am passionate about customer service because I believe it’s important to make sure customers are happy with their purchases. In my last role, I was responsible for hiring new employees and training them on our company’s policies and procedures. This helped me develop a strong understanding of what makes an employee successful and ensured that all of our customers had a positive shopping experience.”

19. What challenges do you expect to face while managing a store?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenges and whether you have experience with similar situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to work under pressure and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Example: “I expect that managing a store will be challenging because I’ll need to ensure all employees are performing their jobs effectively while also ensuring customers receive excellent service. However, I’m confident that my communication skills and leadership abilities will allow me to overcome any challenges that may arise. For example, if an employee is not meeting performance standards, I would first speak with them about their job expectations and provide resources for improvement. If they still aren’t meeting those standards after providing additional training or coaching, I would terminate their employment.”

20. In order to make sure all stores are operating efficiently, we require our managers to meet their sales goals each quarter. How would you ensure that you hit these targets?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to lead and motivate others. Your answer should include a specific example of how you motivated your team to achieve goals in the past.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing all aspects of our online store. This included making sure that we had enough inventory to meet customer demand and that our website was functioning properly. In order to ensure that I met my sales targets each quarter, I created weekly reports that tracked our progress. These reports allowed me to identify any issues with our operations before they became major problems.”