I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Payless ShoeSource in Sep 2013
Interview
Got called in for a group interview. There were all the managers and assistant manager from all locations there. Went in and they had us stand in a circle. They called this the ice breaker. They basically had us answer questions pertaining to ourselves and our personalities. This took about 20-30 minutes considering that there were about 11 of us. After that, we had a 5 minute break where we could use the bathroom or get a drink from the nearby Starbucks. We then returned and we had to pick one shoe from the store. We then had to try and sell that shoe to the person on our left. This is the part where they wanna see your selling skills so make sure you sound enthusiastic and confident even though you hardly know anything about their product. After the group interview, the manager from the waipahu location took me aside and told me that she'll be calling within the week to schedule a second interview.
I got a call the next day asking if I could come in on Monday around 6pm. I got to the interview about 10 minutes early and had to wait a while. She then took me to the back room where she interviewed me. She basically asked me questions pertaining to my previous work experience (which I had none, so I had to use examples from dance or community service) and about team work. Payless is big about team work so just think about times when you worked within a team. This process took about 20 minutes or so. She then took me back into the front in the aisles where we had to role play; I was a sales associate and she was a customer. Trust me, this was the most nerve-racking part of the interview but just stay calm and do what any other retail sales associate would do, which is SELL! The manager will not make this role play hard. They just wanna see how you are with customers and again, want to see your selling skills.
When this was over, she took me back into the back room where she offered me the job and welcomed me to the team.
The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Payless ShoeSource (New York, NY)
Interview
Applied online, called within 2-3 days to follow up. I did receive a call back to schedule an interview with the store manager, after that I had to schedule and interview with the District manager (Store manager called me back after the interview to schedule it) fairly long process for such a basic position. Store manager asked me retail related questions such as "tell me about a difficult customer" "sale me this shoe and a accessory". Interview with the District Manager was more of a conversation, we talked about store goal such as sales and what my job really is as a sales associate.
I applied in-person. I interviewed at Payless ShoeSource (Ontario, CA)
Interview
Fairly typical interview process, they call and set up an available time with you. They do not do group interviews. They ask fairly typical questions pertaining to retail, no questions stand out.
I applied online. I interviewed at Payless ShoeSource in Nov 2016
Interview
The interview was very to the point, your typical interview for a retail position. Asking about experience, whether youre good at sales, good with people. The manager seemed really nice, was very outgoing and friendly.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What would you say is your strengths and weaknesses?