Foot Locker is one of those companies that you don’t hear much about. Nonetheless, they are gradually and quietly ascending to the pinnacle of the retail world. The company is currently employing over 30,000 people and has a strong presence in both the Americas and Eurasia. Foot Locker, like almost any other similar retail giant, is constantly hiring new employees for both full-time and part-time positions (roughly half of all Foot Locker employees work part-time, with the majority of them being students). If you also want to work in one of their retail stores, you must pass a face-to-face interview, which is usually a mix of group and one-on-one interviews.
The interview isn’t difficult, but that doesn’t mean getting a job at Foot Locker will be. They will not hire you if you answer their questions with silence or say something stupid. As a result, preparing for the questions makes sense. In this article, we will look at the top 13 questions that Foot Locker asks when hiring new sales associates and other common in-store positions. Of course, you may not get all of them, and you may be asked additional questions, but I believe that preparing for the thirteen on my list is a good starting point for your success in this interview. Let us now move on to the questions!
What motivates you to work at Foot Locker?
Unless they start with the “Tell me about yourself” question, this is a typical start. I recommend that you avoid phrases and cliches like “Foot Locker is the best” or “I love the company because it is committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.” First and foremost, store managers are unconcerned about such matters, and secondly, most of these declarations are simply empty promises, claims they must make in the twenty-first century but will never fulfill.
Instead, concentrate on two other things. One: What you hope to gain from the position. Two: Explain why you are an excellent fit for the position. You can claim that you are an excellent salesperson, that you enjoy talking to people and persuading them to make a purchase. And, of course, you are a big fan of sneakers (you can wear a pair from Foot Locker to the interview! ), so you see it as a great combination-selling what you like or working with merchandise you like.
You can also highlight a suitable work schedule (especially if applying for a part-time position), the store’s location, employee benefits, or anything else that piqued your interest in the job description. At the end of the day, you want to persuade them that they are your top choice and that you are not applying for jobs at random.
What do sneakers represent to you?
When it comes to questions like this, feel free to let your imagination run wild. Of course, you could argue that we all need shoes, so why not wear things that look good and are comfortable, like the sneakers sold at Foot Locker? Or that you’ve been wearing sneakers for years and can’t imagine wearing any other shoes or selling any other merchandise because you love sneakers and can’t sell something you wouldn’t wear yourself.
You can go a step further, explaining how sneakers, in your opinion, tell a story about our personality, who we are, what we believe in, and the life we live (or dream to live). At the end of the day, Foot Locker sells more to its customers than just shoes; it sells dreams, hopes, and stories. That’s what sneakers mean to you, and you can’t wait to start working with some at the best sneakers retailer in the United States…
When are you available? What are your working hours at Foot Locker?
As previously stated, roughly half of Foot Locker employees work part-time, though this varies depending on the location of the store. It is critical for the store manager to know when they can rely on you and whether it meets their requirements. What I recommend is that you create a weekly schedule and ensure that you can log at least 20 hours per week.
The key to success is to be available during peak hours—afternoons, evenings, and weekends. That is when the majority of people shop and waste time in shopping malls, and when Foot Locker requires more hands in the store. Of course, if you are applying for a full-time job, you should prioritize it and be available at all times during the store’s opening hours (this does not mean you will work all the time:)).
The store is crowded, and several people are vying for your attention at the same time. How will you respond?
Foot Locker can get quite crowded at times. The key is to show the store manager that you don’t mind working in a fast-paced environment, and that you don’t panic when three customers demand your attention and appear dissatisfied with the wait.
In such a case, you can say that you will focus on one customer at a time, but you will do your best to respond to their request as soon as possible. Taking it a step further, you will briefly apologize to each customer, explaining that the store is busy and that you are sorry they had to wait longer than usual. Finally, you should emphasize that you do not intend to spend half of your time in the store playing with your smartphone. On the contrary, you are aware that Foot Locker sells excellent sneakers, that it is a popular location, and that you should expect to have your hands full most of the time. And you’re excited about it!
Tell us about a time when you had a disagreement with a coworker.
At the end of the day, we are all just people. We all have good and bad days, and conflicts are unavoidable in the workplace. You should not claim that you have never had a disagreement with anyone. Such an attitude will not get you a job. On the contrary, be open about a disagreement you had with someone. It is even better if you choose a conflict in which the opposing conflict party was correct. On such an example, you can demonstrate that you do not have difficulty admitting a mistake and that you can overcome your ego.
You can also say that you try to pay attention to your teammates’ needs and feelings, which helps you maintain good relationships with them. Even when we try our hardest, conflicts will arise because they are a natural part of human relationships and every workplace.
A customer requests a price reduction on some sneakers. What are your plans?
Here’s a retail industry trick: all products are already officially discounted. You can see it for yourself-the original price on the box of sneakers has been crossed and you see a new, better price. We used to have sales during certain seasons of the year. The sale is now ongoing indefinitely. Of course, there is no discount in reality. It’s just a marketing ploy, and the shoes never cost as much as the initial label suggests (though they sometimes do for 24 hours to ensure everything is “legal”).
What I’m attempting to convey here is that Foot Locker is not interested in providing additional discounts to customers. And that’s exactly what you should say here: you’re not going to give any other discounts. On the contrary, you will inform the customer that the product is already being sold at a discount (which is not true, but they are unaware) and that they are getting a great deal in any case. You can emphasize once more that you will do everything in your power to close the deal, because that is your primary responsibility.
Other questions you may be asked during your Foot Locker interview
- Imagine a customer complaining about your service and saying something false. How would you react?
- What do you want to be five years from now?
- What is your favorite shoe brand?
- Tell us about a time when you had to collaborate with a difficult person.
- What are your salary objectives?
- Do you have any further questions?
Last words
Getting a job at Foot Locker isn’t rocket science, but if you underestimate your preparation, you may fall short. Visit the store ahead of time to familiarize yourself with the location and purchase some sneakers. Learn something about the company (for example, look at their social media profiles) and prepare for any questions that may arise (you’re already doing it by reading this post:)). I wish you the best of luck and hope you succeed!
