How have you increased sales or productivity in your previous work experiences?

Employers learn about applicants' skills, training, and experience through interview questions. Effective questions also demonstrate candidates' thought processes by having them describe how they solve problems and address issues that arise on the job. Interviewers may, for example, inquire about how you made a positive impact in the workplace in a previous position. They want to know if you can take initiative and improve the workplace. They may be looking for creative, motivated employees who can boost the morale and productivity of the organization.

Clothing and retail are all about making money. You may not be paid on commission, but the success of the store is your success. If you have previous work experience in this type of setting, you should be prepared to discuss how you contributed to the store's or team's success (without bragging too much). Discuss how you were directly involved in increasing sales.

Answer: When I was working at American Eagle, our store was one of the busiest in the area. Our holiday sales figures were always above average, which demonstrated how well our team collaborated. When I worked a shift, I tried to check out every customer quickly and cheerfully, offering add-ons and upsells when appropriate and also enrolling people in the rewards programs. If I wasn't at the register, I tried to keep every shelf and display organized and fully stocked so customers could find what they were looking for.