Top interview questions to expect

1. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.
2. Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.
3. Describe a situation where you had to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
4. Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal.
5. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to overcome a challenge or obstacle?
6. What are your strengths and weaknesses, and how do you plan to leverage them in this role?
7. Why do you want to work at Target, and what unique skills or experiences do you bring to the position?

Check the latest questions for this role:

Answering interview questions with STAR structure

The STAR framework stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It’s a structured way of answering behavioral interview questions that helps you provide clear, concise, and compelling responses.

To use the STAR framework, follow these steps:

* Situation: Briefly describe the context or situation in which the event took place.
* Task: Explain the specific task or challenge you were faced with.
* Action: Describe the actions you took to address the task or challenge.
* Result: Highlight the positive outcomes or results of your actions.

By following the STAR framework, you can ensure that your answers are well-structured, easy to understand, and demonstrate your skills, abilities, and achievements in a clear and concise manner.

Sample answers to above interview questions

1. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.

Answer:

Situation: I was working as a cashier at Target during the busy holiday season when a customer came to my register with a large stack of items. She was clearly frustrated and impatient, and she began to complain about the long lines and the lack of staff.

Task: My task was to provide excellent customer service and resolve the customer’s concerns in a professional and timely manner.

Action: I greeted the customer with a smile and apologized for the inconvenience. I then quickly and efficiently scanned her items and processed her payment. Throughout the interaction, I remained polite and understanding, even though the customer continued to be difficult.

Result: Despite the customer’s initial frustration, she eventually calmed down and thanked me for my patience and professionalism. She even complimented me on my customer service skills.

This answer is strong because it demonstrates my ability to remain calm and professional under pressure, my commitment to providing excellent customer service, and my ability to resolve customer concerns in a positive and satisfactory manner.

2. Give me an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

Answer:

Situation: I was working as a sales associate in the electronics department when a customer came in looking for a new TV. He was overwhelmed by the selection and wasn’t sure which TV was right for him.

Task: My task was to help the customer find the best TV for his needs and budget.

Action: I took the time to listen to the customer’s needs and preferences. I then showed him a few different TVs that met his criteria. I explained the features and benefits of each TV and helped the customer compare them. I also provided the customer with my honest opinion about which TV I thought was the best value for his money.

Result: The customer was very grateful for my help. He ended up purchasing the TV that I recommended and thanked me for my patience and expertise. He also said that he would definitely come back to Target for his future electronics needs.

This answer is strong because it demonstrates my ability to provide excellent customer service, my product knowledge, and my ability to build rapport with customers.

3. Describe a situation where you had to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Answer:

Situation: I was working as a team lead in the marketing department when we were launching a new product. I was responsible for managing a team of designers, copywriters, and social media specialists. We had a tight deadline to meet, and we were all working long hours to get the job done.

Task: My task was to keep the project on track, ensure that everyone was meeting their deadlines, and maintain a positive and productive work environment.

Action: I created a detailed project plan and assigned tasks to each member of the team. I also held regular team meetings to keep everyone updated on our progress and to address any challenges or roadblocks. I also made sure to check in with each team member individually to provide support and encouragement.

Result: The team successfully launched the new product on time and within budget. The product was a commercial success, and the marketing team received a lot of praise for their hard work and dedication.

This answer is strong because it demonstrates my ability to prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and lead a team effectively.

4. Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal.

Answer:

Situation: I was working as a project manager on a cross-functional team that was developing a new software application. The team consisted of engineers, designers, and product managers. We had a tight deadline to meet, and we all had to work together closely to ensure that the project was successful.

Task: My task was to facilitate communication between the different team members, keep the project on track, and ensure that everyone was meeting their deadlines.

Action: I held regular team meetings to keep everyone updated on our progress and to address any challenges or roadblocks. I also made sure to check in with each team member individually to provide support and encouragement. I also created a shared document where team members could track their progress and collaborate on tasks.

Result: The team successfully launched the new software application on time and within budget. The software application was a success, and the team received a lot of praise for their hard work and dedication.

This answer is strong because it demonstrates my ability to work effectively as part of a team, my communication skills, and my project management skills.

5. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to overcome a challenge or obstacle?

Answer:

Situation: I was working as a business analyst when I was tasked with developing a new financial model for the company. The model was complex and required a lot of data analysis. I didn’t have any prior experience with financial modeling, so this was a significant challenge for me.

Task: My task was to learn how to develop a financial model and to create a model that would be accurate and useful for the company.

Action: I spent a lot of time researching financial modeling and learning how to use the necessary software. I also reached out to colleagues who had experience with financial modeling for advice and guidance. I also worked long hours to complete the model on time.

Result: I successfully developed a financial model that met the company’s needs. The model was used to make important financial decisions, and it helped the company to improve its profitability.

This answer is strong because it demonstrates my ability to overcome challenges, my willingness to learn new things, and my dedication to my work.

6. What are your strengths and weaknesses, and how do you plan to leverage them in this role?

Answer:

Strengths:

* Strong analytical skills
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Creative and innovative thinking
* Passion for learning and development

Weaknesses:

* Sometimes I can be too detail-oriented
* I can be a bit of a perfectionist
* I sometimes have difficulty delegating tasks

How I plan to leverage my strengths and weaknesses:

* I plan to use my analytical skills to identify and solve problems.
* I will use my communication and interpersonal skills to build relationships with colleagues and clients.
* I will use my ability to work independently and as part of a team to contribute to the success of the organization.
* I will use my creative and innovative thinking to come up with new ideas and solutions.
* I will leverage my passion for learning and development to continuously improve my skills and knowledge.

* I will work on becoming more comfortable delegating tasks and trusting others to complete them.

This answer is strong because it demonstrates my self-awareness, my willingness to learn and grow, and my commitment to being a valuable asset to the company.

7. Why do you want to work at Target, and what unique skills or experiences do you bring to the position?

Answer:

Why I want to work at Target:

* I am passionate about retail and customer service.
* I believe in Target’s mission and values.
* I am excited about the opportunity to work for a company that is committed to diversity, inclusion, and sustainability.

Unique skills and experiences:

* I have a proven track record of success in retail.
* I have excellent customer service skills.
* I am a strong leader and team player.
* I am creative and innovative.
* I am passionate about learning and development.

This answer is strong because it demonstrates my enthusiasm for Target, my relevant skills and experience, and my alignment with the company’s values.