DSW Interview Questions & Tips

How Many Interviews Will I Face?

The average length of time it takes to complete the DSW hiring process depends on specific job title and experience in the industry. The shoe retailer screens candidates for sales experience using roleplaying techniques and specific interview questions geared towards sales and customer service. Job seekers generally participate in more than one interview during the hiring process. Two interviews often proves the norm, with potential managers sometimes experiencing three or four hiring sessions.

Interview Expectations

Entry-level job seekers need to arrive on time or a few minutes early to set a professional tone for the interview process. Applicants often go through two job interviews for entry-level positions. Both interviews may take place on the same day or, due to scheduling conflicts, within at least two weeks of each other. DSW interviews take less than a half hour to complete in most cases, especially for entry-level job opportunities. Prospective sales associates often report interviewing on the sales floor and assisting customers as part of the formal hiring process. Stock associate candidates generally field interview questions regarding time management, physical abilities, and availability. Some stores may require applicants to take short personality assessments, which cover topics like what a candidate might do under certain circumstances and how to effectively upsell items to customers. Employment assessments typically remain available online, although some stores offer paper versions of the employment exams.

Confidence is Key

DSW executes entry-level job interviews quickly and in very conversational manners. Attendees should address hiring managers with confidence. The laidback formats used to screen for candidates generally benefit shy or nervous workers. Show a desire to work in a team-oriented atmosphere and an ability to speak comfortably about personal and professional experiences. The shoe retailer expects team members to dress in professional and somewhat formal attire while on the job. Applicants should take cues from employees and wear similar outfits during the interview process to impress potential managers.

Applying to Be a Manager

The hiring process for managerial candidates also features informal conversations between applicant and manager in most cases but requires applicants to demonstrate additional aptitude regarding leadership, time management, and conflict resolution. DSW managers receiving promotion from within must still interview at least once to confirm the position. The interview includes a brief 1:1 session with a general or area manager and concludes with formal approval of the promotion. Outside candidates looking for work as managers must complete at least two interviews with store managers, assistant managers, or area managers.

Managerial Expectations

Customer service, again, plays a vital role in gaining employment as a manager. Workers need to have excellent track records of customer service in retail settings and sound sales skills in order to receive hiring consideration. The interview process for managers asks applicants to identify problems with existing store locations or business plans and to come up with appropriate solutions. Other DSW interview questions stem from issues of customer and employee conflicts, shipping and receiving issues, opening and closing procedures, enforcing company protocol, managing large groups of people, and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Finishing the Process Strong

Some job seekers finish the hiring process in five days or less, while others may spend weeks completing the multi-stage process. Applicants need to successfully complete all parts of the interview process and demonstrate a strong fit with company culture as well as the position desired in order to win over hiring officials. The final job interview may include salary or hourly pay negotiations. Reserve all questions about pay or benefits until asked. The concluding interview often ends with a job offer; however, some workers wait more than a week to finally hear back about a determination. Remain persistent and follow up with DSW, if necessary.

DSW Cashier Interview Video

Video Transcript

Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties?
DSW Cashier: I would work cashier, and then, I’d also help people find their shoe size in the area, and then, I would stock shoes also.

Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
DSW Cashier: It was really slow-paced and it wasn’t like anything fast. Sometimes it would get busy on Saturdays, and stuff like that. The work environment was, everyone was pretty kind to each other. No one ever said anything bad or mean. I liked it. It was okay.

Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
DSW Cashier: The 30% discount on shoes, and then, 20% discount for American Eagle. That was my favorite part about working.

Interviewer: Please describe the application and interview process.
DSW Cashier: I applied online, and then, I had to call the manager and I asked for her on the phone, and then, I said, “I sent in an application. Would you mind looking at it?” And then, she looked at it, and then, I had an interview, probably, the next week.

Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
DSW Cashier: A lot of times, some of the questions were, “What would you do if someone started yelling at you about shoes?” Or, “How would you try and get a person to sign up for the DSW rewards card?” And, I would just say, “Oh, I would tell them the benefits.”, and stuff like that.
And then, I said, “If someone was yelling me about shoes, I’d get the manager.”. And, they also said, “What would you do if a woman came in with four kids and they were all crying?” And, I said, “I don’t know, to be honest.” And, she said, “Good, because that’s not our job.”

Interviewer: How were you notified that you received the job?
DSW Cashier: It took them about three days, and they called me just right afterwards and told me I was hired.

Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
DSW Cashier: I watched a bunch of videos on YouTube before on how to answer those questions, and I just kept talking about the rewards card. I just kept saying how great it was, and all of that. And, they were like, “Yeah, yay.” And, they were so happy about that.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
DSW Cashier: Probably learn how to work a cash register because I had no idea, and I messed up so many times, so many times. So, it would be best if you had retail experience, because if you don’t, it’s pretty hard.

DSW Sales Associate Interview Video

Video Transcript

Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
DSW Sales Associate: I was a sales associate. My duties were to fix the shoes after a customer tried them on and didn’t want them, and just ask if anyone needed help looking for anything in particular.

Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
DSW Sales Associate: Very friendly and welcoming. The store is huge, so there’s a variety of people around.

Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
DSW Sales Associate: For me, I just filled out the application when I was in the store after I figured out they were hiring. I sat in the store and filled it out, and they said they would give me a call back and interview me.

Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
DSW Sales Associate: How did I hear about the job, why did I apply, and I told him that I love shoes, so they asked what type of shoes issues I like and put questions about shoes.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
DSW Sales Associate: Go in with a lot of confidence and expect to get hired, and don’t show any fear, and be really confident.

DSW Sales Associate Interview Video

Video Transcript

Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
DSW Sales Associate: I was a sales associate at DSW. My duties were just working at the cash register, checking people out, doing exchanges, returns. Then, I also worked on the sales floor. I walked around the floor and around in clearance, and just helped people find shoes. I called other DSW stores if we didn’t have a particular size of shoe that they wanted.

Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
DSW Sales Associate: It depends on the day. During the school year, like mid-September it kind of got slow. Those would be really easy. During the week, it’d be really easy. Then, you have holidays like Christmas. I cannot remember if we open on Christmas, but holidays. Around holiday times, it’d be really busy. You’d have so many people come in. Our cash register lines would be past our entrance door sometimes. It just really depended on the days and the season.

Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
DSW Sales Associate: I first applied for DSW the summer of my junior high, so right at the beginning of the summer. They kept my application on hold, because they had a lot of college kids. Sometimes, when you have college kids at a store where they live; they go back. They held my application for three months, until the fall, when they were hiring again. Then, they just called me for an interview. We had to do two interviews with two different managers. One of my interviews was with the hiring manager, and then I had a separate interview with the store manager. They just ask you questions, just like what any interview would ask you. “Why do you want to work for the?” and stuff like that.

Interviewer: What set you apart from other candidates?
DSW Sales Associate: When I got hired, I initially got hired as a seasonal worker, and then I got put on as a permanent worker. I think how I got put on as a permanent, because I just like talking to the people at the store. We had to sign people up for … When you work at the floor, you have to sign people up for DSW Rewards. DSW Rewards is for every amount you spend, you get a certain amount of rewards. When you get a certain number of rewards, that goes towards like $20 off the next pair of shoes or something like that. I got a lot of rewards on the floor. I think I was just really helpful to the people there. I think what set me apart at my interview was that I really wanted to work there, and I think that came across that I just really wanted to work there.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
DSW Sales Associate: At your interview, just come across that you really want to work there. Don’t just go in there because you need a job. That is a big reason, but just know about the company. Be genuine.

Related Links:
DSW Application