Jo-Ann Fabrics Interview Questions & Tips

How to Get a Job at Jo-Ann Fabrics

Both Jo-Ann Fabrics store management jobs and entry-level sales associate positions require about a week to complete the hiring process. Applicants encounter very accommodating and well-executed protocol to gain employment. The hiring process takes job hopefuls through 30-minute interviews to screen for desirable personality traits. Most entry-level workers sit through one or two job interviews during the hiring process. Managerial candidates may encounter phone screenings initially and then single job interviews, as well.

General Protocol for Managerial Applicants

For potential managers, the Jo-Ann Fabrics interview process begins with a phone interview to serve as an introduction to the company and to gauge interest in the position and overall enthusiasm. Some applicants may make initial correspondence with representatives online. Applicants who show genuine interest and demonstrate well-spoken and articulate communication skills usually receive invitation to interview onsite.

...For Entry-Level Applicants

The Jo-Ann Fabrics interview process for entry-level workers sometimes begins with an employee referral. Applicants may also receive interviews onsite immediately upon turning in hiring materials. Traditionally, potential employees schedule job interviews over the phone within a day or two of submitting the necessary forms. The interview process then moves on to face-to-face interview sessions with a hiring manager. Interview questions used in the Jo-Ann Fabrics hiring process for entry-level workers prove mostly basic and even generic. Inquiries often used include: "Why do you want to work for Jo-Ann Fabrics?", "Why do you think you would enjoy working here?", "Do you work well with others/as part of groups?", and "What hours can you work?"

Other Types of Interview Questions

Jo-Ann Fabrics interview questions sometimes cover more specific topics, depending on the position desired. In addition to basic interview questions, applicants may need to reveal favorite hobbies or craft activities, which helps hiring officials better place new team members upon hire. Interview questions may take on more business-like tones during managerial hiring sessions. Applicants encounter prompts involving budget and profit margin analysis, employee supervision, stock, shipping and receiving, and loss prevention. Due to the short durations of most interviews, job seekers typically only respond to a handful of questions per session. Managers generally represent the only candidates who undergo intensive scrutiny, as the hiring process largely remains tame, conversational, and highly navigable.

When You'll Know You Have the Job

Hiring determinations may take place during the final interview session. Jo-Ann hiring managers may make decisions instantly and extend jobs to eligible workers or merely express interest and decide to contact workers at a later date. If the latter proves true, applicants may receive word of hire either by phone or via email. Continue to check in with the retail chain to reiterate interest in the position and demonstrate persistence in getting the job.

Jo-Ann Fabrics Cashier Interview Video

Video Transcript

Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cashier: I was a cashier, so I was essentially checking people out when they were buying their arts and crafts in the store.

Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cashier: It was very hectic, I’ll say. It was very busy some of the time, and it required a lot of focusing for me. I had to stand on my feet for a lot of the time. But it was also a very warm environment. People were very friendly, and I enjoyed that.

Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cashier: Typical day: clock in, go to the register, check people out, go on break for about fifteen minutes, and then come back and do it all over again.

Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cashier: I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics. They had a table at their front door, because they were looking to hire, and I grabbed one, filled it out, turned it in at customer service, then the supervisor followed up with an interview.

Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cashier: They asked why I was interested in the position, and if I was okay with standing for extended periods of time because that was one of the necessary physical requirements. They asked me about past experiences, as well.

Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cashier: If I was okay with being on my feet for extended periods of time, because that was one of the physical requirements. And then, they asked me about past experiences, as well.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cashier: Be open to what positions they have available, because there’s a lot of other positions besides cashier, and I guess that’s it.

Jo-Ann Fabrics Cutting Counter Representative Interview Video

Video Transcript

Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cutting Counter Representative: I worked at the cutting counter at Jo-Ann Fabrics, which is a giant counter, and it’s where we cut fabric for customers. We didn’t stay behind it, though. We often would help customers pick out fabric, locate fabric in the store, and help them learn about the fabric, what this fabric will do if I sew it this way, what will this fabric do if I wash it, that kind of thing. So, customers would bring us out our orders, and we were in charge of rolling it out on the bolt, and cutting it wherever. They’d say, “Ok, we need two yards.” So, it’s your job to measure out the two yards and cut it for them. If they needed more than that, then you know… It was also your job to use a little handheld device to scan the item and figure out where it could be located in a different store. I also worked a little bit as a CSR there, which is basically just checking out tickets for customers. When you’re a cutting counter representative, you don’t handle money at all. It’s all just cutting and helping with advice and projects. And then with CSR, it was all just checking out prices for that.

Interviewer: What was your favorite part about working there?
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cutting Counter Representative: I really love the employee discount, because I am a big crafter, so it was great to get, I think it was, 15% off your entire purchase. And I just again loved the atmosphere, being around fabrics and crafty stuff, because that’s like my forte. So, it was great to be in an environment where that’s what I was surrounded by so many nice people where they were loving and helpful. If you made a mistake, they weren’t like, “Oh my god. This is the end of the world.” “That’s okay. You just do better next time,” and I like that there.

Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cutting Counter Representative: Once you check in, you wear an apron, put on your apron and find your scissors and you sign into a portable device. Then, you take your spot behind the counter, and basically you would just wait for a customer to come up. You take a number system, and you make small talk with them. You ask them, “What project are you doing?”, “How long have you been sewing for?” You cut their fabric however they need it. Once you’re finished cutting it, you take the handheld device and scan on each bolt there’s a little barcode. You scan it, and you print out a ticket for them, you don’t pay there. So, you just print out the ticket and give it to them and go on to the next customer. If anybody needed help you could leave the cutting counter to pick out a fabric. You could ask them their opinion, like, “Do you like the silk or satin?” You get to give your opinion sometimes. One instance I remember, “I need fabric that has countries printed on it, and I knew there was a cotton fabric I had seen before, I was just like “I’ll find it for you.” I spent like five minutes, but I found the fabric, so that was a typical day. Maybe not that specific, but there were instances where you’re helping somebody locate something in particular.

Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cutting Counter Representative: You were given maybe a two or three-page paper you take home and fill out. I actually called. I got a lot of interviews by calling, saying: “I just turned in my application. When I can get my interview?” They didn’t call me; I called them. So, I called them, and they said “The manager is doing interviews tonight. This is the last night she’s doing interviews. So, I dressed nicely for the interview, and they sat you down. They usually asked you about crafting experience, because they need you to give an opinion – that’s important to them. One thing I would recommend, I wore a skirt that I had made. So if you’re a crafty person, bring something that you’ve made or that you’ve done changes to, because then they can see with proof that you are a crafty person, that you would suit really well in that atmosphere. They would ask for craft experience, work experience, whether you were a strong leader, if you liked working in a group, if you’re responsible for things, if you liked to manage your tasks, organizing and stuff like that. Once they figured that out, they would decide if they want you to be a cutting counter representative, or maybe we want you to be a CSR, or maybe we want you as a shift leader, just someone who walks around the store, and puts things away, and straighten things out. So, I was placed as a cutting counter representative.

Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cutting Counter Representative: They asked me how long have you been crafting. They asked if you’re willing to give opinions to people about their products. They also asked if you were willing to give advice, like: “Oh, this silk would be better for this project, or maybe you need some cotton for this project.” They also asked the basic questions about responsibility – “Will you show up on time?” They asked about your leadership abilities, and if you saw somebody else doing something wrong, were you going to correct them, or were you just going to let it happen. They always want to know, because there’s so much error that could be made when you’re cutting fabric, but you’re someone who can nicely say, “Maybe you should have done that better.” And they’ll ask if you’re willing to train people once you’ve taken the job, and so they look for that, as well. That’s always a good thing that you can teach the skills you take up there.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Jo-Ann Fabrics Cutting Counter Representative: I would advise them to definitely show experience with crafting, even if it was just something small, like: “I helped camp students with building a basket.” That is a huge thing for them, because it’s a craft atmosphere. It’s people that want advice on things. That’s a really great benefit. Another piece of advice I would give is dress nicely when you go. Even though they have a strict uniform policy, they like to see that you’re someone takes that extra 10 minutes out of your day to put on something a little bit nicer than normal clothes. I think that most interviewees or interviewers would appreciate that. I would also advise them to bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to it, because they do appreciate someone that loves what they do, even if it’s something you don’t have experience with, if you can show that you’re excited about working there, that an definitely put you above the rest.

Related Links:
Jo-Ann Fabrics Application