Company Overview
One of the most well-known department stores among upscale shoppers, Nordstrom offers hundreds of clothing options and apparel for men, women, and children. Complimentary services like cafes and coffee shops help make the company one of the more extravagant retailers in the industry. To fill open vacancies for employment, the company hires dedicated and friendly workers to perform exceptional customer service throughout all store departments.
Multiple Interviews
Usually conducted by a store manager, interviews serve as a way for hiring officials to get to know each applicant as well as inform candidates about company standards, policies, values, and mission. The retailer routinely uses two interviews for hiring purposes - one overseen by the store manager and the next by a regional manager. Interview questions primarily remain customer service and behavior-based. The company strongly prefers workers with excellent decision-making qualities.
Interview Questions
Typical questions include:
- "How do you define customer service?"
- "Why should Nordstrom hire you?"
- "How flexible is your schedule?"
How to Get a Job at Nordstrom
When answering scenario-based questions, candidates should remember how much the company values sound judgment and tact. Every answer should be backed up with supporting evidence in some way, whether referencing personal or professional experiences, and all in clear and concise tones. Nonverbal communication remains equally important for anyone looking for a job with Nordstrom. Also known as body language, nonverbal communication includes everything from good eye contact to proper posture to body movements like hand twitching and foot tapping. Avoid excessive body movement, but refrain from staying rigid throughout the interview. Applicants who appear comfortable will be granted much greater hiring chances.
Nordstrom Sales Associate Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Nordstrom Employee: I was a sales associate, and what I did was I just sold shoes and I would answer phone calls and recommend shoe sizes. Then, we had a register that was computer-like, and we would set up shoe sales there. So, that’s what I did primarily.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Nordstrom Employee: It was really diverse. We had a lot of diverse customers and coworkers, so it was just a relaxing environment. It’s not what you think when you think of Nordstrom, so formal. It was a relaxed environment.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Nordstrom Employee: We applied online, and then we had about two interviews, one with the manager of all the Nordstroms there and another one with the regional manager there. So, that was it.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Nordstrom Employee: It was more like, “How do you work with people?”, and then, “What would you do in situations that could go wrong with customers? How would you handle those situations?”
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Nordstrom Employee: Just be ready to talk about your experience with handling situations with customer service, because they’re really big on customer service. That’s the number one thing, and Nordstrom is always known for their customer service. Just talk about experience with that, and how you would handle situations, and if there’s anything in the past that would help with that.
Nordstrom Stocker Interview Video
Video Transcript
Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Nordstrom Stocker: I was a re-stocker in the men’s clothing department. Usually, I would just go in the back, and whenever there was clothing missing in certain aisles or certain clothing types, I would just go in the back, and they would tell me re-stock it.
Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Nordstrom Stocker: Work environment is very professional. I had a dress code there where I had to wear suit pants, a button down. It was very professional, I’d say. During breaks… we were allowed to mess around, talk with other employees, but usually we were monitored by the manager and be focused mainly and professional, like I said.
Interviewer: Please describe a typical day as an employee.
Nordstrom Stocker: With my job, I walked around a lot just to look in the different clothing departments and make sure clothing was there. A typical day would just be me, no pressure, just walking around seeing what clothes is missing, what’s not. Also, for one hour during the day, I’d just go in the back, and they had already set clothing that had to go, and take them, and put them in the different racks.
Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Nordstrom Stocker: It was actually pretty simple, because my mom works there, so she just got an application for me for home. I went home and I filled it out. I went in there, they interviewed me, asked me a little bit on my history and how many hours I’m available. I kind of already got the job, because my mom worked there. It wasn’t too rigorous.
Interviewer: What questions did the interviewer ask during the job interview?
Nordstrom Stocker: The main thing with them was how many hours I’d be able to work, because it’s seasonal. It was right around Christmastime, so they wanted me to make sure I could work part-time for that one month, mainly just for the Christmas season. They focused on how many hours I’m available to work.
Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Nordstrom Stocker: I guess probably just be as professional as you can. It’s kind of a high-class store. From my experience, they want people that can work a lot of hours. Try to make sure you can fully utilize how many hours you’re available, so they know you’re pretty much available, and you can work a lot of hours. And just be professional; wear, obviously, something very nice for the interview, and that’s pretty much it.
