Pier 1 Imports Interview Questions & Tips

How to Get a Job at Pier 1

The Pier 1 Imports retail chain hires workers for entry-level jobs on a consistent basis. With a nationwide network of stores to choose from, job seekers may enter the hiring process through any of the 1,000-plus locations across the U.S. Lasting no more than two weeks and sometimes as little as a few days, the hiring process involves very upfront and candid 1:1 interviews. At most, prospective candidates sit through two interviews with hiring managers. The job interviews generally take on very informal and personal tones, with candidates reflecting on past experiences both professional and personal.

In-Depth Interviews

In cases of many applicants vying for the same position or increases in demands for hiring, the company utilizes group interviews, during which a panel of managers moderates discussion. Pier 1 Imports group interviews feature roundtable exercises allowing candidates and hiring staff to get to know one another, in addition to company presentations on specifics of the desired job and company culture. Group interviews may last as long as an hour, while traditional one-on-one interviews range between 20 and 40 minutes in length.

Managerial Interview Process

Prospective managers also typically interview face-to-face to receive hiring consideration. Phone interviews, sometimes more than one, represent the main difference in format between entry-level hiring procedures and managerial hiring procedures. Potential Pier 1 Imports managers generally interview with current regional managers or store managers, depending on the specific level of employment desired.

What to Wear

Wearing fashionable and thought-out apparel impresses hiring personnel. As a company concerned with appearances, the retailer traditionally likes employees to possess well-manicured and presentable styles.

Questions to Expect

Workers must provide clear and articulate answers during the interview process. Hiring officials frequently pose interview questions like:

• "If hired, how would you help improve sales and service?"
• "Do you shop at Pier 1 stores?"
• "When was the last time you received excellent customer service and why was it so striking?"
• "How much do you know about Pier 1 Imports products and services?"

Most of the interview questions fielded by entry-level applicants hover around the topic of customer service. Providing responses with a customer-oriented spin typically aids potential workers and improves overall odds of gaining employment.

Pier 1 Sales Associate Interview Video

Video Transcript

Interviewer: Please describe your job title and primary duties.
Pier 1 Sales Associate: I was a sales associate at Pier 1 Imports. I started as holiday help around October and November, and they need a lot of holiday help. That’s how I started, and then, they hired me on as a sales associate. Pretty much my jobs included talking to customers about their home decorating needs, also setting up displays. That’s kind of what I did day to day, cash register. That kind of stuff.

Interviewer: What was the work environment like?
Pier 1 Sales Associate: It was great. I think the whole team really got along. When I first started working there, it was a younger group of a lot of college-aged kids. Then, I stayed there and was there for about 7-1/2 years. By the end, it was maybe more of an older crowd, but everyone is super nice. Teamwork is really encouraged. They have a lot of different opportunities to get to know your teammates. You have monthly meetings where you do a lot of get to know you kind of stuff. Great environment. The managers were always super nice and treated us really good.

Interviewer: How would you describe the application and interview process?
Pier 1 Sales Associate: First, the application is all in-store. You have to go in and fill out the application. It took about 20 minutes. It asks about your decorating experience, and I didn’t have any, but I still got hired. It was an in-store application. You have to be 16 to apply there. There interview process was they … They brought me in and asked me kind of about my teamwork abilities, give me a situation where you worked on a team and you succeeded or when something didn’t go well. They asked about … They would give me a scenario about this customer comes in and they’re decorating for their beach house or something, what are you going to do? They kind of want to see like what your answers might be, and it’s not necessarily you have to have good decorating tastes, but it’s more of how your customer skills, so kind of ask them to elaborate more. Ask open-ended questions and that kind of thing.

Interviewer: What should an applicant wear to the interview?
Pier 1 Sales Associate: To the interview, business casual definitely. A lot of people would come in shorts, sandals, and t-shirts, and I think pretty incidentally, it’s more of a classy store, so I think you need to kind of dress the part a little bit. Definitely business casual or something like that. Not flip flops.

Interviewer: How were you notified that you received the job?
Pier 1 Sales Associate: It was about 3 days they called me and just let me know that I got the job, and I came in.

Interviewer: What other advice would you give to a job seeker looking to gain employment?
Pier 1 Sales Associate: I would say definitely work there. They have great benefits for their employees. They have different connections with other businesses like … I forget what cell phone company, but you can get discounts with a cell phone companies, car insurance. The management is always super nice. It’s a great place to work. They give you gifts if you stay there for a certain amount of years. It’s just a great company to work for, and that’s why I went back for … I worked there, I thing, straight through for 5 years, and then, I went back for holidays and summers for 2 or 3 years. Then, actually I moved to another area, and I worked for another Pier 1 there. I would definitely recommend working there. It’s a great place.

Related Links:
Pier 1 Application