Staples Interview Questions.

It's always hard to know what to expect when going in for that interview -- and preparation can make all the difference. What is the interview process like at Staples?

Any advice on striking the right note?

Host said: It's always hard to know what to expect when going in for that interview -- and preparation can make all the difference. What is the interview process like at Staples?

Any advice on striking the right note?

It really depends on what you are looking to do for the Staples corporation. If you are looking to work inside the store, it is broken down into several areas. Operations Manager, Sales Manager and General Manager are sometimes available after being hired and working up the ranks. If you have these experiences from another company, you might more quickly move into the "Staples" training for either the Operations or Sales Manager. To be a general manager, you often must have held both the Operations and Sales Manager position at one or more Staples.

For general Sales Associates, Copy Center, Furnature, Office Supplies, or cashier the interview is low key. Often people in High School, or College work these jobs. Some advice is to show you have good working skills in this area. Staples places a high value on customer support and solutions. Expect to be asked about these. Also you must pass a personality/work history test before an interview is granted.

If you work in the Technology/Business Machines - you have to know all the above, and the product line well. In particular, laptops, desktops, printers, and cables and software. You will be responsible often for Furnature and Telephone sales, and ink/paper; but you can pick that up as you learn.

Bring in a resume, and examples and letters of recommendations.

Please note, Staples is a very aggressive company, and very disorganized in some locations/stores. Be aware of your rights, as Staples has been known to be abusive towards employees.

I made it through the first interview. They wanted me back in for a second interview and weren't nice at all. This is in Cedar Rapids IA on Wiley Blvd SW.

I am a former employee. (7 yrs) In my experience through the years, all interview questions are behavioral type questions as well as job specific, and situational questions. A new or existing employee should know his/her resume and know what they can contribute. He/She may go through 6 interviews from the point of HR to associates within that dept, and senior mgmt. The interviewing process at Staples is stressful. They may have you come back 2 or 3 times, so be prepared to call out sick if you are currently imployed.

I went through an interview with Staples almost a year ago. It was very strange. I was supposedly interviewing with a District Manager when a supposed secretary came barging in the door to the office stating that an emergency conference call was taking place and that she would finish the interview. Now, I was applying for a store manager/district manager position. Why in the world would I want to be interviewed (no offense toward anyone) by someone's secretary. The whole experience was confusing, ingnorant, unprofessional, and down right rude. I have been in the retail management realm for 30 years. It's this type of young (still no offense meant to be made toward all)immature so called managers that are giving the seasoned professionals a rough time to go. How unfortunate...they really missed out on a wonderful candidate. I wouldn't suggest anyone apply for a job with a company with so little integrity. Think twice, life is too short for the games people.

Ellyn,
Like you I have been in retail management (multi unit) for 26 years. Thanks for the save!
Unfortunately I find MOST retailers taking the non-integrity role with the work ethics.
All I'm looking for is some good old fashioned "people first" integrety and respect from a company that understands that it's ALL ABOUT THE people.

Well, those days are fading fast.... I've worked in the fashion specialty store and department store segment of retail. I'm 42 and am being forced into hard-lines and out of apparel. Well I can handle that but I cant handle unproffesional rude punks!!!!!! No, I'm not bitter.
It's nice to see I'm not alone!!!!!!
Helen

The interview was strange two managers had interviewed me like a tag team for just a Cashier position. They acted like I was interviewing for a Managers position.

Thanks for all the response. Can anyone tell me about their phone interview experience with Staples USA, specifically for Supply Chain Analyst position.

Thank you.

Hi I recently interviewed for the operations manager position. I interviewed with a DM (the interview went good. He said I was a good fit) then he sent me straight to another store to interview with a store manager and a human resource manager (which i also think went well). The HR manager said the DM must really like me to push me through so fast for my next interview. I am now in background check. Does anyone know what the next step is? because it seems to me as if they're going to make me the offer but are just waiting on my background check.

With Staples I applied for a full-time store position, because the website indicated that such a position was available at the location I was interested in.

In the interview I found out that they were only interested in part-time temps ("seasonal associates") they looked at my application and noted my previous employers work hours were 40hr/wk and my preference was 40hr/wk, they told me that on average employees work 20-30hr/wk and that as long as I "show up on time" during the seasonal period they would hire me on permanently.

Now they made NO mention of salesmanship during the interview, they implied that principally I'd be doing stocking and cash with occasional customer computer assistance.

I ended up finding out the hard way that Staples is only "retail" in the same sense as a car dealership. My primary responsibility is to SELL customers product, not to help them find what they need, but to 'help' them empty their wallets.

"Easy" means that I first "Engage" a customer (Great them and Offer to help) then I "Assess" their readiness to by (what do they want to purchase and what for) then I have to "Sell" (if you want an envelope, I have to push labels, stamps, and stationary) and finally I have to get the customer to "Yes" (you checking out with more than you intended.)

Big ticket items are furniture and electronics (computers and printers) and I have to push on you as many accessories as possible, with the bottom line being the warranty. Staples sells it's furniture and electronics at a loss, because it's through the bundling, set up fees and warranties that they make money. So if you're savvy and reject a bundle, an installation/setup, and the warranty I have to tell you that the store is sold out, because "a one item customer is not a Staples customer."

Now with respect to hours I ended up working 8-16hr/wk and being sent home early often, turns out with Staples 'hours'='commission' I don't earn a percentage, I earn time.