Macy’s Interview Questions And Answers

Finding your way can be difficult no matter how long you’ve been in the job market. With thousands of applications being sent to recruiters and hiring managers every single day, it becomes harder and harder to stand out. Macy’s has several positions worth checking out for people wanting to begin a career in retail or for those in transition. With one of the most recognizable names in retail, Macy’s (which was established on October 28th, 1858) is always looking to hire goal-oriented people.

With an application process that has been described as formal, being able to brand yourself as the ideal Macy’s candidate is the best way to secure yourself a job.  Below are some tips that could help you differentiate yourself.

HOW TO GET HIRED AT MACY’S!!!! Interview TIPS +more 

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

Mastering the art of creating a resume is the first step in the job process. Though everyone needs a resume, there are certain protocols you must follow in order to make sure that yours stands out from the pack.

Tailor Your Resume to the Job

When going through the application process, it is very tempting to send out the exact same resume to various jobs to cover ground more quickly. While you’ll have many resumes sent, the chances of an employer looking through a generic resume are slim. Although it can be time-consuming, it is definitely worthwhile for candidates to make certain tweaks to their resumes before sending them out.

Use Industry and Job-Specific Keywords

Though this is not something many applicants want to hear, the chances of your resume being fully read by a recruiter or hiring manager are not high. Many large corporations use filtering systems which quickly scan the resume for particular keywords. A rule of thumb when coming up with keywords is to look at the job description itself. Recruiters and hiring managers will often use specific keywords or experiences they’re looking for in their perfect candidate.

Use a Header

Including a clear and poignant statement at the top of a resume is a perfect way to effectively define who you are.  A header is a great way for a candidate to brand themselves. Based upon research, an objective statement is not nearly as effective as using a header. A header is typically written in all caps across the top of a page and sits directly under your name and contact information.

Add a Cover Letter to Your Application

While many companies state that the cover letter is “optional”  many hiring managers still want applicants to send one. If you send a cover letter, it shows a recruiter that you went the extra mile to build upon the experiences shown on your resume. It also presents you with the ability to directly explain why you would be a great fit for the position. Cover letters are the perfect way of making your experiences into an actual story where you can highlight growth.

Proofread Before Sending Out

While this tip may seem like a no-brainer, many people do not thoroughly proofread their resume before pressing send. When creating a resume, a lot of applicants will sit down for the entire day and recollect their experiences.  Once done with the resume, it is a great idea to have either a close friend, family member, or colleague read it over to see if they spot any grammar mistakes or inconsistencies.

When proofreading a resume, you should check for spelling mistakes, typos or any grammatical errors. Though not a complete deal breaker, hiring managers look down upon resumes with significant errors. This reveals a lack of care from the applicant.

Tips to Ace a Job Interview

Once it’s interview day, below are tips you can use to ensure that things go smoothly.

Spend Time Researching the Company

When applying to any company, especially one as well known as Macy’s, researching the company on their website and learning a little about their history is a great way to come into an interview as an informed applicant.  Knowing the history of the company you’re applying to and some of their more recent activities is a great way to show a hiring manager you’ve taken an interest. Little gestures like this go a long way in the interview process.

Read Books and Articles by Successful People

Recent psychological studies have shown that consumers of literature often act and behave like the characters or authors of the book they are reading. If you’re someone that wants to be successful in an interview, surround yourself with books and articles that talk about success and how people achieved it.

There is truth in the saying that you are the company you keep. If you consume books and articles about success, your approach to an interview or any situation veers positivity.

Make Sure to Bring Your Own Question

Interviews are viewed as one-way conversations where a hiring manager continually ask questions to a candidate. Something every candidate should consider, however, is bringing a list of their own concerns and questions to be addressed during the interview. Hiring managers end the interview process by asking their candidate if they have questions of their own. Take this time to ask informed questions about the company culture, the day-to-day activities, and expectations for the position.

Follow Up with a Thank You Note

Before leaving the interview, make sure to grab contact information from the hiring manager. Although it may seem like a small gesture, sending a follow-up thank you email is a great way to reiterate your interest in the position. The follow-up email should contain a thank you to the hiring manager for taking the time to meet with you and also reference your continued interest in the position.

If you do not hear back from the hiring manager for a week or two, sending a follow-up email is appropriate. Keep that follow up short and state that you’re still very excited about the job and hope that there has been some development.  Though it may be a nice thing to do, several employers will not let you know that you didn’t get the job. They will just never call you back.

Macy’s Interview Questions With Answers

While it is impossible to know exactly what questions a hiring manager will ask during an interview, based on market research and input by former employees, here are the most commonly asked questions.

Why Do You Want to Work at Macy’s?

If there is one question that you should have prepared an answer for, it’s this one. This is where doing research into the company and figuring out their values, history, and some recent news is a great way of impressing the hiring manager. When doing research on the company, come up with two to three things you value or respect. A hiring manager uses this question to figure out the degree of passion a candidate has for the job.

Why Should We Hire You?

Making sure to thoroughly understand the job description is the best way to go about coming up with an answer to this question.  When looking at the job listing, take time to go through the requirements for the position. Hiring managers often put words and phrases they would like the perfect candidate to exemplify. You could answer this question by showing the hiring manager that you are the ideal Macy’s customer and have exceptional customer service and sales potential.

Describe an Ideal Customer Service Interaction.

Having an answer prepared for this type of question is extremely important. For those who have worked or want to begin working in retail, with a bit of research, it is possible to come up with an insightful answer that will impress your hiring manager.

Since the two main objectives of any customer interaction are their happiness and closing a sale, making sure to state both of these and even providing an example of how you would execute this plan is important.

How Would You Handle a Rude Customer?

Because jobs at Macy’s require customer interaction, the likelihood of coming across a not so pleasant customer is quite high. The hiring manager may ask a general or situational question for this particular question. Have a general answer prepared because the last thing that a hiring manager wants to see is someone freeze up during this question. Stating that you would do your best to help the customer find, return, exchange, or come up with a helpful solution for both parties is a perfect way to answer the question.

Talk About a Time You Led a Team.

Even for those who have little work experience, make sure to have a prepared anecdote to answer this question. If you’ve had a leadership position in the workforce before, explain what the position was, the outcome, and how you plan to learn from these experiences to improve if the opportunity ever arises again. This same concept applies to a high school student; instead of using an on the job example, you could address leadership experience on a sports team or club to get your point across.

The Ins and Outs of the Macy’s Interview Process

The interview process at Macy’s can last anywhere from 45 minutes to three hours, depending on the position. They want to understand your personality and see how you interact with others. They also want to know about your availability, experience, and qualifications for the position.

Regarding what you wear, it is best to dress in business attire, including a dress shirt or blouse, slacks, skirt or dress pants, closed-toe shoes that are not sneakers or sandals, and conservative jewelry.

Macy’s interview process comprises two rounds: the group round and the one-on-one interview.

The group round comprises a brief introduction by the interviewer and a question-and-answer session. The one-on-one interview is a more in-depth conversation with the interviewer. The interviewee should be prepared for any questions that might come up, such as salary expectations or reasons for leaving previous jobs.

Macy’s interviews have a lot of similarities to other retail company interviews, but there are some differences as well.

Conclusion

As you can see, the application process is a lot more than sending out a resume and hoping for a response. By actively researching a company you are interested in, you increase your chances of being seen. Approaching an interview with prepared questions, knowledge of the company, and an overall positive attitude can help your chances of being selected.

Macy’s is one of the premier retail stores in the country. With several stores all around the country, Macy’s is always looking to onboard the best and brightest talent. By following the tips above, a person may just find themselves an employee of a well-known and respected brand.

Matthew R.

I'm the founder of Job Interview Advice. I have over 20 years of experience in HR and the hiring process. I've helped tens of thousands of people find their dream job, and now I want to help you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts