Feeling nervous about your upcoming retail job interview? You’re not alone.
Interviews can stir up all kinds of emotions, but they’re also the perfect opportunity to show who you really are.
Dina Pavlovic, owner of Enjoy Urban General Store in Chicago, has made it her mission to hire employees based on their personality. Designed as a modern spin on the old-school general store, her space is filled with gifts that are witty, thoughtful, and inspiring. She looks for team members who bring that same spirit.
Read on to learn how to prepare for a retail interview and 10 expert tips you can use to stand out amongst the competition.
1. Show Up Early and Ready
At Enjoy Urban General Store, being late is a deal-breaker. Dina believes that tardiness can make a manager second-guess your reliability before you even get your foot in the door. Punctuality reflects how seriously you take the role and whether you’ll be dependable when it counts.
So, arrive early! This will set the right tone and show respect for everyone’s time.
If you have a retail interview coming up, make sure you’re 10-15 minutes ahead of your scheduled time. This will give you time to prepare for traffic, find parking in advance, and avoid last-minute scrambling. It’s a simple move that alleviates personal stress, communicates dependability to your employer, and can instantly help you stand out.
2. Be Yourself
Have you ever been asked, “What are you reading?” or “What are you watching?” on a job interview? Dina asks these questions to help her determine if potential employees can naturally engage in conversation and fit in with the team. In retail, and especially at Enjoy, being yourself goes further than trying to be perfect.
As you’re figuring out how to prepare for a retail job interview, focus on showcasing your real personality. Think about what excites you and how you connect with people. Practice talking about your interests in a way that’s relatable and confident. Great retail employees are personable, so let your unique energy shine through.
3. Learn About the Store Beforehand
Since Enjoy carries a wide range of sentimental, funny, and pop-culture-themed gifts, it’s important to Dina that potential hires are familiar with her product offerings. She pays attention to whether candidates understand the store’s tone, items, and customer base.
If you know what a store sells, you can speak more naturally about how well you fit. Before you interview, you should:
- Visit the store’s website and social media. Pay attention to the types of products they highlight and the language they use so you can easily discuss their offerings during the interview.
- Gain insight into the customer base. Who shops there? What’s the typical age range? What are their buying habits or most common needs? Knowing the answers to these questions will position you as a more promising candidate for the job.
- Stop by in person if possible. Notice how the staff interacts, what items are prominently displayed, and how the space feels. This attention to detail will enhance your conversation and help you provide even more value during the interview.
The more you understand the store, the more confident you’ll feel walking into the job, and ready to discuss your knowledge with the hiring manager.
4. Share What You’re Looking For
Dina’s go-to questions are always, “What are you looking for in this job? What are you looking for from your team, and what are you looking for from me as your manager?” These questions help her understand whether a candidate is merely seeking a part-time gig or genuinely wants to grow, and how she can best support them in this endeavor.
Dina values honesty about goals and expectations, and asking the right questions helps her guide team members in a way that benefits both the store and the employee.
As a potential hire, think about what you hope to gain from the role before the interview. Are you looking to enhance your communication skills, learn retail systems, or transition into a management role? Be upfront about your goals so the interviewer sees you’re invested. Managers appreciate it when candidates know what they want.
5. Own Your Strengths and Gaps
The biggest mistake you can make is pretending to be great at everything. Dina prefers that people be honest about their weaknesses. Maybe you’re more task-focused while others are chatty and energetic. That’s okay. Being real about your style helps managers build a stronger, more balanced team.
When an interviewer asks you about your strengths, reflect on what you genuinely bring to the table. If you’re detail-oriented but shy, be honest about it and share how that may help the team. Mention areas you’re improving, too. Knowing yourself is a major asset in learning how to ace a retail job interview.
6. Be Curious About Training and Leadership
Dina appreciates when candidates ask about her leadership style. It tells her they’re proactive learners who want clear guidance but also crave the freedom to grow. She sees questions like “How do you train new hires?” as signs of a curious and committed team member.
Before your interview, prepare at least one thoughtful question about the training or support that will be available. You can ask:
- How is success measured here?
- What kind of support or feedback can I expect during my first month?
- What does a great first week look like?
These questions indicate that you’re already envisioning yourself in the role, which is a smart approach to prepare for a retail interview. Good questions can make for great first impressions.
7. Stay Positive About Past Experiences
Dina says it’s a red flag when applicants speak poorly of past jobs. She understands that not every job is perfect, but how someone talks about their experience matters. Being professional when discussing your past shows maturity. It’s also a strong indicator of how you’ll handle challenges on the team.
If you’re asked why you left a job, be honest without venting. Focus on what you learned or what you’re looking for now. Practice framing your answers in a way that’s calm, respectful, and forward-looking. Positivity always resonates more than complaints.
8. Embrace Fast, Friendly, and Efficient
At Enjoy, speed and friendliness are at the core of the customer experience. Dina trains her staff to move lines quickly while maintaining a smile and staying engaged. She explains that they skip upselling scripts and instead focus on getting customers what they need. Her goal is to hire candidates who can remain upbeat and be genuine in fast-paced moments.
If your interviewer wants to know about past retail experiences, share examples of when you stayed calm under pressure or handled a busy rush. Highlight your multitasking or problem-solving skills. This is a great way to demonstrate that you understand what retail demands are. Efficiency paired with kindness is a winning combo!
9. Show You’re Community-Minded
Enjoy prefers hiring local team members who reflect the neighborhood’s energy. Dina said they now skip big job boards and use local postings through the Chamber of Commerce and Hire Trans Now Job Board. Hiring local talent helps foster a sense of community and increases word-of-mouth recommendations.
If you live nearby or have ties to the neighborhood, mention it. Talk about why you love the community and how you’d represent it in the store.
Here are a few ways to highlight that local connection:
- Mention nearby schools, markets, or events you’ve attended.
- Share a personal story about the area.
- Talk about how you’d make customers feel welcome.
This part is often overlooked, but matters more than people realize.
10. Follow Up With Intention
After a good interview, Dina appreciates follow-ups that feel authentic and sincere. A thoughtful thank-you email makes a lasting impression. You’ll likely get bonus points if you mention something specific from your conversation. Doing so demonstrates your engagement and reinforces your interest in the role. Dina sees it as a final step that speaks volumes about someone’s professionalism.
Send your thank-you within 24 hours. Keep it short, personal, and appreciative. Mention something you enjoyed learning or a value that stood out to you. This small gesture closes the loop and shows strong communication skills. When done right, it’s the final touch to acing a retail job interview.
Conclusion
Retail interviews don’t have to feel intimidating when you know what to expect and how to prepare. As Dina Pavlovic reminds us, authenticity, punctuality, and curiosity can take you a long way.
When you show up with the right mindset and a clear sense of who you are, you’re already ahead. Mastering how to prepare for a retail job interview means knowing the store, asking good questions, and being honest about your strengths.
Want to learn more about other Illinois retail leaders? Read inspiring stories from retailers across Illinois who are making a difference.
If you loved learning about Dina’s story and know a retailer who deserves recognition, Nominate A Retailer to submit your nomination!