Macy's Interview Questions + Sample Answers (STAR)

Macy's hires sales associates who will walk up to a customer, find out what they need, and help them leave with more than they planned to buy, so the interview leans toward selling and service rather than general retail questions. Expect to talk about approaching browsers, recommending products, handling a difficult customer, and your weekend and holiday availability, and be ready if the interviewer hands you a pen and asks you to sell it. This guide explains the roles, the hiring steps, Macy's MAGIC selling approach, 12 likely questions with sample answers, and what the job pays.

Macy's as an employer

Macy's, Inc. operates Macy's department stores alongside Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury. Stores are company-operated, so you apply through Macy's own careers site and are employed by Macy's, not a franchisee. Store roles range from part-time and seasonal positions to full-time selling careers, and holiday hiring each fall is one of the easiest ways in.

Store roles

Role Typical duties What the interview tests
Retail sales associate Circulating the floor, finding out customer needs, ringing sales, sharing loyalty and credit benefits, keeping fitting rooms and fixtures in order, helping with store events Approachability, selling instinct, availability
Commission sales associate / selling specialist Selling in departments such as furniture, mattresses, fine jewelry, or shoes, building a client base Sales track record, product knowledge, follow-up
Beauty advisor Consultations and selling at cosmetics and fragrance counters, often linked to a specific brand Product passion, consultative selling
Fulfillment, stock and receiving associate Processing deliveries, setting up merchandise, picking and packing online orders Accuracy, speed, physical stamina
Seasonal associate Any of the above during the holiday period Flexible availability, quick learning

Retail sales associate postings describe full-time associates as typically scheduled for 30 or more hours a week and part-time associates for roughly 12 to 24 hours, with all schedules including weekend shifts. The physical side is real: postings mention standing for at least two hours at a time and lifting at least 25 pounds.

The hiring process step by step

  1. Apply online. Use the Macy's careers site and search by store and role. The application covers availability and work history.
  2. Screening. According to candidate reports on Glassdoor, some applicants complete a recorded video interview or a short phone screen before meeting anyone. Not every store uses this step.
  3. Store interview. Usually one-on-one with a department or store manager, about 20 to 30 minutes, often held in a back office or quiet corner of the floor.
  4. Background check and offer. Glassdoor users report background checks and occasionally personality or skills questionnaires. Seasonal offers are sometimes made at the interview.
  5. Onboarding. Training covers the register and handheld devices, policies, and Macy's selling approach.

Glassdoor's aggregated candidate reports suggest that hiring for sales associates is relatively quick, often about a week from application to offer, but this varies by store and season.

The MAGIC selling approach

Macy's introduced a customer interaction training programme called MAGIC selling around 2010, and candidates on Glassdoor report being asked about it in interviews. Published descriptions of the model list five steps:

  • Meet and make a connection: greet the customer rather than wait to be approached
  • Ask questions and listen: find out what they want and need
  • Give options and advice: make appropriate recommendations
  • Inspire to buy and sell more: where it fits, suggest other merchandise
  • Celebrate the purchase: finish with a positive impression that brings the customer back

These descriptions date mainly from the early 2010s, so the exact wording used in training today may differ. You do not need to recite the acronym, but structuring your answers around greeting, asking, recommending, adding on, and thanking the customer shows you already think the way Macy's trains.

What Macy's looks for

  • Proactive selling. Approaching browsers, not waiting at the register.
  • Listening. Recommending based on the customer's needs, not just what is on sale.
  • Credit and loyalty awareness. Postings mention sharing loyalty program benefits, and associates are expected to mention them naturally.
  • Reliability on weekends and holidays. This is a hard requirement in many postings.
  • Comfort with technology. Handheld devices, registers, and online order pickup are part of the job.

12 Macy's interview questions with example answers

1. Why do you want to work at Macy's?

"Macy's has the variety I like: fashion, beauty, home, all under one roof, so there's always something new to learn and sell. I enjoy helping people put a look together or find a gift, and I'd like to grow into a commission role eventually."

2. How would you approach a customer who says they are "just looking"?

"I'd respect that and say something like, 'Great, take your time. Just so you know, the new arrivals are on this table and the fitting rooms are right behind you.' Then I'd stay nearby and check back once they've picked something up, because that's usually when people are ready for help."

3. Sell me this pen.

"Before I tell you about the pen, can I ask what you use a pen for most? You sign documents all day? Then you want something that writes smoothly the first time and feels solid in your hand. This one has a smooth ink flow and a metal barrel, so it won't skip or feel cheap when you sign in front of a client. Would one be enough, or would you like a spare for your bag?"

The trick is to ask a question before you pitch, which mirrors the MAGIC approach.

4. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer.

Situation: At a shoe store where I worked, a customer needed black dress shoes for a funeral the next morning, and we didn't have her size. Task: I wanted to find a solution that day. Action: I called our other location, confirmed they had her size, and asked them to hold the pair. I also showed her a similar style in stock in a half size up with an insole, in case she couldn't make the trip. Result: She picked up the held pair that evening and came back later to thank the team.

5. Tell me about a time you made a sale by suggesting something extra.

"A customer came in for a dress for a wedding. Once she'd chosen one, I asked about shoes and whether she had a wrap in case it was cool in the evening. She ended up buying a matching wrap and earrings, and she said it saved her a second trip."

6. How would you encourage a customer to open a Macy's credit card or join the loyalty program?

"I'd tie it to what they're buying today. For example, 'Since you're picking up several items, you could save on this purchase if you sign up, and it takes about two minutes.' If they say no, I'd drop it. I'd rather they leave happy than feel pressured."

7. How do you handle an upset customer?

"I'd listen without interrupting, apologize for the experience, and repeat back what I heard so they know I understood. Then I'd fix what I can within policy, like a return or exchange, and bring in a manager if they need something I can't approve."

8. What would you do if the fitting rooms were full of clothes and the floor was messy at the same time?

"I'd prioritize customers first, then work in short bursts: clear the fitting rooms into a go-back rack, then return items to the floor by department while keeping an eye out for anyone who needs help. If it keeps getting ahead of me, I'd ask my lead where the team is most needed."

9. How do you stay motivated when you don't hit a sales goal?

"I look at what I can control: how many customers I approached and whether I asked enough questions. If I was short one day, I'd ask a top seller what they did differently and try one new approach the next shift."

10. Tell me about a time you worked with a team during a busy period.

"During last year's holiday season at a toy store, we had a huge line at checkout. I suggested one of us walk the line with a handheld to answer questions and ring simple purchases. It cut the wait noticeably, and the manager kept doing it for the rest of the season."

11. What is your availability, including holidays?

"I can work weekends, evenings after 5, and I'm fully available from mid-November through early January. I understand holidays are the busiest time and I'm ready for that."

12. Which department would you like to work in, and why?

"I'd love to work in beauty, because I'm already the person friends ask for product advice. I'm open to any department to start, though, and I'd like to learn the whole floor."

To sharpen these stories, use our STAR method guide and our list of behavioral interview questions.

Questions to ask the interviewer

  • "How is success measured for sales associates in this department?"
  • "How much of the role is selling versus fulfillment or recovery?"
  • "What does training on the MAGIC approach and the handheld devices look like?"
  • "How do associates move into commission or selling specialist roles?"
  • "Could a seasonal role become permanent after the holidays?"

What to wear and practical tips

  • Look the part. Business casual with some personal style. Macy's sells fashion, so a polished outfit counts.
  • Practice a pitch. Pick any object at home and practice asking two questions before you describe it.
  • Know the store. Walk the floor before the interview and notice the departments, promotions, and how associates greet you.
  • Be clear on weekends. If your availability excludes weekends, many postings will not fit.
  • Bring energy. Interviewers want someone a customer would enjoy talking to.

If you are applying at other department stores as well, compare with our guides to Kohl's interview questions and Nordstrom interview questions.

What Macy's pays

Macy's does not publish a single hourly rate for store roles; pay depends on location, local minimum wage laws, role, and whether the position includes commission. Many individual postings list a starting hourly range, so check the specific ad. Glassdoor and Indeed figures are self-reported by employees and should be treated as rough candidate reports. Associates commonly cite an employee merchandise discount as a perk, but discount levels and benefits depend on current company policy and your hours, so ask during the interview.

FAQ

How long does a Macy's interview take?

Store interviews for retail sales associate roles usually take 20 to 30 minutes. Candidates on Glassdoor most often describe a single one-on-one interview, and some report a short recorded video screen before it, so the full process can run from a few days to a couple of weeks.

What does Macy's look for in candidates?

Macy's wants associates who approach customers rather than wait to be asked, listen to what they need, and suggest options, which is the core of its MAGIC selling approach. Reliable weekend availability, comfort with handheld devices and registers, and a polished, friendly manner matter too.

What should I wear to a Macy's interview?

Business casual with some style: tailored pants or a skirt, a blouse, sweater, or button-down, and clean shoes you can stand in. For a beauty or fashion department, a current but not flashy look shows you understand the floor.

What are common Macy's interview questions?

Expect questions about why you want to work at Macy's, how you would approach a customer who is just browsing, a time you made a sale or went above and beyond, handling an upset customer, encouraging credit or loyalty sign-ups, and your weekend and holiday availability. Some candidates report being asked to sell the interviewer an item, like a pen.

Do I need retail experience to work at Macy's?

Not for most entry-level retail sales associate roles. Postings generally require no specific education or experience, but they do ask that you communicate well with customers and coworkers, use electronic devices, stand for long periods, and work a schedule that includes weekends.

Final preparation checklist

Prepare two STAR stories (one sale, one difficult customer), practice a quick "sell me this" pitch, and confirm your weekend and holiday availability. For broader preparation, including interview questions and assessment practice, see our interview and assessment preparation package or browse Assessment-Training.com.

About the Author

Ingmar van Maurik is a career and assessment preparation expert who helps candidates improve their interview and test performance.

References