20 JOANN Stores Interview Questions and Answers (2024)

When you go to a JOANN Stores interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your sewing, crafting, and home decorating skills. The interviewer will want to know how you would be able to help customers with their projects, and how you would be able to sell the store’s products. You should be prepared to answer questions about the types of fabrics and materials you are familiar with, and the types of sewing and crafting projects you have experience with. You may also be asked questions about your customer service skills, and your ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

JOANN Stores Interview Process

The interview process at JOANN Stores can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, such as a part-time team member, the process may be as simple as filling out an online application and then being contacted by a representative from the company to schedule an interview. The interview itself may consist of questions about your personality and your experience with customer service.

For other positions, such as a sales associate or cashier, the interview process may be more detailed. You may be asked questions about your experience with crafting and hobby projects, as well as your experience working in a retail environment. The interviewer may also ask you about your availability and what hours you are looking to work.

Overall, the interview process at JOANN Stores is generally fairly straightforward and easy. However, for some positions, such as a buyer or planner, the process may be more lengthy and involve multiple interviews.

1. How would you handle a customer who wanted to return an item without a receipt?

Jo-Ann Stores has a policy that allows customers to return items without receipts. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle this situation and if you have any experience with it.

Example: “I once worked at a retail store where we had the same policy, so I’ve been in this situation before. When a customer returns an item without a receipt, I first ask them why they don’t have their receipt. If they can provide me with a reason for not having their receipt, such as losing it or accidentally throwing it away, then I will accept the return. Otherwise, I explain our company’s policy on returns without receipts and offer them a discount on another product.”

2. What is your experience with working in retail?

This question is a great way to learn about your potential new employer’s expectations for their employees. When answering, it can be helpful to mention any specific skills you have that are relevant to the position and how they will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I’ve worked as a sales associate at my current retail job for three years now. I started out working in customer service but was promoted to team leader after two years of experience. In this role, I learned valuable leadership skills and developed my ability to work with others to achieve goals.”

3. Have you ever had to deal with an upset or angry customer, how did you handle the situation?

Jo-Ann Stores is a retail store that sells products to customers. As such, it’s likely you’ll have to deal with upset or angry customers at some point in your career. Interviewers want to know how you will handle these situations and if you can keep calm under pressure.

Example: “I’ve had to deal with an upset customer before, but I was able to diffuse the situation by listening to what they were saying and empathizing with them. They calmed down after I explained why we couldn’t give them a refund and they left the store satisfied.”

4. Do you have any experience using a cash register and handling money?

Jo-Ann Stores is a retail store that sells craft supplies and fabrics. The interviewer wants to make sure you have experience using cash registers and handling money in the past. If you do, share an example of how you did it. If you don’t, explain what type of register you’ve used before and your familiarity with it.

Example: “I worked at my local fabric shop for two years as a seamstress. I was responsible for helping customers find their desired fabrics and sewing materials. In this role, I had to use a cash register regularly to ring up purchases and handle money.”

5. Are you comfortable interacting with customers on a daily basis?

Jo-Ann Stores employees interact with customers on a daily basis, so the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable doing this. Show them that you enjoy interacting with people and are willing to help customers find what they need in the store.

Example: “I love working with customers because I get to meet new people every day. I’m always excited to learn about their projects and how I can help them achieve their goals. I’ve worked at several fabric stores before, so I know how to help customers find exactly what they’re looking for.”

6. Can you share an example of when you went above and beyond for a customer?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share an example of when you helped a customer find something they were looking for or assisted them with finding supplies for a project.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a customer who was looking for specific fabric to make a Halloween costume. The customer and I looked through all of our inventory together, but we couldn’t find what she needed. Instead of leaving empty-handed, I offered to order her the fabric from another store so she could complete her project.”

7. Do you have any experience with running a cash register or handling money?

Jo-Ann Stores is a retail store that sells craft supplies and fabrics. The interviewer wants to make sure you have experience with handling money, as this is an important part of the job. If you do not have cash register or customer service experience, explain what other relevant skills you can bring to the role.

Example: “I’ve worked in retail for five years now, but I haven’t had any experience with running a cash register. However, I am very familiar with how to use one, so I would be able to learn quickly if needed. I also have excellent math skills, which I think will help me succeed at this position.”

8. Describe a time where you were able to help someone achieve their goals.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can motivate others. When answering this question, it’s important to focus on the positive outcome of helping someone achieve their goals.

Example: “When I was working as an assistant manager at my previous job, one of my employees came to me with some career goals she wanted to reach. She had been working for us for two years and wanted to move up in her position. We sat down together and discussed what steps she needed to take to get there. After our meeting, she started taking more initiative in her work and began looking into online courses that would help her advance.”

9. Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult coworker. How did you handle it?

When working in a team environment, you may encounter coworkers who are difficult to work with. Employers ask this question to make sure that you can handle conflict and resolve it effectively. In your answer, explain how you would approach the situation if it arose at Jo-Ann Stores.

Example: “I have had to work with difficult coworkers before, but I always try my best to avoid conflict by being friendly and professional. If someone is acting rude or disrespectful, I will calmly address them and let them know that their behavior is unacceptable. If they continue to act inappropriately, I will report them to my manager so they can take appropriate action.”

10. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful team member?

Jo-Ann Stores is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. They want to know what you think makes for an effective team member, so they can see if your skills match their expectations. When answering this question, try to highlight the qualities of a good teammate.

Example: “I believe that the most important quality for a successful team member is communication. I feel like it’s essential to be able to communicate with others in order to work together effectively. Another important quality is flexibility. Team members need to be flexible when working on projects, as sometimes things change or don’t go according to plan. Finally, I think being organized is another key quality for a successful team member.”

11. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate because of my extensive experience in customer service. Throughout my career, I have worked with many different types of customers, which has helped me develop excellent communication and problem-solving skills. I also understand the importance of providing quality customer service, which is why I always aim to exceed expectations.”

12. When was the last time you used a sewing machine?

This question is a great way to assess your sewing skills and how often you use them. If you’re applying for a position that requires sewing, it’s important to show the interviewer that you have experience with this skill.

Example: “I used my sewing machine last week when I was making a Halloween costume for my son. He wanted to be a shark, so I had to make his tail fin and some other accessories. It took me about two hours to complete everything, but he loved it.”

13. We want to make sure our employees are knowledgeable about fabrics and crafting materials. Do you feel confident in your knowledge of crafting materials?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the products you would be selling at Jo-Ann Stores. If you have experience working with fabrics and crafting materials, you can share a story about how you helped a customer find what they were looking for or assisted them in creating a project.

Example: “I’ve been sewing since I was a child, so I feel very confident when it comes to fabric types and colors. When I worked as a sales associate at Fabric World, I had a lot of customers come into the store asking for help finding specific types of fabric. One time, a woman came in looking for a specific type of lace that she wanted to use on her wedding dress. She described the color and style she was looking for, and I showed her several different options until we found one that matched her vision.”

14. What hours are you available to work?

Jo-Ann Stores is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays, so the interviewer will want to know if you can work these hours. If you are unsure of your availability, be honest about it and explain that you would need some time to adjust your schedule if hired.

Example: “I am available to work any shift as long as I have enough notice. However, I do prefer working during the day because I find it easier to stay focused when there aren’t many customers around.”

15. How well do you work under pressure?

Working in retail can be a fast-paced environment, and employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working under pressure. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you are able to work quickly while still maintaining quality customer service.

Example: “I am very good at multitasking and working under pressure. In my last job, I was often the only employee on duty during busy hours, so I had to learn how to balance helping customers with stocking shelves and completing other tasks. Now that I have more experience, I’m much faster at performing these tasks.”

16. JOANN values teamwork, can you give an example of when you worked as a part of a team?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you contribute to a group. When answering, try to describe a situation where you worked with others to achieve a goal or complete a project.

Example: “At my previous job, I was part of the marketing team that helped create new campaigns for our company’s social media accounts. We had weekly meetings to discuss what we were working on and get feedback from each other. This allowed us to collaborate and share ideas while also giving us time to work independently on different projects.”

17. If hired, what would be your approach to teaching customers how to use our products?

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills and how you can help customers learn about the products they’re interested in.

Example: “I would first ask them what their project was, then I’d recommend which supplies they might need for that project. For example, if someone wanted to make a quilt, I would ask them what kind of fabric they were using and what colors they were looking for. Then, I would suggest some sewing machines or other tools that could be helpful for this type of project.”

18. What is your experience with managing a team?

Jo-Ann Stores is a large company with many employees, so they want to make sure you have experience managing others. Use your answer to highlight any leadership skills or management techniques that you’ve used in the past.

Example: “I’ve been working as an assistant manager at my current job for two years now, and I also worked as a team leader at my previous job. In both roles, I helped manage teams of up to 10 people. I’m comfortable delegating tasks and responsibilities to other members of the team and helping them develop their skills and abilities.”

19. Can you tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the issue or challenge.

Example: “At my previous job, I had to help resolve an issue with one of our vendors. The vendor was having issues delivering products on time, which caused us to have to cancel orders for customers. This was not only a problem because we were losing sales but also because we would lose money if we canceled too many orders.

I spoke with the manager at the vendor company about the issue and they explained that they were experiencing some staffing changes and needed more time to adjust their operations. We decided to give them another chance, however, if they continued to have problems, we would need to find a new vendor.”

20. Which area of crafting and fabric design are you most interested in?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience in a specific area of crafting and fabric design. It also allows them to understand what your interests are, which can help them decide whether or not you would be a good fit for their company.

Example: “I am most interested in sewing and garment construction. I find it fascinating how someone can take pieces of fabric and turn them into something beautiful. I love learning new techniques and methods that allow me to create more intricate designs.”