Example response for question delving into Customer Service with the key points that need to be covered in an effective response. Customize this to your own experience with concrete examples and evidence

•  Situation: I was working as a cashier at a retail store when a customer approached me with a problem
•  Problem: The customer had purchased a defective item and was upset because they needed it for an important event
•  Action: I empathized with the customer and assured them that I would do everything I could to help. I quickly checked our inventory and found a replacement item
•  Result: I informed the customer that we had a replacement item available and offered to exchange it for them. The customer was relieved and grateful for my assistance
•  Impact: By going above and beyond to find a solution for the customer, I not only resolved their issue but also ensured their satisfaction. This positive experience may have encouraged the customer to continue shopping at our store and recommend us to others

  What the Interviewer is trying to find out about you and your experiences through this question

•  Customer service skills: Assessing your ability to provide exceptional customer service and go the extra mile for customers
•  Problem-solving skills: Evaluating your ability to handle challenging situations and find creative solutions
•  Interpersonal skills: Examining your communication and relationship-building skills with customers
•  Work ethic: Assessing your dedication and willingness to exceed expectations in your role as a cashier

  How to avoid some common minefields when answering this question in order to not raise any red flags

•  Lack of specific example: Not providing a specific and detailed example of a time when you went above and beyond to assist a customer
•  Negative attitude towards customers: Displaying a negative attitude or lack of empathy towards customers in your response
•  Inability to handle difficult situations: Demonstrating an inability to handle difficult or challenging situations with customers
•  Lack of problem-solving skills: Failing to showcase problem-solving skills or creative thinking in your response
•  Lack of teamwork or collaboration: Not highlighting any instances of collaborating with colleagues or seeking assistance from others to assist a customer
•  Inability to prioritize tasks: Not mentioning how you managed your time and prioritized tasks to assist a customer effectively
•  Lack of customer service focus: Failing to emphasize the importance of providing excellent customer service in your response
•  Poor communication skills: Displaying poor communication skills or difficulty in effectively conveying information to customers
•  Inability to handle pressure: Not demonstrating the ability to handle pressure or stressful situations while assisting a customer
•  Lack of initiative or proactiveness: Not showcasing any instances where you took initiative or went the extra mile without being prompted to assist a customer

 Related

  Other questions asked for the Cashier in Retail function. View details for the Cashier here

• What would you do if you noticed a pricing error on a product?
• Describe a time when you had to work collaboratively with a team to achieve a goal.
• Tell me about a time when you had to handle a high-pressure situation at the cash register.
• What steps do you take to prevent theft or fraud at the cash register?
• How do you handle situations where the cash register doesn't balance?
• How do you handle long queues and ensure customer satisfaction?
• Tell me about your previous experience as a cashier.
• What would you do if you noticed a coworker stealing?
• How do you handle cash transactions and ensure accuracy?
• How do you handle difficult customers?
• How do you handle situations where a customer wants to return an item without a receipt?
• How do you handle situations where a customer is unhappy with a purchase?
• Describe a time when you had to handle a cash shortage or overage.
• How do you ensure accuracy when processing credit or debit card payments?
• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an irate customer.
• How do you handle situations where a customer wants to use expired coupons?
• How do you handle situations where a customer wants to speak to a manager?
• How do you handle situations where a customer wants to use an expired gift card?
• Describe a time when you had to multitask in a busy retail environment.