Getting Hired at Cato: A Guide to Ace the Interview Process

Cato is one of the most popular fashion retailers in the US, with over 1,100 stores across the country. Known for its trendy and affordable clothing, Cato offers a fun and dynamic work environment for those passionate about fashion retail.

However, getting hired at Cato can be competitive. You’ll need to showcase your skills and abilities effectively during the interview process to stand out. In this article, we provide tips and sample responses to help you prepare for a Cato interview.

Overview of Cato’s Hiring Process

The typical Cato hiring process involves:

• Initial online application and assessment
• Phone or video interview
• In-person interview with the store manager
• Second interview with district manager (for management roles)

Cato’s interviews aim to assess your

• Retail experience and work ethic
• Customer service skills
• Passion for fashion
• Ability to promote sales
• Leadership capabilities (for supervisory roles)

Allow 1-2 weeks for the full process. Come prepared to demonstrate your qualifications.

Common Cato Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Here are some of the most frequently asked Cato interview questions with tips on how to craft winning responses

Tell me about your retail experience.

Cato wants candidates with proven retail abilities. When answering:

• Highlight previous retail jobs, specifying your roles and responsibilities. Emphasize skills like merchandising, inventory management, loss prevention, etc.

• Discuss accomplishments like sales targets exceeded, positive feedback received, promotions earned, etc.

• Tailor your response to the specific role. For sales associate roles, focus on customer service skills. For supervisory roles, discuss leadership experience.

What appeals to you about working for our company?

With this question, interviewers want to see if you’ve researched Cato and are excited about the role. To impress, mention:

• Why you’re passionate about Cato’s brand, culture, or mission. Show enthusiasm.

• Specific aspects of the role that interest you – helping customers, trends, fast-paced environment, etc.

• How your background makes you a great fit for the position and company.

How would you handle an unhappy customer?

Cato wants candidates who can defuse tensions and satisfy customers. When responding:

• Emphasize listening attentively to understand the customer’s concerns.

• Share how you’d apologize for their experience and offer solutions tailored to the situation.

• Discuss how you’d follow up to ensure their issue is fully resolved.

• Provide an example of successfully calming an angry customer if possible.

Describe your approach to getting customers to purchase more.

Cato seeks sales-driven team members. To stand out:

• Share tactics like suggestive selling, offering options, promoting current deals, etc.

• Discuss utilizing your knowledge of inventory and promotions to make recommendations tailored to each customer.

• Give examples of when your upselling techniques led to increased basket size and sales.

• Emphasize providing excellent service even if customers decline recommendations.

Why do you want to work in fashion retail?

Cato wants to hire people truly passionate about fashion. When responding:

• Share what excites you about trends, styling, working with clothes, interacting with customers around fashion, etc.

• Discuss any fashion experience or knowledge you have.

• Convey your motivation to keep learning about new styles, products, and brand offerings.

• Mention how you stay on top of trends through social media, blogs, magazines, etc.

Tell me about a time you provided excellent customer service.

With this behavioral question, provide a real example that showcases your customer service abilities. Share:

• The situation – set the context briefly.

• Your specific actions – emphasize listening, empathy, patience, exceeding expectations, etc.

• The positive result for the customer and company thanks to your efforts.

• What you learned or how the experience reflects your work ethic.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Cato wants ambitious team members who desire growth. Respond by:

• Expressing your interest in progressing into higher roles like lead cashier, supervisor, manager, etc.

• Discussing your passion for developing your skills and value to the company over time.

• Sharing how you’ll work hard and leverage opportunities for advancement.

• Aligning your goals to growing with Cato specifically if possible.

Why should we hire you? / Why are you the best candidate?

This is your chance to summarize why you’re a great fit. Touch on:

• Key qualifications and skills relevant to the role.

• Passion for the brand and fashion retail.

• Examples of how you elevate customer experiences.

• Past accomplishments and work ethic.

• Alignment of your goals to the company.

• Desire to develop professionally with Cato.

Tips for Acing the Cato Interview

Beyond preparing responses, here are some tips for impressing your Cato interviewers:

• Dress stylishly: Make sure your outfit reflects Cato’s brand. Demonstrate your fashion sense.

• Show enthusiasm: Convey excitement about the company and role. High energy stands out.

• Ask good questions: Inquire about growth opportunities, corporate culture, management style, etc. to show interest.

• Watch your body language: Maintain eye contact, smile, and lean forward slightly to demonstrate engagement.

• Thank the interviewer(s): Express gratitude for their time and consideration before leaving. Send a follow-up thank you note after.

With preparation and a winning attitude, you can land your dream retail job at Cato. Use these tips to highlight your qualifications and passion. Show them you have what it takes to thrive on their fashion-focused team. Best of luck with your upcoming Cato interview!