Are you preparing for an upcoming interview at HSN? As an engaging and innovative shopping entertainment company HSN looks for candidates that are passionate about their brand and products. With the right interview prep you can stand out from the competition.
This guide covers HSN’s top 15 most commonly asked interview questions. Knowing what to expect and crafting winning answers will help you ace your HSN interview. Let’s get started!
Why HSN Asks These Interview Questions
HSN prides itself on delivering joy through discovery. The company’s interview questions are designed to identify candidates who:
- Exhibit strong selling and influencing skills
- Can build relationships and connect with customers
- Are passionate about the HSN brand and products
- Work well under pressure and fast-paced environments
- Collaborate effectively on teams
HSN needs talent that embodies these qualities to continue engaging with millions of socially-connected customers across TV, online and mobile platforms.
How to Answer HSN Interview Questions
Follow these tips when structuring your responses:
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Demonstrate passion for the brand Convey your enthusiasm for HSN’s products and mission Show you’re inspired to contribute,
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Provide specific examples. Use the STAR method – explain the Situation, Task, Action you took, and the Result achieved.
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Highlight relevant skills. Draw connections between your experience and abilities HSN is looking for.
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Prepare but don’t memorize. Practice responses aloud to polish delivery. But don’t recite rehearsed speeches word-for-word.
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Ask thoughtful questions. The interview is a two-way street. Prepare smart questions that show your understanding of and interest in HSN.
Let’s look at examples of how to ace the 15 most common HSN interview questions:
1. Why do you want to work for HSN?
HSN wants to see you have a genuine interest in their brand and products. Show your enthusiasm by sharing specifics on what excites you about their company:
“I’m excited to work for HSN because I’m drawn to the fun, entertaining shopping experience you create. I love that you make discoverable products accessible to millions of households. And your immersive, multi-platform content really engages customers like me.”
2. What experience do you have with direct sales?
For customer-facing roles like sales associates, highlight your specific experience driving sales growth:
“In my current retail sales role, I’ve increased total monthly sales by 25% over the past 2 years. I accomplished this by identifying customer needs and matching them to the right products. I also leveraged incentives and promotions at strategic times to boost sales.”
3. How do you handle an unhappy customer?
HSN looks for people-people with polish, tact and care for the customer. For questions like this, share your approach to turning frustrated customers into happy ones:
“When a customer is unhappy, I listen closely to understand their specific concerns. I empathize with their frustration and apologize for the difficulties they’ve experienced. Then I remain positive while working with the customer to find an equitable resolution to address their needs.”
4. This role requires influencing customers’ buying decisions. How will you do that?
Showcase your ability to persuade and influence buyers. Share techniques you’ve applied successfully:
“In past retail roles, I’ve influenced customers by taking time to understand their needs and preferences. Then I match those to our products’ features and benefits. I also leverage data and reviews to educate customers on best-selling items and trends relevant to them. This tailored approach has proven effective at guiding customers to great purchases.”
5. Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for a customer.
Stories are powerful. This behavioral question allows you to demonstrate your dedication to delivering exceptional experiences.
“When a loyal customer’s order was delayed, I took the initiative to call and update her. Then I expedited rush shipping on a replacement item and included a gift card for her next purchase. She was so appreciative that we turned her into a promoter who refers friends.”
6. Describe a time you struggled to meet a sales goal. What was the outcome?
Don’t be afraid to share times you’ve fallen short. Focus on the lessons learned and skills gained when answering situational questions like this.
“Early in my sales career, I missed my monthly sales target by a longshot. I realized I needed to put more work into researching customer needs and trends. I started checking bestsellers lists more often and talking to patrons about what they wanted to see in the store. This helped me better connect products to buyer needs. My sales improved steadily after that.”
7. How do you stay motivated in a sales role when working with rejection?
Selling can be tough. HSN wants to ensure you have grit and the right mindset to power through the ups and downs.
“I view rejection as an opportunity to improve rather than a personal failure. When a customer says no, I take time to reflect on our interaction and identify what I could do better next time. This growth mindset helps me stay motivated to keep refining my approach.”
8. Tell me about a time you successfully adapted your communication style.
This question reveals your emotional intelligence and communication versatility.
“When helping an elderly customer who was hard of hearing, I modified my tone and style to adapt. I spoke a bit louder at a slower pace, maintained eye contact, and turned so she could see me speak. I also focused on only sharing key details to avoid overwhelming her with complex information. This worked well to meet her needs.”
9. What does excellent customer service mean to you?
With open-ended questions like this, avoid platitudes about “putting the customer first.” Give specific examples of what excellent service looks like in action:
“To me, excellent customer service means taking the initiative to identify customer needs and deliver solutions. Like the time a busy mom came in after work just needing a quick gift. I asked thoughtful questions, then recommended two top options at different price points based on what I learned about her needs.”
10. How do you respond to feedback from a supervisor?
HSN wants team players who are open to improving. Highlight that desire here.
“When receiving feedback from my manager, I listen actively without interrupting. I ask clarifying questions to fully understand their perspective. I don’t get defensive, but thank them for taking the time to help me grow. Then together we create an action plan for me to improve based on the feedback.”
11. Tell me about yourself.
Keep your 1-2 minute elevator pitch concise and focused on your top selling points:
“I’m a passionate retail professional with over 5 years of experience driving sales growth for national brands. I’m known for my ability to connect with customers to understand their needs. I get excited about introducing shoppers to products I know they’ll love. I’m drawn to HSN’s fun, engaging shopping entertainment. I’m confident my skills in developing relationships and influencing buyers will enable me to deliver the excellent service HSN is known for.”
12. Why should we hire you?
Summarize your top strengths and achievements relevant to the role. Paint a clear picture of the value you would bring.
“You should hire me because my proven ability to boost sales, passion for the HSN brand, and commitment to customer experience make me a strong match for this position. My track record of increasing monthly sales 25% demonstrates I can make an immediate impact on your bottom line. Combined with my personable communication style, I am confident I will excel in this role and contribute to HSN’s success.”
13. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
HSN wants motivated team members in it for the long haul. Express interest in growing your career there. You could say:
“In 5 years, I see myself having grown my skills and impact at HSN. As I consistently meet sales goals and build customer relationships, I hope to take on expanded leadership responsibilities. I’m excited at the opportunity to advance my career at HSN given the company’s fast growth and great culture that rewards top performers.”
14. Why do you want to leave your current job?
If transitioning from another role, explain your move in a positive light:
“I’ve enjoyed my time and learned a lot at my current company. However, I’m looking for a new opportunity with more direct customer interaction where I can use my sales and influence skills. Having researched HSN’s culture and mission, I believe it would be an ideal next step to more fully leverage my strengths.”
15. Do you have any questions for me?
Always bring at least 2-3 thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This shows your engagement. For HSN, you could ask:
– How do you help your team balance delivering exceptional service with meeting sales goals?
– What are the top 1-2 attributes of your highest performers on the sales floor?
– What are the growth opportunities for top talent at HSN?
Focusing your preparation on nailing responses to the most common questions will help ensure a stellar interview. You’ll be ready to show interviewers why you
Re: Phone job interview
You might want to skip getting dressed up for a phone interview, but it’s better to do so. You dont have to wear your best work attire, but dont wear your pajamas either. Dressing the part will put you in the right attitude, which will improve your performance. — pro-aging — Rochester, New York.
