Sales Associate applicants have rated the interview process at Payless ShoeSource with 2 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 68% positive. To compare, the company-average is 63.5% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Sales Associate roles take an average of 11 days to get hired, when considering 199 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Payless ShoeSource overall takes an average of 13 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Payless ShoeSource as a Sales Associate according to 199 Glassdoor interviews include:
One on one interview: 36%
Skills test: 12%
Drug test: 11%
Background check: 11%
Personality test: 8%
Presentation: 6%
Group panel interview: 5%
Phone interview: 4%
IQ intelligence test: 3%
Other: 2%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied online. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at Payless ShoeSource in Nov 2009
Interview
I applied online through the Payless website and a week later I received a call from the store manager asking me to come down for an interview. I was interviewed by both the store manager and assistant store manager at the same time in one room. They asked standard behavioral questions like "Describe a time when you had to work in a team" and they asked me if I had any experience selling merchandise. When I told them that I actually haven't had any sales experience, the manager asked me how I would be able to contribute to their sales team. We also did a little bit of role playing (customer and sales associate dialogue encouraging the customer to purchase merchandise). The interview took about 30 minutes and I was hired on the spot. Overall, it was a great experience and the interview itself didn't feel like an interview. I felt very comfortable and both the manager and assistant manager were very friendly.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How would you motivate a customer to buy merchandise from the store and how would you ensure that they come back for a second visit?
I passed and started quickly. The process was simple and not intimidating. Everything felt straightforward, and I would definitely recommend it to others looking for an easy experience. I enjoy working here.
I applied in-person. I interviewed at Payless ShoeSource (Anchorage, AK) in Aug 2025
Interview
Easy basic questions like job history, availability, and why you chose to interview.
Interview was less than 30 minutes and hired same day. They will almost always hire on the spot im a teenager and they still gave me a job.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Whats youe job history and do you have customer service experience?