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%
Background check: 11%
Drug test: 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 5 days. I interviewed at Payless ShoeSource in Nov 2011
Interview
Applied online, got a phone call for an interview the next day. The day after that I went in to the first interview, which was a semi-formal one with the assistant manager. She asked all the expected questions and we did a short, easy role play where I had to sell her a shoe. I was mostly worried about this part of the interview, but it wasn't a big deal at all. Very laid back and relaxed.
2 days later i had another interview with a manager from a nearby store. We walked around the mall for about 30-40 minutes and chatted about me, my experience, why I wanted to work there, etc. I also had the opportunity to ask a lot of questions, which I highly recommend doing. 3 hours after this interview I was called with a job offer.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why Payless?
Tell me about a time you had to work as a team and what did you accomplish? Tell me about a mistake you made.
Tell me about a time a customer caused you stress.
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?