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 1 week. I interviewed at Payless ShoeSource (Sacramento, CA)
Interview
I applied online and received a call from the store leader for an interview. When I went in, there were also six other girls and no one was informed it would be a group interview. It was very long but simple. The interview was held in the break room. The district leader initiated the interview as the store leader occasionally interrupted and took notes. We had to compliment what the girl to our right was wearing and then was told to go to the front and pick out items and sell it to the same girl. After, we were told to go pick out something ugly in the store and then was told to sell it to the girl to left without repeating anything anyone said. They paid very close attention to how creative and enthusiastic you are. We also were put into groups to do a scavenger hunt with the list they gave us and at the end they asked question such as who led the team and who seemed to do the most work. When the group stuff is over and the district leader will ask a few basic question such as why should we choose you and what can you contribute. (At this point, they pretty much know-how they want.) I received a call the day about a follow up interview with just the store leader but it was basically just hiring paper work. *Advice; make sure to make eye contacts and smile.
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?