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 in Sep 2012
Interview
I applied for a full time position and was called about a week later for an interview. I went and was informed that it was part time and was asked basic interview questions found on this site like 'Why Payless?'. She called two days later for me to have a second interview with the manager of another store in the same town. I got there 15mins late because I misunderstood and went to the wrong store initially, but she was very understanding. At that interview I was asked several easier questions, then I had to do a role play as an associate making a sale with the manager as if she was a customer. This was the hardest part. I was called the next week to come for a third interview with the District Manager on the same day. She asked me about previous employment, why I left each job, and what I could bring to the company. She then educated me on daily operations and gave me an opportunity to ask questions. She was very laid back and made it feel more like a conversation than an interview. I recieved a call the next day saying my references had checked out and offering me the position.
Interview questions [2]
Question 1
Role play as if you're the associate and I'm the customer.
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?