Questions and answers
Reject Shop: common questions about working there
Hiring process, interview format, pay bands, benefits — sourced from Reject Shop's own materials and our editorial review.
- Why do you want to work at The Reject Shop?
Show genuine motivation rather than a generic answer. Example: "I have been a regular customer at The Reject Shop for years, especially for household essentials and seasonal items. I like that the company makes everyday products accessible to all Australians regardless of budget. I am drawn to the variety of the role and the fact that the product mix changes regularly, which keeps the work interesting."
- How do you deal with a difficult customer?
Use the STAR method. Example: "A customer came in very frustrated because an item they had seen advertised was no longer available at our store. I listened without interrupting, apologised, and then checked our system to see if another nearby store had it in stock. I found one that did and offered to call ahead for them. The customer thanked me and came back the next week. I think the most important thing is to make the customer feel like you are genuinely trying to help them rather than just following a script."
- Can you give an example of working effectively in a team?
Example: "In my previous retail job in Brisbane, we had a big stock delivery arrive at the same time as a morning rush on the floor. I suggested to my supervisor that two of us stay on the register while the others cleared the delivery quickly in batches. We communicated constantly and managed to get everything done without any queues building up. The store manager mentioned it in the next team briefing as a good example of adapting on the fly."
- What are your available hours?
Be honest and clear about your availability. Reject Shop stores generally need coverage across all trading hours including evenings and weekends. Example: "I am available Monday to Friday after 12pm, and I am fully available on weekends. I can also do early morning shifts on Saturdays if needed. I can give at least two weeks' notice if my availability changes."
- Where do you see yourself in two years?
Example: "I am hoping to develop into a senior team member role and eventually into an assistant manager position. I know The Reject Shop promotes internally and that appeals to me. I want to be someone the store can rely on and build toward more responsibility over time."
- How do you stay motivated during repetitive tasks?
Example: "I try to stay focused on the outcome rather than the task itself. Even something like restocking shelves has a direct impact on the customer's experience, so I keep that in mind. I also set small personal goals during shifts, like clearing a section in a certain amount of time, to keep my energy up."