Ken Chase 
When it comes to answering common Home Depot interview questions, knowing what to expect can often make all the difference in the world
If you've been interested in getting a job with Home Depot at one of its thousands of stores, you're not alone. The company employs hundreds of thousands of employees, handling every aspect of its multibillion-dollar operation, and there's a good chance that there are job openings in your area. Of course, there's always a great deal of competition for these jobs, so it's important to be prepared to stand out in your hiring interview.
One of the best ways to be prepared is to know which types of questions you'll be asked, so that you can show up with the answers you need to make the best impression. To help you achieve that end, we've compiled 12 of the most common Home Depot interview questions – along with some great answers that should help you to stand out from the competition and increase your odds of landing the job.
Top three Home Depot interview questions you need to ace to stand out from the crowd
First, let's look at three of the most critical questions you need to prepare for if you want to elevate your chances of getting hired. These questions are commonly asked during many job interviews and your interview with Home Depot is likely to include them as well:
What made you decide to apply at Home Depot?
Almost every company will ask you why you want to work for them, so expect this question to be asked at some point during the interview. Companies are interested in understanding every applicant's motivations for seeking a job. In addition, this question is just one of the ways that an interviewer can determine how much you know about the company's culture, mission, and values. Try to focus on your skills, the company's culture, and your dedication to customers as you answer. For example:
“My career goals are focused on creating a better customer experience and I've always been impressed by Home Depot's commitment to providing its customers with that level of care. I'm confident that my existing retail skills can be an asset to the company and also anticipate that those skills will be enhanced by working in this great retail environment.”
What qualifications make you the best person for this job?
This boilerplate question is a mainstay for almost every interview in the world, so you should have some idea of the basics by now. Still, you'll want to make sure that you tailor your answer to ensure that you make the best impression. Remember, this is perhaps the best chance you'll have to really sell your qualifications, so make the most of it!
“The main reason I believe that I'm the best candidate for this position is that my values align with Home Depot's. My career is focused on serving customers and providing them with a superior experience – which is something that Home Depot has earned a reputation for promoting in all its stores. In addition, I believe that I have the retail skills and communication abilities that this store needs and expects from all its associates, and the flexibility needed to adapt and learn any new skills that will help me to provide the value that Home Depot is looking for from its employees.”
What do you know about Home Depot?
This question will help the interviewer to see just how well you've done your homework prior to the interview. You should be prepared to provide some key details about the company, but should focus primarily on its mission and culture. You can customize the following example answer to use as a guide when responding to this important question:
“In studying the company, I keep coming back to the fact that Home Depot has long been one of the largest and most successful home improvement retailers in this country. It was started by four American entrepreneurs who wanted to provide customers with home improvement solutions that were affordable and dependable. With more than 2,000 stores throughout the Americas, Home Depot has more than lived up to that lofty goal, while building a culture that adds value to every community it serves.”
Nine more Home Depot interview questions and answers
In addition to those three core questions and answers for your Home Depot interview, you should also review the following nine questions and responses that you;re likely to encounter during your interview session.
Do you have any experience with DIY projects?
Never exaggerate your response to this question, since any boasting is likely to be discovered later when the company discovers that you don't know as much about home repairs as you claimed. Just be honest, even if your experience is limited to minor improvements like a paint job. For example:
“My experience in hands-on DIY is pretty limited – a little deck refurbishment and a new paint job in the kitchen come to mind. But I'm a quick learner, so I'm confident that I can learn about Home Depot's products and provide customers with the information and guidance that they need to enjoy their experience in the store.”
Do you have experience that aligns with this position?
Most of us have at least some experience in customer service, so this question is usually pretty straightforward for most applicants. Simply focus on previous work experience that matches the types of things you know you'll be doing in your Home Depot role.
“While I haven't worked in home improvement customer service prior to this, I do have extensive experience serving customers in other environments. In my last job, I spent six years as a Sales Associate, assisting customers by answering their questions about electronic devices and directing them to products that met their stated needs. That experience also required me to continually research new products, to ensure that I had the knowledge needed to provide that level of excellent service.”
What do you think is your greatest strength as an employee?
This is another common question that employers often use to assess your mindset and your understanding of your own value as an employee. It's important to always have a prepared answer that aligns with the job you're seeking. In this instance, you would want to focus in on skills or traits that match Home Depot's needs, like:
“I have always believed that my greatest strength is my total commitment to meeting each customer's needs. That's why I've focused on developing my communication skills, active listening abilities, and adaptability. I know that the retail environment is constantly evolving to meet customers' shifting expectations, so I strive to be as flexible as possible so that I'm always prepared to meet those challenges.”
How would you define Home Depot's values?
This is another of those questions that designed to see how well you've done your homework. It's important to know as much about a company as possible, since hiring managers tend to prefer candidates who have taken the time to learn about their company. Fortunately, Home Depot's values have been stated on many different occasions. Feel free to list any of the firm's stated core values in your answer:
“I know that Home Depot is committed to entrepreneurship, ethical behavior, and giving back to the community. It's also focused intently on taking care of its employees, building relationships with its customers and communities, and providing the highest levels of customer service.”
Describe a time when you went above and beyond to provide an excellent customer experience
Situational questions have become pretty common in interviews and provide interviewers with another way to assess your experience. It's always a good idea to think about these types of questions well in advance of the interview, so that you have time to prepare your answer.
“During my time at XYZ Corp., I had a customer who came in to purchase an electronic device for her husband. She knew next to nothing about the devices in question and was actually ready to buy what turned out to be the wrong product. Instead of simply ringing up the sale, I discussed her husband's electronics interests with her and helped direct her to the product he really wanted. She became a regular customer and always sought me out for assistance on her return visits.”
How can you tell when a customer is ready to buy one of our products?
If your position involves sales in any way, a good interviewer will want to assess your ability to recognize buying signals. Your answer should focus on both verbal and nonverbal cues, while also indicating that you're eager to learn from even more experienced customer service professionals to improve your ability to recognize these signals.
“Aside from the obvious case where a customer simply asks to purchase an item, I also look for various signals that a genuinely interested customer will send. For example, they might ask for details about a product like the price, warranty, or other information. Customers who repeatedly come back to the same product are typically interested too, but might need more information to allay any concerns they have. Other cues are often nonverbal, like when a customer leans closer to me or continually nods or smiles while I'm answering their concerns.”
What strategy would you use to deal with an angry customer?
Home Depot always wants to provide a superior and positive experience with customers, so angry or dissatisfied customers are a major concern. The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to manage angry customers and other stressful situations.
“I always try to remember that angry customers are not really angry with me; they are upset because their buying experience is not meeting their expectations. With that in mind, I always try to remain calm and positive, while expressing my sincere desire to resolve any problem that they have. If that doesn't work and the customer is still unsatisfied, I will attempt to bring in a supervisor or other personnel to help resolve the situation. Often, that additional attention is enough to assure the customer that we take their concerns seriously.”
What does “excellent customer service” mean to you?
This question, or some variation, is asked in many customer service interviews and is designed to see just how committed you are to providing excellent customer interactions. When answering it, be sure to focus your response on customer experience, since Home Depot values include customer satisfaction.
“For me, excellent customer service is all about providing a superior buying experience for each customer who walks in the door. Regardless of whether they're ready to buy, just seeking information about products, or simply looking for advice for their next project, I want to ensure that they walk away feeling as though their problems were solved.”
Why does customer service matter?
To work in customer service, you really need to understand why businesses place such a priority on their interactions with each customer. Interviewers ask this question to assess your understanding of the importance of this vital aspect of their business.
“Customer service is the face of every company and often the most important factor in building overall brand loyalty in their target market. Customer loyalty will translate into more visits from satisfied customers, which means more purchases, better word of mouth advertising, and long-term growth in the amount of money customers spend on our products. That eventually results in increased revenues and growth for the company.”
Summary
When you're seeking a position with a large company, it is always critical to ensure that you properly prepare for any interview so that you make the best possible first impression. These Home Depot interview questions and answers can be a great starting point for that preparation and should help you to walk into your interview with the confidence you need to demonstrate that you're the right candidate for the job.
If you feel like you need further guidance with your interview preparation, why not book a session with one of TopInterview's coaches?