Sales Associate applicants have rated the interview process at DSW with 2 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 75% positive. To compare, the company-average is 74.1% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Sales Associate roles take an average of 10 days to get hired, when considering 423 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at DSW overall takes an average of 12 days.
Common stages of the interview process at DSW as a Sales Associate according to 423 Glassdoor interviews include:
One on one interview: 33%
Background check: 15%
Group panel interview: 10%
Personality test: 10%
Drug test: 9%
Skills test: 8%
Presentation: 5%
IQ intelligence test: 5%
Phone interview: 5%
Other: 0%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied in-person. The process took 1+ week. I interviewed at DSW in Sep 2011
Interview
I applied at the store but the process has now changed to an online application. The assistant store manager did an initial interview and asked me a few questions about my style of dress, favorite brand of shoes and why and told me she would pass my application on to the store manager. When I did not hear back in the time frame she told me I should expect to hear back, I followed up by calling the store manager. The store manager scheduled an interview for me a couple of days later. She asked me about my work history, my knowledge of shoes which I did not have much but I think they are more interested in your personal likes or dislikes and why. I did get the job and worked for the company for over a year.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
There were no unusually difficult questions but the company's values are passion, accountability, collaboration, and humility so I would advise anyone to put more emphasis on those qualities.
What you’d expect for a PT sales associate position — 15-30 minutes long, one-on-one with the manager, and questions that you’d expect to answer for a retail sales associate job.
I applied through other source. I interviewed at DSW in Jun 2026
Interview
Easy! The manager listed times when she was available, and I was able to choose when to come in. The questions were really straightforward and conversational. I was also able to ask a lot of questions to see if it was a right fit for me!
I applied online. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at DSW (Maple Grove, MN)
Interview
Easy. Waited for a manager in the front took me to the back on for store and had the interview in a little room off to the side. Quick process called when I got the job.