Macy's hires most store-level roles (sales associate, cosmetics, fulfillment/receiving, asset protection) through a short pipeline that leads with an on-demand self-paced video interview delivered by text/email link, followed by one or two live interviews with store leadership. Candidates describe the video stage as the gate: a fixed set of behavioral/customer-scenario questions answered on camera, with no live interviewer. Some hires bypass the video stage entirely once a manager decides to move forward, and a third live interview usually signals an offer.
These 3 writeups cover retail sales associate, cosmetics beauty advisor, asset protection and other roles, US only. All of them were posted under a pseudonym (Reddit, GeeksforGeeks or forum handles), so we could not verify the authors’ identities.
The candidate recorded answers to eleven pre-set prompts on their own device, no live interviewer. Prompts covered motivation for applying to Macy's, prior customer-facing experience, how they would approach an undecided shopper on the floor, prioritizing between restocking, a nearby customer needing help, and a messy area of the store, and balancing online-pickup, returns and in-store shoppers at once. The candidate flagged that the count and format had drifted from an earlier six-question version, so the exact set changes over time.
Applied online and completed the standard on-demand recorded interview stage from home. No live person present; responses were reviewed asynchronously by the hiring manager.
A store manager followed up by phone, covered availability and basic fit, and extended a verbal offer on the same call. The candidate's family member posted the day before her first shift confirming she had been hired.
First contact after applying online, brief scheduling and fit check with a recruiter or store lead.
Covered · Behavioral, Shift availability
2
In-store interviewHiring manager
Sit-down interview with the hiring manager, standard behavioral and customer-service questions.
Covered · Behavioral, Customer scenarios
3
Final interviewFinal
Third round with another manager or store leader. The candidate reported that reaching this stage effectively meant the offer was decided, and confirmed in a follow-up comment that they were hired.
Macy's hires most store-level roles (sales associate, cosmetics, fulfillment/receiving, asset protection) through a short pipeline that leads with an on-demand self-paced video interview delivered by text/email link, followed by one or two live interviews with store leadership. Candidates describe the video stage as the gate: a fixed set of behavioral/customer-scenario questions answered on camera, with no live interviewer. Some hires bypass the video stage entirely once a manager decides to move forward, and a third live interview usually signals an offer.
What topics does Macy's test in interviews?
Commonly reported topics include Customer scenarios, Behavioral, Sales roleplay, STAR stories, Shift availability.
These guides summarize public, first-hand interview experiences shared by candidates. They describe the shape of each loop and the topics that came up, not a leaked question bank, and every experience links back to its original source. Processes change often. Treat this as directional prep, not a script.
