I applied in-person. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Lowe's Home Improvement (Fort Mill, SC) in Mar 2009
Interview
Interview to enter SMTP - store manager training program. Behavioral based testing and face to face situational/ role playing interview with panel observing.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Role playing/ interviewer as a subordinate manager: "I cannot do my job."
Me: " If you feel that way then you need to make a decision if you want to step down to another opportunity." I then proceeded to ask more detailed questions as to why, what, who...
Feedback given later: "You were too forward and needed to be more empathetic"
I applied online. The process took 1+ week. I interviewed at Lowe's Home Improvement in Feb 2013
Interview
I applied online and the next day got a call asking for me to come in for an interview. All the employees were friendly, kind, and helpful. I had two interviews and had to wait a significant amount of time before each, but the employees found a chair for me and helped me out.
The first interview was with the HR Manager, who was friendly and seemed sincere. My second interview was with the Store Manager who seemed more professional and less friendly (and to be honest, he was a bit intimidating). Both only asked me questions about my previous job, like to explain a situation in which "this" happened, and what did I do? I was just honest and told them the best scenario I could think of rather quickly. They wrote all my answers down and I could not tell if they liked me or what they thought of my answers.
I did receive a call a week later from the HR Manager letting me know I got the job. The next day I went in for a drug test and signed some paperwork. Overall, quite easy. I recommend to be friendly, be yourself, and answer the best you can. Try not to ramble, but give them detailed, medium length answers that reflect who you are as an employee and how you react in stressful or unpredictable situations. Good luck to everyone!
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
They asked a lot of questions that required similar answers so it got a little difficult to put a spin on each question. Because in retail there isn't a TON you can do - organize store, greet customers, check out customers, put items back - my answers seemed a little redundant. I just recommend thinking of specific experiences and adding that into each answer.