Staples store interviews focus on customers, teamwork under pressure, honesty and availability. For many store roles you apply online and can book an in-person interview straight away.
Staples doesn't publish a step-by-step hiring process. The details below come from its careers sites and from three store job postings we read: Retail Sales Associate, Retail Print Specialist and Retail Sales Supervisor. Where Staples doesn't say something, we say so. The interview questions are ones to prepare for; Staples doesn't publish its questions.
The Staples hiring process at a glance
| Step | What happens | What Staples says about timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application | Apply online. Store jobs are listed on retailcareers.staples.com; other roles on careers.staples.com. | Not published |
| 2. Booking the interview | Store postings say you may be able to book an in-person interview after applying. Staples says its interviews are scheduled by its Talent Acquisition team. | "Within minutes" of applying, for the store postings we checked |
| 3. Interview | In person for the store roles we checked. Staples says its interviews are by phone, Microsoft Teams or in person. | Length not published |
| 4. Offer | Staples doesn't describe this step for store roles. | Not published |
What is the Staples hiring process?
You apply online, schedule an interview, interview with the store or hiring team, and receive an offer if you're selected. Staples doesn't publish a timeline, a number of interview rounds or what happens between the interview and an offer.
Which jobs Staples hires for
Staples' retail careers site groups store jobs into:
- Store associates and supervisors, including retail sales associates, specialists, seasonal associates and returns and shipping associates. Associates multitask on cashier, sales and merchandising duties.
- Store print associates and supervisors, such as retail print specialists and print production leads.
- Store managers and assistant managers, who lead the store team and drive store sales and services such as print, marketing, TSA PreCheck and tech.
- Digital print facilities, distribution centres and corporate roles.
Staples' main careers site lists other work, from drivers and delivery and warehouse jobs to sales, technology and finance.
The application
- Apply only through official Staples sites. Staples says all legitimate openings are posted on its careers site, and its messages typically come from an @staples.com address.
- Read the posting. Store postings list the schedule, physical requirements and experience they want. The supervisor posting we read asked for at least a year of experience selling retail products or services and experience coaching or supervising others.
- Accommodations: Staples offers accommodation during the application and interview process. Call its Customer Care line on 1-888-490-4747.
- Work visas: the store postings we read say Staples doesn't sponsor work visas for those positions.
- Fair chance: Staples' store postings say applicants with arrest or conviction records are considered under applicable fair chance laws, such as those in Los Angeles County and California.
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What is the Staples interview process?
For the store roles we checked, Staples' postings say: "After applying, you may have the opportunity to schedule an in-person interview within minutes." Staples' job scam warning says interviews are scheduled by its Talent Acquisition team and held by phone, Microsoft Teams or in person.
Staples doesn't publish how long interviews last or how many rounds a role has. Ask when you book.
Spotting a fake Staples interview
Staples warns that scammers pose as its recruiters. According to Staples:
- Interviews are never held through chat apps such as Signal, WhatsApp or Google Hangouts.
- Messages typically come from an @staples.com address, not Gmail, Yahoo or other personal accounts.
- Staples doesn't ask for sensitive personal information in the early steps of hiring.
Does Staples have an assessment?
Staples' careers pages and the store postings we read don't describe a pre-hire test or assessment. If a role you apply for includes one, the invitation should explain it. If you're asked to work through realistic customer scenarios, our guide to situational judgement tests explains that format.
What does Staples look for?
Staples' store postings list the same core requirements across roles:
| Requirement in the posting | What to show in your interview |
|---|---|
| A flexible schedule based on the store's needs | Clear, honest availability that matches your application |
| Engaging with customers and understanding their needs | A time you asked questions to find what a customer needed |
| Working cooperatively in a high-paced, sometimes stressful environment | A busy shift or deadline you handled calmly with others |
| Managing conflict in a cooperative, non-confrontational way | A disagreement or complaint you calmed down |
| Honesty and integrity with customer and business information | A time you did the right thing when no one was checking |
| Lifting 10 to 50 lb, climbing ladders, standing and walking | That you understand and can meet the physical side of the job |
Print roles add attention to detail and basic computer skills (opening, saving and sending files, and using Word or similar). Supervisor roles add consultative selling and coaching the team. Staples' careers site sums up its culture as "Be the reason" and "Business is Human".
Common Staples interview questions and how to answer them
These are questions to prepare for, built from what Staples' postings ask for. Staples hasn't published its interview questions.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Keep it under a minute: your recent work or study, one thing you're good at with customers, and why you applied for this role at Staples.
2. Why do you want to work at Staples?
Mention what the store offers that you can help with: office supplies, technology, or print and shipping services. If you've used a Staples store or its print services yourself, say what stood out.
3. How would you help a customer who isn't sure what they need?
Staples' postings ask you to engage with customers and understand their needs. Say you'd ask a few questions about what they're working on, suggest options that fit, and check they're happy before they leave.
4. Tell me about a time you dealt with an upset customer.
Postings ask for someone who manages conflict in a cooperative, non-confrontational way. Use the STAR method: the problem, how you listened and stayed calm, what you did and how it ended.
5. How do you handle working under pressure?
Staples describes the store as high-paced and sometimes stressful. Pick a busy shift, a rush or a deadline. Show how you prioritised, stayed calm and worked with your team.
6. What is your availability?
Every store posting we read asked for a flexible schedule based on the store's needs. Give your real availability, including weekends and holidays if you can work them, and make sure it matches your application.
7. A customer came in for one item. How would you mention a service they might need?
Print specialists are asked to spot sales leads in consultations, and supervisors to use consultative selling. Say you'd ask what the item is for, then suggest a related product or service, such as printing or shipping, only if it helps them.
8. Tell me about a time you showed honesty at work.
Postings ask for honesty and integrity with customer and business information. Choose a real example: correcting a mistake in someone's favour, protecting a customer's details, or owning an error.
9. How would you make sure a print order is right before handing it over? (Print roles)
Print postings ask for attention to detail and an eye for quality issues. Describe checking the file, the proof and the finished job against the customer's order, and raising problems before the customer sees them.
10. Tell me about a time you helped a teammate.
Staples describes its stores as team-oriented. Show you'll step in on other tasks; associate postings mention cleaning and stocking shelves alongside sales.
11. How would you coach a new associate? (Supervisor roles)
Supervisor postings ask you to peer coach the team and act as Floor Leader. Describe showing, then watching them try, giving specific feedback and checking back later.
12. Do you have any questions for us?
Ask about training for new starters, how shifts are scheduled, or what makes someone successful in the role.
How to prepare for the Staples interview
- Read the posting for your role and note the schedule, physical requirements and experience it asks for.
- Know your availability before you book the interview, which may happen minutes after you apply.
- Prepare four or five STAR stories covering a difficult customer, a busy shift, honesty and helping a teammate. Our list of behavioural interview questions and our situational interview question examples give you more to practise on.
- Visit a Staples store if you can, and notice the print, tech and shipping services you could be selling.
- Practise out loud, ideally in a mock interview with someone who gives honest feedback.
- Check that any interview invitation is genuine: an @staples.com address, and a phone, Teams or in-person interview, not a chat app.
- Bring two or three questions for the store manager.
Practising realistic work tasks
Interviews reward prepared stories, and handling customers well improves with practice on realistic situations. Cohesyve, which publishes this guide, runs practice job simulations for your role, with a scored report on where you lost marks. It isn't affiliated with Staples and doesn't use Staples' interview questions.
FAQs
How fast can I get a Staples interview?
For the store postings we checked, Staples says you may be able to schedule an in-person interview within minutes of applying.
Are Staples interviews in person?
Store interviews in the postings we read are in person. Staples says its interviews are held by phone, Microsoft Teams or in person.
Does Staples interview over WhatsApp or text chat?
No. Staples says its interviews are never conducted through chat apps such as Signal, WhatsApp or Google Hangouts. Treat any such invitation as a likely scam.
How long does Staples take to hire?
Staples doesn't publish a timeline after the interview. Ask the person who interviews you when you should expect to hear back.
Do you need experience to work at Staples?
Not always. The Retail Sales Associate posting we read listed retail customer service or cashier experience as preferred, not required. The supervisor posting asked for at least a year of retail selling experience.
Does Staples sponsor work visas?
Not for the store roles we checked; their postings say Staples doesn't sponsor applicants for work visas for those positions.
Sources
Staples' own careers pages and job postings, checked 27 October 2026:
- careers.staples.com: Avoid job scams
- careers.staples.com: Careers home, About us and Life at Staples
- retailcareers.staples.com: Retail careers home and Teams
- retailcareers.staples.com: job postings for Retail Sales Associate, Retail Print Specialist and Retail Sales Supervisor