How to Answer Interview Questions about Difficult Customers

Today we are going to go over the job interview question, "how do you deal with difficult customers?" If you are interviewing for a position like restaurant server or retail clerk, chances are, you will be asked this question.

No one likes mean and unhappy customers, but you will probably deal with them no matter where you work. Your interviewer is asking you this question to really get a feel on how you handle frustration and to see how much you value customers.

Remember, customers are extremely important to businesses so you really want to avoid answers like:

“Just walk away. I don't have enough time to deal with rude people.”

“I had a customer who kept complaining about their food being too cold, so I spit in their food. Is that what you're looking for?”

“Hmmmm no clue, I hate conflict.”

“My mom tells me I'm really good at throwing temper tantrums, so I could totally see myself going a little crazy and start to throw things.”

“You know, I really hate customers. They think they are soooo great because they can walk into a store and shop. Hello!?! You're nothing special and you have no right to get upset with me. I'd get up in their face and be like, ‘LISTEN...’ "

These answers really tell the interviewer that customers are not a priority to you and that you'd make a pretty scary employee; you'd definitely be a risky hire for them!

Here's how I would answer:

“I am a firm believer in the customer comes first. I’ve learned to not take the things that customers say about their experience personally, which really helps when it comes to diffusing the situation. I always try to really understand the complaint and do the best I can to solve the issue. If they are really upset I would then get the manager. Sometimes they just want to talk to a manager to know that their complaints are being heard.”