Sales Drive & Competency

While customer service is paramount, the Account Executive is ultimately a commercial role. You must show that you are comfortable working toward targets and driving store KPIs.

Be ready to go over:

• Add-on Selling – Suggesting complementary products, such as shoe care kits, matching handbags, or insoles, to increase average transaction value.
• Target Achievement – Demonstrating a track record of meeting or exceeding sales goals in previous roles.
• Proactive Floor Management – Keeping busy, maintaining store standards, and replenishing stock during quiet periods.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you encourage a customer who has decided on a pair of heels to also consider a matching clutch bag?"
• "Tell me about a time you worked under pressure to hit a daily store sales target."

As an Account Executive at Dune, your daily routine revolves around driving commercial success and maintaining an immaculate brand environment. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing a warm, professional, and personalized styling service to every customer who enters the store.
• Actively working to meet and exceed individual and store-wide sales targets and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Maintaining high visual merchandising standards, ensuring shoes and accessories are beautifully displayed, clean, and correctly priced.
• Developing a deep understanding of Dune's product range, including materials, fits, and care instructions, to advise customers accurately.
• Assisting with stock management, including receiving deliveries, organizing the stockroom, and replenishing the shop floor promptly.
• Handling cash and card transactions securely and accurately using the point-of-sale (POS) system.
• Collaborating with team members and store management to foster a positive, energetic, and supportive working environment.

To be competitive for the Account Executive position, you should meet the following criteria:

• Experience: Previous experience in retail, hospitality, or customer-facing roles is highly valued, though a positive attitude and willingness to learn are equally important.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal communication skills with the ability to engage naturally and confidently with a diverse range of customers.
• Industry Passion: A genuine interest in fashion, footwear, and current style trends.
• Flexibility: Ability to work a flexible schedule, which often includes weekends, bank holidays, and peak seasonal hours.
• Must-have attributes:
  • Warm, approachable, and professional demeanor.
  • Strong work ethic and a collaborative team player mindset.
  • Polished personal presentation.
• Nice-to-have attributes:
  • Prior experience in premium or luxury fashion retail.
  • Knowledge of footwear materials (e.g., leather care) and fitting techniques.

Q: How difficult is the interview process for the Account Executive role? A: Candidates generally report the process as easy to average. The brand focuses on your personality, communication style, and customer service instincts rather than trying to trip you up with difficult trick questions.

Q: What is the typical timeline from application to job offer? A: The process is exceptionally fast. It is very common to receive a phone call shortly after applying, attend an in-store interview within a few days, and receive a job offer on the spot or later that same day.

Q: What should I wear to my face-to-face interview? A: You should dress smartly, professionally, and in a way that reflects a contemporary fashion sensibility. Looking presentable and put-together is highly important, as you will be representing a premium style brand on the shop floor.

Q: Do I need extensive footwear experience to apply? A: No. While premium retail experience is a plus, Dune values your attitude, communication skills, and capacity for delivering outstanding customer service above all. On-the-job training is provided to help you master product knowledge.

To ensure you leave a lasting impression during your Dune interview, keep these practical tips in mind:

• Highlight the Competitor: Make sure to mention Russell & Bromley when discussing competitors. Demonstrating that you know their direct premium rivals shows that you understand Dune's market positioning.
• Showcase Your Styling Instincts: Talk about how you would style a product. Don't just focus on the shoe; discuss how you would suggest a complete look to a customer.
• Be Enthusiastic and Energetic: Retail requires high energy. Let your interviewer see your enthusiasm for the brand, the products, and working with people.
• Prepare STAR Stories: Use the Situation, Task, Action, and Result framework to structure your answers to competency-based questions. This keeps your answers concise and impactful.

The Account Executive role at Dune offers an incredible opportunity to build a rewarding career in premium fashion retail. By focusing your preparation on customer service excellence, brand awareness, and polished communication, you can walk into your interview with complete confidence.

Remember that Dune is looking for authentic, energetic, and fashionable individuals who can make every customer feel valued. Take the time to visit a store, study their current seasonal collection, and practice describing how you would handle common customer scenarios.

The compensation details above reflect the competitive rates offered for this position. To explore more real-world interview experiences, preparation strategies, and fashion retail career resources, visit Dataford to take your preparation to the next level. Good luck—your journey with Dune starts here!