Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.

"Last quarter I did the closing numbers for our department, and when I compiled our quarterly reports, I was disappointed to discover we missed some of our targets. So I carefully reviewed the materials, identified areas where there was room for improvement and created several new goals for our department, and developed systems to implement them. So, this led to my most recent significant accomplishment, having just compiled our most recent quarterly report, and was quite pleased to discover we hit all of our targets this quarter. The new systems we adopted resulted in reducing departmental costs by twenty-five percent."

Throughout your interview, the hiring authority will evaluate your fit for their company values, and culture, and whether you meet the requirements of this job posting. Your greatest accomplishment will speak to your experience level and the stage you are currently at in your career progression. It will also offer insights into your priorities and principles. It may also reveal more about your personality, and how you like to be motivated, and offer direction for how they might coach you in the future.

On Maersk's website, they talk about "constant care. Take care of today, actively prepare for tomorrow. Whether solving today's challenges or exploring opportunities to shape the future, we anticipate, innovate, and strive to improve everything we do." So when discussing your most significant recent accomplishment, you'll want to present it in a way that showcases why it was significant in relation to your career goals and the milestones you're striving to overcome.

Do you have experience working with clients and co-workers in multiple time zones?

"In my current position, I collaborate with our offices in the U.S., Canada, Scotland, and Finland. I am so used to this that I bought a vintage four-faced clock on eBay where you can adjust each clock face to a different time, and I labeled each one with the country whose time zone it reflects. I enjoy hearing from the friendly voices at each office and hearing about what is going on in their part of the world. I've traveled to each office once as well, and it was great meeting each one of them in person."

Your interviewer is curious whether you have any relevant experience of working for a global company, and how adaptable you would be to communicating with others from other cultures across a variety of other time zones. Additionally, the hiring authority will be evaluating your work performance standard by how thoroughly you seem to have prepared for the interview and how familiar you are with the company, from their culture, values, work environment, global reach, and operations.

On Maersk's careers pages on their website, they describe briefly what it is like "working with us. Join us as we strive to become true pioneers in global trade. Together we'll collaborate across continents, achieve great things and create a better tomorrow in a workplace where everyone can feel at home. Find out more about working and growing with us, our values, culture and benefits." So, before your interview, comb through their website and read everything you can, not just about the role you are applying for, but everything related to Maersk. The more you learn about them, the more it will show in your interview performance.

Is there anything that would restrict you from traveling for work?

"I would jump at the chance to travel for work. I am very curious about other cultures, which fuels my passion for travel and spending time in new places. Not only am I excited to learn everything I can about the company, including what it is like behind the scenes at other global locations, but I'd love to meet the faces of those teams as well."

This question assesses whether you'd be committed to advancing your career at Maersk while evaluating your understanding of the job expectations and your genuine desire to contribute to the company's success. Your interviewer will, therefore, assess your preparedness for the role and your alignment with Maersk's expectations, as well as your willingness to go the extra mile. To determine this, they'll gauge your adaptability, determination, and sincerity. Additionally, interviewers commonly encounter candidates who make promises they don't keep just to secure a job. So your answer should reflect your true intentions and align with your long-term goals. "In Maersk you will be a part of a global team and we see this as a strength of our company."

Remember, go into your interview with a thorough understanding of the requirements of the position and know whether travel or relocating is expected. If not, look for any indications of this in other job postings, as there is always the possibility the recruiter might have you in mind for another position in the company. Or, they might be evaluating your desire to advance, with a long-term professional relationship in mind. If traveling or relocating is not a desirable option for you, don't close yourself off from the opportunity, but suggest you are open to discussing the matter further, depending on the circumstances or their perceivable alignment with your career goals and aspirations. Reflect in your answer your familiarity with the company, and your desire to "being part of a global workplace. Work with us and you work with the world. At Maersk, we're proud of our truly international work environment, which gives you the opportunity to collaborate on a global scale, be exposed to different cultures and gain unique skills as a global citizen. Joining us means joining a global workplace where everyone can feel at home."

How do you deal with company wide policy changes or restructures?

"I follow the direction of our leadership. I learn everything I can about the vision, the whys of the changes, and the recommendations on how to navigate them. If the messaging behind the changes is unclear, or if I hear any whisperings of dissent, I discuss it with my leadership, ask more questions, and try to influence better morale and unify the team."

During times of change, such as rebranding, restructuring, or mergers and acquisitions, some employees may react with uncertainty and resistance. This question assesses whether you support the company's vision and direction or contribute to dissent, fostering fear, doubt, and low morale, potentially leading to employee turnover. Your interviewer is looking for candidates who are likely to support their vision and contribute to a positive work environment during challenging times.

Your response should demonstrate your adaptability, emotional intelligence, and commitment to the company's success, even during periods of change. Maintain a positive attitude and avoid speaking negatively about any previous employers. Maersk describes its employee culture and environment on its website. "Connected by real purpose, we create opportunities to grow, develop and exceed expectations. We win together as a diverse and global workplace where people feel safe, valued and empowered."

Are there any other questions I can answer for you?

"Thank you so much. You've answered so many of my questions already, but I do have a few more. For starters, I am curious to learn more about what a day on the job looks like after having gone through orientation and onboarding, and how welcomed someone newly hired to this position will be by their teams. And lastly, I was wondering if there were any concerns you had regarding any of the answers I delivered to your questions. If so, I would like to hear those concerns, and take advantage of this opportunity to discuss them with you."

This question typically comes toward the very end of the interview. Your interviewer is well aware of the adage that you are interviewing them just as much as they are interviewing you. How many questions you've prepared for your interview will serve as an indication of how invested you are in the opportunity. Naturally, many of your questions will be answered from question to question. How many original questions you have reserved for the end of your interview will speak to how thoroughly you've prepared and what they can expect from you as an employee. An employee who frequently asks questions is more likely to take charge of their development, has more to contribute, and frequently going above and beyond in their performance standard.

Maersk recruiters offer some basic tips to help you in your interview. "Interviews usually last between 30 and 60 minutes. If you're asked a question but aren't given enough information to provide an answer, please ask for clarification or more information. If we don't get to all of them, don't hesitate to ask your recruiter after your interview. We always try to leave time at the end of each interview to answer your questions."

What does integrity mean to you?

"I look at integrity as the structure of a person's character. In order to be an upright individual who has a strong moral compass, your character has to have structural integrity. So, for me, this means taking ownership of my commitments, responsibilities for my mistakes, and staying true to my word."

Your interviewer wants to know if you can be trusted to uphold the company's code of conduct while representing their brand both inside and outside of work hours. They want to ensure you embody their organization's principles and accurately reflect their views to their stakeholders and clients. This includes how professionally you present yourself online, through your social media, and in your personal conduct.

One of Maersk's core values is uprightness. "Always acting with integrity is embedded in Maersk's company culture through our core value of uprightness. Our stakeholders can trust us to keep our promises. Our word is our bond. Every day, we earn the trust of our customers and partners. They can rely on us to keep our promises and do the right thing, even when it's hard. We speak openly and honestly. We always act with integrity. It's about being honest and fair, having the courage to speak up, showing respect, and doing the right thing. The basic principle is that people can trust us."

Where would you like to take your career with Maersk?

"Truthfully, there were several positions available which I am not quite yet qualified for, each of which was rather enticing. However, after further examination of the training, mentorships, and developmental opportunities Maersk offers, I decided it is better to keep an open mind about the direction I could potentially take my career if awarded the opportunity. I consider myself very adaptable and have adjusted my five-year career plan multiple times over my career as new opportunities presented themselves. However, I would like to take my career far, building out my leadership skills, while increasing my responsibility. But whatever I do, I hope it is with the added benefit of coaching and mentoring the others on my teams."

Your interviewer is curious whether you see this as a long-term opportunity. They are also curious if the career growth opportunities they've detailed on their website served as a successful recruiting effort. How you answer may offer some insight into whether you would be a good investment for their company, and would contribute to their employee retention efforts.

Comb through their website and explore their career advancement opportunities, "Grow with us! Whether it's through our training, specialised career paths or our global talent network, we want everyone at Maersk to grow and achieve amazing things. Find out more about how you can unleash your potential with us." Also, review job postings that you may not yet be qualified for, but definitely appeal to you. See how they align with your career goals, and adjust your five-year career plan accordingly.

Why are you looking for a job?

"Well, it is complicated. The thing is, I love my job, my teams, and the company I work for. I feel like we are all very aligned. However, the company did recently go through a restructuring and rebranding after hiring a consultancy. Several departments merged. They didn't let anyone go, but the opportunities for advancement within the company shrank. So I have been working in the same department with the same teams now for a while. And while I love everyone I work with, and can do the work in my sleep, my desire for a challenge is being unsatisfied. So, after quite a bit of deliberating with my leaders, I decided it was time to move on. So, I gave open notice, helped distribute my responsibilities among the rest of my teams, and did all I could to set them up for success."

Your interviewer is interested in understanding the context surrounding your departure from your current or previous position, as well as your attitude toward your severance. Your response will provide them with insights into the type of professional relationship they can expect from you. Their target talent will have identified Maersk's career opportunities, values, or culture as a more suitable fit at this stage in their career.

Maersk advertises on its careers pages that they have a broad talent philosophy that focuses on mutually beneficial growth and developmental opportunities. "Unleash your potential with us. When you join Maersk, you will be joining a company that is passionate about your engagement and how you can continue to develop as a person and as an employee. Whether it's through our training, specialised career paths or our global talent network, we want everyone at Maersk to grow and achieve amazing things. We truly believe that you can be at your best when you master your job and continue to develop your skills, knowledge and how you work, you develop your career in a direction that benefits you and the company, you actively seek accountability and achieve amazing things with your team and colleagues."

Have you ever taken a role in a company that hasn't fit into your long-term career plans?

"Actually yes, early on in my career. I had a very carefully mapped out career plan, and knew where I wanted to take my career next. But the company I worked for aggressively recruited me into a management role they felt I would excel in. And truthfully, I performed the job well and was rewarded for my merits. But, I didn't find the position fulfilling, and started to feel a bit burnt out performing work I didn't enjoy. While I did learn some new skills and experiences, the decision did hold me back a year from accomplishing the goals I'd set out for myself. So I stepped down from the management position and got my career back on track."

Your interviewer wants to assess whether you're a good long-term fit and won't contribute to employee turnover. This question delves into your reasons for leaving your last job and why you're pursuing this one. Your response will reveal what you learned from your previous experience, your personal and professional growth, and whether you're likely to make another poor career decision.

Openly discuss any positions that you've held that were not a fit, detailing why. Take responsibility and ownership for your decisions in pursuing, or staying in that position, and what you have learned since then. Show gratitude for what you did learn from the experience, and how you have grown as a professional as a result. One of Maersk's core values is "Our Employees. The right environment for the right people. What it means as a core value: creating a motivating, diverse and inclusive environment where our people enjoy working and having fun together." So stay focused on the positives and avoid speaking negatively about the company, your coworkers, or the experience.

What type of work environment allows you to be the most productive?

"I am something of an ambivert, and really thrive on sharing ideas and perspectives with my teams, collaborating and building upon our rapport and camaraderie. I also enjoy being in a more controlled environment when working on solo projects, where I can focus on the task at hand, and play some Mozart quietly in the background, which increases my productivity and minimizes distractions."

Your interviewer wants to gauge your adaptability, productivity in any setting, and whether you have identified what your ideal work environment looks like. Your response will provide insights into your emotional intelligence and potential personality traits, such as being more of an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert. Your answer should also inform them of whether you have identified their work environment as ideal for the next stage of your career.

Research the type of environment this position offers and determine how it aligns with your preferred setting. Exploring the keywords Maersk uses to describe their setting online. For example, in Maersk's job portal, many of their vacancies advertise that their work environment is globally diverse while offering the option for flexible work, "It is possible to work from home for a few days per week (after the onboarding period). When you join Maersk, the world becomes your workplace. No matter your dreams and ambitions, Maersk offers exciting career opportunities in a truly international working environment. You will feel the diversity and dynamics from day one."

Why do you want to work for Maersk?

"I was attracted by the career advancement opportunities and the work culture the company has built. But, the primary reason Maersk rose to the top of my list of companies I'd like to work for is the ESG efforts the company seems to be implementing and making a reality. I am very passionate about the planet and protecting our environment, and climate change is very concerning to me. So, I really want to work for a company where I would feel proud to work and which shares my priorities."

Interviewers often ask similarly phrased questions to assess a candidate's attention to detail, communication skills, and preparation. They'll evaluate whether a candidate repeats answers they've delivered for other questions, seeks clarification, leads with assumptions, or responds promptly, appropriately, and decisively.

There are many ways for an interviewer to identify candidates most suited to the company and the position, and relevant industry experience is the least among them. Having relevant industry experience on paper may land a candidate an interview. But what a company stands to benefit from a candidate's interpersonal skills, character, and values also increases a candidate's professional worth. Some of Maersk's recruiters offer the following insights into what to expect from their interview process. "After the interview process, we'll select the candidate who we think is the best fit for the job. Our decision is based on all the factors we've considered during the recruitment process, but it's just as important you make the right decision about the next step in your career. We want everyone at Maersk to be excited about their future."

Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion that positively impacted your organization?

"Last year, when I was managing dispatch for my company, I noticed a pretty solid opportunity for us to save on overtime hours. I did a cost analysis of the extra payroll we were spending on overtime. The obstacle presented was not having the budget to invest in a few more trucks without cutting into the maintenance and repairs of our current fleet. Having a smaller fleet of trucks required us to assign longer shifts to our drivers, due to the routes we'd carefully packed in for them to meet our demands. The drawback was they were out on the road for longer stretches.I then did a cost analysis of renting out a few more trucks to distribute the deliveries more evenly. It turned out it would save us money on payroll from overtime and attrition, thereby increasing our budget to invest in some more vehicles by the end of the fiscal year. I created a presentation and gave it to my manager, who loved it and took it to upper management. The changes were implemented, and I was very proud of every person who took part in the effort to make our goals a reality."

Your interviewer is interested in learning more about what you identify as having room for improvement and why, but also how you go about communicating your suggestions. How you answer this question will potentially inform your interviewer of your professional experience. This will help them distinguish less experienced candidates who make assumptions and try to reinvent how the business is run without asking questions first from those who first explore why things are done the way they are before making suggestions.

On their careers pages, Maersk advertises that they are looking for candidates who are innovative while celebrating varying perspectives. They proudly state that they are constantly "embracing innovation. At Maersk, we're not afraid to drive change or reinvent ourselves. We have a proud history of innovation, but improving our capabilities is vital if we are going to continue being true pioneers in global trade. That means we're excited to see what new ideas you'll bring to the table. As we increase our ability to collaborate and share knowledge across Maersk, we'll encourage you to share your perspective, too. With us, your contribution counts."

How would you describe what Maersk does?

"If someone asked me what Maersk did, I would tell them that they have likely seen the name of the company or the logo on the bed of a truck, on a freight train, or on a cargo ship countless times before. I would then explain that Maersk organizes and coordinates the transportation of goods in their shipping containers across the globe. I would then explain that Maersk is at the forefront of making global shipping and logistics more sustainable, efficient, and environmentally green."

Interviewers need to ensure their chosen representative can accurately reflect their brand's language, values, positions, and opinions when communicating with stakeholders, potential customers, and the public. This includes effectively describing the company's identity and mission. They will evaluate your communication skills by assessing your ability to relay the company's message in simple terms while adhering to their branded language.

Their recruiters advise their candidates to "Explore our core values, our efforts in sustainability, and diversity and inclusion across the organisation. Learn more about us and our impact on world trade. Dive into the story of Maersk, an integrated container logistics company operating in 130 countries. We're proud of our long history of connecting the world and delivering value through our actions, commitments, and goals. Our history and heritage are where it all began. From our humble beginnings as a steamship company to becoming the Global Integrator of Logistics, our heritage has many facets. Dive into Maersk, all the challenges and achievements from our rich past to our present day, and discover the people and stories that made us who we are today."Spend time reading through their website and you'll find a variety of statements on their approach to communication and how they describe who they are as a company. "We are all ambassadors representing and safeguarding the Maersk name. We utilize common communication sense, just as we would in any professional environment, safeguarding internal and public confidence in Maersk and in the industries in which we operate. Our name is a promise and a commitment to trust and excellence. Everything we stand for. But there's much more to Maersk."

How do you stay up to date on what is happening in this industry?

"Mostly I read up on FrieghtWaves. I also subscribe to a wide variety of email newsletters, and I pour over those that capture my interest. After exploring Maersk more deeply, I subscribed to their newsletter as well, and have really been enjoying their news and insights, and their podcasts as well. Very insightful stuff."

Your interviewer is curious whether you could be relied upon as a trusted resource of information in your industry. They are also curious how you would communicate your opinions on relevant news and trends, and whether those views would reflect the views and opinions of the company. How you answer should likewise stand to reveal how well-read and up-to-date your information is on the news and updates Maersk offers on their website.

Before your interview, devote adequate time to researching Maersk's news offerings on their website, and make sure none of your personal opinions or positions clash with theirs. "Enter a world of truly integrated logistics. Stay ahead of the latest logistics trends. Keeping up with the industry has never been easier. Subscribe to our logistics newsletters to receive news and insights that help you navigate supply chains, understand industry trends, and shape your logistics strategy. Receive our insights directly in your mailbox. Get inspired by our selection of articles tailored to you, and gain knowledge of relevant business insights in a few clicks. Read the latest articles and reports, access podcasts, view recordings from industry events, and much more. As we champion the digital transformation of logistics, we share our research and unique insights on digitalisation from across the industry."

What makes Maersk stand apart from our competitors?

"I believe that Maersk stands out from the rest through their digital transition, which creates more efficiency, and their aggressive efforts to decarbonize their business to net zero. While competing companies make similar claims, their actualizing them doesn't seem as high of a priority as it does with Maersk."

This is another question aimed at determining how thoroughly you've prepared for this interview opportunity. How you answer will not only inform them of the extent of your research on not only their company but who their primary competitors are. It also stands to reveal how familiar you are with the statements they make advertising how they distinguish themselves from their competitors.

Maersk describes their vision of becoming the Global Integrator as a mindset and a promise. "Global logistics underpins development and growth. An endless choreography of goods and services, it supports our economies, our partnerships, our ways of life. But when the connections become weak, so does our ability to grow, and thrive, together. Increasing complexity in global supply chains is making them inefficient, vulnerable and unsustainable. We are determined to lead our industry's transition towards a carbon-neutral future. It's our commitment to connect and simplify global logistics so it works better for businesses, society and our planet. For us all to thrive, prosperity and growth must be coupled with climate action. Decarbonising logistics is central to our vision of a truly integrated world that benefits everyone. We believe in an integrated world. One planet. Connected all the way."

What does customer service mean to you?

"To me, customer service is all about appreciation. When they have decided to be your customer, or better yet, loyal to your brand or service, it is up to the company or the representative of that company to make the customer feel valued and appreciated. This requires understanding and anticipating their needs, and giving them what they want. In my mind, that's what customer service is all about."

Whether you've had prior customer service experience or not, your interviewer is curious whether your interpersonal skills and approach align with theirs. If you have no prior customer service experience, rely on your character and interpersonal conduct. Examine your personal values and how they align with Maersk's values of uprightness, constant care, and humility.

Spend time identifying the keywords and phrases they used to describe their approach to earning and retaining the trust of their clients. Examining the value propositions they advertise online, you find words such as connection, simplicity, and customer-centric. "Join a truly ground-breaking journey striving to continue to strengthen the focus to become a truly customer-centric company, serving our customers' individual needs, connecting and simplifying our customers' supply chains."

Tell me about a time when you effectively handled a customer’s complaint.

"I helped a client navigate their transportation contract, and they wanted to negotiate out of the mandatory insurance for transporting dangerous goods. They were pretty aggressive in trying to get out of the clause. So I listened and empathized with them, and validated their concerns. Ultimately, they were trying to find ways to save money but were pursuing the wrong negotiating tactic. So I went into greater depth explaining how the insurance policy was there to protect them as much as it was to protect us and then suggested maybe there were other ways we could save them money. They were intrigued, and in the end, we were able to source a few more of their needs, increase the size and duration of their contract, saving them money while securing them as a long-term client."

Your interviewer is curious whether you can effectively engage with their customers according to their values and customer service philosophy, and in a manner that preserves the reputation they've worked so hard to build. They are interested in learning what the message of your answer conveys about how you deal with stress, how self-managed you are in your work, and whether you are capable of handling such issues without requiring the assistance of others.

Maersk describes their company vision as a mindset and a promise. And, in several of their job postings, they describe their target talent as having a customer-first mindset. They describe this as being "good at forming relationships and able to understand the customer's requirement and turn these into solutions. You understand the value the customer brings to Maersk and are able to find and implement solutions that are mutually beneficial to the customer and Maersk. You are comfortable handling customer complaints and are able to defuse conflicts early. Ability to influence without authority is a must." Additionally, one of Maersk's core values is humbleness. "Listen, learn and share to create value for others. We stay curious, open-minded and respect other perspectives, always seeking to learn from each other, our customers, and the world around us. We only succeed together."

Tell me about yourself.

"Well, after I finished high school, I took a gap year before I launched into college, and I needed a job. A friend of my uncle owned a small logistics and distribution company and he got me a job there. Right away, it felt like a good fit, even though I just fell into it. I enjoyed both the work and the lifestyle. After that year, I went to college, and despite all the career options presented to me, I just enjoyed that industry more than any other. I then landed a position at my last job as a seafarer, which suited me even better, because I love the ocean and I love to travel as well. The routes for the logistics company I currently work for are limited, and the career advancement opportunities are limited as well. So I recently made the decision I am ready for something new."

This opening question is your interviewer's first attempt to assess your suitability for the role. It also serves as an ice breaker, with the hopes of determining how comfortable or nervous you are. Their goal is to get you to relax and to present your authentic self. This will help them use your sincere responses and will serve as a benchmark against which they can evaluate any perceived insincerity or performative answers.

On Maersk's website, their recruiters offer candidates some general advice for conducting an interview with them. "Be yourself. Remember, we want to meet the real you! You don't have to answer everything perfectly or memorize your responses like a script. We're more interested in hearing about you, your interests, your career goals and why you think Maersk is the right place for you. Interviews are also a chance for you to ask us any questions you may have about Maersk and the role. Our dress code is business casual. Feel free to wear whatever you feel comfortable."

What is your experience working in an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment?

"I've worked in a few jobs that weren't as diverse and equitable as they could be. However, I had great relationships with everyone on my team, despite their background, upbringing, or gender. I am a strong proponent for equal rights and equal opportunity across the board, and honestly wouldn't feel comfortable working in any other environment."

Diversity in the workplace fosters innovation by drawing from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and cultures. This requires everyone to have a high degree of cultural competence to collaborate effectively, providing a work environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves. Diversity questions are one way to assess cultural competence. How you answer this question stands to inform your interviewer whether you can find a unified professional purpose with each member of your team, despite culture, background, or gender, and build strong relationships with everyone equally.

Spend time familiarizing yourself with the many DEI statements they've posted on their website. There is a great deal of material on the website dedicated to their DEI efforts, and to combatting areas of their business lacking diversity, equity, and inclusion "to proactively address the attraction and retention challenges that stem from male-dominated working environments.""Respect for diversity is a core value at Maersk. Our modern, inclusive workplaces are filled with amazing individuals who share our values and vision to go all the way. Regardless of gender, age, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation, if you're ready to take your skills and ambitions all the way, we're waiting to welcome you on board. Our approach to driving diversity, equity and inclusion is based on respect, fairness, and a commitment to tackle preconceptions and unconscious bias wherever we encounter them. We also depend on diversity of thought to continue improving and developing our business. Ensuring a psychologically safe and inclusive environment is paramount, no matter where you work. Facilitating a culture where everyone feels comfortable, respected and fairly treated will help us gain access to a larger, more diverse pool of talent. Diversity inspires us, our culture connects us. We believe that your talent belongs at Maersk."

When discussing diversity, focus on the commonalities that unite us all, such as teamwork, helping each other with our professional goals, our basic needs, and unifying experiences. Communicate clearly and decisively to avoid appearing uncomfortable or out of your element. Emphasize your cultural competence by focusing on the unifiers of diversity and demonstrating curiosity, openness, empathy, and acceptance.

Tell me about your education.

"I am a big believer in post-secondary education. It adds a lot of value to those newer to the workplace. My post-secondary education was in Communication and Journalism. The courses in this program helped me to develop stronger business relationships through professional correspondence. I also picked up persuasive writing skills, which have proven to be incredibly helpful when working on client proposals and in negotiations. But the best lessons I learned were from the clubs I joined, the mentorship I received from my professor, and the connections I made in the networking opportunities that resulted from those relationships."

Most of the job opportunities on their website detail the critical qualifications, skills, and experience necessary to perform the requirements of the position. Therefore, your interviewer wants to know more about how your educational experience prepared you for this role. Your answer stands to inform them of how valuable your educational experience was to your professional development, and your drive to further your educational pursuits, whether informally, through online learning, on-the-job training, certifications, or pursuing a more advanced degree.

Breathe life into your educational experience by sharing any valuable lessons you learned through your studies, mentorships, clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities. Share any manner of continued educational experience, whether through lectures, seminars, self-education, or reading. Also, spend time examining the education and development Maersk offers their employees internally. "We are committed to providing the best possible development and career growth to all our employees through digitalized learning methods to keep them updated with technological advancements. Whether it's through our training, specialised career paths or our global talent network, we want everyone at Maersk to grow and achieve amazing things. Find out more about how you can unleash your potential with us."

How would your co-workers describe you?

"My co-workers would say that I am a force of positivity and encouragement. That I am true to my word and have a lot of integrity. They'd also tell you that I would sooner say no rather than over-committing to something. I have a keen eye for detail and am always watching out for everyone on my team. They'd tell you that I talk about the big picture too much and that they're always glad when we have the same shift."

This question aims to assess your emotional intelligence through your self-awareness. They are curious how you believe others' perceptions of you align with how you perceive yourself. They will then contrast your statement with how they perceive you and decide whether what you volunteer is consistent with how you have presented yourself throughout the interview.

Before your interview, reflect on your work experience and the comments or compliments your teams have made about you in your working relationship. Revisit the comments offered on your performance reviews and compile a selection of those most worth sharing. And most importantly, be honest, sincere, and true to yourself in your answer. "As a company, we promote a culture of honesty and integrity, and value the trust it allows us to build with customers and employees alike. Our focus on our people is what sets us apart and keeps our customers coming back to work with us! If you are seeking to be a part of a family, this is the place for you!"

What would you consider your greatest weakness?

"A mentor of mine told me once that to advance my career goals more expeditiously, I would need to learn how to be more selfish. But too often, I prioritize the welfare of everyone else on my team before myself. I don't mean this in an altruistic way. Moreover, I am a very nurturing person with a lot of empathy, and when I sense all is not well with a coworker, I'll give them my ear and counsel. But on occasion, this has interrupted my work. While I felt at the time, this was a priority, that of maintaining a positive morale in the workplace. But I have been steadily drawing boundaries and offering my counsel and support to my coworkers in our off hours rather than on the job."

Interviewers constantly seek to determine whether candidates are being truthful or simply tailoring their responses to secure the job. So, this question helps assess your honesty during the interview process. Evaluating the consistency of your self-presentation throughout the interview provides insights into your emotional intelligence and expected work performance. For example, a candidate who shares a genuine weakness and demonstrates active efforts to overcome it exhibits self-awareness, accountability, and a willingness for growth, which is a show of strength. Whereas a candidate who disguises a strength as a weakness, such as an excessive work ethic, may appear insincere and detract from their genuine strengths.

Make a list of weaknesses you've taken ownership of and continue to improve upon in your development, identifying them as growth opportunities. Avoid sharing any weaknesses that are required skills for performing the job, and keep your attitude, narrative, and delivery consistent. Avoid contradicting any of your previous answers, and keep in mind Maersk lives its values, two of which are centered around humility and integrity."Turning challenges into triumphs. The challenges we face today are of greater complexity than ever, but the opportunities they present are greater still. No matter the challenge, we stay optimistic and resilient because our values are constant. At Maersk, we have always explored new frontiers and see change as opportunity. And by living our values, we inspire trust."

What are your strengths?

"I think my strengths are in my perceptiveness and ability to be observant of the needs of others. These strengths are part of what makes me an excellent performer in a client-facing role. Also, part of what makes me so perceptive is my communication skills, both written and oral. I am a strong active listener, validator, empathizer, and always have a level head."

Your interviewer is curious how your strengths stand apart from the other candidates in the talent pool. They are also curious how their teams at Maersk would benefit from your self-perceived strengths, and how relevant they are to the role and company culture.

On their website, Maersk states, "We truly believe that you can be at your best when you master your job and continue to develop your skills, knowledge and how you work. You develop your career in a direction that benefits you and the company. You actively seek accountability and achieve amazing things with your team and colleagues. In Maersk you will be a part of a global team and we see this as a strength of our company."

When compiling a list of your strengths. Think about those skills which you have already mastered, and potentially even mentor others on. Something that truly speaks to your level of experience which you crossed off the list of your career goals. Those areas you've mastered, where you demonstrate repeatable success with consistency.

Tell me about a time you had to maintain your focus in a constantly changing environment.

"My current job is a fairly fast-paced environment, and my work is constantly interrupted. Although it is figurative, I strongly practice dog-earing in my work. I have a system of progress-tracking tricks and methods that help me ensure I never lose track of my progress or lose sight of a priority task. This in itself reduces the stress common in such situations, enabling me to be more responsive and productive."

Your interviewer is curious to learn more about your ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a strong attention to detail, and tracking your progress while preventing rework. Touch on your organization skills and your methodology or approach to managing your workload, the level of your attention to detail, and the standard you set for your own work.

The STARR method is a framework that helps you structure your answers. Describe the Situation and the context and challenges you faced. Define the Task the situation required, your objective, and what were you aiming to achieve, and be clear, and specific, while leaving no room for ambiguity. Describe the Action you chose to implement. Next, detail the Result of your actions, quantifying the impact you made, using metrics or data whenever possible. Lastly, Reflect on what you learned from the experience, and what you would do differently.

"Being rewarded for my merits. I work hard for the benefit of my teams and the company I am loyal to because I am passionate about it. But if I don't feel appreciated, nor rewarded with greater trust, development, and growth, I'll eventually lose steam. But don't get me wrong, I just want to further my career within the given timeframes and to be entrusted to share the vision while doing my part to help steer the ship. Beyond that, engaging my team, riding the energy of working together with positivity, camaraderie, and looking forward to getting back to it the following day."

Your interviewer is curious about what motivators contribute to your job satisfaction the most. A less experienced candidate might suggest monetary performance incentives or financial rewards as their primary motivators. Whereas, a more career-minded professional will offer carefully mapped out career goals they hope to accomplish within certain timeframes. An ideal candidate will not only be focused on their career but also be motivated by the company's values, vision, and commitments. Keep this in mind when formulating your answer to this question.

When performing your research on the company, read through their employee code of conduct, where they say, "Our purpose is the reason why we get out of bed each morning, looking forward to a new and exciting day. It is not only about creating value for our shareholders, but what we contribute to the world we all share. That means satisfying our customers, attracting and retaining great talent and being a responsible and valued member of our communities. If our purpose is the 'why,' then our values are the 'how.' They are our moral code and set standards for the right behaviours, as individuals and as a company."

Tell me about a time you helped drive the success of someone on your team.

"I love coaching and helping out my teammates any chance I get. Having built this open and trusting relationship with them, they are never shy to repay the favor and offer suggestions that help me perform better. Recently, one teammate I work with is often shy in presenting ideas to management, and as a result, they have difficulty finding their voice. So, when for the fifth time they asked me to present an idea on their behalf, I refused but offered to coach them on their presentation skills instead. So we sat down together for lunch, where I offered them encouragement and ideas to help them feel comfortable, structure their suggestions, and bolster their confidence. At the end of their shift, they thanked me for my advice, and they've only improved since."

Your interviewer is curious about your approach to teamwork. They want to distinguish whether you prioritize your own professional goals or see developing others and helping them succeed as an essential part of your own advancement. Your answer will offer some insight into the scope of dedication to your teammates and the types of relationships you foster and build.

When answering behavioral questions such as these, Maersk suggests you "include details of your project timeline, who you led, or what you had to teach yourself in order for the project to be successful." They also describe their model of leadership in the following statement, "Lead by example, foster trust through engagement and empowerment, listen to and consider everyone's views before starting work. We learn from each other to grow our culture. We lead with care. Our leaders engage, listen and respond to the frontline. Our employees are the experts."

Tell me about your mentor or someone who serves as a source of inspiration for you.

"The greatest influence in my career has been one of my professors from college. Dr. Smith was my professor in Business Ethics and I connected really well with their teaching style. Even after graduating college, we kept in touch and they have greatly influenced my coaching, teaching, and leadership style. They also helped shape my work ethic and passion for business early on, which has helped me become a better business partner along the way in my career. Still, when I need advice, I give them a call. As a leader, I only hope I can be as fair and supportive. Someone who cares."

Your interviewer wants to learn more about a mentor who informed and helped shape your approach to management and leadership. They're looking for a specific example of a mentor's qualities that resonated with you, and how your mentoring approach stands to benefit their company, complement their culture, and connect to their values.

In one of Maersk's blogs, an employee describes the most powerful impact on their journey at Maersk as the incredible mentors who provided opportunities for growth, right from the beginning. "The person who interviewed me for my first role at Maersk became my mentor and active sponsor. Their guidance and support has influenced every career move I've made within the company since. Through her role modeling of authenticity and vulnerability she showed me I could also be human first in my leadership of others. I feel really invested in by the organization. I have benefited from leadership development programs that equipped me with the skills needed for every career move I've made within Maersk. These programs have also triggered personal development that transformed me in really positive ways beyond the workplace."

How would you describe your style of leadership?

"I would say that I am a transformational influencer. I lead by example, set the pace for our work, set a positive tone to motivate everyone to get the job done, and am communicative and an active listener, giving everyone a voice. I am diplomatic, and an active coach, always promoting the strengths of my teams and never exploiting their weaknesses."

Your interviewer would like to know how you would classify your style of leadership and whether you're familiar with the main leadership styles or classifications. In their employee code of conduct, they go into detail about the conduct they expect of their leaders. How you answer will inform them of whether your style aligns with, or would compliment, the leadership they foster and encourage.

Here are a few collected statements from Maersk's code of conduct, which is available for download in PDF format. "Lead by example in both words and action. Promote open and honest two-way communication with your team, encouraging them to raise questions and concerns and letting them know when an issue has been resolved. Handle concerns by listening, being respectful and by protecting confidentiality and preventing retaliation. Ensure that employees are aware of the various channels they can use to speak up."

Describe a time when you seized an opportunity before waiting for approval to do so.

"We recently had a major inventory count coming up, and right before our manager got a highly contagious respiratory illness. I knew right away there was no backup to take the lead, so I dove straight into it and started preparations. Once I knew we were set up for greater success, I called back our manager and asked for some basic instructions over the phone, and followed up with very few questions from there. I led the rest of my co-workers through the project, taught myself the tracking software in a short time, and created a roster of duties so everyone knew what was expected of them. We completed the project three hours ahead of schedule, and our numbers were right on target."

Your answer to this question will reveal your initiative, self-management skills, and risk tolerance to your interviewer. The example you offer stands to inform them of your drive, ambition, dedication to big picture goals of your company or teams, and your leadership potential. Their ideal candidate is resourceful, capable of taking calculated risks, while being respectful of their leadership.

On their website, Maersk's recruiters describe how "interviews at Maersk involve behavior-based questions. During your interview, we'll ask you about past situations or challenges you've faced, using our values to guide our discussion. What are we looking for? Relevant examples of your past experience which showcase the necessary skills required for the job. Interviewers are looking to get to know you better." So when answering behavioral interview questions, the approach is framing your answers using the STARR method to help structure your answers when sharing past experiences.

How do you balance life and work?

"One of my most highly developed skills is my time management skills, which, as I see it goes hand in hand with project management. I find when simply scheduling downtime where you can do all the prep work for your day and week, you can set yourself up for success while eliminating easily avoidable stress. Since I regularly practice this, I find it pretty simple to balance. Never do I bring my personal problems to work, nor my work home with me, except when I am needed to rise to that unique occasion. I am never late to work, and make time for all my personal demands, even those set aside for my scheduled me time."

Maersk takes employee wellbeing seriously, offering generous benefits and values that prioritize it. But before welcoming you to their teams, they need to ensure you can manage your personal life effectively, while not bringing it with you to work. They likewise don't want their employees constantly bringing work home or relying on overtime to get things done. They'll favor candidates who display balance and responsible time management.

Familiarize yourself with the benefits, programs, and incentives they offer their employees, from their health benefits to their Employee Assistance Program, which offers support for a range of topics, from financial advice to legal counsel, and mental well-being. "We help our teams look after their health and wellbeing, enabling them to deliver their best at home and at work."

Tell me about a time you had to quickly solve a problem without all the information you needed on hand.

"When faced with complex problems, I tap into the resources and tools provided by my company, but also the knowledge I've gained from actively listening to and learning from my leaders and coworkers. The answers are often hidden in plain sight. My last job presented a unique challenge in troubleshooting outdated technology. We desperately needed upgrades, but our IT department was focused on rolling out a new software system. Additionally, the current manuals for our legacy systems were missing, leaving us scrambling when they inevitably failed. One day, our systems got stuck in a loop, preventing us from completing our end-of-day reports. Reaching out to the software company was too late. I was determined to find a workaround. I dug through outdated manuals for older versions of the software and online forums, relentlessly exploring the software. Eventually, I remembered a backdoor solution I saw our IT guys use once when I was curiously looking over their shoulders about a year back. Retracing their steps, it worked, allowing me to import the data into another software function, route it back, and break the loop, enabling us to close our systems for the day."

Your interviewer is curious about how resourceful you are. This is not only an evaluation of your ability to think outside of the box, but also on how well you manage your stress in high-pressure situations, and your ability to step outside of your comfort zone. Someone who allows their stress to get the best of them is more likely to suffer from task paralysis or task procrastination, and wait for others to make decisions for them. Whereas some who can manage their stress are more capable of taking decisive action when needed.

Maersk recognizes that work very seldom goes according to plan, and relies on their employees' innovation and skills to get the job done. They offer guidelines in their code of conduct and in their values on how to navigate such situations when they arise. "Making the right decision is not always easy. Learn from success in your day-to-day work. Pause, think, and listen. Speak to others. Take action and learn. Make an informed decision. Evaluate the results of your decision. What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the situation?"

What are your salary expectations?

"Currently, I earn a base salary of $45,000 per year plus a potential 20% annual bonus. Last year my earnings were $52,000, and my current employer has offered me twice the increase if I chose to stay with them, even though it doesn't align with my career goals and aspirations. I am looking for career opportunities, consistent and measured opportunities for growth, and compensation that is aligned with the role and provides an opportunity for growth."

Asking a candidate about their salary expectations is a good method for evaluating their experience and professionalism. They'll assess you for your etiquette, as well as whether your expectations are unrealistically high, far undervalued, or within a realistic range. It also stands to inform them of your communication and negotiation skills, which are desirable qualities in a candidate. Lastly, it explores how familiar you are with what they advertise they offer in the realm of compensation and benefits.

"We take care of our employees. At Maersk, we create the right environment for our employees and ensure that we select the right candidates, based on merit, skills, and personality. Your base pay is at the centre of your rewards. It's based on market value and increases with sustained high performance as well as your skills and capabilities. We also offer bonus plans relevant to your role and aligned to our goals, allowing you to share in the success you help create. Our core benefits include life insurance, medical care, long-term disability, retirement savings, paid holiday, and more."

When establishing your professional worth, spend time preparing before your interview. Start with your current earnings, considering your market worth and flexibility. Next, list all your current benefits and their annual value, taking anything into consideration which lowers your cost of living and equals income. Evaluate where their benefits exceed or fall short of what you currently receive. Present this information when the topic of salary is broached in an interview, your current wage, benefits, and annual value, and propose your projected salary over the next year. Allow the interviewer to make their initial offer. Align your proposal with their offer and adjust your number accordingly, and consider negotiating other values of professional worth, such as title or clear timeframes for when you'll be promoted or advanced within their company. Be open, realistic, and honest.

Describe a time when you had a disagreement with someone who was very different from you.

"I am a very visual person, and when I try to share something I envision, I immediately accept that not everyone's brain works similarly to mine. Everyone is wired differently and has different ways of looking at things. So, when a teammate came up with an idea for a project we were about to embark upon, they suggested leading with a particular approach. As much as I wanted to support them, I envisioned how the approach wouldn't work. But they felt pretty strongly about it and kept reiterating the pros, not grasping the cons I foresaw. Eventually, I came up with a creative demonstration, and they were then able to understand what I was saying. We had a good laugh about it and started over."

Your interviewer is curious about how well you communicate, collaborate, and support your fellow teammates, even when you don't see eye to eye. Maersk prides itself on being a diverse and global company that employs those with varying perspectives and approaches to their work. How you answer this question stands to offer your interviewer insights into your level of emotional intelligence as well, and whether you respond to differences of opinions with an open mind or defensively.

Maersk describes their teams as constructive, innovative, empowered, involved, encouraged, and respectful. "When it comes to communicating effectively, they emphasize the importance of staying "constructive, even when exchanging conflicting viewpoints, in a respectful way. We want to encourage innovation and empower our teams to share new ways of thinking, making the most of our diverse talents. But it's also about feeling involved and encouraged to be yourself. Jump into Maersk and the opportunities are waiting to be discovered. This is a place where you can unleash your potential."

How do you plan to make an impact on our business in the first 90 days?

"I would dedicate my time to earn the trust of my teams through humility, integrity, and putting in my all. I would communicate with transparency, ask everyone for their input, and be completely open to anything they volunteered. I would learn not only how everything was done, but why they are done the way they are. If I identified room for improvement, I would ask our leadership if my approach had been tried before, and would go from there."

Your interviewer is curious about how you approach entering a new work environment. Rarely does an employer expect a new hire to come in and reinvent their business. In most industries, the first ninety days on the job are dedicated to orientation, onboarding, building relationships with your leaders and teams, learning from your mentors, learning to embrace their values and reflect their brand, and learning their systems and processes. This requires strong interpersonal skills, actively taking ownership of your own development, and constantly asking questions.

When describing how you'll build relationships with their teams, earn their trust, and approach contributing to the success of your teams, you'll want to reflect their values, such as humbleness, uprightness, and constant care. "We know that if we're going to make our transformation a success, we have to acknowledge that we don't always have all the answers. We welcome everyone to share in our values. Making everyone's voices heard, recognising new expertise and empowering people to share knowledge are key to ensure future success. Whether it's doing everything we can to give our customers the best possible service, finding better ways to look after our people or driving sustainability initiatives, we always want to meet our responsibilities head on today, and improve for tomorrow. They're the basis for our legacy and our guiding star for the future."

What does teamwork mean to you?

"I would say teamwork is built on unity, trust, solid communication, being coordinated, and where everyone supports each other. This requires making everyone feel valued and appreciated with consistency. Personally, a strong team is like a family."

Any time a candidate delivers a strong interview and is advanced to the next round, the interviewer also has to take into consideration how their teams will respond to this potential hire. Therefore, they need to exhaust every effort to ensure you will set as good of an impression on the teams you would be joining. So explore what teamwork means to you, and how it aligns with the model of teamwork Maersk celebrates and promotes.

Maersk describes how they've built a team-oriented, customer-centric culture built on trust, development, and growth which they describe as their "ways of life. But when the connections become weak, so does our ability to grow, and thrive, together." So they celebrate a culture that enables the exchange of ideas, with trust, "where value is created for everyone."

A.P. Moller - Maersk Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.
2. Do you have experience working with clients and co-workers in multiple time zones?
3. Is there anything that would restrict you from traveling for work?
4. How do you deal with company wide policy changes or restructures?
5. Are there any other questions I can answer for you?
6. What does integrity mean to you?
7. Where would you like to take your career with Maersk?
8. Why are you looking for a job?
9. Have you ever taken a role in a company that hasn't fit into your long-term career plans?
10. What type of work environment allows you to be the most productive?
11. Why do you want to work for Maersk?
12. Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion that positively impacted your organization?
13. How would you describe what Maersk does?
14. How do you stay up to date on what is happening in this industry?
15. What makes Maersk stand apart from our competitors?
16. What does customer service mean to you?
17. Tell me about a time when you effectively handled a customer’s complaint.
18. Tell me about yourself.
19. What is your experience working in an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment?
20. Tell me about your education.
21. How would your co-workers describe you?
22. What would you consider your greatest weakness?
23. What are your strengths?
24. Tell me about a time you had to maintain your focus in a constantly changing environment.
25. What motivates you?
26. Tell me about a time you helped drive the success of someone on your team.
27. Tell me about your mentor or someone who serves as a source of inspiration for you.
28. How would you describe your style of leadership?
29. Describe a time when you seized an opportunity before waiting for approval to do so.
30. How do you balance life and work?
31. Tell me about a time you had to quickly solve a problem without all the information you needed on hand.
32. What are your salary expectations?
33. Describe a time when you had a disagreement with someone who was very different from you.
34. How do you plan to make an impact on our business in the first 90 days?
35. What does teamwork mean to you?

A.P. Moller - Maersk Interview Questions

1. Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.

2. Do you have experience working with clients and co-workers in multiple time zones?

3. Is there anything that would restrict you from traveling for work?

4. How do you deal with company wide policy changes or restructures?

5. Are there any other questions I can answer for you?

6. What does integrity mean to you?

7. Where would you like to take your career with Maersk?

8. Why are you looking for a job?

9. Have you ever taken a role in a company that hasn't fit into your long-term career plans?

10. What type of work environment allows you to be the most productive?

11. Why do you want to work for Maersk?

12. Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion that positively impacted your organization?

13. How would you describe what Maersk does?

14. How do you stay up to date on what is happening in this industry?

15. What makes Maersk stand apart from our competitors?

16. What does customer service mean to you?

17. Tell me about a time when you effectively handled a customer’s complaint.

18. Tell me about yourself.

19. What is your experience working in an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment?

20. Tell me about your education.

21. How would your co-workers describe you?

22. What would you consider your greatest weakness?

23. What are your strengths?

24. Tell me about a time you had to maintain your focus in a constantly changing environment.

25. What motivates you?

26. Tell me about a time you helped drive the success of someone on your team.

27. Tell me about your mentor or someone who serves as a source of inspiration for you.

28. How would you describe your style of leadership?

29. Describe a time when you seized an opportunity before waiting for approval to do so.

30. How do you balance life and work?

31. Tell me about a time you had to quickly solve a problem without all the information you needed on hand.

32. What are your salary expectations?

33. Describe a time when you had a disagreement with someone who was very different from you.

34. How do you plan to make an impact on our business in the first 90 days?

35. What does teamwork mean to you?