Tell me about your greatest accomplishment.

"It sounds cliche, but I am most proud of surmounting all my career goals within the timeframe I set out and advancing my development as expeditiously as I have. I consistently advance ahead of my peers by never leaving the team behind. I have always taken pride in my contributions, whether individually, advancing the goals of the team, or mentoring others. And if it wasn't for those collective accomplishments, I don't think I would be here today, competing to work for an organization I would feel proud to be a part of."

How you answer this question could tell your interviewer what motivates your career. It will also reveal your skill level, where you are developmentally in your career, and what accomplishments and goals contribute to your job satisfaction. So research the job description, their automobile club, their values, and mission, and try to think of an example that appeals to their broader sensibilities. Look for the keywords and key phrases they use on their web pages, and see if you can naturally incorporate them into your language.

To align yourself with your AAA club and with this opportunity, think of an accomplishment that showcases the manners in which you already embrace their values. For example, as they state on AAA's Club Alliance site when working at AAA, they'll help you help others. "We haven't forgotten our roots. At our core, we're a company that helps people. And no matter what you want to do in your career, if you're interested in helping people, you can do that at AAA." So if you can combine a professional accomplishment that furthered your skill levels and career advancement while furthering your company's goals in a manner that would appeal to AAA, all the better. Assure the interviewer that your sense of accomplishment aligns with theirs and that you would live up to their expectations.

When have you had to learn new methods or approaches when adapting to companywide changes?

"The nature of the world is that of change and growth. I am very career-focused and always keep my eyes out for opportunities to learn and grow. So, anytime changes are implemented at work, I embrace them and do everything I can to support the company's goals or vision. For example, when our company came under new management last year and started to rebrand, many new methods and policies came into place. I learned and adapted as aggressively as I could and actively took part in mentoring my peers."

Your interviewer wants to know how supportive you are when your company implements change in its efforts to keep pace in its industry. Your answer will offer a glimpse into your emotional maturity and whether you resist change or support your company's vision and thrive on such challenges. A person who struggles with change prefers indicates a professional preference for cruising along with the status quo and shows less promise to innovate and grow professionally. Whereas someone who consistently goes the extra mile and makes a habit of stepping outside their comfort zone shows greater promise to develop and grow professionally and further their career.

As the automobile industry continually evolves, moving from fossil-fuel to hybrids to electric cars, AAA clubs across the country advertise they aim to anticipate the needs of those who count on them to provide unique new services to their memberships, insurance, travel, discounts, financial, and automotive service needs. Many of the AAA clubs, such as the Automobile Club of Southern California, view such change as a positive, describing it as "an abundance of new opportunities to learn, grow, and advance throughout our thriving organization."

What would you consider your greatest strengths?

"I would say my sense of teamwork is one of my greatest strengths, as well as my sense of camaraderie. To me, success looks like when everyone enjoys coming to work, collaborating with those you work with, being unified in the team effort, and walking away at the end of the day with raised spirits, a sense of accomplishment, and something to look forward to tomorrow. I would say my greatest strengths help make this ideal a reality."

Your interviewer is curious about what you have to offer them over the other candidates vying for this position. So when aligning yourself with their ideal candidate for this position, also consider the career growth trajectory you'd like to explore within their organization and what you stand to contribute to their efforts over the long term. Most AAA clubs state that they are here to help their members. Or, as AAA Club Alliance puts it, "We help you help others. Heroes work here." So when thinking of some of your greatest strengths or more desirable traits, try to align yourself with what they advertise in their recruiting efforts as their ideal candidates.

How would your coworkers describe you?

"I believe that, if asked, my coworkers would describe me as supportive, reliable, and as someone with a great attitude and infectious positivity."

Your interviewer is curious about your self-awareness and how closely your self-perception aligns with how others perceive you. They are also curious how your answer will align with how they perceive you in your interview so far. So when answering this question, reflect on your past, any comments your coworkers have volunteered about you, and comments delivered in your past performance reviews. Also, consider the qualities your AAA club values in their employees, and try to align yourself with them. For example, the AAA National Office state that they "know that people are what makes us great. Are you passionate, service-oriented, and purpose-driven? So are we. Whether you're an expert in your field or a visionary leader, we have a role and career path for you. Our goal is to attract, develop and retain the best and brightest from all walks of life, and we welcome your unique talents."

If you could alter your career path in any way, what would you change?

"If I could change anything about my career path, I would have stayed in post-secondary studies for longer to upgrade in my field. This would have given me the advancement I seek now, many years earlier."

This question aims to reveal how satisfied you are with your career. Suggesting an alternate path to better advance their career objectives indicates determination towards their goals and satisfaction with their chosen industry. But someone who discusses an entirely different career choice or industry shows dissatisfaction with their current pursuits and has a greater propensity for burning out on the job. Align your alternate career paths with your current pursuits, and suggest that, if you were hired by AAA, you would be a worthwhile investment.

As AAA Club Alliance says, "Whatever you want to do in your career, there's room to do it at AAA. We began by fixing tires and advocating for better roads. More than a century later, we've grown our offerings to include more opportunities for our members and our associates. You see, we don't have employees. We're all Associates, working together to help our Members and each other."

"I believe in looking forward and not back. Every decision I have made has brought me here, so I would not change a thing."

Tell me about the last time communication broke down and you had trouble seeing eye to eye with someone.

"I was working with someone on a team project. Their findings were off, and they were at risk of not meeting their deadlines. They were going through some personal issues that distracted them from the tasks at hand. I identified the problem they were dealing with from my perspective and attempted to offer some constructive advice, but they weren't hearing what I was attempting to communicate, and they kept repeating the same unrelated issues to me. I realized they needed to be heard and validated. So I listened patiently and kept asking more validating questions while mirroring their points back to them. I empathized with them and was able to de-escalate the situation rather quickly. I then offered more insights, which graduated into offering an alternative perspective. After a while, they received the advice I relayed and corrected course, enabling us to barely meet that deadline."

Many AAA clubs have similar core values and mission statements. For example, one of AAA Club Alliance's core values is Respect: "Respect the worth of every person. Treat everyone as they wish to be treated. Communicate openly. Listen, regardless of level or position." So when describing how you dealt with a communication breakdown, highlight you put all your communication skills to work through empathy and respect, active listening, mirroring, and nondefensive communication. Familiarize and align yourself with the core values of the AAA organization you are applying to.

Are you now, or have you ever been, an AAA member? If so, what state, and when?

"I was an AAA member under my parents until I moved out on my own, and then I obtained my own Plus membership in our state here. I have never missed my renewal and never will."

In most states, a recruiter is not permitted to ask a candidate if they have a reliable mode of transportation. So you don't have to admit whether you presently own a motor vehicle or not. The choice is yours. What holds value here is sharing your knowledge of the auto club, who its members are, and how they serve them under the AAA umbrella. If you are now or have been a member, inform your interviewer of your chapter(s) and the services you've valued the most, and what appeals to you about working for them.

How long will it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our teams at AAA?

"I am interested in making an impact on your organization right away and have already crafted a plan to make that happen. I intend to aggressively learn everything I can about our systems and processes during the first ninety days of my onboarding, all while building relationships and earning the trust of my teams. Once I know my way around, I'll begin humbly contributing and innovating as I always have as a professional."

Anytime onboarding with a new organization, it is essential to learn the ins and outs of how and why they do things the way they do. This is essential to successfully onboarding with a company. No one expects you to reinvent the wheel on day one. On the contrary, trying to do so would suggest a lack of experience and impede your ability to build strong relationships with your new teams. With AAA, it holds value to learn everything you can about the club you hope to work for and how they support the vision of AAA as a whole. So consider what you would aim to accomplish, from learning how and why they do things to building relationships and earning the trust of your teams before making an informed and thoughtful contribution.

On AAA National's website, they advertise their commitment to their association of clubs as follows: "AAA is not just one organization, but rather a collection of clubs that spans the United States. Each brings a deep understanding of their communities and the needs of their unique members. At AAA National, we bring clubs together, create harmony, conduct cutting-edge research, enhance member benefits, and generate national brand visibility, and that's just the tip of the iceberg!"

How important is safety to you?

"Safety is extremely important to me as a parent. In fact, for years, I have volunteered for the AAA School Safety Patrol program. I truly value what a priority safety is for AAA as well."

Your interviewer is interested in learning whether safety is a priority to you, how familiar you are with AAA's culture, and how aligned you are with their values. Remember, they will evaluate your work ethic by the words you choose to answer with and how prepared your answers seem to be. The more prepared you seem, the more actionable your answers will be. So, perform in-depth research and come to your interview fully prepared to answer any question they throw your way.

Safety is integral to the culture of every AAA club. "Since its founding in 1902, AAA has been a leader in developing and supporting educational and safety programs for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and children" through research and advocacy. "Safety First! was the rallying cry of the early AAA Clubs, inspiring such innovations as the first stop sign, the first School Safety Patrol, the first formalized driver education classes, and more." AAA has been instrumental in drafting and enacting safety laws and standards for automobiles, tires, equipment, registration, licensing, traffic courts, highway design, construction, maintenance, and traffic control devices.

Why should we hire you?

"I am passionate, service-oriented, driven, and very career oriented. I have a lot of leadership potential, confident in my abilities, and take ownership of my commitments and accountability for my actions. I would look forward to developing my skills and furthering my career with AAA if awarded the opportunity."

Your interviewer knows you are looking for a job. But one of the primary aims of an interview is to determine why you are looking for a job. Are you looking for any job anywhere because you don't get along with others at work or are trying to earn more money, willing to take the job with the best offer, or are you career-oriented, looking for a culture and work environment better suited to your values, goals, and potential? These questions are often answered by asking why you are pursuing a job with them. However, asking why they should hire you helps them determine your understanding of their goals for filling this position and what they are looking for in their ideal candidates. Consider this question as another opportunity to offer your pitch on why you are the right candidate for them and how you stand apart from the others.

Which of our services are you most familiar with?

"I'd say I am most familiar with the services I have most taken advantage of. Of course, we're all familiar with all the roadside assistance AAA memberships offer. Aside from that, I know that AAA specializes in far more than roadside assistance and have taken advantage of the many discounts and benefits, including AAA travel agent services."

Before gaining the confidence of your recruiter that you could effectively represent their organization to their members, it would be beneficial to have first served as a loyal member. Going into your interview, try to have more than a cursory familiarity with their offerings. If you aren't a member yet, consider joining and learning about all the benefits you could take advantage of. As they state on AAA's National Office website, "What don't we do? AAA is more than just roadside assistance, it's one of the largest member organizations in the country. Our products and services span some of the top industries, including travel, financial services, insurance, technology, traffic safety, and, of course, automotive. Internally, we offer a wide variety of professional services to clubs, including business development, communications, legal, government relations, partner management, and more." Take your time walking the interviewer through your expertise and the products and services you have yet to use and those you've taken advantage of.

How often do you take work home with you?

"I make sure to utilize my work hours very efficiently, so the only time I take my work home is when there is an extremely stringent deadline. I would say that, overall, I take my work home maybe twice per month. It's all about being diligent with your time in the office!"

Most people work overtime hours or occasionally take their work home with them. This can suggest a willingness to go the extra mile for your employer or team. However, suggesting you regularly work overtime or take your work home with you could indicate you are unnecessarily wracking up more pay through expending payroll hours or aren't effective in your time management skills, or have a work and personal life imbalance. Someone who has trouble balancing their professional life with their personal life is more likely to bring their drama to work and their professional labors home. Such individuals have a greater likelihood of burning out on the job and contributing to dissent and employee attrition. So consider advertising how balanced you are and your willingness to go the extra mile for your teams when necessary. Advertise your emotional intelligence by communicating how going the extra mile often looks like performing beyond expectations and being able to handle your workload efficiently while delivering ahead of your deadlines.

Often an organization will offer incentives, such as their contributions to their employee/s work-life balance on their career website, in the form of value propositions aimed at appealing to their ideal candidates. Try to identify how your AAA club aims to enhance your work-life balance. For example, AAA's National office advertises on its website, "Bring your authentic self to work! AAA offers a flexible, supportive, collaborative work environment, helps guide our employee experience, and offers opportunities to connect, grow and give. Plus, our hybrid work environment helps you balance your work with your life."

"I have no issue rising to the call when called upon. If I need to take work home and put in overtime, I would do so in a heartbeat. However, I don't feel that is consistently necessary to do my part. I manage my time well, personally and professionally, and maintain a strong work-life balance. So, being as disciplined and organized as I am, I accomplish what I set out to, within realistic timeframes, and have a pretty good track record for setting myself up for success for tomorrow and the day after."

How do you ensure your clients are well taken care of?

"In my current position, I take many steps to ensure great customer service. To me, this means having excellent follow-up and strong, active listening skills. I remember the names of my client's children, and I call to congratulate them on milestones like when they get into their first home. I will keep in touch to update them on new services as well."

Your interviewer aims to evaluate how service-oriented you are and needs to determine whether you would meet their standard of commitment to their members. They need to ensure whomever they recruit can represent the AAA brand. As they say on the national office's career website, "At AAA, everything we do revolves around our members. From helping save the day after a breakdown to making a dream vacation a reality, ensuring member needs are met is our top priority. Come learn what it's like to work for cardholders, not shareholders." And, as AAA's Mid-Atlantic territory says, "As a not-for-profit membership organization, our priority remains focused on one thing, YOU, our valued member." So touch on your commitment to, the approach you take, and the philosophy you've applied to your service background. And make sure you frame your answer correctly. Remember, at AAA, they are members, not customers, who you would be serving.

How do you stay up to date in our industry?

"I read quite a few publications and blogs and am a regular reader of the Extra Mile, along with AAA other publications. Great articles there, which often inspire my next outings."

Your interviewer wants to know how much of a trusted source of information they could count on you being to their members, not just on what is happening regarding the travel and hospitality industry, but also regarding infrastructure, regulations, and the news within AAA as an organization. AAA's national office offers online publications on their website full of high-quality articles, such as AAA World Magazine, AAA Traveler Worldwise, and The Extra Mile. However, it is also important to note that many of the individual auto clubs under the AAA umbrella also have online publications. As they state on the National Office's website, "We encourage you to stay connected through AAA.com, AAA member magazines and e-newsletters, and AAA on social media to know what's new, what's happening, and how to get the most from your membership every day." Therefore, if you worked for AAA, their members will expect you to be completely up to date on their internal news. So spend time reading up before your interview. If you can generate some conversation surrounding something you read on their site, even better.

How do you ensure the accuracy of your work?

"Spelling and grammatical errors are a pet peeve of mine. I feel that it is essential to submit error-free work at all times. I do my best to put great work out there, and I believe in double-checking or triple-checking my work if there is time, although I must admit that I have fallen victim to the odd mistake on occasion."

This question is all about how you answer it, as your answer will inform your interviewer of your experience and skill level. You aim to showcase how your systems and procedures for such things are now second nature. Additionally, you want to align your values with those of the AAA club you are applying to. For example, AAA's Club Alliance lists Quality as one of its core values: "Recognize that quality comes first. Strive to do it right the first time, every time." So research their customer website and their careers sites. Familiarize yourself with their values and find anything you can about the standards and expectations they hold their employees to.

"I automatically have several methods of tracking my work, picking up where I leave off, and ensuring everything is accurate and high quality. Rework is a pet peeve of mine. However, I also consider myself very self-aware. When I am not operating at my peak, I will always pad the job to check my work or recruit a second set of eyes if necessary. However, such occasions are rare, and I have a pretty strong track record, as my references will probably attest to."

Are you willing to undergo a background check?

"I do not have a criminal history of any kind, have a great credit score, and I am happy to comply with any form of background check you require at AAA."

The club you interview with may or may not require a background check. However, this question more so centers around whether this falls within your comfort zone or whether you have something to hide. It is acceptable to ask what the background check entails. Is it a criminal background check? Do they check your credit scores and credit history, and if so, is it a soft credit check, or will it impact your credit score? If this is required, take advantage of this opportunity to showcase your integrity, honesty, and transparency, and ask yourself if there is anything you might want to provide a context for. Once you know what the background check entails, provide context to anything that might turn up. Trying to hide something you know they will discover will only suggest a lack of integrity, and as a future performance indicator, you are more likely to try to cover up and hide your mistakes than to take ownership of them. Consider these points when answering such questions.

"I should disclose that I have a mark on my criminal record from a peaceful protest I was arrested at. Aside from that unfortunate incident, I've maintained a clean record and am willing to comply with any form of background check that AAA requires."

Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?

"I never have, to my knowledge, broken a confidentiality agreement. Despite my reasons for leaving a position, I would never choose to hurt a previous employer in any way."

Depending on the AAA club you are seeking employment with, you may be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement for a variety of reasons. These could be to protect their members or internal operations. Regardless of the reasons, your opportunity here is to showcase your sense of integrity and that you are true to your word and exercise discretion at all times.

"No, I have never broken a confidentiality agreement. I respect my employers - current and past - and highly value being a person of integrity."

When was your last road trip, and where did you go?

"I drove from Houston, where I had some grubbin' BBQ, to New Orleans and stayed a few nights in a haunted hotel, which was fun. Then we drove to Pensacola and enjoyed the beaches for a few days. Great Crawfish there. From there, we drove up to Savanah, and the people there were so warm, and the sights were stunningly beautiful. Then, we drove up to Richmond and strolled the sights, staying at a place right on the river. Such a great town. Then we ended up in D.C. Thanks to AAA, we enjoyed quite a few restaurant recommendations and hotel discounts. Also, we navigated our way through the trip with peace of mind."

This is more than an informal, getting-to-know-you question. Its dual purpose is to determine how good a fit you are for their culture and environment. Road trips are integral to the culture and services AAA offers, and there are many blogs on AAA's multiple clubs and websites that cover this topic, where they frequently compile their favorite trip-planning resources backed by more than 100 years of road-tested experience and expertise. So when sharing the details of the last road trip you took or the next road trip you've planned shortly, include the AAA services and benefits you took advantage of along the way.

In you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

"After reading your article in AAA World magazine, I'd like to cycle the mid-atlantic's 150-mile Great Allegheny Passage. Such a great read and it sounds like such an awesome adventure. Sign me up."

This is another question designed to determine how well aligned you are with the culture they've built at their AAA club. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have fun with this question. Bring your authentic self to your interview every step of the way. The more consistently sincere your approach feels from answer to answer, the more ideal a candidate you will seem. Also, go the extra mile by sharing the AAA travel benefits you take advantage of most, whether your membership level is the classic, plus, or premier. Wherever you're planning your next trip, share the guides you've explored, the 'foodie finds' they've recommended that piqued your interest, and any other tips or benefits included in your membership. The aim here is to showcase how you are already one of them as a member.

How comfortable are you working in a diverse and inclusive environment?

"I prefer working in an environment with varying perspectives. Everyone has something to contribute, and statistically, a working environment that embraces diversity, equality, and inclusion has a greater likelihood of innovation. I am very career-centric, and working with others who could enhance my perspective and ability to think outside the box sounds like a strong case for being able to further my development."

Your interviewer needs to get a sense of your cultural competence. By ascertaining your comfort level and capability of working with those from different backgrounds and lifestyles than your own, your interviewer will better be able to gauge how well you would build universal relationships with your members and your peers. AAA National clearly states that they are "fostering a culture of support, cooperation, development, and mutual respect." Marshall Doney, the President and CEO of AAA Inc., has clearly stated, "Aligning with the AAA Basic Beliefs, AAA, Inc. is fully committed to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as part of our commitment to AAA associates and to the communities in which we serve."

If you could expand your professional knowledge in any area, which would you choose?

"I appreciate that AAA puts so much emphasis on the education and training of your employees. If I could further my education in any area, I'd be interested in learning more about property investments and mortgages."

Your interviewer must ensure whomever they hire will contribute to employee retention and not attrition. They are looking at their next hire as an investment, in hopes that they will help develop them professionally and grow and advance from within. To answer this question effectively, explore all the developmental opportunities they advertise online in their recruiting efforts. For example, as they detail on the careers pages of AAA Southern California, "AAA University gives all employees access to onsite, virtual, and online training. We believe training is vital to our employees' professional development and potential for advancement." How does what they offer align with your career goals, and how far would you like to take your career with them? Consider these points when answering such questions.

"I take my personal and professional development very seriously. I think would choose to learn more about Personal Financial Planning to help myself and to help others."

Would you consider pursuing an MBA?

"Although I have my Bachelor's degree, as well as my CFA and FRM designations, I would consider returning to complete an MBA. I saw you encourage continued education for your employees by offering a tuition reimbursement program. Very nice."

Depending on the requirements of the role you are interviewing for and those of future positions you hope to advance into, you may or may not have plans for furthering your education. If this doesn't currently fit into your career goals, don't close yourself off to the option; it's best to leave the door open to such possibilities. Validate the incentives they offer and show appreciation for how well they treat their employees. This suggests their offerings may have played a contributing factor in your decision to seek employment with them. For example, the AAA club of Southern California advertises online to their potential recruits, "Drive Your Career with Tuition Assistance. Thinking about a college degree? As a part of AAA University, AAA Accelerate is a tuition assistance program tailored to the busy lives of our employees. In partnership with the University of Massachusetts Global, we offer you the tools and classes you need to earn your bachelor's degree and grow your career opportunities."

What other training and certifications have you earned?

"My goal is to gain at least one additional certificate per year. I have achieved one in Business Management so far, and next year, a course on Mortgages and Personal Risk is on my list."

Go beyond sharing the certifications, training, or additional skills you may or may not have included on your resume, whether relevant to the position or not. Volunteer any training or educational pursuits you are currently undertaking or intend to follow through on in the near future. Also, acknowledge the AAA club's offerings for furthering your development. For example, AAA Club Alliance advertises on their careers web pages, including "learning and development, educational assistance, professional designation programs, and in-house training."

Talk to me about your education.

"I have a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting with a focus on Financial Law. I feel that the Financial Law aspect will help me immensely in my career with AAA because it is a strong major that helped me to understand the effects of all actions in business. It's caused me to strengthen my analytical mind and problem-solving capabilities."

Be prepared to walk the interviewer through your education, breathing more life into those experiences than what you've listed on your resume. While examining the educational requirements of the position, as well as the desirable skill sets and qualifications they've listed, consider how you plan to position yourself as their ideal candidate. Don't limit yourself to your formal education either. Share those experiences on the job, self-taught or through mentoring, where you adopted valuable skills or expertise, and how those experiences stand to benefit you in a career with AAA.

"My education has been primarily on-the-job training and some additional coursework. This is in addition to the certifications listed on my resume. In addition to these credentials, I have enrolled in a workshop this fall."

What would you do if a supervisor or coworker asked you to do something dishonest?

"I do not believe in 'taking the fall' for people based on protecting them. Transparency is always best; if something goes wrong, then it needs to be addressed to prevent it from happening again. When it comes to clients, I will apologize on behalf of the company for errors. In that case, I will do what it takes to protect the company's reputation."

In asking this question, your interviewer is curious about how aligned your sense of ethics is with their code and guiding principles. Remember, many of the core values of the AAA clubs across North America are very similar and typically follow the same guiding principles. Regardless, take the time to familiarize yourself with the values of the particular AAA club you are interviewing with. For example, AAA Cal State says in its core values, "We do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. We work hard to maintain and earn the trust that our members have in our employees and our brand." And, as AAA of Southern California puts it, "We all share the goal of doing the right things for our members and meeting or exceeding their expectations. Their trust in us is our most valuable possession."

"I will always help a well-meaning co-worker to save face when necessary. With that said, I will not lie to save a co-worker from the consequences of their mistakes."

Tell me the impact of a mistake you made.

"When I worked as a financial services rep, I accidentally double-booked two clients for an appointment in one of the time slots. I realized the mistake after I double-checked my calendar, called the clients, and apologized for my mistake. As a result of this experience, I always double-check the time slots on my calendar."

Everyone makes mistakes, and no one is perfect. The aim of this question is more aimed at getting a sense of the strength of your character. For example, someone who avoids admitting their mistakes out of fear of being judged serves as a future job performance indicator of hiding, covering up, or deflecting blame for their mistakes. However, someone who takes ownership of their mistakes and learns from them is more likely to protect their employer's assets and less likely to repeat such mistakes. This boils down to one's integrity, which is another of AAA Club Alliance's core values, "Act ethically in business dealings & towards each other. Protect & enhance our brand. Deliver on promises & admit our mistakes." When offering an example, demonstrate the responsibility you took for your error, the measure you took to correct it, what you learned from the experience as a result, and the tools or skills you acquired along the way.

"When starting my current position, I struggled with learning Salesforce and let the frustrations get the best of me. I felt like a failure and was ready to give up. When my boss pulled me aside and reminded me that everyone struggles with brand-new technology, I was able to relax. I took an online course on the program to fast-track my learning and avoid further frustration. I learned that only I am responsible for my learning and there are always ways to overcome challenges if you look for the answers and are prepared to work for them."

How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?

"I am not sure I communicated as effectively as I would have liked when you asked me about being willing to undergo a background check. If I could elaborate on what I volunteered before, some individuals caused trouble, and I got caught in the crowd when the police arrested several protestors. I peacefully cooperated with the police, and the charges were dropped, although the arrest still shows up on my record. That was back when I was underage, and I always feel it is worthwhile to provide context. Otherwise, I believe this interview has been quite informative, and I am happy with my performance. Is there anything that I can clarify for you from this conversation?"

The interviewer's aim in asking this question is to test your emotional intelligence and self-awareness. They'll do this by contrasting how they've perceived your interview performance so far with how you perceive yourself. It is not uncommon for questions like this to generate stress, especially if you wish you'd answered previous questions differently. Yet recognizing and taking advantage of this opportunity can bolster your confidence and allow you to correct any missteps or mistakes. Then, ask them if can clarify any answers.

How do setbacks emotionally affect you and your work?

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing and can be a bit disheartening, but it happens from time to time. If I experience a major setback, I will take a few moments to debrief with my manager and discuss what I could have done differently. Then, I move on!"

Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. By asking this question, your interviewer aims to gauge your level of emotional intelligence. In other words, they want to know whether you can think quickly on your feet and adjust and adapt in such situations or whether you allow your emotions to govern your responses and actions. For example, those who feel disappointment, shame, or overwhelmed when things don't go according to plan are more likely to experience task paralysis or externalize their stress in such situations. So, when answering this question, you want to walk your interviewer through your approach, perceiving such setbacks professionally while taking decisive action towards making the best of such situations and continuing to move forward.

"Setbacks are tough, but I believe everything happens for a reason. I am a creative person and will always find a way to recover."

How can AAA motivate you on the job?

"I am best motivated by being awarded with trust and greater opportunities to grow. I prefer to be acknowledged for my accomplishments through words of praise and recognition. I like to know that my efforts are noticed and valued so I don't have to fight for recognition. In my current position, we have a leaderboard, and I like that concept because it creates a healthy bit of personal competition. But most importantly, I want to be afforded every opportunity to meet my realistic career goals and aspirations. I have my updated career plan with me. May I share it with you?"

Your interviewer is curious about what they could offer you to ensure you'll experience enduring job satisfaction throughout your career with them. So, ask yourself this question and thoughtfully answer it before pursuing the job further. The best approach to answering questions such as these is to examine your five-year career plan, and, when prompted, provide your potential employer with clearly set guidelines and timeframes for your professional development and career advancement expectations. This should be just as important a negotiating point as your pay, benefits, and cost of living. Paint a clear picture of your realistic expectations based on what you believe they can deliver. As AAA of Southern California advises their candidates, "The more you know about AAA before you apply, the better prepared you'll be to ask the right questions and provide responses that let us know you're truly interested in building a career with us."

What part of your job do you find the most rewarding?

"Truth be told, my favorite part of the job is interacting with and helping people. I want to have positive reactions with everyone I work with, and although that isn't always possible, chances are pretty strong that most interactions can end on a positive note."

This question aims to gauge how satisfied you are in your career and whether this position is the right fit for you. When answering this question, try to align your answer with what they are looking for in their ideal candidate rather than inadvertently positioning yourself against it. For example, if the role you are applying for is very team-oriented, avoid suggesting the work you find most rewarding is solitary work.

What are the differences between AAA's membership levels?

"Between the Classic, Plus, and Premier memberships, many services and coverages are the same. But when it comes to towing services, coverages for motorcycles, RV's, and trailers, additional coverage for vehicle locksmith services, home locksmith reimbursement, trip interruption benefits, and travel services, among others, the Premier membership level can't be beaten. I've been an AAA Premier member for over seven years, and I wouldn't have it any other way."

Before your interview, study the differences between the Classic, Plus, and Premier AAA membership levels, from the miles offered with their towing services to their travel agency awards. Be prepared to speak as you would to a potential member considering joining or upgrading their membership.

What qualities do you feel a successful leader should possess?

"I feel that a successful manager should be patient, strive to be a mentor, and be willing to receive constructive feedback from their team. As a manager, I want a team that trusts me and comes to me for professional development and coaching. This is built from creating an atmosphere built on mutual trust and approachability."

Your interviewer is curious to learn more about your leadership potential and whether your leadership style will align with and complement the work culture they've built. For example, AAA CalState advertises on its website, "AAA is proud to have a dedicated and passionate leadership team that continuously strives to offer the highest quality products and services. Their drive and commitment to excellence is why AAA stands out from the competition." The keywords here are passionate, dedicated, and committed. From the rest of their value proposition, we can extrapolate that they are driven and take pride in their work. Explore the culture of the Club you are applying to and determine the leadership style they encourage and how your style aligns with theirs.

Tell me about a time you had to navigate a problem without all the necessary information on hand.

"As a financial service professional, I always analyze information before creating a recommendation for my clients. I worked for a financial firm last year and had a client looking for investment recommendations. They knew I was highly skilled when it came to data analysis. So, I gathered data on the stocks they were interested in, sorting through trends and historical data to determine the most promising returns. I gave them what they wanted, retained and enhanced their trust in my abilities, and it paid off."

This question will help your interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and how self-managed you are in your work. How you answer will provide insights into your resourcefulness, approach to risk-taking, and outside-of-the-box thinking. Share your process to taking calculated risks while protecting the assets of your employers and respecting the chain of command. Showcase how you effectively anticipate needs and share your responsible, systematic approach to problem-solving.

How do you feel about performance incentives?

"I suppose they can be effective. It's one way of creating something of a meritocratic environment. But I feel everyone should be putting their all in, and the leadership should play to their team's strengths while helping to develop them past their weaknesses without exploiting them. I feel very proud of every cent I have earned, and my performance evaluations and raises reflect that. I expect a five percent increase over my current raise this year, with a ten percent bonus at year's end. So, I look at that as a performance incentive. But I also look at it as earning your keep."

Before answering this question, it is important to understand the pay structure of the position you are applying for. Is the position hourly, salaried, or commission-based? Also, if their club is a meritocracy, you'll want to be prepared to speak to your merits, which will indicate your professional worth. Also, determine your professional worth based on your current annual earnings and projected annual earnings for the next year, based on your expected pay increases and any other credible performance indicators. Explore all the benefits, incentives, and perks they offer their employees as well. Then, examine how those benefits compare to what you receive from your current employer. For example, AAA Club Alliance advertises that their employees will "benefit from all we do. No matter what your career path is at AAA, there are benefits to being an AAA Associate. Free AAA membership, wellness programs, and tuition reimbursement are just a few of the ways we show how much we value our Associates." Once you have answered all the questions you could on your own, share your feelings regarding performance incentives and which of their incentives you find attractive.

"I think performance incentives can work. They keep an employee motivated to do a great job and ensure they are on top of their KPIs. I suppose most people are very enthused about being rewarded for their successes. I am prepared to give my best, whether a performance incentive is offered or not. Performance incentives can serve a purpose, but they should not be too easily attained."

As a new addition to a team, how would you earn the trust of your teammates?

"Integrity is critical. I consider myself to be honest and trustworthy. I take my time to get to know those I am working with and ingratiate them to learn from them. This is one way of showing my respect for them and acknowledging the respect they've earned from their peers. I am transparent and take the time necessary to build relationships. My former boss said I am one of the most trustworthy people out there. In addition to being raised to make the right choice. You are more than welcome to check in with my references as well. They will speak highly of my character."

Before any recruiter considers hiring a candidate, they need to ensure that the individual can build relationships with and earn the trust of their existing teams. Their goal is to hire an employee that will contribute to employee retention. If they hire a candidate who delivered a solid interview but doesn't get along with their existing teams, this could result in dissent and contribute to more attrition. So, your interviewer has to ensure your brand of teamwork and your respect for the onboarding process will complement their environment and culture. Research their careers site, align yourself with their values, and adopt their language wherever you can naturally do so. For example, one of Club Alliance's core values is teamwork, "Foster cooperation and have fun. Encourage and reward achievements. Join with colleagues to deliver exceptional quality. Understand Club strategies and challenges." Assure the interviewer that you are an honest and trustworthy person, would take every measure to earn the trust of your peers through professional humility and shared values, and would thoroughly gain a better understanding of what they've built and why they do things the way they do before suggesting implementing change.

AAA Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Tell me about your greatest accomplishment.
2. When have you had to learn new methods or approaches when adapting to companywide changes?
3. What would you consider your greatest strengths?
4. How would your coworkers describe you?
5. If you could alter your career path in any way, what would you change?
6. Tell me about the last time communication broke down and you had trouble seeing eye to eye with someone.
7. Are you now, or have you ever been, an AAA member? If so, what state, and when?
8. How long will it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our teams at AAA?
9. How important is safety to you?
10. Why should we hire you?
11. Which of our services are you most familiar with?
12. How often do you take work home with you?
13. How do you ensure your clients are well taken care of?
14. How do you stay up to date in our industry?
15. How do you ensure the accuracy of your work?
16. Are you willing to undergo a background check?
17. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?
18. When was your last road trip, and where did you go?
19. In you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
20. How comfortable are you working in a diverse and inclusive environment?
21. If you could expand your professional knowledge in any area, which would you choose?
22. Would you consider pursuing an MBA?
23. What other training and certifications have you earned?
24. Talk to me about your education.
25. What would you do if a supervisor or coworker asked you to do something dishonest?
26. Tell me the impact of a mistake you made.
27. How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?
28. How do setbacks emotionally affect you and your work?
29. How can AAA motivate you on the job?
30. What part of your job do you find the most rewarding?
31. What are the differences between AAA's membership levels?
32. What qualities do you feel a successful leader should possess?
33. Tell me about a time you had to navigate a problem without all the necessary information on hand.
34. How do you feel about performance incentives?
35. As a new addition to a team, how would you earn the trust of your teammates?

AAA Interview Questions

1. Tell me about your greatest accomplishment.

2. When have you had to learn new methods or approaches when adapting to companywide changes?

3. What would you consider your greatest strengths?

4. How would your coworkers describe you?

5. If you could alter your career path in any way, what would you change?

6. Tell me about the last time communication broke down and you had trouble seeing eye to eye with someone.

7. Are you now, or have you ever been, an AAA member? If so, what state, and when?

8. How long will it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our teams at AAA?

9. How important is safety to you?

10. Why should we hire you?

11. Which of our services are you most familiar with?

12. How often do you take work home with you?

13. How do you ensure your clients are well taken care of?

14. How do you stay up to date in our industry?

15. How do you ensure the accuracy of your work?

16. Are you willing to undergo a background check?

17. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?

18. When was your last road trip, and where did you go?

19. In you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

20. How comfortable are you working in a diverse and inclusive environment?

21. If you could expand your professional knowledge in any area, which would you choose?

22. Would you consider pursuing an MBA?

23. What other training and certifications have you earned?

24. Talk to me about your education.

25. What would you do if a supervisor or coworker asked you to do something dishonest?

26. Tell me the impact of a mistake you made.

27. How would you rate your performance in this interview so far?

28. How do setbacks emotionally affect you and your work?

29. How can AAA motivate you on the job?

30. What part of your job do you find the most rewarding?

31. What are the differences between AAA's membership levels?

32. What qualities do you feel a successful leader should possess?

33. Tell me about a time you had to navigate a problem without all the necessary information on hand.

34. How do you feel about performance incentives?

35. As a new addition to a team, how would you earn the trust of your teammates?