Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?

"Both tenure and performance are important, but I do lean toward performance incentives. I feel that employees should be paid, and rewarded, based on the documented value they bring to the organization. This approach is a strong motivator - a new employee would be greatly encouraged by being rewarded for performance, and this approach also facilitates a healthy competition with more tenured employees."

Do you feel that you should be paid based on tenure, or results? Discuss this with the interviewer and back your answer with an example, if possible.

"This is a classic question, isn't it? Experience and company knowledge are so important and are certainly of value to an organization, while performance is the documented articulation of an employee's value to the company. I believe the best compensation programs figure out a way to honor both, with the emphasis on performance. Doing so encourages good employees to stay, since they know they're valued for their tenure and experience - but it discourages people from getting so comfortable in a long-time role that they don't strive for their highest performance."

Do people see you as a trustworthy and honest individual?

"I am told quite often that I am an honest and trustworthy individual, and you will be able to hear that directly from my supervisor when you call for a reference. I fully understand the importance of being able to depend on the honesty of your employees, and my goal would always be to act in the best interests of Beiersdorf, which includes personifying the kind of integrity and honesty that are part of your culture."

It is easy to say that you are trustworthy and honest, but it's best if you can back it up with a review or words from a previous supervisor.

"Yes, I believe that people see me as trustworthy and honest. I was raised with a strong moral compass, and I try hard to be my best, every day. Honesty is something that was always stressed in my home growing up, and a personal value I try very hard to embody. I'm fully committed to embracing the value that Beiersdorf places on honesty and will encourage honesty and integrity in my team members as well. "

We believe in strong work/life balance at Beiersdorf. How often do you take work home with you?

"Only occasionally. I make every effort to utilize my work hours efficiently so that the only time I take work home is when there is an extremely stringent deadline or some type of emergency. I would say that, overall, I take my work home maybe twice per month. Now, that's on the execution side, but on the ideation side, I can tell you that I'm constantly thinking about new ways to do things, new innovations to try or new approaches to problem, so that 'script,' if you will, is constantly running in my brain!"

The majority of people will work overtime hours or take work home with them on occasion. Talk to the interviewer about how frequently to take your work home. If you do take work home with you, make sure to express that it is due to overachieving and not procrastination or poor time management.

"I try very hard not to take my work home with me. For me, it's very important to compartmentalize work and life and keep them separate so that I can give each of them my full focus in the moment. That means I have to be very disciplined throughout the workday, stay focused, and use effective time-management techniques to help me maximize my performance. This way, I'm meeting or exceeding goals, while still enjoying time with my family to disconnect from work and just 'be.'"

Beiersdorf puts emphasis on hiring people who fit into our workplace culture. How would you describe your personality?

"I would describe my personality as approachable, energetic, and positive. I believe that, if asked, my colleagues and supervisor would say the same about me. I would also classify myself as bold - I'm willing to take risks in order to achieve higher and better results, ultimately for the good of the company and the good of the consumer."

Personality and character are two very different things. The interviewer is looking for more information on your personal traits vs. your integrity. This would include buzzwords such as introverted, energetic, and confident.

"It may seem like an odd combination, but I would describe myself as both logical and imaginative. I'm imaginative in the sense that I'm always looking for new ways to approach consumer issues and new ideas to test out. And then I'm logical in the sense that I want experimentation, data and results to know for sure that what my imagination comes up with is truly feasible."

Beiersdorf wants to know how to motivate you. What work situations excite and motivate you?

"I have a healthy competitive edge, even if its a personal competition. For me, I am excited and motivated by winning, whether that be winning over a new client, exceeding my KPIs or being recognized for a job well done. I am also motivated and energized by a strong team that supports and challenges one another."

Every hiring manager wants to know how to keep you best motivated and excited about the job. Talk to the interviewer about what excites you and keeps you happy at work.

"I get excited when new challenges are presented in the workplace. This could include a new program, a new customer initiative, a sales contest, or even the training of a new employee. A fresh problem to solve or a fresh obstacle to conquer is highly motivating and exciting for me."

What type of work environment do you dislike working in?

"I have felt dissatisfaction on the job when I am not feeling heard or when there is a lack of respect among team members. I work best in more harmonious situations where there is little drama or gossip, and where people are aligned behind common goals. From what I understand, Beiersdorf offers a collaborative work environment. How would you best describe the environment here?"

Everyone will have particular triggers that cause them to feel dissatisfaction on the job. Talk to the interviewer about any factors that may deflate or discourage you in the workplace, along with how you might overcome them.

"I have felt dissatisfied on the job when I feel that I am undervalued as someone who has good ideas and can improve the customer experience. Some employers don't necessarily value the thoughts and experience of front-line employees or empower them to solve problems to the benefit of customers. I'm very pleased with what I've learned about Beiersdorf's culture, and I believe that will help me be engaged and successful here."

How did you bring value to your last position?

"There were several ways I was able to bring value to my last position. First, I successfully exceeded each sales goal in my department. Second, I was able to motivate other members of my team and share my sales techniques with them. Third, I introduced two new procedures to the sales manager that helped us eliminate downtime between sales calls."

This question is similar to 'Why are you the best candidate?' Think about the strengths and skills that made you an asset in your last position. Maybe you influenced changes that saved the company money. Perhaps you were the top grossing salesperson on the floor. Think of your strengths in action! If you are reliable, talk about how consistent your work has been and how you are in constant support for coworkers. If you have a strong work ethic, share how you accomplished a project in the midst of harsh obstacles.

"I brought value to my last position through my high level of reliability, my positive attitude, and my above average organizational skills. Successful project management is a large part of my work history, and the company I am currently with was lacking when it came to smooth project execution. I was able to greatly improve their performance in that area."

Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?

"Absolutely not. Confidentiality agreements allow for complete trust between an organization and its clients - and an organization and its employees. I have never broken a confidentiality agreement. Despite my reasons for leaving a position, I would never choose to hurt a previous employer or client in any way."

Companies will have confidentiality agreements for a variety of reasons. These could be to protect their trade secrets or to ensure that you do not bring clients over on the occasion that you leave their company. Talk to the interviewer about your experience with confidentiality agreements.

"No. Confidentiality agreements are necessary and important to protect an organization, its clients or customers and its employees. I fully understand these aspects of confidentiality and take them very seriously. I have never broken that trust."

Tell me about a time when you received criticism from your manager. How did you react to that criticism? How did you make improvements based on that criticism?

"Not long after beginning my current role, I was charged with creating a presentation for an important event. After my manager reviewed my work, he felt that some of the slides required additional copy, and he had different design concepts in mind. He had a background in graphic design, and since I do not, I listened to his ideas and incorporated them. I also appreciated the fact that he was clear and specific in the revisions he expected. In the end, I felt the presentation was much improved, since then I have tried to include those same design concepts."

When you are thinking about examples of criticism, it's best to show that you want to grow as an employee and that you can handle constructive criticism because it helps you learn and improve the quality of your work.

"My current manager often double checks to ensure that I am following protocol at all times. I understand that she values thoroughness and I welcome this kind of review because I am very detail-oriented myself. I believe that our customers deserve that level of attention and care, and I feel fortunate and accomplished that she rarely has recommendations for how to improve my work."

Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

"My current supervisor and co-workers will attest to my clear and concise communication skills. Because I am an open leader, my team also lets me know if I need to clarify anything. Based on this feedback from my current co-workers, I would rate my communication skills as an 8 out of 10. I'm definitely strong in this area, but still have room for improvement as I continue to grow as a leader and become more familiar with the Beiersdorf communication values."

On a scale of 1-10, how skilled are you in communication? Why did you choose that particular rating for yourself?

"I will rate myself an 8.5 because I believe in being clear, direct and up front with my co-workers. It is the foundation of all success in business. I am always striving to be a better communicator - to always be clear but kind - so I leave the rest of the scale as an aspirational measure."

After researching Beiersdorf and our culture, what do you think are the top 3 values we look for in our candidates? Do you possess those qualities?

"I have really enjoyed getting to know the Beiersdorf culture in preparation for this interview. I love that you have a clearly articulated Blue Strategy that guides the company's decisions and development. I believe you're looking for candidates who exemplify all four of the Beiersdorf core values - care, courage, simplicity and trust. "

Display to the interviewer that you are engaged in the interview process by showing off the research you have conducted on Beiersdorf, Inc. before your interview. What types of qualities do they consistently mention on their website? In their job postings, do they refer to their company culture?

"I love that Beiersdorf has such a clearly defined and communicated strategy and culture - that makes it so much easier to determine whether candidates are a good fit and will be successful. I believe your core values will drive your hiring decisions; if a candidate can show that he or she can live out the core values of care, courage, simplicity and trust, then he or she is likely to be successful within the Beiersdorf culture."

How do you deal with distracting coworkers who stand in the way of your progress?

"I typically just set a kind, but clear, boundary and tell my coworker that I need to focus at the moment. I will offer an alternate time for a catch-up, over lunch for example. It is important for the sake of workplace culture to set aside time to be social with coworkers, so I usually just let them know when I'll be available for a quick break in the day."

Even the most well-meaning coworkers can distract you from getting things done at work from time to time. The funny and entertaining coworkers who like to chat online and send YouTube videos are often the ones who can get in the way of your productivity if you let them. How do you respond? Show off your ability to set professional boundaries, when needed.

"If I have a distracting co-worker, I will highlight the distraction right away while remaining kind. I feel it's always best to nip issues in the bud before they get out of control. Overall, I'm very good at setting personal and professional boundaries, so this has never been much of an issue for me. I've found that if I'm clear that my time is currently allocated to another task, people respect that and are happy to catch up and be social at another specified time."

Do you see yourself a leader? When have you led a team?

"In my current position, I am the president of the social committee. I love that I have the opportunity to encourage employee engagement while being a positive influence on the workplace culture. I am a natural leader because I start with leading by example. As a leader, I make myself available to others who need mentorship, a bit of assistance in adjusting to their role, or just a listening ear when they've had a tough day. I am confident in my leadership abilities and look forward to joining your team in a leadership role."

Perhaps you have led a club at work, been a coach for a youth sports team, or were on the advisory board for a non-profit organization. You should always be prepared to show the interviewer that you have a natural ability to lead others. Whether you have led a group of 500 or a team of 2, you must display to the interviewer that you are capable of handling the responsibility that comes with being a leader and mentor. Talk about your desire to be a leader. Share with the interviewer that you strive to be a role model for others. Explain that you jump at the opportunity to lead groups, encourage your counterparts, and be a face of the organization when challenges arise.

"I definitely see myself as a leader. Not only have I managed a team in two prior roles, but also I believe that leadership does not always equate to management. Leadership is more of a mindset than a title or specific position. I am sure to lead at all times by providing the best model, enthusiasm and work ethic of the organization. I am open to new ideas and love to tackle a new project which, to me, embodies leadership."

Tell me about your experience in training and coaching others.

"I have always enjoyed the opportunity to teach or mentor my colleagues. For example, last month our company introduced a new module in our SAP system, and I could see that one of our team members was having some trouble with the new module. I was familiar with it already, so I offered to help him. We spent his lunch hour for the next three days working on it. He eventually perfected his interaction with the module, and he's now teaching others."

Coaching and training experience may not be required for this role, but they are abilities that are always valued by an employer. Briefly explain the experience that you do have in training, and coaching, in the workplace.

"Absolutely. In each of my two previous roles, I have been tasked with leading a small team. I have worked on everything from appointment-setting and overcoming objections to price negotiations with those respective teams. What's more, I always look for an opportunity to connect with new team members. I try to always invite them out for coffee so they not only have a friendly face in the office, but also know that I can be a resource for them. I was promoted from their role, so I am always happy to share how I did it on such a fast timeline and what I've found effective that can help them be a change-maker in the company, too."

What part of your career brings you the most stress?

"The part of my career that brings me the most stress is when the schedule is running behind for no good reason other than lack of hustle on my team's part. I like to be on time with our schedule to ensure that our clients are assisted properly."

Stress can often be a regular part of the day to day work experience. Talk to the interviewer about which areas of your career are the most stressful. Ensure that your answer does not include a factor that would make you appear unfit for the position. (IE: a bus driver should not find driving to be the most stressful part of the job).

"I find that the primary stressor in my current position is the fact that my team is not as reliable as I would like. For this reason, I am seeking a new opportunity, within a professional environment, with a team who values their jobs as much as I do."

As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?

"As a manager, I feel that my greatest weakness is in separating employees as quickly as possible when they begin to show signs that they are not going to work out. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and have been known to continue trying to nurture people when they really are overdue for termination. I have taken a couple of management training classes focusing on this area, and I'm also working with an industry mentor; I feel I'm improving in being able to objectively approach separating employees who aren't a good fit."

Everyone has his/her weaknesses, and that is OK. Talk to the hiring manager about what you feel you could work on the most, and what you are doing about it. Avoid discussing a weakness that could be detrimental to you securing the position.

"Some feedback that I have received in my current role is that I could improve my technical skills when it comes to Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. I have all the basics covered, but when it comes to more complicated formulas or visualization of data, I don't have much experience. To remedy this, I have enrolled in a course for next month, and my goal is to come out of that experience as a more intermediate user."

When a major problem arises, what is your first reaction?

"Remaining calm when a problem arises is key. When a major problem arises, my first instinct is to take a step back and absorb what just happened. I then go into 'brainstorm' mode, jotting down potential ways to resolve the issue. From there, I can generally use a pros and cons list to determine the best course of action for a fast and amicable resolution."

The interviewer wants to know if your reactions to problems reflect maturity and professionalism. How you react will significantly determine how you fit with their existing team at Beiersdorf, Inc. Perhaps your computer crashes and you realize you may have just lost all of your hard work. Or maybe you are limited on time and have a deadline rapidly approaching. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you take a very methodical approach to problem-solving, rather than reacting in an impulsive way when a problem occurs.

"The important thing is to remain calm and carefully discuss scenarios with the team in order to brainstorm possible solutions. I believe that team members must trust one another and support decisions once made; that will be key when deciding which path forward during a crisis."

Many consumer products are heavily regulated by the FDA and other health organizations/associations. How do you feel about that?

"I understand that regulations are essential for the protection of the consumer, as well as, ultimately, for the companies that manufacture and distribute consumer products. Like many people, if I could change anything, I would wish for some approval processes to be more streamlined; however, I know that when regulations are understood and planned for on the front end, the overall approval and regulatory process can be managed relatively painlessly."

Talk to the interviewer about your thoughts on consumer product regulation. Be sure to remain positive and avoid going on a rant if there are regulations with which you do not agree.

"I feel that the FDA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory agencies ultimately have all of our best interests in mind - both the end user and those of us involved in the manufacturing and distribution process. I appreciate the regulations and the protection they provide for consumers - I know they add a layer of complexity and sometimes uncertainty to the whole process, but as long as that is factored into an initial timeline, it can be tackled without drama."

Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

"Overall, my career has progressed a touch slower than I would have liked. I have held a couple of positions that didn't offer the growth and learning that I was expecting; however, I have bounced back nicely. I feel that this particular position would take my career exactly where it should be for my level of education, experience and ambition."

Career progression can be a touchy subject, especially if you feel that your career hasn't progressed as well as you would have liked. Talk to the interviewer about your career progression and what you would like to see in the future.

"I love this question, and I can't imagine that there are very many people who can say that their career has progressed exactly as expected. And if they can say that, it tells me they haven't taken very many risks or disrupted the status quo. Because of my entrepreneurial approach in general, I'm open to new opportunities and willing to take risks in order, ultimately, to enjoy greater success. When you approach your career in that fashion, you never know where it will take you - except on to greater challenges and success."

When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

"Experiencing a setback is always disappointing, and can be a bit disheartening, but I understand that 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. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with setbacks in the workplace.

"Setbacks happen no matter what, and for that reason I try not to let them affect me emotionally in the least. I am a pragmatic thinker and stay focused despite challenges that come my way. I once had a colleague who described setbacks as "forward fumbles," which is a philosophy I have internalized and try to share with others. What looks in the moment like a setback can often, in retrospect, be a catalyst for change or an inadvertent step toward a successful outcome you weren't even able to imagine."

Change is par for the course with Beiersdorf. When have you had to adapt to change?

"In my current role, our sales goals can change frequently based on marketplace behavior or trends, and sometimes this happens at the last minute. I have been able to adapt very well to these frequent, sudden changes, and to respond with creativity. This really speaks to the heart of what it means to be successful in the consumer marketplace. I believe in making sound plans, but also being prepared to abandon those plans based on last-minute changes in circumstances."

Being able to adapt to change in the workplace is a crucial skill to possess. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have had to adjust to changes on the job. How did you handle the change? Was it a positive reaction?

"In my previous role at a high-growth tech startup, the sales organization was restructured a number of times, from a new boss to new teams and territories. Some of the accounts I had been nurturing but had not yet converted were now handed off to another sales rep who received the fruits of my labor. Of course, this can be very frustrating; however, by sitting down with management to understand the "why" of the change, I was able to see the bigger objective and ultimately increase my sales performance."

If Beiersdorf hired you today, what would you accomplish first?

"My first priority would be soaking up as much information about culture, process and KPIs as possible. I'd embark on a 'listening tour' in order to engage in deep conversation with my team and with my colleagues to discover the greatest current needs and how to prioritize them based on company goals for the quarter. Overall, I would strive to meet or exceed all KPIs for the business quarter as efficiently as possible."

When you start a new position, it is essential to set a goal on how you will make a positive impact quickly after being hired. Tell the interviewer what your impact goal is, should you be the successful candidate and hired at Beiersdorf.

"If hired today, I would start with analyzing all quantifiable data from the last month, quarter and year to identify any challenges and set a plan to address them. I'd also look for team and company strengths in order to capitalize on or expand them in order to increase the company's bottom line. Overall, I'd be looking for patterns that help me make an immediate contribution to the team and the organization."

Beiersdorf likes to hire those who take pride in their work. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.

"The greatest accomplishment in my career was graduating University as an honors student while still working full time in a related field. I was top of my class, and working full time. This showed me that I could dedicate myself to my career, and reach the goals that I set for myself. It felt great to accomplish so much and be recognized for my dedication."

Talking about your greatest accomplishment will give the interviewer a strong idea of where you place your values. It will also show the interviewer more about your personality, how you like to be motivated, and how to coach you in the future. It is okay to brag a little bit when answering this question. Show that you are proud of yourself and your career accomplishments!

"My greatest career accomplishment was having been promoted the fastest in the entire organization's history and sweetening the deal by closing a deal less than 48 hours later. I was not only proud of myself but also received accolades from the VP of Sales in front of the entire company, which was a really special moment. I took a pay cut to move into the role, so to exceed expectations, be promoted, and be financially ahead of where I was previously was exhilarating. "

Are you applying for a job with any of our competitors?

"I have applied to a variety of roles within the consumer products industry and am currently interviewing with one other company. My primary interest, though, is with Beiersdorf, Inc. because your products align perfectly with my product expertise, and I believe your overall philosophy on everything from corporate expansion to sustainability meshes well with my personal values."

The interviewer would like to know if you are specifically targeting positions within the same industry. Talk to the hiring manager about your desire for a role specifically in their industry. Be sure to reiterate your keen interest in the role with Beiersdorf, Inc..

"I am active in my search and previously have interviewed with two of your local competitors. With one, I have advanced to a second interview. With the other, I participated in a telephone interview just yesterday. With that said, I am most interested in this role with Beiersdorf, Inc. - this position is the best fit for my education and experience, and your corporate values of authenticity, accountability, innovation and caring describe the kind of environment in which I believe I'd be most successful."

Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue?

"Outside of work I like to attend dance classes and I also attend the odd paint and sip wine nights at a local wine shop. I also enjoy reading as a way of nurturing my creative side."

A genuinely creative minded person will have outside activities aside from what's happening in the workplace. Tell the interviewer about the variety of ways in which you express your creativity.

"I am an active person and believe in the importance of pursuing creative interests outside of work. I most enjoy working out, hiking, bicycling and attending pottery classes."

Sales performance is of utmost importance to Beiersdorf, Inc. How do you plan to contribute to our profitability?

"I plan to contribute to your profitability through hard work, strategy, tenacity and paying close attention to the needs of my customers. I have solid results in my most recent position and look forward to bringing these same successes to Beiersdorf, Inc. I'm encouraged by the fact that Beiersdorf says it's looking for employees who value achievement, accountability, innovation and caring. That's exactly the kind of approach I've taken in my career, and I look forward to continuing that mindset."

Talk to the interviewer about your sales targets, results, and contributions in the past. Be sure to highlight your biggest wins and talk about the ways you will bring the same performance to Beiersdorf if hired.

"My first step would be to examine current performance against KPIs and then develop a 30-, 60- and 90-day plan for how I can help the company achieve, and even exceed, tahem. I have a solid history of identifying strong lead measures that help support overall organizational strategies, and then leading a team to achieve those measures."

How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?

"Whenever I have had a supervisor who does not properly communicate with me, I first try to learn their style of communication and emulate it. I also try to ask a lot of questions and document instructions in writing as much as possible in order to make sure I'm understanding."

Others don't always communicate with you in the style that you would prefer. Talk to the interviewer about a time that you have handled a supervisor who does not interact with you in a way that you like or that is clear to you.

"I try to be independent and find as many answers as possible on my own. As much as I would love to always work with supervisors who are great communicators, that is not always a realistic ask. I also try to repeat instructions just to verify that I'm hearing and interpreting what the supervisor really wants."

At Beiersdorf, we prefer to hire candidates who value post-secondary education. Do you have any post-secondary education or related training?

"I value post-secondary education as well. Although I do not have a completed degree, I do bring a plethora of related experience from previous work experience. My previous organizations provided me with exceptional training. In addition to this formal, on-the-job training, I have also read numerous business books and attended a variety of industry related workshops. I have taken advantage of every opportunity I can for professional development and continuing education, and I'd look forward to continuing to do so in this role."

Talk to the interviewer about your post-secondary education, being sure to highlight the best parts of your performance. If you do not have the formal post-secondary education, you will need to sell the interviewer on the idea that you have gained the knowledge required to succeed with Beiersdorf.

"I have a bachelor's degree in marketing from Concordia University, and I am proud to say that I graduated at the top of my class. I have a lot to offer Beiersdorf when it comes to my knowledge of consumer products, marketing and advertising, and I look forward to learning additional skills and tactics from my colleagues who have been working in the industry for some time and have knowledge and experience to share."

Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

"Overall, my career has progressed a touch slower than I would have liked. I have held a couple of positions that didn't offer the growth and learning that I was expecting; however, I have bounced back nicely. I feel that this particular position would take my career exactly where it should be for my level of education, experience and ambition."

Career progression can be a touchy subject, especially if you feel that your career hasn't progressed as well as you would have liked. Talk to the interviewer about your career progression and what you would like to see in the future.

"I love this question, and I can't imagine that there are very many people who can say that their career has progressed exactly as expected. And if they can say that, it tells me they haven't taken very many risks or disrupted the status quo. Because of my entrepreneurial approach in general, I'm open to new opportunities and willing to take risks in order, ultimately, to enjoy greater success. When you approach your career in that fashion, you never know where it will take you - except on to greater challenges and success."

Of all the places that you could work, why do you want to join Beiersdorf?

"I would like to join Beiersdorf, Inc. because you are clear about what you want to achieve and who you want the company to be for the future. I admire that. I love that your vision is to be the number one in skin care in your relevant markets and categories. That's a clear goal that I can contribute to and get behind. I'm very drawn, overall, to your Blue Agenda, because it gives your team members a clear path in order for them to be successful individually, and to contribute collectively to the organization's success."

Talk to the interviewer about your reasons for wanting to work for Beiersdorf specifically. With all of the competitors out there - why them? Be as specific as possible.

"Beiersdorf, Inc. has been on my radar for some time now. I appreciate the company's values of care, simplicity, courage and trust, and I love that they provide an orientation for employees' daily behavior and serve as a benchmark they can measure themselves against. Having a clear direction, clear goals, and clear expectations about the type of team members you'd like to attract makes Beiersdorf the kind of environment in which I can thrive."

At Beiersdorf, we greatly value teamwork. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.

"You're absolutely right - effective teamwork is an essential part of a company's success. Last month our company asked upper management to complete a full inventory audit. There were 4 of us total, and so we broke the audit requirements into shifts, which had to take place when the warehouse was closed. In the end, there was one additional shift that nobody wanted to take. I volunteered to do that shift to show my dedication to my job and my co-workers. The gesture was appreciated, and the audit was completed on time."

It is essential to show the interviewer that you are a team player. Talk about a time that you were recently expected to achieve a goal in a team setting. How did you go over and above to ensure that your contribution was felt?

"The most recent team-based project that I was a part of was while I was earning my business degree. I worked on a final project with four others, and I found myself stepping into a leadership role where I delegated tasks and helped the team maintain a good pace. In the end, we hit our deadline and received a top grade."

If you were given a choice, which work related task would you leave for last? Why?

"If given a choice, I would leave my documentation tasks for last. I say this because I like to spend my time selling and hitting targets; that's the most energizing and satisfying to me, so completing tasks related to documentation during business hours often feels like a distraction from business development. I do understand the importance of appropriate documentation; I just prefer to save it for after the workday."

Often we will leave the tasks that we don't like for last in the act of procrastination. Other times, we will mindfully move a particular responsibility for last because we feel that it makes the most sense. Help the interviewer to determine which personality type you are by answering this question.

"I think it's natural to want to save the hardest or most demanding tasks for last, so I make a conscious effort not to do that. I try to review my to-do list each morning and pick the most difficult task on the list to complete first. That way, I feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment, and it's a nice confidence boost as I move on to tasks throughout the day that aren't quite as challenging. In this way, I also believe I could make a more meaningful contribution to the Beiersdorf team."

At Beiersdorf we seek to hire those who want a long-term fit. What is your long-range career objective?

"I have some pretty lofty career goals. I want to make a big impact within an industry, to push technology and press for always bigger, better ideas. After researching Beiersdorf, Inc. and learning more about this position, I feel that this role fits beautifully with my future aspirations. The company shares the kind of growth mindset and ambitious passion for success that I value personally."

Onboarding new employees is a time consuming and costly endeavor so the interviewer wants to make sure that this role will be a long-term fit for you. Be open with the interviewer about your dreams within Beiersdorf, on a long-term basis. Share what promotions you hope to eventually receive and discuss what you wish to learn from being a part of their organization. The key to answering this question is to express to the interviewer that you plan to be employed by the company for many years to come.

"This particular position is a goal that I have set my sights on for quite some time. I believe it is the next step in a long and fulfilling career in the consumer products industry. The industry leadership that Beiersdorf offers, as well as its culture of ambition and reinvention, are key for me, and I feel confident I will gain skills in this role that will make me successful."

Beiersdorf Interview Questions

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1. Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?
2. Do people see you as a trustworthy and honest individual?
3. We believe in strong work/life balance at Beiersdorf. How often do you take work home with you?
4. Beiersdorf puts emphasis on hiring people who fit into our workplace culture. How would you describe your personality?
5. Beiersdorf wants to know how to motivate you. What work situations excite and motivate you?
6. What type of work environment do you dislike working in?
7. How did you bring value to your last position?
8. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?
9. Tell me about a time when you received criticism from your manager. How did you react to that criticism? How did you make improvements based on that criticism?
10. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.
11. After researching Beiersdorf and our culture, what do you think are the top 3 values we look for in our candidates? Do you possess those qualities?
12. How do you deal with distracting coworkers who stand in the way of your progress?
13. Do you see yourself a leader? When have you led a team?
14. Tell me about your experience in training and coaching others.
15. What part of your career brings you the most stress?
16. As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?
17. When a major problem arises, what is your first reaction?
18. Many consumer products are heavily regulated by the FDA and other health organizations/associations. How do you feel about that?
19. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
20. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
21. Change is par for the course with Beiersdorf. When have you had to adapt to change?
22. If Beiersdorf hired you today, what would you accomplish first?
23. Beiersdorf likes to hire those who take pride in their work. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.
24. Are you applying for a job with any of our competitors?
25. Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue?
26. Sales performance is of utmost importance to Beiersdorf, Inc. How do you plan to contribute to our profitability?
27. How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?
28. At Beiersdorf, we prefer to hire candidates who value post-secondary education. Do you have any post-secondary education or related training?
29. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
30. Of all the places that you could work, why do you want to join Beiersdorf?
31. At Beiersdorf, we greatly value teamwork. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.
32. If you were given a choice, which work related task would you leave for last? Why?
33. At Beiersdorf we seek to hire those who want a long-term fit. What is your long-range career objective?

Beiersdorf Interview Questions

1. Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?

2. Do people see you as a trustworthy and honest individual?

3. We believe in strong work/life balance at Beiersdorf. How often do you take work home with you?

4. Beiersdorf puts emphasis on hiring people who fit into our workplace culture. How would you describe your personality?

5. Beiersdorf wants to know how to motivate you. What work situations excite and motivate you?

6. What type of work environment do you dislike working in?

7. How did you bring value to your last position?

8. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement?

9. Tell me about a time when you received criticism from your manager. How did you react to that criticism? How did you make improvements based on that criticism?

10. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.

11. After researching Beiersdorf and our culture, what do you think are the top 3 values we look for in our candidates? Do you possess those qualities?

12. How do you deal with distracting coworkers who stand in the way of your progress?

13. Do you see yourself a leader? When have you led a team?

14. Tell me about your experience in training and coaching others.

15. What part of your career brings you the most stress?

16. As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?

17. When a major problem arises, what is your first reaction?

18. Many consumer products are heavily regulated by the FDA and other health organizations/associations. How do you feel about that?

19. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

20. When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?

21. Change is par for the course with Beiersdorf. When have you had to adapt to change?

22. If Beiersdorf hired you today, what would you accomplish first?

23. Beiersdorf likes to hire those who take pride in their work. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.

24. Are you applying for a job with any of our competitors?

25. Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue?

26. Sales performance is of utmost importance to Beiersdorf, Inc. How do you plan to contribute to our profitability?

27. How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?

28. At Beiersdorf, we prefer to hire candidates who value post-secondary education. Do you have any post-secondary education or related training?

29. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

30. Of all the places that you could work, why do you want to join Beiersdorf?

31. At Beiersdorf, we greatly value teamwork. Tell me about a contribution you made to the last team you worked on.

32. If you were given a choice, which work related task would you leave for last? Why?

33. At Beiersdorf we seek to hire those who want a long-term fit. What is your long-range career objective?