How would you respond if a customer or colleagues asked you about a Fonterra product and you were unsure of the answer?
Due to their size, their full spectrum dairy operation, and their full line of products, even the most seasoned employees at Fonterra can't possibly know all aspects of the business. Especially if you are interviewing for a customer-facing role there, it will be important for your interviewer to know that you will always be resourceful in your ability to find answers when you don't know them.
"Over the course of my career as a reliability engineer, I've had to do a lot of extra collaboration to get answers to production managers and floor staff because things come up that I can't possibly know. If this would come up on the job here at Fonterra, I would ensure that I understand fully what is being asked and then get to work on finding an answer. I'm never hesitant to tap on the shoulders of my colleagues. If that doesn't work, I'm quick to conduct research in product manuals or websites to get a quick answer. If I'm fortunate enough to join the larger foodservice manufacturing plan in the Asia Pacific region, my ability to be resourceful will greatly help your team."
"As a member of Fonterra's farm source team, I know my customers will be busy farmers who all have their own knowledge and way of doing things. If I was ever asked a question that I was unsure of, I would be transparent and let them know that I would have to do some research and find out. I would make the farmer feel great by reinforcing the fact that their question was in-depth and insightful. I would also thank them for asking a complex question and challenging me as a Fonterra Limited ambassador. I have no trouble admitting when I don't know something. I would source the answer as quickly as possible by utilizing resources provided to me or asking a more experienced coworker."
The best way to answer this question is by talking about a time you had to dig deeper to help with an issue that you didn't know off the top of your head. The team at Fonterra wants to see that you are willing to find out what you need to while admitting when you don't have the correct response off the top of your head. Show that you are an independent and confident thinker, able to find answers to questions on your own. As a new employee at Fonterra, explain that you would take the time to find a solution, rather than saying "I don't know."
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