When was the last time you offered a suggestion or made a contribution that greatly benefited your team?

"I realized there were a lot of coaching opportunities being lost, for myself and others, due to several departmental communication growth opportunities. Some employees received more attention than others, and others weren't simply hitting their targets. So I came up with the idea of creating a Slack channel where everyone posted the targets they hit by the end of the day which was only available to the eyes of our leaders. So any time our leadership team witnessed those who needed coaching, got it. After adopting this as an experimental run, our entire department's KPIs increased by an average of 22% per week. Pretty soon, after everyone received equal attention and fair treatment, the entire team was performing equally in more of a coordinated effort."

Your interviewer is interested in learning more about your standard and what you would consider going above and beyond. How you answer will offer more insight about you as a professional. For example, they will view many of your answers as performance indicators of what they can expect of your work ethic, and what your brand of innovation will lend to their teams.

When answering this question, you want to make going the extra mile seem like your work standard. To do this successfully, you need to research Heineken and your professional history equally. Everything you learn about the company, their culture and values, and who they look for to join their company, you should then contrast with your own experience and determine whether you meet their expectations and are uniquely positioned as their ideal candidate. "Since 1864, Heineken has been doing its part to put a smile on consumers' faces while continuously renewing and adapting. We are entering an incredible next era of innovation and expansion in the beer industry. Our best days are ahead of us as we continue to deliver superior and balanced growth with beer and beyond. Innovation is embedded across the Company. All around the world, we have innovators who understand local needs and turn these into opportunities. Have faith in your ideas. If you do, Heineken will have faith in you."

Tell me about yourself.

"Well, as you can see on my resume, my education and career journey have led me to my current field. You see, for the past ten years, one of my hobbies has been making my home brew. The beers I've brewed are a variety of ales and stouts. But lagers are beyond my current skill level. Such a delicate process. While researching the brewing industry extensively, I came to truly admire everything Heineken does here. So while reevaluating my goals, I started to realize that there was an opportunity to blend my personal passions with my career pursuits by pursuing a career with Heineken. Aside from that, I have been proudly married for ten years and am the proud father of 2 beautiful children."

This introductory question is your opportunity to set the stage for your interview and to introduce yourself as a good fit for their company. It's the goal of your interviewer to get to know you as a person and as a professional. Doing so will better help them determine how well you would get along with and collaborate with the rest of their teams.

The first thing you need to do is to gain an understanding of how they describe the employee culture which they take pride in and continue to build upon. So research their websites and learn all you can about how they define who they are. "We are looking for the right people to go places with us. We are not just employees, we are pioneers with a thirst for knowledge and a spirit for adventure. We climb ladders, open doors and cross oceans. The road is not for everyone: it is without a doubt exciting, but there are challenges and obstacles too. Can you take these challenges and turn them into opportunities? Are you able to see the potential? Are you ready to wow the world?"

Tell me about the last time you stepped outside of your comfort zone.

"I would say that the last time I stepped outside of my comfort zone was when I committed to home brewing a West coast style IPA. Sometime you just have to make the leap. And in truth, it didn't turn out as I hoped. But I learned what I could from the process and got back to it. Sure, it was a bad batch, but it was worth the time, money and effort, because what I learned from that first bad batch resulted in the second batch being the finest brew I'd yet crafted. As a hobby, I started on this beer and beverage journey. I love to continue that journey professionally."

This question is aimed at determining how adaptable you are, and whether you strive to take charge of your development and stretch yourself professionally. How you answer this question should offer your interviewer a point of reference for your experience level, and the level to which you challenge yourself.

On Heineken's website, they describe their ideal talent as pioneers who look at their careers as a journey. "Embark on a journey with us. Getting ready for a new challenge in a new company is not always easy. It is about learning new things and acquiring new skills. It is about experiencing new territories, building new relationships, and performing in the role. It is hard work! Do you dare to stretch yourself?"

Are you open to traveling for work, or working at one of our other locations?

"I would be grateful to seriously consider any opportunity that involved travel or relocation. Regardless of whether one opportunity wasn't in line with my goals and another is, I would be committed to a career with Heineken for the long term."

Heineken has global career opportunities across Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Your interviewer is curious how ambitious your career goals are, and where you would like your career to take you. How you answer should inform them of your career goals and your drive for success.

"Within Heineken, your journey will take you as far as you want, as long as you go in the right direction. With more than 190 brands in 300 countries, opportunities are limitless. Ultimately, growth means what you want it to mean; because you are in control, you set the agenda and you write the road map. It is all about what YOU want to achieve! Are you ready to cross your borders? We don't just mean literally. At Heineken you will thrive if you want to grow, to learn and to stretch yourself. We need people that are willing to take a leap into the unknown with us and explore what could be, not just what is."

Do you prefer change or the status quo?

"Well, I am happy with either, as long as I am given the tools to adequately do my job, support the vision of the company, or aid in the goals of my team. I prefer transparency and full disclosure. But if that is lacking, you'll find that I ask a lot of questions. So, wherever you need me, and whatever you need me to do, I'll be there, working on a monotonous and predictable project for months, or leaping into the fire. Just say jump, and I'll ask, how high?"

Your interviewer is not only curious whether you prefer a regimented and predictable workday over a fast-paced and quickly evolving workscape. They are also curious about how adaptable you are to change. Someone who grows insecure and agitated when a workplace evolves might not be considered as good a fit for the company as someone who supports the company's vision and quickly adapts to whatever changes come. How you answer should inform them of whether Heineken is the right fit for you.

Heineken advertsies that they embrace the quickly evolving and often changing landscape of their company "with portfolio expansion, new technologies, new business models and with more sustainable offers. We embrace change, as we have always done. The world is changing. And Heineken needs to make sure we maximise the opportunities offered by change."

What other questions can I answer for you?

"Thank you. I know I've asked a good number of questions throughout the interview. Surprisingly, I do have a few more questions. First, I was wondering if you had any reservations or questions about whether you'd hire me which I could clear up for you? How admired was the person who held this position before me, and how welcomed will I be into this role? What does a day on the job look like for the person who held this position?"

This is your final opportunity to set a great impression, and your interviewer is curious about what the questions you've saved for the end will say about how well you've prepared for this moment. So this is your chance to position yourself as a memorable candidate by coming up with some interesting questions that will set you apart from the other candidates. It is also your last chance to clear anything up for the interviewer that might increase your chances of winning the job or moving on to the next round, such as by asking if there is any reason they might not consider hiring you based on your responses, or if there are any issues you can clear up for them.

What does integrity mean to you?

"I look at it this way. When you ask if something has structural integrity, integrity means strength. When you talk about the strength of your character, you're talking about your integrity. So to me, integrity is everything. It is the only thing that keeps my head held high, always guided by doing the right thing. This includes holding myself accountable. Taking ownership. Being true to my word. Being honest, empathetic, and transparent in my communication."

When an interviewer asks a candidate about their integrity, they want to get a better idea of the strength of their character. This will help them determine whether you would be a good investment or a liability. This will help them protect their assets, their reputation, and as well as their employees. Integrity is a recurring theme in Heineken's culture and is addressed repeatedly in their code of business conduct, which you can review on their website.

To best align yourself as a good fit for their company, and to position yourself as a model candidate, spend the extra time reading up on their code of business conduct. Taking the time to go the extra mile in preparing for your interview not only displays your strong work ethic but will help you better identify and advertise why you are the perfect fit for them.For example, when looking for their ideal talent, they state, "We must start from common ground: our INTEGRITY. Our success and strength come from our commitment to holding ourselves to the highest standards of integrity and putting people at the heart of what we do. We're led by integrity, transparency and honesty in our every action. We do the right thing, even when no one is watching. This commitment is fundamental to our ambition to Brew a Better World and to create a positive impact for our consumers, customers, employees, third parties, shareholders, communities and our beloved planet. We act with integrity, always."

Have you ever witnessed a fellow employee or supervisor do something unethical?

"I am guided by my sense of honesty and my sense of loyalty. I have a great deal of integrity. I have trouble understanding those who don't don't also embrace these values. About a year ago I had a supervisor advise me to do something that was a violation of our code of ethics. I refused. They threatened disciplinary action if I didn't do what they said. In the end, I suggested they do it themself, rather than asking someone else to do something unethical for them. They backed down, and I reported the incident to their superior. Unfortunately, there were no protections in place to prevent retribution, and things became difficult for me there, so I ended up leaving the position and found another more in line with my values."

This is another question centered around your sense of integrity and your code of ethics. How you answer will again serve to inform your interviewer of how aligned you are with their code of business conduct, where they state, "Ethical dilemmas in the workplace will come up from time to time. How you conduct yourself can protect or compromise the integrity of the company's reputation, or their assets."

Prepare for your interview by reading through their code, which can be easily found online, and think of examples in your professional experience of where you met their standard. "You may one day observe conduct that concerns you. Speak up. Use your common sense and professional judgment. Act honestly and ethically. Please read our new Code carefully and apply the principles in your daily work. It provides the tools to guide you in making the right decisions when facing dilemmas. Following the Code is the best thing you can do to demonstrate all of our Values: it shows your passion for consumers and customers, your care for people and planet, your courage to dream and pioneer to grow sustainably, and your enjoyment of life, knowing that you did the right thing."

Starting a new job is hard work. What do you perceive as the most difficult challenges to overcome when starting in a new position?

"Well, earning the trust of everyone at work and building relationships with a large team is hard work. Everyone is unique, and some people you connect with right away, while others can be more difficult to get to know. It is also humbling, especially when you are eager to prove yourself and to be accepted into something you worked so hard for. Learning new skills, systems, processes, and the nuance of branding is easy. But learning the quirks of a person while navigating their unique personalities, is tricky and takes a lot of time, patience, and humility."

The tasks involved with starting in a new role always pose significant challenges. The biggest of which is getting to know, earning the trust, and being accepted by the teams you are being introduced into. "The work you do at Heineken will intersect with the paths of many colleagues and that is how you will be most successful. Are you ready to grow friendships? We believe there's nothing better than making a friend over a shared experience. Build relationships across Heineken. We have a tight-knit global community. Its easy to connect, share best practices, learn from each other and make some friends along the way. Forging ahead, together, we all have the same ambition."Your interviewer is also curious about what aspects, based on your experience, you find the most challenging in this situation, and why. Also, discuss what approach you plan on taking if awarded this opportunity at Heineken.

Many of the questions a skilled interviewer will ask are directly related to their company culture and work environment. They may even sprinkle clues on how to answer each question in the form of keywords, key phrases, or culture specific statements which are easily found on their website. If you pick up on these clues and give them the answer they are looking for, you'll be showing them you have a strong work ethic through how well you've prepared for your interview, which is worth far more than telling them you are a hard worker. By preparing for the interview, you'll learn a little about what to expect, which will help better equip you to navigate each question successfully. For example, here are some more culture statements from their website: "The next steps in your journey... What happens after you join us? Getting ready for a new challenge in a new company is not always easy. It is about learning new things and acquiring new skills. About experiencing new territories, building new relationships, and performing in the role. It is hard work! We see it as our job to help you with that hard work!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"I would like to see myself having contributed a great deal to the department, having earned the trust of my teams and leaders, and having accomplished all the goals I've set out in my five-year career plan. That means having risen into a leadership position, and actively coaching others who are following the same path, and helping them have an easier time of it than I did, but helping them learn from what I learned along the way."

Your interviewer is looking for candidates who have identified this position as a long-term career opportunity. So they'll be evaluating your passion for the industry and your career satisfaction. "Our careers are journeys paved with richness, accomplishments, and a few beers and ciders with friends or strangers along the way." Questions that ask what your goals are for the next three to five years directly refer to whether you've developed a three or five-year career plan. Career-centric professionals with strong project management skills will use this tool to map out all of their macro and micro goals, turning seemingly insurmountable tasks into something entirely attainable.

There are several statements on their website which are marketing efforts to recruit their ideal talent. For example, they state they are looking for talent who bring a genuine interest to the brewing industry. "Fun and ambition is in our DNA. We believe every employee is in the driver seat of their own career. We provide a variety of the tools to develop yourself. It's up to you. Keep going places during your journey at Heineken. The opportunities are limitless. We encourage you to Go Places. It is all up to you."

If you take your career anywhere, where would you like to end up?

"If I could take my career anywhere with Heineken and the sky was the limit, I would love to be a brewmaster for this world-renowned brewery. As I've said, I am a home brewer and would love to do that professionally. But not just anywhere. I'd prefer to work with the best."

This fun question lifts the ceiling of your ambition. So have fun with it, while simultaneously aligning what Heineken stands to offer your career with what you potentially have to offer them. One of Heineken's five priorities is: "Unlock the full potential of our people. People are at the heart of our business. Our success is dependent on having the very best talent, highly motivated to deliver results and guided by a strong sense of purpose."

Talk to the interviewer about what you find rewarding about your career, your sense of purpose, and what career satisfaction means to you. Dolf van den Brink, Heineken's CEO, said, "Our actions and decisions define who we are as individuals and as a company. Together, we will build our bright future and our shared success. That's how we shape the future of beer and beyond. To me, that is the joy of true togetherness."

Why do you want to work with Heineken?

"I believe that Heineken stands out from your competitors because you put a strong emphasis on shrinking your economic footprint. The news page on your website talks about how you've reduced water usage this year by 12%. It's a great accomplishment, and your efforts are standing out in this industry. Water is such a valuable resource, so I like to see that Heineken is making a concerted effort to make a difference in this area. Not all companies are focused on sustainability and the environment. I think that your sustainability efforts are rare and responsible."

A skilled interviewer will ask several questions which are similarly phrased but subtly different. For example, asking a candidate where they want to take their career in five years is different from asking where they ultimately want to take their career, and asking why you want to work for their company is different from asking why they would want to hire you. How you answer each question will inform the interviewer of your attention to detail and how thoroughly you have prepared for your interview.So consider this an opportunity to showcase your work ethic and communication skills by exhibiting your strong attention to detail. Save telling the interviewer why they should hire you for that question if it comes up. Instead, explain exactly what interests you most about working for Heineken in a way that exemplifies yourself as their ideal candidate. Think about how this job will help you in your career, and share how working for Heineken will help you achieve those goals. It is crucial for you to know not only what you have to offer Heineken, but also what Heineken can do for you. Communicate your passion and excitement for this opportunity and show the interviewer that you have what it takes.

If you find it challenging to answer this question without repeating talking points from other questions, try answering it in the way that Heineken would. On their website, they advertise their accomplishments and value statements. This is how they choose to represent themselves, through their branding, to their consumers and customers. It is through this language that they expect their representatives to communicate. But don't just repeat what they've said. Say it in your own words, in a way that feels comfortable to you and is aligned with your own nature."Do you have what it takes? Will you take right or left? Say yes or no? Go places that make you go places. It's a challenging and exciting road, and Heineken can deliver! Today is your day! Join us and be on your way! We offer a world of opportunities!"

How do you communicate inclusively?

"I would say by including everyone in the communication, and giving everyone a voice. Everyone should feel heard, listened to, validated, and understood. Give everyone the opportunity for empathy and constructive feedback. Help develop them and help them have a voice. I think it is as simple as that."

Communication is integral to the smooth operations of every business. Therefore, your interviewer is curious how skilled a communicator you are, and whether you would be able to adapt to their specific brand of communication. There are many communication skills a professional must master, from active listening, empathy, situational non-defensive communication, explaining complicated topics in simple terms, negotiation and mediation skills, and the ability to adapt one's communication style to others. So learn what you can about Heineken's approach to communication, including what they brand as "Inclusive Communication."

Heineken has 9 inclusive practices: "Make it safe for others. Be transparent. Find common ground with others. Communicate inclusively. Seek multiple points of view. Give and receive feedback. Develop self awareness. Shape and deliver with the team." Heineken's approach to inclusive communication is guided by the principle of communicating consistently and listening with empathy. "Through fully transparent conversations with all of its people, Heineken's different, if not slightly disruptive approach, to engaging everyone in the conversation and being part of the solution."

Tell me about a time you had a communication breakdown at work.

"I pride myself on my communication skills, and in my previous role, the health and safety of our employees was reliant on healthy communication. We transported dangerous goods, and we were all required to take specific workshops on communication, both verbally and for written documentation and correspondence. That is always the focus, how everyone can work together as one team, with the welfare of the team as a whole in mind. So anytime things weren't clear, or the message sent wasn't the message received, I would just focus on how to adapt my communication to the other person. Writing it out or using visuals worked better for one person and analogies for another. For example, not long ago, I was working with someone who was dyslexic, and I had to verbally give them directions over the phone for a very urgent delivery to a very important client. Classically they might mix up right and left. So I got onto Google Maps and looked for landmarks. I then described each landmark for each turn, and got them there in record time."

The example you offer should inform your interviewer of your emotional intelligence. Your adeptness in such situations might provide them context to your mediation skills and whether you are part of the solution or part of the problem. Your answer should also provide indications of how well you would get along with their teams.

There is a great deal of advice in Heineken's code of business conduct for effectively communicating with your colleagues. Ultimately, you want to convey that you are a strong collaborator and team player and that you build and maintain strong professional relationships. So read up on their approach, and determine how it aligns with your own. Ultimately, you want to demonstrate, with sincerity, how you are already one of them. For example, Heineken recommends, "If in doubt, have open and honest conversations and discuss your dilemmas with your colleagues. We encourage people to have honest conversations within their team, as issues are often best resolved straight away among colleagues."

What type of work environment do you thrive in?

"I am pretty versatile, but do prefer to work in an organized environment with a positive beat, where everyone's perspectives are valued and heard. Ideally, I am seeking a role that offers a positive work environment with room for growth through challenging projects and continued training. I work best in a positive team environment where employees are respected and given some form of autonomy. also prefer environments where autonomy is offered, and trust is given."

Career-centric professionals are driven to put in their all and perform at their best. However, certain environments and social conditions may bolster or thwart their efforts. Therefore, those who are determined to succeed and further their career identify what environment and conditions aid them in performing at their best while being able to take pride in their work and bolster their job satisfaction. How you answer will potentially reveal your level of experience as a professional, and how career-centric you truly are. Identify which environments promote your productivity versus those situations you find most distracting. Share your preferences with the interviewer, while suggesting a level of adaptability.

Research the environment fostered by Heineken, and share how you feel this would work well for you, enabling you to be a top performer. Heineken advertises that they offer a dynamic environment and varied experiences. "Even though over 80,000 people work at Heineken, we are still very much a family business. At our offices, we greet each other in the hallways and have an open and informal culture that supports our employees to get to know each other over a coffee or a beer and discover how they can collaborate. Like family, we support each other as much as we can. People are at the center of our business. We are an informal company with a flat hierarchy and accessible leaders. Have a brilliant idea? Sharing knowledge and building bonds is a key part of anyone's journey at Heineken."

Why should we hire you?

"Because everything about my personality would qualify as being a pioneer. When I move somewhere new, I love to explore and go off the beaten path. I love to travel, whether for business or pleasure, and my favorite part of travel is going where the locals go and eating where the locals eat. I am an adventurer through and through. I look at everything from different perspectives. I am very self-assured and believe in what I can do. So I would love to bring everything I have to give to Heineken, and there are just a few reasons why you should hire me. I have heard great things about the company and would be a great fit for this job. I love many of your brands and would love to try them all. I absolutely admire the company culture. Heineken stands out, and the culture's reputation is unmatched."

Your interviewer is curious whether you have identified what uniquely positions you as their target talent. Identify the needs of the company, the teams, and the recruiter. Address your interviewer's motives and pain points. Share what they have to gain from your talent, skill, and experience. Offer what they would have to gain from your loyalty, motivation, determination, innovation, and sense of collaboration. Incorporate their language and keywords in your answer when you can. Tell them that you fit the mold of who they are looking to fill this position. "We are stepping up and raising the bar of our ambitions. Go Places at Heineken. Are you ready to be brave? Are you ready to work miracles? Are you ready to be bold? Are you ready to empower yourself? Are you ready for more?"

Tell me about an organization or group outside of work that you contributed to.

"I have not formally volunteered in these most recent years, but a few years ago I volunteered every Wednesday evening at our local animal shelter. I helped with grooming the animals, feeding them, and walking them. It was an enjoyable experience and rewarding at the same time. But if money were no object, I would open up a nonprofit community center in my neighborhood that offered inexpensive childcare, cooking classes, and other life skills programs. I am passionate about volunteering and see a strong need in those particular areas. If I had unlimited funds, I might also create a non-profit that would follow my creative passion for music and start a studio where people could take music lessons and rent equipment that they may not be able to afford otherwise to purchase."

Character and altruistic pursuits are often considered valued qualities. Many hiring managers may even choose one qualified candidate over another simply due to their shared values, and being guided by "doing the right thing". If you've had experience giving back to the community in some form or other, share it. If you donate or contribute to organizations, volunteer that. If you have a desire to volunteer, but carefully manage your time and cannot fit that in at this stage in your life, share that as well. What's important is to disclose your awareness of Heineken's ESG goals and accomplishments, and what factor that played in your pursuing this opportunity.

Heineken advertises that they invest in community initiatives that support social and economic well-being through the jobs they create, the businesses they support, and the locations where they source their materials. "With operations that span the globe, we have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to use our business as a positive force for change. We are committed to making a positive contribution to the communities where we source, live, work, and sell our products."

How would your previous coworkers describe you?

"I think that they would describe me as fun, outgoing, playful, and adventurous. I think they'd also say that I am too driven and really work hard and move fast. Some called me the wild man because of how fast I worked. Another called me the renegade. Silly names, really. There have been several times I've had coworkers tell me to slow down and that by working as hard as I was, I was making everyone look bad. But I don't think that's true at all. Everyone is bringing something unique to the table, and it doesn't have to look like what I bring."

How you answer this question could offer your interviewer insights into your sincerity and self awareness. It will also offer provide clues to how familiar and open you were with those you worked with, and what those relationships looked like. So spend time meditating on comments your coworkers have made about you in the past. Revisit the comments from past performance reviews and try to describe yourself in their words.

Heineken uses terms, such as bold, focused, charismatic, maverick, empowered, explorer, and pioneer. Where you can, think of those similar things your teammates have said that would position you as a complementary fit. "Who do we look for? Pioneers. What do pioneers do? Push past limits. The fastest way to empowerment is empowering yourself. Why join us? By coming here, you've already shown you are interested in exploring and are open to new experiences. The winning recipe: a bold idea, a can do attitude, and a team of charismatic mavericks. Each with their own skills and expertise, all play an important role in the process, from barley to the bar."

Which of our brands do you have in your home?

"Well, this might be different on any given day. On most days, I have several varieties of Lagunitas in my fridge right next to Heineken. But presently, after hosting a party a few nights ago, I have a fridge full of Red Stripe and Birra Moretti."

Your interviewer is curious about the breadth of your product knowledge. Before considering hiring you as a representative of their brands, they need to determine whether you are presently a loyal customer. So go the extra mile with this question. Showcase your product knowledge and be ready to describe several things about each product, and how they stand apart from each other. Then share the products you have only just learned of while researching the company, and how you look forward to testing those products in the near future.

Heineken advertises that they have more than 300 brands in over 190 countries, "from the Americas to Asia-Pacific and from the Middle East to Europe. We're building a lasting presence in emerging markets, bringing great moments to consumers and continuing to evolve our offering in markets where we've always had a strong presence. Wherever in the world we operate, we're committed to long-term sustainable growth. We act as responsibly as we do innovatively. We think as locally as we do globally."

How do you respond to customer or client complaints?

"As I always do. By listening and making sure they felt truly listened to, heard, and understood. I would ask validating questions and make validating statements because regardless of the situations, their feelings at that moment are real. I would make them feel valued as a loyal member of our brands. I would empathize with them and communicate with transparency. If things escalated to the point where I was unable to help them, I would inform them of the next steps, and only after exploring all avenues of turning their experience around would I forward the situation to a supervisor for help in handling the situation."

Whether interviewing for a customer, or client-facing role, you are interviewing to represent the company and its brands. Therefore, your interviewer needs to ensure that any candidate they consider will be able to nurture customer and consumer relationships. An effective representative will adopt the company's language and position as their own when interacting respectfully and professionally with the public. So think of an example when you helped resolve a customer's issue or concern, showing appreciation for and retaining their brand loyalty.

One of Heineken's values is their "Passion for our consumers and customers. We are brand-builders who truly understand the needs & desires of our consumers. We brew the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world. Putting customers and consumers firmly at the core. Beer has been bringing people together for thousands of years. Since 1864, Heineken has been doing its part to put a smile on consumers' faces, bringing the joy of true togetherness to consumers across the world."

What do you do to stay on top of industry news and trends?

"While home brewing, and trying to learn more about the process of brewing lagers, I got hooked on the reading material. I'm passionate about learning more. That's when I started staying up to date on brewing news and trends, which started through my local homebrew store. Now I subscribe to several periodicals, both print and on my iPhone news feed. I also subscribe to email newsletters, such as brewbeerblog.com. I started going to our local Beer Fest every year as well, and this last year I flew to Germany for Oktoberfest, which was quite the carnival!"

Your interviewer is trying to assess how effectively you would represent their company and whether you could serve as a trusted resource of information to your colleagues, customers, and consumers. Go beyond sharing any industry news you've recently read or the magazines, blogs, or news sources you typically turn to. Familiarize yourself with the talking points the company advertises online, through their positions & statements, media gallery, social media, website newsroom, and "Our Stories" blog.

Talk briefly about the ways you stay up to date on new trends, and what you learned from visiting their site. It's a good idea to ask the interviewer how they stay up to date, as well while displaying an eagerness to learn. "Our best days are ahead of us as we continue to deliver superior and balanced growth with beer and beyond. New flavours, styles and trends are helping us reimagine and revitalise beer, while continuously renewing and adapting. We are entering an incredible next era of innovation and expansion in the beer industry."

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

"Well, I enjoy reading. I love to cook from scratch. I am very health conscious and avoid processed foods. I also like to stay fit and attend dance classes. I also believe that exercising creativity is equally important, like fun creative activities with my friends, such as attending the odd paint and sip beer nights at a local brewpub. I love to attend concerts! I am so into music that I've started taking piano lessons twice per week."

This question serves a few purposes. On one hand, it helps the interviewer better get to know you personally rather than strictly professionally. This will better help them find commonalities between you and others on their team, which is useful for building work relations. Your answer also stands to inform them of whether you have a strong work-life balance. The more balanced a person's personal and professional lives are, the greater the job satisfaction and the less likely they are to burn out on the job, bring their work home with them, or bring their personal problems to work.

Heineken has implemented several policies and benefits to enhance their employees' work life balance. "Caring about people is our core value. The health and well-being of our employees is always our top priority. Our initiative is to ensure that we have provided our employees with a safe and healthy workplace both psychologically and physically. We support the health and safety of our employees at all times." But before hiring anyone, they want to ensure whomever they hire already prioritizes their physical and mental wellbeing. Whether through effectively managing both spheres of their life through proper management or through living a healthy lifestyle. So consider this while answering how you spend your personal time.

How do you feel about working in a diverse and inclusive environment?

"I thrive in diverse and collaborative work environments where there are a wide variety of innovative perspectives I can learn from, and thereby learn more about myself and what I am capable of. I am very community driven as well, and prefer working in a culture that rewards their passionate and reliable employees, regardless of background, gender, culture, or identity."

This question is designed to help your interviewer assess your cultural competence. Drawing from a diverse work pool, across boundaries and a wide range of perspectives and experience, fosters greater innovation and a stronger, more dynamic, and desirable work culture. How you answer will help them determine how effectively you'll collaborate and build relationships with their teams.

"We're on a path to an inclusive, fair and equitable world. We celebrate diversity of thought and foster inclusivity by creating space for everyone equally. Everywhere. We foster a culture where diversity is embraced and celebrated so that everyone can thrive. We foster a continuous listening approach to shape a culture where all people feel heard and valued. Inclusion starts with listening to everyone, not just the loudest voices. We treat everyone with kindness, fairness and respect so that people can be their best and happiest selves at work. Always. Everyone is valued fairly and equally, so that every individual can reach their full potential. We believe that diverse and inclusive teams ignite diversity of thoughts, greater innovation, and better performance. Diverse views make great brews."

How do you respond to feedback?

"Well, typically with gratitude. I am very proactive in seeking out feedback. If I know I did a great job, I know. But if I feel there is room for improvement, or I haven't mastered a skill for very long, I will keep checking in with my supervisors and my peers. I want to know. On rare occasions, I get unsolicited feedback, and I listen and take to heart what can be learned from the feedback. You have to know yourself, and take ownership of what is yours, and gain insight from the rest. Whether it is about yourself or others, there is always something to learn."

Not only is your interviewer curious about how you respond to feedback, but also how you approach it. Do you wait for feedback to come to you, trying to stay under the radar while hoping no news is good news? Or, do you proactively seek out feedback, learning what you can, while focused on your own professional development? How you answer this question should inform your interviewer more about your emotional intelligence, and how proactively you take charge of your own development.

Heineken states that they "continuously develop ourselves and support the development of others. We treat your personal growth as a business priority. We want you to succeed. We are learning together, sharing experience and collaborating internally, across our operating companies, and externally with our partners and peers." So when answering this question, go the extra mile by not only sharing how you proactively seek out feedback from your leaders and your peers, but how you offer feedback to those on your team as well. Offer how you are never caught off guard by your performance reviews, and even if feedback isn't what you hoped to hear, or when it may not have been delivered with the best messaging, you can take what you can to learn from it, seeing it as constructive criticism, and constantly improve yourself and your skills.

Tell me about a time you failed at something.

"A while back, I spent too much time fine-tuning the details of one aspect of a project I was working on. I sometimes try to be a perfectionist, but in doing so I lose track of time and end up hyper-focused on things that are less of a priority. On this one occasion, I missed my deadline and was pulled aside by my manager, who recognized this as a coaching opportunity. I learned a lot about how to balance my attention to detail, and how to prioritize and see the bigger picture. When I say a mistake won't happen again, I mean it. I've received primarily positive feedback from my previous manager. I work hard on improving all of my growth opportunities."

Your interviewer is curious about what your approach to your failures, setbacks, and mistakes may say about your emotional intelligence, experience, and professionalism. How a person approaches failure has as much to do with their rate of success. A person who examines their failures and learns what they can from them to prevent repeating the same mistakes while ensuring their future success is a desirable asset. Whereas someone who tries to hide their mistakes, does not take ownership of them, and fears admitting to them or being discovered is highly likely to repeat the same mistakes, having learned little from the experience, and presents themself as a liability.

Examine how Heineken defines their approach to failure and compare it to your work history and approach. "Put safety first. Act as an entrepreneur. Collaborate through trust. Keep it simple. Learn to improve. When we face all the successes and failures together, as one team, things happen. This strategy leverages our existing strengths alongside new opportunities to chart the next chapter of our growth. True to our ambitions, it meets short-term challenges and will ensure the long-term journey of both continuity and change, building on what has made us great and what is needed next. If you're someone who takes pride in their work, is great at interpreting/presenting information, demonstrates learning agility, resilience and a flexible approach, you're part way there! Adapt to a fast-changing world and grow stronger."

What does winning look like to you?

"Winning looks like harmony, camaraderie, self-growth, and group accomplishment. Being able to be independent or working as a team, and over-delivering at speed. When I have done a good job, helped others do better than me, and everyone feels happy and accomplished, approaching each day with gratitude and looking forward to the next, that is victory."

This is a company culture-specific question. If you have prepared for your interview in advance, you'll be able to quickly identify the nature of this question and answer it accordingly. Your interviewer is asking whether you are competitive and singularly focused on advancing your own career goals, or whether you are more team-oriented and perceive the success of the team, and your contributions to collaboration and the team effort as your success, and the failures of the team as your own failure.

Most of Heineken's cultural statements directly link back to their purpose and core values. "We want to be clear on 'what winning looks like'. We always want to win, but only in the right way, by doing the right thing, even if that means letting business opportunities go. We recognise that this is not always easy, but we take great pride in putting our values over value, no matter the situation. Our purpose is our core reason for being. We brew the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world. It shapes our strategy and inspires our people. Our values are what we stand for: Passion for consumers and customers. Courage to dream and pioneer. Care for people and planet. Enjoyment of life. Our dream is to shape the future of beer and beyond to win with consumers. We brew the highest quality beers and beverages to best serve our customers... to win together."

What motivates you on the job?

"Nothing motivates me more than being enabled to actualize my career growth and goals. My career has progressed a touch slower than I would have liked. That's why I started considering looking for opportunities elsewhere, to facilitate the career growth I set out for myself in my career goals. Although I held a few positions that I found exciting and learned a great deal from, others didn't offer the growth and learning that I was expecting. I feel that this particular position would take my career exactly where I want it to go. I would like to see future growth, at a manageable pace, with Heineken. If you want to know how to motivate me, it is in mentoring, trusting me to be self-managed in my work, which involves being available to all my questions, and continually awarding me with more opportunities and responsibilities to grow, and recognition for my contributions."

How you answer this question will further assist your interviewer in determining whether you are their ideal candidate. They want to know if you will be motivated by future career opportunities with Heineken and their investment in your continual development. Or are you solely motivated by financial perks, salary, and accrued vacation time? In other words, are you motivated by what they can do for your career, and what you can do for them, or are you simply in it for the money?

Heineken describes the talent they are looking for as pioneers. "We do not look for 'employees', we look for pioneers with a thirst for knowledge and a spirit for adventure. Those that climb ladders, open doors and cross oceans, always standing by our company values; passion for quality, enjoyment of life and respect for people, society and the planet. Surprise us at the real interview! Tell us about your passions, ambition, learning agility and skills!" Focusing on the positive, talk with enthusiasm about what motivates you and makes you feel satisfied on the job, and what you hope to gain in a future with Heineken.

What type of leader are you?

"I am an influencer, a transformational leader, who is somewhat democratic. I love coaching and mentoring. I am a strong communicator and a great delegator. I feel confident in my communication skills and this enables me to trust my team to get the work done. I dedicate equal attention to everyone, the rock stars, and slower producers. I favor both the tortoise and the hare. I am good at keeping a balance between being a mentor and a respected leader. I am the type of leader who my team trusts and looks forward to working with."

The interviewer hopes to learn more about your leadership experience and potential, to better determine whether you meet the requirements for the company and this role. If you have formal leadership experience, consider how your style aligns with the type of leaders the company promotes. If you don't have formal experience, think of a mentor or role model whose leadership style you admire and whom you might model yourself after.

Heineken states that they aspire for all of their people, whom they refer to as pioneers, to be leaders, and they define a leader as someone who acts as a role model while connecting, delivering, shaping, and developing their teams. "We consider all of our pioneers to be leaders. The way our employees lead is what sets us apart. They are able to connect with anyone around them and continuously invest in developing others. They shape the future, but at the same time deliver great results day-to-day. And very importantly, they always walk the talk; being a true role model for our company values. Do you have what it takes to be an effective leader at Heineken?"

When was the last time you had to complete an undertaking without the necessary information on hand?

"When the unplanned contingency strikes, I assess the situation, assess our schedule, and determine whether I can balance it with other work. I do not procrastinate. Rather, there's no time to waste, so I tend to jump right in! Not in a careless way, but in an enthusiastic one. I like to get my hands dirty and get the job going right away. Lead by example, through attitude and work ethic, and get everybody to get it done. Often it's in these situations that working harder is working smarter."

Your interviewer is curious about how resourceful you are, and whether you typically display outside-of-the-box thinking, which is a strong indicator of innovation. As they say on their website, "At Heineken, passion and resourcefulness will get you anywhere." How you answer this question could also inform them of how you approach taking calculated risks.

When answering this question, you'll want to ensure you are maintaining a degree of consistency with the other answers you've delivered. This question should also offer your interviewer insights into your work ethic and emotional maturity. A less emotionally intelligent individual will panic or feel overwhelmed in stressful situations where decisive action is required. Such individuals are more prone to task paralysis or task procrastination. Whereas a professional who can objectify the situation and not allow their stress to dictate their behavior is more capable of taking calculated risks, with a thorough understanding of the systems, ethics, and standards to help guide their decision making.

Tell me about a time that you helped someone on your team accomplish an important goal.

"As a Sales Manager, my team is only as successful as the lowest producing employee. It is crucial that my entire team is motivated, engaged, and on point with their KPIs. Last month I hired a new employee who was struggling significantly with sales. I sat him down and realized that he didn't understand the product. We spent a few hours together over that next week learning the product. In the end, his sales increased by 64%, and he was significantly more confident. It helped the team morale as well. I had a coworker who recently needed some flexibility in his schedule so that he could finish his final university exams. I offered to take his overtime shift as well as to swap a couple of shifts with him. It always feels good to help someone accomplish things that are important to them."

Communicating that you are goal-oriented and determined is one thing, and showcases your determination and drive to further your career. This reveals what Heineken can do for you. But being team-oriented, showcasing how you see furthering the goals of your team, and sharing what you've learned by mentoring others shows what you can do for Heineken. And when you don't draw distinctions between one or the other, this showcases what you can do for each other while positioning yourself as their ideal candidate. "We believe in WE not ME. We believe in the power that comes from our relationships and working together for a common goal. We are passionate about our company. We always take responsibility and act as if we are owners."

At Heineken, they say "every success is a team effort." And, Heineken's Chief People Officer, Yolanda Talamo said, "If you want to make a difference, Heineken is the place to be. We are on a journey of transformation with ambitious plans to drive change together. I encourage you to be bold and collaborative, while taking every opportunity to develop yourself and realise your own ambitions as well."

"When my manager went on unexpected medical leave for three months last year I was asked to step into her position in the interim. I knew the basics but was certainly not trained on the specifics of the role. I was able to take it on successfully by leaning on my team, reading a lot of company manuals, and asking many questions. Once my manager returned she was very pleased with the progress that I made, and I gained a promotion. My current company recently implemented a new SAP system which means that every day has been a learning curve for me. I have had to learn how to manage inventory levels and document in the SAP system. I enjoy taking on new tasks and learning new things."

Heineken Interview Questions

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1. When was the last time you offered a suggestion or made a contribution that greatly benefited your team?
2. Tell me about yourself.
3. Tell me about the last time you stepped outside of your comfort zone.
4. Are you open to traveling for work, or working at one of our other locations?
5. Do you prefer change or the status quo?
6. What other questions can I answer for you?
7. What does integrity mean to you?
8. Have you ever witnessed a fellow employee or supervisor do something unethical?
9. Starting a new job is hard work. What do you perceive as the most difficult challenges to overcome when starting in a new position?
10. Where do you see yourself in five years?
11. If you take your career anywhere, where would you like to end up?
12. Why do you want to work with Heineken?
13. How do you communicate inclusively?
14. Tell me about a time you had a communication breakdown at work.
15. What type of work environment do you thrive in?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. Tell me about an organization or group outside of work that you contributed to.
18. How would your previous coworkers describe you?
19. Which of our brands do you have in your home?
20. How do you respond to customer or client complaints?
21. What do you do to stay on top of industry news and trends?
22. Outside of work, what type of activities do you like to pursue?
23. How do you feel about working in a diverse and inclusive environment?
24. How do you respond to feedback?
25. Tell me about a time you failed at something.
26. What does winning look like to you?
27. What motivates you on the job?
28. What type of leader are you?
29. When was the last time you had to complete an undertaking without the necessary information on hand?
30. Tell me about a time that you helped someone on your team accomplish an important goal.

Heineken Interview Questions

1. When was the last time you offered a suggestion or made a contribution that greatly benefited your team?

2. Tell me about yourself.

3. Tell me about the last time you stepped outside of your comfort zone.

4. Are you open to traveling for work, or working at one of our other locations?

5. Do you prefer change or the status quo?

6. What other questions can I answer for you?

7. What does integrity mean to you?

8. Have you ever witnessed a fellow employee or supervisor do something unethical?

9. Starting a new job is hard work. What do you perceive as the most difficult challenges to overcome when starting in a new position?

10. Where do you see yourself in five years?

11. If you take your career anywhere, where would you like to end up?

12. Why do you want to work with Heineken?

13. How do you communicate inclusively?

14. Tell me about a time you had a communication breakdown at work.

15. What type of work environment do you thrive in?

16. Why should we hire you?

17. Tell me about an organization or group outside of work that you contributed to.

18. How would your previous coworkers describe you?

19. Which of our brands do you have in your home?

20. How do you respond to customer or client complaints?

21. What do you do to stay on top of industry news and trends?

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

23. How do you feel about working in a diverse and inclusive environment?

24. How do you respond to feedback?

25. Tell me about a time you failed at something.

26. What does winning look like to you?

27. What motivates you on the job?

28. What type of leader are you?

29. When was the last time you had to complete an undertaking without the necessary information on hand?

30. Tell me about a time that you helped someone on your team accomplish an important goal.