We pride ourselves on being nimble and able to adapt to changes within a complex business environment. Tell me about a time you had to shift your priorities in response to sudden changes.

"Last year, I had a family emergency and had to miss a week of class on a moment's notice. With only a month of the semester left when I returned, I had a lot to catch up on. While the family emergency was very stressful and emotionally draining, I couldn't sulk and feel bad for myself. I wouldn't allow that to happen. I buckled down, got to work, and caught up in just two weeks. It felt great to be primed for finals when I was honestly fearful of how difficult it would be."

Kimberly-Clark strongly values taking action in doing what's right for their people, their business and the world. In the competitive market they serve, this action most often comes in the form of being adaptable to change, and your interviewer needs to be assured that their top candidate joins their team with the ability to be fluid in their work.

The interviewer has given you a clue in the question - Kimberly-Clark wants its employees to be adaptable. Assure the interviewer that you can respond professionally to sudden changes by discussing a time you had to do just this. Be as specific as you can as you describe how you reacted promptly and professionally to a major change in your work that was out of your control.

"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 adapted very well to these frequent, sudden changes and always try to respond with creativity. This speaks to the heart of what it means to be successful in the consumer marketplace. I believe in making sound plans and being prepared to abandon those plans based on last-minute changes in circumstances, and I'm excited to bring this attitude to work at Kimberly-Clark."

"In my previous role at a high-growth tech startup, the sales organization was restructured several 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 reason for the change, I saw the bigger objective and ultimately increase my sales performance."

We value calculated risk from our staff. Tell me about a time you took an unusual risk in the workplace. What was the outcome?

"If hired here at Kimberly-Clark, you can be assured that, even though I'm a new graduate, I am always looking for ways to improve and think outside the box. I have my program to thank for that and some great professors I worked under. They challenged us to think of new ideas to forward progress, and I'm ready to bring that mindset to work here."

According to their career site, one of Kimberly-Clark's top values is doing what is necessary to achieve results. When asking this question, your interviewer wants to be assured that you are not afraid to break out of your mold on the job if hired.

As your interviewer asks, talk about a specific time you broke the mold to find a better way of doing things on the job. In your answer, you'll want to discuss your mindset in thinking of the risk you wanted to take and why it was necessary to do so. Then, walk your interviewer through the action you took to put your plan in place and talk about the result of your action. Remember that communication is always key in these situations, so display how you used your communication skills to make this change a reality.

"Last month, I took an unusual risk by accepting an outside sales call as an inside sales employee. An existing client asked me to meet him because he had some additional business he was thinking of awarding our company, but he wanted to make sure we had a strong rapport before he handed the business over. I met him in person, and we got along so well that he gave my company an additional $1M in annual business. I knew it was a risk because my traditional area of expertise is inside sales accounts, but I knew the reward was greater than the potential risk, so I took it. It was well worth it! I made sure to make my director aware, and she was also on board."

"I took a risk by leaving my strategic account management position to take an entry sales position in another organization early in my career. My family thought I was nuts. But while it was risky, I wanted to get into sales and experience a startup environment. It worked out great, as I got basic sales experience and have been steadily promoted since. My career has moved in an upward trajectory so much faster since I took that leap of faith."

Have you ever experienced a distracting coworker who stood in the way of progress? If so, how did you handle that situation?

"During a large, heavily weighted project last year, I was working with another student that wasn't pulling their weight on their parts of the project and used our weekly touchpoints to talk about their personal life. I didn't hesitate to let them know of their distractions and the need to focus on the task at hand. While it was an awkward conversation at first, I'm glad I had it because he changed his approach, and we got a great grade on our final work."

In any work environment, difficult-to-work-with colleagues can hinder results for many reasons. Hiring managers realize this, and I've witnessed them asking this question to ensure that candidates can work cohesively with even the most difficult individuals. In the highly productive world of Kimberly-Clark, your interviewer needs to get this same sense about you.

Before your interview with Kimberly-Clark, think back to a time you had to work closely with a distracting or difficult colleague that was bad for the team's progress. Without speaking poorly of them, focus on your actions and what you did to work successfully. If you used your interpersonal skills to challenge the difficult colleague respectfully, explain why and how you did this.

"I have been in a situation with a very distracting coworker, and I set a kind but clear boundary and let them know that I needed to focus at the moment. I also offered an alternate time for a catch-up over lunch. For the sake of workplace culture, it is essential to set aside time to be social with coworkers, so I didn't hesitate to let them know when I was available for a quick break in the day."

"If I have a distracting co-worker, I will point out the distraction immediately while remaining respectful. I feel it's always best to nip issues in the bud before they get out of control. I'm very good at setting personal and professional boundaries, so this has never been much of an issue. 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."

"I normally will continue my job but tell them I will catch up with them on break or lunch."

How do setbacks emotionally affect you and your work?

"In all honesty, I have an uncanny ability to overcome negative situations and easily buckle down quickly to work through them. I think this approach would be vital to my success here at Kimberly-Clark,"

According to the Kimberly-Clark career site section discussing the company's ways of working, moving fast to turn decisions into action is a key factor in their success. In a fast-paced environment like this, setbacks can happen more frequently, and your interviewer wants to be assured that you can handle them with timeliness and emotional stability.

Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with setbacks in the workplace. Use a specific example of a time you did just this. Your interviewer will be keying in on your ability to remain calm and professional in this situation.

"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!"

"Setbacks happen no matter what, and for that reason, I try not to let them affect me emotionally. 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 tried 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."

"Setbacks definitely happen but I honestly will try to get feedback on what I could have done differently and replay it in my head for a bit and then move on."

Kimberly-Clark likes to hire employees who take pride in their work. Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.

"Last year, I was recognized by the CEO of my current company for providing over and above service for a big client that traveled in town from overseas. While I helped coordinate their travel and hotel, I took it upon myself to meet their group upon arrival and show them around town. I gave recommendations for dinner and entertainment, and they had nothing but the best to say to our sales leaders and CEO when they met."

If you take the time to read about the core values at Kimberly-Clark before your interview, one that should stand out is "we care." Kimberly-Clark cares about its people, its communities, and everyone they serve. This commitment to caring takes a deep sense of pride and passion from all staff. Your interview needs to hear about the pride you take in your work-related accomplishments to determine how you'll do the same in this role.

Before your interview with Kimberly-Clark, consider what you feel is your greatest work-related accomplishment. As you answer this question, make clear that your hard work, dedication, and passion led to this accomplishment and are why you are so proud of it.

"The greatest accomplishment of my career thus far was graduating from college as an honors student while working full-time in a related field. I was at the top of my class, plus 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 to be recognized for my dedication."

"My greatest career accomplishment so far is being promoted the fastest in the entire organization's history and topping it off by closing a major deal less than 48 hours later. I was not only proud of myself; I 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 my original role, so to exceed expectations, be promoted, and be financially ahead of where I was previously was exhilarating."

"I take pride in all the work I perform, to be honest. I work to say my greatest accomplishment was joking with the boilermakers which open the doors to many opportunities with welding and maintenance background."

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

"In the manufacturing setting, profitability comes down to being resourceful and helping to reduce waste. If I'm fortunate enough to come to Kimberly-Clark, I'm happy to help do my part to increase profits over time."

According to their online news center, Kimberly-Clark ended the year in 2022 with over $20.2 billion in sales. With such a massive amount of sales worldwide, they expect all staff to focus on how their products perform at retail.

If the role you are interviewing for is directly involved in sales, talk to the interviewer about your sales targets, results, and contributions. Highlight your biggest wins and discuss you will bring the same performance to Kimberly-Clark. If the role you are interviewing for is not in sales, come to the interview prepared to talk about how you feel the job you are interviewing for impacts the profitability of the organization.

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

"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 them. I have a solid history of identifying strong lead measures that help support overall organizational strategies and leading a team to achieve those measures."

"I plan to contribute to profitability but doing my utmost best in my job performance every day."

How would you rate your communication skills on a scale from 1-10?

"I am a straightforward communicator in a team setting, and my professors and classmates have appreciated my approach over the last four years. I'm also very well-versed in writing detailed reports and email communication, so would rate myself as an 8 out of 10. If I'm fortunate enough to join Kimberly-Clark, I know I'd have room to grow and learn."

Kimberly-Clark's core values of 'we care, we own, and we act' deeply involve communication between the colleagues at the company and the external customers and stakeholders. Your interviewer needs to know you are comfortable with your verbal and written communication skills.

Avoid sounding smug and perfect, but show you have strong interpersonal skills. Seal your answer here by discussing the positive feedback you've received on your communication skills.

"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 strong in this area, but I still have room for improvement as I grow as a leader and become more familiar with Kimberly-Clark's communication values."

"I will rate myself an 8.5 because I believe in being clear, direct, and upfront with my co-workers. It is the foundation of all success in business. I always strive to be a better communicator - to be clear but kind. I would also bring stellar written communication skills to your team here at Kimberly-Clark with my great experience crafting external customer communications."

"I would rate my communication skills at an 8. I feel I communicate well as well as I ask my co-workers if they understand what I am saying when giving instructions to the men when I am the foreman. I always ask if they have a better plan or idea as well."

What would you do if your supervisor did not properly communicate information to you?

"I think this would be very situation dependent. I fully understand that some things need to be kept confidential by leadership at times, and I would always be respectful of that. If I truly felt that communication was poor, I wouldn't hesitate to have an open dialogue with my supervisor and let them know my thoughts."

Communication is a two-way street, and being on the wrong end of communication can happen to anyone. In my experience, hiring managers want to see that candidates can handle both the positive and negative aspects of communication in the workplace.

The first thing the team at Kimberly Clark wants to hear is that you can bring up your thoughts to your supervisor professionally and respectfully and still not be afraid to be heard. If you can, talk to the interviewer about a time you handled a supervisor who did not interact with you in a way that you prefer.

"Whenever I have had a supervisor who does not properly communicate with me, I first tried to learn their communication style and emulate it. I also made every attempt to ask questions and document instructions in writing as much as possible to make sure I understood."

"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 to verify that I'm correctly hearing and interpreting what the supervisor wants."

"In my current position, we move around the whole plant with a different forman quite often. I always ask as many questions as I think I need to understand my task as well as read the pre-job tasks. I will document my task and repeat my job task after asking questions."

Sustainability is an important strategic imperative for Kimberly-Clark. Tell me a little about your views on sustainability as a competitive advantage.

"Sustainability is all about making our world a better place to live in, both through efforts to protect our natural resources and making lives better for those less fortunate than us. Kimberly-Clark is certainly doing this and being very public about their efforts, which will help shed a positive light on your world-class brands."

Kimberly-Clark has a robust vision for its journey toward a more sustainable future, as outlined on its website. As they are driven to provide the best for their customers and communities, the company wants to ensure that any new staff member they hire has a similarly positive outlook towards using values and strategy in working towards a more sustainable future.

First and foremost, you want to make sure that you know what the term 'sustainability' means and how it pertains to the processes Kimberly-Clark uses to manufacture some of the world's most well-known consumer products. As you answer, reiterate that you know that sustainability is the impact a business has on both the environment and society. Then, directly answer the question. While they are looking for your opinion, focus your answer on how doing what is right is good for everyone.

"Sustainability is a key focus for any company that wants to compete globally. It's heartening to see more and more companies embracing social responsibility and making public commitments to sourcing, manufacturing, and distributing their products in a way that's good for the planet and all the people involved in the entire supply chain. And you're right - the stronger a company is regarding sustainability, the more competitive it can be. I loved reading about Kimberly-Clark's focus on social impact in underserved communities and reducing your footprint in plastics, forests, water, and carbon. These are efforts that will help make our world a better place and efforts I'd love to be a part of into the future."

"I love the fact that Kimberly-Clark is so committed to sustainability. In recent years, this has become more of an expectation from the end consumer. Consumers are often amenable to paying higher premiums for products they can feel confident have been sourced, manufactured, and distributed sustainably. I love that your CEO, Mike Hsu, has made it clear that sustainability is a business imperative required for Kimberly-Clark to win in the competitive global marketplace. I believe he's exactly right."

Finding a long-term fit is a two-way street. Describe what your ideal employer looks like.

"As I embark on my career, I'm not just looking for a job with a great paycheck. I committed my education towards serving a greater purpose and improving people's lives, and I truly believe I found that here at Kimberly Clark. My ideal employer will put great products on the market that help people be healthier, happier, and more productive."

Kimberly-Clark has put a lot of time, effort, and resources into developing a great work environment to ensure the long-term success of the organization. Knowing that they're looking to hire someone to retire from their organization, your interviewer wants to be assured that Kimberly-Clark matches your idea of the ideal employer.

If you look at the Kimberly-Clark career site section on their company culture, you'll notice that they have thorough details on their purpose, values, and ways of working. It's a great idea to read through these before your interview and be prepared to highlight the aspects of their culture that appeal to you as you describe your perfect employer.

"My ideal employer is mission-based and focused on excellence, and that acts with integrity and a higher purpose. That's why Kimberly-Clark is such a good fit for me; with your commitment to achievement, accountability, diversity, and stellar customer experiences, I know I can find a connection with my values and purpose here."

"In the day-to-day, my ideal employer allows me to take the reins regarding problem-solving. I like to be hands-on and prefer to work for people who value this in me. My ideal supervisor might let me struggle with a problem before just jumping in and showing me the answer. Can you talk about the autonomy of your team here at Kimberly-Clark?"

Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience when it comes to career advancement opportunities?

"Having been in a union manufacturing environment for the first three years of my career, I've been part of a system that promotes based on seniority of the interested internal applicants and know this is a fair way of doing things. If I'm fortunate enough to join Kimberly-Clark, I'm dedicated to putting my time in and working towards future leadership opportunities on the floor."

Over the years, there has been a philosophical shift in how large companies choose to promote their staff. Where seniority was the only factor long ago, more and more companies are basing employee promotions based on merit and performance. The team at Kimberly-Clark likes to ask a question like this, depending on if the role they are interviewing for is union based or not.

Feel free to speak openly about how you feel employees should be considered for promotion, but keep in mind whether the job you are being considered for is part of the union or non-union. Unions tend to have a collective bargaining agreement that factors in promotion based on seniority for those that apply, and non-union jobs do not.

"Both tenure and performance are important, but I lean toward performance driving the decision. I feel 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. It also facilitates healthy competition with more tenured employees. Can you elaborate on how recent staff in this department at Kimberly-Clark were promoted?"

"Experience and company knowledge are so important and valuable 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 an emphasis on performance. Doing so encourages good employees to stay since they know they're valued for their tenure and experience but discourages people from getting so comfortable in a long-time role that they don't strive for their highest performance."

"This is a tough question, but I believe there should be both in place. I believe your more experienced should make a little more money but there should be incentives to get paid more also."

Many of our consumer products are heavily regulated by the FDA and other health organizations/associations. How do you think that will impact your work here?

"As a new staff member on your data science team, I'm honestly not sure how FDA and other regulatory agencies would impact my work. I'm willing and ready to comply with set procedures and would love to learn more about how these regulations impact this department. Can you elaborate more?"

Kimberly-Clark is responsible for bringing many everyday household items to market, likely more than you realized before applying there. If you look at their website before your interview, you'll see that brand names like Cottonelle, Kleenex, and Huggies are under their umbrella. If your work at the company involves hygiene products that are under health regulations, your interviewer is hoping to hear that you are aware of this fact and how it will impact the work you will be doing.

Before your interview, thoroughly read the job description for the role you are interviewing for and come prepared to discuss your knowledge of the product line you will be working with. If you have to do further research on whether those products are subjected to FDA or other regulations, a quick Google search will help you. As you answer, focus on how your attention to detail and ability to follow all designated work processes and procedures will always be on top of your mind.

"I understand that regulations are essential for the protection of the consumer and ultimately for the companies that manufacture and distribute consumer products. In this role at Kimberly-Clark, I know the machines I will work on produce the Kleenex product line. As I've always done throughout my career, I would focus on ensuring that all procedures are followed regarding both safety and quality as a mechanic."

"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. Your brand lines in feminine hygiene are heavily regulated, and my job here would involve product design and quality control. I look forward to diligently learning new regulations from my first day on the job at Kimberly-Clark."

"I feel like they are regulated accordingly to my knowledge."

We always think of the consumer first. What do you feel are the top three ways we can ensure consumer satisfaction?

"In the new digital age, information needs to be quick at hand for consumers to be satisfied. A robust product line calls for an innovative and up-to-date website, easy-to-access product instructions and even a useful app for the phone. Can you elaborate on how Kimberly-Clark is working to serve your customers in the digital age?"

As you applied for a role and prepared for your interview at Kimberly-Clark, you hopefully took the time to read about their cultural values on their website. If you did, you'd see that their mantra is they care, they own, and they act, all in the name of serving the consumers that use their products. Your interviewer wants to hear you understand how the organization can best their customer base.

This is a very open-ended question with no right or wrong answers, so respond with passion. You want to show that you have a strong knowledge of the range of products that Kimberly-Clark sells and a feel for how the role you are interviewing plays in the overall service for their customers.

"Consumer satisfaction first comes from offering value. The product must meet the consumer's needs in a way that the customer feels is worth, or even exceeds, the price they paid. Second, consumer satisfaction stems from outstanding customer service - when a consumer has a question, can they quickly get a helpful response? And third, customer satisfaction means anticipating consumer needs and being first to meet them in the marketplace - constantly testing products and learning as much as possible about our consumers' habits can ensure we know what they need, sometimes even before they do."

"There are many ways to ensure consumer satisfaction; however, I feel the top three ways are through top-notch customer service, investment in research and development, and consistently providing a product that solves a specific need. Ultimately, Kimberly-Clark's products need to make a difference in the lives of your consumers; your end users need to trust what you do when they have a question or need help regarding a product, and they need to be continually surprised with new products that continue to make their lives better."

"I will assure customer satisfaction by doing my job at my absolute best which in turn creates the best product that can be put out there."

Kimberly-Clark operates in a very fast-paced environment. How do you stay current on trends in your field to stay fresh and innovative?

"Over the last two years, I've become very involved in my campuses chapter of the ASME and am the secretary for our chapter this year. I've loved networking with other students across the country and current mechanical engineers in the field across many different industries. As I look to enter my career, I plan to stay very involved in this group and attend regional and national conferences as much as I can to continue to learn, grow, and even educate others."

Before your interview with Kimberly-Clark, check out their webpage on their product innovations, spanning from 1896 to the present day. Your interviewer knows that innovation is spawned through continuous learning, and they want to hear that you are keen on staying educated and up-to-date in your line of work.

Being up to date on current trends is essential in the consumer products industry. Assure the interviewer that you are engaged and interested in how your line of work is growing and changing over time. Some great things to discuss are industry-related journals/publications you read, any societies you belong to, and any conferences that you regularly attend.

"I agree, the consumer products market is incredibly fast moving. I keep up to date on new trends in the news and online through several business- and consumer-goods-focused blogs. I also subscribe to several industry publications that have always kept me well informed in my current role."

"It's tough to stay up to date on current trends in such a fast-moving industry. I like to follow blogs from the C-suite within the consumer products industry to get a feel for various company strategies and philosophies. I think it's also important to join professional organizations and travel to at least one professional conference per year. That allows me to hear from leaders in the field and to swap stories and experiences with those who hold similar roles in other companies across the world."

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

"No, not at this time. As a new graduate, I'm prioritizing finding a job that is close to family and friends. This city is a perfect fit for me and my fiance, and Kimberly-Clark is an organization I can grow and thrive with throughout my career."

When recruiting for a highly specialized position, I've seen hiring managers use pointed questions like this to learn if they'll have to compete for their top candidate. Since Kimberly-Clark operates across many different consumer product lines, they're very used to their candidates considering roles with their competition.

Think about this from the perspective of Kimberly-Clark and what they hope to gain by asking the question. They want to know if they'll have to compete for your services and if you are under any timelines with other recruitment efforts. Be honest if you have other offers. If Kimberly-Clark is the only position you're considering right now, explain why.

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

"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 Kimberly-Clark. 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."

"I have taken a couple of maintenance tests in the past few weeks but honestly, I have always desired to work at Kimberly-Clark."

What do you know about Kimberly-Clark and our work environment?

"One of your process engineers spoke at a campus career fair last year, and I got the time to chat with him. He told me about the competitive atmosphere and the ways your company gives back to the community, and that spoke to me. From that moment on, I knew Kimberly-Clark would be one of the first places I'd submit my resume to after graduation."

In my time working alongside hiring managers during recruitment efforts, I've learned that interviewers want to know that each candidate has done their homework on the company and sees it as a great cultural fit for themselves. The team at Kimberly-Clark needs to be assured that you have read about their robust culture on their career site and hold the same values that they do to ensure you would be a long-term fit.

Kimberly-Clark has a well-defined company culture that you can read about on their careers page. From their fast-paced work environment to their competitive atmosphere with a strong customer focus, you can find some things to discuss that are near and dear to your heart. Perhaps you know a current or former Kimberly-Clark employee that has had great things to say, and if you do, this is a great chance to discuss why you were drawn to a future there.

"I did some research before applying for this job, and I'm very attracted to the work environment that Kimberly-Clark touts. For example, I'm drawn to the fact that the company's values - to be authentic, accountable, innovative, and caring - have been woven throughout the fabric of the company. From what I can tell, everything you do - for customers and employees - stems from these four values. That sounds like an environment in which I can thrive."

"I know Kimberly-Clark has ranked among the top 10 World's Best Multinational Workplaces by the Great Places to Work Institute for the past three years. That tells me that your employees are happy in their roles - they feel challenged and as though their work matters. I love your People Philosophy, which clearly outlines what the company expects from current and potential employees and how the company supports them."

"I actually am fortunate to know several people that work at Kimberly Clark which assures me of how excellent of a career it is. I have always desired to work at Kimberly Clark due to the great atmosphere, pay, and benefits."

Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement during your career?

"As a recent graduate, I've never had to abide by a confidentiality agreement. However, I am very familiar with them. If I join Kimberly-Clark in this role, I know I will be exposed to and work on some very new and innovative industry projects regarding product development. I'm ready to work under any agreements necessary for this job."

From my time working with companies that require confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-compete agreements, I know that hiring managers need to be assured that their top candidate is both aware they will need to sign one and are willing and ready to abide by it. If the role you are being considered for at Kimberly-Clark involves product development, design, or research, chances are you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement. Your interviewer needs to be assured you will hold to it.

First, you want to directly answer the question and let your interviewer know if you've ever had to break a confidentiality agreement. If you did, explain why. If you've signed confidentiality agreements and abided by them, be sure to discuss that as well. And, of course, if you've never worked under a confidentiality agreement, you can confidently let the team at Kimberly-Clark know that while reiterating that you are willing and ready to if you join their team.

"No. Confidentiality agreements allow for complete trust between an organization, its staff, and its clients. I have never broken a confidentiality agreement. Despite my reasons for leaving a job in the past, I would never choose to hurt a previous employer or client in any way and am more than ready to abide by any confidentiality and non-compete agreements that Kimberly-Clark has."

"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 would continue that tradition if fortunate enough to join Kimberly-Clark."

"I absolutely have not, I understand the importance of them and their principle."

We hire people who fit into our workplace culture. How would you describe your personality?

"As I search for that first opportunity coming out of school, my main mission is to find an organization working for the greater good, and I don't think I have to go any further than Kimberly-Clark to find that. I'm a very mission-driven individual that's been described as outgoing, fun, and very knowledgeable. My ability to mix hard work and fun would be a great asset to your team."

Kimberly-Clark's success has been built on a great workplace culture. If you take the time to read their career site before your interview, you'll quickly see that their values include deep care for others, decision-making and accountability, and doing what's right. Your interviewer hopes to hear that you will bring these same traits to work in the role you are interviewing for.

As you answer a question on your personality and how it relates to the workplace culture at Kimberly-Clark, you first need to be honest with both yourself and your interviewer about who you are as a person and an employee. Hopefully, you've done your homework on the company before applying and believe you would fit in with their culture. Remember to use specific words about yourself that will be memorable to your interviewer after you have left.

"I would describe my personality as approachable, energetic, and positive. I love that Kimberly-Clark's success is based on teamwork and doing what is right for the greater good because these are both things that I believe in and would help live out every day on the job here."

"It may seem like an odd combination, but I would describe myself as logical and imaginative. I'm imaginative because I'm always looking for new ways to approach consumer issues and new ideas to test out. And 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. Kimberly-Clark's innovation speaks for itself, and I'd love to help contribute to that spirit in the future."

"I would describe my personality as positive, uplifting, and very reliable."

What work situations excite and motivate you?

"I see you are looking for someone to collaborate with other scientists, researchers, and engineers to create new and innovative designs in your personal care sector. My biggest motivator is working in a team environment, where I can feed off of others, contribute great ideas and learn from some of the brightest minds in the industry at the same time."

While hiring managers can get a feel for a candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities by looking at their application materials and talking during an interview, finding someone's motivating factors in their work is often difficult to gauge. I've seen hiring managers ask a question like this directly to get a candidate to talk about their ideal work environment, situations, and tasks that bring out the best in them. That is exactly what the team at Kimberly-Clark is trying to do here.

Before your interview, thoroughly read the job description for the role you are being considered for at Kimberly-Clark. By doing this research, you can come prepared to talk about specific job duties that you will find exciting. Don't hesitate to discuss what motivates you to perform at your best on the job. This can include many things, including achieving high sales numbers, getting a pat on the back from your team for a job well done, or putting a smile on someone's face at the end of each day.

"I have a healthy competitive personality, even if it's a friendly competition. 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. I'm confident that Kimberly-Clark can provide this competitive and team-based environment."

"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 obstacle to conquer is highly motivating and exciting for me. Can you elaborate on the challenges your team faces regularly?"

"I get excited at work when the team and I are clicking as one cylinder. It definitely motivates me to work even harder because I am being pushed to do my best."

Are there any work environments you dislike working in?

"As a new graduate, I haven't been in a negative work environment yet. From working with a few mentors during internship opportunities, I know that an innovative and cohesive team environment is what I'm ideally looking for in an employer to grow my career. Working in a siloed and silent environment just wouldn't be ideal for me and my personality."

As an experienced recruiter who has supported recruitment efforts across a few different industries, I know that hiring managers love to ask several questions to ensure that their top candidate will be a great cultural fit. Kimberly-Clark puts a lot of time and resources into hiring and onboarding new staff and ensuring every person they hire will be a long-term fit is a priority. This question allows your interviewer to see that their work environment would be a good fit for you.

You can be open and honest about any factors that may deflate or discourage you in the workplace and how you might overcome them. If you choose to draw upon past negative experiences, try not to bad mouth any people or organization. Focusing on how you successfully worked through the poor environment will prove your ability to remain positive and resilient.

"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 people are aligned behind common goals. From what I understand, Kimberly-Clark offers a collaborative work environment and greatly values authenticity, integrity, and accountability, so that seems like a very good sign. How would you best describe the environment here in your department?"

"I have felt discouraged on the job when I feel undervalued. Some employers don't value the thoughts and experience of front-line employees or empower them to solve problems to benefit customers. I'm very pleased with what I've learned about Kimberly-Clark's culture of empowering employees and a sense of accountability for all staff, and I believe that will help me be engaged and successful here."

Of all the places that you could work, why do you want to join Kimberly-Clark?

"As I embark on my first, and hopefully last, career search, finding a thriving company with great opportunities to grow is super important for me. As is a company that works hard to make a difference in this world. It became quite apparent that Kimberly-Clark successfully provides these opportunities for all staff, and it was a no-brainer for me to apply here."

When recruiting for roles that get a large volume of well-qualified candidates, the candidate that proves their passion for the job and the company is often my tie-breaker. If Kimberly-Clark is in this position, they want to hear what makes them so appealing to you.

Talk to the interviewer about your reasons for wanting to work for Kimberly-Clark. With all of the competitors out there, ask yourself why this company before your interview, and come prepared to discuss why this job is the right one for you. Be as specific as possible when you answer, and give your best pitch on what will drive your passion down the road in this role.

"Kimberly-Clark is the pinnacle of consumer products - this company is responsible for household names like Kleenex, Cottonelle, and Huggies. All around the world, in 175 countries, you help more than a billion people every day cope, laugh, love, and carry on with simple human dignity. I love that your team members recognize that the work you do matters. I also appreciate that Kimberly-Clark has ranked among the top 10 World's Best Multinational Workplaces by the Great Places to Work Institute for the past three years. This sounds like my kind of workplace."

"Kimberly-Clark has been on my radar for some time now. Specifically, I believe that you value your teams and their career growth. I respect that the leadership at Kimberly-Clark has given a great deal of thought and attention to the kind of company they want to be and the type of employer they need to be to be successful far into the future. Your employees seem valued, trusted, and provided with the resources they need to succeed. These are important factors for me in my next opportunity."

"To be honest I have always desired to work at Kimberly Clark!! In my perspective, it is the best career we have close to our area. The work environment is great, the pay is excellent and the benefits are great."

What is your greatest weakness coming into this role at Kimberly-Clark?

"To be honest, the one piece I'm a bit nervous about is my lack of APICS certification as a newer graduate in the supply chain field. I have been working over the last six months to prepare for the certification, but life gets in the way outside my work hours. If I'm fortunate enough to join Kimberly-Clark, I will prioritize getting certified as soon as possible."

When hiring managers ask the age-old 'tell me your greatest weakness' question, they're ultimately looking to hear that you have done your homework on the role you are interviewing for and are cognizant of the shortcomings you would bring. The team at Kimberly-Clark knows that their work is highly specialized, and your interviewer needs to know where you may require additional training.

Before your interview, thoroughly review the job description of the position you are interviewing for at Kimberly-Clark and the department you would be joining. Then be prepared to come to your interview and discuss where you might lack some skills or experience. Your interviewer will be able to see how genuine you are in your response. Be honest with yourself and your interviewer. Highlight your desire to learn and grow in this area from day one on the job.

"I could improve some technical skills, including Excel and PowerPoint. Currently, I am at a beginner to intermediate level, but I would be more comfortable at an advanced level. I understand this role at Kimberly-Clark will involve some use of those programs. If I'm fortunate enough to join this team, an initial goal of mine would be to learn and master the aspects of those programs I would be working in."

"I am not good at delegating to others. When submerged in a project, I don't like to give away control. While this can be good, it can also inhibit the outcome of the project and my growth as a team player and individual. I am working on this, as I know it is a deficit, and will continue to do so here at Kimberly-Clark."

Kimberly-Clark is a global corporation with brands and employees all over the world. What is your experience working with a diverse group of people?

"As I entered college from a small town, I hadn't been exposed to very culturally diverse atmospheres up to that point. I can say that the last four years have helped me learn to embrace collaborating with people from different backgrounds than me because we all bring our unique perspectives and knowledge to situations. I would imagine that Kimberly-Clark owes a lot of its success to a wealth of ideas from their staff."

If you pay attention to the Kimberly-Clark webpage on diversity & inclusion, you'll quickly see that they are committed to building a more inclusive global organization that uses its diversity to build stronger brands and better outcomes for a worldwide customer base. With this question, your interviewer needs to be assured that you welcome a culturally diverse atmosphere in the workplace.

Come to your interview prepared to discuss the diverse environments you have been a part of during your career. Tell your interviewer about the benefits you saw in that environment and the lessons you learned that you can bring to work at Kimberly-Clark.

"I'm excited about the global nature of the Kimberly-Clark business. I'm accustomed to being around people who aren't exactly like me through my roles over the last ten years, and I've been able to learn from exposure to different perspectives. However, I believe that truly being part of the global economy will be a life-changing experience that I will relish."

"With my current company, we have a very diverse group of people that range in age, race, experience, gender, and more. I embrace it fully. I love that, as a global company, Kimberly-Clark's teams reflect the diversity of your customers and enable stronger discussions, better insights, and breakthrough solutions."

"I have worked with a diverse crowd. As a matter of fact, I just was working on a project in Florida with a few guys that were from Guatemala and Honduras. The language barrier was tough at times but thank goodness for Apple translate."

We prefer to hire candidates who value post-secondary education. Talk further about how your education prepared you for this role.

"As I entered college and decided to major in packaging engineering, finding a dream company like Kimberly-Clark has been my goal for the last four years. My program has prepared me for success by exposing me to all of the basic principles of packaging design, innovation, and management, while also giving me great co-op experiences in the field."

If a job requires a minimum degree, hiring managers will prescreen candidate resumes to ensure they meet the qualifications. This question allows Kimberly-Clark to hear you elaborate on how your education has prepared you for success in the work you will be doing with them.

Talk to the interviewer about your post-secondary education, highlighting the best parts of your performance. Go beyond your resume and discuss what classes, projects, and experiences have prepared you for success at Kimberly-Clark. If you do not have the formal post-secondary education they require, you will need to sell the interviewer on the idea that you have gained the knowledge required to succeed on the job.

"I value a college 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 read numerous business books and attended several 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."

"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 Kimberly-Clark regarding my knowledge of consumer products, marketing, and advertising. 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."

Tell me about your experiences giving presentations in front of large groups.

"While my experience is limited as a new graduate, I'm very comfortable getting in front of people and presenting materials I'm familiar with. I took a public speaking class during my second semester and have presented many times at our local campus chapter of ASME."

As I've recruited for positions that are external customer-facing or involve at least some leadership aspects, it is my experience that hiring managers like to know the candidate's formal presentation experience. If posed this question during your interview with Kimberly-Clark, you can expect that speaking in front of a large group will be part of your job duties.

Public speaking can be intimidating, so assure the interviewer that you can communicate well in front of large groups. If you have taken any courses or training in public speaking, this is the time you want to mention that experience and how you performed. Perhaps you have so much experience that it comes second nature. Assure the interviewer that you are comfortable giving presentations should it be required in your role with Kimberly-Clark.

"In my last two roles, I have been responsible for regularly presenting to my team of 43 staff as well as our warehouse team of more than 200. I have also been part of my local Toastmasters group, which helped a great deal. I am a confident public speaker and would be comfortable in front of any team here at Kimberly-Clark."

"I do not have much experience presenting to large groups, but I present regularly to groups averaging around four to six people. I am a confident speaker in that setting and am sure I could present in front of many people - I'd be happy to take on that challenge at Kimberly-Clark."

The performance of consumer products relies greatly on advertising and marketing efforts. Do you have any experience with advertising, marketing, or market research?

"I feel very fortunate to have had exposure to the marketing and advertising side of business during my internship six months ago. The project I was assigned to was on a team bringing a newly designed clothing design to market. It was a great experience which I feel will be very beneficial to my future work here at Kimberly-Clark."

For consumer giants like Kimberly-Clark, success relies heavily on how their products are advertised and brought to market. Even if the role you are interviewing for doesn't fall into these work areas, it's still important that your interviewer knows that you are aware of the importance they play in the overall success and longevity of the company.

If you have direct experience in advertising, marketing, or market research, now is the best time to discuss that experience in detail. If you don't have direct experience in these are, that is okay. Just be sure you come prepared to discuss how vital they are at Kimberly-Clark.

"I have always been fascinated with the correlation between marketing strategies and product performance. This is why I studied marketing and communication in college. I have a bachelor's degree in marketing, plus additional training in advertising methods from my current employer. I have seen creative and strategic marketing campaigns take an underperforming product and make it a strong contender in as short as 90 days. I look forward to putting my knowledge in marketing and advertising toward a role with Kimberly-Clark."

"Although I do not have formal training and education in advertising and marketing, I love to research new marketing techniques. I'm a strong writer, so I feel that I could put that skill to use in helping the organization communicate effectively with both internal and external audiences. On the consumer front, I also have a strong understanding of several social media algorithms, including how to have your posts seen by the right audience. I'd look forward to using that skill for the good of the organization, along with learning more about more traditional marketing, advertising, and communications tactics."

Have you progressed in your career as you expected?

"As a relatively new graduate and very young in my career, I couldn't be more excited about the career path I've chosen. I knew that paper science would give me many exciting job opportunities, and the last two years in the field have prepared me to jump aboard at Kimberly-Clark and hit the ground running."

I've worked with many hiring managers throughout my career, and each one has different thoughts on an ideal career progression in the roles they hire for. Further complicating this is the fact that individuals progress at their own pace, and the internal drive to advance can vary from person to person. The team at Kimberly-Clark wants to know if you are satisfied with your career progression and how this role fits your ideal career path.

Talk to the interviewer about your career progression and discuss what you would like to see in the future. While you walk through your work history, make it clear that you are personally satisfied with the path you have taken because it has prepared you for success in the job you are being considered for at Kimberly-Clark.

"Overall, my career has progressed slower than I would have liked. I have held a couple of positions that didn't offer the growth and learning I expected. But I got experience that has prepared me for success here at Kimberly-Clark. I feel that this particular position would take my career exactly where it should be for my education, experience, and ambition."

"I love this question, and I can't imagine that many people can say that their career has progressed exactly as expected. And if they can say that, it tells me they haven't taken 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 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."

"My career has not progressed exactly how I would have liked in my life. On a more positive note, I believe I am on the right path now with this interview."

If we were to hire you at Kimberly-Clark, what type of leader would you be?

"As an athlete, I would describe my leadership style as motivating. I believe in lifting others, praising a job well done, and celebrating victories together."

In my years working alongside hiring managers in recruitment efforts ranging from entry-level positions to top-level management, I've seen most, if not all, ask candidates about their leadership skills. Remember that this is regardless of the job title and whether or not the position has any direct reports. At Kimberly-Clark, their team-based environment and sense of accountability in all that they do require natural leaders in any role.

Talk openly about how you would describe your leadership skills and abilities. If you've held formal leadership roles during your career, elaborate on how you effectively led and motivated others. If you don't have experience in a direct leadership position, 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. Some key things to highlight are your communication skills and ability to bring out the best in others.

"In my current position, I lead our company social committee. I love having the opportunity to encourage employee engagement while being a positive influence on the workplace culture. I am a natural leader because I start by leading by example. As a leader, I make myself available to others who need mentorship, assistance adjusting to their role, or a listening ear when they've had a tough day. I am confident in the leadership abilities I would bring to your team at Kimberly-Clark."

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

"Yes, I definitely see myself as a leader. Whether it is at my church or when I am a foreman on a job. I tend to help many people in my current job so their performance excels."

Tell me about your experience training and coaching others.

"Over the last two years, I've worked as a mentor in my campus's school of engineering. In this role, I mentored first and second-year students with a focus on math and physics. I love teaching others and take a compassionate and encouraging approach. I see these as beneficial traits when mentoring new staff."

In my experience, hiring managers love to know if their top candidate can train others. As Kimberly-Clark grows and innovates, your interviewer will look to hear if you are well-versed and comfortable training other staff on items that you are familiar with.

While coaching and training experience may not be required for this role at Kimberly-Clark, those skills are always valued by employers. Briefly explain your experience training or mentoring others. Keep in mind that your experience can come from beyond the workplace as well, as long as you highlight the skills you've learned that you can bring to the role you are interviewing for.

"I have always enjoyed the opportunity to teach or mentor my colleagues throughout my career. Just last month, my 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."

"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. I always look for an opportunity to connect with new team members. I invite them out for coffee so they have a friendly face in the office and know that I can be a resource. Here at Kimberly-Clark, I'd look forward to helping train and mentor new staff."

"So at my current job, there are only a few of us that are welders so when I have time to show any of my co-workers how to weld I do it."

We believe in strong work/life balance at Kimberly-Clark. How often do you take work home?

"During my undergraduate program, I was able to strike a great balance between my work and my personal life, and I feel confident in my ability to do this when I embark on my career here at Kimberly-Clark. I'm very organized and dedicate my time and resources to what's needed in my work. This gives me time for family, friends, and hobbies outside of work. Can you talk about how often your team takes work home with them?"

Kimberly-Clark knows that a happy and refreshed employee is a productive employee. The company offers a strong benefits package for staff and flex work opportunities for some staff. Your interviewer ideally wants to hear how you strike a healthy work/life balance.

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 take work home with you, express that it is due to overachieving, not procrastination or poor time management. Also, discuss how you maintain a healthy balance between your work and home life.

"Only occasionally. I make every effort to utilize my work hours efficiently so I only take work home when there is an extremely stringent deadline or 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, innovations to try, or new approaches to problems, so that 'script,' if you will, is constantly running in my brain!"

"I try very hard not to take my work home with me. It's very important to compartmentalize work and life and keep them separate so 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. If I were to join your team at Kimberly-Clark, you'd quickly see that I can give 100% of my focus during working hours and come to work energized and ready to go every day."

If Kimberly-Clark hired you today, what would you accomplish first?

"Cohesiveness and a sense of trust are vital with the teams I'm a part of, and I imagine that is true here at Kimberly-Clark. If I'm fortunate enough to join your team, my focus in my initial days would be to introduce myself individually to all teammates and cross-departmental staff I'll be interacting with daily. Building that foundation early would be very important to me."

When looking at a great group of well-qualified candidates, it is my experience that hiring managers will seek the candidate who has done their homework on the job and knows what it takes to be successful. For Kimberly-Clark, this may boil down to the candidate that already has a plan of attack on the job, and your interviewer wants to hear your initial goal from day one.

When you start a new position, it is essential to set a goal to make a positive impact quickly after being hired. To make a great impression on your interviewer, you'll want to ensure that you have mastered the job description for the job you are being considered for and come prepared to talk about the biggest short-term goal for setting you up for long-term success.

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

"If hired today at Kimberly-Clark, I would start by 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 to capitalize on or expand them to increase the company's bottom line. Overall, I'd look for patterns that help me make an immediate contribution to the team and the organization."

"If I was hired today I would soak up as much as I could to perform my job to the best of my ability."

How did you bring value to your last position?

"My value was in knowing my management team's preferences and ways of doing things in advance so I could anticipate tasks and schedule things accordingly. I pride myself on my ability to learn from and communicate with any leaders I support and would continue to pride myself on this ability here at Kimberly-Clark."

Hiring managers are often under constraints to fill a job opening quickly and efficiently, but they need to ensure that the person they hire brings value to the position. Knowing that these hiring managers use behavioral questions to predict future performance, Kimberly-Clark poses this question to hear what unique value you will bring to their team and overall results.

Before your interview with Kimberly-Clark, consider the strengths and skills that made you an asset in your current 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 and make to speak on they will help you bring tangible value to the position you are being considered for.

"There were several ways I brought value to my current company. First, I exceeded each sales goal in my department every year for the past five years. 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. I'm confident I can bring value to Kimberly-Clark as I have to my current employer."

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

"I bring value to the position I am in by being very dependable, honest, trustworthy, and a strong worker with a good work ethic."

We pride ourselves on being resourceful. Tell us about a time you resolved a problem in your workplace.

"As a call center rep currently, I often work with customers who have product issues or complaints. I have a wealth of online resources at hand for these situations and a script to work off of. It took a great deal of training to learn the ropes when I began this job, and I would expect the same here at Kimberly-Clark."

As a recruiter who has worked closely alongside hiring managers in many recruitment efforts, I always gauge the candidate's problem-solving ability. Today's workforce needs to be able to solve complicated issues quickly and accurately; this is especially true at Kimberly-Clark due to the highly specialized nature of its products and the customer service they provide.

Because the interviewer directly asks, you need to give a specific example of a time you successfully worked through a problem on the job. The key to your answer will be displaying your diagnosis of the issue and explaining how you worked through a resolution in a resourceful and efficient manner. As you answer, some great things to discuss are your ability to communicate during difficult times and use the tools at hand to help you along the way.

"In my most recent position, we had a consistent problem with employees showing up late for their shifts or calling in sick at the last minute. Rather than the typical documenting and reprimanding style, I decided to track the results of an accountability reward system. For 180 days, my employees received a reward for coming to work 10 minutes early. I also added a bonus for every month with zero sick days. In the end, we awarded those with perfect attendance a $600 bonus. The bonuses cost us less money than the cost of lowered productivity due to absent employees. The program was a success, and upper management chose to keep it implemented for another six months. We will re-assess in December, but it seems to be working very well. If I were to be hired, I'd bring that same sense of problem-solving and positive reinforcement to the Kimberly-Clark team."

"As an assistant manager, I resolve problems daily. The most recent resolution process I was a part of included a customer complaint about an allergic reaction to one of our products. I resolved her concern by listening to her, apologizing, issuing a refund, and offering a replacement product. I am no stranger to dispute resolution, problem-solving, and creative customer service, and I believe my approach would align with the kind of environment Kimberly-Clark espouses."

"At my current position, we have been having a lot of tools stolen like drills and impacts. So I come up with implementing a brass system. You have to check out big tools with someone over inventory, that way if it isn’t returned we know who is accountable for it."

Do you have any salary expectations for this role?

"As a new graduate, I know I would likely be offered compensation at the low end of the pay range for this role at Kimberly-Clark, and I am fine with that. I would fully plan on proving my value in my initial years on the job."

During my time supporting recruitment efforts, I've seen hiring managers propose the expected salary question to ensure that their top candidate would be willing to accept an offer from a financial perspective. If your interview with Kimberly-Clark has gone well, your interviewer might ask this question to ensure that you would consider an offer from them very seriously.

The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to use your current earnings as a baseline for an offer from Kimberly-Clark. But you must also do your homework on the job you are interviewing for before your interview. Even though they don't post their salaries on their job postings, you can search some salary websites to look at typical pay ranges and ensure that you match your experience to your expected salary.

"I earn a base salary of $45,000 per year plus a potential 20% annual bonus. Last year, my earnings were $52,000, and I would need to stay in the same range or gain a slight increase to consider an opportunity here at Kimberly-Clark. While consistent with the market, I feel my skills and experience warrant a similar salary."

"I would like to earn slightly above where I am now. I am currently making $100,000 per year with two bonus opportunities. I am looking for compensation that is aligned with the role and provides an opportunity for growth. If that is out-of-range for this position, I hope we could discuss alternative benefits or a path to reach that salary goal in the coming years with Kimberly-Clark."

"I honestly looking to better my benefits. I currently make more than the starting pay of this job but I also do not have a pension or annuity. I have researched the benefits and pay of this job and they are excellent."

Work volume can become very high at Kimberly-Clark. How do you handle the stress of a larger than normal workload?

"I'm ready for any challenge that would come my way at Kimberly-Clark, even if it involves a high workload and extra projects. I feel confident that my undergraduate program has prepared me to stay organized and on track in my work in any situation, especially given that I had some very loaded semesters to finish my program in four years."

In the manufacturing industry, production volumes can fluctuate from week to week, season to season, and year to year. In jobs like this, I know that hiring managers like to ensure that new staff they are considering can handle the stress of long hours and harder work from time to time. At Kimberly-Clark, periods of mandatory overtime can also be expected, and your interviewer needs to be assured you can handle this added workload.

The best way to answer a question like this is to use a specific example from your career when you had to handle a stressful workload. Carefully walk your interviewer through the situation and the action you took to work through it with professionalism and success. To finish your answer, reiterate that you are willing and ready to take on any of the challenges presented to you in the future at Kimberly-Clark.

"When I have a large workload, I do not stress over the tasks in front of me. Rather, I make a simple plan of which tasks are a high priority and which tasks are a lower priority. I complete the higher-priority tasks. Through this system, I can focus on my tasks individually rather than stressing out about the multitude of tasks ahead of me. I also love the satisfaction of crossing things off my list!"

"In the job I've had for the last nine years, there are times of the year when we have higher production loads, and overtime is offered on a volunteer basis. I am typically willing to volunteer because my home life allows it, and I like the extra income. There are also times when it is mandated for all production staff. I never let mandated overtime get me down and always put my best foot forward when working additional hours."

"I honestly do not stress over high workloads. I like to stay busy so I try to prioritize my workload by priority down to the lesser."

Kimberly-Clark Interview Questions

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1. We pride ourselves on being nimble and able to adapt to changes within a complex business environment. Tell me about a time you had to shift your priorities in response to sudden changes.
2. We value calculated risk from our staff. Tell me about a time you took an unusual risk in the workplace. What was the outcome?
3. Have you ever experienced a distracting coworker who stood in the way of progress? If so, how did you handle that situation?
4. How do setbacks emotionally affect you and your work?
5. Kimberly-Clark likes to hire employees who take pride in their work. Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.
6. Sales performance is of utmost importance. How do you plan to contribute to our profitability?
7. How would you rate your communication skills on a scale from 1-10?
8. What would you do if your supervisor did not properly communicate information to you?
9. Sustainability is an important strategic imperative for Kimberly-Clark. Tell me a little about your views on sustainability as a competitive advantage.
10. Finding a long-term fit is a two-way street. Describe what your ideal employer looks like.
11. Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience when it comes to career advancement opportunities?
12. Many of our consumer products are heavily regulated by the FDA and other health organizations/associations. How do you think that will impact your work here?
13. We always think of the consumer first. What do you feel are the top three ways we can ensure consumer satisfaction?
14. Kimberly-Clark operates in a very fast-paced environment. How do you stay current on trends in your field to stay fresh and innovative?
15. Are you applying for a job with any of our competitors?
16. What do you know about Kimberly-Clark and our work environment?
17. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement during your career?
18. We hire people who fit into our workplace culture. How would you describe your personality?
19. What work situations excite and motivate you?
20. Are there any work environments you dislike working in?
21. Of all the places that you could work, why do you want to join Kimberly-Clark?
22. What is your greatest weakness coming into this role at Kimberly-Clark?
23. Kimberly-Clark is a global corporation with brands and employees all over the world. What is your experience working with a diverse group of people?
24. We prefer to hire candidates who value post-secondary education. Talk further about how your education prepared you for this role.
25. Tell me about your experiences giving presentations in front of large groups.
26. The performance of consumer products relies greatly on advertising and marketing efforts. Do you have any experience with advertising, marketing, or market research?
27. Have you progressed in your career as you expected?
28. If we were to hire you at Kimberly-Clark, what type of leader would you be?
29. Tell me about your experience training and coaching others.
30. We believe in strong work/life balance at Kimberly-Clark. How often do you take work home?
31. If Kimberly-Clark hired you today, what would you accomplish first?
32. How did you bring value to your last position?
33. We pride ourselves on being resourceful. Tell us about a time you resolved a problem in your workplace.
34. Do you have any salary expectations for this role?
35. Work volume can become very high at Kimberly-Clark. How do you handle the stress of a larger than normal workload?

Kimberly-Clark Interview Questions

1. We pride ourselves on being nimble and able to adapt to changes within a complex business environment. Tell me about a time you had to shift your priorities in response to sudden changes.

2. We value calculated risk from our staff. Tell me about a time you took an unusual risk in the workplace. What was the outcome?

3. Have you ever experienced a distracting coworker who stood in the way of progress? If so, how did you handle that situation?

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

5. Kimberly-Clark likes to hire employees who take pride in their work. Tell me about your greatest work-related accomplishment.

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

7. How would you rate your communication skills on a scale from 1-10?

8. What would you do if your supervisor did not properly communicate information to you?

9. Sustainability is an important strategic imperative for Kimberly-Clark. Tell me a little about your views on sustainability as a competitive advantage.

10. Finding a long-term fit is a two-way street. Describe what your ideal employer looks like.

11. Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience when it comes to career advancement opportunities?

12. Many of our consumer products are heavily regulated by the FDA and other health organizations/associations. How do you think that will impact your work here?

13. We always think of the consumer first. What do you feel are the top three ways we can ensure consumer satisfaction?

14. Kimberly-Clark operates in a very fast-paced environment. How do you stay current on trends in your field to stay fresh and innovative?

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

16. What do you know about Kimberly-Clark and our work environment?

17. Have you ever broken a confidentiality agreement during your career?

18. We hire people who fit into our workplace culture. How would you describe your personality?

19. What work situations excite and motivate you?

20. Are there any work environments you dislike working in?

21. Of all the places that you could work, why do you want to join Kimberly-Clark?

22. What is your greatest weakness coming into this role at Kimberly-Clark?

23. Kimberly-Clark is a global corporation with brands and employees all over the world. What is your experience working with a diverse group of people?

24. We prefer to hire candidates who value post-secondary education. Talk further about how your education prepared you for this role.

25. Tell me about your experiences giving presentations in front of large groups.

26. The performance of consumer products relies greatly on advertising and marketing efforts. Do you have any experience with advertising, marketing, or market research?

27. Have you progressed in your career as you expected?

28. If we were to hire you at Kimberly-Clark, what type of leader would you be?

29. Tell me about your experience training and coaching others.

30. We believe in strong work/life balance at Kimberly-Clark. How often do you take work home?

31. If Kimberly-Clark hired you today, what would you accomplish first?

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

33. We pride ourselves on being resourceful. Tell us about a time you resolved a problem in your workplace.

34. Do you have any salary expectations for this role?

35. Work volume can become very high at Kimberly-Clark. How do you handle the stress of a larger than normal workload?