31 Kone Interview Questions & Answers
1. At Kone we provide services to a wide range of businesses. Which industry or business type do you have the most experience with?
How to Answer
In the commercial services industry, your experience with clients may be widespread. Talk to the interviewer about any particular industry to which you may have more exposure. If you have a specialty - now is the time to discuss your expertise. Whether you have experience in the same industry as Kone, or not, be sure to appear confident in your capabilities.
1st Answer Example
"I understand that the majority of business that is coming to Kone is related to XYZ. I have about four years of dedicated XYZ experience. The remainder of my work experience is with a wide range of clients and industries. I feel that these experiences have equipped me very well for a position such as this."
2nd Answer Example
"I have the most experience in the manufacturing industry. Approximately 15 years, in fact. I believe this experience will benefit me in this role with Kone because I am well versed in best practices and manufacturing protocols."
2. We have a wide range of services at Kone. Have you ever used any of our services?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you are well aware of the services offered at Kone. Have you used them previously? Discuss with the interviewer any exposure you have had to the company. Keep your response positive and lighthearted.
1st Answer Example
"I have not personally used your commercial services; however, I have friends who have used Kone for their business needs and their reviews were always positive!"
2nd Answer Example
"I have been a customer of Kone before, yes! The services I used were A, B, and C. My experience here was very comfortable, and everyone was professional. This experience is one of the reasons why I applied for this role. I want to work for a company that has high standards, and I know first hand that you do!"
3. Many of the management and higher level roles with Kone require a Degree in Business or similar. Please walk me through your post-secondary education.
How to Answer
Your post-secondary background is on your resume; however, the interviewer is asking for you to go into further detail on your experience. This is a great time to brag a little bit about any scholarships, awards, or accolades you may have received during your post-secondary studies. Be sure to discuss how your education has prepared you for a position with Kone.
1st Answer Example
"I would be thrilled to be considered for a management level position with Kone. Although I do not have many years' experience in this type of position, I do have a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Walden University online. I graduated with a 3.6 GPA. I am very proud of this grade because I worked full time during my studies and still graduated top of my class."
2nd Answer Example
"If you do not have a formal post-secondary education: "I did not have the opportunity to attend University; however, everything that I have learned on the job has been incredibly valuable. I would be thrilled to join your management team down the road so if you feel there are gaps in my knowledge, I would be happy to consider attending any required classes or workshops."
4. Due to the nature of Kone business and services we may ask that you complete a full background check. Are you willing to comply?
How to Answer
Many companies will ask for a background check before employing you. This due diligence could include a criminal record check, a credit check, a drivers' abstract, and education verification. The request will vary from company to company so you should always be prepared to comply with all requests. If there is a mark on your record, this is the best time to disclose that information.
If you have a clean record: "I can fully understand why Kone would need to conduct background checks on all potential employees. I have a squeaky clean record and am happy to comply with any of your requests."
1st Answer Example
"I can fully understand why Kone would need to conduct background checks on all potential employees. I have a squeaky clean record and am happy to comply with any of your requests."
2nd Answer Example
"If you have a mark on your record: "I can fully understand why Kone would need to conduct background checks on all potential employees. I did have a charge against me approximately six years ago for a DUI. I have gained my drivers' license back since then, but I thought I should disclose that to you ahead of time."
5. At Kone we seek to hire those who think outside the box. When was the last time you made a suggestion for workplace improvement? What was the outcome?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know if you are an engaged employee; offering suggestions and providing more profound thought when it comes to processing improvement in the workplace. Give an example of a time when you suggested an improvement in the workplace. It can be big or small! Did anything significant come out of your suggestion?
1st Answer Example
"Last year I made a recommendation for our office to incorporate a recycling program. We were going through a lot of single-use coffee pods. It bothered me how wasteful it all seemed. I presented a spreadsheet to my supervisor comparing the single-use pods vs. investing in a built-in coffee machine. The savings over two years were significant, and my boss has now presented my idea to our head office. It feels nice to be heard in the workplace, so I continue to keep my eyes out for opportunities for process improvements."
2nd Answer Example
"I made some recommendations for change in our CRM system. The suggestions were surrounding how items received documentation and how outstanding tasks became highlighted. Our head office made the changes and a lot of people in our office commented on how much they liked the changes."
6. At Kone we have many local competitors. In your opinion, what makes us stand out from the crowd?
How to Answer
It is crucial that you research Kone before your interview and be sure to learn about their business landscape. Who are their competitors? What are customers saying online? Check out some favorite review sites to get an idea of what the public is saying about Kone vs. their local competitors. Keep your answer positive and complimentary.
1st Answer Example
"After researching Kone online, I found that you stand out from the many ways that you give back to your community. On the Kone website, as well as third-party review sites, people are talking about the charitable contributions and generosity coming from Kone. These factors make your company a big stand-out to me because I am serious about working for an organization that is aware of their social impact."
2nd Answer Example
"I believe that Kone has superior services and products. Your competitors seem to scratch the surface with some, but your offerings are so much more robust."
7. Kone values philanthropy and community giving. How do you choose to give back to others?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you are socially responsible and a team player - even outside of the workplace. Your answer can be as simple as babysitting your grand-kids every Sunday, to a standing-volunteer gig, to charitable contributions.
1st Answer Example
"I work a lot but, when I do have free time, I spend that with my grand-kids. It helps to give my son a bit of a break as he is a full-time single dad. In addition to this, I volunteer at the local drop-in center every Christmas to help feed the homeless. Giving back is very important to me."
2nd Answer Example
"Volunteering and charitable acts are important to me. I spend time volunteering at the local drop-in center every Sunday."
8. At Kone, our primary work is to cater to other businesses. What do you foresee as the biggest challenge working in the commercial services industry?
How to Answer
Working in the commercial services industry can be challenging for a few reasons. You are working with businesses who have tight deadlines, varying business hours, and multiple departments with different needs. Briefly talk to the interviewer about the challenges you foresee in this role with Kone. Remain positive and complete your answer by commenting on your abilities to meet these challenges.
1st Answer Example
"This position sounds very exciting, and I understand that all roles come with their challenges. If I had to comment on potential challenges, I think the biggest one will be to learn this new industry and the language that comes with communicating with your clients. I am confident; however that I will meet your expectations as I am a quick and diligent learner."
2nd Answer Example
"As in many industries, I believe that the biggest challenge in business is competing with all of the global e-commerce based organizations. They have less overhead and thus, can offer lower pricing. With that said, I do believe that Kone does a great job when it comes to building value for your customers."
9. Customer service is our top priority at Kone. What is your customer service philosophy?
How to Answer
Because Kone puts so much effort into their customer service reputation, the interviewer needs to be confident that your customer service values align with theirs. Be sure to research the Kone website and take note of any keywords they use when it comes to their customers. Match your language with theirs.
1st Answer Example
"I noticed on your website that you put a lot of value into your customers by actively listening to their needs. You also survey them regularly while staying on top of industry trends so that you can provide them with innovative new services. To me, customer service goes beyond friendliness and efficiency. You need to understand your customer's business needs and have the ability to analyze their future needs so that you can respond appropriately to their business landscape changes."
2nd Answer Example
"As overused as this phrase may be, 'Service with a smile' has always been my customer service philosophy. Very few people can resist a great smile and a friendly interaction! Friendliness warms customers up, makes them more inclined to work with you, and also diffuses a conflict quickly."
10. We value accountability at Kone. If a customer sent a formal complaint about an interaction with you, how would you handle it?
How to Answer
Assure the interviewer that you are a person of integrity who will take responsibility for any shortcomings in the workplace. Briefly explain to the interviewer that you will handle Kone customers with great care.
1st Answer Example
"I understand that Kone has put a lot of work into building these long-term client relationships. If one of your clients complained about my communication with them, I would take full responsibility for my actions and issue an apology. I would also be open to feedback to avoid future incidences. Rest assured, in my 15 years of employment, I have not had any clients complain to my employer about my work ethic or delivery of service."
2nd Answer Example
"Constructive feedback is difficult to swallow at times, but it's helpful for me to remember that everyone receives constructive feedback from time to time. I will always do what is required of me to renew a client relationship."
11. Do you fully understand what we do at Kone?
How to Answer
Questions such as these are why it is essential that you research Kone before your interview. Dive deep into what they do, who their competitors are, who their clients are, and the impact their services have on their customers. Keep your answer as brief as possible and ask for clarification if you need it.
1st Answer Example
"From my understanding, the primary service offered by Kone is XYZ. You service large businesses such as A, B, and C. Without your services, most businesses would suffer because of 1, 2, 3. Would you like to provide me with more details on the core of your business?"
2nd Answer Example
"I feel that I have a good understanding of what you do at Kone from my research online, and on your website. With that said, I would love to hear more about it from your perspective."
12. When have you contributed to an effort to obtain a corporate goal?
How to Answer
Engaged employees are always the most productive. Assure the interviewer that you are capable of being an involved team member by assisting, in some way, to the end goal of the corporation.
1st Answer Example
"My most recent employer had an extreme interest in giving back to the community. So much so that we, as a group, logged our volunteer hours and it was treated as another KPI. We would review our community contributions on a quarterly basis. Our goal was always to hit a minimum 500 volunteer hours per quarter which meant that everyone would volunteer one day per month. It was a great initiative and one that I happily participated in."
2nd Answer Example
"Everyday! The corporate goal is always my primary driver, in my current position. To be successful in my position I need to always be in tune with what my employer is trying to achieve, and be an active participant."
13. We value diversity at Kone. When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?
How to Answer
Are you accustomed to working with a very large or diverse team of individuals? Assure the interviewer that you can handle an environment that offers diversity.
1st Answer Example
"I have worked with diverse groups of people most of my career, including my time in University. I am most comfortable, and happy, in this type of environment because it offers a great learning opportunity."
2nd Answer Example
"In my current role, I work alongside cross-functional teams regularly. Together, we manage our business and effectiveness. I enjoy the diversity component."
14. At Kone, we look to hire those who will be a long term fit. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
How to Answer
It's impossible to know where you will be in 5 years but you need to assure the interviewer that, given all possible circumstances, you could see yourself as a long-term fit for the position at Kone.
1st Answer Example
"Ideally, 5 years from now, I would love to see myself growing into a more prominent leadership role within your organization. My career interests align very nicely with your company's goals which helps me to see a great long-term fit here."
2nd Answer Example
"5 years from now, I would like to supervise or manage a team of my own with Kone. I feel like I am progressing in my career at a rate that will make this a possibility."
15. Sometimes the services and packages offered at Kone can be confusing to new clients. How do you explain complicated concepts to those who may not understand?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you are capable of explaining complex ideas without being condescending to your co-workers or talking over their heads. Give the interviewer an example of how you break down information to make it more easily digestible for the average person.
Think of a presentation about a complex topic, as a proposal to solve a challenging problem. The solution may seem obvious to you, but everyone else in the room is scratching their heads trying to figure out what you're talking about. When you can define key terms and phrases to make them more relevant to your audience, you have skill! Not everyone can do this.
Prepare an example that demonstrates your communication skills and your ability to convey complex information in easy to understand terms.
1st Answer Example
"I find that when there is a complicated concept to teach, visual aids are always the way to go. Did you know that 65% of people are visual learners and that presentations with visual components are 43% more persuasive? I took a course on creating effective info-graphics and will often implement those in my presentations."
2nd Answer Example
"I use the K.I.S.S method...Keep it simple, silly! If you cannot explain it simply, you do not understand it well enough. I recently rolled out a complex compensation plan with many anomalies. I took the approach to share a broad overview and provide detail for reference. I often try to make analogies or share complex information in the form of a story."
16. How did you maintain a good relationship with your most recent boss?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know that you are capable of maintaining a harmonious relationship with those who are considered your leaders.
If your relationship with your boss wasn't fantastic, what efforts did you take to make it better? Here are some suggestions:
- Try to understand what your boss values the most
- Keep your cool, even when you want to lose it
- Anticipate their needs and stay one step ahead
- Take leadership opportunities to show your worth
- Adapt to their preferences
Some basic ground rules for a stable working relationship with your boss are open communication, proactive listening, and not taking things personally. Discuss the ways that you cultivated a healthy relationship with your boss.
1st Answer Example
"My current boss is a very particular individual. Over the years I have taken the time to understand her preferences, her stress triggers, and what she enjoys seeing in my work. I find that if I stay one step ahead and maintain a positive attitude, we can work productively together."
2nd Answer Example
"I value having a strong working relationship with my boss. I want to learn what they do and take on as much work to help our team as possible. I scheduled regular update meetings with my boss and went the extra mile wherever I could."
17. Tell me why you are the right fit for Kone, and this position.
How to Answer
A successful hire needs to feel like the right fit by both parties. Express to the interviewer that you think this position is a stable fit for your experience and your career goals.
1st Answer Example
"I feel that I am the right fit for this company because, from what you have described, my personality, skills, and drive are what you are looking for. The challenges that come with this position are all challenges that I welcome. I am confident that this is the right fit for both of us."
2nd Answer Example
"I am great at what I do, motivated, and I am an avid lover of your product. This mix creates a great match, in my opinion! Happy employees are more productive and; trust me, I would be thrilled to work at Kone."
18. Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.
How to Answer
On a scale of 1-10, how skilled are you in communication? Why did you choose that particular rating for yourself?
1st Answer Example
"I rate my communication skills as a 9/10 as I will, on occasion, have times when I am not as clear as I would like to be. My supervisor and co-workers will attest to my clear and concise communication skills. Because I am an open leader, my team will let me know if I need to clarify anything."
2nd Answer Example
"I will rate myself an 8.5 because I consider myself a strong communicator. It is the foundation of all success in business. I am always striving to be a better communicator, so I leave the rest of the scale as an aspirational measure."
19. Considering your background is in an industry different from ours, what skills and characteristics do you have that qualify you for this position in this industry?
How to Answer
There are many ways that you can be a fit for a position, even though you do not come with direct industry experience. Think about the variety of skills that you have and how those can benefit another employer, despite the industry. These are your transferable skills, and they can include sales abilities, customer service experience, and software capabilities.
1st Answer Example
"Although my background is not in your precise industry, I have worked with many clients who have been in your industry. I bring excellent transferable skills that qualify me for this position. These skills include my advanced abilities in Excel, my outstanding cold-calling abilities as well as my proven background in team leadership."
2nd Answer Example
"I bring many transferable skills to this position and industry. My talents and skills revolve around helping people and making companies profitable. Customer service, problem-solving, and data analysis can cross any industry, and I am a pro at all three."
20. It seems that your resume is missing certain skills that are necessary for this position. How do you plan to compensate for these missing skills?
How to Answer
Most job descriptions will have a long list of requirements. Hiring managers are aware that, to find a candidate that checks ALL of the boxes, can sometimes be impossible. If you are missing some of the "nice to have" or even the "must have" skills listed in the job description, do not fret! Be open about your shortcomings and discuss with the interviewer how you plan to compensate for those.
1st Answer Example
"nice to have"
2nd Answer Example
"I bring full dedication to learning, and mastering, any skills I do not currently have. I will compensate for any lacking skills through additional research. Also, I am happy to take any coursework that you feel would help."
21. Outside of work, what type of creative activities do you like to pursue?
How to Answer
A genuinely creative minded person will have outside activities aside from what's happening in the workplace. Tell the interviewer about the variety of ways in which you express your creativity.
1st Answer Example
"Outside of work I like to attend dance classes and I also attend the odd paint and sip wine nights at a local wine shop. I also enjoy reading as a way of nurturing my creative side."
2nd Answer Example
"I think it's important to exercise creativity in a variety of ways. This reasoning is why I am involved in a variety of things such as team sports, reading, and art classes."
22. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due?
How to Answer
When you feel torn between multiple projects or tasks, how do you decide which one needs your attention the most? Assure the interviewer that you can be diligent when it comes to assessing your priorities.
1st Answer Example
"I will determine which project requires my attention by the number of hours we are behind and then the project size. I am comfortable delegating tasks when needed, but I am also aware that these times will require an additional commitment of hours from me. Never have I under delivered on a deadline."
2nd Answer Example
"Assuming that the projects have different stakeholders, I interview each to determine the value of increased productivity, morale or revenue, decreased costs, and the overall impact."
23. At Kone we value continued education and training. Tell me about your education.
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know how your education has prepared you for this job. A few highlights you can focus on are some of the relevant topics you learned about while attending your courses. How will they help you in this new role? What were some of the most exciting things you learned?
Some ideas for you:
- If you have experience working on group projects, share how you improved your listening and communication skills when working on a challenging project.
- If you learned a new type of software or how to work a kind of equipment you will need to know in this new job, talk about what you know and how you will apply this new knowledge.
While attending post-secondary studies, you likely learned some core skills that would be transferable to any position. Think about what you learned in your highest levels of education and how that knowledge applies (or will apply) to your work. Some of these skills could include:
- Time Management
- Creative Thinking
- Proposal Writing
- Public Speaking
- Presentation Building
- Independent Learning
- Academic Research
- Self-Motivation
1st Answer Example
"I am a big believer in post-secondary education. It adds a lot of value to those newer to the workplace. My post-secondary education was in Communication and Journalism. The courses in this program helped me to develop stronger business relationships through professional correspondence. I also learned persuasive writing skills which have proven to be incredibly helpful when working on client proposals, and in negotiations."
2nd Answer Example
"I have a B.A. in English and Spanish. I graduated with a 4.0 from ABC College, and I also worked full time while going to school, so I not only learned in my courses but also learned a lot of time management skills and how I work best under some degree of pressure. Academically, I refined my writing skills as well as gave a keynote presentation to several hundred attendees, thereby working on my public speaking and presentation skills."
24. Tell me about a time when you used good judgement and logic to solve a problem.
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear about a particular situation where you used good judgment to solve a work-related problem. Be sure to showcase your logic and reasoning abilities. Share a brief overview of the problem, discuss the pro/cons of each decision you could have made, and tell the interviewer why the solution you chose was the best.
1st Answer Example
"Just yesterday I had a customer who was upset because our sales associate would not refund a service that the customer had already used in full. She was outside of the 14 days return policy as well. I am the manager, so I stepped in to alleviate the situation. By showing the customer that I could meet her in the middle, she was able to calm down and reason with me. I did not refund her the full price; however, I offered her a $25 in service credit. I know this will cost my company mere dollars and, in the end, I had a happy customer again."
2nd Answer Example
"I had a customer who was unhappy with his purchase (the service in question cost over $20k). He then was unhappy with the way in which the arbitration process was heading, and although my team all said just to let him be and have him work with our Director of Operations to resolve the issue, I knew that I could lose a customer over a one time issue. I mediated the call, allowed him to air his grievances, and assured him that we would work together to solve the issue."
25. What kind of people do you enjoy working with?
How to Answer
Culture fit is a critical factor when looking for a new position. Talk to the interviewer about the types of personalities that you best work with. Be sure to remain positive and avoid using this as an opportunity to speak poorly of previous colleagues.
1st Answer Example
"I best enjoy working with individuals who are driven, positive, energetic, and take accountability for their work. I do have the ability to work with a large variety of individuals; however, these are the ideal traits I would see in future colleagues."
2nd Answer Example
"Some other great characteristics of co-workers:
- Encouraging
- Helpful
- Engaged
- Positive
- Hard-working
- Punctual
- Reliable"
26. Tell me about a time when you took charge of a meeting. Was the outcome a positive one?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know that you have the confidence to lead a meeting successfully. Think about a time when you have driven a meeting - big or small. This example could be a phone meeting, a lunch and learn, or a large client presentation.
Begin by telling the interviewer the reason for the meeting, who was involved, and what approach you took to prepare for the meeting. Finally, be sure to mention why you felt the meeting was a success! What did you do in that meeting to create an effective and positive outcome?
1st Answer Example
"My employer asked me to lead a lunch and learn meeting to train 15 employees on our new client management software. I was already a subject matter expert on the software so it wasn't difficult for me to plan the lesson. The challenge was making the content entertaining enough to keep the employees engaged. I created a strong PowerPoint presentation that included pop quiz questions throughout. The presentation was a success, and my employer asked me to lead a follow up meeting a few weeks later."
2nd Answer Example
"Just last week my boss had a personal emergency and could not make it in time for our monthly staff meeting. Everyone was already gathered, and so he called to ask me to take control of the meeting. I feel that I did a great job relaying the information and my boss was thankful for the way that I was able to step in."
27. As a manager, who has been your greatest influence? A person that has defined what type of leader you wish to be.
How to Answer
Have you had a strong mentor in your management career? Talk to the interviewer about what type of influences have shaped your management style.
1st Answer Example
"The greatest influence in my career has been one of my Professors from University. Mr. Smith was my professor of Business Ethics, and I connected well with his teaching style. Even after graduating University, we kept in touch, and he has greatly influenced my coaching, teaching, and leadership style."
2nd Answer Example
"The first CEO I reported to has been a tremendous influence on my career. That person helped shape my work ethic and passion for business early on, which has helped me become a better business partner along the way in my career. I wish to be someone who is fair, demanding and supportive. Someone who cares about the customers and cares about our people."
28. If you had $50,000 to build your own business, what would you do?
How to Answer
If money was no object, what kind of business would you start? The interviewer will be able to learn something new and unique about you through this question. Avoid answers that would include building a business that competes with the hiring company.
1st Answer Example
"If I had $50,000 to build my own business I would open up a 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."
2nd Answer Example
"I would choose to invest the $50,000 into an existing business in an industry that my spouse has an interest in. I love what I do for a career, but she has always wanted to be an entrepreneur."
29. When a problem arises, what is your first reaction?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to know if your reactions to problems reflect maturity and professionalism. How you react will significantly determine how you fit with the team at Kone.
Perhaps your computer crashes, and you realize you may have just lost all of your hard work. Or maybe you are limited on time and have a deadline rapidly approaching. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you take a very methodical approach to problem-solving, rather than reacting in an impulsive way when a problem occurs.
1st Answer Example
"When a major problem arises, my first instinct is to take a step back and absorb what just happened. I then go into "
2nd Answer Example
"I have taught myself to become much calmer with my first reactions when problems arise. Now, I will step back and review my options for solving the problem rather than allow myself to become frustrated."
30. What are your salary expectations?
How to Answer
The best way to discuss your salary expectations is to use your current earnings as an example. Be open, and honest. Transparency is the best choice when salary based questions arise.
1st Answer Example
"Currently, 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 like to stay in the same range or slightly higher."
2nd Answer Example
"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."
31. Strong time management is important at Kone. How do you manage your time, even on the busiest days?
How to Answer
The interviewer would like to know more about the types of tools you use to stay on task and meet deadlines. Discuss how you prioritize when everything demands your attention at once. Think about the ways you manage your projects and daily tasks and how those will help you to succeed in your role with Kone.
1st Answer Example
"I manage my time by exercising the idea of 'time-blocking'. This approach means that I won't incessantly check my email; instead, I will allow myself to return emails in 30-minute time blocks, four times per day. Setting calendar alerts and personal deadlines for myself has also helped a lot."
2nd Answer Example
"Very carefully! I prioritize deadlines and work that need to be done. Then work backward from there. When necessary, I utilize my resources and team to pitch in and contribute."