INTERVIEW COACH
Rachelle Enns
Rachelle is a job search expert, career coach, and headhunter who helps everyone from students to fortune 500 executives find success in their career.
Interview Q&As
Explore expert tips and resources to be more confident in your next interview.
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Rate your communication skills from 1-10 with proper examples backing your given rating.
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On a scale of 1-10, how skilled are you in communication? Why did you choose that particular rating for yourself?
Example #1
"My current supervisor and co-workers will attest to my clear and concise communication skills. Because I am an open leader, my team also lets me know if I need to clarify anything. Based on this feedback from my current co-workers, I would rate my communication skills as an 8 out of 10. I'm definitely strong in this area, but still have room for improvement as I continue to grow as a leader and become more familiar with the Kimberly-Clark communication values."
Example #2
"I will rate myself an 8.5 because I believe in being clear, direct and up front with my co-workers. It is the foundation of all success in business. I am always striving to be a better communicator - to always be clear but kind - so I leave the rest of the scale as an aspirational measure."
What questions do you have for me about working with Procter and Gamble?
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It's always a great idea to have questions ready for the interviewer. Review the company website and other online resources to ensure the questions you are asking are not mundane, or redundant. The last thing an interviewer wants to hear is a list of items you could have found the answers to from merely watching a video on their company site!
Example #1
"Thank you very much; I do have a few questions for you. First and foremost, what is the company's long-term vision for this particular role, and one year from now, how will you know that the new employee has been successful? What does that success look like?"
Example #2
"Thank you for asking - I do have a few questions. First, can you tell me a specific story that exemplifies the P&G culture? I'd love to hear more about how the corporate values of integrity, leadership, ownership, passion for winning and trust come to life in everyday work situations. I'd love to hear about your experience with others on your team and how they live out those values."
As a manager, what is your greatest weakness?
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Everyone has his/her weaknesses, and that is OK. Talk to the hiring manager about what you feel you could work on the most, and what you are doing about it. Avoid discussing a weakness that could be detrimental to you securing the position.
Example #1
"As a manager, I feel that my greatest weakness is in separating employees as quickly as possible when they begin to show signs that they are not going to work out. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt and have been known to continue trying to nurture people when they really are overdue for termination. I have taken a couple of management training classes focusing on this area, and I'm also working with an industry mentor; I feel I'm improving in being able to objectively approach separating employees who aren't a good fit, in a way that is respectful to the employee and for the overall good health of the organization."
Example #2
"One thing I've consistently worked to improve since my first management position is increasing the level of trust I have in my employees. For me, it was a difficult transition to move from a front-line employee to one who manages the work of others. I wanted to jump in and help my employees accomplish their goals instead of offering support and allowing them to set and reach their own goals. I continue to improve in this area, and I believe I'm at the right point in my career development to live out the P&G value of trust - having confidence in each other's capabilities and intentions and believing that people work best when there is a foundation of trust. That sense of trust is more important than making sure people do things my way."
Work volumes can become very high at Procter and Gamble. How do you handle a larger than average workload?
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The interviewer wants to be assured that you can handle the workload required of you in this position and that you will not become overwhelmed if/when workloads unexpectedly increase. When workloads increase, stress levels do too. How do you react?
Example #1
"When I have a large workload on my plate, I do not stress over the tasks that are in front of me. Rather, I make a simple plan of which tasks are a high priority and which tasks are a lower priority. The higher priority tasks, I complete first. Through this system, I can focus on my tasks individually, rather than stressing out about the multitude of tasks ahead of me. With P&G's focus on interdependency, I also believe that I could reach out to team members and/or colleagues in order to effectively divide and conquer particular challenges that lead to a heavy workload."
Example #2
"Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I try to take a few deep breaths, review my list of tasks, and concentrate first on those that are of highest strategic priority to the organization - in other words, the tasks most likely to positively affect the company's bottom line. If I can put my highest expenditure of resources there, I'm more likely to make a positive impact on the organization overall."
Do you see yourself a leader? When have you led a team?
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Perhaps you have led a club at work, been a coach for a youth sports team, or were on the advisory board for a non-profit organization. You should always be prepared to show the interviewer that you have a natural ability to lead others. Whether you have led a group of 500 or a team of 2, you must display to the interviewer that you are capable of handling the responsibility that comes with being a leader and mentor.
Talk about your desire to be a leader. Share with the interviewer that you strive to be a role model for others. Explain that you jump at the opportunity to lead groups, encourage your counterparts, and be a face of the organization when challenges arise.
Talk about your desire to be a leader. Share with the interviewer that you strive to be a role model for others. Explain that you jump at the opportunity to lead groups, encourage your counterparts, and be a face of the organization when challenges arise.
Example #1
"In my current position, I am the president of the social committee. I love that I have the opportunity to encourage employee engagement while being a positive influence on the workplace culture. I am a natural leader because I start with leading by example. As a leader, I make myself available to others who need mentorship, a bit of assistance in adjusting to their role, or just a listening ear when they've had a tough day. I am confident in my leadership abilities and look forward to joining your team in a leadership role."
Example #2
"I definitely see myself as a leader. Not only have I managed a team in two prior roles, but also I believe that leadership does not always equate to management. Leadership is more of a mindset than a title or specific position. I am sure to lead at all times by providing the best model, enthusiasm and work ethic of the organization. I am open to new ideas and love to tackle a new project which, to me, embodies leadership."
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How do you deal with distracting coworkers who stand in the way of your progress?
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Even the most well-meaning coworkers can distract you from getting things done at work from time to time. The funny and entertaining coworkers who like to chat online and send YouTube videos are often the ones who can get in the way of your productivity if you let them. How do you respond? Show off your ability to set professional boundaries, when needed.
Example #1
"I typically just set a kind, but clear, boundary and tell my coworker that I need to focus at the moment. I will offer an alternate time for a catch-up, over lunch for example. It is important for the sake of workplace culture to set aside time to be social with coworkers, so I usually just let them know when I'll be available for a quick break in the day."
Example #2
"If I have a distracting co-worker, I will highlight the distraction right away while remaining kind. I feel it's always best to nip issues in the bud before they get out of control. Overall, I'm very good at setting personal and professional boundaries, so this has never been much of an issue for me. I've found that if I'm clear that my time is currently allocated to another task, people respect that and are happy to catch up and be social at another specified time."
How would you handle a situation where your Procter and Gamble supervisor did not properly communicate information to you?
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Others don't always communicate with you in the style that you would prefer. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have handled a supervisor who does not interact with you in a way that you like or that is clear to you.
Example #1
"Whenever I have had a supervisor who does not properly communicate with me, I first try to learn their style of communication and emulate it. I also try to ask a lot of questions and document instructions in writing as much as possible in order to make sure I'm understanding."
Example #2
"I try to be independent and find as many answers as possible on my own. As much as I would love to always work with supervisors who are great communicators, that is not always a realistic ask. I also try to repeat instructions just to verify that I'm hearing and interpreting what the supervisor really wants."
Do you feel performance should be rewarded over experience?
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Do you feel that you should be paid based on tenure, or results? Discuss this with the interviewer and back your answer with an example, if possible.
Example #1
"Both tenure and performance are important, but I do lean toward performance incentives. I feel that employees should be paid, and rewarded, based on the documented value they bring to the organization. This approach is a strong motivator - a new employee would be greatly encouraged by being rewarded for performance, and this approach also facilitates a healthy competition with more tenured employees."
Example #2
"This is a classic question, isn't it? Experience and company knowledge are so important and are certainly of value to an organization, while performance is the documented articulation of an employee's value to the company. I believe the best compensation programs figure out a way to honor both, with the emphasis on performance. Doing so encourages good employees to stay, since they know they're valued for their tenure and experience - but it discourages people from getting so comfortable in a long-time role that they don't strive for their highest performance."
What are your salary expectations?
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OUR COACH SAYS
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.
Example #1
"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 gain a slight increase. According to my research, this seems consistent with the market."
Example #2
"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 would hope we could discuss alternative benefits and/or a path to reach that salary goal."
Anonymous Answer
"Currently, I earn a base salary of $30,000 per year plus a potential 20% annual bonus. I want to stay in the same range or gain a slight increase. I was not able to find out the current range of salary for this position, can you please put some light on it?"
Rachelle's Reply
This is a great answer because you are specific yet offer room for feedback/conversation. Well done!
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The environment is fast-paced and challenging at Procter and Gamble. How do you determine priorities when you have multiple projects due?
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OUR COACH SAYS
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.
Example #1
"First and foremost, I will prioritize projects that most closely align with P&G's strategic goals and have the highest potential to affect the company's bottom line. I am comfortable delegating tasks when needed- per P&G's focus on leadership, I want to make sure I have a clear vision of where we are going and can effectively focus resources to achieve leadership's objectives and strategies."
Example #2
"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. Just like Procter and Gamble values ownership among its team members, I accept personal accountability to meet business needs, improve systems and help others improve their effectiveness. Looking for this kind of continual process improvement can help clearly delineate priorities and eliminate wasteful efforts on projects that don't directly contribute to P&G's bottom line."
Anonymous Answer
"Assuming that the projects have different stakeholders, I analyze each project to determine the value of increased productivity, morale or revenue, decreased costs, and the overall impact. Just like Procter and Gamble value ownership among its team members, I accept personal accountability to meet business needs, improve systems, and help others improve their effectiveness. Looking for this kind of continual process improvement can help delineate priorities and eliminate wasteful efforts on projects that don't directly contribute to P&G's bottom line."
Rachelle's Reply
Perfection! You bring in many excellent points and needs related to P&G, perfectly personalizing your response. Well done.
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At Proctor and Gamble, we seek to hire those who want a long-term fit. What is your long-range career objective?
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Onboarding new employees is a time consuming and costly endeavor so the interviewer wants to make sure that this role will be a long-term fit for you. Be open with the interviewer about your dreams within Proctor and Gamble, on a long-term basis. Share what promotions you hope to eventually receive and discuss what you wish to learn from being a part of their organization. The key to answering this question is to express to the interviewer that you plan to be employed by the company for many years to come.
Example #1
"I have some pretty lofty career goals. I want to make a big impact within an industry, to push technology and press for always bigger, better ideas. After researching P&G and learning more about this position, I feel that this role fits beautifully with my future aspirations. The company shares the kind of values - things like integrity, respect and passion - that I hold dear, plus I'm attracted to its sense of corporate responsibility on everything from animal welfare to environmental sustainability."
Example #2
"This particular position is a goal that I have set my sights on for quite some time. I believe it is the next step in a long and fulfilling career in the consumer products industry. The industry leadership that P&G offers, as well as its culture of innovation, passion and interdependence among team members and partners, are key for me, and I feel confident I will gain skills in this role that will make me successful."
What type of work environment do you dislike working in?
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The interviewer wants to know that you are pretty flexible in your ability to work in most environments. Have you experienced a position where the environment wasn't conducive to your productivity? Be sure to understand the type of environment that is offered in this position before the interview.
Example #1
"I can be productive in most work environments, so long as the mentality is positive and teamwork is encouraged. I feel challenged in an environment that is negative or toxic. From what I understand, Procter and Gamble focuses a great deal on interdependency and working together with confidence and trust across business units, functions, categories and geographies. This seems like an environment that sets your team members up for success."
Example #2
"Really the only kind of environment I dislike is one of apathy or negativity. I crave being part of a team of A players consistently bringing their A game. From what I've researched about Procter and Gamble, I believe I can be very successful within your team environment - I appreciate the clearly articulated focus on respect, interdependency and putting the needs of the company above the individual needs of self. I believe I can thrive and be a strongly and consistently contributing team member in this kind of culture."
Procter and Gamble wants to know how to motivate you. What work situations excite and motivate you?
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Every hiring manager wants to know how to keep you best motivated and excited about the job. Talk to the interviewer about what excites you and keeps you happy at work.
Example #1
"I have a healthy competitive edge, even if its a personal competition. For me, I am excited and motivated by winning, whether that be winning over a new client, exceeding my KPIs or being recognized for a job well done. I am also motivated and energized by a strong team that supports and challenges one another. I believe that the work culture at P&G in and of itself will be a strong motivator for me; I love the idea of being surrounded by team members all working toward mastery with strategic focus, seeking to be the very best and working with interdependency. That sounds energizing!"
Example #2
"I get excited when new challenges are presented in the workplace. This could include a new program, a new customer initiative, a sales contest, or even the training of a new employee. A fresh problem to solve or a fresh obstacle to conquer is highly motivating and exciting for me, which fits well with the Procter and Gamble team environment of challenging convention and reinventing the way you do business to better win in the marketplace."
Procter and Gamble puts emphasis on hiring people who fit into our workplace culture. How would you describe your personality?
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Personality and character are two very different things. The interviewer is looking for more information on your personal traits vs. your integrity. This would include buzzwords such as introverted, energetic, and confident.
Example #1
"I would describe my personality as approachable, energetic, and positive. I believe that, if asked, my colleagues and supervisor would say the same about me. I would also classify myself as bold - I'm willing to take risks in order to achieve higher and better results, ultimately for the good of the company and the good of the consumer. Above all, I believe I exemplify integrity, which meshes well with P&G's goal of leading the charge in doing the right thing."
Example #2
"It may seem like an odd combination, but I would describe myself as both logical and imaginative. I'm imaginative in the sense that I'm always looking for new ways to approach consumer issues and new ideas to test out. And then I'm logical in the sense that I want experimentation, data and results to know for sure that what my imagination comes up with is truly feasible. I think my personality will fit well within Procter and Gamble's focus on innovation, mastery and seeking to be the best."
We believe in strong work/life balance at Procter and Gamble. How often do you take work home with you?
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The majority of people will work overtime hours or take work home with them on occasion. Talk to the interviewer about how frequently to take your work home. If you do take work home with you, make sure to express that it is due to overachieving and not procrastination or poor time management.
Example #1
"Only occasionally. I make every effort to utilize my work hours efficiently so that the only time I take work home is when there is an extremely stringent deadline or some type of emergency. I would say that, overall, I take my work home maybe twice per month. Now, that's on the execution side, but on the ideation side, I can tell you that I'm constantly thinking about new ways to do things, new innovations to try or new approaches to problem, so that 'script,' if you will, is constantly running in my brain!"
Example #2
"I try very hard not to take my work home with me. For me, it's very important to compartmentalize work and life and keep them separate so that I can give each of them my full focus in the moment. That means I have to be very disciplined throughout the workday, stay focused, and use effective time-management techniques to help me maximize my performance. This way, I'm meeting or exceeding goals, while still enjoying time with my family to disconnect from work and just 'be.'"
Tell me about your experiences giving presentations in front of large groups.
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Public speaking can be intimidating, so assure the interviewer that you are capable of communicating well in front of large groups. Have you taken any courses or training in public speaking? Perhaps you have so much experience that it comes second nature. Assure the interviewer that you are capable of giving presentations should it be required in your role with Procter and Gamble.
Example #1
"In my last two roles I have been responsible for regularly presenting to my team of 43 staff as well as to our entire warehouse team of more than 200. I have also been part of my local Toastmasters group, which helped a great deal. Overall, I feel that I am a confident public speaker."
Example #2
"I do not have a lot of experience in presenting to large groups, but I do present regularly to groups averaging around 4 to 6 people. I am a confident speaker in that setting and am sure that I could present in front of many people - I'd be happy to take on that challenge."
Environmental quality and sustainability are very important to us at Procter and Gamble. How do you feel about that?
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Talk to the interviewer about your thoughts on sustainability. Try to align your answer with what you know about their practices, policies and procedures wherever possible.
Example #1
"I believe that environmental quality and sustainability are key defining issues within the consumer products industry. Today, many companies are judged by potential consumers and employees by their positions on issues like these. For example, I'm very impressed by Procter and Gamble's stance on taking steps across its entire supply chain to confirm that sourcing of raw materials does not fund armed groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries."
Example #2
"These are very important concerns for me personally, as well. Like Procter and Gamble, I believe that science-based practices can help preserve our planet for generations to come. We can do well as a company and also do good for the environment and for the communities whose resources support our business."
Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?
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Career progression can be a touchy subject, especially if you feel that your career hasn't progressed as well as you would have liked. Talk to the interviewer about your career progression and what you would like to see in the future.
Example #1
"Overall, my career has progressed a touch slower than I would have liked. I have held a couple of positions that didn't offer the growth and learning that I was expecting; however, I have bounced back nicely. I feel that this particular position would take my career exactly where it should be for my level of education, experience and ambition."
Example #2
"I love this question, and I can't imagine that there are very many people who can say that their career has progressed exactly as expected. And if they can say that, it tells me they haven't taken very many risks or disrupted the status quo. Because of my entrepreneurial approach in general, I'm open to new opportunities and willing to take risks in order, ultimately, to enjoy greater success. When you approach your career in that fashion, you never know where it will take you - except on to greater challenges and success."
When you suffer a setback, how does that emotionally affect you and your work?
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Everyone handles the stress and disappointment of setbacks differently. Discuss with the interviewer how you typically cope with setbacks in the workplace.
Example #1
"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. I believe this fits well with P&G's focus on innovation - every failure can take us one step closer to a major breakthrough for our consumers."
Example #2
"Setbacks happen no matter what, and for that reason I try not to let them affect me emotionally in the least. I am a pragmatic thinker and stay focused despite challenges that come my way. I once had a colleague who described setbacks as "forward fumbles," which is a philosophy I have internalized and try to share with others. What looks in the moment like a setback can often, in retrospect, be a catalyst for change or an inadvertent step toward a successful outcome you weren't even able to imagine."
Change is par for the course with Procter and Gamble. When have you had to adapt to change?
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Being able to adapt to change in the workplace is a crucial skill to possess. Talk to the interviewer about a time when you have had to adjust to changes on the job. How did you handle the change? Was it a positive reaction?
Example #1
"In my current role there is a lot of turnover when it comes to our management team. I have had to adapt to three new managers in the past four years. For a company like P&G that values strategic focus, innovation and being the very best, I'd imagine that team members move up and around a great deal within the company. I'm fully prepared to handle that kind of change and adapt to both new team members and changing market conditions."
Example #2
"In my previous role at a high-growth tech startup, the sales organization was restructured a number of times, from a new boss to new teams and territories. This can be very frustrating if one doesn't approach it with the right frame of mind, but I was able to thrive there. In this situation, if all team members are acting in accordance with P&G's value of doing what is right for the business with integrity, that means we'll all be ready to take advantage of developing opportunities, being nimble and capitalizing on market changes with strategic focus."
If Procter and Gamble hired you today, what would you accomplish first?
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When you start a new position, it is important to set a goal on how you will make a positive impact quickly after being hired. Tell the interviewer what your impact goal is, should you be the successful candidate.
Example #1
"When we were speaking earlier, about sales targets in this position, you mentioned that most new sales professionals hit their KPI's after 120 days. If I were hired today, my goal would be to exceed my KPI's after the first 90 days. My goal, consistent with Procter and Gamble's values, will be to focus resources to achieve leadership objectives and strategies.I plan to make a positive impact very quickly and show that I am a perfect fit for P&G's culture of mastery, innovation and passion for winning."
Example #2
"I know you mentioned that the average tenure in this position, before promotion, is anywhere from six months to a year or more. I intend to prove over the first three months that I am a rockstar in the organization and that I can live out Procter and Gamble's corporate values of leadership, ownership and passion for winning - treating the Company's assets as my own and behaving with the Company's long-term success in mind."
Procter and Gamble likes to hire those who take pride in their work. Tell me about your greatest work related accomplishment.
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TOP ANSWERS
Talking about your greatest accomplishment will give the interviewer a strong idea of where you place your values. It will also show the interviewer more about your personality, how you like to be motivated, and how to coach you in the future. It is okay to brag a little bit when answering this question. Show that you are proud of yourself and your career accomplishments!
Example #1
"The greatest accomplishment of my career thus far was graduating from college as an honors student while still 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. I believe that this kind of work ethic will fit well within P&G's culture of passion for winning, strategic focus and innovation."
Example #2
"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, but also received accolades from the VP of Sales in front of the entire company, which was a really special moment. I look forward to applying this same work ethic to P&G's environment of innovation, mastery and seeking to be the best."
Are you applying for a job with any of our competitors?
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The interviewer would like to know if you are specifically targeting positions within the same industry. Talk to the hiring manager about your desire for a role specifically in their industry. Be sure to reiterate your keen interest in the role with Procter and Ga.
Example #1
"I have applied to a variety of roles within the consumer products industry and am currently interviewing with one other company. My primary interest, though, is with P&G because your products align perfectly with my product expertise, and I believe your overall focus on your purpose, values and principals meshes well with my own personal values."
Example #2
"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 Procter and Gamble - this position is the best fit for my education and experience, and your corporate values of integrity, leadership, ownership, passion and trust describe the kind of environment in which I believe I'd be most successful."
The consumer products industry is fast moving. How do you keep up to date on current trends?
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Being up to date on current trends is incredibly essential in the consumer products industry. Assure the interviewer that you are engaged and interested in what the market trends look like.
Example #1
"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 subscribe to a variety of industry publications as well."
Example #2
"It's tough to stay up to date on current trends, in such a fast-moving industry. I like to follow any 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."
Sales performance is of utmost importance to Procter and Gamble. How do you plan to contribute to our profitability?
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TOP ANSWERS
Talk to the interviewer about your sales targets, results, and contributions in the past. Be sure to highlight your biggest wins and talk about the ways you will bring the same performance to Procter and Gamble if hired.
Example #1
"I plan to contribute to your profitability through hard work, strategy, tenacity and paying close attention to the needs of my customers. I have solid results in my most recent position and look forward to bringing these same successes to Procter and Gamble. I'm encouraged by the fact that P&G says it hires based on the potential leadership sees in people - that easily leads to new ideas, entrepreneurial thinking and disrupting the status quo. That's exactly the kind of approach I've taken in my career, and I look forward to continuing that mindset."
Example #2
"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 then leading a team to achieve those measures."
What does it mean to you to be an ethical company?
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TOP ANSWERS
This is a nice chance to show the interviewer that your sense of ethics and integrity meshes with that of the company. Make sure to do some research in advance so that you understand Procter and Gamble's position on various issues.
Example #1
"I really love this question, and it's one I've given a lot of thought to. For me, a company is ethical when it follows fair and unbiased reporting practices and when it sources its materials and drives its production cycle in a way that is sustainable and responsible with both people and natural resources. From what I've learned about Procter and Gamble, the way you operate as a company and as individuals is based on the principle of doing the right thing. I love the idea of being a force for good and a force for growth."
Example #2
"There are many facets to being an ethical company, from the way you treat your employees to the manner in which you garner your raw materials. From what I've researched, I do believe Procter and Gamble is an ethical company - the organization is very up front and open about many important ethical issues in the consumer products industry: reporting practices, sustainability, human rights and animal welfare, just to name a few. These are some of the touchstone issues that define a company's ethics, and I believe my own sense of integrity fully aligns with P&G's - to lead the charge in doing the right thing."
At Procter and Gamble we prefer to hire candidates who value post-secondary education. Do you have any post-secondary education or related training?
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TOP ANSWERS
Talk to the interviewer about your post-secondary education, being sure to highlight the best parts of your performance. If you do not have the formal post-secondary education, you will need to sell the interviewer on the idea that you have gained the knowledge required to succeed with Procter and Gamble.
Example #1
"I value post-secondary education as well. Although I do not have a completed degree, I do bring a plethora of related experience from Company ABC and XYZ. Both organizations provided me with exceptional training. In addition to this formal on the job training, I have also read numerous business books and attended a variety of industry related workshops."
Example #2
"I have a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from Concordia University. I am proud to say that I graduated top of my class. I have a lot to offer Procter and Gamble when it comes to my knowledge of consumer products, marketing, and advertising."
The performance of consumer products relies greatly on advertising and marketing efforts. Do you have any experience with advertising, marketing, or market research?
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Talk to the interviewer about any experience you have in advertising and marketing, whether that be on the job training or formal education. Discuss how you have seen robust marketing strategies directly affect the performance of a product.
Example #1
"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 Procter and Gamble; it's obvious that P&G invests a great deal in cultivating brands that are household names in everything from baby and personal care to home and fabric care."
Example #2
"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."
Of all the places that you could work, why do you want to join Procter and Gamble?
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Talk to the interviewer about your reasons for wanting to work for Procter and Gamble specifically. With all of the competitors out there - why them? Be as specific as possible.
Example #1
"For me, Procter and Gamble is synonymous with excellence - for nearly 200 years, your brands have challenged convention, led innovation, and helped shape culture. I love that the company is mission-based and believes in finding small but meaningful ways to improve lives--now and for generations to come. That's the kind of environment in which I believe I could be successful."
Example #2
"Procter and Gamble has been on my radar for some time now. I greatly appreciate your corporate purpose, values and principles. I love that they clearly articulate the behaviors that shape the tone of how you work with each other and with your partners. Your values of integrity, leadership, ownership, passion and trust lead me to believe that Procter and Gamble has the kind of work environment in which I can thrive."
Procter and Gamble is a global corporation with brands and employees all over the world. What is your experience working with a diverse group of people?
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Are you accustomed to working with a very large or diverse team of individuals? Assure the interviewer that you are enthusiastic about and can handle an environment that offers diversity.
Example #1
"The global nature of the Procter and Gamble business is one that I'm most excited about. I'm accustomed to being around people who aren't exactly like me, and I've been able to learn from exposure to a lot of different perspectives. However, I believe that truly being part of the global economy will be a life-changing experience that I will relish. I love that at P&G, the people who use your products every day are as diverse as our entire world. The more you team reflects them, the better you can understand their needs."
Example #2
"In 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, Procter and Gamble's teams reflect the diversity of your customers and enable stronger discussions, better insights and breakthrough solutions. I love that your employees are encouraged to bring their unique selves to work every day, and bring out the best in each other."
Despite more current trends, many consumer products have been tested on animals. What are your thoughts on this?
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The testing of products on animals has been a long time controversy in the consumer products realm. Discuss with the interviewer your thoughts on testing consumer products on animals.
Example #1
"Science has come a long way, and the need to test products on animals is minimal, if not non-existent. Overall, I'm of the mind that products should not contain harmful chemicals and the more natural they are, the better. That's one of the attractive elements of the Procter and Gamble philosophy - I'm impressed that the company has invested more than $410 million in developing alternative, non-animal testing methods and is committed to getting them accepted by regulators around the world."
Example #2
"Overall, I do not support testing on animals. I believe that science has come far enough that this practice is unnecessary. Consumers, on the whole, expect for their products to be ethically sourced and manufactured in a cruelty-free fashion, and are even amenable to paying a premium for ethically produced products if that's what it takes. I believe my philosophy fits well with that of Procter and Gamble - I was so happy to learn, while preparing for this interview, that P&G does not test its products or ingredients on animals anywhere in the world unless required by law."
At Procter and Gamble we always think of the consumer first. What are the top 3 ways that we can ensure consumer satisfaction?
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When it comes to consumer goods, the satisfaction of the consumer is everything! These days with reviews online and the power of social media, how will you ensure that consumer satisfaction is a priority when working at Procter and Gamble?
Example #1
"Consumer satisfaction first comes from offering value. The product must meet the needs of the consumer n a way that the customer feels is worth or even exceeds the price he/she paid. Second, consumer satisfaction stems from outstanding customer service - when a consumer has a question, can he or she quickly get a response that's helpful? And third would be anticipating consumer needs and being first to meet them in the marketplace - constantly testing products and learning as much as we can about our consumers' habits can help make sure we know what they need, sometimes even before they do."
Example #2
"There are many ways to ensure consumer satisfaction; however, I feel that 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. P&G is a proven master at this - your products are trusted in millions of living rooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms--and have been passed down from generation to generation."
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