Due to the nature of Republic Services business and services we may ask that you complete a full background check. Are you willing to comply?

"I can fully understand why Republic Services 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."

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 Republic Services 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."

"If you have a mark on your record: "I can fully understand why Republic Services 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."

At Republic Services 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?

"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."

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?

"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."

Talk about a time that you utilized a creative solution to help with an environmental issue on the job. What resources did you use to help make the creative solution a reality?

"During my time working for the state of New Jersey, I was tasked with water cleanup projects to help save natural lakes and ponds that were subject to major pollution from nearby factories. To first help sustain life in the waterways, I researched and attending some training on biofiltration systems. With the training I underwent, I utilized a strain of cabbage in the ponds that effectively filtered and destroyed many of the VOC's in the ponds. This allowed life in the waters to thrive while we searched for more solutions on the contaminants."

As an environmental engineer/expert, being creative and innovative should be a part of your soul and DNA. For this question, your interviewer will be looking for your ability to use education and/or research to come up with a creative solution to an issue. Be sure to speak in detail about the steps you took to put a creative plan into action and don't forget to talk about final results as well.

"Last year, I worked hand in hand with mechanical and design engineers on new wind turbines that would dramatically decrease the killing of birds and bats in the areas where wind farms currently existed. I utilized my knowledge of bird flight patterns and flight control to help convince the team that vertical turbines were the best route to take. While a little more costly to produce and get up and running, the lessened effect on the local ecosystems were well worth the efforts."

What types of training and experience do you have in operating heavy equipment?

"As you can see from my application, I have worked for five years with a large regional recycling center. I have operated several large balers and received training on operating those pieces of equipment. If hired for this position, I think this experience would be very helpful in the recycling center here at Republic Services. It also bodes well for potential training I would receive on other equipment as well."

For laborer jobs with Republic Services, the ability to operate heavy machinery is a must on the job. Based on your application and resume, your interviewer may not be able to get a good sense for your direct experience and training in operating heavy equipment, so they are asking this question. Talk about the different types of experience and training you've had throughout your career while keeping an open mind to learning and mastering new pieces of equipment if necessary for this job.

"As you can see from my resume, my time working in the warehouse industry has required me to have a CDL and operate tractor-trailer combinations in our yard on a regular basis. As well, I have experience operating fork lifts, balers, shrink wrapping equipment and general warehouse lines. My diverse equipment experience would be beneficial for this job at Republic Services because I've shown an ability to learn and be flexible with heavy equipment and to learn things quickly and efficiently on the job."

What importance do you feel that policy plays in the customer service experience? Do you have experience writing customer service policies?

"For organizations that provide customer service, having distinct policies and procedures in place for employees to follow is extremely important. Just like a manufacturing company will have step by step processes for their assemblers and line workers, customer service associates and other employees need procedures to work off of to provide consistency to customers. With my current organization, I worked on a team that developed a customer service mission statement and customer service goals based on customer survey feedback. With those in hand, we developed a great set of procedures that employees still use to this day."

Organizational policies and procedures play a vital role in setting the stage for employees to carry forward excellent customer service. Make sure that you reiterate that to your interviewer while discussing why you feel that customized policies are important for organizations to have. If you have any direct experience in policy writing, be sure to talk about that as well because this role with Republic Services may find you helping clients create and implement new policies and procedures.

Would you say that you are a goal oriented person on the job? Why would you say that?

"If hired for this position, one of the first things that you'll learn about me is that I am very driven to succeed in all that I do on the job. For me, personal drive definitely centers around goals and my desire to achieve them. I have the focus to set goals myself and to work towards goals that are set by my organization, my leaders or my customers and I would bring this ability with each client that I work with here at Republic Services."

Success in business consulting is most often measured in the achievement of goals for clients and for this question, your interviewer will ideally be looking to hear that you are driven by goals and that you have the ability to set them as well. In your answer, give your interviewer the sense that you are goal oriented by giving an example or two of a time where you set and worked towards a goal as part of a team effort. Explain your part in the achievement of the goals and your ability to stay focused on the end result.

"I would definitely say that I am goal oriented in the work that I do on a daily basis. In project management, I work off of both time related goals and production related goals and these really drive my daily tasks and my delegation of responsibilities to other team members. If given the opportunity to come work for Republic Services, my clients would greatly benefit from my ability to both set and achieve goals with them."

Talk about a time that you successfully educated another individual or group in your area of expertise. What made your educational experience effective?

"Probably the aspect that I love the most about my current job is being the lead for training new hires into our department. Because of my years of experience and my innate ability to effectively orientate new employees, my director asked me to take this duty about four years ago. My approach with any new hire is to customize their training based on their knowledge and experience so the training is effective for them. What works for one person may not work for another and I always need to be fluid with this. I also prioritize the need to make orientation and training a hands on experience for the new hire because classroom learning can only take a person so far in the learning process."

The role that you are interviewing for with Republic Services will likely involve providing education to clients in your area of expertise. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you are comfortable and effective in providing education by having you talk about a time that you have done so. In the example that you provide, try to point out some key items to making business education successful like developing a plan/goals, respecting differing viewpoints/opinions, making it hands on and making it fun.

"As you can see from my resume, I've spent the last seven years working in the corporate tax field. While in this job, I worked very independently for a private organization, so I've been out of the training and education side for a while now. During my first job out of college as a CPA though, I was very adept at providing education to the clients that I worked with on a daily basis. What I learned in that experience was the importance of putting material out there in a manner that the person being trained understood. As well, talking to clients and understanding my client's wants and needs were very important for me to be able to best educate them. I really believe that these skills would enable me to hit the ground running with Republic Services and your clients would benefit greatly."

At Republic Services, safety is a top priority in all of the work that we do. Walk me through how you prioritize safety in your work.

"Having driven professional routes for a majority of my career, safety for me starts on the road by coming to work well rested and ready to start the day attentively. I have a clean driving record and take great pride in my ability to navigate large trucks safely and efficiently. In looking to transition to the filed of trash disposal, learning how to operate the garbage trucks safely would be a top priority. I would take my initial days on the job to learn how to safely operate the packer blade and hopper parts."

In the garbage and waste industry, heavy equipment and toxic waste exposure are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to potential safety hazards on the job. Prior to your interview, think about the particular job that you are interviewing for and pinpoint the key safety hazards. Then, during your interview, highlight our ability to be conscientious of those safety hazards and talk about the steps you take to ensure that you and others you work around remain safe while on the job.

"Having been a mechanic for four years now out of tech school, safety in the shop is something that I never take for granted. I have been trained in and utilize safe lifting techniques, wear safety equipment like gloves and safety glasses and proper fuel disposal when needed. I am proud to say that I have never experience a work related injury and I owe my focus on being safe in the shop to that."

Working with our clients here at Republic Services often involves some initial conflict with our clients. How would you rate your ability to handle conflict or disagreements in the workplace?

"In my role as a Project Manager with a large private organization, one of my first steps on any new project is setting a budget. Last year, I was leading the effort on a project focused on waste reduction in our manufacturing facilities. In the initial meetings for new projects, our CFO is always involved so she has a high-level overview of what the project will entail. In the meeting, she immediately berated me for the initial budget that I was proposing and vehemently insisted that the amount just wasn't correct or feasible. Rather than taking offense to her thoughts, I wanted to make sure that she, and the rest of the group, had a solid understanding of all that was taken into consideration for setting the budget. After I explained and showed line by line what the proposed budget broke down to, she was very thankful and didn't realize that team member labor was part of that equation. I think that my ability to understand why she was conflicted and my ability to keep a calm, cool head in that situation was vital and a perfect reason for me rating myself high on my conflict resolution skills."

When a consultant comes into an organization to help better an aspect of their business, there are many factors that can lead to initial conflicts with the consultant and their firm. Big egos not wanting a fresh new face and the fear of change are inevitable in this business and your interviewer wants to hear that you have the experience and ability to handle inevitable conflict that will come your way if hired for the position. While obviously rating yourself highly in this area, try to talk about a time where you handled difficult conflict on the job with ease.

"From my call center days, I think I developed great conflict resolution skills where I would rate myself an 8 out of 10. Handling customers who were upset about a product or service they received required a calm tone, an educational approach and the ability to not take things too personally. If hired for this position, I would be able to bring this same approach to the client of Republic Services."

In what ways would our clients here at Republic Services benefit from your knowledge and services?

"As you can see from my resume, I have extensive experience in risk management in the healthcare industry. Having worked with some major players in the industry, your healthcare clients would benefit the most from the experience and solutions I could help provide them. Not to leave other industries out, I think my experience in the healthcare realm will also translate nicely to your clients in other areas of the private sector."

This question is your chance to talk about the unique skills and knowledge that you would bring to Republic Services and that is exactly what your interviewer is looking to hear. In your answer, keep your focus centered on how clients of the organization will benefit from the things that you bring to their table because Republic Services is client focused in all that they do. To be effective with this answer, be sure to do your research on the clients at Republic Services and think about how your experience will be beneficial for them.

"Having worked in accounting and tax law in a few different industries during my career to this point, I also have the unique experience of creating new organizational policies and procedures in my current role. In hearing more about this role, I think this experience would be very beneficial for your clients as I would be helping advise them in their practices and creating new policy would be crucial in that process."

A key component to success here at Republic Services is building solid relationships with new clients. How do you effectively get to know new people and lay the groundwork for a long lasting relationship?

"I am a firm believer that success in any role I've played in my career was due in part to the relationships that I've built in those roles. Whenever I have the chance to work with a new colleague or a new customer, my approach is to create an initial connection with them to build trust. After that point, my interpersonal skills take over through active listening. I use my listening skills to learn about the motivating factors and needs of the person that I will be working with and this helps mold that respect and trust between us even more. I think this approach would be very critical in working with new clients on a regular basis here at Republic Services and I'd love the opportunity to bring these skills to the table for you."

The fast paced world of business consulting requires the ability to build relationship after relationship with all of the clients that you will potentially be working with. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to gain insight into how you build relationships with new people from the first time you interact with them. In your answer, talk about how you gain and build trust with new people and explain how the little things in your initial interactions go a long way toward building long lasting working relationships.

Part of our work here at Republic Services entails obtaining buy-in from clients on energy conservation. How would you sell energy conservation ideas to clients?

"As you can probably already tell from our conversations so far, I am very passionate about sustainable energy and the need for every organization and person to keep that in the front of their mind in all of their efforts. I would approach clients with statistical data that proves the positive facts that sustainability projects can achieve. I understand that the clients here at Republic Services are driven by data and I would be able to deliver that to them."

As Republic Services moves into the future, part of the work that they do will be selling companies on the need to be more energy conscious and efficient. For this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear your tactics for educating clients on the importance of sustainability in their operations. The reality is that many clients don't have energy conservation at the top of their minds and your job will be to convince them otherwise. Be sure to speak passionately about this aspect of the job.

"Being a firm believer that utilizing energy on the earth in a wise way is the right thing to do, my approach with clients here at Republic Services would be to take an educational approach that is empathetic to the environment and even their own pocketbooks. What most organizations don't realize is that while costs up front can sometimes be a little higher to implement energy savings programs, it doesn't take long for initial costs to be negated due to cost savings down the road."

Where have you seen common failures or breakdowns in customer service and how would you address these issues with the clients here at Republic Services?

"In today's digital age where people are looking for results and looking for them now, time is a huge hindrance in providing excellent service to customers and I've personally witnessed timing issues and helped diagnose them for my employers. Most important is setting realistic time expectations with customers that you are able to deliver on every time. In some instances, this has been easily remedied with simple education between departments. In other instances, it has been solved through the creation and implementation of timing policies for customers."

When a consulting company like Republic Services is called, it is likely that that organization has seen some failure in the service that they have been providing to customers. In this role as a consultant, you will be asked to help diagnose the issues and help fix them for your clients. For this question, your interviewer is first seeking to see what you have seen in your career as common failures in customer service. Second, and most importantly, your interviewer is looking to hear how you would go about solving the issue with clients. Make sure to be as detailed as possible in this aspect of your answer.

"Having consulted now for five years and having worked across many industries, the most common failures in customer service stem from staff that are poorly trained and/or poorly equipped to do their job. Assessing the competency of employees is my first step when consulting a new business and based off my assessments, I can make recommendations for education and training for the staff. Often, general customer service training suffices. At times though, this training needs to be very industry or product specific and I've helped create several specific training programs for employers."

Here at Republic Services, customer service is a priority because we are in a very competitive industry. How would you handle a customer that was upset with the work you provided or the company in general?

"In my current role as a route driver in the beverage industry, I am often the whipping post for customers a I am face to face with them for a significant amount of time. I've had customers complain about price increases and products being out of stock, all when I've had no part of those decision making processes. I always take the approach of reflectively listening to the customers and ensuring them that I would make their voice heard. When needed, I would contact my sales rep or manager to pass along concerns and follow up with the customer as well. In this role, I would take that same approach while holding myself accountable for my own actions."

Depending on the potential role that you are interviewing for with Republic Services, the level of customer service that you would provide and how your provide can differ greatly. Prior to your interview, think about the role you will play with the customers of Republic Services and potential reasons they could feel their service lacked. In your answer, be sure to highlight your ability to listen attentively to the needs of the customer and do what is necessary to help fix any situation that you would face on the job. If you have experience in handling customer complaints, be sure to talk about that experience as well.

"When on a collection route, I fully understand that I am the face of the company in front of customers. I would always hold myself in the most professional manner. If a customer were to vent about their service, costs or any other complaints, I would be sure to listen to all of their concerns, answer any questions that I could and take any question I couldn't answer to someone that could within the organization. Customers want to be heard and the difference between providing a listening ear and not doing so can mean a lost customer in no time."

A long-lasting career with Republic Services requires an ability to work on your feet for long periods of time. Do you see this as an issue for yourself as you pursue this position?

"Outside of work, I am a very active person that mountain bikes, hikes and takes daily walks with our golden retrievers. Being active keeps me in shape and able to perform a job like a route delivery driver here at Republic Services on a daily basis."

Whether you are interviewing for a driver, equipment operator, mechanic, sales or other administrative position with Republic Services, a majority of your business will be conducting on your feet and on the move. The ability to be mobile and function well in doing so is vital to your success in a career with Republic Services. For this question, talk about your past jobs that have involved a lot of manual work on your feet and your ability to do this with ease. As well, don't hesitate to point out your own physical fitness and making it a priority in your personal life.

"As you can see from my experience, I have a lot of route sales experience. I would say that 50% of my days were spent in a vehicle and the other 50% on my feet over the past nine years of my career. I do not see being on my feet all day as any issue as I am a very active person that plays recreational sports throughout all of the seasons. I try to stay in shape as much as possible to keep me going during the work days."

Customer service is our top priority at Republic Services. What is your customer service philosophy?

"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."

Because Republic Services 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 Republic Services website and take note of any keywords they use when it comes to their customers. Match your language with theirs.

"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."

We have a wide range of services at Republic Services. Have you ever used any of our services?

"I have not personally used your commercial services; however, I have friends who have used Republic Services for their business needs and their reviews were always positive!"

The interviewer wants to know that you are well aware of the services offered at Republic Services. Have you used them previously? Discuss with the interviewer any exposure you have had to the company. Keep your response positive and lighthearted.

"I have been a customer of Republic Services 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!"

To help determine your qualifications for this role here at Republic Services, please dive into your background in customer service. Do you have any direct experience in training others in customer service?

"As you can see from my resume, my career in customer service started in college while working toward my undergraduate degree. Working for a large call center, I learned the importance of listening to customers and solving their issues creatively. Following college, I started in retail management with a large clothing store. Since being in that role for over 12 years, not only have I spent extensive hours training staff on customer experience, handling adversity and other subjects of the like, I've also helped create and implement successful training programs in these areas. My experience there could prove to be a big asset here at Republic Services."

Consulting in customer services can vary greatly from industry to industry and organization to organization. This is no different than consulting for Republic Services. To get a better feel for your resume and your experiences, your interviewer is looking to hear about your experiences first-hand during your interview. Most importantly, to gauge your direct experience that will translate well to a consultant role, talk about your experiences in training others in sound customer service techniques and policies.

"Having spent my career in the hospitality and tourism world, customer service has always been priority number one in ensuring the happiness, safety and return of every customer for another stay. Whether it was during my time working front desk or concierge of high profile hotels or in my current role as General Manager, customers have always been my top priority. Through Hilton, I've trained in the Hilton Hospitality & Service program and am now a certified trainer for new staff. I can take that training and apply it across many industries here at Republic Services."

Tell me about a time when you used good judgement and logic to solve a problem.

"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."

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.

"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."

Strong time management is important at Republic Services. How do you manage your time, even on the busiest days?

"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."

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 Republic Services.

"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."

What are some of the bigger energy sustainability projects that you've been a part of during your career or training?

"With my current organization, I have traveled throughout central and South America to help design and build geothermal power plants for countries in dire need of efficient and environmentally friendly electricity. These projects have put me working with people from all over the world and I've learned so much great information that I can pass forward to the clients here at Republic Services."

In looking to move to the consulting world at Republic Services, your prior experience in energy sustainability projects will prove to be an asset for the clients that you will work with. Talk in detail to your interviewer about a major project or two that you were a part of. As you speak, be sure to reiterate that this type of project would be beneficial to clients that you will work with at Republic Services.

"Solar energy has always been a passion of mine. I've had the opportunity to work with the installation of photovoltaic cells on the sides of large skyscrapers and the implementation of solar power towers in countries around the world. The power of the sun to create energy on earth is so powerful and I truly believe that our technology is just touching the surface of what we can harness. I would look forward to working with clients on new and exciting projects as we move into the future."

At Republic Services we have many local competitors. In your opinion, what makes us stand out from the crowd?

"After researching Republic Services online, I found that you stand out from the many ways that you give back to your community. On the Republic Services website, as well as third-party review sites, people are talking about the charitable contributions and generosity coming from Republic Services. 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."

It is crucial that you research Republic Services 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 Republic Services vs. their local competitors. Keep your answer positive and complimentary.

"I believe that Republic Services has superior services and products. Your competitors seem to scratch the surface with some, but your offerings are so much more robust."

What roles are you comfortable assuming in working as part of a larger team?

"I am really comfortable working in any role within a team and I think my experiences throughout my career demonstrate this well. At many times in my career, I've been the legwork of team operations and have easily taken direction on projects and been able to hit pre-established deadlines. As well, I've lead many projects and have shown my ability to lead others in a team effort and the ability to delegate tasks and set milestones for projects. If hired for this position, you can be rest assured that I have the ability to be a key team players with your clients in helping better their business."

Coming to work for a consulting business requires the ability to work as part of a larger team on the projects you will be heading. Teamwork in this setting requires versatility and your interviewer will be looking to hear that you have that versatility in your answer to this question. Many times, you will be taking the bull by the horns and leading the way. Other times, you will be the worker bee researching behind the scenes. You may be tasked with being the organizer of projects behind the scenes as well. Make sure that you highlight your ability to be flexible when working as part of a team here.

"From a very young age in my career, I've always been a natural leader in a team based environment. My excellent communication skills, honesty, critical thinking and decision making skills have proven time and time again that I can lead others in the most effective way possible. And while being a leader comes naturally to me, I can easily let others take the lead on projects."

If you are hired for this position here at Republic Services, what do you think the biggest hurdle for you would be from the start?

"As you can see from my resume, most of my career experience is in the food industry. If fortunate enough to be hired for this position, the biggest area for learning for me would be the finance side of other industries like technology, telecommunications and healthcare. From day one, I would begin by thoroughly research the clients here at Republic Services and speaking with as many industry experts that I know through business networking. While learning the ins and outs of other industries is the biggest learning curve for me, I see it as a great opportunity for me to become more proficient and effective in the work that I'd be doing for you."

For this question, you can showcase your research that you've done on both Republic Services and the role you are interviewing for by being upfront and honest about what you feel would be the biggest learning curve for you if hired for the position and giving your plan for how you would approach this hurdle. In your answer, make sure that you highlight your skills and abilities in making a molehill out of a mountain on your way to success in this role.

"While this may sound funny to you at first, I think the biggest challenge for me from the start will be adapting to the great corporate lifestyle and culture here at Republic Services. When I saw this position being open for applicants and I did my research, I was extremely excited to hear about the flexibility and openness to the ideas of your staff members. I've been working for six years in an environment that is very opposite of an open culture for new ideas and for me personally, it will feel foreign for me to bring new ideas to the team here and have them be accepted."

The customers here at Republic Services depend on us to be dependable on a day to day basis. If we hire you, how can we be sure that you will be a reliable employee?

"As a true team player, I know that my colleagues rely on me to be on time to work each and every day and do what it takes to get the job done before heading home. In turn, this reflects positively on customers. My personal attitude towards reliability is best reflected in a situation last year where we had several fleet vehicles break down on a cold winter afternoon. In preparation for a big day the next day, several colleagues and I volunteered to stay as long as necessary to make sure our entire fleet was up and running the next day. While this turned into a 14 hour work day, I wasn't satisfied until our work was done."

Republic Services runs their services at least five days per week and customers see a truck by their curbside at least once per week. Their dependence on your service will be recurring on a weekly basis and, in turn, Republic Services will be reliant on you to show up for work every day and be ready to perform to the best of your abilities. In your answer to this questions, try to give your own personal philosophy about being reliable while also giving an example or two that really proves your ability to be counted on in this job.

"During my career, I am very proud to say that I've only called in sick to work twice and that both of these instances were extreme cases of sickness in the stomach flu and bronchitis. I can play and work through little aches and pains and I know that my coworkers depend on me to do that, just as I expect that out of them. In this job, I know that my route would be running five days per week and it just isn't in my blood to expect someone else to pick up for me when I can't be counted on."

What do you believe to be the number one quality that most influences the overall customer experience?

"As I've worked in customer service my entire career in retail sales and in dining, I truly believe that the best customer experience is provided by happy and engaged employees. If employees are satisfied with their work and believe in the product that they are selling, they are able to speak to customers intelligently and wisely about the product and they do it with a big smile on their face. This factor is what helps keep customers coming back time and time again."

As a consultant in the customer service arena, you will be considered to be an expert on customer experience and customer satisfaction to the clients that you work with. While this question is certainly open ended, your interviewer is looking to hear that you have passion and belief in your answer because there is indeed no right or wrong answer to this question. Be sure to prepare for your interview ahead of time and be able to speak openly and passionately about what you believe is the most important factor for a satisfied customer.

"I'm a firm believer that a positive customer experience, no matter the business or industry, comes from the basic human need of trust. Any customer of any business is inherently putting their trust in the company, the product and the associate that they are working with that the will receive a quality product and quality service. In projecting this out to those that provide customer service, there are many factors to building trust with customers. Being knowledgeable, being friendly and considering the needs of the customer are of utmost importance to gain trust. These factors are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to building that trust."

Talk about a time you had to work with a very difficult person. What was the situation and how did you handle it?

"In my current role, I have a customer that flies off the handle very easily if things don't happen just right and I learned this from my first interactions with him. In seeing this happen from the start, I have always maintained a calm demeanor when he was upset and showed empathy by asking questions about his expectations and how to fix situations for him. To this day, I expect difficulty from him when we work together and the years we've had a working relationship together have better prepared me for more clients like him in the future."

At some point in any person's career, they have to work with a colleague or customer who is extremely difficult. Rather than looking to hear the fine details as to why this person was difficult, your interviewer will be looking to gain insight into how you personally handled the situation and others like it to ensure that a sound relationship was fostered even when you faced difficult circumstances. In your answer, some key things to focus on are your ability to be tolerant, understanding and a great communicator in these situations.

"A couple of years ago, a close colleague of mine had a very abrupt turnaround in her attitude and performance on the job. She was very curt and abrasive in conversations when she was normally very talkative and friendly on the job. After noticing some concerns in her work, I approached her with an open mind and asked her what was going on to cause these things to change. I showed concern and approached her as a friend and this approach prompted her to tell me about some issues happening in her personal life. By taking this approach, rather than getting upset or even made with her, I showed her that I cared and valued her as a person and my approach helped her open up and turn her life at work back around to the positive side."

Republic Services Interview Questions

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1. Due to the nature of Republic Services business and services we may ask that you complete a full background check. Are you willing to comply?
2. At Republic Services 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?
3. Talk about a time that you utilized a creative solution to help with an environmental issue on the job. What resources did you use to help make the creative solution a reality?
4. What types of training and experience do you have in operating heavy equipment?
5. What importance do you feel that policy plays in the customer service experience? Do you have experience writing customer service policies?
6. Would you say that you are a goal oriented person on the job? Why would you say that?
7. Talk about a time that you successfully educated another individual or group in your area of expertise. What made your educational experience effective?
8. At Republic Services, safety is a top priority in all of the work that we do. Walk me through how you prioritize safety in your work.
9. Working with our clients here at Republic Services often involves some initial conflict with our clients. How would you rate your ability to handle conflict or disagreements in the workplace?
10. In what ways would our clients here at Republic Services benefit from your knowledge and services?
11. A key component to success here at Republic Services is building solid relationships with new clients. How do you effectively get to know new people and lay the groundwork for a long lasting relationship?
12. Part of our work here at Republic Services entails obtaining buy-in from clients on energy conservation. How would you sell energy conservation ideas to clients?
13. Where have you seen common failures or breakdowns in customer service and how would you address these issues with the clients here at Republic Services?
14. Here at Republic Services, customer service is a priority because we are in a very competitive industry. How would you handle a customer that was upset with the work you provided or the company in general?
15. A long-lasting career with Republic Services requires an ability to work on your feet for long periods of time. Do you see this as an issue for yourself as you pursue this position?
16. Customer service is our top priority at Republic Services. What is your customer service philosophy?
17. We have a wide range of services at Republic Services. Have you ever used any of our services?
18. To help determine your qualifications for this role here at Republic Services, please dive into your background in customer service. Do you have any direct experience in training others in customer service?
19. Tell me about a time when you used good judgement and logic to solve a problem.
20. Strong time management is important at Republic Services. How do you manage your time, even on the busiest days?
21. What are some of the bigger energy sustainability projects that you've been a part of during your career or training?
22. At Republic Services we have many local competitors. In your opinion, what makes us stand out from the crowd?
23. What roles are you comfortable assuming in working as part of a larger team?
24. If you are hired for this position here at Republic Services, what do you think the biggest hurdle for you would be from the start?
25. The customers here at Republic Services depend on us to be dependable on a day to day basis. If we hire you, how can we be sure that you will be a reliable employee?
26. What do you believe to be the number one quality that most influences the overall customer experience?
27. Talk about a time you had to work with a very difficult person. What was the situation and how did you handle it?

Republic Services Interview Questions

1. Due to the nature of Republic Services business and services we may ask that you complete a full background check. Are you willing to comply?

2. At Republic Services 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?

3. Talk about a time that you utilized a creative solution to help with an environmental issue on the job. What resources did you use to help make the creative solution a reality?

4. What types of training and experience do you have in operating heavy equipment?

5. What importance do you feel that policy plays in the customer service experience? Do you have experience writing customer service policies?

6. Would you say that you are a goal oriented person on the job? Why would you say that?

7. Talk about a time that you successfully educated another individual or group in your area of expertise. What made your educational experience effective?

8. At Republic Services, safety is a top priority in all of the work that we do. Walk me through how you prioritize safety in your work.

9. Working with our clients here at Republic Services often involves some initial conflict with our clients. How would you rate your ability to handle conflict or disagreements in the workplace?

10. In what ways would our clients here at Republic Services benefit from your knowledge and services?

11. A key component to success here at Republic Services is building solid relationships with new clients. How do you effectively get to know new people and lay the groundwork for a long lasting relationship?

12. Part of our work here at Republic Services entails obtaining buy-in from clients on energy conservation. How would you sell energy conservation ideas to clients?

13. Where have you seen common failures or breakdowns in customer service and how would you address these issues with the clients here at Republic Services?

14. Here at Republic Services, customer service is a priority because we are in a very competitive industry. How would you handle a customer that was upset with the work you provided or the company in general?

15. A long-lasting career with Republic Services requires an ability to work on your feet for long periods of time. Do you see this as an issue for yourself as you pursue this position?

16. Customer service is our top priority at Republic Services. What is your customer service philosophy?

17. We have a wide range of services at Republic Services. Have you ever used any of our services?

18. To help determine your qualifications for this role here at Republic Services, please dive into your background in customer service. Do you have any direct experience in training others in customer service?

19. Tell me about a time when you used good judgement and logic to solve a problem.

20. Strong time management is important at Republic Services. How do you manage your time, even on the busiest days?

21. What are some of the bigger energy sustainability projects that you've been a part of during your career or training?

22. At Republic Services we have many local competitors. In your opinion, what makes us stand out from the crowd?

23. What roles are you comfortable assuming in working as part of a larger team?

24. If you are hired for this position here at Republic Services, what do you think the biggest hurdle for you would be from the start?

25. The customers here at Republic Services depend on us to be dependable on a day to day basis. If we hire you, how can we be sure that you will be a reliable employee?

26. What do you believe to be the number one quality that most influences the overall customer experience?

27. Talk about a time you had to work with a very difficult person. What was the situation and how did you handle it?