What does hard work mean to you?
Rather than stating that you are a hard worker, as anyone could do, the interviewer is looking for you to give an example of a time when you have shown your ability to work hard and pull through for your employer. Describe when you worked hard in your current role to go over and above the minimal expectations. Remember, Wayfair is looking for employees who will immerse themselves into the culture and mission of their organization.
"We changed our product catalog recently, so I had to re-memorize a lot of products, codes, and pricing. That following week was a considerable home goods tradeshow, so I needed to have my product knowledge up to snuff. I made flashcards and tested myself every chance that I got. I was proud of my ability to retain all of that data in such a short amount of time."
"I have to be extra thorough when taking on new vendor accounts, ensuring that my work is detailed and accurate. Often this will mean spending additional time on calls with their legal team to highlight contract changes or areas that need addressing. I am okay with being extra thorough when needed, as it makes my job easier in the end."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
"I have to be extra thorough when taking on new vendors as my company is in the process of getting certified to process card payments"”ensuring that vendors have proven experience to deliver during the vetting process is critical. This means spending additional time on calls with their old clients to understand their express with said vendors. Speaking to subject matter experts for some knowledge learning sessions to close up on knowledge gaps. These additional steps ensure I am making the best decision for the company.
Marcie's Feedback
This is an excellent answer and example of how you work hard for your current company. Just remember to spell out how your example ties into the question. For example, start by saying something like: "I have always been a hard worker with an impeccable work ethic. Within my current company, I exhibit this by..." and then launch into the example you have provided. Nice job!
Anonymous Answer
To me, it means putting in the maximum effort and taking additional time to make sure that the task I'm doing is completed in the best way possible. During the design process for example, I got a lot of input from the designers and although many suggestions were already valid and would bring a good performance, I learned to be extra critical in my comments, doing more research to make sure that the final result is the best possible version of that specific style. The same goes during the sample process, I make sure to check each style in its details and find an alternative solution if the outcome is not what I expected.
Also, I like to be very well prepared before a presentation or a meeting, so I would definitely put some extra time into a situation like that.
Jaymie's Feedback
Great job giving examples and supporting context in your answer.
Unlock all 40 Wayfair questions
Unlock expert responses for behavioral, technical, and leadership questions Wayfair interviewers prioritize.
Get Started