At Company ABC we put a lot of focus on having the best inventory over our competitors. Have you ever made a suggestion on a product line or item?

"I made a recommendation last month that we try a new line of parts after one of our particular vendors shorted us on inventory. The vendor that I suggested was newer to the industry but their customer service was impressive and their pricing was more competitive. We gave them a shot and it worked out really well for us, resulting in cost savings and happier customers."

An engaged employee will notice when changes are required. They make recommendations and suggestions they feel will benefit the organization. Have you ever taken the lead by making a recommendation to your employer?

"I often make small suggestions in the workplace. Minor tweaks here and there that will improve productivity. I prefer working in an environment where employee suggestions are welcomed."

Proper inventory management is very important for the success of our business. Do you have any inventory management experience?

"In my current position I was trained on their proprietary inventory management software. My manager wanted me to learn how to forecast trends in inventory needs for the shop. I am not at the level where I can make decisions yet but I am definitely getting there."

Talk to the interviewer about any exposure, big or small, that you have had with managing inventory. It is preferable that you talk about inventory experience in the auto parts industry but not necessarily a deal breaker if you don't have any. Have you ever caught an inventory error that saved the company money? Talk about any inventory wins you may have.

"I understand that inventory management is important to the success of Company ABC which is why I am willing to do what it takes to learn your inventory management system. Although I don't have experience working with inventory management programs, I am confident in my abilities to manage inventory because I am well organized and pay attention to the small details."

At Company ABC we prefer to hire individuals with a true interest in our industry. Do you have any formal education or training in an automotive related field?

"I have always had a very strong interest in the automotive industry. My grandfather had an auto parts shop where I spent most of my summers working and training under him. I went on to business school so that I could eventually help him with some of the finer aspects of his business."

Discuss any post-secondary education and training that you may have. How does it relate to a career with Company ABC? Assure the interviewer that you have a keen interest in the auto parts industry.

"I have some educational background in the automotive and mechanics industry. This is definitely a focus for me in my career and I look forward to expanding my knowledge through my time with Company ABC."

If you could choose, would you prefer working in auto parts and service or in auto part sales?

"I have always had a strong lean towards sales and service; however, I am also very knowledgeable when it comes to mechanics and parts. I feel that my mechanical knowledge is key to my success in auto part sales. This makes me a very well rounded candidate for you since I can work successfully in most functions."

When it comes to a career in the auto parts industry, there are many different avenues you can choose. Do you consider yourself more of a salesman and people person, or are you more technical / analytical with a preference for the parts and service side? It's great to express a preference, if you have one, but you also want to show the interviewer that you are multi-faceted and able to work in most areas of their business.

"I have always had a preference for sales so I do feel that I would prefer to land in a sales driven role. I am very knowledgeable with a variety of parts and would be a valuable member of your auto parts sales team."

At Company ABC we prefer to promote our staff internally. Do you have interest in a leadership or management role in the future?

"I really like that you choose to promote your current staff before you go outside of the company to hire. I have some leadership experience in my current role and plan to prove my skills very quickly after being hired on here."

Talk to the interviewer about any ambitions you may have when it comes to career growth with Company ABC. Why do you feel this is a long term fit for you? Do you have plans of being promoted into a new position in a short amount of time?

"I am newer to my career so I haven't really given leadership and management a lot of thought but yes, I have to say that I would like to be further trained in a leadership role one day."

Do you have experience with stock control software or programs related to the analysis of parts sales and movement?

"You mention in your job posting that you are looking for someone with experience in Software ABC. I have worked with Software XYZ which is very similar. The functions are essentially the same and since I am an expert level user in XYZ. I am confident that I will be a fast learner when it comes to ABC and your other internal programs."

There are many options when it comes to stock and inventory control systems. Some are for the masses and other organizations may have proprietary software. When asked about your exposure to these types of programs it is important to remember that most of them function the same because the desired outcome is always similar. If you know one, you should be able to more easily understand another. Avoid focusing on what you don't know and focus on what you DO know. Assure the interviewer that you can learn their system quickly.

"I am a quick study when it comes to software and other technical requirements in the workplace. I may not have experience with your exact program but I am very confident in my ability to learn."

Do you have experience working directly with parts manufacturers and vendors?

"Yes, I was the primary point of contact with many vendors in my most recent position. I have strong relationships established with A, B, and C (list the vendors that Company ABC may have current relationships with) and I am happy to bring that rapport with me, should I be the candidate that you choose. "

Have you ever been asked to call a manufacturer or vendor directly? Talk to the interviewer about your ability to clearly communicate parts and inventory needs to the appropriate vendors. If you do not have experience in dealing directly with vendors or manufacturers, be sure to speak highly about your communication skills - be that over email or phone. If you have experience working directly with parts manufacturers and vendors:"Yes, I was the primary point of contact with many vendors in my most recent position. I have strong relationships established with A, B, and C (list the vendors that Company ABC may have current relationships with) and I am happy to bring that rapport with me, should I be the candidate that you choose. "

If you do not have experience working directly with parts manufacturers and vendors: "My experience with vendors is limited; however, I am confident in my communication skills and know that I could take that task on effectively."

At Company ABC we try very hard to get the best price on parts so that we can pass those savings on to our customers. Do you have strong negotiation skills? Have you ever negotiated price with a vendor?

"In my current position I will negotiate price and breaks on shipping all of the time. A few dollars here and there can make a huge difference in the end. The majority of negotiations that I have successfully completed were for bulk orders where the price per part was reduced by a small amount and free shipping was included."

Negotiating the price of a part, or even the cost of shipping, can have a very positive impact on an organizations' bottom line. Display to the interviewer that you have an awareness of this practice and that you are comfortable in negotiations.

"I understand that negotiations are an important part of running a successful auto parts business. I am comfortable working in a client facing role where negotiations are required."

At Company ABC we do our best to satisfy every customer. How do you go above and beyond for your customers?

"In my current position I will go above and beyond by making customer service follow up calls. I want to know how our customers feel about the service they receive and if they would be a returning customer. Knowing how we can improve our service and product offerings always gives a competitive edge."

Great customer service is the backbone of any company's success. Talk to the interviewer about your customer service philosophy. In which ways do you go above and beyond for your customers? Be specific.

"I go above and beyond for the customers that I work with by actively listening to them and working with them on their needs. I am very happy to dedicate myself to your customers and their needs."

Have you ever been in charge of sales and promotions during periods of overstock?

"Every year our company has a year-end promotion where we offer a free service with another booked service. For instance; we will offer free tire rotation with an oil change. Or, we will offer BOGO on our overstocked parts. It's always been a great success; however, this year I recommended that we promote the event on our business Facebook page. Taking the promotion to social media created so much more awareness that we actually sold 28% more than we did last year!"

Time to put on your sales and marketing hat! Talk to the interviewer about any exposure you have had to promoting a sale or particular service. What steps did you take to make the promotion successful? Was it a success in the end?

"I have actively participated in sales and promotions, in my previous positions. Even though I was not considered an official leader, I did take some initiative when it came to planning our last inventory blowout event."

What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?

"Leading by example is the number one characteristic a great manager should have. Followed by, listening and being stern with employees when needed. Having great customer and product awareness are great characteristics as well."

Some great qualities of a manager are:- Being someone who people naturally want to follow - Exceptional interpersonal skills - Strong relationship building skills - Taking ownership of the team's errors and mistakes - Excelling at motivating others - Providing kudos/recognition to your team - Knowing how to select and hire the right people to join the team - Having a vision for the futureThese are just a few to get started!

"I feel that a successful manager should be someone who is observant, knows how to coach others, and leads by example. I strive to be all of these things so that I can jump into a management role in the future."

Where did you come across our job posting?

"I initially saw your job posting on LinkedIn, however; I have been exposed to your organization many times before through your radio commercials and advertisements on Facebook."

The employer would like to know what methods you are using in your job search, and which job posting methods are working for them. You can expand your answer to include any other exposure you have had to the company.

"I have had an eye on your company website for some time now. A friend of mine has worked for your organization and she said it was the best place to work. So, I've had an ear to the ground for new openings at Company ABC. When I saw the posting on your website, I was so excited to apply!"

Tell me about one of the most rewarding experiences you had working on a team.

"Most of my jobs in manufacturing have been rather isolated experiences, but my last company, challenged all of the employees to have zero workplace injuries for the year. Before we began the year, we set out and looked over all the equipment and where most injuries occur and tried to place safety practices or protocols for those areas. We ended up having one injury throughout the year, but it was still a very fun and engaging experience."

The interviewer wants to hear that you feel accomplished through teamwork. Get excited to share about a time when you really felt fulfilled through a team effort! This might have been a college team project, a recent experience at work, or possibly coaching a little league team. Start off by giving the interviewer an overview of the purpose of the team. Next, dive into the results of the team and how you attained a positive outcome as a group. Be sure to mention why the experience was so rewarding!

"My favorite team project was a large group project I completed in my final semester of business school. The project was an important part of our grade and we had to re-create a business marketing strategy for an auto related company of our choice. I learned a lot of great habits from my teammates, primarily related to multitasking and time management."

Are you applying for any other jobs?

"I am keeping an eye out for suitable positions. Although I am not in final stages with any other company, I am actively seeking a new position."

It always puts a little bit of fire under the hiring manager if they are aware that you are actively looking for a new position. Briefly tell the interviewer about your search so far.

"Although I am being selective, I am actively pursuing other similar opportunities. Do you have a time frame for when you would like to have this position filled?"

What part of this career brings you the most stress?

"The part of my career that brings me the most stress is when the schedule is running behind due to lack of hustle on my teams part. I really like to be on time with my schedule to ensure that my clients are assisted properly."

Stress can often be a regular part of the day to day work experience. Talk to the interviewer about which areas of your career are the most stressful. Ensure that your answer does not include a factor that would make you appear unfit for the position. (IE: a bus driver should not find driving to be the most stressful part of the job).

"If I had to say that one area of my career in auto parts was more stressful than another, I would say that it takes a lot of work and dedication to keep up with the changes in the industry. For instance, the new parts, and all of the SKU's. I am up for the challenge though!"

What would you do if you were made aware of a co-worker being dishonest or stealing from the company?

"Unfortunately, dishonest employees are everywhere and I certainly would not consider myself a 'whistle-blower' in the workplace. If I found that a co-worker was stealing, or doing anything to harm the company, I would approach them directly to ask what was going on. There is a good chance of the situation being a simple misunderstanding. If it wasn't a misunderstanding and the co-worker was being outright defiant with their damaging actions then I would bring it up, in a professional manner, to the appropriate parties."

Companies want to know they are hiring loyal employees. Make sure that you demonstrate in your answer that you would do the right thing and represent the company you are working for.

"Dishonesty is unacceptable, in my opinion. If I was made aware of a co-worker being dishonest or stealing from the company, I would notify my supervisor immediately."

What are your salary expectations?

"Currently, I earn a base salary of $45,000 per year plus a potential 20% annual bonus. Last year my earnings were $52,000 and I would like to stay in the same range or slightly higher."

The best way to discuss your salary expectations are to use your current earnings as an example. Be open, and honest. Transparency is the best choice when salary based questions arise.

"In my most recent position, I was earning $15/hour. Since then, I have taken additional automotive courses. I would like to earn at least $17/hour in my next position."

If you could alter your career path, in any way, what would you change?

"If I could change anything about my career path, I would have stayed in post-secondary studies for longer in order to upgrade in my field. I feel that this would have given me the advancement I seek now, many years earlier."

This question will help the interviewer to understand if you have a long and continued passion for your career in the auto parts industry. Talk to the interviewer about an alternate career path that you might choose but be sure to keep it related to the position you are interviewing for.

"I truly like the path that my career has taken and cannot say that I would change a thing. I am always happy to take additional coursework, and improve on my skills, but I am happy with a career in auto parts."

How many people did you supervise at your last position?

"Currently, I am supervising 12 employees with an overall budget responsibility of $4M. In my role, prior to this one, I managed 23 employees but with a smaller portfolio of $2MM. I am able to handle a large range of employees."

Discuss with the interviewer your level of responsibility in your current position. If you have managed larger teams than you currently are, you can also discuss that particular role from your work history.

"This position would be my first official leadership role; however, I have jumped into unofficial leadership duties in the past. Currently our team is made up of 15 individuals with 8 being quite new to the industry. I have taken them under my wing and train them quite often on process and product knowledge."

What causes you to feel dissatisfied on the job?

"I can feel dissatisfaction on the job when I am not feeling heard or when there is not a mutual respect among the team members. I work best in more harmonious situations where there is little drama or gossip."

Everyone will have their own particular triggers that cause them to feel dissatisfaction on the job. Talk to the interviewer about any factors that may deflate or discourage you in the workplace.

Try turning your answer into a positive tone, versus talking about your dissatisfaction. For example: "I feel most satisfied on the job when I feel valued, listened to, and am continually learning."

On a scale from 1 to 10, how honest are you?

"I would love to give myself a 10/10 for honesty but truthfully - nobody is 100% honest all of the time. I will give myself a 9 because I always do my best to be as honest as possible."

Do you feel that you are a very honest person or do you have room for growth? This could be a tricky question as nobody is always 100% honest. Answer to the best of your ability and back your reply by speaking about your personal ethics.

"I was raised to be honest and sincere. Honesty is a value that is very important to me so I'd like to rank myself high on the honesty scale."

Judging by your resume, you appear to be overqualified for this position. What would keep you here, if you were offered the position?

"I do have more years' experience than what you have outlined in your job posting;however, there are aspects of this position that would be new and exciting for me as well."

Sometimes, hiring an overqualified individual can mean that they will leave when a better opportunity arises. Talk to the interviewer about why this position would be satisfying for you, long term.

"I would really enjoy the exposure to more client development. that this position offers. Despite my level of experience, there would be much for me to learn here."

How would your co-workers describe your attention to detail?

"My co-workers would describe my attention to detail as very strong. I can very easily point out spelling discrepancies in communication and will notice the small things. I think big-picture as well but have always had a knack for details."

It is always best to support your reply with a real life example. Talk to the interviewer about your level of attentiveness when it comes to details on the job.

"I have always been known for being a bit picky when it come to details, proofreading, and documentation. I'm okay with that though because attention to detail is a great skill to have!"

When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?

"I have worked with diverse groups of people most of my career, including my time in University. I am most comfortable, and happy, in this type of environment because it offers a great learning opportunity."

Are you accustomed to working with a very large or diverse team of individuals? Assure the interviewer that you are able to handle an environment that offers diversity.

"Diversity is everywhere, even outside of the workplace, and I embrace that. My current company offer a lot of diversity when it comes to the workforce, which I appreciate."

How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?

"Whenever I have had a supervisor who does not properly communicate with me, I try to learn their style of communication and emulate it. Sometimes you simply have to relate to others in their own style to be understood."

You cannot force others to communicate with you in a way that you would always prefer. Talk to the interviewer about a time that you have handled a supervisor who does not communicate with you in way that you like.

"If I were to have a supervisor who did not communicate properly with me, I would be open and ask them to be clearer on their expectations of me."

Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion requesting change in an organization.

"Last year when I was managing dispatch for my company I noticed a pretty solid opportunity for us to save on overtime hours. I created a presentation and gave it to my manager who took it to upper management. The changes were implemented and I was very proud of the suggestion that I made."

In addition to being able to handle change, can you also recognize when change is required and be confident enough to present that to your organization? Talk to the interviewer about a time when you were able to make a suggestion for change in the workplace.

"This year I asked my manager if we could look at some new options for parts vendors. We ended up finding a couple of vendors who were more competitive with their pricing, so we made the switch. I am estimating that the change saves us close to $1000 per week."

Auto Parts Interview Questions

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1. At Company ABC we put a lot of focus on having the best inventory over our competitors. Have you ever made a suggestion on a product line or item?
2. Proper inventory management is very important for the success of our business. Do you have any inventory management experience?
3. At Company ABC we prefer to hire individuals with a true interest in our industry. Do you have any formal education or training in an automotive related field?
4. If you could choose, would you prefer working in auto parts and service or in auto part sales?
5. At Company ABC we prefer to promote our staff internally. Do you have interest in a leadership or management role in the future?
6. Do you have experience with stock control software or programs related to the analysis of parts sales and movement?
7. Do you have experience working directly with parts manufacturers and vendors?
8. At Company ABC we try very hard to get the best price on parts so that we can pass those savings on to our customers. Do you have strong negotiation skills? Have you ever negotiated price with a vendor?
9. At Company ABC we do our best to satisfy every customer. How do you go above and beyond for your customers?
10. Have you ever been in charge of sales and promotions during periods of overstock?
11. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?
12. Where did you come across our job posting?
13. Tell me about one of the most rewarding experiences you had working on a team.
14. Are you applying for any other jobs?
15. What part of this career brings you the most stress?
16. What would you do if you were made aware of a co-worker being dishonest or stealing from the company?
17. What are your salary expectations?
18. If you could alter your career path, in any way, what would you change?
19. How many people did you supervise at your last position?
20. What causes you to feel dissatisfied on the job?
21. On a scale from 1 to 10, how honest are you?
22. Judging by your resume, you appear to be overqualified for this position. What would keep you here, if you were offered the position?
23. How would your co-workers describe your attention to detail?
24. When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?
25. How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?
26. Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion requesting change in an organization.

Auto Parts Interview Questions

1. At Company ABC we put a lot of focus on having the best inventory over our competitors. Have you ever made a suggestion on a product line or item?

2. Proper inventory management is very important for the success of our business. Do you have any inventory management experience?

3. At Company ABC we prefer to hire individuals with a true interest in our industry. Do you have any formal education or training in an automotive related field?

4. If you could choose, would you prefer working in auto parts and service or in auto part sales?

5. At Company ABC we prefer to promote our staff internally. Do you have interest in a leadership or management role in the future?

6. Do you have experience with stock control software or programs related to the analysis of parts sales and movement?

7. Do you have experience working directly with parts manufacturers and vendors?

8. At Company ABC we try very hard to get the best price on parts so that we can pass those savings on to our customers. Do you have strong negotiation skills? Have you ever negotiated price with a vendor?

9. At Company ABC we do our best to satisfy every customer. How do you go above and beyond for your customers?

10. Have you ever been in charge of sales and promotions during periods of overstock?

11. What qualities do you feel a successful manager should have?

12. Where did you come across our job posting?

13. Tell me about one of the most rewarding experiences you had working on a team.

14. Are you applying for any other jobs?

15. What part of this career brings you the most stress?

16. What would you do if you were made aware of a co-worker being dishonest or stealing from the company?

17. What are your salary expectations?

18. If you could alter your career path, in any way, what would you change?

19. How many people did you supervise at your last position?

20. What causes you to feel dissatisfied on the job?

21. On a scale from 1 to 10, how honest are you?

22. Judging by your resume, you appear to be overqualified for this position. What would keep you here, if you were offered the position?

23. How would your co-workers describe your attention to detail?

24. When have you worked amongst a diverse group of people?

25. How do you handle a situation where your supervisor does not properly communicate information to you?

26. Tell me about a time when you made a suggestion requesting change in an organization.