When have you received exceptional customer service? What made the experience stand out?

"I was recently at a gas station where the pumps were both full service and self-serve. I accidentally went to the self-service bay and sat, waiting for service, silly enough. The gas attendant came running out and pumped my gas anyways. It was nice of him to do that, and so I tipped him a few extra bucks."

"I was at the mall recently, looking for a new shade of foundation because my skin had darkened from being on holidays recently. The employee took the time to walk me through a variety of makeup lines, and shades, asking questions about my skin type and other preferences. She is not on commission, I asked, but rather, just really passionate about her job. I called her manager later that day to give her kudos for a job well done."

"I had a new car shopping experience recently, and as you may already know, there is a considerable variety of approaches when it comes to car sales professionals. I was getting frustrated and finally landed at dealership ABC. I think the salesperson could see my frustration because she came outside with a latte for me, and asked if I wanted to chat or be left alone for a few minutes. She let me be to scan the lot, and when I was ready, she sat me down and got to know me and my needs. I bought my new SUV that day and will never go anywhere else. I have a handful of her business cards in my wallet and refer her anytime I have the chance."

"Last week I was grocery shopping and noticed a senior citizen who was struggling to cross the parking lot to where the cart return was. I noticed a young kid who worked in cart return run to help her. He gave her his arm, took a cart out of the return, and helped her into the store. It warmed my heart to see a teen kid already so aware of the needs of others. When I entered the store, I found the manager and told him what I had seen. Very impressive."

"Working in retail, I have seen all types of customer service nightmares. There is a store in the mall where I work that I like to go to when I am on a break. I went to look for a particular shirt that I saw in their online store, but they did not have my size. The sales person ordered it for me from another location and had it waiting for me the next time I went back. I didn't ask for that service, but it was cool that she took the initiative. Of course, I bought the shirt. I brought her a Starbucks latte later as a thank-you gesture."

"I received exceptional customer service just the other day when I was at the opening of Restaurant ABC. Before seating us, they offered appetizers and champagne. We received frequent updates from the hostess on the wait time and offered refills. Not once did we feel forgotten about, despite the one hour wait time. It's rare to find service this great in the restaurant industry, so I was sure to leave a great review on Yelp."

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.