18 Newspaper Delivery Driver Interview Questions & Answers
1. Do you have a reliable vehicle?
How to Answer
While some companies provide a vehicle to deliver papers in, some candidates are required to find their own means of transportation. In this case, the candidate should discuss whether or not they are able to find transportation to do the job. They also should talk about the reliability of their vehicle, and how they are able to find a means to do their job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"Since this is a small newspaper publication, I understand why I need to find my own transportation to deliver papers. My car is very reliable and I am constantly putting in work to it that is necessary so I never miss a shift."
Written by Christina Erne
2. What kind of skills do you hope to learn on the job?
How to Answer
A hiring manager is looking for someone who is hoping to grow and improve. The candidate should talk about what kinds of skills they hope to learn on the job that will help them later in life, like responsibility, trustworthiness, money management, dependability, and more.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I hope to learn how to be a reliable employee while at this job."
Written by Christina Erne
3. What benefits do you expect to receive?
How to Answer
Oftentimes, delivery drivers ask for a vehicle to conduct deliveries with, or ask for a stipend for gas money. The candidate should talk about what they hope to receive in return for their work other than pay based on the size of the company they are working for and their prior experience.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am hoping you will provide me with gas money for each of my shifts, or a gas card to charge the company for my shifts."
Written by Christina Erne
4. Are you able to work flexible hours?
How to Answer
Delivery drivers are often asked to work random hours of the day depending on what delivery schedule they are assigned to. Deliveries often take place early in the mornings and in the afternoons and late evenings. Candidates should be able to work a flexible schedule depending on what times they are asked to work, even on weekends.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am able to work whatever shift I am given. I am particularly good at working flexible shifts as long as I am given advanced notice and would work anything to do the job."
Written by Christina Erne
5. Do you work well under pressure?
How to Answer
The candidate has the opportunity to discuss their experience working under pressure at work and how they deal with it. Hiring managers are looking for someone who are able to continue their work seamlessly despite tricky situations or pressure.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I work well under pressure, yet I always remain very calm in tricky situations. I deal with pressure very well and that will translate into the workplace as it has in the past."
Written by Christina Erne
6. How do you handle stressful situations?
How to Answer
Whether it is a tight deadline to deliver papers, a change in routes, traffic, and more, the candidate should talk about stress they may encounter on the job and how they plan on being affected by it. The candidate should talk about their previous experience working under stress and how this job may or may not be different from those times.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I feel that I do some of my best work under stress. I am able to fully concentrate and immerse myself into the job without interruptions."
Written by Christina Erne
7. What is your greatest strength?
How to Answer
The candidate should be proud to talk about what they are best at, either a trait of their personality or character, or something they succeed at in the work environment. They should talk about why this strength makes them a great candidate for the job and why it sets them apart from other candidates.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My greatest strength is my determination. I am always determined in everything I do to do my best work, and I will always strive to get a goal done, no matter what it takes."
Written by Christina Erne
8. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?
How to Answer
Everyone has flaws, and the candidate should not be afraid to admit to some of them as they pertain to the job. When someone admits they have a flaw, that is the first step to them working to recognize their mistakes and find a way to get better. The candidate should mention some ways they are trying to overcome the flaws that they face and how in the end they will be a better worker for it.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"My greatest weakness is that I enjoy working independently and often struggle being comfortable vocalizing myself in groups. However, I constantly work to improve my communication skills and someday hope to work in a group-like setting."
Written by Christina Erne
9. Why did you choose to apply to our company?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about why they have chosen this company to work for and make themselves stand out. They should find a way to make their connection with the specific company special, whether it is their familiarity with the paper, or their views that resonate with the company in general. The candidate should find a way to talk about how they will emulate the values of the company in whatever they do because they have specifically chosen to work there for a good reason.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I chose to apply to this company because I have been living in this area my entire life and I remember watching papers being delivered to my house for my parents. I now want to join the team I have watched my whole life."
Written by Christina Erne
10. Did you ever play the popular video game, Paperboy, on Nintendo when you were a kid?
How to Answer
The candidate may use this time to break the ice with the hiring manager to show them part of their personality and what kind of person they are away from their work. The candidate may use their sense of humor to respond to this question, or talk about their other interests outside of work that make them an interesting person for the job.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I never played Paperboy on Nintendo, I was much more of a Playstation user back in the day. I loved car chase games, which I hope I will not channel during this job!"
Written by Christina Erne
11. Why are you the best candidate for us?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about their particular and unique skills that make them a good candidate for the job. They should make his or herself stand out in their strengths and show that they are quick learners with room for improvement.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I am the best candidate for the job because I am quick, I am always on time, and I am flexible working various hours thorough the day."
Written by Christina Erne
12. Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about their short term career goals, including where the job they are applying for will take them. They should talk about the ways they want to grow within the job in the near future, as well as their opportunities to move up in the company once they continue to develop skills.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"In five years from now, I hope to be going back to school to become a nurse, but in the meantime this job will help me be able to do that financially and also make me a dedicated worker here."
Written by Christina Erne
13. What do you know about our company?
How to Answer
The candidate should show that they have done some research on the company and are choosing to work for them for a good reason. They should show that they are not looking for any job, but instead have found a company that resonates with them.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I feel I am a great fit for your company because I am a local and have been reading this paper my entire life. I have watched my family read this paper too, and I hope to make you proud."
Written by Christina Erne
14. Did you ever miss any shifts at your last position?
How to Answer
The candidate has the opportunity to talk about their reliability to arrive on time to their shift each day. They may talk about mistakes they have made in the past arriving late, but show that they have learned from their mistakes and have learned the importance of arriving on time and being dependable.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I never have missed a shift at any other job in the past, and I never plan to miss a shift delivering papers. I know how you will trust me to get papers to houses on time and I will not let you down."
Written by Christina Erne
15. What are your career goals?
How to Answer
Whether this job will be a side job, a window for a future opportunity, or something else, the candidate should talk about what kinds of skills they hope to gain in the job to make them successful in the future. The candidate should talk about what kinds of skills, like responsibility, learning how to arrive to work on time, being dependable, and more, they will learn to help them reach future goals.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"In the future, I hope to take a role in business, but I hope this job will be a starting role where I can learn responsibility. Before I can dive into a career in business, I want to learn how to take a role that is important to customers so I can prove my determination and trustworthiness."
Written by Christina Erne
16. Do you have any other current jobs?
How to Answer
The candidate should mention any other jobs they hold and how they may conflict with the job as a delivery person. They may talk about the ways they will ensure they can juggle the responsibilities of each job, and talk about their ability to take on many tasks at once.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I currently am working a dayside job, but I know that I can be sure I deliver all papers before my second job begins. In the event you need me to change my schedule, I have flexibility in the other job to make them both work."
Written by Christina Erne
17. How long do you see yourself working for this company?
How to Answer
A hiring manager is looking for someone who is planning on sticking with the company for a good amount of time so they do not need to continue spending the time and energy searching for new candidates and training them. The candidate should talk about how long they plan on holding the job and be positive about learning quickly.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I see myself working for this company for at least a year until I decide where I want to go from here. I am looking to supplement my income and I believe I am the best candidate to help deliver papers."
Written by Christina Erne
18. Why do you want to be a newspaper delivery person?
How to Answer
The candidate should talk about why they are interested in taking a position as a paper delivery person and what skills they have to do the job well. The candidate should reference qualities listed in the job description, including the ability to work flexible hours, their ability to be on time, and their attention to detail.
Written by Christina Erne
Answer Example
"I want to be a newspaper delivery person because I am interested in a side job early in the mornings. I work well in the early mornings and I am looking for a way to break into the news industry, and I feel that I can work my way up from here."
Written by Christina Erne