job interview

What have you accomplished that shows your initiative and willingness to work hard?

At lowes, I was asked to mentor new staff to get them ready to go onto the sales floor and make sure they are comfortable to be on their own. Making sure they are ok before i leave for my shift.

Tell me about a time when you worked on a team and a member was not doing their share of the work.

during my last semester in college we had a group project in out research methods class and we had a qualitative data and quantitive data projects and we used a statistical program. When it came for one of our group members to bring forth his work, he didn't have anything ready so I reached out to him and he told me he didn't really know how to do the quantitative data analysis on the software program. I offered to help him outside of class that way we could finish our project.

Tell me a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer?

"At my last job, a customer came in cursing and yelling-the works. I knew it was out of frustration so I didn't take it personally and I made sure the customer knew their concerns were being heard. I listened carefully and apologized. She was complaining about an item she wanted to return, however she didn't have her receipt. I explained that I wasn't able to give her a cash refund without the receipt, but that I could allow her to have the same amount in store credit. It ended up being a win-win situation for everyone."

Weakness

"I think one area I could work on is my delegation skills. I am always so concerned about everything being done right and on time that I can get stuck in that mentality of "If you want it done right, do it yourself." Unfortunately, that's not always possible and I've realized that I can slow things down if I am too controlling. I also didn't like to ask for help, but now I know like its ok if i can't get it done i have a team that will help me

Tell me a time when you and a coworker disagreed

A manager of outside garden approach my cashier and told her that she should watch the way she talked to people. The cashier then brings it to my attention that dm came up to her while she was with another customer and began to go off on a rant. I told her I would talk to him. So I pull him into the managers office and I sit down and ask him if he could explain to me what happen. he explains the situation to me. So then i asked if he felt he should have handled it differently and he said no. He told me that he was a manger and he had every right to tell her that. I told him that it was unprofessional to have had that conversation while she was with a customer, and next time i would appreciate him to come to me next time and then i would address it privately.

What do you consider to be your best skill, and how do you believe that will help you succeed at Esurance?

Communication and problem solving.

Give me a specific example of a time when you used good judgement and logic in solving a problem.

Customer placed an online order, when i took a look at the order the billing address was in alabama so i decided to call the number that was provided and ask the customer if she made a mistake or if she knew that she placed an order in california. The customer had no idea she picked our store and i resolved the issue by having her call the store closest to her to see if they even have the item in stock and then recommended her place a phone order.

Give me an example of when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with.

I had a new manger recently that was new to lowes who couldn't make up his mind. Everyday there was a new way to do a task. One day we were annoying promotions over the intercom the next day we weren't doing that. The next day we went back to announcing promotions. So I went to his office and I explained that the team is wondering what is going on, we wanted consistency. And so he heard my side of the frustration and he explained to me that he wants to see what works and what doesnt its was his first time being a store manager and I told him I understand and I would get the team on board, but i told him that he had to communicate better with us because we were getting confused.

Esurance

Offers all auto, home, pet, life insurance paperless. Doing everything to eliminate their carbon footprint. Constantly adapting with technology. WIN is an Employee Resource Group dedicated to supporting women in the workplace. The group provides leadership development opportunities for the women at Esurance and champions work/life balance initiatives for all associates.

Describe for me a time when you failed at something and how you responded.

When I first started at lowes I was placed at the returns desk and I returned what seemed to look like an in tampered with drill. The customer had a recept and paid cash so I gave him the cash and he left when I picked up the box I heard a rattle and thought it sounded odd so open the box and its rocks. After that day there isn't anything I don't look into even if it looks unopened. I even make sure when I'm training I always tell them to open boxes and share my story with them so it doesn't happen again.

Tell me about an idea you have implemented at your last job retail

Working in a large retail store it is important that employees know different aspects of the store. So i brought it up to my managers that cashiers should learn to mix paint, cut blinds and be cross trained so that way we increase customer sat and productivity.