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* ACTION WORDS: These are words that you should use in your answers that would prove that you would
never be satisfied with being a spectator at your job.
Planned Implemented Formulated
Created Conceived Initiated
Developed Originated
* LEADERSHIP WORDS: These are words that should be used throughout the interview to prove that you
would rather be a leader than a follower.
Organized Built Presided Over
Coordinated Responsible For Guided
Supervised Directed Gave Direction To
Managed Led
* RESULT WORDS: The use of these words should help to prove that you wanted results and you got them.
Contributed To Reduced Provided For
Evaluated Demonstrated That Collected
Saved Achieved Increased
Dan Johnston from PPR Career shared the following list of frequently asked questions on a job interview, as
well as advice on what to be prepared for.
Right now I am the hub analyst at supply chain group. In the last 1.5 years at AutoZone, I had worked beyond
the expectation from my manager to develop the hub network and improve the hub performance. When I join
this position, I was just expected to run a weekly performance reports for these 130 hub stores. However, with
my initiatives, I developed numerous tools using SAS, VB/VBA and Web for hub operations. These tools help
me make effective job at my position. Extraordinary KPI improvement was observed with my contribution.
Moreover, I also took over eCommerce, Vendor, and VDP. With such a rich experience of collaborating with
Merch, StDev, StOps, LP, Comm, DI, and ECom, I am ready to join one of the most important departments to
carry out a data driven product and price optimization. Actually, I had spent 3 whole years at UC focusing on
data driven engineering system. With my degree of IE, I would love to join this excellent group to continue my
career at AutoZone.
- Hub analyst - Various department involvements
- 3 years of data driven engineering system research
- PhD of IE in web product optimization
- 10 years of VB/VC/Web programming
- 6 years of SAS development
Now I have been in this department for one year. I once worked under Maren and recently under Gurcan. I
demonstrated a high skill in leading projects such as fog synchronization, store product assortment tool, and
demand forecasting. I am energetic and outgoing. In a group, I am cable of getting support from people. I am
excited to take this leadership position. I am ready to develop an even stronger team and to provide product
assortment decision support tools for the company.
Because of its direct impact on profits, pricing is one of the most important activities in business.
Understanding, managing and improving pricing processes and outcomes is sure to increase margins and
revenue.
- Price segmentation / Discrimination
- Lookup and Sales forecasting
- Price impact – Elasticity
- Product assortment MAP
The MAP team is responsible for the processes of MAP product assortment, DNR, and harmonizing with store
refresh. We have a powerful forecasting tool, automated assortment decision process, and knowledgeable
members to support MAP and DNR processes. The opportunities for this group are to enhance
communications between our groups and associated departments in the company, to integrate more between
store decisions and category decisions, and mostly importantly, to provide better and more graphically tools for
managers.
I had 2 years in AutoZone and 1 year in merchandising. Before coming to Memphis, I led a research team in
Cincinnati for industrial and manufacturing optimization projects for 3 years. I am experienced programmer
myself. In previous about 10 years, I coordinated and supervised many successful projects. I am ready to lead
the team, train subordinates, and develop stronger group, so that we could provide better and more tools for
CMs, store operations, supply chain, and VPs.
5. According to your definition of success, how successful have you been so far?
Success is to become expert in the area you like to do.
I have been very successful in schools, as an outstanding research fellow, and as a top ranking student.
Success is to like what you are doing and do an outstanding job.
6. In your current or last position, what were your most significant accomplishments?
My most significant achievement in my previous job is to combine the data analysis and processing methods
with computer technologies. More than 10 engineering data processing projects were accomplished in 3 years.
Each of them increases the manufacturing process and system’s performance.
The significance of my current job is I would be able to use various programming tools such as Visual Basic
and MapPoint to save time in the assignments. I enjoy being at AutoZone and my manager is very satisfied
with my work there.
However, based on my previous experience of graduate RA at UT, I really love working at UT campus as an
analyst, so I would be able make full use my education and skills.
However, based on my previous experience of GA at UM, I really love working at UM campus as a web
specialist, so I could make full use of my potential and skills.
Hub utilization
50% to 75-80% increase
Initiative
SPARk (store operations, merchandising, national sales, IT, etc), led to SynchUp
SynchUp (conflict resolution between decisions)
MAP forecast (stabilize it and predict better) and MAP 2.0
7. Had you thought of leaving your present position before? If yes, what do you think held you there?
Each job gains me experience and help me approach my final goal.
I already reached beyond the expectation; and I am ready for next level of analyst.
8. Would you describe a few situations in which your work was criticized?
First time in MIS job, customer requirement analysis was not enough.
I once had difficult to understand what the customer really wanted.
Years of experience trained me very well.
When I first joined company, I lack some knowledge to gut checking some reports before we could send out. I
kept it in my mind, I should continue learning and practicing.
9. If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
I am real goods at research and software.
Weak: ambitious to do more jobs.
Outstanding job – DJ
Go beyond expectation; get job done. – Maren & Gurcan
The current position in a very low grade and salary level; the group didn’t initially expect to do such high level
job I did. This MA position needs higher level skills and will mostly use my knowledge and experience.
Opportunity for this position is to communicate with CMs more. We need more involvement with outsiders.
An analyst job can use my skills and experience in data driven system. This MA position is the very one can
utilize my experience of 10 years in programming, 6 years of SAS, 5 years of data driven applications, and
especially one year at the hub group.
A management position to develop and achieve my potential. My goal is to develop, train and guide a strong
MAP team to provide useful assortment decision support tools.
16. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm?
Not long, because of my experience, transferable skills and ability to learn.
I like to take a short time to get familiar with your models and problems.
After that, I will be able to work together with other team members to solve the real cases and improve the
work performance.
18. If you have never supervised, how do you feel about assuming those responsibilities?
If you want to supervise, say so, and be enthusiastic.
A team will be working like a complicated computer program. Each part in it has different functions and has to
be working in a workflow manner.
I used to manage many different projects and coordinate various people.
19. Why do you want to become a supervisor?
“To grow and develop professionally, to help others develop, to build a team and to share what I have learned.”
20. What do you see as the most difficult task in being a supervisor?
“Getting things planned and done through others and dealing with different personalities.” Show how you have
done this in the past. The habit of time management is different among people.
21. You’ve been with your current employer quite a while. Why haven’t you advanced with him?
“What I like about my present position is that it’s both stable and challenging. But it’s true that I’ve grown
about as much as I can in my current position.
I’m not unhappy (at my present employer). However, this opportunity seems to be particularly interesting and I
am interested in pursuing it further.
I was not on the market when PPR Career contacted me and explained what you are doing, it peaked my
interest.
I love working with data. Data driven approach was my main job in previous 5-6 years. I developed numerous
tools in this area.
Our main aim is to provide clear and meaningful data and figures to CMs, directors, VPs to help them make
right decisions. Best parts at Right price.
29. Why do you want to work in a company of this size? Or this type?
Explain how this size or type of company works well for you, using examples from the past if possible.
PPO (Product and Price Optimization) group’s size is bigger than my current one. I will enjoy team working
here.
30. If you had your choice of jobs and companies, where would you go?
This job and this company are very close to what best suits you.
I can help the group maintain the data driven approach. I will help develop more effective tools to enable and
implement product assortment and price optimization.
32. What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?
Think this through. Your answer should be compatible with accepted norms.
Book: Prey; Timeline - Michael Crichton
Movie: Cars; Star Gate
Sports: Federer’s tennis
33. What are you doing, or what have you done to reach your career objectives?
Talk about formal courses and training programs.
I took a lot of statistic and software courses.
I was involved in many chances, even including some volunteer opportunities.
I kept building web sites
Know people in AZ and ask
39. Did you ever fire anyone? If so, what were the reasons and how did you handle it?
If you haven’t, say so, but add that you could do it, if necessary.
41. What is the most money you ever accounted for? Largest budget responsibility?
Refer to accomplishments. If you haven’t had budget responsibility, say so, but refer to an accomplishment that
demonstrates the same skill.
42. What’s the most difficult situation you ever faced on the job?
MPI techniques computing load
Order fill rates – Call the stores
Synchronization
Demand forecast
DAD forecast stabilization
43. Describe some situations in which you have worked under pressure or met deadlines?
Hong Kong, multiple projects with different skill sets
Detailed and systematical project plans; Organized teams
45. In your present position, what problems have you identified that had previously been overlooked?
Load force profile – Nonlinar; Dbl-exponential curve
Curve fitting – Polynomial functions
A cople of projects I am working on will be the future development of the group: SynchUp, Forecast, MAP 2.0
I possess the skills required for this job. And I am ready to start the work.
Data driven application, VB/VBA, Programming, Web = I have all of these with outstanding records.
52. You may be over-qualified or too experienced for the position we have to offer.
“A strong company needs a strong person.” An employer will get faster return on investment because you have
more experience than required.
When I joined the hub analyst, I was told as over qualified too. But they are so happy now.
I am sure you will find it too if I take this MA position.
I am just expecting to get a fair salary. I know this PPO group requires the most high level skills and
knowledge. I would love to join your extraordinary work and make outstanding contribution like I did before. I
am sure in a short time, I will be a key assert in your group.