Behavioral Courier Exective Interview Preparation Guide

Download PDF

Candidates without specific examples often do not seem credible. However, the example shared should be fairly inconsequential, unintentional, and a learned lesson should be gleaned from it. Moving ahead without group assistance while assigned to a group project meant to be collaborative is a good example.

When I was doing QA work, I would come in and work with the guys just doing everyday stuff. Toward the end of the day, I would get packages that I would have to go through. And then, I would process that, and then at the end of the night, I would go through and clean up damages and make sure that everything was where it was supposed to be. Usually, about four hours, maybe five. Not a long day.

For QA, it was mostly your ability to use their computer system. So, it was a lot of… like an almost archaic system they used. So, it was mostly a logic thing, that you were stepping through, and that every package that you dealt with was important and got to where it needed to be - like you weren't ignoring things or just letting things slide by on the side. It was a dedication and just a logic processing kind of thing, is what they were looking for.

This is the part where you link your skills, experience, education and your personality to the job itself. This is why you need to be utterly familiar with the job description as well as the company culture. Remember though, it's best to back them up with actual examples of say, how you are a good team player.

It is possible that you may not have as much skills, experience or qualifications as the other candidates. What then, will set you apart from the rest? Energy and passion might. People are attracted to someone who is charismatic, who show immense amount of energy when they talk, and who love what it is that they do. As you explain your compatibility with the job and company, be sure to portray yourself as that motivated, confident and energetic person, ever-ready to commit to the cause of the company.

My job title was quality assurance. I taped up damaged boxes and made sure that packages with unclear labels were going to the right place and just, in general, did all the specific stuff to repair packages and make sure stuff got to where it needed to be that package handlers weren't supposed to and weren't trained to do.

It was a lot of things. I had been working in insurance for years, but frankly I was just getting bored with that. I woke up everyday, very unhappy to be going into work. I wanted something where I could be the boss and make good money. Life's too short to be unhappy at your work, you know? Then I heard about couriering. It sounded like something I could do. After all, everyone has to drive around town, picking up and dropping off things, probably on a regular basis. I thought I could turn that into a career.

It really enhanced my work ethic. I learned quite a bit about hard work and definitely learned a lot of zip codes. That helped me out a lot.

I'll admit I was a little scared at first. Could I really make enough money doing this? But I knew I just had to try. So I decided to work really hard. I put a lot of effort into building a successful business. I used to be a pretty shy person, but I knew if I was going to make it with my own business, I needed to talk to people, to get the word out. It's amazing now to look back at it all, because now I have several friends that I met through couriering. Hard work led me here.

The application and interview process there was very informal. I wore casual attire to the interview. It was a very informal interview for that particular position.

More likely than not, the interviewer wishes to see how much you know about the company culture, and whether you can identify with the organization's values and vision. Every organization has its strong points, and these are the ones that you should highlight in your answer. For example, if the company emphasizes on integrity with customers, then you mention that you would like to be in such a team because you yourself believe in integrity.

It doesn't have to be a lie. In the case that your values are not in line with the ones by the company, ask yourself if you would be happy working there. If you have no issue with that, go ahead. But if you are aware of the company culture and realize that there is some dilemma you might be facing, you ought to think twice. The best policy is to be honest with yourself, and be honest with the interviewer with what is it in the company culture that motivates you.

I have the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences, coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion, communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand, speak clearly so others can understand you, identify and understand the speech of another person.

Never ask Salary, perks, leave, place of posting, etc. regarded questions.

Try to ask more about the company to show how early you can make a contribution to your organization like
"Sir, with your kind permission I would like to know more about induction and developmental programs?"

OR

Sir, I would like to have my feedback, so that I can analyze and improve my strengths and rectify my shortcomings

My work style matching exactlty what cashier job requires by: being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations, being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude, developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done, being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job, being honest and ethical.

No one likes to answer this question because it requires a very delicate balance. You simply can't lie and say you don't have one; you can't trick the interviewer by offering up a personal weakness that is really a strength ("Sometimes, I work too much and don't maintain a work-life balance."); and you shouldn't be so honest that you throw yourself under the bus ("I'm not a morning person so I'm working on getting to the office on time.")

Think of a small flaw like "I sometimes get sidetracked by small details", "I am occasionally not as patient as I should be with subordinates or co-workers who do not understand my ideas", or "I am still somewhat nervous and uncomfortable with my public-speaking skills and would like to give more presentations and talk in front of others or in meetings." Add that you are aware of the problem and you are doing your best to correct it by taking a course of action.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times, Talking to others to convey information effectively, Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems, Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action, Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Interviewers expect a candidate for employment to discuss what they do while they are working in detail. Before you answer, consider the position you are applying for and how your current or past positions relate to it. The more you can connect your past experience with the job opening, the more successful you will be at answering the questions.
It should be obvious that it's not a good idea talk about non-work related activities that you do on company time, but, I've had applicants tell me how they are often late because they have to drive a child to school or like to take a long lunch break to work at the gym.
Keep your answers focused on work and show the interviewer that you're organized ("The first thing I do on Monday morning is check my voicemail and email, then I prioritize my activities for the week.") and efficient.

The Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits, principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction, the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar, relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions, principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

First way: Turning your strong point into weak point.

For example: I am a perfectionist and therefore, I rarely believe in anyone who can work as well as me. As a result, I am afraid to delegate important tasks to others. This approach has a weak side as that if you are not clever, you will cause the employer to believe that you are cheating him.

Second way: Solving your weakness absolutely.

A better approach is that you state one point which was once your weakness, but you have done well to resolve it.
For example: I tended to be a perfectionist, therefore I didn't like to delegate to others. But I have found out that in order to develop the organization, everyone in the organization must be experienced with many tasks and this is very good for an efficient team work.

Steps to answer:
► You need to show it through your attitude and voice: It is really your weakness. And, you may also state some situations how much that weakness has caused you difficulties.
► Give your solution to resolve that weakness, partly or wholly.
► Solutions to a weakness may be training, mentoring, etc

Interview Tips for "weakness" question:
► This is a common question in any interview, so don't try to avoid answering it.
► Never mentioning a weakness that relates to a crucial requirement of the job.
► Don't try to make up a weakness.
► Don't say you have no weakness. No one is perfect, therefore, you shouldn't say you have no weakness.

You can get a job there. As long as you can do the work, you can always get a job there. It's a time-based thing, so you just have to be patient. When you are hired in or when you apply, it's just a matter of time until they ask you if you want to work. But it's based off availability, so it might be three weeks or it might be a year and a half, just depending on how fast they chew through people or when they need to hire new people.

Courier and messenger responsibilities are to walk, ride bicycles, drive vehicles, or use public conveyances to reach destinations to deliver messages or materials; plan and follow the most efficient routes for delivering goods; unload and sort items collected along delivery routes; receive messages or materials to be delivered, and information on recipients, such as names, addresses, telephone numbers, and delivery instructions, communicated via telephone, two-way radio, or in person; load vehicles with listed goods, ensuring goods are loaded correctly and taking precautions with hazardous goods; sort items to be delivered according to the delivery route; deliver messages and items, such as newspapers, documents, and packages, between establishment departments, and to other establishments and private homes; perform routine maintenance on delivery vehicles, such as monitoring fluid levels and replenishing fuel; record information, such as items received and delivered and recipients' responses to messages; obtain signatures and payments, or arrange for recipients to make payments; call by telephone to deliver verbal messages; check with home offices after completed deliveries to confirm deliveries and collections and to receive instructions for other deliveries; open, sort, and distribute incoming mail; perform general office or clerical work such as filing materials, operating duplicating machines, or running errands; unload goods from large trucks, and load them onto smaller delivery vehicles; collect, seal, and stamp outgoing mail, using postage meters and envelope sealers.

► Provide an experience in which you called by telephone to deliver verbal messages.
► How do you balance cooperation with others and independent thinking? Share an example. (The employer wants to know that you have a cooperative attitude or are otherwise good-natured.)
► Tell me about the last time you successfully compiled, coded, categorized, calculated, tabulated, audited, or verified information/data. How did it affect your company?
► Tell me about a time when you developed your own way of doing things or were self-motivated to finish an important task. (The employer wants to know if you can work independently.)
► Share an example of a time you represented your company to an external source in person, in writing, or by telephone in a difficult situation or circumstance. (Your future employer wants to know you can communicate and represent the organization effectively.)
► Provide an experience in which you were sensitive to somone's needs or feelings. How did your helpfulness affect your work environment?
► Provide an example when your ethics were tested.
► Share an experience in which you performed general office or clerical work.
► Name a time when your patience was tested. How did you keep your emotions in check? (The employer wants to gauge your self control.)
► Share an experience in which you successfully shared a difficult piece of information with a supervisor, co-worker, or subordinate. (The employer wants to ensure you have open communication with those you work with.)
► Share an experience in which you successfully communicated directly with the public.
► Tell me about the last time you monitored or reviewed information and detected a problem. How did you respond?
► Tell me about an experience in which you analyzed information and evaluated results to choose the best solution to a problem.
► Share an experience in which your attention to detail and thoroughness had an impact on your last company.
► Provide an experience that demonstrates your ability to manage time effectively. What were the challenges and results?

► Provide a time when you worked in a rapidly evolving workplace. How did you deal with the change? (Show that you can adapt.)
► Provide a time when you dealt calmly and effectively with a high-stress situation.
► Would you consider analyzing data or information a strength? How so?
► Provide an example of a time when you were able to demonstrate excellent listening skills. What was the situation and outcome?
► Share a time when your literacy skills helped you in the work place.
► Describe a time when you successfully provided personal assistance to a coworker or patron.
► Provide an experience in which you used information and judgment to determine whether the complicated events or processes of your company complied with all laws, regulations, and/or standards.
► Share an example of when you established and accomplished a goal that was personally challenging. What helped you succeed?
► Please share an experience in which you used your communication or public speaking skills effectively.
► Share an experience in which personal connections to coworkers or others helped you to be successful in your work. (Be sure to explain that you prefer to work with others.)
► Tell me about a time that your ability to accurately estimate size, distances, quantities, duration of time, costs, or amounts helped your company.
► Name a time when you identified strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to problems. What was the impact?
► Share a time when you willingly took on additional responsibilities or challenges. How did you successfully meet all of the demands of these responsibilities? (The employer wants to gauge your internal drive or initiative.)
► Provide an experience in which your ability to actively find ways to help people improved your company or your own work ethic.
► Provide an example of when you were persistent in the face of obstacles.

► Tell me about a recent experience you've had working with your hands.
► How do you stay fit in order to perform physical activities that are required in the workplace?
► Tell me how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work. (Be sure to mention that you make specific goals.)
► Share an experience you had in dealing with a difficult person and how you handled the situation.
► Share an example of a time you had to gather information from multiple sources. How did you determine which information was relevant?
► Describe the methods you have used, including transportation, to deliver messages.
► What factors do you consider do you consider when planning routes for delivery?
► Provide an experience in which you effectively followed detailed instructions.
► Share an experience in which you successfully loaded and unloaded delivery trucks.
► Share an effective method you have used to organize and sort items according to delivery route.
► Tell me about the last time you recorded, transcribed, and/or stored information. Did you use electronic/magnetic form or written form?
► Share an example of when you went above and beyond the "call of duty". (The employer wants to know that you are dependable.)
► Share your experience performing routine maintenance on delivery vehicles.
► Tell me about your qualifications for and your experience handling vehicles and/or mechanized equipment.
► Share an experience when you applied new technology or information in your job. How did it help your company?

► Provide an example when you were able to prevent a problem because you foresaw the reaction of another person.
► How would you rate your writing skills? (Offer up examples that demonstrate your mastery of English grammar, rules of composition, and adjusting for the audience.)
► Name a time when your creativity or alternative thinking solved a problem in your workplace.
► Provide a time when you were able to identify a complex problem, evaluate the options, and implement a solution. How did the solution benefit your employer?
► Share an experience in which you successfully coordinated with others. How about a coordination effort that was not as successful?
► Share a time when you analyzed information or used logic to fix an issue in your work place.
52 Share an experience in which you made a difficult assessment of the value, importance, or quality of something.
53 What have you found to be the best way to monitor the performance of your work and/or the work of others? Share a time when you had to take corrective action.

The application process is largely what you can lift. For the QA specifically, it was more of I had already been a package handler for a couple years, and I came in… and I interviewed for it, specifically for my work ethic and my knowledge of how things worked there. But I know they've hired QAs before from just whatever, like off the street, no previous experience at FedEx.