It can be hard to get ready for an interview, especially if you want to work for a well-known company like Fastenal. This article goes over some common fastenal interview questions and gives you tips on how to answer them in the best way possible. Our guide is meant to help you feel more confident and ready for your upcoming interview, whether you’re applying for a job in Fastenal’s sales department, customer service department, or any other department.
Interviewing at Fastenal for any role can feel intimidating. However, going in prepared can help you give your best. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common Fastenal interview questions, why they’re asked, and how to craft strong responses.
Overview of Fastenal and the Interview Process
Fastenal is an industrial and construction supplies company based out of Minnesota. With over 21,000 employees and 3,000 store locations, it is a major player in the industry.
The interview process typically starts with a phone screen where they’ll assess your skills and experience. If you make it past that round you’ll be invited for one or more in-person interviews. This is when they’ll ask more in-depth behavioral and situational questions to evaluate your fit.
Some key qualities they look for include:
- Integrity and ethics
- Ability to work independently and proactively
- Problem-solving skills
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service orientation
Come prepared to demonstrate these qualities and relevant skills for the role through your responses
Common Fastenal Interview Questions and Answers
Here are some of the most frequently asked Fastenal interview questions examples of what they’re looking for and tips on how to craft strong answers
Tell me about yourself
This open-ended question is common in interviews across many companies and roles. Fastenal interviewers use it to learn about your background and skills most relevant to the position.
Tips:
- Keep it concise – focus on highlights most relevant to the role.
- Include a brief overview of your work history, education, and relevant skills and experience.
- Emphasize what motivates you about the role and company.
Sample response:
“I’m currently working as an Account Manager at ABC Company where I handle sales and customer service for industrial supply accounts. I have a bachelor’s degree in business and 5 years’ experience in industrial sales and operations. When I learned about the Outside Sales Rep role at Fastenal, I was excited by the opportunity to take on more responsibility and use both my sales abilities and passion for the industrial supply industry to help Fastenal grow its customer base. The company’s values around entrepreneurship and empowering employees also resonate with me.”
Why do you want to work for Fastenal?
With this question, interviewers want to gauge your interest in and motivations for joining the company. They want people truly passionate about their mission.
Tips:
- Research the company so you can speak knowledgeably about their business, values, and growth.
- Share specific reasons why you find the company and/or role appealing based on your skills, interests, and career goals.
Sample response:
“I’m drawn to Fastenal because of your entrepreneurial spirit and focus on empowering employees with autonomy and responsibility. During my research I was excited to see how much you invest in ongoing training and development opportunities for staff at all levels. And the company’s rapid growth over decades in the industry tells me this is a stable organization with strong leadership that prioritizes innovation. With my background in industrial sales and my initiative, I’m confident I could build a successful long-term career here if given the opportunity.”
How does your experience relate to this position?
Fastenal wants to know you have the right background and skills for the specific role. Use this question as an opening to explain how you’re uniquely qualified.
Tips:
- Draw clear connections between your skills/experiences and job requirements.
- Emphasize strengths and accomplishments that would enable you to excel in the role.
Sample response:
“Over the last several years as an Account Manager, I’ve developed expertise around managing key accounts and business relationships in the industrial supply sector. For example, I was able to grow my book of business from $2M to $5M in annual revenue by proactively networking with prospective clients and consistently providing excellent customer service to upsell additional products and services. Based on the Outside Sales Rep role description, I believe these abilities in strategically managing accounts and territories would directly translate to success in this position.”
How would you handle an unhappy customer?
Fastenal wants customer-focused team members, so they’ll ask behavioral questions like this to assess your approach. Share an example that highlights your customer service skills.
Tips:
- Describe a real example, the steps you took, and the positive end result. Use the “STAR” framework – Situation, Task, Action, Result.
- Emphasize listening, showing empathy, gathering details, and resolving the issue.
Sample response:
“In my current role, I once had a long-time client call our office angry about defective products he’d received. To resolve the issue, first I listened closely to understand the specifics of his problem and empathized by acknowledging how inconvenient and frustrating this must be for his business. I asked questions to gather details about the defective products – when they were purchased, how they were defective, etc. I let the client know I would personally oversee getting this fixed immediately and offered to have replacement product shipped overnight on us. The client ended up very satisfied with how I handled it. This example shows my approach when customers have issues – I take ownership, solve problems quickly, and do what it takes to ensure they’re happy.”
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Interviewers want to gauge whether you’re interested in growing your career with Fastenal long-term. Show you have ambition and see potential for growth.
Tips:
- Demonstrate interest in taking on more responsibility over time.
- Share how you hope to progress skills and experience specifically within Fastenal.
Sample response:
“My goal is to become an expert in outside sales within the industrial supply industry and be able to take on additional responsibility over time. Based on Fastenal’s reputation for investing in employee development and promoting from within, I’m confident this is the right company where I could grow in my career. I see myself really mastering outside sales and client relations and would hope to move into a sales leadership role. If I can continue exceeding sales targets and proving myself, I could see myself managing a territory or sales team down the road. I’m passionate about long-term growth and leadership development.”
Why should we hire you?
This is your chance to close strong and summarize why you’re the top candidate. Quickly recap your strongest qualifications and reiterate your interest.
Tips:
- Focus on one or two of your strongest assets relevant to the role.
- Remind them of the qualities that make you stand out.
Sample response:
“With my successful background in industrial supply sales and account management, I believe I have the right mix of skills and experience to excel as an Outside Sales Rep for Fastenal. I work hard, I’m driven to exceed goals, and I don’t shy away from challenges. And as I mentioned, I strongly believe in Fastenal’s approach of empowering employees with autonomy and opportunity. Hiring someone who is self-motivated, loves sales, and wants to grow long-term with the company is a smart move. I know I would work hard every day to deliver results and be an asset to the team.”
How to Prepare for Your Fastenal Interview
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Research the company culture and values. Learn about Fastenal’s founding, mission, and cultural focus on entrepreneurship so you can speak knowledgeably.
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Review the job description thoroughly. Identify the core skills and requirements so you can match your background and abilities to what they’re looking for.
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Practice commonly asked questions. Rehearse responses to likely questions about your strengths, motivations, and approach to challenges on the job.
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Refresh your knowledge. Brush up on best practices in areas critical for the role like sales, customer service, problem-solving, teamwork, etc.
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Anticipate situational questions. Read up on Fastenal products/services so you can address hypothetical customer issues.
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Prepare meaningful questions to ask. Genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for the company go a long way.
With preparation and confidence, you will ace the Fastenal interview process. Know your value, believe in yourself, and show them why you’re the perfect fit for the team. Best of luck!
Q1 How would you handle a situation where a product is out of stock but a customer needs it urgently? (Problem Solving)
How to Answer: When answering this question, demonstrate your problem-solving skills, customer service abilities, and initiative. You need to be able to think quickly and come up with other ways to solve the customer’s problem. Highlight your communication skills and your commitment to customer satisfaction.
In cases where a customer needs a product right away but it’s not in stock, I do the following for them:
- Accept the Problem: I would first tell the customer that I understand how inconvenient the problem is and that I will do everything I can to fix it.
- Check Inventory: I would check the inventory system to see if any new stock is coming in or if the item is already in stock somewhere else.
- Offer Alternatives: If the customer can’t get the product they want, I would suggest similar items that might work for them.
- Leverage Network: If there are no other options that work, I would call other stores or suppliers to see if they have the product.
- Communicate clearly: I would keep the customer up to date on my progress in meeting their needs throughout the process.
- Follow-Up: Once the problem was fixed, I would check in with the customer to make sure they were happy and keep the relationship positive.
Fastenal Interview Questions
To Answer: When you answer this question, you should talk about your education, work experience, and skills that are related to the Fastenal job. It is important to give a short summary of your work history and emphasize any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the company.
Yes, of course! I have a degree in business administration and have worked in sales for five years. During this time, I’ve developed a strong foundation in customer relationship management, negotiation, and strategic sales planning. I’ve worked with a variety of products, from safety gear to industrial tools, and I think they fit well with what Fastenal sells. My most recent position involved managing a sales team where we exceeded our quarterly targets consistently.
Preparing for an Interview | Employer Advice, Featuring Fastenal
FAQ
How do I answer why should I hire you?
What are your three weaknesses?
