The Top BCD Travel Interview Questions and How to Ace Your Interview

Interviewing at BCD Travel, one of the largest travel management companies in the world? With over 16,000 employees across more than 100 countries, landing a job here is no easy feat. You’ll need to come prepared with thoughtful answers to common BCD Travel interview questions that highlight your qualifications and experience.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll cover the top questions asked in BCD Travel interviews along with tips on how to craft winning responses Whether you’re interviewing for an entry-level travel counselor role or an experienced leadership position, these strategies will help you stand out from the competition and land the job

Overview of BCD Travel’s Hiring Process

The typical BCD Travel hiring process consists of at least two interviews:

• Initial Phone/Video Screening: Conducted by an HR representative or recruiter to evaluate your resume, experience and salary expectations. Also used to explain the role and company culture.

• In-Person/Video Interview A more in-depth interview focused on your relevant skills, with both HR and department managers/team leads present May involve scenario-based questions.

Additional interviews or assessments may be required for more senior positions. The process aims to assess both your technical abilities and cultural fit. With preparation, you can tackle even the toughest questions confidently.

Now let’s get into the top questions asked and how to prepare winning responses.

Common BCD Travel Interview Questions and Answers

1. Why do you want to work for BCD Travel specifically?

This is a common question asked in nearly every interview. Recruiters want to gauge your genuine interest in the company and role.

How to Answer:

• Demonstrate your knowledge of BCD Travel’s reputation, values and work culture. Mention being drawn to their sustainable travel focus.

• Highlight aspects of the role itself that excite you, such as problem-solving or customer service.

• Share why you feel you’re a great culture fit and how you’ll contribute to their continued success.

Example: BCD Travel's commitment to sustainable travel solutions resonates deeply with me. Reducing the travel industry's environmental impact is a priority for me. I also appreciate your innovative approach to customer service through technology. This travel counselor role is an ideal fit, allowing me to combine my passion for sustainable practices with my background in hospitality. I'm excited to be considered for a company that aligns so well with my values while also providing opportunities to develop my skills and advance my career.

2. What do you know about BCD Travel’s services and mission?

Another common question, this evaluates your research into the company. Thorough knowledge displays genuine interest.

How to Answer:

• Provide an overview of their key service offerings like corporate travel management, meetings & events, and travel risk management.

• Discuss their core mission of innovating the travel experience and providing a holistic, sustainable approach.

• Mention any recent news, achievements or expansion plans that showcase their growth and success.

Example: As one of the world's leading travel management companies, BCD Travel provides a comprehensive range of innovative services from corporate travel consulting to meetings and events management. Their mission is to create connected, sustainable global travel programs that enhance client performance. Key offerings include travel program design, traveler risk management, meetings & events management, and proprietary tools that drive efficiency like their mobile app TripSource. With sustainable travel solutions like carbon neutral air at the forefront, they aim to innovate the industry. Recent achievements include being named a top place to work for diversity and their expansion into the Middle East, highlighting impressive and ongoing growth.

3. How would you handle an unhappy client demanding an immediate change to their travel plans?

Testing your problem-solving and customer service skills, this is one of the most common BCD Travel interview questions. Stay calm and focused when responding.

How to Answer:

• Emphasize listening to the client with empathy and understanding their concerns.

• Discuss exploring solutions quickly within company policy and moving forward with their input.

• Highlight your calm demeanor and focus on turning a negative situation into a positive experience.

Example: First and foremost, I would listen attentively to understand the client's concerns and frustrations. I would then apologize sincerely for any inconvenience caused, while letting them know I appreciate them voicing this issue. My next step would be exploring options within our policies that can resolve their problem as swiftly as possible. This could involve rebooking flights, arranging hotel or transportation changes, or other alternatives. With the client's input, I would move forward to rectify the situation quickly and keep them informed throughout the process. My goal would be turning this into a positive experience by addressing their needs swiftly. Regardless of circumstances, I believe maintaining a calm, focused demeanor is key to resolving issues effectively.

4. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and technology?

The fast-paced travel industry requires staying informed about emerging trends, technologies, regulations and more. This question gauges your proactive learning approach.

How to Answer:

• Provide examples of blogs, forums, publications and influencers you follow.

• Mention trade shows or conferences you attend to learn about new innovations.

• Share an example of how a specific trend or technology could enhance client service at BCD Travel.

Example: I make it a daily habit to review industry publications like Skift and Travel Weekly for emerging trends and insights. I also follow thought leaders like Peter Greenberg on social media. Attending local travel conferences and trade shows allows me to see innovations first-hand and network with peers. For example, artificial intelligence and biometrics seem poised to provide smoother, personalized service. At BCD Travel, this could mean integrating voice-enabled AI to enhance client support. I'm committed to continuous learning so I can apply the latest advancements to improve service delivery.

5. Tell me about a time you had to manage competing priorities. How did you handle it?

Travel professionals frequently juggle competing priorities. This assesses your time management and prioritization abilities. Use a specific example that highlights your skills.

How to Answer:

• Explain the context of having multiple urgent projects or tasks with limited time.

• Discuss your approach to evaluating importance and urgency to prioritize workload.

• Share any tools or strategies you used to organize and manage time effectively.

• Highlight how you remained focused and delivered quality work.

Example: Recently, I was managing three complex international itineraries simultaneously that all required significant coordination. With overlapping deadlines, I first made a list of all outstanding tasks and their due dates. I assigned each a priority level based on factors like time sensitivity and client needs. By grouping tasks, I could maximize efficiency. For example, blocking out time to solely focus on reviewing flight options allowed faster decision making. Setting reminders to follow up on pending requests also helped me stay organized. Throughout it all, I remained calm, methodical, and focused. All projects were completed accurately and clients appreciated the high level of service.

6. How would you explain a new travel policy to employees across multiple departments?

Assessing your change management and communication abilities, this question is common for more senior roles like account manager.

How to Answer:

• Discuss strategies for clear communication across departments and levels.

• Share how you would involve stakeholders early and gather feedback.

• Mention creating training/FAQ documents to facilitate learning.

• Highlight your focus on smooth, transparent implementation.

Example: Implementing policy changes across large, complex organizations requires meticulous planning and multi-channel communication. First, I would meet with heads of each department to explain the purpose of the new policy and gather their unique perspectives. Their early insights allow us to address concerns proactively. Next, I would assemble a cross-functional implementation team with representatives from legal, HR, finance and other groups to refine the plan. Drafting a simple FAQ document and scheduling training sessions for all employees would provide a knowledge foundation before rollout. Throughout the process, I would give regular email updates on timelines and next steps. My focus would be transparent communication to support a smooth transition.

7. Describe a time you had difficult contract negotiations with a vendor. What tactics did you use?

This behavioral question allows you to demonstrate negotiation skills critical in the travel industry. Use a specific example highlighting your preparation, communication style and problem-solving.

How to Answer:

• Explain the context – what were you negotiating and what challenges arose?

• Discuss research you did to support your position and specific negotiation tactics used.

• Share how you leveraged relationship building to find mutually beneficial solutions.

• Highlight the positive end result of your efforts.

Example: As a travel buyer, I was recently negotiating a new contract with Delta airlines for corporate travel. With our previous agreement expiring, Delta proposed a 15% rate increase due to rising fuel costs. By thoroughly analyzing current market fares and our spend history, I negotiated the increase down to 10%. I approached talks through collaborative conversations, demonstrating how a long-term partnership benefits both parties. Delta valued our loyalty, so by showing willingness to