20 Backroads Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, Backroads is looking for candidates who are passionate about the outdoors and active travel. In order to assess whether a candidate is a good fit for the company, they often ask specific questions related to these topics.

Some sample questions that have been asked in past interviews include:

-What was your most memorable outdoor experience? -What was the last trip you took? -What are your thoughts on group travel vs. independent travel? -What do you think are the benefits of active travel?

Answering these questions effectively can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your fit for the company.

Backroads Interview Process

The interview process at Backroads is lengthy, but thorough. It begins with an online application, followed by a prerecorded video interview, then a Skype or phone interview. If you pass those rounds, you are invited to a hiring event, which is usually a full day group interview. This year, due to COVID, the process is entirely virtual.

1. What is the most important thing for you to consider when deciding whether or not a trip is suitable for guests?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the travel industry and how you can apply it to benefit Backroads. Your answer should include a specific example from your experience that shows how you make these decisions.

Example: “The most important thing for me when deciding whether or not a trip is suitable for guests is safety. I have worked in the travel industry for five years, and during this time I’ve learned what destinations are safe for tourists and which ones aren’t. For instance, I once had a client who wanted to visit a country where there was civil unrest. I told them that it wasn’t safe for tourists at this time and recommended they go somewhere else.”

2. How would you handle someone becoming injured on a trip?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle stressful situations and make decisions under pressure. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to remain calm in a crisis and commitment to customer service.

Example: “If someone became injured on one of our trips, I would first assess the situation and determine whether or not it was safe for me to provide assistance. If so, I would call for emergency medical services immediately. In the meantime, I would stay with the person until help arrived and do whatever I could to comfort them. After the individual received treatment, I would ensure they were comfortable and had everything they needed before returning to the group.”

3. What do you think about carrying multiple people’s bags in your car?

This question is a good way to see how you feel about the safety of your passengers. It’s important that drivers are aware of their passengers’ needs and can help them with any challenges they may have.

Example: “I think it’s important to be safe when driving multiple people in my car. I always make sure everyone has their seatbelt on, and I don’t exceed the speed limit or drive too fast for conditions. If someone doesn’t want to ride with me because I’m carrying multiple bags, I’ll let them know that I’ll keep an eye out for other transportation options.”

4. If hired, how will you be able to contribute to our team as soon as possible?

This question is a great way to assess your eagerness and willingness to learn. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you plan on learning the company’s processes and procedures as quickly as possible so that you can start contributing right away.

Example: “I am very excited about this opportunity because I have always wanted to work in an active travel company. I know that Backroads has a lot of unique processes and procedures, but I am ready to learn them all as soon as possible. I also understand that there are many different types of travelers, which is why I want to get familiar with the company’s systems as soon as I start working here.”

5. Tell us why you want to work at Backroads.

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. When you answer this question, it’s important to show that you’ve done some research on the company and can explain why you’re excited to work there.

Example: “I want to work at Backroads because I love traveling and exploring new places. Your company has an amazing reputation for creating unique travel experiences around the world. I’m also impressed by how much you value your employees. In my research, I read several reviews from past employees who said they felt valued and appreciated while working here.”

6. What skills and experience do you have that pertain to working with groups of people?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience working with a team and collaborating with others. Highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills in your answer.

Example: “I’ve worked with groups of people for many years as part of my job at Backroads. I’m used to communicating with different types of personalities and helping everyone feel comfortable and included. In addition, I am skilled at finding solutions to problems and making sure everyone has what they need while on a trip.”

7. How would you deal with an upset guest?

Travel companies often have to deal with unhappy customers. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle this situation and if you have experience doing so. Use examples from your previous job or a time when you helped someone solve their problem while working in customer service.

Example: “I once had an upset guest who was traveling with her family. She called the office because she wanted to cancel her trip, but I talked her through it and reassured her that everything would be okay. After talking for about 20 minutes, she decided to keep her vacation plans. It’s important to listen to what the guest has to say and reassure them that we’re here to help.”

8. What are some ways that you like to motivate others?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand how you work with a team. Showcase your leadership skills by giving examples of how you motivated others in previous roles.

Example: “I like to motivate my coworkers through positive reinforcement. I believe that everyone deserves praise for their hard work, so I make sure to give them feedback on what they’re doing well and offer encouragement when things are tough. In my last role, I was working with a team member who was having trouble finding motivation at work. I took her out to lunch one day and asked her about her life outside of work. She told me she had just gotten engaged, and we talked about wedding plans while also discussing our work projects.”

9. Give me an example of a time where you worked with a group of people on a project.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can work with others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the importance of teamwork in your previous roles.

Example: “In my last position as an event planner, I worked with a team of five other planners on a large corporate event. We had to plan for over 500 guests, which was quite a challenge. However, we all worked together to create a detailed timeline that allowed us to delegate tasks among ourselves. This helped us stay organized and ensured everything went smoothly.”

10. Are you comfortable driving along mountain roads?

This question is a good way to test your driving skills and comfort level while on the road. Mountain roads are often narrow, curvy and have steep drop-offs. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with these conditions and that you can drive safely in them. In your answer, explain why you feel confident driving along mountain roads. Share any experience you’ve had with mountain roads or similar conditions.

Example: “I am very comfortable driving along mountain roads. I grew up in Colorado where there are plenty of mountain roads. My family would take weekend trips to visit different towns and national parks. We would always rent an SUV because we knew it was safer for us than a smaller car. I also enjoy taking my own backroads when I’m traveling. It’s fun to get off the main highways and see what else our country has to offer.”

11. Tell us what excites you about this position.

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and how you feel about the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific that drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I am excited to join Backroads because I have always wanted to work in an active travel company. I love traveling and exploring new places, so I think working here would be a great fit for me. I also really like the idea of helping people plan their trips and excursions. I think my customer service skills will help me excel in this role.”

12. What kind of vacation experiences do you enjoy?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your personality and interests. You can answer this question by describing a recent vacation you took or one that you have always wanted to take.

Example: “I recently went on a road trip with my family through California wine country. We stayed in small bed-and-breakfast inns, visited local wineries and vineyards and had some amazing meals at restaurants along the way. It was such an incredible experience, and I would love to do something similar again soon.”

13. How do you feel about meeting new groups of people?

Traveling often means meeting new people. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable with that aspect of the job. They want to know that you can be outgoing and friendly when you meet new people. Use your answer to show them that you enjoy meeting new people. Explain how you are a friendly person who is always willing to help others.

Example: “I love meeting new people! I am naturally an outgoing person, so I find it easy to strike up conversations with strangers. When I travel, I like to get to know my fellow travelers. I think it’s important to share our experiences with one another. Meeting new people also gives me the opportunity to learn about different cultures. I have learned so much from other people in my life.”

14. By this point, we assume you know quite a bit about Backroads already. Can you explain to us exactly how you use our website?

This question is a great way to see how much you know about the company and what they do. It also shows your knowledge of travel in general, which can be helpful if you’re applying for a position that doesn’t involve working directly with customers.

Example: “I use Backroads quite often when I’m planning my next trip. The website is very user-friendly and easy to navigate. I usually start by searching for destinations based on where I want to go or what type of vacation I want to have. Then I look at all the different tours available and read through the descriptions to find one that sounds like it would be fun. After that, I book my tour online.”

15. Do you have any experience leading trips?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you might fit into their company. If you have led trips in the past, describe what made them successful. If you haven’t led a trip before, explain why you would be a good leader for Backroads.

Example: “I’ve led several backpacking trips with my friends over the years. I enjoy planning out routes and finding places to camp that are both beautiful and safe. In one instance, we were camping near a river when it started raining. We had set up our tents on higher ground, but the rain still got inside of ours. Luckily, I had brought extra tarps, so we were able to cover ourselves and stay dry.”

16. Which type of vacations do you prefer: more active ones with lots of hiking and biking, or relaxing and indulgent ones?

This question helps the interviewer understand your preferences and how you might fit in with their company. If they ask this, it’s likely that they have a specific type of vacation that they prefer to offer.

Example: “I love active vacations because I get to see so much more of the area while getting some exercise. However, I also enjoy indulgent vacations where we can relax and take our time seeing the sights. I think both types are important for experiencing different parts of a destination.”

17. In terms of reservations and answering questions from potential travelers, can you describe your approach to customer service?

Customer service is an important part of any travel agent’s job. Interviewers want to know that you understand the importance of this role and how it can affect your company’s success. In your answer, describe a time when you helped a customer with their questions or concerns and resolved them in a positive way.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service is one of the most important parts of my job. I always make sure to listen carefully to customers’ needs and provide answers to their questions as quickly as possible. If they have special requests, I do everything I can to accommodate them. For example, once a family called me looking for a last-minute trip to Disney World. They were having trouble finding something within their budget. I was able to find a package that met all of their requirements and booked it for them.”

18. How would you go about getting a large group of people motivated to get up early and head out on an adventure?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you plan and execute group activities. Use examples from your experience to highlight your communication skills, ability to motivate others and teamwork abilities.

Example: “I would first make sure that everyone in the group was aware of what time we were leaving and where we were meeting. I’d also send out reminders the day before and morning of the trip so people could pack their bags and be ready to go on time. When it comes to motivating them, I find that making sure they know exactly what to expect is key. For example, if we’re going hiking, I’ll let them know about the terrain and any safety precautions.”

19. Outside of traveling, what other activities do you enjoy doing?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s interests and personality. It also helps employers determine if you’ll fit in with their company culture. When answering this question, try to include an activity that your future coworkers might enjoy doing together.

Example: “I love hiking and exploring new places. I’ve been on several backpacking trips where we hiked for days at a time. I’m also a big fan of photography, so I always bring my camera along when I travel. I have a lot of experience taking photos while traveling and editing them afterward.”

20. What types of experiences and hobbies make you qualified for this job?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your personality and interests. They want to know what you can bring to the table that makes you an ideal candidate for this position. When answering, think of two or three hobbies or experiences that relate to travel. Explain how these things make you qualified for this job.

Example: “I have been traveling since I was young, so I am very familiar with different types of destinations. My family has also owned a bed-and-breakfast for many years, so I understand the importance of customer service. I’ve learned how to provide excellent hospitality through my experience there. I’m also a photographer, which means I have a creative eye when it comes to taking photos.”