20 Berkshire Hathaway Interview Questions and Answers

Berkshire Hathaway is a multinational conglomerate holding company that owns a variety of businesses, including insurance, utility, and railroad companies. If you’re interviewing for a position at Berkshire Hathaway, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your qualifications, and your goals. You may also be asked questions about Berkshire Hathaway’s history, its businesses, and its philosophy. Here are some sample questions you might be asked in a Berkshire Hathaway interview.

Berkshire Hathaway Interview Process

The interview process at Berkshire Hathaway can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will involve a phone screening followed by an in-person meeting. The company is known for being very thorough in their interviews, so be prepared to answer questions about your experience and qualifications. Additionally, be prepared to take assessments and tests as part of the interview process.

1. Berkshire Hathaway is well known for its positive reputation. How do you think we maintain that?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the company’s values and how you can contribute to them. You should highlight any experience you have with maintaining a positive reputation, as well as what you think contributes to it.

Example: “I believe that maintaining a positive reputation comes from having a strong sense of integrity in all aspects of business. I’ve worked for companies where this wasn’t the case, and it was reflected in their customer service and product quality. It’s important to me that we maintain our reputation by providing excellent products and services to customers while treating employees fairly.”

2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

This question is a great way to learn about your career goals. It also helps the interviewer understand if you are likely to stay with their company for an extended period of time. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and realistic.

Example: “I see myself in a management role at Berkshire Hathaway within five years. I would like to have my MBA by then as well. In 10 years, I hope to be running my own business.”

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to prepare for it. When answering this question, you should be honest about your strengths and weaknesses while also focusing on the positive aspects of each.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who can multitask well. I have had previous employers praise me for my ability to manage many projects at once. However, I do sometimes get overwhelmed when there are too many tasks to complete within a short period of time. To overcome this weakness, I make sure to prioritize my work so that I can meet deadlines.”

4. Why do you want to work at Berkshire Hathaway?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of interest in working for their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done research on the organization and understand its goals, values and mission.

Example: “I want to work at Berkshire Hathaway because I am passionate about investing and finance. I believe that my skills as a financial analyst would be an asset to the company’s investment portfolio. Additionally, I am impressed by the company’s reputation for being ethical and transparent with its shareholders.”

5. Do you have any experience with marketing and advertising real estate?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and its processes. If you have experience with marketing or advertising real estate, share it in your answer. If not, you can still talk about how you would approach this process if given the opportunity.

Example: “I do have some experience with marketing and advertising real estate. In my last position as an assistant manager at a local furniture store, I was responsible for creating social media ads that targeted specific demographics. This helped us reach new customers who were interested in our products.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to sell something that was unpopular or difficult to sell.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle challenges and overcome obstacles. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to adapt to challenging situations.

Example: “When I first started in my current role as a marketing manager, I had to sell our company’s services to a client who was looking for a new website design. The client wanted a very specific look that we didn’t offer at the time. Instead of telling them no, I offered to create a custom website design for them using their preferred colors and layout. We ended up creating a template that we could use for other clients with similar needs.”

7. Have you ever disagreed with management on a decision, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you’re willing to voice your opinion. Use examples from past experiences where you disagreed with management but still completed tasks or projects successfully.

Example: “In my last position, I disagreed with a manager on a decision they made regarding our marketing strategy. The company was planning to launch a new product line that would compete against one of our existing products. I felt this could be detrimental to the brand’s reputation and sales, so I voiced my concerns to the manager. They agreed to postpone the release until we could develop a plan to promote both products simultaneously.”

8. Tell me about a time when you handled a client who wasn’t happy with the property they purchased from you.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “I once had a client who purchased a property from me that was in need of some repairs. The client called me several times about the repairs, but I explained that we couldn’t make any changes until after the 30-day warranty period expired. After the warranty period ended, I made all the necessary repairs at no additional cost to the client. They were very happy with my service.”

9. Provide an example of a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation and how you helped solve the problem or issue for the customer.

Example: “When I was working as an insurance agent, one of my clients called me in a panic because they had lost their wallet with all of their identification inside. They were worried that without their ID, they wouldn’t be able to get back into their home. I immediately drove over to their house and used my spare key to let them in. Then, I went to the DMV and got them a new driver’s license so they could access their home again.”

10. What would be your approach to selling foreclosed homes?

Foreclosed homes are a common part of the real estate industry, and Berkshire Hathaway owns several companies that specialize in this area. Your answer should show your understanding of how to sell foreclosed homes and what you would do if you were working for one of these companies.

Example: “Foreclosed homes can be challenging to sell because they often have negative connotations associated with them. I would first make sure that the home was well-maintained and had no safety issues. Then, I would market it as an affordable option for buyers who want to live in a particular neighborhood but don’t want to pay full price. This strategy has worked well for me in the past.”

11. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the workplace, and it’s likely that you’ll be working with a team at Berkshire Hathaway. Employers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others and resolve conflict. In your answer, try to show that you are able to communicate effectively and solve problems.

Example: “I once worked on a project where my group members had different opinions about how we should complete our task. I suggested that we hold a meeting to discuss everyone’s ideas so we could come up with a solution together. We all shared our thoughts and came to a compromise. By holding the meeting, we were able to find a solution that made everyone happy.”

12. We want our agents to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is designed to assess your ability to work independently and how you feel about it. It’s important that you are honest in your answer, as the interviewer will likely want to know if you’re going to be a good fit for their company culture.

Example: “I think I would be a great fit for this type of environment because I am used to working independently. In my last position, I was often tasked with handling customer service issues on my own, so I’m comfortable doing that. However, I also enjoy collaborating with others when needed.”

13. Describe your sales process.

The sales process is a key component of many business functions, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with it. Use examples from previous work experiences to describe how you identify potential clients, develop relationships and close deals.

Example: “I start by identifying companies that are in need of my services or products. I then research their website and social media accounts to get an idea of what they’re looking for. Next, I reach out to them via email or phone call to introduce myself and explain why I think our company can help them. If they seem interested, I set up a meeting to discuss our offerings further.”

14. Tell us what skills you possess that will benefit you as an agent.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for success in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list a few of your strongest skills and how they will help you succeed as an agent.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay on top of my work and meet deadlines. I also enjoy working with people and helping them find solutions to their insurance needs. These skills make me well-suited for this position.”

15. How long have you been licensed?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience and how long you’ve been in the industry. If you’re new to the field, explain what steps you took to get licensed and highlight any relevant certifications or training courses you completed.

Example: “I have been a real estate agent for five years now. I started my career as an intern at a local real estate agency where I learned the basics of the business. After completing my internship, I passed the state exam and became a full-time agent. Since then, I’ve taken several continuing education courses to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry.”

16. Some people can be uncomfortable interjecting into conversations, if someone isn’t speaking up enough, what would be your approach to getting them involved?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might handle a situation where someone is being quiet or shy. Your answer should show that you are willing to include everyone in conversations and encourage others to speak up.

Example: “I would first try to get them talking by asking questions about their interests, background or other topics they may be interested in. If this doesn’t work, I would ask if there was anything they wanted to know more about. This can often prompt people to start speaking because they want to learn more.”

17. When was a time you thought outside the box to help a sale go through?

This question is a great way to show your creativity and problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you used your unique approach to help the company make more sales or achieve its goals.

Example: “When I was working as a real estate agent, I had a client who wanted to sell their home but wasn’t getting any offers. We decided to lower the price by $10,000, which seemed like a lot at the time. However, within two days we got three offers for that amount. It turned out that lowering the price made the house more attractive to buyers.”

18. How familiar are you with different types of contracts?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of different types of contracts and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from past work experience to show that you can identify, understand and use various contract types.

Example: “I have worked with many different types of contracts during my career as a financial analyst. In my last position, I helped create and implement new contracts for clients who wanted to change their current investment plans. I also reviewed existing contracts to ensure they were still beneficial for both parties. These experiences have given me valuable insight into the importance of contracts and how to effectively manage them.”

19. If you ever needed assistance while closing a deal and you couldn’t find anyone else to assist, what would you do?

This question is designed to test your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. It also shows the interviewer how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, demonstrate that you can think critically and solve problems on your own.

Example: “If I ever needed assistance while closing a deal and couldn’t find anyone else to assist me, I would first try to reach my manager or someone in senior management who could help me. If they were unavailable, I would look for any information I could find online about the issue at hand. Then, I would call the client back and explain what happened. I would apologize for not being able to close the deal and ask if we could reschedule.”

20. Are you comfortable working weekends and evenings?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you’re willing to work overtime when necessary. In your answer, explain that you are willing to do what’s needed to get the job done and ensure a positive outcome for the company.

Example: “I am happy to work weekends or evenings as needed. I understand that sometimes it’s necessary to put in extra time to meet deadlines or complete projects. As long as my employer is flexible with scheduling, I’m happy to help out however I can.”