20 BIC Interview Questions and Answers

BIC is a well-known company that produces a variety of consumer products. If you’re interviewing for a job at BIC, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with their products, your customer service skills, and your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. We’ve compiled a list of sample BIC interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

BIC Interview Process

The interview process at BIC can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two interviews, one with a manager and one with a human resources representative. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but it is typically around one month. Additionally, the difficulty of the interviews can vary depending on the position, but they are generally not too difficult.

1. Tell us about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous jobs or describe how you would handle tight deadlines in this role.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing social media accounts for several brands. One day, one of our company’s main social media accounts went down due to an error. This meant that we had no way to communicate with customers who were reaching out to us on social media. I immediately got to work finding solutions to this problem. I contacted other employees who managed similar accounts and asked them if they could take over posting duties until our account was back up and running. We also communicated with customers through email so they knew we were aware of the issue and working to resolve it.”

2. What do you know about BIC products?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. It also allows you to show that you have done some research on the company before applying for the job.

Example: “I know BIC produces many different types of stationery, including pens, pencils, markers, highlighters and erasers. They also produce lighters, promotional products like keychains and USB drives, shavers, printed paper products such as notebooks and greeting cards and more.”

3. Describe your experience working in the stationery industry.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience and how it relates to the position. If you don’t have any previous experience in the stationery industry, consider describing a time when you worked with similar products or services.

Example: “I’ve never worked specifically in the stationery industry, but I do have experience working as an administrative assistant for a marketing firm that produced promotional items such as pens, notepads, calendars and other office supplies. This experience helped me understand the importance of quality stationery products and how they can help businesses market themselves.”

4. How does selling to small businesses differ from selling to large companies?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience selling to different types of customers. Use examples from past jobs or describe how you would approach this situation if it’s something you haven’t done before.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with both small and large companies. The biggest difference between these two groups is that smaller businesses are more likely to buy products based on personal recommendations. They also tend to be more loyal than larger corporations, so building a relationship with them is important. For example, when I was working at BIC, I had one client who ordered personalized pens for their employees every year as part of their holiday gift. This helped me learn what they liked in terms of design and color.”

5. Can you give an example of a time when you exceeded expectations for a customer?

This question is a great way to show your ability to work with customers and exceed their expectations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the situation that helped you achieve success.

Example: “In my previous role as a customer service representative, I had a customer who was having trouble finding a particular product in our online store. After searching for several minutes, they were unable to find what they were looking for. I asked them if there was anything else we could help them find or any other information they needed from us. They told me they wanted to purchase some custom-printed notepads but couldn’t find those either.

I took down all of the information they provided and searched through our database again. This time, I found an old order that matched the description they gave me. I called them back and let them know I located the pads they were looking for. They were so happy when they received them.”

6. Would you say that you are more analytical or creative?

This question is designed to help the interviewer understand your strengths and how you would apply them in this role. Your answer should show that you have both analytical and creative skills, but one may be stronger than the other.

Example: “I think I’m a little more analytical than creative, although I do enjoy coming up with new ideas. In my last position, I was responsible for analyzing data from our marketing campaigns to determine which ones were most effective. This helped me develop strategies for future campaigns that increased sales by 10%.”

7. Of all the candidates, why should we hire you?

This question is a great way to see how well you can sell yourself. It’s important that you highlight your strengths and explain why they make you the best candidate for the job.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person, which makes me a great fit for this position. I have experience with managing multiple projects at once, so I know how to prioritize my time and delegate tasks effectively. My attention to detail also helps me ensure that all of my work is done accurately and on time.”

8. Why is it important to understand your territory and customers before making sales calls?

This question can help the interviewer assess your sales skills and how you interact with customers. Use examples from previous experience to show that you know how to research a territory, meet with clients and understand their needs.

Example: “I find it important to learn as much about my territory and customers before making sales calls because this helps me create relationships with them. I like to visit businesses in person to get an idea of what they need and who their target audience is. This allows me to make more informed suggestions when speaking with potential clients.”

9. Do you have any experience working with e-commerce clients?

E-commerce is a growing area of business, and many companies are expanding their online presence. If you have experience working with e-commerce clients in your previous roles, explain how you helped them grow their businesses through digital marketing strategies.

Example: “I worked as an account manager for a company that specialized in creating websites for small businesses. I was responsible for managing the client’s expectations and ensuring they were happy with our work. We also used social media to promote our clients’ products and services, which resulted in increased sales.”

10. What is your biggest weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be prepared with an answer that shows your ability to self-reflect. When answering this question, try to pick something that you are actively working on or have worked on in the past.

Example: “My biggest weakness is my perfectionism. I want everything I do to be perfect, which can sometimes lead me to take longer than necessary to complete tasks. In the past, I’ve learned to set aside time for myself to work on projects without interruption so that I can focus on getting them done as well as possible.”

11. What skills would you bring to this role?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. When answering, it can be helpful to list a few of your strongest skills and how they would benefit BIC.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which I believe are essential skills for this role. As someone who has worked in marketing before, I know how important it is to stay on top of deadlines and deliver high-quality work. My attention to detail also means that I will make sure all my work is thoroughly proofread and edited.”

12. Which area do you think has the greatest potential for growth at BIC: stationery or lighters?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can contribute to its success. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you know about BIC and which areas you think are growing.

Example: “I believe that lighters have the greatest potential for growth at BIC because they’re such an iconic product in the industry. I’ve noticed that many people use BIC lighters as gifts or promotional items, so I would love to help grow that part of the business.”

13. What kind of people do you enjoy working with?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your personality and how you might fit in with their team. When answering, it can be helpful to mention some specific qualities that make these people enjoyable to work with.

Example: “I enjoy working with people who are positive and friendly. I find that when everyone is in a good mood, we’re more productive and creative. In my last role, there was one person on our team who always had something nice to say about others. She would often compliment us on our work or give advice if she saw someone struggling. It made me feel appreciated and motivated me to do the same for others.”

14. Are you comfortable traveling 75% of the time?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your availability and willingness to travel. If you are not comfortable with frequent travel, be honest and explain why. If you are willing to travel often, discuss how you feel about it and what strategies you have for making the most of a traveling lifestyle.

Example: “I am very comfortable with frequent travel. I enjoy meeting new people and experiencing different places. In my last position, I was required to travel 75% of the time. I found that I enjoyed the opportunity to see so many new places and meet new people.”

15. Give an example of a time when you were able to build rapport with a difficult client.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you handle challenging situations. When answering, try to focus on the positive aspects of working with a difficult client and highlight any specific actions you took that helped improve their experience or relationship with BIC.

Example: “I once had a client who was very upset because they were having trouble using one of our products. I listened carefully to what they were saying and asked questions to understand exactly what the problem was. After learning more about the issue, I offered to send them a new product at no cost so they could use it for longer than the 30-day warranty period. They agreed, and after receiving the new product, they said they were happy with it.”

16. With all of our key accounts being assigned to one National Account Manager, how will you convince them that they need a Key Account Manager as well?

The interviewer may ask this question to understand how you would work with a team of people and what your approach is to collaborating. Your answer should show that you are willing to collaborate, but also highlight the value of having a Key Account Manager in addition to the National Account Manager.

Example: “I believe that it’s important for BIC to have both a National Account Manager and a Key Account Manager on each account. The National Account Manager can oversee all aspects of the business relationship while the Key Account Manager can focus on specific projects or initiatives that will help build stronger relationships between our company and theirs.”

17. What is the most effective way to reach out to new customers?

This question can help the interviewer understand your marketing and sales experience. Showcase your ability to reach out to new customers by providing examples of how you did so in previous roles.

Example: “I find that social media is one of the most effective ways to reach out to new customers because it’s a cost-effective way to build brand awareness and create relationships with potential clients. I have used Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to connect with new customers and provide them with valuable content about BIC products.”

18. Tell me about a time that you went above and beyond the call of duty for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. It also shows them that you have excellent customer service skills and can be relied upon to do what’s necessary to help others.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was having some issues with one of our products. They called in to complain about it, but they were very rude when speaking to me. I remained calm and listened to their concerns before offering to send them a new product or give them a refund. After talking to them for a few minutes, I realized that they were just frustrated because they couldn’t figure out how to use the product properly. I spent five minutes walking them through the steps until they understood how to use it.”

19. Have you ever worked on a cross-functional team? How did it go?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your teamwork skills. Use examples from previous jobs to show how you worked with different departments and helped achieve company goals.

Example: “In my last position, I was part of a cross-functional team that focused on increasing sales by 10% within six months. We met weekly to discuss our progress and brainstorm ideas for new ways to increase revenue. After three months, we had already exceeded our goal, so we set a higher one. By the end of the sixth month, we were able to meet this goal as well.”

20. When was the last time you presented something to someone and they didn’t agree with you?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and disagreement. It can also show them that you’re willing to stand up for your ideas and opinions, even if they differ from those of others.

Example: “When I was working as a sales associate at my local department store, I had an idea to change our display methods for some of our products. My manager didn’t agree with me, so we kept things the same way. However, after a few weeks, she saw that I was right and changed the displays.”