20 Breakthru Beverage Group Interview Questions and Answers

Breakthru Beverage Group is one of the largest alcohol wholesalers in the United States. The company offers a wide range of alcoholic beverages, from beer and wine to spirits and mixers.

If you’re applying for a job at Breakthru Beverage Group, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Breakthru Beverage Group interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Breakthru Beverage Group Interview Process

The interview process at Breakthru Beverage Group is fairly simple and straightforward. The first step is usually a phone screen with HR, followed by a phone call with the hiring manager. After that, there may be one or two in-person interviews with different members of the organization. The whole process usually takes about 4 weeks from start to finish.

1. If a customer asked you to recommend a bottle of wine, how would you respond?

This question can help interviewers assess your wine knowledge and how you interact with customers. Use this opportunity to show that you are confident in recommending wines to customers, even if they’re not sure what they want.

Example: “I would first ask them about their preferences for the type of wine they like. If they have a favorite grape or region, I would recommend a bottle from that area. If they don’t know much about wine, I would explain some basic terms and concepts so they understand more about the process. Then, I would offer them a few different bottles based on their preferences.”

2. What is your experience in the beverage industry?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. Use this opportunity to highlight any relevant skills, knowledge or experiences that relate to the job description.

Example: “I have five years of experience in the beverage industry, where I worked as a barista at a coffee shop. There, I learned about different types of coffee beans and brewing methods. I also gained customer service experience by interacting with customers who ordered their favorite drinks. After working there for two years, I was promoted to shift supervisor, which helped me develop my leadership skills.”

3. Do you have any sales experience?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience in a sales role. If you do, they may ask you to describe your previous job duties and how they relate to this position. If you don’t have sales experience, you can talk about other relevant work experiences that involve customer service or problem-solving skills.

Example: “I worked as a bartender for five years before I applied for this position. During my time there, I learned how to interact with customers and solve problems on the fly. For example, when a customer asked me what beers were gluten-free, I had to think quickly and remember which ones we carried. This helped me learn more about our products and provided excellent customer service.”

4. How do you think you will be able to contribute to our company’s growth?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have a strong understanding of the company’s goals and how you can help achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to refer to the job description or any other information about the company’s current needs.

Example: “I believe my experience in customer service will be extremely beneficial to Breakthru Beverage Group as you continue to grow. I am committed to providing excellent customer service to every person who interacts with our brand, which includes customers, vendors and employees. I also think my ability to work well under pressure will be useful as we expand into new markets.”

5. Tell us about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle pressure and deadlines. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role as a marketing manager for a small business, I had to create a social media campaign in just two weeks. This was a tight deadline, but I knew that if we didn’t have a strong social media presence, our company wouldn’t be able to compete with larger brands. So, I assembled a team of five people who were all experts in their respective fields. We met every day at 8 a.m. to discuss ideas and plan out the rest of the day. By working together, we were able to complete the project on time.”

6. Give an example of a time where you were working on a project and something unexpected happened, what was your response?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you react in high-pressure situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time where you were working on a project that was due at a specific time but something unexpected happened and you had to adjust the deadline or even complete the project by yourself.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing manager for a wine company, I was working with a team to create a new ad campaign for our brand. We were all excited about the idea we came up with and started creating the ads right away. However, after a few days into production, one of my teammates informed us that they would need to take some time off from work because of a family emergency.

I knew that if we didn’t have someone replace them immediately, then we wouldn’t be able to meet our deadline. So, I decided to take over their responsibilities and finish the ad campaign myself. It took me longer than expected to get everything done, but I was still able to submit the campaign before the deadline.”

7. Have you ever worked with a team that had conflicting opinions? How did you resolve it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and resolve conflicts. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my previous role as a marketing manager for a small business, I worked with a team of five people who all had different opinions on what we should do for our social media campaign. We decided to hold a meeting where everyone could voice their opinion about the campaign. After hearing everyone’s thoughts, we came up with a plan that incorporated some of the ideas from each person.”

8. Describe a situation in which you had to work under strict deadlines. How did you manage your time?

Time management is an important skill for any employee to have. Employers ask this question to see if you can manage your time well and complete tasks on time. Use your answer to explain how you prioritize your work and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my previous role, I had a lot of projects that required my attention. At times, it was difficult to keep track of everything I needed to do. To help me stay organized, I created a calendar where I could write down all of my assignments. This helped me stay focused on the most important tasks and get them done before the deadline.”

9. Can you tell me about a time when you made a mistake at work?

Employers ask this question to see how you respond to mistakes and learn from them. They want to know that you are willing to admit your mistake, apologize for it and try to fix the situation. When answering this question, be honest about a time when you made a mistake at work and explain what steps you took to correct it.

Example: “When I first started working as a bartender, I was nervous and eager to impress my manager. One night, I accidentally gave a customer an alcoholic drink instead of their usual non-alcoholic one. The customer was very upset with me, but I apologized and offered to make them another drink on the house. My manager also spoke with the customer and explained that I would never intentionally give someone the wrong drink. After speaking with the customer, they were satisfied with our response.”

10. We are looking for someone who can accurately fill orders and complete deliveries efficiently. Why should we hire you?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. Use examples from your previous experience to highlight your ability to work quickly, accurately and efficiently.

Example: “I am a very organized person who can multitask well. I find it easy to keep track of multiple orders at once while still delivering them on time. In my last position, I was responsible for filling large orders in a short amount of time. I developed strategies to complete these tasks more efficiently, which helped me meet company goals.”

11. What makes Breakthru Beverage Group different from other companies?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how it stands out from other beverage companies. When answering this question, you can highlight specific aspects of Breakthru Beverage Group that make it unique or explain why you think it’s an attractive place to work.

Example: “Breakthru Beverage Group has a lot of differentiating factors that set it apart from other beverage companies. For example, I know that Breakthru Beverage Group offers competitive salaries for its employees, which is something that many other beverage companies don’t do. Another thing that makes Breakthru Beverage Group unique is its commitment to employee development. The company provides training opportunities and resources so that employees can learn new skills.”

12. Are you comfortable driving a truck or van?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your driving skills and experience. If you have never driven a truck or van, it’s important to let them know that you are willing to learn how to drive one.

Example: “I am comfortable driving a car, but I’ve never had the opportunity to drive a large vehicle like a truck or van. However, I’m confident that I can learn how to do so if necessary. I understand that this position requires me to transport cases of beer from the warehouse to various locations. I am prepared to take on this responsibility.”

13. What are some of your favorite beers/wines/spirits?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new coworker. It can also help you understand what types of drinks they enjoy making and selling. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest. If you don’t like the company’s products, try not to say anything negative. Instead, focus on why you prefer other brands or types of alcohol.

Example: “I’m a big fan of craft beers. I love trying out different kinds from all over the country. My favorite beer that Breakthru makes is the Blackberry Wheat Ale. I’ve never had a blackberry wheat ale before, but I really enjoyed it when I tried it at my friend’s house last weekend.”

14. Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might fit into their company culture. It’s important to be honest about your preferences, but it can also be helpful to explain why you prefer one over the other.

Example: “I enjoy working both independently and as part of a team. I find that when I work on my own, I can focus more deeply on my tasks and complete them efficiently. However, I also really enjoy collaborating with others and learning from their unique perspectives. In my last role, I worked mostly independently, but I was able to collaborate with my manager and another employee regularly.”

15. How important is follow-up after making a sale?

This question can help interviewers understand your customer service skills. They may want to know that you’re willing to go the extra mile for customers and make sure they have a positive experience with Breakthru Beverage Group.

Example: “I think it’s very important to follow up after making a sale because it allows me to ensure my customers are happy with their purchase. I always try to call or email customers within 24 hours of them placing an order to confirm everything is correct. If there’s anything they need, I’m more than happy to assist them.”

16. Tell us about a time when you had to present information to a group of people.

This question can help interviewers understand how you might handle a presentation at work. When answering, it can be helpful to mention the topic of your presentation and what you did to prepare for it.

Example: “In my last job as an assistant manager, I had to give a presentation about our company’s new marketing campaign to all of the store managers in my district. I prepared by researching the information I would need to share and practicing my delivery so that I could make sure I was clear and concise with my words. During the actual presentation, I used visuals to support my points and made sure to answer any questions they had.”

17. As a merchandiser, you may encounter situations where customers refuse to buy certain products. How would you deal with this type of situation?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges in your role. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “In my last position as a merchandiser for a wine distributor, I encountered this situation often. One of our most popular wines was also one of the most expensive. Customers would often refuse to buy it because they didn’t want to spend so much money on a bottle of wine. In these situations, I would try to convince them by offering other options that were similar but less expensive. If they still refused, I would offer them a discount or gift card to encourage them to purchase something else.”

18. What is your availability like?

Employers ask this question to make sure you can work the hours they need. They also want to know if you have any scheduling conflicts that might prevent you from working a full schedule. When answering, be honest about your availability and discuss how you would handle any scheduling conflicts.

Example: “I am available for full-time employment. I do not have any scheduling conflicts at this time, but if I did, I would try my best to find a solution with my employer. For example, if I had a child care conflict, I would look into daycare options or other childcare solutions. If I had a transportation conflict, I would arrange for public transportation or carpooling.”

19. How many bottles of beer can you carry at once?

This question is a fun way to see if you have the physical strength and endurance for this role. Employers ask it because they want someone who can lift heavy cases of beer, but also someone who will be safe while doing so. In your answer, show that you understand how important safety is in this role. Explain that you would never compromise your own or others’ safety when lifting these cases.

Example: “I am very strong, so I could probably carry up to 20 cases at once. However, I know that’s not always possible, so I would only do so if absolutely necessary. If there was an emergency situation where we needed to move cases quickly, I would make sure to find a partner to help me carry them safely.”

20. In your opinion, what are the most important qualities for a successful salesperson?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities to succeed in a sales position. Use your answer to highlight your communication, problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills.

Example: “I believe that the most important qualities for a successful salesperson are confidence, enthusiasm and passion. These three traits allow me to connect with my customers and provide them with information about our products. I also think it’s important to be organized and detail-oriented because these characteristics help me stay on top of my work.”