20 Cars.com Interview Questions and Answers

Cars.com is an online marketplace for buying and selling cars. The company offers a variety of tools and resources to help customers find the perfect car for their needs.

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

Cars.com Interview Process

The interview process at Cars.com can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone screen with HR, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be asked to complete a written assessment or presentation. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, although some candidates have found it to be slow or disorganized.

1. What is your experience with digital media?

Cars.com is a digital media company, so the interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your experience with online content and social media platforms. Use your answer to highlight any relevant skills or experiences that relate to Cars.com’s business model.

Example: “I have worked in digital media for five years now, and I’ve seen firsthand how it has changed the way people find information about cars. In my last position, I was responsible for creating engaging content on our website and social media channels. I also helped develop new strategies for reaching customers through these channels. This experience has given me valuable insight into what types of content resonate with consumers.”

2. How would you describe your sales style?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your sales style is a good fit for Cars.com’s culture and values. Your answer should show that you are honest, ethical and empathetic when selling products or services to customers.

Example: “I believe in being honest with my customers at all times. I would never try to sell them something they don’t need or want just because it makes me more money. Instead, I focus on educating my customers about their options so they can make an informed decision. I also value building relationships with my customers over time. This helps me understand what they really want and need from our company.”

3. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful account manager?

Account managers are responsible for managing client relationships and ensuring the success of their team. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the qualities they look for in an account manager. Before your interview, read through the job description to see what skills they’re looking for. Think about which ones you possess. Use these to answer this question.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities is communication. Account managers need to be able to communicate effectively with clients and other members of their team. I am a strong communicator, and I feel like I can help my team solve any issues that arise. Another quality I think is important is organization. As an accountant, I’m used to keeping track of many different numbers. I know how to organize all of those numbers so I can find them when I need them.”

4. Why should we hire you?

This question is a great way to test your confidence and ability to sell yourself. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight some of your most important skills or qualifications that make you the best candidate for the job.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who has excellent time management skills. I also have experience working in fast-paced environments with multiple projects at once. These skills are what helped me get through my last two jobs where I was responsible for managing large teams and organizing company events. My communication skills are another reason why I should be hired as your next social media manager. I have been praised by many of my coworkers for being able to clearly explain complex ideas.”

5. Provide an example of a time when you exceeded expectations in your previous role.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are capable of performing well in a fast-paced environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the most recent time you exceeded expectations and how it helped your company or team.

Example: “In my previous role as an account manager for a marketing agency, I was tasked with creating a campaign for a client who wanted to increase their sales by 20% within six months. After researching the client’s business model, I realized they were missing out on a large portion of their target audience because they weren’t using social media to advertise. I suggested we create a new advertising plan that included more social media platforms and other digital outlets. The client agreed, and after implementing our new strategy, they saw a 30% increase in sales.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have experience dealing with customers. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role as a sales associate at a department store, I had a customer who was upset because they couldn’t find what they were looking for in our inventory. They became increasingly frustrated and started raising their voice. Instead of getting defensive, I calmly explained that we didn’t carry that item but offered them an alternative product that might be more suitable. The customer calmed down and left the store satisfied.”

7. Describe your experience working with clients and developing new accounts.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work with clients and develop new accounts. Use examples from previous jobs or internships to highlight your skills in these areas.

Example: “I have experience working with both small businesses and large corporations, which has helped me understand the importance of developing relationships with my clients. I always make sure to listen carefully to what they want and respond quickly to their questions. This helps them feel more comfortable when making a big purchase and ensures that they’re happy with their decision.”

8. Do you have any experience managing a team of sales representatives?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you might manage a team of employees at Cars.com. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you have strong management skills, including communication, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

Example: “In my last position as a sales representative for ABC Company, I was responsible for managing a team of five other sales representatives. We were all in different locations, so we used video conferencing software to communicate with each other daily. I helped my team members solve problems they encountered while selling cars and provided guidance when needed. My team members appreciated my support and often asked me questions about how to handle certain situations.”

9. Cars.com wants our employees to be able to work independently, how do you feel about that?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are comfortable working independently and can complete tasks without much supervision. Use examples from previous work experiences where you were able to accomplish goals or projects on your own.

Example: “I feel confident in my ability to work independently, especially when it comes to completing daily tasks like responding to emails and phone calls. I am used to being the only person in a room during certain times of the day, so I don’t mind having some time to myself while I’m at work. In fact, I find that I get more done when I have fewer distractions.”

10. Are you comfortable using social media as a marketing tool?

Cars.com is a digital media company, and they want to know if you’re comfortable using social media as a marketing tool. This question helps them determine whether you have experience with social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Use your answer to highlight any previous experience you have with these types of platforms.

Example: “I am very familiar with the use of social media for marketing purposes. In my last role, I was in charge of our company’s social media accounts on all major platforms. I used this opportunity to create engaging content that would help us reach new audiences. I also used social media to promote our products and services.”

11. What do you know about the automotive industry?

This question is a great way to see how much you know about the industry and what your interests are. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’ve done some research on Cars.com, which can be helpful if you’re applying for a position in sales or marketing.

Example: “I’m very passionate about cars, so I follow several automotive publications and blogs. I also have a subscription to Car & Driver magazine, where I read all of their reviews and articles. I love learning about new car models and technology, as well as hearing from other drivers about their experiences with different vehicles.”

12. What makes you passionate about Cars.com?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and how you can contribute to its success. Your answer should include what attracted you to Cars.com, why you are passionate about working for this company and what you hope to achieve while employed here.

Example: “I am passionate about Cars.com because I have been following it since I was a teenager. I love cars and technology, so when I saw that Cars.com had both of these things, I knew I wanted to work here. I also think that my skills as a writer would be beneficial to the website’s content creation process.”

13. Have you ever worked in an environment where you were responsible for meeting quotas?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle pressure and deadlines. Use examples from your previous work experience to explain how you met quotas, what motivated you and whether or not you were successful in meeting them.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for selling at least 10 cars per month. I knew that if I wanted to keep my position as sales associate, I would have to meet this quota. To do so, I started by making sure I had a good understanding of each car on the lot. Then, I made sure I could answer any questions customers might have about the vehicles. This helped me build rapport with potential buyers and led to many sales.”

14. Can you tell us about a time when you had to make decisions about a process without consulting your direct manager.

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to make decisions and how you approach challenges. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to take on more responsibility than usual or when you were faced with a problem that required immediate attention.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a project with two other team members. We were all responsible for different aspects of the project, but one of my colleagues became ill and couldn’t complete their portion of the project. I spoke with my manager about what happened and they allowed me to finish the project by myself. It took longer than expected, but I learned valuable skills in time management and delegation.”

15. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s likely that you’ll be asked about your strengths and weaknesses at some point during the hiring process. When answering this question, try to focus on two or three of your strongest skills while also acknowledging any areas for improvement.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I’ve always been someone who enjoys collaborating with others to solve problems and find solutions. My weakness would probably be my attention to detail. While I’m very organized and can usually remember important details, sometimes I get so focused on other things that I forget to double-check everything.”

16. Which shift are you available to work?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your availability. They may also want to know if you have any conflicts with other employees or their own work schedule. In your answer, be honest about your availability and try to avoid scheduling conflicts.

Example: “I am available to work all three shifts. I prefer working the evening shift because it allows me to spend time with my family during the day. However, I am flexible and would be willing to switch to whatever works best for the company.”

17. What was one thing that you disliked about your previous job?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what your work style is like. It also helps them determine if there are any major red flags in your background that may cause problems for Cars.com. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest but also highlight how you overcame or improved upon the issue.

Example: “The biggest thing I disliked about my previous job was having a manager who didn’t support me when I needed it most. They would often criticize me in front of other employees instead of speaking with me privately. Eventually, I learned to overcome this by finding ways to improve myself without needing their approval.”

18. We pride ourselves on being innovative, what do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your thought process when it comes to innovation. Your answer should include what you think is most important about being innovative and how you would apply that to Cars.com’s goals.

Example: “I believe the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative is to make sure you’re not just innovating for the sake of innovating. You need to have a goal in mind, whether it’s increasing sales or improving customer satisfaction. If you can find ways to do those things through innovation, then you’ll be successful.”

19. What are some tools you use to keep up with the latest trends?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of interest in keeping up with industry news and trends. Use examples from your experience to show that you are passionate about learning new things, including how to use new technology or software programs.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my customer service skills. I recently took a course on using social media to engage customers online. It was an excellent opportunity to learn more about how to communicate with customers through different channels. Another thing I do is subscribe to several automotive-related newsletters. This way, I get updates on the latest car models, sales events and other information.”

20. If hired, how would you approach this position?

This question is a great way to assess how you would approach your job responsibilities. It also allows the interviewer to see if you have any unique ideas about how to perform your job duties. In your answer, try to highlight some of your skills and abilities that make you qualified for this position.

Example: “I believe my communication skills are one of my greatest strengths. I am always willing to help others with their questions or concerns. If hired, I would use my ability to communicate effectively with both customers and coworkers to provide excellent customer service. I would also use my problem-solving skills to find solutions to common issues. For example, if there was an issue with the website, I would work with other team members to resolve it as quickly as possible.”