20 Chicago Transit Authority Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to public transportation, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is one of the largest and most well-known transit systems in the United States. As such, CTA interviews can be quite competitive.

If you’re hoping to land a job with the CTA, it’s important to be prepared to answer both general interview questions about your qualifications and experience, as well as specific CTA interview questions that assess your knowledge of the company and its operations.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common CTA interview questions, along with sample answers to give you an idea of what the interviewer is looking for.

Chicago Transit Authority Interview Process

The interview process at Chicago Transit Authority can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, like internships, there may only be one interview. For others, like bus operators, there may be multiple interviews. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position. Some positions, like performance management analyst, may have a more technical interview, while others, like customer service assistant, may have a more behavioral interview. Overall, the interview process at CTA is generally positive, though it can be lengthy and difficult to get in at first.

1. How would you describe yourself?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and values. It also helps employers determine if you are a good fit for their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include some personal details that show your unique background or interests.

Example: “I am an outgoing person who loves meeting new people. I’m always willing to help others out, even when it means going above and beyond my job description. I have a passion for public transportation because I love seeing how happy it makes people when they get where they need to go. I think of myself as someone who is always looking for ways to improve things.”

2. Why do you want to work for the Chicago Transit Authority?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the Chicago Transit Authority that interest you or what drew you to apply for the role.

Example: “I want to work for the Chicago Transit Authority because I am passionate about public transportation and would love to contribute to an organization that provides such important services to the city. I have always been interested in how transit systems operate and believe I could make valuable contributions to your team.”

3. What is your experience in customer service?

Customer service is an important part of working for the Chicago Transit Authority. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your experience interacting with customers and how you can apply those skills to work for them. To answer, think about a time when you helped a customer solve a problem or find what they needed. Explain that you enjoy helping people and solving problems.

Example: “I have worked as a cashier at my local grocery store for five years now. I love interacting with our customers and making sure they are happy with their shopping experience. When someone has a question, I am always willing to help them find the right product or information. In fact, I recently helped one of our regular customers find a new gluten-free pasta option after she told me her son was diagnosed with celiac disease.”

4. Describe a time when you had to deal with an upset customer, how did you handle it?

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

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they missed their bus stop. I listened to them explain what happened and then asked if there was anything else that could have caused this situation. They said no, so I explained that missing a bus stop is not something we can control. However, I did offer to give them a free ride home as an apology for the inconvenience.”

5. Do you have any experience working on a team and dealing with conflict?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you resolve conflict. To answer, think of a time when you worked on a team and had to deal with conflict. Explain what steps you took to resolve the issue and highlight any specific skills or traits that helped you work through it.

Example: “I have experience working on a team where I was one of two drivers for a bus route. One day, my coworker called in sick, leaving me as the only driver for the entire route. I knew I would need to drive quickly but safely to get all the passengers to their destinations before the end of the line. My coworker and I discussed our roles ahead of time so we both understood who would do what if either of us were unavailable.

In this situation, I used my communication skills to explain the situation to the passengers and let them know there would be a slight delay. Then, I focused on driving safely and efficiently to make up for lost time.”

6. Would you be comfortable working with people of all backgrounds and ages?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with people from different backgrounds. To answer, think of a time when you worked with someone who was older or younger than you, or someone who had a different background than you.

Example: “I have experience working with all types of people in my previous role as a bus driver. One day I picked up an elderly woman who needed help getting on the bus. She spoke very little English, so I used hand gestures to communicate with her until she understood me. It took some patience, but we were able to get her where she needed to go.”

7. Are you willing/able to work non-traditional hours?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you’re flexible and willing to work odd hours. If you are, explain why. If not, explain your reasoning.

Example: “I am able to work non-traditional hours because I have experience working nights and weekends at my current job. However, I prefer to work during the day because it’s easier for me to stay focused on my tasks when there are more people around. I also find that I’m more productive when I can see natural light.”

8. Tell me about a time where you went above and beyond 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 how you can help others and be helpful in general.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was having trouble with their account. They were calling us multiple times per day about it, which made it difficult for me to get other work done. I spent an hour on the phone with them going over everything they needed to know about their account. After explaining things to them, they understood and stopped calling so much.”

9. What are some of the things that make a good CTA employee?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the CTA and how it operates. You can talk about some of the qualities you have that make you a good employee, such as reliability, communication skills or teamwork.

Example: “A good CTA employee should be someone who is reliable, responsible and dedicated to their job. They should also be able to communicate effectively with others and work well in a team setting. I think these are all important qualities for anyone working in public transportation.”

10. Can you tell us about a time you made a mistake at work and what you learned from it?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you use them to improve your work. When answering, try to think of a time when you made a mistake at work but learned from it and used that knowledge to do better in the future.

Example: “When I first started working as a bus driver, I was so focused on getting my passengers where they needed to go that I forgot to check their tickets. One day, I realized I had forgotten to collect tickets for half of my route. I immediately pulled over and checked everyone’s ticket. I also spoke with my supervisor about what happened and learned how important it is to double-check everything before moving on to the next stop.”

11. Can you tell us about a time you were under pressure to meet a deadline – how did you manage it?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work under pressure and how you manage it. When answering this question, think of a time when you had to meet a deadline for a project or task at work. Explain what the situation was and how you managed to complete the task on time.

Example: “At my current job, I am responsible for updating our social media accounts daily. There are times when I have been under pressure to post something new every day. In these situations, I make sure that I plan out my posts ahead of time so I can write them quickly and publish them on time.”

12. What do you think is most important for someone who works for the CTA?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your values and how you would fit in with their team. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific that you noticed about the CTA’s operations during your research or what you learned from talking to someone who works there.

Example: “I think one of the most important things for anyone working at the CTA is customer service. I’ve seen first-hand how much people rely on public transportation, so it’s crucial that we provide excellent service to our riders. Another thing I think is important is safety. The CTA has some of the best security measures in place, which makes me feel safe when riding the trains.”

13. What can we expect from you as an employee?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a hard worker and have good intentions. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also highlight some of your best qualities.

Example: “I am someone who always strives for excellence. I will work as hard as possible to ensure that all passengers get where they need to go safely and on time. I’m also very friendly and outgoing, so I’ll make sure to greet everyone with a smile. I understand how important customer service is, especially when it comes to public transportation.”

14. Would you say you are a leader or prefer to take direction?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might fit into their team. If you are a leader, describe your leadership style and if you prefer to take direction, explain what type of leader you would like to work for.

Example: “I am definitely more of a leader than a follower. I believe that my ability to motivate others and inspire confidence in them is one of my greatest strengths. In my last position, I was promoted to lead driver after only six months on the job. I enjoy helping new drivers learn the ropes and feel confident behind the wheel.”

15. When was the last time you had to solve a problem without much guidance?

This question can help employers understand how you approach challenges and solve problems. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you had to use your critical thinking skills to find a solution.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant for a small business, the company’s IT specialist went on vacation right before our website crashed. The owner of the company didn’t have anyone else who could fix the problem, so he asked me if I knew anything about coding or fixing websites. I told him that I didn’t know much about coding but would do my best to figure out what was wrong with the site. After looking at the code for a while, I realized that there was a missing semicolon causing the issue.”

16. Give an example of a time when you had to adapt quickly. What happened and how did you react?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to change. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight how you reacted to a challenging situation and overcame it.

Example: “When I was working as an administrative assistant, my boss asked me to organize a meeting with several other managers. However, one of them called in sick at the last minute. I had to quickly rearrange the seating chart so everyone could see each other. It took some time, but we were able to get everything set up before the meeting started.”

17. We’re looking for someone who is able to solve problems independently. Can you give an example of a time when this came up for you?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and how you used them to solve a challenge. It’s also a chance to highlight any specific skills that helped you succeed in the situation.

Example: “When I was working as a bus driver, we had a passenger who needed assistance getting on the bus. They were using a walker and couldn’t get up the stairs by themselves. I asked if anyone could help them onto the bus, but no one volunteered. So, I got off the bus and helped them myself. The next day, another passenger with a similar issue came along. This time, someone else stepped forward to help.”

18. Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about why you feel you’d be a great addition to our team?

This is your chance to show the interviewer that you’re passionate about this role and how it fits into your career goals. If you have any special skills or experience that relate to this position, be sure to mention them here as well.

Example: “I feel I would be a great addition to the Chicago Transit Authority because of my passion for public transportation. I’ve been working in the industry for five years now, and I’m excited to continue learning more about the transit system in Chicago. I also think I’d be an asset to the team due to my ability to work independently while still collaborating with others.”

19. What kind of goals have you set for yourself recently?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better as a person and how your goals align with those of the Chicago Transit Authority. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a goal that is relevant to the position you’re applying for or one that shows your dedication to public service.

Example: “I recently set a goal to read more books in 2018. I’ve always enjoyed reading but haven’t had much time to do so since starting my career. However, I find that learning new things helps me grow professionally and personally, so I decided to make time each day to read at least 20 pages. So far, I’m on track to meet this goal.”

20. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your career goals. They want to know if you plan on staying with the company for a long time or if you’re looking for something temporary. When answering, be honest and explain what steps you’ve taken to get where you are in your career.

Example: “I see myself working here at the Chicago Transit Authority in five years. I’m committed to my education and have been taking classes toward my master’s degree in transportation management. I hope to one day become an operations manager so that I can help others achieve their dreams of becoming a professional driver.”