21 Cintas Interview Questions and Answers

Cintas is one of the leading providers of highly specialized services to businesses of all types. As such, they are always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team.

If you’re lucky enough to score an interview with Cintas, you can expect to be asked some tough questions. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Cintas interview questions, and how to answer them.

Cintas Interview Process

The interview process at Cintas is very thorough. It consists of multiple interviews, both over the phone and in person, as well as a ride along. The questions asked are typically about your experience and how it relates to the job you’re applying for. The process can take up to several weeks to complete.

1. How would you handle a customer who was unhappy with your work?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know that you can handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism. In your answer, demonstrate how you would use your communication skills to resolve the situation.

Example: “If a customer was unhappy with my work, I would first apologize for their dissatisfaction. Then, I would try to understand what they were unhappy about so I could address it. If there was something I could do to fix the issue or make them happy again, I would offer to help in any way I could. If not, I would explain our return policy and provide them with all of the information they needed.”

2. What are some of the common challenges in this position and how would you overcome them?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you understand the challenges of working in this position and how you would overcome them. When answering, it can be helpful to think about some of the common challenges you’ve faced in previous positions and how you overcame them.

Example: “The biggest challenge I see with this position is ensuring that our customers are happy with their uniforms. To do this, I would make sure my team was always on top of communication when providing updates or information to clients. I would also ensure that we were meeting all deadlines for orders and repairs.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an angry customer, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. They want to know how you would react in a challenging situation and if you have the ability to diffuse it.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. I listened to them explain what happened, apologized for any inconvenience and assured them that we would make sure it never happened again. We ended up sending out another shipment at no charge.”

4. Do you have experience working on sales quotas?

This question is a great way to determine how you will fit into the company’s sales quota system. If you have experience working on quotas, explain what your goals were and how you met them. If you don’t have experience with quotas, you can talk about other ways you’ve been motivated to sell or market products or services.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for selling our company’s uniforms to local businesses. My manager set monthly quotas that we had to meet in order to receive bonuses. I found this motivating because it helped me focus on meeting specific goals each month. I also enjoyed being able to help customers find the right uniform for their business.”

5. How do you think Cintas could improve its services?

This question is a great way to test your critical thinking skills and ability to provide constructive feedback. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the services you use most often and how they could improve.

Example: “I think Cintas does an excellent job providing its customers with quality products and services. However, I would like to see more transparency in the pricing of some of its services. For example, when I was working at my previous company, we had a service that provided free uniforms for employees who worked over 40 hours per week. This helped us save money as a business while also giving our employees a benefit.”

6. Can you tell us more about your experience with uniforms?

This question is a great way to gauge your knowledge of the company and its products. It also allows you to show off any experience you have with uniforms, which can be helpful if you’re applying for an entry-level position.

Example: “I’ve worked in retail my entire career, so I’m very familiar with Cintas’s uniform services. In fact, I’ve used them at every job I’ve had. My most recent employer was a small boutique that didn’t offer uniforms, but we still needed professional attire for our employees. We hired Cintas to provide us with employee uniforms, including shirts, pants, skirts, jackets and more.”

7. If you were hired for this job, what goals would you want to accomplish in the first 30 days?

This question is a great way to assess how ambitious you are and what your goals are for the future. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you would do if you were hired immediately and had no training or orientation period.

Example: “If I was hired today, my first goal would be to learn as much as possible about Cintas Corporation’s services and products. I would also want to get to know my coworkers and ask them questions about their jobs and experiences with the company. Another goal of mine would be to familiarize myself with the equipment in the warehouse so that I could begin working on projects right away.”

8. 60 days? 90 days?

Interviewers may ask this question to determine how long you plan to stay with their company. They want to know that you’re committed to the job and will be there for a while. When answering, make sure to mention your reasons for wanting to work at Cintas Corporation.

Example: “I’m looking for a career in uniform services, so I would like to stay here as long as possible. I’ve heard great things about Cintas Corporation’s training program, which is why I applied for this position. I think it would be beneficial to me to learn from some of the best professionals in the industry.”

9. Are you comfortable working independently?

Working for a company like Cintas requires you to be able to work independently. The interviewer wants to know if you have the ability to complete tasks without much supervision and how well you can manage your time.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently, especially when I’m given clear instructions on what is expected of me. In my last position, I was responsible for managing all aspects of our social media accounts, including creating content, scheduling posts and responding to comments and questions from followers. I found that I worked best when I had a set schedule each day so I could plan out my workload accordingly.”

10. Why are you interested in working at Cintas?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how you came across this particular job opening. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also show that you did some research on the company before applying.

Example: “I am interested in working at Cintas because of its reputation as an industry leader. I have done extensive research into the company and learned that it has been named one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For every year since 2005. This tells me that the company values its employees and offers competitive benefits and opportunities for growth.”

11. Provide an example of 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. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped a customer in a unique or challenging situation.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job as a sales associate, I had a customer who was looking for a specific type of dress shirt. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any in stock and would need to order them from our supplier. The customer needed these shirts by the end of the week, so I called our supplier directly and asked if they could rush the shipment. They agreed, and I personally delivered the shirts to the customer on time.”

12. Would you describe yourself as competitive?

Employers ask this question to determine if you have a competitive nature. They want to know that you’re willing to go above and beyond for the company, even when competing against other businesses. In your answer, explain how you are motivated by competition and what drives you to succeed.

Example: “I would definitely describe myself as competitive. I thrive on being able to outperform others in my field. When I was working at my previous job, we had a sales contest every month. I won the contest three months in a row because I wanted to prove that I could be the best salesperson in the company. It’s important to me to always do my best work.”

13. Describe a time when you achieved a quota or goal that you set for yourself.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential employer and how they measure success. It’s also an opportunity for you to show that you’re goal-oriented, ambitious and willing to work hard to achieve results.

Example: “At my current position, I set a goal of increasing sales by 10% in the first quarter of this year. We had just launched a new product line, so I knew it would be challenging to reach this goal. However, we exceeded our quota by 5%, which helped us meet our overall sales goals for the year.”

14. Have you ever worked in retail before?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience in the industry. If you have, they might also want to know what kind of retail store you worked at and for how long. They may also be looking for specific skills that you developed while working there.

Example: “I’ve never worked in retail before, but I did work as a server at a restaurant during college. There were many similarities between my job and yours, including customer service and problem-solving. However, I think I would enjoy working here because it seems like an environment where I could use my creativity.”

15. Give an example of a time when you faced a challenge at work, how did you solve it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about any challenges you’ve faced at work and explain how you overcame them.

Example: “In my previous role as an event planner, I was tasked with planning a large corporate event that required many different vendors. One of the vendors I hired for the event didn’t provide their services as promised, which caused some issues on the day of the event. I had to find another vendor who could replace the one who didn’t show up and ensure the event went smoothly. In the end, everything worked out well, but it was definitely a challenge.”

16. In your opinion, what is the key to being successful in business development?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to a role at Cintas. Your answer should include examples from your own experience that demonstrate your ability to succeed in business development.

Example: “I believe the key to being successful in business development is having a strong understanding of the customer’s needs, as well as the company’s goals. I have always been passionate about learning more about my customers’ businesses so I can provide solutions that meet their unique challenges. In my previous position, I worked with a client who was looking for ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. After researching their current processes, I recommended they switch to a less expensive but equally effective material for their uniforms.”

17. What industry did you sell products to most frequently?

This question is a great way to gauge your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to Cintas. If you have experience in the same industry as Cintas, use that information to highlight your skills and expertise. If you don’t have direct experience selling to businesses, consider using an example from another industry.

Example: “I’ve worked with small businesses for most of my career, so I’m very familiar with their needs. For instance, when working at my previous job, I noticed many clients were looking for more affordable options for uniforms. So, I started offering discounts on bulk orders and free shipping to encourage customers to buy more.”

18. What do you know about our company?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show the interviewer that you are serious about this position. Before your interview, make sure to thoroughly read through the job description and learn as much as you can about the company’s history, values and goals.

Example: “I know that Cintas has been in business for over 100 years and that it was founded by two brothers who were looking to create an innovative uniform rental service. I also understand that the company has grown significantly since its founding and now employs more than 50,000 people worldwide. I am excited to be part of such a successful organization.”

19. What positions have you held in the past?

This question is a great way to learn about your potential new employer’s culture. It also allows you to showcase your experience and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. When answering this question, be sure to highlight any skills or experiences that are relevant to the job description.

Example: “I’ve held several positions in my career, including customer service representative, sales associate and retail manager. I find that each of these positions has helped me develop valuable skills that have prepared me for this role at Cintas.”

20. What attracted you most to this role?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at Cintas. Your answer should include information about what you know about the company and how it fits with your career goals.

Example: “I am very interested in working in an environment that values diversity, which I understand Cintas does. In my research on the company, I also learned that it offers many opportunities for advancement within its organization. These two things are important to me because they show that the company cares about its employees and wants them to succeed.”

21. 20.How many new accounts would you like to acquire each month?

This question is a great way to assess your sales potential. When answering this question, it’s important to be realistic and honest about the number of accounts you can acquire in a month. If you’re unsure of how many new accounts you can acquire each month, consider asking your current manager or someone who has worked at Cintas for some time.

Example: “I would like to acquire two new accounts per week. I know that may seem ambitious, but I have been working toward this goal for quite some time now and feel confident that I am ready to take on more clients.”