20 Diageo Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job at Diageo, you can expect to be asked some company specific interview questions. Diageo is a global leader in the food and beverage industry, so they’re looking for candidates who are passionate about food and drink and have the skills to match.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some common Diageo interview questions and answers. Whether you’re interviewing for a position in marketing, sales, or operations, these questions will give you a good idea of what to expect.

Diageo Interview Process

The interview process at Diageo is relatively lengthy, taking an average of six weeks from start to finish. However, this can vary depending on the position you are applying for and the number of candidates being interviewed. The first step is usually a phone screen with a recruiter, followed by one or more in-person interviews with members of the team you would be working with. These interviews tend to be fairly difficult, focusing on both your technical skills and ability to work within Diageo’s corporate culture. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with most candidates finding the interviewers to be professional and respectful.

1. What marketing experience do you have?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer your marketing experience and how it relates to the position. If you have previous marketing experience, describe what you did in that role and how it prepared you for this one.

Example: “In my last position as a social media manager, I was responsible for creating content for our company’s Instagram account. I would post photos of our products and create hashtags that were relevant to our target audience. This helped us reach more customers and increase sales by 10% within six months of starting the job.”

2. Tell me about a time when you had to work with several different stakeholders on a project, how did you manage it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. Use examples from previous experiences where you had to manage multiple stakeholders, including internal and external clients or teams.

Example: “In my last role as a marketing manager for a small business, I worked with several different stakeholders on various projects. For example, I collaborated with our sales team to create content that would appeal to our target audience while also meeting their needs. I also worked closely with our social media team to develop strategies that would increase engagement and reach. This helped us grow our brand awareness and customer base.”

3. Describe your experience in the alcohol industry.

This question is a great way to show the interviewer your experience in the industry and how it relates to the position you’re applying for. Use this opportunity to highlight any unique experiences or skills that relate to the job description.

Example: “I’ve been working in the alcohol industry since I graduated college, where I earned my bachelor’s degree in business management with an emphasis on marketing. My first job was as a sales representative at a local liquor store, where I learned about the different types of alcohol and brands available. After two years there, I moved up to a regional distributor, where I worked directly with retailers to help them find new products and increase their sales.”

4. How would you handle an angry client?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills. Use examples from previous jobs to show how you handled a difficult situation and helped resolve it.

Example: “In my last position, I had a client who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. They were also disappointed with the quality of the product. I apologized for the inconvenience and offered them a discount on their next purchase. The client accepted the offer and said they would be ordering again soon. This shows that I am willing to make up for any mistakes and ensure customers are happy.”

5. In what ways has your previous employment prepared you for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to the job you’re applying for. Use your answer to highlight any skills, knowledge or experience that directly relate to the position.

Example: “My previous employment has prepared me for this role in many ways. I have extensive customer service experience, which is a key skill for this position. My ability to work well with others and communicate effectively are also important qualities of this role. Additionally, my previous experience working in a fast-paced environment has helped me develop the time management skills needed to succeed in this role.”

6. Give an example of a time where you were challenged by a stakeholder and how you overcame the challenge.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time where you had to compromise or adjust your ideas in order to meet the needs of another person.

Example: “When I was working on a marketing campaign for a client, my team and I were trying to come up with an idea that would appeal to both men and women. My initial thought was to create a campaign that focused on the brand’s whiskey as a drink that could be enjoyed by anyone. However, when we presented our idea to the client, they told us that their target audience was mostly male. We then adjusted our campaign to focus more on the masculine side of the brand.”

7. What are some current issues facing our industry?

This question can help the interviewer determine your awareness of current issues in the industry and how you might approach them. You can use this opportunity to show that you are passionate about helping solve problems within the alcohol industry.

Example: “I believe one of the biggest issues facing our industry is underage drinking. I think it’s important for us as an industry to work together to find solutions to this problem, such as developing more effective ways to educate consumers on responsible consumption. Another issue I see is the lack of diversity in the workplace. I would like to help implement programs that encourage hiring managers to consider a wider range of candidates when filling positions.”

8. Do you consider yourself a creative person?

This question is a great way to determine whether you’re a good fit for the company culture. If you are, it’s likely that your ideas will be valued and appreciated by your colleagues. This can help you build relationships with them and make you more successful in your role.

Example: “I consider myself quite creative. I’ve always been able to come up with new ways of doing things or solving problems. In my last position, I was tasked with creating an event that would bring in new customers. I came up with the idea of hosting a wine tasting at a local park. It was so popular that we ended up having to host another one.”

9. Have you worked internationally before?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with people from other countries. If you haven’t, you can talk about how you would adapt to a new culture and learn more about it.

Example: “I’ve worked internationally before, but I was always in an English-speaking country. When I first started my career, I had no idea what to expect when working abroad. However, I learned that adapting to different cultures is all about being open-minded and willing to learn. I try to be as respectful as possible of others’ customs and traditions, and I make sure to ask questions if I don’t understand something.”

10. Why do you want to leave your current position?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are looking for a new position because you want to grow and develop your career or if you’re looking for a change. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about why you’re looking for a new job but also highlight how your skills and experience make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I’m looking for a new position because I feel like my current company is no longer challenging me. I’ve been with them for five years now, so I think it’s time for me to find a new opportunity where I can continue to learn and grow as a professional. My previous positions have given me valuable sales and marketing experience that I know will benefit Diageo.”

11. Would you be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

Working in a fast-paced environment is common for many positions at Diageo. The company operates on a global scale, so employees need to be able to work quickly and efficiently while also maintaining quality standards. Your answer should show that you can handle the pace of working in a large corporation.

Example: “I have worked in a fast-paced environment before, and I enjoy it because it allows me to get more done in less time. However, I know that sometimes it’s important to slow down and take your time with tasks. For example, when I was working as an accountant, we had a deadline to submit our financial reports. We were under pressure to finish them by a certain date, but I knew that rushing through my work would lead to mistakes. So instead, I took extra care to make sure everything was correct.”

12. Tell us why you’re interested in working at Diageo.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how you came to apply for this role. Use your answer to highlight any personal experiences with Diageo products or brands, as well as your interest in working for a large company like Diageo.

Example: “I’m interested in working at Diageo because of my love for the Smirnoff brand. I’ve been drinking Smirnoff since college, and it’s always been one of my favorite drinks. I also think that working for such a large company would be an amazing opportunity. I know that if I work hard here, I can make a real difference.”

13. What is your experience with financial reporting?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with financial reporting and how you use it to improve business processes. Use examples from your past work experience to explain how you used financial reports to make decisions about company spending, revenue or other aspects of a business’s finances.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant for a small business, I was responsible for creating monthly financial statements that included income and expense reports, balance sheets and cash flow statements. These reports helped me identify areas where we could save money by cutting expenses and increase revenue by finding new customers and increasing sales. The reports also helped me understand when our business needed additional funding to support growth.”

14. Are you familiar with GAAP?

GAAP stands for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This is a set of standards that companies must follow when reporting their financial information to the public. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with GAAP and how well you understand it. In your answer, try to show that you know what GAAP is and why it’s important.

Example: “GAAP is an acronym for ‘Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.’ It’s a set of rules that all publicly traded companies must follow when reporting their financial information. These principles are designed to ensure that investors can trust the accuracy of the company’s reports. I’ve worked in accounting for several years now, so I’m very familiar with GAAP. I also regularly review my company’s financial statements to make sure they’re following these guidelines.”

15. What is the most challenging part of managing people?

This question is an opportunity to show your leadership skills and how you can overcome challenges. When answering this question, think about a time when you had to manage people who were not performing well or faced other issues that required your attention.

Example: “The most challenging part of managing people is having to let them go. I have had to do it in the past, but only when someone was consistently underperforming or causing problems for their team members. It’s never easy to fire someone, but I try to make sure they understand why it’s happening so they can learn from the experience and find success elsewhere.”

16. What does integrity mean to you?

Integrity is a key value for many employers, and it’s important to show that you have strong moral values. When answering this question, be sure to emphasize your commitment to honesty and ethical behavior.

Example: “Integrity means being honest in all aspects of my life. I believe that if I am not honest with myself about who I am and what I want, then I can’t make good decisions or treat others well. Integrity also means treating everyone fairly, even when they are difficult to work with. It’s important to me that I always act ethically, no matter the situation.”

17. What major problems in the world would you like to help solve?

This question is a great way to show your passion for helping others and the world. It also shows that you are aware of major issues in society, which can be helpful if you’re applying for a position with social responsibility. When answering this question, it’s important to keep your answer concise and specific.

Example: “I would love to help solve the problem of hunger in our country. I think we have enough food to feed everyone, but there are many reasons why people don’t have access to it. If I could find ways to get more food to those who need it most, I would feel like I was making a real difference.”

18. When was a time that you stood up for something you believed in?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personal values may align with those of Diageo. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you stood up for something that was important to you or helped someone else in need.

Example: “When I first started working at my current company, there was an issue where one of our employees wasn’t getting their commission checks on time. This employee had just become a single parent and needed the money to support their family. I spoke with my manager about the situation and they were able to work out a solution so that the employee would receive their check within two weeks instead of three.”

19. What projects have you done that required you to use both qualitative and quantitative analysis?

This question is a great way to show your ability to use both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Qualitative analysis involves looking at the big picture, while quantitative analysis focuses on specific details. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a project that required you to do both types of analysis.

Example: “At my current job, I have been working on a project where we are trying to understand what our customers want from us. To do this, I am using qualitative research methods like surveys and focus groups. However, I also need to look at more detailed information about who our customers are and how they behave. For example, I might find out that most of our customers are between the ages of 18 and 25. This helps me determine which products we should offer.”

20. Is there anything else you would like to add?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are passionate about this role and company. Use it as an opportunity to share any additional information that may be relevant, such as a connection you have with Diageo or how excited you are to work for them.

Example: “I am very excited to join the team at Diageo because I’ve always been impressed by their commitment to quality and innovation. As someone who has worked in the spirits industry for many years, I can say that they are one of the best brands out there. I’m looking forward to working with you all to continue making great products.”