20 Ecolab Interview Questions and Answers

Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services. Every day, we help make the world cleaner, safer and healthier – protecting people and vital resources. With 2015 sales of $13.5 billion and 47,000 employees, we serve customers in more than 170 countries.

Our products and services touch nearly every aspect of daily life, delivering clean water, safe food, abundant energy and healthy environments. And, we are constantly innovating to find new ways to protect what matters most – people, places and the planet.

Ecolab has been recognized by Forbes as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies and by Fortune magazine as a World’s Most Admired Company.

If you are interviewing with Ecolab, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your skillset, and your motivation for wanting to work with the company. In addition, you may be asked company-specific questions about Ecolab’s products, services, and culture. Here are some sample questions you could be asked in an interview for a position at Ecolab.

Ecolab Interview Process

The interview process at Ecolab is lengthy, difficult, and overall not a great experience. It can take up to two months to hear back from the company after applying, and the interviews themselves are very challenging. Many of the questions are behavioral-based, and candidates report feeling like they are being grilled by the interviewer. The overall consensus is that the interview process is very stressful and not worth the effort.

1. What do you know about the company?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show the interviewer that you are serious about this role. Ecolab is a large company, so it’s important to know as much as possible about its history, products and services. You can also use this opportunity to mention any personal connections you have with the company or people who work there.

Example: “I’ve been following Ecolab for years because my father works in their marketing department. I’m very familiar with the company’s mission and values, which is why I am so excited to be here today. I think I would fit right into the culture of this organization.”

2. Describe your experience working in a team environment.

Ecolab is a large company that operates in many different industries. Your answer to this question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with people from different backgrounds and cultures. This can be an important skill for employees at Ecolab, as they work with customers and vendors from all over the world.

Example: “I’ve worked on several teams throughout my career, including my college internship program and my previous job. I find that teamwork is one of the most effective ways to get things done. In my last position, I was part of a team that developed new marketing strategies for our client’s products. We each had our own responsibilities, but we also collaborated to come up with ideas and solve problems.”

3. Are you willing to travel up to 50% of the time?

Ecolab is a global company, so employees may be asked to travel for business. This question helps the interviewer determine if you are comfortable with this aspect of the job. If you have experience traveling for work, mention that in your answer. If you do not have experience traveling for work, explain how you would handle it.

Example: “I am willing to travel up to 50% of the time as long as I know when and where I will be going. In my previous position, I was required to travel every quarter. I found out about my next destination at least two weeks before the trip. I packed light and brought only what I needed. I also made sure to get plenty of rest before each trip.”

4. How would you deal with an irate customer?

Ecolab is a company that provides customer service to its clients. The interviewer may ask this question to see how you would handle an upset client and ensure they leave the conversation satisfied. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you can remain calm under pressure, empathize with customers and resolve their issues quickly.

Example: “I once had a customer who called me because he was unhappy with our product. He said it wasn’t doing what we advertised it could do. I asked him if he used all of the product as directed. He told me he did but still didn’t think it worked. I explained to him that sometimes products take longer than expected to work. After explaining this to him, he felt better about the situation and decided to give it more time.”

5. Can you describe a time when you had to work under tight deadlines?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle pressure and whether or not you have experience working in a fast-paced environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to work under tight deadlines and what steps you took to meet them successfully.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for managing all of our social media accounts. One day, we received an influx of comments on one of our posts that needed immediate attention. I worked with my team to respond to each comment as quickly as possible while also ensuring they were appropriate. We managed to address every single comment within two hours.”

6. Do you feel comfortable having face-to-face meetings with customers on a regular basis?

Ecolab is a company that values customer service. This question helps the interviewer determine if you are willing to put in extra effort to ensure customers have positive experiences with Ecolab and its products. Your answer should show your willingness to meet with customers regularly, as well as how you would use these meetings to improve their experience.

Example: “I feel it’s important for me to get out into the field and speak with our customers on a regular basis. I find that face-to-face meetings allow me to learn more about what our customers need from us and how we can better serve them. In my last position, I had weekly meetings with customers where they could ask questions and provide feedback. These meetings helped me identify areas of improvement within the organization.”

7. Tell us about a time when you struggled to meet a goal, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight how you overcame challenges and achieved success.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with increasing sales by 10% within six months. At first, it seemed like an attainable goal, but as time went on, we realized that our competitors were also experiencing growth. We decided to change our strategy and focus on quality over quantity. In the end, we exceeded our original goal by 5%, which helped us maintain our market share.”

8. What is your opinion about the current state of the water industry?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can improve it. You should discuss what you like about the water industry, as well as any challenges or problems that need to be addressed.

Example: “The current state of the water industry is exciting because there are so many ways we can make improvements. I think one way we can help conserve more water is by using technology to monitor our usage. For example, Ecolab has a system called WaterSpot that monitors water use in real time. This allows us to identify leaks and other issues before they become major problems. Another thing we can do is educate people on how important clean water is for life.”

9. If Ecolab were to implement a new program or product, what factors should be taken into account?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your critical thinking skills and how you would implement new programs or products within Ecolab. Your answer should show that you can think critically, evaluate data and make decisions based on facts rather than assumptions.

Example: “When implementing a new program or product, I would first consider whether it aligns with the company’s mission statement and goals. If so, I would then look at the cost of implementation and compare this to the projected revenue from the new program or product. Finally, I would ensure that there are no legal issues surrounding the new program or product.”

10. Why are you interested in sales and/or marketing positions?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are interested in working for Ecolab. Use your answer to highlight a few of your skills, experiences or interests that make you a good fit for this role.

Example: “I have always been passionate about helping businesses grow their sales and marketing strategies. I find it rewarding to see companies succeed with innovative ideas and new products. In my last position as a marketing specialist, I helped develop an advertising campaign for a local business that increased its revenue by 20% within six months. This experience made me realize how much I enjoy being part of a team that helps clients achieve their goals.”

11. What is your greatest strength and weakness?

This question is a common one in interviews. Employers ask it to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They also want to know if you are honest about your weaknesses. When answering this question, be sure to focus on strengths that relate to the job.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am very thorough when working on projects, which helps me ensure I complete tasks correctly. My weakness is that I sometimes work too hard. I get so focused on getting things done that I forget to take breaks. This can lead to mistakes or accidents.”

12. If hired, how long do you plan on staying at Ecolab?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re committed to the company. They want employees who are going to stay for a long time, so they can invest in training them and helping them grow their skills. When answering this question, be honest about your intentions but also show that you have ambition. Explain why you would like to stay at Ecolab for a long time.

Example: “I plan on staying at Ecolab for as long as I can. I love working here, and I feel like there’s still a lot of room for me to grow. I’m excited to learn more about the industry and develop my career with Ecolab.”

13. Give me an example of a time you had to make a difficult decision.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you make decisions and what your thought process is. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example that shows you are decisive and have good judgment skills.

Example: “When I was working as a manager at my previous job, we had a situation where one of our employees was consistently late for work. This employee’s tardiness affected their ability to complete their tasks on time, which in turn affected other team members’ productivity. After talking with the employee about their lateness, they assured me that there wasn’t a reason for their tardiness and that it wouldn’t happen again. However, after several more instances of being late, I decided to terminate them from their position.”

14. Have you worked for any companies that compete with Ecolab?

This question is a great way to see if you have any bias toward Ecolab. If you do, the interviewer will want to know why you’re interested in working for their company instead of that one. If you don’t, they’ll want to know what makes Ecolab unique and better than its competitors.

Example: “I’ve worked for several companies that compete with Ecolab. I find it interesting how different each company’s approach is to solving similar problems. For example, my current employer focuses on providing solutions for water treatment while Ecolab focuses more on sanitation. While both are important, I think there’s room for both types of companies to exist.”

15. Give us examples of times you have successfully met a quota.

This question is a great way to show your ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific quota you were working toward and how you met or exceeded it.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with reaching a goal of selling $1 million in products per month. At first, we weren’t meeting that quota, but after some research, I found out our sales team wasn’t properly marketing our products online. We started using more digital marketing techniques, which helped us reach our quota every month for the rest of the year.”

16. What are some ways you can grow professionally in this position?

Ecolab is a company that values employee growth and development. They want to know how you can grow in your role as an engineer, so they can ensure you have the tools you need to succeed. When answering this question, think about what skills you would like to develop or what goals you would like to achieve.

Example: “I am currently working on my certification for Six Sigma Black Belt, which I hope to complete by the end of the year. This will help me become more efficient at problem-solving and identifying issues within the company. Another way I plan to grow professionally is through networking with other engineers and professionals in the industry. I believe it’s important to learn from others, and I’m always looking for new connections.”

17. Our employees must be able to work independently. Would you consider yourself someone who works well independently?

Ecolab wants employees who can work independently. This is because the company has a decentralized structure, meaning that each employee must be able to make decisions and solve problems on their own. When answering this question, show your ability to think critically and problem-solve.

Example: “I am someone who works well independently. I have been working in my current position for five years now, and I’ve never had any issues with making decisions or solving problems on my own. In fact, I enjoy having the freedom to do so. However, I also know that sometimes it’s necessary to ask for help when you’re unsure of something.”

18. Is there anything that we can improve upon as a company?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re willing to provide constructive feedback. It also shows them that you have the ability to identify problems and offer solutions. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you would change if given the opportunity.

Example: “I think Ecolab has an excellent reputation for providing quality products and services. However, I do believe there are some areas where we can improve. For example, I noticed that our customer service department was understaffed during my last visit. This led to longer wait times on the phone and in-person visits. If I were hired, I would suggest hiring more employees to help reduce these wait times.”

19. Tell me about a time where you had a low performing employee and how you handled it.

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can help others succeed. When answering this question, it’s important to focus on the steps you took to improve their performance and highlight any positive outcomes that resulted from your actions.

Example: “In my last role as an HR manager, I had one employee who was consistently late to work. This behavior led to them being written up by management, but they continued to be late for work. After speaking with them about their tardiness, we realized that they were having trouble getting their child ready in time for school every morning. We worked out a solution where they would arrive at work 15 minutes early each day so they could get their child ready for school and still make it to work on time.”

20. As a Sales Representative, you will sometimes encounter resistance from customers. What is your approach when encountering these situations?

Ecolab wants to know how you will handle challenging situations in the workplace. This question is your opportunity to show that you can remain calm and professional when faced with a difficult customer.

Example: “I find it helpful to remember that I am not alone in this situation. There are many factors that contribute to a customer’s resistance, including their own personal experiences or feelings about our product. When I encounter resistance from a customer, I try to understand why they feel the way they do. Then, I use my knowledge of the product to explain its benefits and help them overcome their objections.”