20 Essilor Interview Questions and Answers

As the leading manufacturer and wholesale distributor of optical lenses in the United States, Essilor is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team.

If you’re interested in working for Essilor, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some specific interview questions about the company and the optical industry. In this article, we’ll give you some examples of Essilor interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Essilor Interview Process

The interview process at Essilor is lengthy, but relatively smooth. It begins with a phone screening from HR, followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager and team. The final stage is a meet-up with the VP. Overall, the interviews are fairly easy, but detailed questions are asked about your resume. The entire process takes approximately three months.

1. How do you feel about working in a fast-paced environment?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your work ethic and how you might fit into their company culture. When answering, it can be helpful to mention some specific examples of when you’ve worked in a fast-paced environment and what helped you succeed.

Example: “I enjoy working in a fast-paced environment because I feel like I’m more productive under pressure. In my last role as an optical technician, we had a lot of customers coming in for repairs or adjustments on their glasses during our busiest times of day. This meant that there were often multiple people waiting for me to finish with one task so I could move onto another. While this was sometimes stressful, I learned to prioritize tasks and delegate where possible.”

2. Tell me about your experience with sales and customer service.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience in a sales or customer service role. Use your answer to highlight any skills you’ve developed and how they can benefit Essilor.

Example: “I worked as a cashier at a local grocery store during high school, where I learned valuable communication and problem-solving skills. In my last year there, I was promoted to team leader, which required me to develop new leadership skills. I also volunteered at a local hospital for two years, where I gained valuable experience interacting with patients and helping them find solutions to their problems.”

3. What are some of your long term goals?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. It also helps them determine if your goals align with Essilor’s company goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific goals that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Example: “I am currently working toward my master’s degree in business administration. I hope to use this degree to advance into a management role at Essilor where I can continue to grow as an employee while helping others do the same. In five years, I would like to have earned my MBA and moved up within the organization to become a manager.”

4. Do you have any experience using an SAP system?

SAP is an enterprise resource planning system that Essilor uses to manage its inventory and financial data. If you have experience using SAP, explain how it helped you in your previous role. If you don’t have any experience with SAP, you can talk about other ERP systems you’ve used or discuss the importance of these systems in business operations.

Example: “I haven’t had the opportunity to use SAP before, but I am familiar with other ERP systems like Oracle and Microsoft Dynamics. In my last position as a senior accountant at XYZ Company, I was responsible for managing our company’s finances through Microsoft Dynamics. This system allowed me to track all incoming and outgoing funds, which helped me ensure we were meeting all government regulations.”

5. If hired, what would be your approach to communicating with customers?

This question helps the interviewer understand how you would interact with customers and clients in your role. Use examples from previous experience to show that you can communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Example: “I believe it’s important to be honest and transparent when communicating with customers. I always try to make sure they know exactly what to expect during the ordering process and any delays or issues that may arise. In my last position, I had a customer who was unhappy with their glasses because of an issue with the prescription. I explained to them why this happened and offered to replace the glasses at no cost.”

6. What is your availability like? Are you able to work on weekends or evenings if needed?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are available for the hours they need. They also want to know if you have any scheduling conflicts that might prevent you from working those hours. When answering, be honest about your availability and discuss how flexible you are. If you can work weekends or evenings, mention it in your answer.

Example: “I am able to work most days of the week including weekends and evenings. I do not have any scheduling conflicts at this time, so I would be happy to work whatever hours you need me.”

7. Describe a time when you had to prioritize between multiple tasks. How did you make the decision?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and prioritize your time. Use examples from previous work experiences to show that you are able to think critically about which tasks need to be completed first.

Example: “In my last role, I had a lot of responsibilities on my plate. One day, I received an urgent call from one of our clients who needed assistance with their eyewear order. This was a big client for us, so I knew it was important to respond quickly. However, I also had several other projects due that week. I decided to put off some of my smaller projects until later in the week so I could focus on assisting the client.”

8. Give us an example of a time when you showed leadership skills.

Employers ask this question to see if you have the potential to be a leader in their company. They want someone who can motivate and inspire others, so they look for examples of when you did that in your past job or another position.

Example: “When I was working as an optician at my previous job, I noticed that some of my coworkers were having trouble with customer service. Some customers would come in and complain about how long it took them to get their glasses, which made our team fall behind on production. So, I decided to hold a meeting where we discussed ways to improve customer service. We came up with several solutions, including hiring more employees and creating a better system for tracking orders.”

9. What makes you qualified for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills, knowledge and experience that makes you qualified for this position. Focus on highlighting your relevant work history and soft skills.

Example: “I have five years of experience in sales and customer service. I am knowledgeable about optical lenses and eyewear products. My previous employer also trained me in effective communication techniques and problem-solving skills. These skills are essential for succeeding in this role.”

10. Can you tell us more about your previous experience as a Sales Consultant?

This question is an opportunity to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include a specific example of how you used your skills to help the company succeed.

Example: “In my previous role as a Sales Consultant for Essilor, I helped customers find the right pair of glasses that fit their needs and budget. One customer came in looking for a new pair of glasses but was unsure about what style would look best on her face. I asked her questions about her lifestyle and preferences so we could find a pair of glasses that she would wear every day. She ended up choosing a stylish pair of sunglasses that matched her personality.”

11. What software applications are you familiar with?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your computer skills and how you might fit into the company’s current technological infrastructure. If you’re not familiar with any of Essilor’s software, consider mentioning a few other applications that are similar in function or purpose.

Example: “I’m very comfortable using Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also have experience using Google Docs for collaboration purposes and managing projects online. In my previous role as an optical technician, I used LensPro, which is a proprietary application developed by Essilor.”

12. Explain how you would handle an angry customer that was not happy with their product.

This question is an opportunity to show your customer service skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you had to help a customer who was upset with their product or service.

Example: “I once worked at a retail store where we sold eyeglasses. One day, a woman came in looking for a refund because she said her glasses were too small for her face. I asked her if she had tried adjusting the nose pads, which could make them fit better. She told me that she had adjusted them as much as they could go but still felt like the glasses were too small. I explained that sometimes it takes some time to get used to new frames. After talking with her for a few minutes, she decided to keep the glasses.”

13. Why do you want to work at Essilor?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Essilor that interests you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I want to work at Essilor because I am passionate about helping people see clearly. In my last job as an optician, I had many customers who were struggling with vision problems. It was so rewarding to help them find glasses that helped them see more clearly and feel confident in their daily lives. I would love to continue doing that kind of work here.”

14. What is your experience with project management?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with managing a team and completing projects on time. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your skills in this area.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of production, including quality control, scheduling and inventory management. This helped me develop strong communication and organizational skills that allowed me to manage multiple tasks at once while ensuring our company met its deadlines. My ability to multitask and prioritize important tasks has also helped me complete projects ahead of schedule.”

15. When were you last recognized by a manager for doing something above and beyond?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your work ethic and how you strive to achieve success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you were recognized for going above and beyond in your previous role.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on an important project that required me to stay late at the office. My manager noticed that I stayed later than everyone else and told me she appreciated my dedication to the company. She also said that she would like to see more employees follow my lead and stay late if needed.”

16. What are some ways that you stay organized?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your organizational skills. They want to know that you can keep track of important information and deadlines. In your answer, share a few tips for staying organized. You can also mention any apps or programs you use to help you stay on top of things.

Example: “I am an avid user of Evernote. I find it helpful to create notebooks for different projects and then add notes as I go along. This way, I have all my research in one place and can easily access it when needed. Another thing I do is set reminders on my phone for upcoming events and appointments. This helps me avoid missing anything important.”

17. What motivates you?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with their company culture. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of something that motivates you or what drives you to succeed.

Example: “I am motivated by the idea of helping others see clearly. I love being able to help customers find glasses that make them feel confident and comfortable. It’s also very motivating to know that my work helps people see better so they can live their lives more fully.”

18. Have you worked with other optical companies before?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience working with other companies in the industry. If you do, it’s an excellent opportunity to share your experiences and how they helped you grow as a professional.

Example: “I worked for another optical company for three years before I came here. It was a smaller company that didn’t have many resources or equipment, so we had to work together to get things done. We were all very close-knit and would help each other out when needed. I learned a lot from my time there and am grateful for the relationships I made.”

19. How well do you work under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see if you can handle a fast-paced work environment. They want to know that you are able to complete tasks quickly and efficiently, even when under pressure. In your answer, explain how you stay calm in high-pressure situations and provide an example of a time you faced similar circumstances.

Example: “I am very organized and efficient with my work, so I don’t usually feel pressured by deadlines. However, I do understand that sometimes things happen that cause delays. When this happens, I try to remain calm and find ways to get the job done as soon as possible. For instance, at my last job, we were short-staffed one day due to illness. Rather than panic, I took on more responsibilities and got everything done before the end of the day.”

20. What is your greatest weakness?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit into their company culture. They want to know that you are honest, humble and willing to improve yourself. When answering this question, try to choose a weakness that is not too serious or negative.

Example: “My greatest weakness is my perfectionism. I am always striving for excellence in everything I do, which can sometimes lead me to work longer hours than necessary. I have been working on learning to balance my drive for excellence with the need to take care of myself. For example, I now make sure to leave work at least an hour early every day so I can get some exercise and spend time with my family.”