20 Follett Interview Questions and Answers

Follett Corporation is one of the largest providers of educational materials and technology solutions in the world. With more than 10,000 associates working in locations across the globe, Follett is dedicated to simplifying the delivery of educational materials and technology solutions.

If you’re interviewing for a position at Follett, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the education industry, your knowledge of Follett’s products and services, and your ability to deliver excellent customer service. To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Follett interview questions and answers.

Follett Interview Process

The interview process at Follett is generally pretty short and easy. Most interviews are conducted over the phone and last 10 minutes or less. The questions asked are usually basic and focus more on availability and job responsibilities than qualifications. However, some applicants have reported negative experiences, such as never receiving a call after their scheduled interview time, or being interviewed by someone who seemed unprepared. Overall, the interview process is typically quick and easy, with most applicants being offered the job on the spot.

1. What do you know about Follett?

This question is a great way to see if you have done your research on the company. It also gives you an opportunity to show that you are familiar with their products and services. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two of their most popular products.

Example: “I know Follett for its wide range of educational materials and supplies. I am especially interested in learning more about the company’s digital solutions. In my last position, I worked closely with a few schools who used these resources. They were very happy with the results they saw from using them.”

2. How would you handle a situation with an angry customer?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenges. Use examples from your previous experience to show that you’re willing to take on difficult situations and learn from them.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their order in time for Christmas. I listened to the customer’s concerns, apologized for any inconvenience and offered to send another shipment of books at no cost. The customer accepted my offer and later wrote me a positive review online.”

3. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with an irate customer, what did you do?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role.

Example: “I had an irate customer once who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. I listened to what they were saying, apologized for any inconvenience and explained that we would be happy to send them another shipment of books at no charge. They seemed satisfied with my response and said they would give us one more chance before switching vendors.”

4. How would you improve our inventory system and why?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can improve it. You should explain what you would do, why you would do it and how it will benefit Follett.

Example: “I would implement an automated inventory system that allows employees to track inventory levels in real time. This will allow them to know when they need to reorder products so there are no shortages or overages. It also makes it easier for customers to find items because employees can check stock levels online.”

5. Why are you leaving your current job?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your work history and how you’ve grown professionally. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and highlight the skills you’ve developed or the experiences you’ve gained that will help you succeed in your new role.

Example: “I’m leaving my current job because I feel like I’ve learned all I can there. My manager has been very supportive of me throughout my time with the company, but I feel like it’s time for me to take on a new challenge. I’m excited to use my organizational and communication skills at Follett Corporation.”

6. If hired, how long will it take for you to make an impact on the company?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to gauge your confidence level and determine how much you know about Follett. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also show that you’re confident in your abilities.

Example: “I believe I can make an impact on this company within my first month of employment. I have extensive experience with Follett products and services, so I feel like I could hit the ground running right away. My goal would be to learn as much as possible from my colleagues and use their knowledge to help me succeed.”

7. What is your experience working in retail or sales?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience working in customer service and can relate to their company’s mission. If you don’t have any retail or sales experience, consider talking about your previous work experiences that required you to interact with customers.

Example: “I worked as a cashier at my local grocery store for three years while I was in college. During this time, I learned how to interact with all types of people and developed excellent communication skills. I also became very familiar with the products Follett sells and how they can help schools save money.”

8. Are you willing to relocate if needed?

If you’re interviewing for a position with Follett, it’s likely that the company will need to transfer you at some point. This is especially true if you’re applying for a management or leadership role. When answering this question, be honest about your willingness to relocate and discuss how you’ve done so in the past.

Example: “I’m willing to relocate as needed. I have moved several times throughout my career, including from California to Texas when I accepted my current position. I understand that sometimes these moves are necessary, and I am always ready to make the transition.”

9. Have you worked at another bookstore before?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague. It’s also an opportunity for you to share what you’ve learned from previous experiences and how it can help you succeed at Follett.

Example: “I have worked at another bookstore before, but I was actually hired as a cashier. After working there for six months, I realized that I wanted to be a part of the bookselling process instead of just selling books. So, I asked my manager if I could work in the children’s department. She agreed, and I started learning everything I could about children’s literature. Eventually, I became one of the top sellers in the store.”

10. Do you have any previous leadership experience?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your leadership skills and how you’ve used them in the past. If you have previous experience leading others, be sure to share some of your best practices with the interviewer.

Example: “I was promoted to team leader at my last job after working there for two years. I had no prior management experience before that promotion, but I learned quickly what it took to lead a group of people. I started by listening to everyone on the team and making myself available to answer questions or help solve problems. I also made sure to set clear expectations for my team members so they knew what was expected of them.”

11. Can you tell us about a time when you disagreed with one of your managers and how you handled it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re willing to challenge authority. When answering, it’s important to show that you can disagree respectfully with your manager while still maintaining a positive relationship.

Example: “I once disagreed with my manager about the best way to approach a project deadline. I felt we should extend the deadline by two weeks so we could ensure all of our work was done thoroughly and accurately. My manager disagreed, saying that extending the deadline would be too much of a burden on other departments. After discussing the situation further, we decided to hire an additional team member to help us meet the original deadline.”

12. What was the last book you read? What did you think of it?

This question is a great way to see how passionate you are about reading. It also shows the interviewer what types of books you enjoy and whether they align with the company’s values.

Example: “The last book I read was The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I really enjoyed it because it taught me that we all have our own unique journey, and sometimes we need to take risks in order to find happiness. I think this message is important for students to hear as they’re growing up.”

13. We always want to improve our processes. What ideas do you have that could help us become more efficient?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to think critically. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific examples of how you have improved processes in the past.

Example: “I believe that there are always ways we can improve our processes. In my last role as an accountant, I noticed that many employees were having trouble finding information on the company intranet. So, I created a new section where all of the most frequently asked questions could be found. This helped employees find the answers they needed more quickly.”

14. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s often asked to see if you have career goals. When answering this question, make sure that your answer shows the interviewer that you are motivated and ambitious.

Example: “I hope to be working for Follett Corporation as an accountant by then. I am currently studying accounting at night school, and I plan on getting my degree within two years. After that, I would like to work toward becoming a CPA so I can continue to grow with Follett.”

15. Describe your management style.

This question is an opportunity to show your potential employer that you have the skills and experience necessary to lead a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe how you would manage a specific situation or task.

Example: “I believe in being approachable and available for my team members. I also think it’s important to set clear expectations so everyone knows what they’re responsible for. If someone has questions about their responsibilities, I make sure to answer them as quickly as possible. In addition to setting expectations, I like to give regular feedback to help employees improve their performance.”

16. What would you do if you found out that one of the team members had been stealing from the register?

This question is a great way to assess your leadership skills and ability to handle conflict. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you can be fair and objective while also holding the employee accountable for their actions.

Example: “I would first make sure I had all of the facts before confronting the employee. If they were stealing from the register, I would let them know that I was aware of what they were doing and that they needed to stop immediately or face termination. I would then take steps to ensure that no one else on staff could perform the same action without being noticed.”

17. How would you prioritize cashiering duties during peak hours?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. When answering, consider the specific duties of a cashier and how you would manage them during peak hours.

Example: “I have experience working as a cashier at my current job, so I understand that it can be very busy during peak hours. During these times, I make sure to greet customers quickly and efficiently. If there are long lines, I try to help other cashiers when possible. For example, if one cashier has a customer who needs more time, I will assist another cashier with their line until they’re ready to take over again.”

18. What qualities do you think a manager should possess?

This question is a great way to assess your management skills and how you would fit into the company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what qualities you admire in your current or previous manager.

Example: “I believe that managers should possess strong communication skills, as well as the ability to motivate their team members. I also think it’s important for managers to have an understanding of each employee’s strengths and weaknesses so they can provide constructive feedback and help employees grow.”

19. What type of books do you like to read?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your personality and interests. They want to know if you’ll fit in with the rest of their team, so they might ask questions like these to get a better sense of who you are as a person.

Example: “I love reading books that make me think or feel something. I’m not really into fiction, but I do enjoy nonfiction and memoirs. I also love children’s books because they’re so imaginative and creative. I have two kids of my own, so I read to them every night before bed.”

20. What steps would you take to ensure that our customers were happy with their purchases?

This question is a great way to show your customer service skills and how you would contribute to the company’s success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what makes you happy as a customer and use that information to describe what you would do for others.

Example: “I believe in providing excellent customer service because I know that if customers are happy with their purchases, they will continue to shop at our stores. To ensure that my customers were happy, I would make sure that all of my coworkers knew how important it was to provide quality service. I would also ask customers for feedback on their experience so we could learn from any mistakes.”