20 General Mills Interview Questions and Answers

General Mills is one of the world’s largest food companies, with a portfolio of more than 100 brands including Cheerios, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, and Pillsbury. The company employs more than 35,000 people in more than 100 countries.

If you’re interviewing for a job at General Mills, you can expect to be asked about your experience, your qualifications, and your goals. But you’ll also be asked some company-specific interview questions.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common General Mills interview questions, with sample answers to help you stand out from the crowd.

General Mills Interview Process

The interview process at General Mills is long and difficult. It can take up to six weeks to hear back from the company after applying, and the interviews are very challenging. The overall experience is positive, however, as General Mills is a great place to work. The company is known for its excellent benefits and competitive salaries.

1. Describe a time where you went above and beyond for a customer.

General Mills wants to know that you’re willing to go the extra mile for their customers. This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others succeed.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was having trouble with one of our products. They were calling in frequently asking questions about how to use it properly. After speaking with them on multiple occasions, I realized they didn’t understand how to use the product because of the instructions. I offered to come into their home and demonstrate how to use the product correctly. The customer was so grateful and said they would never call again.”

2. How would you handle an unhappy customer?

General Mills is a large company that sells many products. As such, it’s likely you’ll encounter unhappy customers at some point in your career with the company. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you have experience handling customer complaints and can do so effectively. Use examples from past jobs where you’ve helped resolve an issue or complaint for a customer.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t like one of our new flavors of ice cream we released last summer. They called my department to complain about the flavor and how much they disliked it. I listened to their concerns and apologized for their dissatisfaction. Then, I explained that we were testing out new flavors all the time and sometimes people don’t enjoy them as much as others. I offered to send them coupons for free ice cream on future purchases.”

3. Do you have experience with creating and implementing marketing strategies?

General Mills is a large company that needs employees who can create and implement marketing strategies. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with this type of work. Use examples from your previous job to show how you developed successful marketing campaigns.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating and implementing digital marketing strategies. My team and I created content calendars that outlined what we would publish on social media platforms each week. We also planned out our email marketing strategy by deciding which emails we would send and when. Finally, we decided on the best time to post our content online.”

4. What is your approach to setting sales goals?

General Mills wants to know how you plan and execute sales goals. This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to meet company objectives while also helping your team achieve its goals. Use examples from previous experience in which you helped a company or department exceed expectations.

Example: “I believe that setting realistic but challenging sales goals is important for motivating employees and achieving results. In my last role, I worked with my manager to set quarterly sales goals based on our budget projections. We then broke down those goals into monthly targets so we could monitor progress throughout the year. Setting these smaller goals allowed us to make adjustments as needed and ensured we met our overall sales goals by the end of each quarter.”

5. Which techniques do you use to build rapport with customers?

General Mills wants to know that you can connect with customers and build relationships. Use examples from your experience where you used customer service techniques to help people feel more comfortable or satisfied with their purchase.

Example: “I believe the most important part of my job is making sure customers are happy. I use active listening skills when they call in, asking questions to understand what they need. If they’re calling about a product issue, I try to solve it over the phone so they don’t have to come into the store. For sales, I make sure to ask them questions about their interests so I can recommend products that will suit their needs.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to work as part of a team.

General Mills is a large company that works with many different departments. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others in the workplace. Use your answer to explain what made you successful working as part of a team, and share an example of a time when you helped a team member succeed.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about baking, so I started my own blog where I shared recipes and tips for making delicious treats at home. As my blog grew in popularity, I was able to start selling some of my baked goods online. Eventually, I met another blogger who also sold her baked goods online. We decided to partner up and sell each other’s products on our websites. This allowed us both to reach new customers while still maintaining control over our brands.”

7. How can we motivate our employees to sell more products?

General Mills is a large company that sells many different products. Your answer to this question can show the interviewer how you might motivate your team members and help them achieve goals. Use examples from previous jobs where you motivated others or helped your team meet their goals.

Example: “I have found that one of the best ways to motivate employees is by giving them autonomy over their work. When I worked at my last job, we had a goal to sell more cereal than our competitors. We started with a brainstorming session where everyone pitched ideas for new marketing strategies. Then, we voted on which ideas we wanted to try. This process allowed us to come up with unique ideas that were tailored to our customers.”

8. Provide an example of a time that you analyzed data and developed projections based on the results.

General Mills is looking for employees who can use their analytical skills to make important decisions. Use your answer to highlight your ability to analyze data and interpret the results.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for analyzing sales reports from our retail locations. Each week, I would look at the numbers of each product we sold in stores and compare them to the same time period last year. This helped me determine which products were performing well and which ones needed improvement. After a few months, I noticed that one of our most popular products wasn’t selling as well as it had been. I looked into this further and found out that there was an issue with the packaging. We fixed the problem and saw an increase in sales.”

9. What are some of your favorite General Mills brands?

This question is a great way to see if you have any knowledge of the company’s brands. It also shows that you are passionate about some of their products and may be willing to promote them in your work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few brands that you use regularly or enjoy talking about with others.

Example: “I love Cheerios and Lucky Charms. I eat both for breakfast every morning. I also really like Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. My family makes dinner together on most nights, so we always have these rolls on hand. We usually make pizza or chicken nuggets.”

10. Can you tell us about a challenge you faced at work and how you resolved it?

General Mills wants to know that you can handle challenges and resolve them in a positive way. This question is an opportunity for you to show your problem-solving skills, ability to work as part of a team and adaptability to new situations.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on a project with another employee who wasn’t meeting deadlines or communicating effectively. It became clear that the other person didn’t have the necessary skills to complete the project. Rather than letting the situation get worse, I spoke with my manager about how we could resolve the issue. Together, we decided to reassign the other employee to a different project where they would be more successful.”

11. Do you have any experience working in a fast-paced environment?

General Mills is a large company that produces many different types of food products. The interviewer may ask this question to learn if you have experience working in a fast-paced environment and how you handle it. Use your answer to explain what helped you succeed in a fast-paced work environment and the skills you developed while doing so.

Example: “I worked as an assistant manager at a restaurant for three years, where I was responsible for managing multiple employees and ensuring they were all performing their jobs well. This job required me to multitask quite often, which taught me how to manage my time effectively and delegate tasks to others when needed. I also learned how to prioritize important tasks and make quick decisions when necessary.”

12. What was one conflict you managed well? One you didn’t? What did you learn from each?

General Mills wants to know how you handle conflict. This question can help them understand your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, try to focus on the steps you took to resolve the conflict.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a coworker who was always late for meetings. It started to become a regular occurrence that he would be late to our weekly team meeting. At first, I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, but after two weeks in a row of being late, I decided it was time to talk to him about it.

I scheduled a one-on-one meeting with him and explained that his tardiness was becoming disruptive to the rest of the team. He apologized and said he didn’t realize it was disrupting anyone. We talked about some strategies he could use to manage his time better so he wouldn’t have to rush to get to meetings.”

13. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you unique as well as the skills that are most relevant to the position.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who has excellent time management skills. I have always been able to meet deadlines while also managing multiple projects at once. This skill makes me a valuable asset to any team because I can work independently or with others to get tasks done efficiently. Another reason why I should be hired by General Mills is my passion for food. I love cooking and baking, so working in a kitchen would be a dream come true.”

14. If hired, what would be your approach to increasing sales?

General Mills is a large company that produces many different products. The interviewer may ask this question to learn how you would approach increasing sales for their specific brand or product line. Use your answer to highlight your marketing and advertising skills, as well as your ability to create successful campaigns.

Example: “I believe the most important thing when it comes to increasing sales is understanding who our target audience is. I would first conduct research to find out what consumers want from our brand and which of our products they are most interested in. Then, I would use that information to develop targeted ad campaigns that speak directly to these consumers. This strategy has proven effective at my current job, where we have seen an increase in sales by 20%.”

15. Give an example of a goal you set and achieved.

General Mills wants to know that you’re a motivated employee who can set goals and achieve them. This question is an opportunity for you to show the interviewer your ability to plan, organize and complete tasks.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with increasing sales by 10% in one month. At first, this seemed like an impossible goal, but after some research, I found out that our competitors were experiencing similar growth rates. With this information, I created a marketing campaign that targeted customers who hadn’t purchased from us in six months or more. The campaign resulted in a 20% increase in sales.”

16. Tell me about a time when you were working on a project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

General Mills wants to know that you can work well with others and resolve conflict. This question is an opportunity for you to show your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project with two other people. One of them had a different idea about how the project should be done than the rest of us. They were insistent on their way being the best way, but we all disagreed. We talked it out and came up with a compromise where everyone got what they wanted. The project went smoothly after that.”

17. Have you worked with machine operators before?

General Mills is a large company that produces many different types of food products. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working with machine operators in the past and how you can apply those skills at General Mills. If you have worked with machine operators before, describe what type of work they did and how it helped you complete your own tasks.

Example: “In my last position as a production manager, I oversaw all aspects of production for our facility. This included hiring new employees, training existing employees and overseeing the operations of the machines. One of my main responsibilities was making sure the machine operators were following safety protocols while operating the machinery. I also ensured that the equipment was functioning properly and that the quality of the product was consistent.”

18. What kinds of machines have you operated before?

General Mills may ask this question to learn about your experience with different types of machinery. This can help them determine if you have the skills and knowledge necessary to operate the machines in their facility. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list a few common types of machines that you’ve operated before. You can also mention any specific skills or training you have for operating these machines.

Example: “In my previous role as a production manager, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of production. This included hiring new employees, managing budgets and ensuring quality control. One of my main responsibilities was operating the machines used during production. We had several different kinds of machines at our facility, including conveyor belts, packaging equipment and automated assembly lines.”

19. Are you comfortable lifting 50+ pounds?

General Mills is a large company that produces many different types of food products. As such, employees may need to lift heavy boxes or bags of ingredients and other materials on occasion. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you are physically capable of doing the job they’re hiring for. In your answer, let them know that you can do this task if needed. Explain that you have done it in the past and feel confident about continuing to do so.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable lifting 50 pounds or more. Throughout my career, I’ve had to move heavy boxes and bags of flour and sugar. It’s something I’m used to doing and don’t mind at all. If I ever felt like I couldn’t handle the weight, I would tell my supervisor right away.”

20. Do you have experience operating heavy machinery?

General Mills is a large company that produces many different types of food products. The interviewer may ask this question to learn if you have experience operating machinery in a manufacturing environment. If you do, share an example of how you used the machinery to complete your job duties. If you don’t have experience operating heavy machinery, explain what type of machinery you’ve operated and discuss any similarities between it and the machinery used at General Mills.

Example: “I haven’t worked with heavy machinery before, but I am familiar with the operation of machinery like conveyor belts and forklifts. In my last role as a warehouse manager, I oversaw a team of employees who moved boxes from one location to another using forklifts. We also used conveyor belts to move boxes from trucks into our storage facility.”