20 Lakeshore Learning Materials Interview Questions and Answers

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a trusted name in educational products, having supplied high-quality items to schools and families since 1954. If you’re interviewing for a position at Lakeshore, you can expect questions specific to the company’s history, mission, and values.

In this article, we’ll provide sample Lakeshore interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your meeting. With a little practice, you’ll be ready to impress your interviewer and land the job you want.

Lakeshore Learning Materials Interview Process

The interview process at Lakeshore Learning Materials is quick and efficient. Recruiters work quickly to connect candidates with the right position, and managers are transparent about what they are looking for in a candidate. The process usually takes less than two weeks from start to finish.

1. What do you know about Lakeshore Learning Materials?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that has been in business for over 60 years. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company and its history. In your answer, try to include information about the company’s longevity as well as some of its most popular products.

Example: “I know that Lakeshore Learning Materials was founded in 1954 by two brothers who wanted to create educational toys that were both fun and educational. Since then, they’ve created many high-quality learning materials including flash cards, puzzles and games. I also know that their products are used in schools all over the country.”

2. How would you engage with a parent who is looking to purchase classroom materials for their child?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is looking for a salesperson who can connect with customers and help them find the right materials to support their child’s learning. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you would engage with a parent or teacher in order to understand what they are looking for and recommend products that fit their needs.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, I had a customer come into the store looking for educational materials for their son. They were unsure about which books he should read and asked me for recommendations. I took some time to get to know the family and learn more about their son’s interests before recommending several different options based on his age and reading level.”

3. Describe your experience working in retail

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a retail company that sells educational products. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working in retail and can handle the responsibilities of the job. In your answer, explain how you would use your previous experience to help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I worked as a cashier at my local grocery store throughout high school. I learned how to work with customers who were upset or frustrated, which helped me develop excellent customer service skills. I also used math every day when counting money and making change for customers. These experiences taught me valuable lessons about teamwork and communication. I am confident that these skills will help me succeed in this position.”

4. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with an upset customer and how did you handle it?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that values customer service. They want to know how you would handle an upset customer and what steps you would take to make them happy again.

Example: “I once had a parent call me in the middle of the night because their child was having trouble with one of our math worksheets. I told her that I would be more than happy to help, but it might be best if she waited until morning so we could go over the problem together. She agreed, and when she called back the next day, I walked her through the problem step by step until she understood it. She thanked me for my patience and willingness to help.”

5. Why are you interested in this position at Lakeshore Learning Materials?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for this role. When preparing your answer, think about what attracted you to this job posting in the first place. Consider highlighting any skills or experiences that match the job description.

Example: “I am passionate about education and believe that Lakeshore Learning Materials is an excellent company with high-quality educational products. I have used many of your materials as a teacher and find them engaging and easy to use. I would love to be part of a team that creates these resources and helps children learn.”

6. What type of work environment do you like to work in?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you interact with others. To answer this question, think about the type of work environment you enjoy most. Consider what makes it enjoyable for you and why.

Example: “I really enjoy working in an open office space where I can collaborate with my coworkers. I find that when we all have access to each other’s ideas, we’re able to come up with better solutions to problems. In my last role, I worked in a large open office space with several teams. We had our own desks but also shared tables and whiteboards so we could easily communicate with one another.”

7. Are you comfortable lifting objects that weigh up to 50 pounds?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that manufactures educational products, such as books and toys. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your physical capabilities for the job. If you are not comfortable lifting objects of this weight, consider how you would handle this situation if it occurred at work.

Example: “I am physically capable of lifting up to 50 pounds. However, I would always make sure to have help from another employee when moving heavy items. This ensures that we both remain safe while completing our tasks.”

8. Can you tell me about a time when you handled multiple tasks simultaneously?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that requires its employees to multitask. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with this type of work and how well you can handle it. Use your answer to highlight your ability to multitask, as well as your organizational skills.

Example: “In my previous role, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. While some tasks were more time-consuming than others, I always made sure to prioritize them appropriately. For example, when I had several smaller tasks to complete, I would focus on those first before moving onto larger ones. This helped me stay organized and ensured that all of my tasks were completed by their deadlines.”

9. If hired, what department would you be most interested in working in?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a large company with many different departments. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interests and determine which department you would be the best fit for. When answering this question, try to identify one or two departments that interest you most and explain why.

Example: “I have experience working in both customer service and sales. I think I would enjoy working in marketing the most because it combines my love of writing with my passion for education. I am an experienced writer who has published several articles on educational topics. I believe I could use these skills to create compelling content that helps Lakeshore Learning Materials reach new customers.”

10. Have you ever worked with the education sector before?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that specializes in educational products, so it’s likely you’ll be working with the education sector if you’re hired. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with schools and teachers. If you don’t have any previous experience, explain what your ideal customer would be like.

Example: “I’ve never worked specifically with the education sector before, but I do have some experience working with children. In my last job as an assistant manager at a toy store, I was responsible for organizing events where we interacted with kids. It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot about how to interact with them. I think I’d be great at helping Lakeshore Learning Materials reach more students.”

11. Do you have any sales or teaching experience?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that hires both sales representatives and educators. If you have experience in either of these fields, your answer should reflect this.

Example: “I worked as an educator for five years before I became a sales representative at my current job. In my previous position, I taught kindergarten students how to read and write. My most recent role was working as a sales representative for Lakeshore Learning Materials. I helped customers find the right educational products for their children’s needs.”

12. When was the last time you went above and beyond for a customer?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is looking for employees who are willing to go the extra mile for their customers. This question helps employers determine if you have ever done this in your previous roles and how it helped the customer.

Example: “When I worked at my last job, a customer called me because they were having trouble with one of our products. They had already tried troubleshooting the issue on their own but couldn’t figure out what was wrong. I stayed on the phone with them until we figured out the problem and fixed it. The customer was so grateful that I took the time to help them.”

13. What scheduling expectations should we have if we decide to hire you?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that requires its employees to work long hours. The interviewer wants to know if you’re willing to put in the extra time and effort needed to succeed at this job. Your answer should show your commitment to hard work, but also highlight your ability to balance your schedule with other important aspects of life.

Example: “I understand that Lakeshore Learning Materials has a reputation for being a demanding employer. However, I’m ready to take on whatever challenges come my way. I plan to be here every day by 8 a.m. and stay until 5 p.m., unless there’s an emergency or special project that needs my attention. If I need to leave early one day, I’ll make up the time later in the week.”

14. Tell me about a time when you made a mistake and how did you rectify the situation.

Lakeshore Learning Materials is looking for candidates who are willing to admit their mistakes and learn from them. This question can help you show your potential employer that you’re honest, humble and eager to improve yourself.

Example: “When I was working as a sales representative at my previous job, I had a customer who wanted to return an item they purchased two weeks prior. I told the customer that Lakeshore Learning Materials only accepts returns within seven days of purchase. The customer insisted on returning the product, so I called my manager to ask what I should do. My manager said we could accept the return because it was unlikely anyone else would buy the product before the customer returned it.

I learned from this experience that even though there’s no official policy about accepting returns after seven days, it’s important to follow company protocol. If I hadn’t asked my manager about the situation, I might have lost my job.”

15. Would you be able to travel for business trips on occasion?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a global company, so they may need you to travel for business trips. They want to make sure that you are willing and able to do this. Answer honestly about your willingness to travel and how often you would be willing to do it.

Example: “I am happy to travel for business trips as needed. I understand the importance of networking with other professionals in the industry and believe that these types of opportunities can help me grow professionally. However, I also know that traveling can be exhausting, so I will always try to find ways to reduce my stress while on the road.”

16. What is your favorite part about being a teacher/working with teachers?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that works with teachers and educators to create high-quality educational products. This question helps the interviewer get an idea of what you enjoy about your job and how it relates to their company. Use this opportunity to share some of your favorite aspects of teaching or working with teachers.

Example: “My favorite part about being a teacher is seeing my students learn something new. I love watching them discover things for themselves, especially when they realize they can do something on their own. It’s rewarding to know that I had a hand in helping them reach that point.”

17. What are some qualities you think make a good manager?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a large company that employs thousands of people. As such, they are likely to be looking for someone who can manage others effectively and efficiently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some specific qualities you think make a good manager. You may also want to describe how you possess those same qualities.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities in a manager is communication. I believe it’s essential to keep your team informed about what’s going on at all times. It’s also important to listen to your employees and take their feedback into account when making decisions. Another quality I think makes a good manager is flexibility. I’m willing to work with my team members to find solutions to any problems we encounter.”

18. How well do you communicate with others?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. Your answer to this question can show the interviewer how well you work with others, your communication skills and your ability to collaborate on projects. To answer this question, think about a time when you had to communicate with someone else or a group of people to complete a task. Explain what steps you took to ensure everyone understood each other and were able to work together effectively.

Example: “I have always been passionate about education, so I volunteered at my child’s school for several years. During one of our parent-teacher conferences, the teacher mentioned they needed help creating educational materials for their students. I offered to volunteer my services as a graphic designer to create new worksheets and activities for them. We met once a week to discuss the progress we made during the previous week and plan out our goals for the upcoming week. By communicating regularly with the teacher, I was able to design high-quality learning materials for her students.”

19. What makes you stand out from other applicants?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is looking for a candidate who can bring something unique to the role. This question allows you to highlight your skills and experiences that make you an ideal fit for this position. When preparing for this interview, think about what makes you different from other applicants. Consider including some of these qualities in your answer:

Example: “I am passionate about education and have been since I was a child. My parents were both teachers, so I grew up surrounded by books and educational toys. I went on to get my teaching degree and worked as a substitute teacher before getting my current job at a local library. I love working with children and helping them learn new things.”

20. You will occasionally need to put together displays, can you describe your experience doing so?

Lakeshore Learning Materials is looking for candidates who can work independently and efficiently. This question helps them determine if you have the skills to complete tasks on your own, as well as how much experience you have doing so. When answering this question, be sure to highlight any specific skills or techniques that helped you succeed in previous projects.

Example: “I’ve worked with many different types of displays throughout my career. I find that using a grid system works best for me when putting together large-scale displays. It allows me to organize all of the information into sections, which makes it easier to see what needs to be added or removed from each display.”