20 Mars Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at Mars, Inc., then you’ll want to be prepared to answer some company-specific interview questions.

Mars is a global leader in the food and confectionary industry, so it’s no surprise that they’re known for asking tough questions in their interviews. But with a little preparation, you can ace the Mars interview.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Mars interview questions, as well as some tips on how to answer them.

Mars Interview Process

The interview process at Mars can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one face-to-face interview. For some positions, such as the Graduate Program, you may be required to do a digital interview. The questions asked in the interviews are usually based on your resume and cover letter. You may also be asked to do a case study or presentation as part of the interview process. Overall, the interview process is quick and efficient.

1. What is your experience managing large teams?

Mars often hires individuals who can manage large teams of employees. This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience managing a team and are capable of doing so in this role. If you don’t have management experience, consider discussing how you’ve managed projects or other responsibilities with a larger team.

Example: “In my previous position as a project manager, I was responsible for overseeing the production of several products at once. I had five different teams working on various aspects of each product, including packaging, marketing and sales. I used my communication skills to ensure all teams were aware of their roles and deadlines.”

2. Why do you want to work at Mars?

Mars is a large company with many different departments. The hiring manager may ask this question to learn more about your interest in working for Mars specifically and the food industry in general. When you answer, try to highlight some of the aspects of Mars that appeal to you. Consider mentioning any specific products or brands you like.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about animals, so I’m excited to work at Mars because it’s such an innovative pet food manufacturer. I love how much care goes into each product, and I think it would be amazing to be part of a team that makes something so important to so many people. I also really enjoy cooking, so I am eager to see what new recipes Mars comes up with.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had a conflict with a coworker, how did you handle it?

Mars is a large company with many employees, so it’s likely you’ll have to work with others. The interviewer wants to know how you handle conflict and whether you can resolve issues in the workplace. Use your answer to show that you’re willing to compromise and are able to communicate effectively.

Example: “I once had a disagreement with a coworker over who was responsible for an error on a project. I spoke with my coworker about the issue and we both agreed to take responsibility for our part of the mistake. We then worked together to fix the problem before submitting our assignment.”

4. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

Mars is a company that values customer service, so it’s likely they’ll ask this question to see if you have any experience working with customers. This can be an opportunity to show your soft skills and how you can help the company achieve its goals of providing excellent customer service.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was having trouble finding our products in their local grocery store. They were very upset because they couldn’t find one of our products, which was on sale for Black Friday. I called every grocery store within 50 miles until I found where the product was located. The customer was thrilled when I told them the location.”

5. If hired, what would be your approach to improving sales in your territory?

Mars is a large company that sells many different products. The interviewer may ask this question to understand how you would approach selling their products and what your sales goals are. Use examples from previous experience or discuss strategies you plan to use in the future.

Example: “I believe my first step would be to learn more about Mars’s current marketing strategy. I have several ideas for increasing brand awareness, including social media campaigns, public relations events and partnerships with local businesses. I also think it would be beneficial to create an ambassador program where customers can earn points toward discounts on purchases by referring friends.”

6. Have you ever worked on a team project that failed? How did you react?

This question can help interviewers understand how you react to failure and learn from it. Mars wants employees who are willing to take risks, but also know when a project isn’t working and need to change course.

Example: “In my last position as a marketing manager, I was tasked with creating an advertising campaign for our new line of dog treats. We had a tight deadline, so we didn’t have time to test the ads before launching them. Unfortunately, after spending thousands on the campaign, we found that most consumers weren’t responding well to the ads. Rather than continuing to spend money on something that wasn’t working, I recommended we scrap the campaign and start over.”

7. Do you have any experience working with outside vendors?

Mars often works with outside vendors to ensure the quality of their products. The company wants to know if you have experience working with other companies and how well you collaborate with them. Use your answer to highlight any skills that make you a good collaborator, such as communication or organization.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different vendors throughout my career. I find it helpful to meet with each vendor before production begins so we can discuss our expectations for the project. This helps me understand what they need from me and ensures that everyone is on the same page. It also allows me to build relationships with these vendors so we can work together more efficiently in the future.”

8. Describe the best manager that you’ve ever had.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your work ethic and how you view authority. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific quality that made this manager so effective.

Example: “The best manager I’ve ever had was my previous supervisor at Mars Pet Food. She was always very encouraging and supportive when we needed her to be but also knew when to give us space to do our jobs. She would often check in with us throughout the day to see if we needed anything or if there were any problems we needed help solving. This balance between support and autonomy helped me feel confident in my abilities as an employee.”

9. Do you have any experience working in the pet food industry?

Mars is a global company that produces pet food, so it’s likely they’ll ask this question to see if you have any experience working in the industry. If you do, share your experiences and how they helped you develop skills that are relevant to the role. If you don’t have experience working in the pet food industry, explain what you know about Mars’ products and why you’re interested in working for them.

Example: “I’ve worked as a dog walker for the past five years, which has given me plenty of experience interacting with dogs and their owners. I’m passionate about animals and love helping people care for their pets. Mars’ wide range of products makes it easy for pet owners to provide their pets with nutritious meals.”

10. What area of pet food are you most interested in?

Mars is a large company that produces many different types of pet food. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have experience with the specific type of pet food they produce and want to know more about your interest in it. Before your interview, research Mars’s products and consider which ones you would be most interested in working on.

Example: “I am passionate about natural pet foods. I think it’s important for pets to eat healthy meals that are free from artificial ingredients. When I was looking for a new job, I noticed Mars makes several brands of natural pet food. This made me excited to apply because I knew I could use my passion for natural foods to help create quality products.”

11. What steps would you take to improve employee turnover rates where you work?

Mars is a large company with many locations. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience managing teams and how you can help improve employee retention rates at their organization. Use examples from past experiences where you helped increase morale or reduce turnover in your previous roles.

Example: “I have worked for several companies that had high turnover rates, but I always found ways to make employees feel more valued and appreciated. For example, when I worked as an assistant manager at a fast food restaurant, we had a lot of employees leave after only a few months on the job. We hired a new HR director who implemented some changes to our onboarding process and training program. These changes reduced our turnover rate by 50%.”

12. Do you prefer to work independently or as part of a team?

Mars is a global company with offices in many countries. The interviewer wants to know if you are comfortable working with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Your answer should show that you can collaborate effectively with others, regardless of their background or nationality.

Example: “I am an independent person who likes to work on my own. However, I also understand the importance of teamwork. When I worked at Mars Pet Food Company, I was part of a team that developed new recipes for dog food. We all had our own strengths and weaknesses, but we were able to combine them to create something great. In this role, I learned how important it is to work as part of a team.”

13. Do you have any experience working with social media?

Social media is an important part of any marketing campaign, and Mars may ask this question to see if you have experience with their social media platforms. If you do, share your previous experience using these platforms. If you don’t, explain that you’re willing to learn how to use them.

Example: “I’ve used Facebook and Instagram in the past for my current employer’s marketing campaigns. I’m comfortable creating posts on both platforms and engaging with followers. I also know how to create a brand page on each platform and add products to my feed.”

14. We need our managers to be able to identify areas for improvement within our company. Can you provide an example of when you have done this successfully?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are a problem solver and can use your critical thinking skills to make improvements within the company.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our customer service department was receiving more calls than usual. After investigating, I found out that we had recently changed our shipping policy and were not properly informing customers of this change. I worked with my team to create new marketing materials and training for employees on how to communicate these changes to customers.”

15. Give us an example of a goal that you set for yourself in the past and tell us how you achieved it.

Mars wants to know that you have the ability to set goals and achieve them. This is an important skill for any employee, especially those in management positions. When answering this question, think of a time when you were able to successfully complete a project or goal.

Example: “When I was working as a sales associate at a pet store, my manager asked me to increase my sales by 10% each week. At first, I thought it would be impossible, but after some careful planning, I realized that I could reach this goal with a few simple strategies. First, I made sure that all of my products were well-organized and easy to find. Then, I started offering weekly discounts on certain items. By implementing these two changes, I was able to meet my sales quota every week.”

16. What kinds of projects have you worked on in the past?

Mars is a large company that produces many different products. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience and how it relates to the position you’re interviewing for. Use your answer to describe one or two projects you worked on in the past, focusing on what you learned from them.

Example: “In my last role as a food scientist, I was responsible for developing new recipes for Mars’s pet food line. One of our goals was to create a dog food with less sodium but still tasted good. We ended up creating a recipe that used natural ingredients like sweet potatoes and carrots to reduce the amount of sodium while also adding nutrients to the food.”

17. How much interaction do you like to have with customers?

Mars is a large company that produces many different products. The interviewer wants to know if you’re comfortable interacting with customers and providing customer service. Your answer should show the interviewer that you enjoy helping people and solving their problems.

Example: “I love talking to customers because I find it so interesting to hear what they think of our products. It’s also rewarding when I can help them solve any issues or questions they have about our products. I’m always willing to go above and beyond for my customers, which is why I became a salesperson in the first place.”

18. Which shift are you available to work?

Mars offers a variety of shifts to accommodate the schedules of their employees. When answering this question, it can be helpful to review the job description and determine which shift is most similar to your current schedule.

Example: “I am available for any daytime or evening shift that you have open. I prefer working during the day because I enjoy interacting with customers and coworkers. However, I also understand that Mars has many different types of positions, so I would be willing to work an overnight shift if needed.”

19. What are some things that you think we could do better here at Mars?

This question is a great way for an interviewer to get to know you better and see how you can contribute to the company. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest but also respectful of your coworkers. Try to focus on areas that you think could use improvement or ways in which you would like to see Mars grow as a company.

Example: “I think one thing we could do better here at Mars is our communication with each other. I’ve noticed that sometimes there are miscommunications between departments, and I think if we all communicated more effectively, we could work together more efficiently.”

20. What has motivated you to succeed at previous jobs?

Mars is a large company that requires employees to work hard and be motivated. Your interviewer wants to know what motivates you, so they can determine if your values align with the company’s. When answering this question, focus on personal goals rather than job-related ones.

Example: “I have always been passionate about animals, which is why I went into veterinary medicine. However, after working in the field for several years, I realized my true passion was food. I love cooking and experimenting with new recipes, so when I saw Mars was hiring chefs, I knew it would be the perfect fit for me.”