20 MSC Industrial Direct Interview Questions and Answers

MSC Industrial Direct is a leading distributor of metalworking and maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products and services. With more than 85 years of experience, MSC is dedicated to helping manufacturers keep their operations up and running.

No matter what industry you’re in, MSC likely has the products and services you need to keep your operations running smoothly. But before you can start using MSC’s products and services, you’ll need to go through an interview process.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the interview process at MSC Industrial Direct. We’ll also provide some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

MSC Industrial Direct Interview Process

The interview process at MSC Industrial Direct can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to take a written assessment test. The overall process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

1. Why do you want to work at MSC?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you’re a good fit for their company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific about MSC that attracted you to apply in the first place.

Example: “MSC is an innovative company with a great reputation. I’ve always been interested in working at a company like this one because of its dedication to helping manufacturers succeed. In my last position, I helped a client find solutions to keep up with demand when they were experiencing production issues. It was rewarding to see how much time and money they saved by using our software.”

2. What is your experience with outbound sales calls?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with cold calling and how well you perform under pressure. Use your answer to highlight your ability to make calls, overcome objections and close sales.

Example: “I’ve made outbound sales calls for three years now, and I find it a great way to meet new clients and learn about their businesses. In my previous role, I was responsible for making 100 cold calls each day, which helped me build up my confidence when speaking on the phone. Now, I’m more comfortable talking to strangers and am able to use my knowledge of MSC products to convince prospects to try our solutions.”

3. What are some of the challenges you have faced in a customer service role and how did you handle it.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenges. Use examples from previous roles to highlight your ability to solve problems, communicate with customers and work in teams.

Example: “In my last role as an IT support specialist, I had a customer who was having issues with their computer. They were frustrated because they couldn’t access their files and didn’t understand why it wasn’t working. I took a step back and listened to what they were saying before explaining that there are many reasons why a computer might not be working properly. I then walked them through some troubleshooting steps to see if we could fix the issue.”

4. How would you describe yourself as an outside sales representative?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your personality and how you would fit in with their team. You can describe yourself as a hard worker, someone who’s honest or someone who has strong communication skills.

Example: “I am a very motivated person who always wants to learn more about my industry. I’m also a fast learner who can adapt quickly to new situations. I have excellent communication skills that help me build relationships with customers and colleagues alike.”

5. Tell me about a time that you had to resolve an issue for a difficult customer, how did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and resolve customer issues. This can be an important skill for a manufacturing employee, as they may need to interact with customers who are unhappy about their products or services.

Example: “In my last position, I had a customer who was upset because the product they ordered arrived damaged. They were very angry on the phone, but I remained calm and listened to what they had to say. After hearing them out, I apologized for the inconvenience and offered to send another shipment at no cost. The customer agreed, and we resolved the issue without any further problems.”

6. Are you familiar with our products? If so, which ones?

This question is a great way to see if you have any experience with the company’s products. It also shows that the interviewer wants to know more about your background and how it relates to their organization. If you’re not familiar with all of MSC Industrial Direct’s products, be sure to mention which ones you are familiar with and why they interest you.

Example: “I am very familiar with MSC Industrial Direct’s product line. I’ve worked in manufacturing for over 10 years now, so I’m quite knowledgeable when it comes to industrial equipment. In fact, I was actually looking into purchasing some of your equipment before I saw this job posting.”

7. Describe a situation when you were able to convince a customer to purchase something they didn’t need.

This question can help the interviewer determine how persuasive you are and whether you’re able to use your communication skills to convince others. Use examples from previous jobs where you were able to persuade customers to purchase something they didn’t initially want or need, but that ended up being beneficial for them in the long run.

Example: “In my last position as a sales representative, I had a customer who was looking for a new piece of equipment that would allow them to cut down on their production time by 50%. However, after talking with them about their current operations, I found out that they couldn’t afford to buy a brand-new machine at that time. Instead, I suggested upgrading some of their existing equipment so they could reduce their production time by 25% while also saving money.”

8. What does success look like to you on the job?

This question helps employers understand what you consider a successful workday. When answering, it can be helpful to describe the steps you take to ensure your success and how they benefit your employer.

Example: “Success for me is when I’ve helped my team complete a project on time or exceeded our goals. It’s important to me that we’re able to meet deadlines and exceed expectations so that our company can continue to grow and succeed. In my last role, I was responsible for helping my team develop new products while also ensuring quality control. We were able to successfully launch two new products within six months of each other, which led to an increase in sales.”

9. Do you think you can be successful working independently?

This question is a great way to determine how independent you are and whether or not you can work without much supervision. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re willing to take on responsibility and complete tasks independently.

Example: “I think I’m quite capable of working independently. In my previous role as an operations manager, I was responsible for overseeing the entire production floor. This included hiring new employees, training current employees and making sure all equipment was functioning properly. I believe I have the skills necessary to succeed in this position.”

10. Would you consider yourself to be a confident person?

This question is a great way to determine how confident you are in your abilities and skills. Employers ask this question because they want to know that you can confidently take on the responsibilities of their open position. In your answer, try to explain why you’re confident in your ability to do the job well.

Example: “I would definitely consider myself to be a confident person. I have always been someone who believes in my own abilities and has faith in my work. Throughout my career, I’ve had many opportunities to prove myself as an excellent employee, which has helped me develop confidence in my skills. I’m ready for any challenges that may come with this role.”

11. There will be times when customers try to negotiate prices with us. How do you usually respond to these situations?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience with customer service and negotiation. It’s important to be honest in your answer, as it can help the interviewer see how you might fit into their company culture.

Example: “I always try to remain calm when customers are trying to negotiate prices. I explain our pricing structure and why we set our prices where they are. If a customer still wants to negotiate, I will consider lowering the price if it’s within reason. However, I also make sure to document any changes made to orders so that my team can adjust for future orders.”

12. Tell me about a time where you had to go above and beyond for a customer, what was the result?

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific customer’s name or company name so that the interviewer knows you remember them.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a customer who was having issues with their inventory software. They were in the middle of an important project when they started experiencing problems with the system. I stayed on the phone with them for over two hours until we figured out what the issue was. The next day, they called me back to tell me how much they appreciated my help.”

13. We’re looking for someone who has strong people skills. Can you give me an example of when you used those skills to reach a goal?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the interpersonal skills necessary for this role. When answering, think of an example where you used your communication and problem-solving skills to help someone or a group achieve something.

Example: “In my last position as a production manager, I had a team member who was struggling with his work. He would often miss deadlines and make mistakes on orders. After talking with him about it, he told me that he felt overwhelmed by his job. We talked about ways we could change his responsibilities so he didn’t feel like he was doing too much. By changing some of his tasks, he felt more confident in his abilities and was able to complete his work without any issues.”

14. Give an example of a time when you went against a company policy or procedure because you felt it wasn’t right.

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 explain how you came to the conclusion that the policy or procedure was wrong and what steps you took to fix it.

Example: “In my last position as an operations manager, I noticed that our shipping department would often send out shipments before they were completely ready. This led to some customers receiving their orders late, which in turn caused them to cancel future orders with us. I brought up the issue at a weekly meeting and asked if there was anything we could do to improve the situation. The shipping manager said he didn’t know of any solutions but would keep looking for one.

After thinking about it more myself, I realized that the reason the shipping department shipped out orders early was because they wanted to get ahead on the next shipment so they wouldn’t have to work overtime to finish it. I spoke with the shipping manager again and suggested that instead of working overtime, they should hire another employee to help them complete all shipments by the end of the day. He agreed, and within two weeks, we had hired someone new and solved the problem.”

15. How would you deal with an angry customer?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and pressure. It’s important to show that you’re willing to take responsibility for your actions, apologize when necessary and learn from mistakes.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their shipment on time. I apologized immediately and explained the situation. They were still unhappy, so I offered them a discount on their next order as an apology. This helped them feel better about the situation and made me realize that it’s important to always do my best work.”

16. How would you motivate others to get their work done?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of how you would motivate your team members to complete their work on time. Use examples from past experiences where you motivated others and helped them achieve goals or objectives.

Example: “I believe that motivation comes from within, so I try to inspire my team by showing them they are capable of achieving great things. In my last role as an operations manager, I had a team member who was struggling with his workload. He told me he felt overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do. I asked him if there were any tasks he could delegate to other employees. After thinking about it for a few minutes, he realized he could ask another employee to take over one of his projects. This allowed him to focus on the most important aspects of his job.”

17. Give me an example of a time when you had to adapt to meet changing circumstances.

This question can help interviewers understand how you adapt to new challenges and situations. Use examples from your previous experience that show you’re willing to learn new things, solve problems and work with others.

Example: “When I first started working in the manufacturing industry, I was used to working on a computer all day long. However, when I moved into my current role as an operations manager, I had to start managing employees who worked on the factory floor. This required me to learn more about production equipment and how it works. It also helped me develop skills like communication and delegation.”

18. Have you ever found conflict between two coworkers, how did you deal with it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you resolve conflict and work with others. Use examples from your experience to show that you’re a team player who is willing to compromise for the good of the company.

Example: “In my previous position, I had two coworkers who were constantly arguing about which software was better for our operations. One preferred one program while the other preferred another. They both refused to budge on their opinions, so I decided to conduct an experiment where we used both programs in different departments. After seeing the results, they both agreed that using both systems would be best for the company.”

19. How would you explain a complex product to a client?

This question can help interviewers assess your communication skills and ability to simplify complex information. Use examples from previous experience that show you can break down complicated processes or products into easy-to-understand language.

Example: “I have worked with many clients who are unfamiliar with the manufacturing industry, so I always try to explain things in terms they understand. For example, when explaining a new product, I would first describe what it is and how it works. Then, I would compare it to something more familiar, like a household appliance, to make it easier for them to understand.”

20. What are your salary expectations?

This question is a common one in an interview, and it’s important to be honest about your expectations. If you’re applying for a higher-level position than the one you have experience with, you may want to consider asking what the salary range is before accepting the job offer.

Example: “I’m looking for a salary of $50,000 per year. I’ve been working as a production manager for five years now, and my responsibilities have increased significantly over that time. My previous employer has always been happy with my performance, so I feel confident that I can meet this company’s needs.”