20 Penske Interview Questions and Answers

Penske is a leading transportation services provider that operates in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. Penske’s core businesses include truck leasing, logistics, and transportation.

If you’re applying for a job at Penske, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Penske interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Penske Interview Process

The interview process at Penske can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For management trainee positions, the process may involve multiple rounds of interviews, both in person and over the phone. The difficulty level of the questions asked can also vary, but generally speaking, they are looking for candidates with relevant experience and a passion for the job. Overall, the experience is generally positive, though some reviewers have noted that the process can be a bit lengthy.

1. Describe your experience with managing a team of associates.

This question is a great way to assess your leadership skills and how you can apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your ability to motivate others, delegate tasks and inspire confidence in your team members.

Example: “In my previous position as an operations manager for a logistics company, I was responsible for managing a team of 20 employees. My primary goal was to ensure that all of our clients were receiving quality service while maintaining a safe work environment for my staff. To do so, I held weekly meetings with my team where we discussed any challenges they were facing and brainstormed solutions together. This helped me develop strong relationships with my team and allowed us to communicate more effectively.”

2. How would you handle an employee who is underperforming?

This question can help the interviewer assess your management skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you helped an employee improve their performance or how you fired someone for underperformance.

Example: “In my last role as a manager, I had an employee who was consistently late to work. After talking with them about the issue, they told me that they were having trouble getting their child ready in the morning before school. I offered to give them extra time at work so they could leave early one day per week to get their child ready for school. This allowed them to have more time each week to prepare their child for the next day.”

3. What do you think the most important quality for a manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine your management style and how you would fit into Penske’s culture. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a quality that is important to you personally as well as one that may be beneficial for a manager to have in general.

Example: “I think the most important quality for a manager to have is empathy. I believe that being able to understand what others are going through and feeling their emotions can help managers make better decisions when hiring or promoting employees. It can also help them create more effective training programs and give constructive feedback.”

4. Do you have any experience working in a warehouse environment?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working in a warehouse environment and how that relates to your previous work history. If you do not have experience working in a warehouse, consider describing an experience where you had to organize or manage inventory.

Example: “I worked as a sales associate at a retail store for three years before moving into my current position as a customer service representative. While I did not work directly with inventory management, I was responsible for organizing and maintaining our inventory of clothing and accessories. This included ensuring we always had enough stock on hand to meet demand from customers.”

5. Are you comfortable using a computer and Microsoft Office applications?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using a computer and Microsoft Office applications. If you are not familiar with these programs, consider taking some time before the interview to learn how to use them.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable using computers and Microsoft Office applications. In my last position as an administrative assistant, I used Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint on a daily basis. I also learned how to use Outlook for email communication. These skills help me be more efficient in my work.”

6. Tell us about a time when you had to work with someone difficult, what did you do?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether you have any strategies for overcoming it. When answering this question, try to focus on a specific example of working with someone difficult and how you overcame that challenge.

Example: “In my last position as an operations manager, I had a coworker who was very outspoken about their opinions. This person would often disagree with me in front of other employees, which made them look like they were challenging my authority. To overcome this situation, I scheduled a meeting with this employee where we discussed our differences. After talking through the issue, we both agreed to respect each other’s opinions and work together more effectively.”

7. Why do you want to work at Penske?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what attracted you to Penske and how much research you’ve done on the organization. When preparing for this question, make sure to read up on the company’s mission statement and values. This will help you connect with the company and show that you’re passionate about working there.

Example: “I’m very interested in working at Penske because of its reputation as an innovative leader in the transportation industry. I have always been fascinated by cars and trucks, so I would love to work for a company that makes such amazing vehicles. I also really admire Mr. Penske’s leadership style and his commitment to providing excellent customer service.”

8. In this position, you will be required to drive a truck. Do you currently hold a Class A license or are you willing to get one?

This question is asked to determine if you have the necessary skills and experience to perform your job duties. If you do not currently hold a Class A license, it’s important to explain why in your answer.

Example: “I am currently licensed for a Class B license, however I plan on getting my Class A license within the next six months. I’ve been driving trucks for over five years now, so I feel confident that I can pass the test with ease.”

9. Give me an example of a time that you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. It also shows them how you can benefit their company and its customers. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your customer service skills and willingness to help others.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was having trouble with his car. He called us several times about the issue, but each time he called, we were able to fix the problem. One day, when he called again, I offered to come out to his house to look at the car. When I got there, I found that he had left the gas cap off. After fixing that issue, I stayed and talked to him for a while to make sure everything else was okay.”

10. Have you ever been involved in an accident while driving a commercial vehicle?

This question is a behavioral one, which means the interviewer wants to know how you reacted in a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you can handle difficult situations and learn from them.

Example: “I was driving a truck for my previous employer when I got into an accident with another driver. The other driver ran a red light and hit me on my passenger side. My first instinct was to get out of the truck and check on the other driver. Luckily, no one was injured. After checking on the other driver, I called 911 and waited for emergency responders to arrive.

The police officer who arrived at the scene asked me if I had been drinking or using my phone while driving. I told him I hadn’t and he wrote down my statement. He then took statements from the other driver and his passengers. Once everyone gave their statements, the officer let us go.”

11. How well do you perform under pressure?

Employers ask this question to see if you can handle the pressure of a job that requires you to make quick decisions. When answering, it’s important to show how you’ve handled similar situations in the past and what skills helped you succeed.

Example: “In my previous position as an operations manager, I was responsible for making sure all deliveries were made on time. One day, there was a snowstorm and several drivers called out sick. I had to find replacements quickly and ensure they knew where to go. I also had to call customers to let them know their shipments would be late. Luckily, I have experience handling stressful situations like this one. I managed to get everyone covered and the deliveries completed by the end of the day.”

12. Are you familiar with DOT regulations?

The DOT is the Department of Transportation, and they regulate transportation in the United States. This question helps employers determine if you are familiar with their regulations and how you will comply with them as a driver for Penske. In your answer, explain that you understand what the DOT is and why it’s important to follow its rules. If you have any experience complying with DOT regulations, share that information.

Example: “I am very familiar with DOT regulations because I’ve had to follow them before. When I was driving for my previous employer, we were required to keep our records up-to-date and make sure all drivers complied with DOT regulations. We also had to submit reports on accidents involving company vehicles. I’m happy to say that I never had an accident while working there.”

13. As a driver, you will be responsible for overnight travel. Are you comfortable with that?

The interviewer wants to know if you have experience with this type of travel and how it may affect your performance. You can answer honestly, but also emphasize that you are willing to adapt to the situation.

Example: “I am comfortable with overnight driving because I’ve done it before. However, I understand that there is a learning curve for new drivers. If hired, I would be open to adapting my schedule to accommodate the company’s needs.”

14. What do you know about Penske’s company culture?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company. They want to know that you are genuinely interested in working for Penske and that you understand what they value as a company. When preparing for this question, read through some of Penske’s press releases or other articles about their culture. You can also look at job listings to see what skills they’re looking for in new hires.

Example: “I’ve heard great things about Penske’s company culture. I think it would be an honor to work for such a successful company with a reputation for being employee-friendly. I’m excited to learn more about how Penske values its employees.”

15. If you were in a situation where you needed to change lanes but there was not enough space, what would you do?

This question is designed to test your driving skills and how you would react in a potentially dangerous situation. Your answer should show that you are aware of the risks involved with changing lanes without enough space, but also that you have experience doing so safely.

Example: “I am very aware of the dangers of changing lanes without enough space. I would first check my mirrors and blind spots to make sure there was no oncoming traffic or vehicles next to me. Then, I would accelerate slightly to create more space between myself and the vehicle next to me. Once I had enough room, I would change lanes.”

16. What type of relationship do you like to have with your boss?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prefer to interact with your superiors. Your answer should show that you respect authority and are willing to take direction from a manager. You may also want to mention any specific qualities of your previous managers that you appreciated.

Example: “I like to have a friendly relationship with my boss, but I understand that sometimes it’s necessary for them to be more formal. In those situations, I appreciate when they explain why something is important or what I need to do differently in order to improve. My last supervisor was great at giving feedback on our performance without making us feel bad about ourselves. She always made sure we knew she cared about our well-being.”

17. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult 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 the experience.

Example: “In my previous position as a sales associate at a retail store, I had a customer who was upset because they couldn’t find an item in our inventory. After looking through all of our systems, we still couldn’t locate it. The customer wanted a full refund, but I explained that we didn’t have any more of those items in stock. Instead, I offered them a discount on another product. They were unhappy with this solution, but I stood by my decision.”

18. How many times have you moved in the past 5 years?

This question is a way for employers to learn about your moving history. If you have moved frequently, they may want to know why and how often you’ve moved. They also might be looking for someone who has experience with long-distance moves. When answering this question, try to explain the circumstances that led to each move.

Example: “I’ve only moved once in the past five years. I was living in New York City when my wife got a job offer in Atlanta. We decided it would be best if we moved there so she could start her new position. It was a long distance move, but we were able to sell our apartment quickly and found a great house in Atlanta.”

19. What makes you stand out from other candidates?

This question is a great opportunity to show your confidence and enthusiasm for the position. Employers ask this question because they want to know what makes you unique as a candidate. When answering, it can be helpful to think about what skills or experiences you have that other candidates might not.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person, which I believe would make me stand out from other candidates. In my last role, I was responsible for managing all of our company’s social media accounts. This required me to create content on multiple platforms at once while also monitoring comments and responding to followers. My organizational skills allowed me to complete these tasks efficiently and effectively.”

20. What kind of experience do you have with logistics?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with logistics and how it relates to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any previous work experience that you have in this field, including what kind of projects you worked on and what skills you developed from them.

Example: “I’ve had a lot of experience working in logistics over my career. In my last position as a senior operations manager, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of our supply chain management. This included managing drivers, monitoring inventory levels and ensuring we met customer delivery expectations. It also involved developing new strategies to improve efficiency and reduce costs.”