20 Pilot Flying J Interview Questions and Answers

When you go in for an interview at Pilot Flying J, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with customer service, your ability to handle difficult situations, and your knowledge of the company’s products and services. Here are some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Pilot Flying J Interview Process

The interview process at Pilot Flying J can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, such as cashier or food service manager, the interview process is generally fairly easy and straightforward. However, for more competitive positions, such as software engineer or retail general manager, the interview process may be more lengthy and difficult. Overall, the experience of interviewing at Pilot Flying J is generally positive, with most interviewers being friendly and professional.

1. How do you ensure that the cashier and sales associates are doing their jobs correctly?

Pilot Flying J is a large company that offers many services to its customers. The interviewer wants to know how you will ensure your team members are doing their jobs correctly and efficiently. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped train new employees or coached current ones on the best practices for customer service, sales techniques or other relevant skills.

Example: “I believe in providing my team with regular feedback so they can learn from their mistakes and improve their performance. I also like to give them opportunities to try new things and take on more responsibilities as they gain experience. In my last position, I had several cashiers who were brand-new to the job. I provided one-on-one training sessions and scheduled group meetings to discuss any questions they had about the job.”

2. What would you do if a customer is upset about the price of gas or products in the store?

This question is a great way to determine how you would handle customer service issues. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific situation that happened in the past and describe what you did to resolve the issue or help the customer feel better about their experience.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they thought we were charging them more for gas than other stations nearby. I explained to them that our prices are set by an algorithm based on supply and demand, so there’s no way we could charge different amounts at each station. They seemed satisfied with my answer and left the store.”

3. Why do you want to work at Pilot Flying J?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Pilot Flying J that you admire or something about the company’s history that interests you.

Example: “I want to work at Pilot Flying J because I have always admired the company’s commitment to customer service. In my last job as a cashier, I noticed how many customers would come in just to say thank you to our team. It was clear they appreciated the friendly atmosphere we created. I think I could bring some of those same skills to this role.”

4. How does your experience make you a good fit for this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and experience needed for this position. Use your answer to highlight any relevant work experiences, education or certifications that make you a good fit for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked as a pilot for five years now, and I’m looking for a new challenge in my career. My previous employer was a small company with only one other pilot on staff. I learned how to manage all aspects of the business, including scheduling flights, managing employees and handling customer service issues. This experience has given me the confidence to take on more responsibilities at Pilot Flying J.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an unhappy customer, how did you handle it?

Pilot Flying J is looking for candidates who can handle customer complaints and inquiries. This question helps them determine how you would respond to a situation like this in the future.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their order on time. I apologized, explained that there was an issue with our shipping company and offered them a discount on their next purchase. They were happy with my response and said they would definitely be ordering from us again.”

6. Give an example of a time when you had to prioritize multiple tasks.

Pilot Flying J is a large company with many responsibilities. The interviewer wants to know that you can handle multiple tasks at once and complete them in a timely manner. Use an example from your previous job where you had to multitask and successfully completed all of the tasks.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for managing the fueling operations while also overseeing customer service. One day, we were experiencing technical difficulties with our fuel pumps. This meant that some customers weren’t able to fill up their tanks as quickly as they would have liked. I immediately sent one team member to help customers who were waiting in line and another to fix the issue so it wouldn’t happen again.”

7. Do you have any experience working with computers and/or POS systems?

Pilot Flying J is a technology-driven company, and the interviewer wants to make sure you have experience with computers and POS systems. If you do, share your previous experience; if not, explain that you are willing to learn.

Example: “I have worked in retail for five years now, so I am familiar with using computers and POS systems. In my current position, I use an inventory management system to track sales and purchases. I also use it to enter customer information into our database when they purchase gas or other services from us.”

8. Have you ever run into a problem where something was not functioning properly during your shift, what did you do?

Pilot Flying J wants to know how you handle stressful situations and if you have the ability to problem-solve. This question is a great way for employers to see your critical thinking skills, communication abilities and overall problem-solving capabilities.

Example: “I once had an issue where one of our automated teller machines was not dispensing money. I immediately called my manager over so they could assess the situation as well. We both decided that it would be best to shut down the machine until we could figure out what was wrong with it. It turned out that there was a power surge in the area which caused the ATM to malfunction. After resetting the system, everything worked properly.”

9. Do you have any mechanical or maintenance experience?

Pilot Flying J is looking for drivers who can perform basic maintenance on their own vehicles. This helps ensure that you’re able to keep your vehicle in good working order and reduces the company’s costs of hiring outside mechanics. If you have experience with car repairs, mention it in your answer.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in cars and how they work. When I was a teenager, I took an after-school class at my local community college where we learned about different types of engines and how to repair them. I’m still friends with some of the other students from that class, so I know that many of us are now professional mechanics. I also enjoy tinkering with my own car, although I haven’t had any major issues yet.”

10. What would you do if you saw a team member being lazy on the job?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and your ability to hold others accountable. When answering, it’s important to show that you value hard work and are willing to take action when needed.

Example: “I would first talk with the employee about my concerns. If they didn’t change their behavior after our conversation, I would speak with their manager or supervisor. In this situation, I would be sure to give specific examples of what I saw so there was no confusion as to what I was referring to.”

11. Tell us about a time when you had to go above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your customer service skills and willingness to help others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific situation where you helped someone in need or went above and beyond for a customer.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, we had a customer who came into the store with his family. He needed some gas for his car so he could get home safely. Unfortunately, he didn’t have enough money on him to pay for all of the gas that he needed. Instead of just giving him the amount that he needed, I decided to give him the full amount of gas that he needed. This allowed him to get home safely without having to worry about getting more gas.”

12. Are you comfortable using a computer?

Pilot Flying J requires its pilots to use a computer system for many of their daily tasks. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience using computers and the specific software they use at Pilot Flying J. If you don’t, be sure to mention that you are willing to learn it.

Example: “I am very comfortable using a computer. I’ve been using one since I was in high school, so I’m used to navigating through different programs. I also took an online course on how to use Microsoft Office when I was working as a flight instructor. It’s something I can do quite easily now.”

13. What does good customer service mean to you?

Pilot Flying J is a customer service-oriented company, so it’s important that you understand what good customer service means to them. When answering this question, make sure to emphasize the importance of treating customers with respect and providing excellent service.

Example: “Good customer service means making sure your customers are happy at all times. It also means being honest with them about any issues they may have. I believe in always putting my customers first and doing whatever I can to ensure their satisfaction.”

14. Describe a time when you worked well as part of a team.

Teamwork is an important skill for pilots, as they often work with other crew members to ensure the safety of their passengers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific time when you worked well with others and how that helped achieve a goal or solve a problem.

Example: “When I was in college, I worked part-time at a local restaurant. One night, we were short on servers, so I had to help bus tables while also taking orders. It was challenging to balance both tasks, but I managed to do it by delegating some of my responsibilities to other staff members.”

15. What qualities do you think a manager should have?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your management skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention qualities that you have seen in managers who are successful and how those traits helped them achieve success.

Example: “I think a manager should be someone who is organized, has excellent communication skills and is able to motivate their team members. I’ve worked with several managers who had these qualities, and they were always willing to help me when I needed assistance or advice.”

16. How do you motivate people who aren’t self-motivated?

Pilot Flying J is looking for a leader who can motivate their team to achieve goals and objectives. Your answer should show that you have the ability to inspire others, even if they aren’t naturally motivated.

Example: “I find that people are usually self-motivated, but sometimes need a little push in the right direction. I try to be an example of what I want from my employees by being on time, working hard and doing my job well. When someone isn’t performing up to standard, I first talk to them about it and give them some time to improve. If they don’t improve after a few weeks, I let them go.”

17. Would you be willing to help out other departments if needed?

Pilot Flying J is a large company that offers many services to its customers. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are willing to help out in other departments when needed. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you’re willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done and ensure customer satisfaction.

Example: “I’m happy to help out wherever I can, especially if it means helping another department meet their goals. For example, at my last job, we had an issue with our automated teller machines. I offered to help the IT department troubleshoot the problem so they could fix it faster.”

18. If hired, how would you use this opportunity to grow within our company?

Pilot Flying J is a company that values employee growth and development. This question allows you to show the interviewer how you would use this opportunity to grow as an individual, while also helping Pilot Flying J achieve its goals.

Example: “I am excited about this opportunity because I believe it will allow me to grow both personally and professionally. I have been working toward my commercial pilot license for two years now, and I feel like this position at Pilot Flying J would be a great way to continue learning and growing in my career. I know that if hired, I would work hard to exceed your expectations.”

19. What are some challenges that you think you will face in this role and how will you overcome them?

This question is a great way to see how you will handle challenges in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you faced a challenge and overcame it.

Example: “I know that working with customers can sometimes be challenging. I have experience dealing with difficult customers at my current job, so I am prepared for any situations where I may need to diffuse an upset customer. In these situations, I always try to remain calm and respectful while still being firm about company policies.”

20. Tell us about a time when you took initiative to improve a situation.

Pilot Flying J is looking for employees who are willing to take initiative and make improvements. This question helps them determine if you have the ability to do so. In your answer, explain how you identified a problem and what steps you took to solve it.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our customers were having trouble finding us online. We had several listings on different websites, but they weren’t showing up in search engines. I spoke with my manager about this issue and we decided to hire an SEO specialist to help us improve our rankings. After six months of working with the specialist, we saw a significant increase in our website traffic.”