20 The Hershey Company Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, The Hershey Company looks for candidates who are passionate about confectionery and have the skills to back it up. In order to assess whether a candidate has what it takes to work for The Hershey Company, interviewers ask a variety of questions related to the confectionery industry, as well as questions about the company itself.

If you’re hoping to land a job at The Hershey Company, it’s important that you come prepared to answer questions about your qualifications, as well as questions about the company and the confectionery industry. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Hershey Company interview questions, with sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

The Hershey Company Interview Process

The Hershey Company has a multi-step interview process that includes phone screens, in-person interviews, and field days. The length of the process varies depending on the position you are applying for, but generally takes about 2-3 weeks. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position, but most candidates report that they are fairly straightforward and not overly difficult.

1. Why do you want to work at Hershey?

This question is a great way to show your passion for the company and its products. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of Hershey that you admire or find interesting.

Example: “I want to work at The Hershey Company because I have always been impressed by the quality of the chocolate they produce. My favorite product from Hershey is the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, which are so delicious and creamy. I would love to help create more snacks like this one.”

2. What is your favorite candy and why?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you on a more personal level. It’s important to show your personality and enthusiasm for candy in your answer, but it’s also important to be honest about what you like.

Example: “My favorite candy has always been Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I love how sweet they are, but there’s just enough saltiness from the peanut butter that makes them so addicting. I’ve never met someone who didn’t enjoy these candies.”

3. How would you engage customers while working on the store floor?

The interviewer may ask this question to understand how you interact with customers and the general public. Use your answer to highlight your customer service skills, interpersonal communication abilities and ability to work in a team environment.

Example: “I enjoy working on the store floor because it allows me to interact with customers directly. I find that listening to what customers want is an important part of providing them with excellent service. For example, if a customer wants to buy a gift for their friend who loves chocolate, I would ask questions about their friend’s preferences so I can recommend products they might like.”

4. Do you have experience with sales or customer service?

The Hershey Company is a large company that needs employees who can work well with others. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working in a team environment and interacting with customers or clients. If you do, share an example of how you helped your previous employer succeed.

Example: “I worked as a sales associate at a local boutique for two years before I moved here. My job was to help customers find the right outfit for their occasion. I learned how to interact with different types of people and make them feel comfortable while shopping. This skill has helped me build relationships with my coworkers and customers at my current job.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure, how did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to handle pressure and stress. This is because working in a factory can be quite demanding, especially when you’re trying to meet production deadlines. When answering this question, try to describe how you handled the situation successfully and what steps you took to ensure that it didn’t happen again.

Example: “When I was working as an assembly line worker at my previous job, we had a rush order come in one day. The rush orders are usually rare, so everyone on the team was excited about getting more work. However, there were only two people who knew how to assemble the product, which meant that others had to learn quickly. We all worked hard to get the products out on time, but some of them weren’t up to our usual standards. After that rush order, we implemented a training program for new employees.”

6. Give an example of a time when you made a mistake, how did you deal with it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. Use examples from previous jobs or describe a time when you made a mistake but learned from it.

Example: “In my last job, I was responsible for ordering supplies for the factory floor. One day, I forgot to order enough chocolate chips for our production line. This led to a delay in production that cost the company money. To prevent this from happening again, I created a checklist system where I could record all of the materials needed for each product we make.”

7. Describe your experience with operating production machinery.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with operating machinery and how you use it in a production environment. Use examples from past experiences to describe the machines you operated, what they did and how you used them effectively.

Example: “In my last role as a production manager, I oversaw the operation of several different types of machinery that helped us produce our products. For example, we had an automated packaging machine that automatically packaged our chocolates into boxes for shipping. We also had a conveyor belt system that moved our products through the factory so we could package them efficiently.”

8. If hired, what are some ways you think you could help improve productivity in our manufacturing unit?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any ideas for improving the company’s production and manufacturing processes. Use your answer to highlight your experience with similar projects in the past, as well as your ability to work independently or within a team.

Example: “In my last role, I helped implement new software that improved our inventory management system. This allowed us to track products more efficiently and reduce waste by 10%. I also think it would be beneficial to add more automation to the factory floor to help streamline some of the repetitive tasks.”

9. Are you comfortable working around loud noises?

The Hershey Company has a factory that produces chocolate and other confectionery products. The company wants to know if you can work in an environment with loud noises, such as machines running or people talking loudly.

Example: “I am comfortable working around loud noises because I have worked in similar environments before. In my last job, I had to work in a warehouse where the forklifts were constantly moving and making noise. I got used to it after a while and learned how to tune out the sounds so they didn’t distract me from my work.”

10. Which area of manufacturing are you most interested in?

The interviewer may ask this question to understand your interest in working for a company that manufactures food. You can answer honestly and explain why you are interested in the specific area of manufacturing they mention.

Example: “I am most interested in quality control because I enjoy making sure products meet high standards. In my last role, I worked with a team to ensure our products met customer expectations. We had to make sure all products were packaged correctly and tasted as expected. It was rewarding to know we were providing customers with a good product.”

11. If we were to hire you as one of our retail merchandisers, what would be your approach to improving our sales?

The interviewer may ask this question to understand how you would apply your skills and experience to help the company achieve its goals. Use examples from your previous job or a hypothetical situation to show how you would use your creativity, problem-solving skills and communication abilities to increase sales for The Hershey Company.

Example: “I believe that my ability to connect with customers is one of my greatest strengths as a retail merchandiser. I would approach each customer by asking them what they are looking for and then provide them with suggestions based on their preferences. For example, if a customer was looking for chocolates for Valentine’s Day, I would recommend some of our best sellers in that category. This strategy has helped me improve sales at every job I’ve held.”

12. At Hershey, safety is very important. Can you tell me about a time where safety was emphasized during your last job?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you understand the importance of safety at The Hershey Company. Use your answer to show that you value the company’s commitment to safety and how it impacts your own work ethic.

Example: “At my last job, we had a lot of machinery in our production facility. We were required to wear hard hats and steel-toed boots while working with these machines. I always made sure to follow all safety protocols when operating equipment or handling materials because I know how important it is to keep everyone safe.”

13. Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without having all the information available.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether or not you have ever made a mistake. It can also show them that you are willing to learn from your mistakes and grow as an employee.

Example: “When I was working at my previous job, we had a rush order for chocolates that needed to be delivered by the end of the day. We were short on supplies, so I decided to use some of our extra ingredients to create more chocolates than we normally would. Unfortunately, this caused us to run out of chocolates before the end of the day, which resulted in several customers being unhappy with their orders.”

14. Hershey’s is a company that emphasizes innovation. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have the ability to be innovative and how you would do it. You can answer by explaining what you think is important when being innovative, but also give an example of a time you were innovative in your previous job.

Example: “I believe that innovation starts with listening to customers. If you listen to what they want, then you can use that information to create new products or improve existing ones. I did this at my last job where we had a customer who was allergic to nuts. We used their feedback to create a line of chocolates without nuts for them.”

15. In your past jobs, what did you like least?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your work history and how you’ve grown as a professional. To answer, think of the least favorite part of your previous job and explain why it was challenging for you.

Example: “In my last position, I had to manage a large team of employees who were all working on different projects. This made it difficult for me to keep track of everyone’s progress and ensure that they were meeting deadlines. Eventually, I learned to use project management software to help me stay organized and delegate tasks effectively.”

16. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. This is an opportunity for you to show the interviewer that you are self-aware, confident and honest.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well with others. I am a very friendly person who enjoys making new friends and helping others succeed. My weakness would be my attention to detail. While I do my best to proofread everything I write or create, sometimes I miss small mistakes. However, I always make sure to correct any errors as soon as possible.”

17. What has been your biggest professional accomplishment so far?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your career history and what you’re most proud of. This can help them understand how your skills match the job requirements and decide if you’re a good fit for the position. When answering, try to choose an accomplishment that relates to the job description or one that shows you have the potential to succeed in this role.

Example: “My biggest professional accomplishment so far is becoming the manager at my current workplace. I’ve been working here for five years now, and it’s always been my goal to become a manager. It took me a while to get there, but I’m really proud of myself for achieving this goal.”

18. What college courses are you most proud of completing?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your academic background and interests. If you have a degree, they may want to know what classes you enjoyed the most or which ones helped you develop skills that are relevant to the position. If you’re still in school, they may be looking for ways to tell if you’ll be able to handle the job’s responsibilities.

Example: “I’m proud of all my college courses because I learned something new from each one. However, I think my favorite class was Intro to Business because it taught me how businesses work and gave me an idea of what I wanted to do with my life.”

19. What skills can you bring to this position?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how they can benefit the company. To answer, you can list skills that relate to the job description and show how you would use them in this role.

Example: “I have excellent communication skills, which I believe are essential for working with a team of professionals. My problem-solving abilities also help me find solutions to complex problems and make decisions when needed. These skills will allow me to contribute to The Hershey Company’s success.”

20. Provide examples of times when you worked well within a team.

The Hershey Company is a global company that requires its employees to work well with others. This question allows you to show the interviewer your teamwork skills and how they can benefit the company.

Example: “I have always been passionate about chocolate, so I decided to enroll in a culinary school where I learned how to make chocolates. During my time there, I worked on several projects with other students who had different skill sets than me. We all learned from each other and were able to create some amazing dishes together.”