20 WESCO International Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at WESCO International, a global leader in procurement services, you’ll want to be sure to brush up on your knowledge of the company and be ready to answer some specific interview questions.

In this article, we’ll give you an overview of WESCO International and some sample interview questions that you may be asked during the hiring process. With a little preparation, you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job at WESCO International.

WESCO International Interview Process

The interview process at WESCO International can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, you may only have one or two interviews, while for others you may have several rounds of interviews. Overall, the interview process is generally professional and straightforward. However, some applicants have reported being ghosted after multiple interviews, which is unprofessional.

1. Why do you want to work at WESCO?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing an answer, it can be helpful to think of what attracted you to the job posting and how that aligns with WESCO’s mission statement or overall goals.

Example: “I was drawn to this position because I am passionate about helping businesses lower costs while increasing efficiency. In my last role, I helped a client reduce supply chain costs by 10% through strategic sourcing and negotiation techniques. This experience makes me confident that I would be able to help WESCO achieve its goal of lowering clients’ supply chain costs.”

2. What is your experience with customer service?

Customer service is an important part of any role in procurement. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with customer service and can apply it to your work at their company. Use your answer to explain how you’ve helped customers before and what skills you used.

Example: “In my last position, I was the primary point of contact for our clients. This meant that I had to be able to handle a wide range of questions and concerns from them. I always made sure to respond quickly to emails and phone calls so they could get answers as soon as possible. I also tried to resolve issues by asking clarifying questions or offering solutions.”

3. Describe a time when you had to interact with an upset customer, how did you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your customer service skills. This is because you will likely interact with customers as a procurement specialist, so it’s important that you can handle difficult situations and provide excellent customer service. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you have strong interpersonal skills and are able to resolve conflicts effectively.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset about an order we placed for them. They were expecting one product but received another instead. I listened carefully to their concerns and apologized for any inconvenience caused by our mistake. Then, I explained how we would fix the situation and ensure they got the right product in the future.”

4. Tell us about your data entry skills.

Data entry is a common task for many office jobs, and the interviewer may want to know how you would perform this job function. If your past experience includes data entry, describe what type of software or equipment you used and how it helped you complete your tasks.

Example: “I have two years of experience as an administrative assistant at my current company where I use Excel to enter data into spreadsheets. This has been helpful in organizing large amounts of information and identifying trends that can help our clients save money on their supply chain operations.”

5. Can you tell us about a time where you disagreed with someone on your team and how you handled it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and disagreements in the workplace. It’s important to show that you’re willing to voice your opinion, but also that you’re able to work with others to find a solution or compromise.

Example: “In my last position as an operations manager, I disagreed with one of my team members about which supplier we should use for a particular product. The disagreement was over whether we should continue using our current supplier or switch to another supplier who could offer us a lower price on the same product. After discussing it with my team member, we decided to meet with both suppliers to see if they would be willing to reduce their prices. We were able to get a better deal from our existing supplier, so we stayed with them.”

6. Are you comfortable working in an environment that requires some heavy lifting?

Working in a warehouse environment can involve some physical labor. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re prepared for the work that’s involved with this position. Before your interview, research what tasks are required of employees in this role. Share examples of how you’ve performed similar duties in previous roles.

Example: “I have experience working in warehouses before and am comfortable doing so again. In my last role, I helped unload trucks and move inventory around the facility. I’m happy to do whatever is necessary to help get the job done.”

7. How would you describe your management style?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would interact with your team members and other employees. Your management style is a reflection of your leadership skills, so it’s important to be honest about what type of manager you are.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable leader who encourages my team members to ask questions and voice their opinions. I think that everyone has something valuable to contribute to the discussion, so I try to create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing their ideas. This helps me get feedback on projects and learn more about my team members’ strengths and weaknesses.”

8. Do you have any previous sales experience?

WESCO is a sales-oriented company, and the interviewer may want to know if you have any experience selling products or services. If you do, explain how your previous job prepared you for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked in customer service before, so I understand what it’s like to be on the other side of the phone when someone calls with questions about our products. This has helped me develop empathy for customers and learn how to answer their questions as efficiently as possible. It also helps that I’m familiar with many of WESCO’s products, which makes it easier for me to answer questions.”

9. Describe a time when you had to make a quick decision without consulting your manager.

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions on your own. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to make that decision and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I first started working in procurement, my manager asked me to find a new supplier for one of our products. The company had been using the same supplier for years, so we were hesitant to switch. However, after looking at several options, I found a supplier who could provide us with the product at a lower cost while also improving quality. My manager approved the change, and we’ve been happy with the results.”

10. What are your strengths and weaknesses as they pertain to this position?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. When answering this question, think of two or three things you’re good at and two or three things you need to improve on.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented, which helps me stay focused during my workday. I also have excellent communication skills, so I’m able to clearly explain complex processes to others. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed by the amount of information I have to process each day. To combat this, I make sure to take breaks throughout the day to help myself focus.”

11. Have you ever worked in a procurement setting before?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your experience and how it relates to the position you’re interviewing for. If you have previous procurement experience, be sure to highlight what skills you used in that role and how they can help you succeed in this one.

Example: “I’ve worked as a procurement specialist for my current employer for five years now. In that time, I’ve learned many valuable skills that I use every day to find new suppliers and negotiate contracts with them. These skills include researching different vendors, negotiating prices and finding the best deals on supplies.”

12. What is your favorite part of being in sales?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new coworker. It can also help you understand what they value in their work and how they might fit into the company culture. When answering this question, try to focus on aspects of sales that relate to your job as a procurement specialist.

Example: “My favorite part of being in sales is helping customers find solutions to their supply chain problems. I love learning about different industries and finding ways to make them more efficient. In my last role, I helped a small bakery reduce its costs by 10% while increasing production by 20%. That was so rewarding.”

13. If hired, what would be your approach to identifying a potential new client?

This question is an opportunity to show your sales skills and how you would approach a new client. Your answer should include the steps you would take to find potential clients, such as researching companies that are similar to current customers or reaching out to contacts in industries where Wesco does not have a presence.

Example: “I would start by looking at our existing customer base for companies we don’t currently work with. I would then reach out to these companies to see if they’re interested in learning more about what Wesco can do for them. If there’s no interest from those companies, I would look into other businesses within their industry to see if they might be open to hearing more about Wesco.”

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

General Motors is a company that values innovation, and it’s important to show you understand what makes an idea innovative. You can answer this question by explaining the importance of creativity and how it relates to innovation.

Example: “Innovation is all about creating something new or different. I think the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative is to always keep your mind open to new ideas. Sometimes the best innovations come from combining two seemingly unrelated concepts. For example, if you’re working on a project for a car manufacturer, maybe you could combine that with your knowledge of robotics to create a self-driving car.”

15. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the issue and what the outcome was.

Example: “At my previous job, I had to help find a solution for a customer who wanted to lower their shipping costs but didn’t want to sacrifice quality or service. After researching several options, we found that by changing one aspect of their supply chain, they could save money without sacrificing anything. They were very happy with our solution.”

16. What is your experience with designing and testing mechanical components?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention the specific components you worked on and how they helped improve efficiency or reduce costs for your previous employer.

Example: “In my last role as an engineer at WESCO International, I was responsible for designing mechanical components that would help lower our customers’ supply chain costs. One of my projects involved creating a new type of conveyor belt that could transport goods more efficiently than traditional belts. After testing several different designs, we found one that lowered transportation costs by 10%.”

17. What is your experience with handling money and operating a cash register?

This question is a great way to assess your math skills and ability to work with money. If you have experience working in a cashier position, describe the responsibilities of that role and how you handled them. If you don’t have any previous cashiering experience, explain what kind of math skills you possess and how you would use those skills to help customers make purchases.

Example: “I’ve worked as a cashier at my local grocery store for two years now. I’m used to handling large amounts of money and making change quickly and accurately. In fact, I was recently promoted to lead cashier because of my excellent customer service and attention to detail.”

18. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you handled the situation successfully.

Example: “In my last role as a procurement specialist for a large company, I had a customer who was unhappy with our services. They were threatening to take their business elsewhere unless we lowered our prices. Instead of lowering our prices, I decided to find ways to lower costs in other areas so that we could still offer competitive pricing without sacrificing quality.”

19. What would be your response if a customer showed up late for their appointment?

This question is a great way to see how you handle customer service. It’s important for any company to have happy customers, and it’s the job of the sales team to make sure they’re happy with their experience.

Example: “I would first apologize for the inconvenience and then ask them if there was anything I could do to help. If they were late because of traffic or another situation that wasn’t within our control, I’d offer to reschedule at no charge. If they were late due to something we did, such as not sending directions in advance, I’d offer to give them a discount on their next appointment.”

20. How well do you work under pressure?

Working in a fast-paced environment can be challenging, especially when you’re responsible for making important decisions. Employers ask this question to see if you have the ability to work under pressure and make smart choices quickly. In your answer, explain how you stay calm and focused during stressful situations. Share an example of a time you faced a similar challenge and succeeded.

Example: “I thrive in high-pressure environments because I know that it’s my job to keep everyone else calm. When things get busy, I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am prepared for whatever comes my way. During my last internship, we had a rush order come in at the last minute. I was able to prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities so that everyone could focus on their jobs. We were able to complete the order by the deadline.”