mars interview case study

20 Mars Interview Questions and Answers

Prepare for the types of questions you are likely to be asked when interviewing for a position at Mars.

Mars is a global company with a wide range of products and services. As such, they have a variety of company specific interview questions that they use to assess candidates. In this article, we will provide an overview of some of the most common Mars interview questions.

Mars Interview Process

The interview process at Mars is lengthy, difficult, and overall not a great experience. It can take weeks or even months to hear back from the company after applying, and the interviews themselves are very challenging. Most of the time, it feels like the interviewer is trying to trip you up rather than get to know you as a person. The whole process is very impersonal and frustrating.

• Why do you want to work at Mars?
• What is your experience with sales and marketing in the food industry?
• Are you willing to travel up to 60% of the time for this position?
• Tell me about a time when a strategy didn’t go as planned, what did you do?
• How would you train someone on how to operate a machine?
• Describe a situation where you had to multitask and manage several projects at once.
• On a scale of 1-10, how much of a team player are you?
• Have you ever had to deal with an unhappy customer or client? How did you handle it?
• Why should we hire you over other candidates?
• If hired, how long do you plan on working here?
• Can you tell us about any leadership roles you have held?
• Do you consider yourself a detail oriented person?
• How would describe your communication style?
• If there was something wrong with one of our machines, how would you fix it?
• Would you be comfortable working overtime if needed?
• Have you worked in manufacturing before?
• Which shift are you available to work?
• How well do you work under pressure?
• Is there anything else you think we should know about you?
• Our company has certain safety standards that must be followed. If you saw another employee not following these rules, what would you do?

1. Why do you want to work at Mars?

This question is a great way to see how passionate you are about the company. Mars has many different brands, so it’s important that you show your interest in working for their specific brand. You can answer this question by talking about what drew you to the job posting and why you think you’re a good fit for the role.

Example: “I saw an opening at M&M’s on LinkedIn and was immediately drawn to the position because of my background in candy making. I’ve always been interested in space exploration, so I started researching Mars and found out that M&M’s is one of the most popular candies there. I’m excited to work here because I feel like I have a lot to offer as a candy maker.”

2. What is your experience with sales and marketing in the food industry?

Mars is a food company, so it’s likely that you’ll be working with sales and marketing teams. Your answer should show the interviewer your experience in this area and how it can benefit Mars. If you have no previous experience, you can talk about what you would do if you were hired to work on these teams.

Example: “I’ve worked as a chef for five years now, but I also spent two years as a part-time marketer at my last job. In both roles, I was responsible for creating content that promoted our products and services. I learned how to use social media platforms to reach new audiences and increase brand awareness. I think I could apply those skills to help Mars create more effective campaigns.”

3. Are you willing to travel up to 60% of the time for this position?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your availability. If you are applying for a position that requires extensive travel, it’s important to be honest with yourself and the employer about how much time you can spend away from home.

Example: “I am willing to travel up to 60% of the time as long as I have enough notice before each trip. In my last role, I was able to plan ahead for all trips at least two weeks in advance, which allowed me to make arrangements for my family while I was away.”

4. Tell me about a time when a strategy didn’t go as planned, what did you do?

This question is a great way to see how you respond to challenges. Mars is an unpredictable planet, so it’s important that your strategy can adapt quickly. When answering this question, be sure to explain what steps you took to fix the problem and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “When I was working on my master’s thesis, we were trying to create a new type of solar panel for space exploration. We had been testing different materials when one day our equipment broke down. The professor told us to take the rest of the week off while they fixed the equipment.

I decided to use the time to research other types of solar panels. I found out that there are actually two main types of solar panels—one uses silicon and the other uses copper indium gallium selenide. I realized that if we used both types of solar panels in tandem, we could get more power than before.”

5. How would you train someone on how to operate a machine?

This question is a great way to test your teaching skills. It’s important for employees in any industry to be able to train others on how to do their jobs, and this question helps employers see if you have the ability to do so effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you taught someone something new.

Example: “I would first make sure they understood what I was saying by speaking slowly and using simple language. Then, I would show them exactly how to operate the machine or perform the task at hand. If there were specific steps involved, I would walk them through each one until they felt comfortable doing it themselves.”

6. Describe a situation where you had to multitask and manage several projects at once.

This question is a great way to assess your organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe how you organized your time and resources to complete all of the projects on time.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for managing several different social media accounts. This included creating content for our company’s Instagram account, as well as monitoring comments and responding to any questions or concerns from followers. In addition to these responsibilities, I also had to create weekly blog posts for our website and manage our company’s Facebook page. To ensure that I could meet all of these deadlines, I scheduled out each task in advance so I knew what I needed to accomplish each day.”

7. On a scale of 1-10, how much of a team player are you?

Mars is a team-oriented environment, so the interviewer wants to know how you will fit in with their current team. They want to see that you are willing to work together and support your teammates. Your answer should show that you value teamwork and collaboration.

Example: “I am definitely a 10 on the scale of being a team player. I have always been someone who values teamwork and collaboration. In my last job, I was part of a small team that worked on projects together. We would often meet outside of work hours to discuss our progress and bounce ideas off each other. I enjoy working as part of a team because it allows me to learn from others and grow.”

8. Have you ever had to deal with an unhappy customer or client? How did you handle it?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you react when a client is upset and whether or not you have the ability to diffuse a tense situation. In your answer, try to explain what steps you take to help clients feel satisfied with their experience.

Example: “In my previous role as an IT specialist, I had a client who was unhappy because they felt like we weren’t providing them with enough support. To solve this problem, I scheduled a meeting with the client to discuss their concerns in person. During our meeting, I explained that I wanted to make sure they were getting everything they needed from us. The client appreciated my transparency and agreed to give us another chance.”

9. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you unique as well as the skills that are most relevant to the position.

Example: “I have extensive experience with remote work environments, which makes me an excellent fit for this role. I also have several years of experience working in fast-paced environments where I had to prioritize multiple projects at once. These two skills combined would allow me to thrive in this role and help your organization achieve its goals.”

10. If hired, how long do you plan on working here?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re committed to the job. They want someone who is going to stay with the company for a long time, so they can invest in training them and helping them grow. When answering this question, be honest about how long you plan on staying at the company. If you don’t know exactly how long you’ll work there, explain that you are looking for a long-term career.

Example: “I would love to work here until I retire. I’m passionate about space exploration, and I think this company has an amazing mission. I’d like to help MarsCorp achieve its goals of reaching Mars by 2023.”

11. Can you tell us about any leadership roles you have held?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills. They want to know if you have experience leading a team, and they also want to see what kind of leader you are. When answering this question, think about the most recent leadership role you had. If you haven’t held any leadership roles, think about other experiences where you were in charge or took on a project by yourself.

Example: “In my last position as an aerospace engineer, I was responsible for designing new parts for rockets. This required me to work with several different departments, including marketing, sales and production. I met with each department regularly to discuss their needs and how we could meet them while still creating a quality product. I also led a small team of engineers who worked together to create our designs.”

12. Do you consider yourself a detail oriented person?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can focus on the small details of a project. Mars missions are often highly technical, and it’s important that any candidate for the position has the ability to pay attention to detail. Detail orientation is also an indicator of your overall organizational skills.

Example: “I consider myself a very detail oriented person. I’ve always been able to see things in their entirety while still paying close attention to the smaller elements. This skill has helped me immensely throughout my career as I have worked on many projects with complex systems. In fact, I find that being detail oriented helps me solve problems more quickly.”

13. How would describe your communication style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with your team and other stakeholders. Your communication style is an important part of your ability to work in a remote environment, so it’s important to be honest about your preferred method of communicating.

Example: “I prefer to communicate through written messages because I find that they are more efficient than phone calls or video conferences. However, I am also comfortable speaking over the phone if needed. In my last role, I was responsible for relaying information from our marketing department to our sales department, so I had to make many phone calls each day. I found that having a consistent schedule helped me manage my time better.”

14. If there was something wrong with one of our machines, how would you fix it?

This question is a great way to test your problem-solving skills. It also shows the interviewer that you have experience working with machines and tools in a Mars environment. In your answer, explain how you would identify the issue and fix it.

Example: “If there was something wrong with one of our machines, I would first try to figure out what caused the malfunction. If it’s something simple like a loose wire or a broken part, then I would repair it myself. However, if it’s something more complicated, I would call for backup from my team members so we can work together to solve the problem.”

15. Would you be comfortable working overtime if needed?

Working overtime is a common practice in many industries, including aerospace. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re willing to work extra hours when needed and that you can handle the stress of working long hours. In your answer, explain that you are committed to doing whatever it takes to get the job done.

Example: “I am always ready to do whatever it takes to ensure my team meets its deadlines. I understand that sometimes we have to work late or on weekends to meet our goals. If I were hired for this position, I would be prepared to put in as much time as necessary to complete all of my tasks.”

16. Have you worked in manufacturing before?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience working in the manufacturing industry. If you do, your potential employer can learn more about what you did and how it relates to their company. If you don’t have experience, you can talk about any previous work that may be similar.

Example: “I worked as an engineer for a small startup where I designed new products. This was my first job out of college, so I didn’t have much experience when I started. However, I learned quickly and became very good at designing things like cars and electronics. My skills helped me get this job because they are very similar to what Mars does.”

17. Which shift are you available to work?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are available for the shift they need. They also want to know if you have any conflicts with their current employees. When answering, be honest about your availability and try to align it as closely as possible with the needs of the employer. If there is a conflict, explain what you can do to help resolve it.

Example: “I am available to work all three shifts. I prefer the evening shift because I find that I am most productive in the late afternoon and early evening. However, I would be happy to work whatever shift was needed.”

18. How well do you work under pressure?

Working on a project that will take several years to complete requires you to be able to work under pressure. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the stress of working in such an intense environment. In your answer, explain how you stay calm and focused when things get hectic. Share a story about a time you worked under pressure and succeeded.

Example: “I am used to working under pressure because I have done it many times before. When I was working toward my master’s degree, I had to write a thesis paper while also completing other assignments. It was stressful, but I managed to meet all of my deadlines. I learned how to manage my time well so I could finish everything on time.”

19. Is there anything else you think we should know about you?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded person. You can talk about any unique experiences or skills you have, and how they relate to this position.

Example: “I am an avid rock climber, which has taught me how to work as part of a team while also being able to solve problems on my own. I’ve learned how to communicate effectively with others when we’re all wearing helmets and climbing equipment, so I think these communication skills would be useful in this role.”

20. Our company has certain safety standards that must be followed. If you saw another employee not following these rules, what would you do?

This question is a great way to determine how you would fit into the company culture. It also shows that the interviewer wants to make sure everyone follows safety procedures and are aware of any potential hazards in their work environment. Your answer should show your willingness to help others follow rules and regulations, as well as your ability to be an effective team member.

Example: “I would first ask them if they knew about the rule or regulation they were breaking. If they didn’t, I would explain it to them and offer to help them understand why it’s important to follow these standards. If they understood but still refused to comply, I would report them to my supervisor so they could take appropriate action.”

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