CarMax Assistant Buyer Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – The day after submitting an application online I received a phone call to set up a phone interview. The phone interview was very relaxed and had a very conversational feel to it and some rather general questions were asked. The phone interview lasted about 15 to 20 minutes and ended with the interviewer asking me to come in for an in-person interview later that week. It was cllear when I arrived that they were interviewing dozens of candidates for numerous positions all on the same day. I was interviewed several times throughout the course of the day by various people all of whom were reading from a questionnaire and jotting down my answers.

Interview Details – There was a tour than the interviews. The interview felt like an interrogation; don't be fooled by their kindness it's all an act. They kept repeating how they were a fortune 500 company and how 1 in 40 gets hired; so what? I use to work for a bigger company than them. Just remember tell them what they want to hear; they are trained to interrogate you to find any reason to dismiss you.

Interview Details – Everyone was very friendly and I enjoyed the experience. A few hours after submitting my application online I received a call from the hiring manager to set up a time for a phone interview. The phone interview was very relaxed and conversational and at the end I was invited to come in for an interview in person. The in person interview consisted of two separate interviews where I was asked basic situational questions.

Interview Details – The response to my application was very quick. I was called withing 2 business days of applying for the position. The person who performed the phone interview was very nice and easy to speak with. She explained the position the was applied for in more detail than was on the job summary. I was offered an interview during this phone call for the following week. I was, however, under the impression that this would only be a 1:1 interview. When I arrived at the facility (which is huge!), it was before normal business hours, so there was nobody in the front area to direct me. Luckily, I arrived early and was able to wait around until someone happened to walk by and show me where to go. When I arrived to the area I needed to be in, I was told to have a seat and the person I was supposed to meet would be with me shortly; which she was. I was then taken to a public area that is normally used by the salespeople and I was asked to look over the application I submitted online and make sure things looked correct. I was thenI asked to do a computerized questionaire about my background and then signed paperwork allowing access to a background check. As I was answering questions on the computer, I noticed more and more people being seated around me going through the same process. I then realized this was not a 1:1 interview, it was a job fair. After completeing the computer part of this process, I was then asked again to have a seat and wait for the next person to come out and get me. After about 1/2 an hour (it could have been less, but sitting in a waiting room, it seemed like forever), I was finally greeted by the next person who I would be dealing with. I was taken to another area of the building and sat in yet another area where the sales people do business with their clients. I looked around and saw candidate on the other side of the room being interviewed also. I sat down and finally had a 1:1. I was asked genearly questions about my experience and what types of skills I can bring to the position. Then I was asked about how I would react to different situations, which is typical of an interview, but the questions were basically repeated the whole time, just reworded. Not sure if that was on purpose or not. After the interview, I was asked if I had any questions about the position. I was wondering what the position would posibly pay (since I have bills to pay and a family to support). When I asked if they knew what the pay would be, the person looked stunned that I would ask. It's not like I asked rudely. I basically said that I was curious about the pay for the position and wondered if they would be able to tell me at this point. I was told that they had no idea about the pay and that was something that is offered down from corporate, but he guestimated that it would be something fair, like $10 or $11 per hour. FAIR? After the 1:1, I was done with this portion of the interview and was told someone would call me within the week to let me know what the decision would be. A week went by, no phone call. A few more days...no phone call. I went on vacation for a week and when I got home, I went through the mail and found a letter from Carmax. It was a "...thank you for interviewing, but we have found a more qualified candidate to fill the position..." letter. Pretty much what I had expected, but still frustrating all the same.

Interview Details – Question about past experience and customer service. Typical personality and behavioral test. Had three 1:1 interviews. 1st with a buyer, 2nd with senior buyer (who makes final hiring decision) and then gets purchasing manager approval with a last interview (usually just going over job description and pay).

Negotiation Details – No negotiation was possible.Take it or leave it.

Interview Details – First you start off with a phone interview and a week later I was called to do an in person interview. At that point I met with two Managers as they interviewed me at the same time. The next week I came back for a second interview where I had to take a drug test and interview with two more managers.

Interview Details – Recruiter called to schedule a phone interview at my convenience. Interview questions were simple and straightforward. Asked around 4 questions which were focused on team work and customer service questions. Interviewer was very polite and provided a positive view of the company. Interviewer stated that they would make a decision regarding the position the following week.

Interview Details – initial phone interview was basically, how did you hear about carmax? one on one interview ended abrubtly when the per/hr wage was revealed. this position doesnt even register on their corporate website as a position.

Interview Details – Carmax called me for a phone interview about a week after I applied online. During the phone interview, I was asked general questions such as "How did you hear about Carmax?" and "Do you know what the position entails?" At the end of the phone interview, the manager told me he would like to meet me in person for an interview and would call me back in the afternoon after he looked at the schedule to let me know what day to come in. That afternoon, as promised, he called me back and set up an interview for the next day. When I got to Carmax, I had to watch a few videos and fill out a packet (consenting for background check, etc.) This session also included questions about my past (ie. have you ever done illegal drugs, have you ever been convicted of a crime and some personal questions). After that was done I had a seat and waited for my first face-to-face interview. This interview was conducted by someone who said he had nothing to do with the interview process except that he needed to clarify on some of the questions from the assessment I just did. When that was finished, I was seated again to wait for the next interview. The manager then came out with another manager, and they switched back and forth asking me questions. All questions during the whole process were situation questions, and your answers can easily invoke more questions. I was told to take a seat once again, and they will discuss whether I will be moving farther in the interview process or not. A few minutes later, I met with a senior manager who again asked me some more questions. I took a seat again, and they all talked and then the manager came out and said they would like to offer me the position. I met with HR one more time to do my drug test, talk about my schedule, and what the attire should be.

At first going into the office, I was greeted by a salesman who asked if he could help me. I told him I was there for an interview and he asked what position. Upon telling him, he said okay well I hope you get it! He was super nice, and so was the woman at the front desk. Each time I was seated waiting for the next interview, the staff was all talking to me. The environment was much different (in a good way) than in other places I have worked. I felt like everyone there was sincere and really nice. Also- during the interview process I never felt rushed, awkward or uncomfortable. Each person who interviewed me was easy to get along with and knew how to make the interviewee feel more comfortable. During the interview, staying confident and calm was important! One of the first things I was told is that Carmax really looks for the best of the best and that there are many applicants. I was told only 1 of 10 people that interview actually get offered the job. Keeping confidence at this point is crucial. Don't get discouraged!

Negotiation Details – In my situation, there was no negotiation. I was currently working at a job that I really didn't like and that paid minimum wage. Carmax's hourly pay is very competitive for my area, and it is only half the distance from my home that my old job was.