W.W. Grainger Interview Questions & Reviews

Interviewed May 2010 in Fort Worth, TX (took a day)

I was telephoned by a recruiter who "saw my resume online" The phone interview was 5 minutes or less, and the person was unable to answer basic questions regarding products, sales goals, current structure, or even the status of parking near the interview site. She sounded early twenties, and very unprofessional. The interview was scheduled for the following week. After driving 2 hours in rush hour traffic and very turbulent weather I found the hotel downtown Ft. Worth, and arrived ten minutes early. The meeting room was equipped with a projector, elegant appointments, and notepads, which were never touched. I was greeted by 2 arrogant men in mid thirties, who were not interested in conducting an interview, or sharing any information about this company called Grainger. One of the two did all of the talking, stating that the company planned to add approximately 15 people to their current team. The new sales force was expected to make 20 to 30 presentations a day to small or medium businesses "only mom and pop stores" The company will provide company cars "that you can take home", and pay a mileage rate. These details are the extent of what was shared. When I questioned them about the corporate accounts, or bring new industry in as clients, I was told that the company handled that internally with a "different team". These two fellows were sadly inept, unpleasant, with extremely poor social skills. They admitted to interviewing "hundreds", while looking at me as though I were a grain in the sand. The interview lasted precisely 4 minutes and 35 seconds. They apparently had a quota of persons to interview that needed to be logged in, and documented on company time. It almost seemed like they were inconvenienced by being asked to perform this function, and planned to close up early to go out for their company paid steak dinners.