Top Buyer Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Buyer interview by going through these most asked Buyer interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

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  • Question: Are you willing to relocate?
  • Question Overview: If your company is looking to hire a buyer, you may need to consider candidates who are willing to relocate. If you have a location in a different city or state, you may want to ask your candidate if they are willing to move. If they are, you can then ask them about their plans for the future.

    Sample Answer: I am willing to relocate if it means that I can help your company grow. I would like to continue my education in business and accounting so that I can be an asset to your company for many years to come.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Plans for the future
    • - Willingness to relocate
    • - Plans for continuing education

  • Question: What does customer service mean to you?
  • Question Overview: When you ask your candidate about customer service, you want to hear about their professional approach to the buying process. A good candidate will be able to explain how they have helped their company to succeed in the past.

    Sample Answer: I always try to make sure that my customers are happy with their purchases. I take the time to understand their needs and work with them to find a solution that works for everyone involved.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A willingness to help customers
    • - A professional attitude
    • - A willingness to go the extra mile for their customers

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you worked as part of a team.
  • Question Overview: The best candidates are always willing to work with others. When you ask about a time when they worked as part of a team, you can learn about their ability to collaborate with others. This is especially important if your company is a small business that relies on teamwork.

    Sample Answer: I have always been a team player, and I have worked with people from all walks of life. I have also been able to work with people from different cultures, and I have learned how to communicate effectively in those situations.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Willingness to work with others
    • - Ability to work with people from different backgrounds
    • - Experience working with different types of people

  • Question: How do you handle stress?
  • Question Overview: This is a common question that most interviewers ask, and it's important to have a response prepared. The interviewer is looking for a potential employee who can handle pressure and remain calm in the face of challenges.

    Sample Answer: I have learned to recognize stress as a sign that I need to take a step back and reevaluate my situation. I have also learned to take time off when I need to relax and refresh myself.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Acknowledgement of stress
    • - Plans for dealing with it
    • - Acknowledgement of the need for stress management

  • Question: What makes you think that you are a good candidate for this position?
  • Question Overview: This is a good way to learn more about your potential candidate's self-confidence. If they are not confident in their abilities, they may not be the best fit for your company. If they are confident, you can feel more comfortable about their ability to succeed in the role.

    Sample Answer: I have been working in this industry for over eight years, and I have extensive experience with the software that you use. I believe that I am a great candidate for this position because I am a quick learner and I am always willing to help out wherever I can.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Confidence in their experience and skills
    • - A positive attitude toward the company
    • - Willingness to learn new things and adapt to new situations

  • Question: What is your biggest weakness?
  • Question Overview: This is a common question that is asked to see how well the candidate can handle themselves in an interview. A good answer is one that shows that they are aware of their flaws and are working on improving them.

    Sample Answer: I have a tendency to get wrapped up in my work and lose track of time. I have been working on setting aside time for myself to relax and unwind.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Acknowledgement of a weakness
    • - A plan to improve it
    • - A positive spin on the weakness

  • Question: How would you handle a situation where material did not deliver on time?
  • Question Overview: When you're interviewing a candidate for a buying position, it's important to learn how they would respond to a common problem. You want to know that they are able to think on their feet and find a solution to any problem that arises.

    Sample Answer: I would contact the seller and find out what happened. If the delay was due to an error on their part, I would make sure that they understood the importance of meeting our deadlines. If it was our fault, I would work with our logistics team to find a solution.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work with multiple sellers
    • - Willingness to negotiate in a difficult situation
    • - Plans for any future contingenc

  • Question: How would your current manager describe you?
  • Question Overview: You want to learn about your candidate's reputation in the workplace. If they have a good one, then you can expect that they will be a good fit for your company. If they have a bad one, then you can look for other candidates who have better reputations.

    Sample Answer: My manager would describe me as a hard worker who is always willing to pitch in when needed. I have a great deal of experience working with others to get the job done.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Positive reputation among co-workers
    • - A willingness to help others
    • - A history of working well with others

  • Question: Why do you want to work with us?
  • Question Overview: This is a great opportunity for your candidate to show their enthusiasm for your company. They should be able to explain why they're interested in the position and how they can contribute to the company's success.

    Sample Answer: I am very interested in your company because of its reputation for excellence. I have always wanted to work with a team that is committed to providing excellent customer service, and I know that I can make a positive impact on your business.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A clear understanding of the company's mission and goals
    • - A desire to work with the company's products or services
    • - An interest in working with the company's employees

  • Question: When can we schedule a phone interview?
  • Question Overview: The best candidates will be eager to get the ball rolling on the hiring process. If your candidate is willing to schedule a phone interview, you can feel confident that they are interested in the job and want to move forward.

    Sample Answer: I have a few meetings this week, but I can schedule a phone interview on Thursday afternoon.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A willingness to set up an interview
    • - A desire to learn more about your company
    • - A willingness to travel or work overtime if necessary

  • Question: Tell me about a time you overcame adversity.
  • Question Overview: This is a good way to find out how your candidate handles stressful situations. If they can't think of an example, they may not be able to handle the pressure of the job. If they do have a story, listen closely to see if they can explain how they overcame the problem and what they learned from it.

    Sample Answer: I once had a supplier go out of business while I was in the middle of negotiations. I was able to find a replacement and secure a new contract within a few days. I learned that it's important to have a backup plan in place for any potential problems.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A willingness to face challenges head-on
    • - A desire to learn from mistakes
    • - An understanding of how their company can benefit from their experience

  • Question: What is the current price of Google stock?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that can be used to gauge your candidate's level of knowledge about the industry. If they are unable to answer the question, it may be a sign that they are not familiar with the market.

    Sample Answer: Google stock is currently trading at $1,000 per share.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Current stock price
    • - Ability to use online resources to find the answer
    • - Acknowledgement of the importance of staying up to date on industry trends

  • Question: If you were a color, what color would you be and why?
  • Question Overview: This is a fun question that can give you a sense of your candidate's personality. You can learn about their interests and hobbies, and you might even get a laugh or two.

    Sample Answer: I would be yellow because it's the color of sunshine and happiness.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A color that represents their personality
    • - A color that represents their favorite activity
    • - A color that represents their favorite food

  • Question: How do you work in a team?
  • Question Overview: It's important to know how your potential buyer interacts with others, especially if they will be working with your team. When you ask this question, you can learn about their ability to work with others and their willingness to collaborate.

    Sample Answer: I have always been a team player, and I have worked well with all types of people. I am also very motivated and always willing to help my colleagues.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to work with a variety of personalities
    • - Willingness to help others
    • - Ability to work independently

  • Question: Which previous employer would you love to go back to work for?
  • Question Overview: This is a great question to ask because it gives you insight into the candidate's character. If they have a positive experience with a former employer, then they will likely be a good fit for your company. If they don't, then you may want to consider someone else.

    Sample Answer: I would love to go back to my previous employer because I learned so much from the team there. They were very supportive and taught me everything that I know about the industry.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A former employer that they would love to work for again
    • - A former employer that they would not want to work for again
    • - A former employer that they would not want to work for again

  • Question: What kind of experience do you have in purchasing?
  • Question Overview: When you ask a candidate about their experience in purchasing, you want to find out what they've done in the past and how it can help them succeed in the future. If they have plenty of experience, you can ask them to elaborate on some of the most important lessons they learned.

    Sample Answer: I have been working as a buyer for over eight years, and I have dealt with all types of emergency situations in the past. I don't shy away from challenges and work hard to overcome them.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with a similar company
    • - Experience with a similar product or service
    • - Experience with a similar industry

  • Question: Tell me about a time when your assumptions were wrong.
  • Question Overview: This is a good way to learn about your potential candidate's ability to think on their feet and react to new information. You'll want to hear how they handled the situation and whether they were able to adjust their plans accordingly.

    Sample Answer: I once assumed that a seller would be able to deliver a large quantity of products within a short time frame, but they were unable to do so. I was able to find another seller who could meet our needs and still deliver on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Acknowledgement of the mistake
    • - Acknowledgement of the value of learning from it
    • - Willingness to change their plans in the future

  • Question: What was the last mistake you did at work and how did you fix it?
  • Question Overview: This is a great way to learn more about your potential candidate's problem-solving skills. You can also get a feel for their level of responsibility by asking them to discuss a mistake that they made. If they are able to take responsibility for their actions and explain how they fixed the problem, you can feel confident that they will be a good fit for your company.

    Sample Answer: I once made an error in my Excel spreadsheet that caused a delay in our weekly report. I was able to fix the error and send out the report on time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to admit mistakes
    • - Willingness to take responsibility for their actions
    • - Ability to learn from their mistakes

  • Question: How would you deal with difficult clients?
  • Question Overview: A candidate who is able to handle difficult clients is a valuable asset to any company. When you ask this question, you want to hear about the candidate's ability to handle a variety of personalities and situations.

    Sample Answer: I have a proven track record of working with difficult clients, and I have never let a situation get out of hand. I am able to remain calm in stressful situations and communicate effectively with all types of people.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to stay calm in stressful situations
    • - Willingness to work with difficult clients
    • - Ability to communicate effectively with all types of people

  • Question: How much experience have you had in buying volume?
  • Question Overview: You want to hire a buyer who is capable of handling large orders. If your company deals with a lot of volume, you need someone who can handle the pressure. When you ask about their experience with volume, you'll get a better idea of how they deal with large orders and how they plan to handle them in the future.

    Sample Answer: I have worked with large orders in the past and have been able to negotiate contracts that saved my company money. I am confident that I can handle volume for your company.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with large orders
    • - Willingness to work with multiple sellers
    • - Experience with negotiating in a fast-paced environment