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Interview Questions for a HGV Driver Interview

HGV Driver Interview Questions.

For a HGV driver interview, applicants will be asked around 10 questions during a 45-minute interview.

The employer is looking to recruit someone who is reliable, efficient and holds the correct driving license for the size of vehicle they will be required to drive.

HGV drivers earn on average between £20-£40,000 annually depending on the driving experience an applicant possesses. As demand for drivers continues to rise, so does the average pay.

Interview questions will, in the main, focus on how the HGV driver can show that they will be able to transport goods, safely and securely, from one place to another (including overseas for some roles).

Heavy good vehicle drivers spend a lot of time on their own, which requires a certain personality type and work ethic. With this in mind, interviewers will ask questions about an applicant’s best working style.

Below is a list of job interview questions and an explanation of how to answer each question, for an HGV role to help drivers prepare for any upcoming job interviews.

10 Interview Questions for HGV Driver Interviews.

Below is a list of commonly asked driver job interview questions.

Each questions comes with an explanation of how to answer each of the questions.

Job applicants need to utilize their own experience to make their answer unique to themselves, while promoting their own strengths, skills and qualities.

job interview coaching

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Many employers ask ‘tell me a little about you?’ as an ‘open’ question to help generate a conversation. The goal here, is to put the interviewee at ease.

Each answer will be different. Some job applicants will have qualities, skills and experiences from one industry that are relevant to a driving role. And other candidates will be experienced drives.

Each driving job also varies. From the size of the truck, van or HGV to the role. A full-time driving position or a  blended warehouse/driver position.

Some jobs will require driving abroad, others moving heavy goods and some multiple drops in local areas.

For all driving jobs there are generic skills that are required.

As the required qualities of a long and short distance lorry driver require an employee to be self-reliant, a self-starter and to enjoy their own company, you can answer the opening interview question about who you are by talking about your personal qualities and why driving (and working alone) is an ideal job role for you.

Towards the end of the interview answer, explain the skills you possess required for the position you are applying for.

What is your experience as a driver?

When asked about driving experience give detail.

Initially, give an overall summary of your combined driving experience and break this down by each role.

An example of this would be:

‘I have been driving for the past 20 years, the first 5 years were spent driving transit vans delivering parcels to homes and offices. I gained an HGV license and spent 10 years delivering palletised goods in and around the UK and for the past 5 years, I have worked driving goods across Europe….’

Next add in any specific details relevant to the job role: ‘I am fluent in X languages which helps when communicating with businesses across Europe”

If you possess any additional qualification, an FLT license, as an example you can mention these qualifications here as well.

The goal here is to be seen employable, that you possess the required experience to complete the business as usual tasks.

What do you think are the duties of an HGV driver?

The more specific you answer this question to higher you will score during the structured job interview. 

With this in mind, you can list a full day duties or frame this as an example job interview answer.

When answering this question ensure to mention the following key duties:

  • Planning and setting the route of goods to ensure the best use of time.
  • Checking the goods against the delivery not and looking for damaged or missing parcels.
  • Ensuring all goods are secure during transit.
  • Checking traffic reports on route and making route adjustments when necessary.
  • Completing all paperwork and receiving a signature for goods received at the delivery location.

When listing duties, give some real life examples: “One of the duties is X, an example of me doing X is when I was working at Y. (Situation/duty) happened, and I (actions taken) which resulted in (outcome).”

What is the process for taking on a new load?

Process questions are asked when an organisation has had issues with this process area. IE if you are asked about a process for checking goods-in, it is highly likely that, previously, errors have been made.

The question, then, is to check your level of knowledge and experience to ensure you, once hired, wouldn’t make any errors with this particular part of the job role.

With the ‘new load process’ example, you would answer this question systematically, starting from the point you, as a driver, would receive the task:

  1. Check the delivery note; load quantity, load weight – against maximum load the vehicle can take, pick up time, delivery location (checking the duration and traffic reports)
  2. On arrival to the depot; check the security of load, good quantity against the delivery note and a quality check of the goods. Discussing the delivery with the warehouse manager. 
  3. A final double-check of goods vs delivery note

Why is H&S so important for a driver?

Health and safety in the logistics industry are highly important.

When discussing the health and safety process for a delivery or HGV driver discuss the H&S rules for 3 key areas:

  1. Depot pick-up
  2. Driving long distances
  3. Warehouse drop-off

Ensure you explain how you read up on the H&S rules for each individual country or organisation you deliver to.

To answer the question:

  • State the importance of H&S safety
  • Discuss specific H&S rules for the 3 areas above
  • Give an example of following H&S processes

How often would you take a break?

Depending on the vehicle you drive differed from the number of legal breaks you have to legally take.

Ensure you know the legal requirements as a drive and state this as fact.

How do you stay motivated when working alone?

As an experienced driver, hopefully, you do enjoy working alone or as part of a 2 person team.

When answering this question, simply list why you enjoy working alone. You might include:

  • I’m a natural introvert
  • I have always been a self-starter
  • I enjoy the process of moving goods from one place to another

Talk also about your personal values and what motivates you. Employers here want to confirm that a driving job, while working alone, wouldn’t be a stress inducer.

How would you handle a warehouse manager who wants to rush the loading of goods due to time restrictions?

Several job interview questions will be framed as real-life situations.

With all ‘situational’ interview questions, answer these with a real-life example.

First, give a detailed overview of the problem you faced – in this example how an aggressive warehouse manager insisted that the goods to be loaded faster than was possible.

Next, explain how you responded, professionally, to the warehouse manager’s demands.

Finally, give a positive outcome to the situation you handled with professionalism.

What would you do if the radio/news alerted you to a heavy car jam up ahead?

As discussed above, situational job interview questions are best answered with an example answer.

A traffic jam situation has happened to all drivers, who know that their manager and/or customer still require the goods to be delivered on time.

When giving a real-life example as the interview answer, ensure to make a point that at no point during the situation would you break the law as this would have a negative implementation for the company and for yourself.

Instead, explain your process which could include:

  1. Having a traffic alert system built into the sat-nav.
  2. Having voice control sat-nav to request a new route
  3. Checking new duration compared to waiting in the jam
  4. Picking either option
  5. Delivering the goods on time

Do you have any questions for me?

  • What is the number of deliveries required to be made per day?
  • What locations/countries do you deliver to?
  • What type of goods do you deliver?
  • What technology do you employ to assist drivers?
  • Do you have your own break-down/mechanics team?
  • How long does a driver stay within the organisation for?

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Interview Questions for a Call Centre Interview

Call Centre Interview

      • Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
      • What is your experience in a call centre is?
      • Do you have any experience handling multiple lines?

    • How do you handle pressure when dealing with targets and/or rude customers?
    • How fast can you type while receiving a call?
    • What do you enjoy about the call centre industry?
    • What is your experience in meeting targets?

    • What is more important customer service or getting the sale?
    • What do you understand about customer service?
    • Do you have any questions for me?

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6 Principles of Job Interview Persuasion

The Psychology of Influence is an insightful read on the principles of influencing and persuasion techniques Dr. Robert Cialdini.

This book is often quote in other books on influence, persuasion and manipulation, which shows how regarded this book is by professionals.

We have taken what Dr Cialdini researched and taught us and made it relevant to the job interview situation.

Dr Cialdini talks about the six principles of influence, we give examples of how any interviewee can use this psychology to influence their next job interview outcome.

COMMITMENT

People have a need to follow through on their commitments; we all strive for consistency and when we commit verbally or in writing to something, we often won’t want to back out of this personal commitment.

To win job offers you first need to gain the employer’s commitment, if they commit to employing you during the interview they won’t want to change their mind.

During the interview you can ask a mixture of questions while answering the employer’s questions, that subtly get the employer to commit to employing you through answering yes to each of your questions, as these yes answers build so does the employers commitment.

“Do you want to hire someone who can (add a unique selling point) example increase your sales?”

“If I could give you real evidence of how I have doubled profits in my past 2 companies, would you want me to show you how I can double your profits?”

“Imagine you hired me, and we worked really well together, increased the sales and made a bigger profit than any previous year, would you want me to teach other people to get the same results that we are getting?”

“Would you hire me, if I could bring over the customer base that I built up?”

All the questions designed to make the employer say yes, even the last question which asks “would you hire me?”

RECIPROCATION

People feel indebted to others who do/give something to them. In the interview, you can’t offer to buy the interviewer a coffee (giving gifts works well for the reciprocation rule) instead you need to give them advice or an idea that would add value to their company.

This has to be unselfish; tell them how X technology will improve production, or how X company have a contract they want to subcontract or explain how a certain sector needs X

It doesn’t matter what the gesture is, what matters is the employer will realise how valuable you are. They will first feel indebted to you because you have told them something that can help increase their profit, and secondly, the interviewer will think if you will give this gem away for free, what else will I get when I employ you?

SCARCITY

Make yourself scarce, unique or valuable. You need to think about the value you can bring to the organization, what do you possess that others don’t? How will you increase company profits? How will employing you add value to their organization? And more importantly, if they don’t employ you what will they miss out on, especially if you become the employer’s competition as an employee at a competitive company.

Once the employer realises how valuable an employee you are, let them know how employers from other competitive organizations have already offered you a position and there troubling you for an answer.

Now you are becoming scarce, the employer might miss out on recruiting you and we all want something we can’t have more. 

AUTHORITY

People listen, trust and follow experts. The more you learn about your industry the more you will sound like an expert.

With all this expertise in your head, share it with the employer, explain how this knowledge of yours will benefit the organization, how you can increase productivity, how you will win new contracts and save on overheads.

In the job interview you have to be seen as an expert in your industry, as this will increase your value, the rule is, if your an expert your worth more to the company. People believe experts and won’t always question your general statements if they believe you are an authority on the subject. 

LIKING

People find it hard to say no to people they like; people like people who are like themselves.

During the job interview, you can increase liking by finding common ground; you both enjoy the same sport, you both went to the same school, you both holidays in Greece or you are both interested in history.

To find common ground, ask friendly questions as the interviewer takes you from the reception area to the interview office, there may be signs of the employer interest in the form of photographs or books/magazines in the office.

Ask open questions about these pastimes and if the employer sounds interested in this, explain how you also enjoy this hobby. 

SOCIAL PROOF  

Most people are followers not leaders, especially when their uncertain about a course of action – to feel comfortable we will go with the crowd. In panel interviews, there will always be a leader.

During the interview make eye contact and answer everyone’s questions, but ensure you meet the values of the leader, impress this personal over all others, as in many cases they will have the last say.

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Interview Questions for a Doctor Interview

Doctor Interview

    • Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
    • What is your experience in medicine?
    • Why did you choose medicine as a profession?

  • Describe your day to day activities and duties?
  • What are the key challenges in the medical field?
  • What does the quality of life mean?
  • What are the biggest challenges facing the NHS?

  • While working in the hospital, you smell alcohol on a colleagues breath, what would you do?
  • How do nurses play a role in the hospital?
  • Do you have any questions for me?

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Interview Questions for aGeneral ITC Interview

General ITC Interview

    • Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
    • What is your experience in ITC?
    • Why do you want to work in ITC?

  • What qualifications do you have beyond academics that qualify you to make a successful transition into business?
  • What is your knowledge of Microsoft packages?
  • What is the biggest computer project you have worked on?
  • What will be the new advances in ITC over the next 5 years

  • Why is ITC is key part in all businesses?
  • Whet area of ITC is your key strength?
  • Do you have any questions for me?

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Interview Questions for a Cashier Interview

Cashier Interview

  • Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
  • What is your experience as a cashier?
  • What is your understanding of customer service?

  • How would you deal with an angry customer?
  • How do you stay focused when doing repetitive work?
  • How would you work out the change if the till broke during your shift?
  • What would you do if you thought someone was going to steal something?

    • What is your experience in handling money?
    • If it was near closing time and a customer had a large number of goods they wanted to buy, what would you do?
    • Do you have any questions for me?

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Interview Questions for a Retail Interview

Retail Interview

    • Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
    • What is your experience in retail?
    • What is your understanding of customer service?

  • How would you deal with an angry customer?
  • Give me an example when you have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help a customer?
  • What do you know about our products?
  • What would you do if you saw a co-worker being rude to a customer?

  • If a customer brought a product and after paying for that product they dropped and broke the product, what would you do and why?
  • If it was near closing time and a customer had a large number of goods they wanted to buy, what would you do?
  • Do you have any questions for me?

 

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Rule No.71 Offer A Diamond With One Hand, Take It Away With The Other

 

“To a brave man, good and bad luck are like his left and right hand. He uses both.” – St Catherine of Siena

The interview is broken down into several parts, from the introduction, followed by the interviewer’s brief overview of the company, to the interviewer checking you are a suitable candidate, questioning you to extract what value you can add to the company, to the interview close.

Throughout the interview you will have used a variety of techniques to increase your chance of the interviewer realising you are the ideal person for this position. At the interview close stage, you need to close the deal, to finally ensure the interviewer will choose you.

But, first you need to understand why people want what they can’t have. Scarcity makes us want a product more, which is why collector’s items are so valuable – there’s not that many of them. I have a friend who collects album covers with faults; the guitarist jacket is the wrong colour, a name is spelled wrong. These items are worth quadruple the price of a normal collector’s item even though the product was wrongly produced, the value is in the fact that this item is unique, one of a kind. And it’s being one of a kind, a unique item that will secure you a job offer.

If you have followed the rules in this book, so have already sold your unique selling point and highlighted on several occasions the value you will bring to the organisation, so all that is left is to make yourself scarce.

If I was selling a necklace, I would put a big sign in my shop window saying “Ruby Necklace Only 10 Remaining” if I was selling an old comic I might say “Limited Edition Superman Comic Only 100 Ever Produced” but when making yourself look scarce at a job interview you need a different tack, but the psychology remains the same – the interviewer doesn’t want to miss out.

With the interview being highly impressed with you, mainly due to your new selling skills or by you embedding commands into your interview answers, telling him to recruit you, you next need to highlight that you are not freely available and you can do this in two ways:

  • At some point towards the end of the interview, explain how you are under pressure from other companies to accept a job offer “Thank you for inviting me to the interview today; I have really enjoyed meeting you and learning more about your organisation.  I have a hard decision now, I’m really impressed with the vision you have for the company and I can see myself fitting in here really well, but a company that interviewed me last week is pushing for me to accept their job offer” this is highly effective, especially when it sounds of the cuff and as if you really talking to yourself out loud.
  • A different version is to use a similar line to highlight that you have 3-4 job interviews lined up. “Thank you for today, I’m really impressed with your company I have several other interviews lined up this week for similar positions I hope they can match your high standards”

Remember by this stage of the interview, the employer is already highly impressed with you, all you are doing here is saying, “Look I’m not going to hold out for this job” if you have done your homework and the interview has gone as planned, the interviewer will want to hire you anyway, but they can’t as they have to follow their company policies and procedures and interview the other 4-5 candidates that made it through the first round of CV’s and application forms, and now they have the fear that an opponent company may snatch you up first, making them want you even more.

By highlighting how you can add value to whichever organisation you accept a job offer from, the current interviewer or their competition, you are now taking the interviewer on an emotional journey.

Taking them on a high when they realise how they can turn your skills into profit and down to a low when they realise that a competitive organisation is still in with a chance of recruiting you. emotional journey will add to your unforgettable performance, but as we started on a high, you need to end on a high….

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Interview Handshakes

Shaking Interviewers Hands:

You want to give an employer an equal handshake, you don’t want to dominate the interviewer and you don’t want to be seen as submissive, again these thoughts are always subconscious. If you ask an interviewer they will often say they make their mind up about someone after the interview. Research has proven this to be wrong.

If you shake hands with your palm facing upwards you will come across as submissive – From this, we can see the origins of the phrase – “Giving someone the upper hand”.

If you shake hands with your palm facing downwards you come across as domineering or aggressive.

You need to shake hands with your palm facing sideways, as this will give an equal handshake.

If an employer walks towards you with their palm facing downwards (they want to dominate you) all you need to do is take their hand and clasp your other hand on the back of their hand and use this to gently turn their hand so that it faces sideways.

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How To Answer The Interview Question What kind of person would you refuse to work with?

Start by explaining how you get on well with everyone, and then stop to think.

Carry on by saying you would not want to work with someone who was violent or someone who was lazy.

“I always get on well everyone I meet, I am often told how friendly and approachable I am. I like to give everyone a chance but I wouldn’t like to work with someone who is violent or lazy”