Interview Questions

Hello everyone.

Welcome once again to this special training program of Learn Vern, where now, we are going to have a look at some “interview questions” and how to deal with them.

I know that many of you are already business owners while some of you might be professionals or students too. So, for all of them, interview questions are valuable.

Why? Because if you are a student or a professional, you will have to answer these questions somehow. And if you are a business owner, sometimes you might get a higher opportunity where you will have to give an interview or if you are the one conducting interviews, then you should definitely ask these questions.

Well, friends, the E-commerce industry is very trending and booming right now and so there are ample requirements for various jobs and it is obvious that where the jobs are more, the competition is also more.

So, friends, in this training session and this module, I am going to include a few such questions. Questions might vary for experienced individuals and freshers.

So, here I have sorted out a mixture of all the questions. There will be some questions that you might have to answer in the interview itself. Some questions are asked on the basis of practical knowledge. While some questions might change from what you expect because E-commerce is a very dynamic industry.  Some of the E-commerce industries are “uber, Ola, Zomato, Amazon, Flipkart” and many more.

Well, there will be many questions that you might not know of but have to answer based on your knowledge.

So just for you, here I have sorted out some basic questions that are very important and asked in almost every interview. Okay, friends.

So come, let’s try and understand each question one by one.

Well, friends, the most basic and common question that is asked in all the interviews is “introduce yourself”. now, sometimes you might wonder if they already have all your information on a piece of paper, then why are they asking us to introduce ourselves.

So, friends, let me tell you one thing. This is a trick question. They are just checking if you actually know yourself. Have you ever done proper research on yourself? So, for this question, you just have to introduce yourself in a proper manner. They already knew some basic things about you from your application, that’s why they called you for an interview. And this question is asked just to check your confidence level and how well do you know yourself.

Well, friends, there are some people who do not prepare an answer for this prior to the interview. Do not make this mistake. You have to be prepared for this question.

So, friends, let me give you an idea of how you can answer this question in a few words.

Now, look, friends. Many people start with myself like myself Sushant Mahato. Never start like this. Because at that time, myself becomes an objective.

Therefore, always start with “I am” as you are introducing yourself as a single entity. So, it should be like “I am” Sushant Mahato.

Now, the second bullet point is “language”. Sometimes you might start in “English, Hindi” or any of your regional languages. Look, friends. It is better to stick with a language that you are comfortable in throughout the interview rather than switching the language for different answers.

Let’s say you started your answer in English but now want to switch, at such times, you can ask the interviewer politely, can I continue my interview in so and so language? Just ask for their permission and then start answering in another language.

Then, you might already have some experience or you might be a fresher. Now, if you already have some experience, then you have to briefly describe about your work experience. If not, then I am sure as a fresher you might have worked on a few projects related to E-commerce. Briefly describe those projects.

Then, you have to describe your “qualification”. For instance, a diploma in information technology, engineering in information technology, and MBA in information technology plus marketing.

Friends, after this, you have to briefly describe your “career goal”.

What do you want to achieve in your career? What are your goals?

So, just prepare your answer by including these bullet points, and trust me you will rock from the first answer itself. Yes, your starting will be very impactful. (Understood?).

Now, let’s move to question number 2.

Now, generally from the first answer, the interviewer will get an idea for a follow-up question. But I would suggest you to be prepared for this rapid question as well.

So, “What would you describe as the core features of E-commerce?”

Look, friends. You might be applying for any of the positions from an “SEO content writer to product manager, marketing manager, or campaign manager. Just pay attention. You have to answer according to the position that you are going for.

So, for example, I will answer the core features are “top of funnel marketing”. Now, what is “top of funnel marketing?” So, basically the customer first interacts with your product. And the first interaction is known as “top of funnel marketing”. Then, the next feature is- through E-commerce, we can provide “lead nurturing”.

Then we can keep the record of “sales conversion” and “shipping and fulfillment”. We can also gain “customer loyalty” which leads to more “customer retention”.

So, this answer is a bit tricky. You have to answer this based on your knowledge but try to include these features from which you will get more wordings in your answer and you will be able to describe it perfectly.

Now, let's move to our next question, friends.

The interviewer can also ask you to describe the difference between E-commerce and traditional commerce.

Now, for this question, you have to answer smartly.

So, the first difference you can put up is “transactions”. Look friends, previously we were doing our business without the internet, right? during that time, the transactions were hard and difficult to maintain. But now in the E-commerce industry on the online platform, when we make a transaction, they are very accurate and easy to track.

The next point you can include is “hours of the day”. So, traditionally where you used to work from 10 to 6, now you are working 24 hours.

Then, the other difference is that traditional commerce only focuses on the “supply side” whereas now, in E-commerce, the “demand-side” is prioritized.

And lastly, as you all know the major difference is “delivery of goods”. Traditionally we used to deliver our goods by hand and regionally only, but today we can deliver internationally. (Got it?)

Now, come let’s move to our next question.

“Can you mention and describe a few E-commerce models?”

Well, I hope you remember that we already discussed this in our training program.

So, this is a very easy question for you.

So, the answer should be “B2C, B2B, C2C”. Then you can describe a few examples. So, the example for “B2B” is “IndiaMART”. Then for “B2C”, it is “Amazon”. And lastly for “C2C”, it can be “OLX or Quikr”. As you all know, C2C means customer to customer where a customer is the one selling and the customer is the one buying as well. There are no business owners. Therefore, “OLX” is the best example of “C2C”.

Then the next question can be – “What are some key metrics to track in any E-commerce models?”

What does this mean? This means that whenever you want to judge the success of any E-commerce or if you want to judge the marketing of any E-commerce platform, or if you want to judge how is my business doing? How will you analyze this? How will you track the metrics? How will you analyze and calculate the total profit or loss? (Are you getting it?)

So, friends, for this question you have to answer very slowly with the help of practical examples.

For instance, the first point you can include is “customer acquisition cost”. This means how much amount did I have to spend convincing the customer between the whole purchase from starting till they buy my product.

And is the advertising cost included in that whole expense that is “ROAS”. “Return of advertising spend”. Yes “ROAS”. Here you have to judge, how much return did you get for the expense that you made.

Then, have people opened and checked the Emails or SMS? If yes, then how much did I benefit from it?

After judging all the points, you can also calculate if the customer is purchasing your product repeatedly? Is the customer actively calling and messaging to purchase more of your products?

This is called “customer retention”. This means the customer is loyal enough to make the purchase multiple times.

So, after the proper metric analysis only, you will be able to judge if you have gained enough customer retention or not. (I hope this answer is clear)

(09:56)

Now, friends, let’s move further to our next question.

“What do you think are some of the disadvantages of E-commerce as a business model?”

Now, look this is a tricky question. Here you have to mention some disadvantages that you think you have faced after using a particular platform.

So, this is kind of a tricky question where they will judge your answer.

Well, you have to answer this question also very smartly.

Because as you already know, everything has its pro and cons and the same goes for E-commerce as well. Now you should not portray the disadvantages negatively, rather you can describe the disadvantage and improvise a change to overcome the disadvantage.

For instance, you can start by saying “the option to interact with the product before purchasing”. This means that as you know there is already enough competition out there and there are many people who are trying to get their business in E-commerce as well. So, in short, information is available everywhere.

Then the second disadvantage that you can say is “privacy and security concerns”.

Then, “the inability to create a brand-centric”. Yes, as there are many options, the customer will look for various other options if they don’t like your product. They will explore and find the best product that they like and where they are getting any discounts and purchase from them.

The last one is the “in-person buying experience”. Yes, friends. You can get the in-person buying experience through traditional commerce only where the customer can see the product live and feel it before buying it.

So, you have to improvise and answer this question with the solution that yes, if we do this rather than this, then it can turn into an advantage for us as well. You have to include some solutions as well to overcome the disadvantage that can be a game-changer and turn it into an advantage. (Tricky, right?)

Well, friends, let’s move on to our next question.

“Can you mention any examples of E-commerce companies that inspire you? And why?

Now, this is also a tricky question. Here they are asking you if there is any other E-commerce company that inspires you? If yes, then why?

So, here you have to answer with your own examples. Because look, I am not aware from which E-commerce industry are you all working? But you know that well.

So, you have to judge the interviewer if he is trying to trick you into answering something. Yes, friends. You have to understand the interviewer’s questions properly before answering them. And yes, for this particular question, the interviewer is tricking us to answer a question within another question.

Now, look, if you name some other company that inspires you, then the interviewer will judge you based on that, he will think that yes if I offer him a job here, he might still go to another company if the opportunity is given.

So, prepare yourselves and answer smartly. You can say, sir, I am inspired by this particular company because of so and so reasons. But though I was inspired, there were some drawbacks that lead me to choose your company instead of theirs.

It is not necessary that you join the company that inspires you. So, basically, you have to come up with a tricky answer. I am leaving that to you, so answer it based on your judgment. And do let me know your answer in our discussion section below. (Okay?)

Now, let’s move on to our next question.

“How would you boost repeat purchase rate and increase customer retention?”

Now, this is also quite a tricky question.

Here you can say that look if we understand the customer experience thoroughly, then we can change our strategies accordingly, and if we analyze the customer’s demands in a proper manner, then we can supply accurately. For example, a product is trending right now, if you involve that trendy product on your E-commerce platform. Suppose a dance move is trending on social media and you promote your product through that dance move and spread it on social media. Anything can be trendy like a dance move or a song or anything that is relating directly to your e-commerce platform.

So, you have to involve that on your platform which will attract the focus of a lot of customers and once that happens, you can provide some discounts and easily retain them to purchase from you again. You can offer some discounts, distribute loyalty cards or you can even offer a yearly subscription.

So, you have to plan and strategize a lot of things through which you can gain more customer retention.

According to me, if you include these points and explain them in this manner, then you have fully justified your answer to this question. (Got it?)

Now, let’s move on to our next question.

“How do you maintain a positive customer experience throughout an E-commerce business model?”

Now, look friends, if you want to maintain a positive customer experience throughout a business model, then you have to focus more on the “reviews”.

You have to pay more attention to the customer’s journey.

You will also have to focus more on community forums and analyze if your customers are happy with your service or not?

If the customers show a positive attitude and are happy, then they will prefer to order from you again. To keep them happier, you have to work harder.

You might have to provide a personalized touch or call sometimes. Then sometimes, you can gift them on their birthday or at least send a birthday message.

So, trust me, if you are keeping your customers satisfied and happy, then I am sure those customers will be maintained throughout their journey. They will be satisfied enough with your company.

Well, friends, let’s have a look at the next question.

“In your experience, what are some of the essential e-commerce third-party partnerships to a successful e-commerce business?”

Look friends, here you have to share your own personal experience with the third-party apps and the accurate answer for this belongs to your specific E-commerce industry.

It depends if you are working in “B2B, B2C or if you are driving an ola, uber, or working in Zomato or any other e-commerce industry.

 In every e-commerce platform, a third-party app or a third-party business is involved for sure.

You have to judge that, is the involvement of those third-party apps affects the customer’s journey in any way? If the customer journey is affected, then you will have to remove them from your platform. And if not, then you have to keep it well maintained. And various third-party tools, apps, or businesses are always involved in any e-commerce platform.

So, you have to do proper research before answering this.

So, come friends, let’s conclude with these interview questions now.

Well, “Preparation is always, always, always the key”.

Yes, preparation is the only thing that will boost your confidence while answering all the questions.

Yes, you will have a conviction. The confidence will be visible in your eyes.

Well, friends, you have to gain as much knowledge as you can on trendy topics related to that particular company.

And let me give some free advice here. Always gather some information beforehand regarding the company where you are going for your interview.

Gather some basic information regarding the employees, how they work, and function so that you can always have an idea of what questions might they fire at you next. And they may ask a lot of questions regarding their work to check if you know them well enough. (Clear?)

If you have any queries or comments, click the discussion button below the video and post there. This way, you will be able to connect to fellow learners and discuss the course. Also, Our Team will try to solve your query.

Thank you very much.