Application Process & Interviews at Mainfreight New Zealand

Grad Program - initial interview with the training centre and then branch specific interviews

Application online and then interviews with various members of the Training Centre.

Interview process was very smooth. Initial interview with the training centre and then had another interview with the branch manager who then hired me. Standard paperwork required: police checks, drug test etc.

No issues, 2 interviews and a phone screening.

Interview process was real good quite open chats and honest to what is expected, dont really sugar coat what you have to do. Not many assessments more conversation. i.e. will you fit into our team? being a good person is valued here, if you can be trusted will go along way.

Process was smooth and communication was good

Very casual.

There was a conversation style interview over webcam with the recruiters then i was passed to the branch manager for a branch they thought would fit for an int person interview then i met with more of the team therebefore being offered a role.

For Grads, brilliant. Great that the training Centre is involved here and have to approve of applicants before sending through to the relevant branch managers. At a branch level, in the last few years since COVID, we have been rushing the process and putting people into roles and often pay for a certain lack of competency long term, and with our company culture, it is often hard to manage this sort of incompetency out of the business so often a lot of time spent on training and re-training of such team, which then can have financial implications.

Based on experience - interview questions were irrelevant - and it was a bit person rather than targeting the right qualities that would suit the job

Hiring process is great, it is in line with the culture. Initial interview with the Training Team, get to know you as a person and then second interview with the branch to see if you'd fit their team and what the role is going to look like.

Pretty easy, had 2 interviews and got the job

To my understanding it has changed since I was interviewed. But most interviews are done with the branch manager. There were not many assessments, just some very basic testing. Also drug test required.

Had a phone interview and an in person interview.

Went through 3 interviews from memory. A phone, a webex and an in person

A while ago but tended to be more personality based to see if you would have the right contribution to our culture

What my degree was? What I did outside of work? In terms of work life balance What appealed to me most about Mainfreight? What do I think I would bring to Mainfreight? What my background was and where I grew up?

My initial interview was very personality based - mainly centred around my family and my outside of work activities. Secondary interview with my branch manager was a little more focused on my background and how I ended up wanting to work at Mainfreight. Still very focused on who I am as a person and what I can bring to the team.

What i know about the business already, what I do on the weekend, my interests.

Why Mainfreight, What I do after work, Interests? and what is work culture to me

I liked that they asked about my work experience and life experience rather than grades etc

All the usual interview questions. How would you fit in the company, about the long hours, past experiences, what you'd offer, questions about the company etc.

It was more about who i am and what knew about Mainfreight and its Grad programme. There was none of those situational questions that put you on the spot

General questions on background, past employment Name a time where you made a mistake, and made up for it

What church do I go to ?

Tell me about yourself. What do you do in your spare time? Why did you choose to study your major? What did you like in your previous roles? What didn't you like in your previous roles? What do you know about Mainfreight? Why did you choose to apply for Mainfreight?

There was a lot about my background and what I did in Uni/ highschool

I do not remember the questions that well. I just remember it being very candid and more just a casual conversation rather than an interview.

Bit about my background, schooling, university and work history. What I knew about Mainfreight, how would I fit in

A healthy mix of professional questions and personal ones. Mainly targeted around who I am as a person and would I be the right fix

Have an understanding on what makes us different but also successful, have an open approach

#NAME?

Be yourself! We attract people who are confident in who they are and who are just keen to get stuck in! It doesn't matter what you studied or what qualifications you have, we are just after people who have the right energy and attitude.

Talk to people who work for Mainfreight already, read about the culture online.

Dress to impress, dont come in jeans and a t-shirt. Office shirt and pants is fine, Tips honesty is the best policy.

Make sure you know what Mainfreight is about

Do your research. Make sure you know at least a few things about the company & what your applying for. Don't take it too seriously & try have a good conversation.

Research Mainfreight and what the grad programme looks like. Make sure to have had work experience and a life outside of work with extracurriculars.

Understand the Mainfreight Pillars, read the annual report, articles, listen to all the Grad videos and watch the different interviews with Don Braid etc. Call into a branch and just have a chat with anyone on how things work.

Just be yourself and you will be fine.

Make sure you do your research and be yourself!

Be confident and not scared and don't wear a full on suit, you're not applying for a job at a accounting practice.

Understand the Mainfreight culture prior to applying, see if it resonates with you. Mainfreight is not for everyone, be ready to sink or swim. If you can't handle pressure and an ever adapting environment it will not be for you.

Do some research on the history of the company, what they do and where they do it. Just small things to show that you have prepared.

Really ask yourself are you willing to be part of something bigger than yourself and tailor your answers on that viewpoint.