Ace Your United Rentals Interview: The Top 17 Questions and Answers You Need to Know

Getting hired at United Rentals, the largest equipment rental company in the world, is no easy feat With its vast network of over 1,300 locations across North America, United Rentals receives thousands of applications every year Standing out from the crowd and impressing hiring managers requires rigorous preparation.

In this article, I’ll provide insider tips and strategies to help you tackle the most common United Rentals interview questions. With over 15 years of experience in the equipment rental industry, I’ve seen firsthand the types of questions interviewers at United Rentals like to ask.

Whether you’re applying for a customer service role sales position technician job, or management opportunity, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge needed to ace your United Rentals interview. Let’s get started!

Overview of the United Rentals Interview Process

Before we dive into specific questions it’s helpful to understand what the overall interview process looks like at United Rentals.

Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:

• Online Application: First, you’ll fill out an online application that asks for your resume and answers a few basic questions about your background and experience.

• Phone Screen: If your application is strong, you’ll receive a phone call from a United Rentals recruiter for an initial screening interview. This is a chance for them to learn more about you and assess your communication skills.

• In-Person Interview(s): The next step is one or more in-person interviews, either at a local branch or corporate office. For customer-facing roles, expect at least two rounds – one focused on culture fit and one on your technical abilities.

• Assessments: Some applicants may be asked to take an online test to see how well they can do the job. These are common for sales positions.

• Checking References: Before making an offer, United Rentals will call your professional references to find out more about how well you’ve done in the past.

The process is quite extensive, so make sure you’re putting your best foot forward at every stage. Now let’s get into the meat of it – the actual interview questions.

Top 17 United Rentals Interview Questions and Answers

Here are the most frequently asked United Rentals interview questions along with tips for crafting winning responses:

Q1: Why do you want to work for United Rentals?

As one of the leading companies in the equipment rental industry, United Rentals receives many applications from interested candidates. With this question, interviewers want to assess your motivations for pursuing a career there. It’s important that your answer demonstrates passion for the company and the role.

How to Answer:

• Express your admiration for United Rentals’ industry leadership, innovative technology, and commitment to customer service.

• Show enthusiasm for the specific position you’re applying for and how it aligns with your skills, interests, and career goals.

• Reference something distinctive about the company culture or values that resonates with you personally.

• Avoid generic answers – tailor your response to United Rentals specifically.

Q2: What experience do you have with construction equipment and the rental industry?

With its vast inventory of equipment, United Rentals needs employees who understand the machinery used at job sites. Interviewers will probe your familiarity with common rental equipment and your exposure to the rental sector.

How to Answer:

• Detail any hands-on experience you have operating or maintaining construction equipment. Focus on skills that translate.

• Highlight experiences where you directly interfaced with equipment rental companies as a customer.

• If lacking direct experience, emphasize your eagerness to learn and any transferable skills from adjacent industries like construction or manufacturing.

• Use specific examples when possible to demonstrate your capabilities.

Q3: How would you handle an unhappy customer or complaint?

Providing exceptional customer service is a point of pride for United Rentals. With this question, interviewers want to see how you handle difficult situations professionally and maintain positive relationships.

How to Answer:

• Emphasize listening attentively to fully understand the customer’s perspective.

• Describe using patience, empathy and a helpful tone when responding to complaints.

• Explain how you would take ownership of the issue and offer solutions to resolve it.

• Share an example of when you successfully appeased an unhappy customer and turned the experience into a positive one.

Q4: Tell me about a time you demonstrated strong sales abilities.

Many roles at United Rentals involve a sales component, whether directly selling rental packages or upselling additional services. Interviewers will assess your sales savvy and ability to persuade customers.

How to Answer:

• Set up the scenario by explaining the customer’s situation or need you identified.

• Describe how you matched the right equipment or services to their requirements.

• Discuss tactics you used to effectively communicate value, overcome objections, and close the sale.

• Share metrics and results like dollar amounts sold or percentage over quota to demonstrate your sales success.

Q5: How do you stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and developments?

The equipment rental sector is constantly evolving with new technology and shifting customer demands. United Rentals wants employees who take a proactive approach to ongoing learning and growth.

How to Answer:

• Provide examples of rental industry resources, publications, events or networks you engage with to stay in the know.

• Discuss how you’ve applied insights from trends to improve processes or make informed business decisions.

• Share an example of when your industry awareness enabled you to meet a customer need or get ahead of the competition.

• Convey passion and curiosity for deepening your rental equipment knowledge.

Q6: Tell me about a time you successfully led or motivated a team.

United Rentals looks for leaders who can manage others effectively to drive productivity and growth. Your response will showcase your leadership style, ability to set vision, and motivate a team.

How to Answer:

• Set up the scenario by describing the team, challenges or goals you were facing.

• Explain tactics you used to instill positivity, empower team members, and foster collaboration.

• Share examples of how you developed individuals’ skills through teaching, coaching or mentoring.

• Quantify results like improved productivity, higher sales or increased employee satisfaction to demonstrate your leadership impact.

Q7: How do you prioritize accomplishing multiple tasks or projects?

Juggling competing priorities is part of the job at a busy rental company like United Rentals. Interviewers want to know that you can multi-task effectively without sacrificing quality or missing deadlines.

How to Answer:

• Discuss your approach to organization – use tools like task lists or calendars to track everything.

• Explain how you determine what is most urgent and important based on factors like customer needs, deadlines, etc.

• Share an example of successfully managing multiple competing tasks on a tight timeline.

• Emphasize being proactive in setting expectations with managers or customers if difficulties arise.

Q8: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

United Rentals invests significant resources in training and developing long-term talent. This question provides insight into your career aspirations and whether they align with growth opportunities at the company.

How to Answer:

• Express your passion for the rental industry and interest in growing with United Rentals long-term.

• Share your goals to continue advancing your skills and experience within the organization.

• Tie your future aspirations to the company’s needs and emerging opportunities you’re excited to pursue.

• If interested in management, highlight your leadership potential while underscoring your willingness to learn the business from the ground up first.

Q9: How do you evaluate success at work?

With this behavioral question, interviewers want to understand what drives you and assess if your values align with United Rentals’ principles of serving customers, valuing employees, and upholding integrity.

How to Answer:

• Discuss how you measure success through metrics like positive customer feedback, meeting sales targets, etc.

• Emphasize contributing to the team and company’s overall success as a priority.

• Share how upholding ethical standards and creating a positive environment are important to you.

• Convey that you evaluate success based on achievement as well as the journey and process to get there.

Q10: Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question puts you on the spot to advocate for yourself and summarize the key attributes that make you the top choice for the role at United Rentals. Preparing a strong pitch can help you stand out.

How to Answer:

• Concisely make your case by highlighting 2-3 top qualities or skills that differentiate you, backed up with specific examples.

• Tie your strengths directly to the role and convey how you can contribute to United Rentals’ objectives.

• Differentiate yourself by showing how your unique background and experiences will enable you to thrive.

• Close confidently by expressing enthusiasm to bring your talents to the team.

Q11: How do you