Ace Your R.R. Donnelley Interview: The Top 15 Questions and How to Answer Them

R.R. Donnelley is one of the leading global providers of marketing and business communications. With over 35,000 employees across diverse industries, they offer unparalleled capabilities in commercial print, logistics, formatting, digital solutions, labels, and more.

So how do you stand out and ace an interview at this Fortune 500 company? Preparation is key In this article, I’ll share the top 15 most common R.R Donnelley interview questions along with tips on how to craft winning answers. Whether you’re interviewing for an entry-level role or an executive position, these strategies will help you put your best foot forward.

1. Why do you want to work for R.R. Donnelley?

This question tests your knowledge about the company and the sincerity of your interest. The interviewer wants to gauge if you simply applied randomly or if you have done your research and are truly excited about the prospect of working for RR. Donnelley specifically

How to answer:

• Demonstrate your understanding of R.R. Donnelley’s history, values, and capabilities. Mention 1-2 specifics that align with your own values.

• Share why you’re interested in working in the print and communications industry. Discuss how your skills would allow you to contribute.

• Express enthusiasm about the company’s legacy of innovation and customer service. Convey sincerity and how working here would help your career goals.

For example: “I’m very interested in working for R. R. Donnelley because of your rich heritage of innovation in this industry. Your values around excellence and integrity strongly resonate with me. Using my project management and people skills to help your clients succeed is also something I’m very interested in doing. I’m excited about the chance to keep learning, growing, and making a difference in such a fast-paced organization. “.

2. What do you know about our company?

This is another question aimed at gauging your interest and how much research you’ve done. The interviewer wants candidates who’ve taken the time to understand the business, not just applied blindly.

How to answer:

• Share 2-3 facts about the company – years in business, areas of expertise, major clients, locations, recent achievements etc.

• Mention products/services that interest you specifically and why.

• Discuss any recent news related to expansions, partnerships, or new capabilities. This shows you’re up-to-date.

• Share what excites you about their capabilities and culture based on websites, news, and reviews.

For example: “R.R. Donnelley has over 150 years of experience providing marketing and business communications solutions. With over 200 locations across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, you serve leading companies across healthcare, financial services, retail, and many other sectors. Your acquisition of EDGAR Online last year also demonstrated your commitment to expanding digital communications capabilities. I’m especially interested in your digital print and variable data printing solutions which allow for highly targeted, personalized campaigns.”

3. Why do you want to work in this role?

Hiring managers want to understand why you’re pursuing this specific position or department. It helps reveal your interests, passion and fit for the role.

How to answer:

• Share why the role excites you and matches your skills or interests. Be specific.

• Discuss how your qualifications make you a great fit for the responsibilities involved. Provide examples.

• Mention how the role aligns with your career goals in terms of skills you’ll develop or areas you want to gain experience in.

For example: “The account manager role strongly appeals to me because I enjoy building relationships with clients and solving their challenges with customized solutions. With 5 years of experience in client services, I’m confident I can manage key accounts successfully and expand business opportunities. This role is the natural next step for me to take on more responsibility and hone my leadership abilities. I also see it advancing my goal of moving into a senior sales position in the future.”

4. What skills or experience do you have that make you a strong candidate for this role?

This question is asked to determine if you have the right blend of skills, experiences and qualifications needed for the job. The interviewer is trying to connect the dots between your capabilities and the role’s requirements.

How to answer:

• Listen carefully to the interviewer when they describe the role to understand the must-have requirements.

• Make an inventory of your skills, achievements and experiences that directly match the role’s needs.

• Share 2-3 of your strongest qualifications and provide examples of applying them. Quantify your achievements or impact if possible.

• Convey your capacity to learn quickly any skills you currently lack but the role requires. Share your zeal for continuous learning.

For example: “With over 7 years of experience managing production workflows, I believe I have developed the organizational and time management abilities crucial for this position. In my last role, I successfully led our digital print division comprising 45 employees to achieve a 25% increase in output while maintaining quality standards. This required expertise in production planning, monitoring workflows and motivating teams, which I’m excited to leverage here. While I may need to learn industry-specific applications, I pick up technology easily and have a track record of getting up to speed quickly in new roles.”

5. How does this position fit into your career goals?

Here the interviewer wants to understand your motivations and vision for your career progression. They want to gauge if this role is just a pitstop or if you’re seriously interested in growing with the company long-term.

How to answer:

• Articulate 2-3 ways in which this role would advance your professional growth. Be specific.

• Share your career goals and paint a logical connection to how this role gets you closer.

• Demonstrate this is not just another job for you but a strategic step towards your vision. Convey your commitment.

• If you see yourself growing into other positions within the company, mention that to highlight your long-term outlook.

For example: “This digital marketing specialist role aligns perfectly with my goal of transitioning into a digital-focused career path. Not only will I get hands-on experience executing strategic campaigns, but I can also deepen my expertise in data analytics, SEO, and leveraging technology like CRM platforms to drive results. I’m committed to excelling in this position to demonstrate my skills. I see it as a stepping stone towards my goal of taking on more senior marketing roles where I can drive digital transformation and innovation. I’m excited by the growth potential I see within R.R. Donnelley.”

6. What would you do in the first 90 days if you were hired for this position?

Asking about your 90-day plan allows interviewers to assess your strategic thinking abilities and how quickly you can become productive in a new role. They want to hear that you’ve thought critically about how you would ramp up.

How to answer:

• Share how you would get oriented with the team, department, and your responsibilities.

• Outline 2-3 goals you’ll aim to accomplish within the first 3 months on the job. These could involve processes you’ll implement, skills you’ll develop, or projects you’ll undertake.

• Mention key relationships you aim to build within the team or cross-functionally to gain insights you need.

• Discuss any learning initiatives, training, or certifications you’ll undertake to ramp up on critical skills.

• Convey how you’ll document your work, processes and knowledge gained for continuity.

For example: “Within the first 90 days, I’ll focus on rapidly getting up to speed on all aspects of the position and delivering early wins. I would spend the first 2 weeks deeply understanding my responsibilities, the team structure, and existing processes through meetings with my manager and team members. Within the first month, after reviewing past campaign performance, I aim to propose recommendations for improving our digital marketing strategy. I would also get trained on platforms like Marketo that I need to excel in this role. Ongoing, I would consistently document campaign processes and insights gained in a knowledge management portal so future campaigns can build on this.”

7. How would you handle an unhappy customer or complaint about one of our products/services?

The interviewer wants to assess your approach when dealing with conflicts or complaints, especially your customer service skills. They are looking for problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and composure under pressure.

How to answer:

• Acknowledge the importance of diffusing anger or anxiety and making the customer feel heard.

• Share your process of actively listening, empathizing, apologizing for the issue and clarifying details.

• Discuss how you would take ownership, even if the problem wasn’t your fault. Explain how you’d keep the customer updated on addressing their complaint.

• Give an example of how you successfully resolved a difficult customer complaint in the past. Share the outcome.

For example: “The first step I would take is to listen closely to the customer and empathize with their frustration. I would apologize sincerely, take ownership of the issue, and assure them I will do everything I can to come to a resolution. I would ask clarifying questions to