Cargill Interview Questions & Reviews

Interview Details – nice people. Work as a team and support innovation

Negotiation Details – negotiable

Interview Details – After applying online about 3-4 weeks past before getting an email request to do a phone screen.

A 30 minute phone screen was done to "verify" information I provided during application process. After about ten days, HR emailed asking for a possible time to do an in person interview.

The in person interveiw was set over a 3 hour window. Behavioral style questions. I believe that HR gave the employees the list of questions to ask. One of the employees, a VP level, never took notes. He was about 35 and his ego seemed to get in the way of the process. “I’ve never had to look for a job attitude and statement.”

Within 10 days of the interview, HR did at least call back to say, "they were pursing a more qualified candidate." (Yet an employee who knows my background said, "Hard to believe that someone was “more” qualified than you.) Guess this is where "fit" plays a big part of any interview.

With the exception of the Vice President attitude and not taking notes to my answers, overall a fair process.

HIGH marks to Human Resources for taking the time to call finalist back. Very cool, even if the answer was no.

Interview Details – I have 2 interviews in 2 separate years (2008 and 2010)
A phone interview is first conducted. If you can impress the interviewer, you will go to the next.

Then you will be scheduled to an interview and someone other than HR will contact you with date, time and interviewers. Generally, total of 3-4 people will interview you. Sometimes it is in the group, or break down to 1:1. In 2010, I was interviewed for 2 positions (all at once). All questions are behaviorial type. I didn't think that the questions was difficult at all (if you prepare yourself well).

I was offered the job both times. I declined first time because the job might be involved some traveling but the package is way to low for the job.

From what I noticed from past 2 interviews, people tend to stay here for a long time - 10 years, 20 years. The office seems nice and have cafeteria located within.

Reason for Declining – See above explanation.

Interview Details – Went well.

Reason for Declining – Salary was below my expectation

Interview Details – phone screen and face-to-face interview

Reason for Declining – did not meet my salary expectation

Interview Details – The interviews were very straight forward in terms of assessing fit. The questions were aimed at exploring my interest in leadership and general management, which became more intense from the first to the second round. There were also two cases for each round. The cases were very straight forward. The series first case was focused on ideation (first round). Second round cases were focused on geo-political issues and profitability. The interviewers were reluctant to connect with me and I found them very difficult to read. This arms-length approach seems to pervade the Cargill approach to people management.

Negotiation Details – I did not negotiate the offer, which was a mistake. Finding housing and healthcare on my own proved to be pricier than I expected and made the offer less competitive than it did at first blush.

Interview Details – After applying I was contacted and set up for a phone interview. The phone interview went well an I then had a first set of interviews. Those interviews went well and I later had a second set of interviews. I interviewed with around six different individuals and had the opportunity to learn more about the position and what would be epected of me in the position. Everyone I spoke with were friendly and professional and took the time to learn more about me and to answer any questions I had for them. There were some personal questions, but mainly situational/personality type questions.

Even though I didn't get the job, I was very impresssed with the company and I know that I will definitely apply again if I find another position there that I qualify for.

Interview Details – Started with why you need the Job. Why do you think you can be good at this job. Asked for examples of motivating employees, communication skills, initiating change, safety, quality.

Negotiation Details – Only negotiation was on relocation package.

Interview Details – Recruiting office called within the day of submitting my resume. They wanted a phone screen interview. I interviewed with two managers, for 40 minutes. It was mostly technical. They initially wanted someone one with a little more experience in in one of the many aps. they needed, but do to people shedding and quitting this department, they did a 180 and interviewed me in person the following week. I was told I had the job, but needed to start asap.

Reason for Declining – I needed to give a two week notice to my current employment, out of just professional courtesy.