Caterpillar Engineering Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated May 7, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 19 ratings 
“Average” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 19 ratings
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| 1–10 of 19 Caterpillar Interviews | Sort by |
Engineer at Caterpillar
Posted May 7, 2012
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2012 (took a day)
Initial interview was on campus, consisted mainly of STAR interview questions followed by an informal conversation.
About 5 weeks later I received an invitation to visit Caterpillar and interview on site. Caterpillar booked/paid for my flight, rental car, hotel, and meals, as well as personal mileage on my car.
The night before interviews I was given a tour of the town and taken to a nice dinner with the "host" (the person responsible for guiding you around the company, answering questions, etc.) Started the day off with three 1:1 interviews, the 2nd being with the actual hiring manger for the position. Interviews were followed by a drug test, lunch, and a tour of the company.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
Everyone I spoke with at the company was courteous and easy to talk to. The position was really great, and the group of people I would have worked with seemed easy going, pleasant, and proficient. However, I was skeptical about taking a job so far from home, and after visiting the area, I decided to take a different offer.
Also, regarding the salary and benefits, both were very competitive and higher than I would expect.
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
View Comments (1)
Inappropriate?
Engineer at Caterpillar
Posted Apr 2, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Feb 2012 in Peoria, IL (took 4 weeks)
I applied online and received an invitation for onsite interview for a research position in engine department. Interview was scheduled a week from the day i received the email. The process of getting tickets was easy and straight forward. They have a department to take care of that. I arrived in Peoria the day before the interview took a cab to the hotel. Had a nice meal and rested the night. The next morning i took a cab to the interview location and meet with the guide who accompanied to get the drug test done. After which i proceeded to go to the interview room.
The room was average, with a conference table and chairs, pretty standard. The manager arrived first followed the two other interviewers. The interview process was fairly straight forward, they used target selection. After the interview, i went to eat lunch, the guide had a conference call to attend so i had to go out eat alone. After which i was taken on a brief tour of campus.
They never really sent me a rejection letter, it has been more than 5 weeks since the interview. I am pretty sure the position is filled.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Engineer at Caterpillar
Posted Apr 5, 2012 — 0 of 1 people found this helpful
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Mar 2010 in Champaign, IL (took 3 weeks)
I was interviewed by two different caterpillar recruiters.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Engineering at Caterpillar
Posted Jan 21, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2011 in Mossville, IL (took 2 months)
In early Oct. I got an on-campus interview. Didn't hear anything for about a month but was pleased to receive an offer to do an on-site interview in the Peoria area. I interviewed for a position in: Leadership and Technical Development Program - Product Development Track
Went out to a nice meal the night before with hosts and other interviewees.
My host was around at various points throughout the interview day including picking me up to take me from the hotel to the engineering complex and a tour of Peoria afterward.
Interview day consisted of an introductory presentation to all interviewees, 3 different 1:1 interviews, a fine quality lunch, a tour, a presentation on benefits, and 1:1 time with the manager of the area you would be hired into. Overall it was a well run process that made me feel immersed into the company for a day, more so than other companies I've encountered.
The interviews were with 3 different managers including one who manages the division I would be hired into. The interview questions were behavioral based as have been described here. However, I would not go into these 'cold turkey'. I spent a decent amount of time 2 days before the interview practicing questions with someone and adding to my repertoire of scenarios to draw from.
I was informed the interviewers would have meetings to decide on candidates that same day. (I also understood that while there were multiple interviewees, we were not competing as we had all been picked for different positions). I received an offer by email about 1.5 weeks after my on-site interview.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I didn't not have any other offers at the time but the Cat offer was very good so I did not try to negotiate.
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Engineering at Caterpillar
Posted Jan 19, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Negative Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2010 (took a day)
They had a very structured interview process. They clearly had a form to fill out from HR with my responses. They weren't flexible at all and that threw me off. If I didn't answer their question head on, they weren't satisfied. The interviewers didn't even seem interested in getting to know me. It seemed like they were going through the paces and were bothered with the distraction.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Engineering at Caterpillar
Posted Oct 20, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Sep 2011 (took 4 weeks)
Caterpillar came to my university and held on-campus interviews. I signed up for one and did well enough to get asked to come to Peoria, IL for an on-site full day interview. I was treated very well. They took me and other candidates out to a steakhouse for dinner the night before the interviews. I had 3 interviews the following day which lasted around 45 min each. After that they showed me around one of the buildings. The interviews were all behavioral.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Engineer at Caterpillar
Posted Oct 6, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 (took a day)
Very standard behavior based questions were asked. What bothered me was that the theme given for some of the questions didn’t actually fit the question themselves. For one question the theme was “Decision Making” and this was given before the actual question. The question was “When working with a team describe a time when you found a mistake and how you handled it.” Well obviously the question is easy, I found a problem and fixed it… I don’t understand why the theme for this question was “Decision Making.”
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Engineer at Caterpillar
Posted Jul 13, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed May 2011 in Peoria, IL (took a day)
I interviewed with the hiring manager and two other managers working in the same group. All three interviews had the same structure. The manager will start off by presenting himself and talking about what his group does then asks you to speak briefly about yourself. He then proceeds to start the behavioral (STAR) interview.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Engineering at Caterpillar
Posted Mar 21, 2011
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jan 2011 (took 2 months)
Had two interviews. The first was with one person where they asked me six STAR questions. The second interview was on-site at Cat. There were three separate interviews with five to eight STAR questions. It wasn't very intense. They also did a drug test.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Drug Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Engineer at Caterpillar
Posted Feb 22, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Feb 2011 in Albuquerque, NM (took a day)
Three 1 hr interviews that were all behavioral; asked the same questions in all of them. They were the typical "tell me about a time when". Be prepared to speak about previous internship experiences if you are seeking entry level positions. Overall, nice people, enjoyable interview. Oh, and they make you pee in a cup afterwards.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
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