Caterpillar Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Feb 7, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 75 ratings 
“Average” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 75 ratings
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| 1–10 of 75 Caterpillar Interviews | Sort by |
Finance Treasury at Caterpillar
Posted Feb 7, 2012
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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 Feb 2012 in Peoria, IL (took 1 week)
Put my resume on Caterpillars site and they scheduled a phone interview with me. It was the standard behavioral questions interview. They will let me know if i make it to the next round in a wekk. If I make it they will fly me to Peoria and I will have three more 1;1 interviews.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Graduate Program at Caterpillar
Posted Jan 24, 2012
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3.0
Average Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Declined Offer
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Interviewed Apr 2010 (took 4+ weeks)
Cat uses Targeted Selection (behavioral based). I had three panel interview after being screened on the phone and talking with reps at campus career events. Just google Targeted Selection and you'll know all the potential questions.
They take a LONG time to get back to you. I had two offers before I heard from Cat. Not my top choice anyway, but doesn't speak well to their pitch about how 'fast paced' the work is when they can't even make a simple choice about a graduate hire in less than a month??
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
Got another offer before Cat got back to me. Really old-school company. Products are cool, I guess, but the industry is dated. Peoria, Illinois is not a "youth-friendly" city. Great place to come back and raise a family, but not very interesting right out of college.
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
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.
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Helpful Interview?
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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.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Accounting Rotational at Caterpillar
Posted Jan 5, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2011 in Peoria, IL (took 2 days)
I was contacted by an HR Manager and went through a 15 minute phone screen. Then, I was directed to a travel agency to schedule a flight for an interview.
As I landed in Peoria, I met with an appointed "guide" to help me get a flavor for the locale and culture.
The next morning I had a four person interview. They all were from various bus units and different positions. They went around introducing who they were and their Caterpillar roles. They allowed me to segue into my own experience and why I wanted to work there.
Then, each one interviewed in a 30 minute, 12 behavioral question format. You are advised to answer in the STAR format. The questions were nebulous and obviously to gauge culture fit and reactionary skills. After about four of these sessions, the guide arrived to take me out to lunch and walkthrough one of the tractor plants. The four would congregate later in a consensus meeting. The HR manager greeted me out and stated that a decision notification would happen over the weekend.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Presentation, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Pricing Analyst at Caterpillar
Posted Jan 4, 2012
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4.0
Difficult Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Jul 2011 (took a day)
The overall experience was okay. The interviewers were looking for track records of simplying following the directions to do the job. I was told that they had no doubt that I could perform the job responsibilities well, but they have concerns about the "fit". I felt I might have focused too much on the analytical side of my strength, which isn't that relevant to the position. But I didn't know how to adjust during the interview.
Looking back, .I should have clearly sought out what the position entails and what qualities are the important (or what qualities they are looking for) before the interview.
Interview Questions
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Accountant at Caterpillar
Posted Dec 12, 2011
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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 Jun 2011 in Peoria, IL (took a day)
The questions asked are very standard and it's easy to inderstand. The interviewees are very nice and friendly.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
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Inappropriate?
Technical Marketing at Caterpillar
Posted Dec 6, 2011 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Positive Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Dec 2011 in Peoria, IL (took 2 days)
Initial contact at a conference where I spoke with a representative and handed them my resume. Applied online almost immediately after. I was contacted about 2 weeks later and set up a phone interview that last about an hour. Very friendly and knowledgable interviewer. Passed phone interview and was flown out the night before interview and was taken out by a very friendly employee in a relaxed environment.
Morning of interview I was taken to breakfast, orientation about the specific program, drug-test and three 1-hour interviews. They ask you to use the STAR technique to answer their situational/behavioral questions. Prepare before hand with your answers to the most common questions - it's not just about answering the question but about being able to relate your experience with the position you are interviewing for. Honestly, everyone was very knowledgable, gave active feedback and even took time after the interview time to talk some more.
Depending on your interviewers you will have either employees that go question by question and others that will choose to give you 1 or 2 question that they like. Yes, they did have "topics" for a set of question but the as long as you answer the question and know what they are asking for - you will do fine. It's ok to ask to repeat the question and usually they will give a paraphrase on what they want to find out.
Chances are if you are interviewing for them at HQ you have some great qualifications and have passed at least two screenings. At this point it is just about finding a fit for you within the company and if you think the company is a good fit for you.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Did not attempt to negotiate yet, but will once official letter comes in.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Inappropriate?
Technical Marketing at Caterpillar
Posted Dec 5, 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 in Peoria, IL (took 2 days)
The first interview took place on campus in which 2 interviewers asked STAR based questions. After completion of the first interview, email contact was made to schedule for a second round interview in Peoria Illinois. The second round interview in Peoria consisted of four, one hour interviews, in which different professionals asked similar STAR based questions. Travel accommodations were provided. In my case I was contacted back 2 weeks after the interview asking for 3 additional weeks to make a decision. I allowed 4 weeks to pass before I recontacted to inform that I had other pending offers. At that time I did not receive an offer.
Interview Questions
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.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
Inappropriate?
Mechanical Engineer at Caterpillar
Posted Dec 1, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Received and Accepted Offer
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Interviewed Nov 2010 in Chennai (India) (took a day)
I was called for an interview. Consisted of a panel of 3 - one hiring manager, his equivalent heading a different team, and their boss who manages the division.
Interview was sprinkling of STAR type questions combined with previous experience questions.
Took about 1 hr. Some questions were pretty unrelated to the job - 'Describe a situation where you managed a balance between your work and personal life'. I also had to give a 15 minute presentation about some of the work I did in my previous job role. Since it was a research role, my interviewers kinda blanked out :-)
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was not able to negotiate. BIG MISTAKE, because once I got in I realized that its hard to go up the scale, and people who are less qualified are in a better situation. Its a dirty secret that Caterpillar, India generally cons prospective employees into taking a pay grade at least one step lower than they can negotiate.
Advice : Talk to someone inside the company, boldly negotiate. You dont lose anything.
Other Details
I got the interview through an Employee Referral and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.
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