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Caterpillar Mechanical Engineer Interview Questions & Reviews

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Web: www.cat.com | HQ: Peoria, IL

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Updated Dec 1, 2011 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.

Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 5 ratings

2.6

“Easy” Interview

Interview Experience [?] Based on 5 ratings

Positive	40%
Neutral	60%
Negative	0%

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2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

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

Describe a situation in which you took a leadership role and saw it through.

View Answers (1)

What subjects are your strength and weakness in mechanical engineering and why (don't remember if they asked to describe a situation)

View Answers (1)

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.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Sep 2011 (took a day)

Was one hour long, and consisted of two 1:1, 30 minute sessions. There were two interviewers ( one for each session). They asked your typical STAR questions. They were very professional, but you could tell they were on a tight time restraint to ask all of the questions. My advice would be to research common STAR questions and have responses ready to go.

Interview Questions

When was a time you had difficulty working in a team and how did you overcome that difficulty?

Answer Question

What interest you in this field of Engineering.

Answer Question

Other Details

I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Sep 2010 (took a day)

I was interviewed by one person for an entry level rotational program position. The interviewer was very friendly and seemed interested in what I had to say. The questions were pretty much all situation based where they are looking for specific examples. "Tell me about a time when you had to develop a creative solution to a problem?" They called it the "STAR" format. Basically they wanted you to tell them about a specific situation, the action you took, and the result of that action. Most of the 30 to 45min interview consisted of these "STAR" questions followed by a short time where you could ask questions about the position/company.

Interview Questions

Tell me about a time when you had to develop a creative solution to a problem

Answer Question

Other Details

The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jul 2008 in Peoria, IL (took 4+ weeks)

prepare several examples for behavior questions, and be specific to individual's achievements. rehearse and prepare an elevator speech. Use examples that aid the job description, and interests the interviewer. Understand what company produces, how the work environment is, and try to emphasize key strengths

Interview Questions

Tell me about yourself

Answer Question

How did you go with decision making

Answer Question

Negotiation Details

tried negotiating but was unsuccessful

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Drug Test and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Declined Offer

Interviewed Aug 2008 in Peoria, IL (took 4+ weeks)

Did an intern with them during the summer. I got the internship just doing behavorial questions and no technical. After the internship I had three interviews with three different managers. Oh and a drug test as well. I got an offer almost right away.