Hilti USA Interview Questions &amp; Reviews

Negotiation Details

There was no negotiation they asked salary requirement and it was given.. should have gone higher

Other Details

I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Skills Test, a Drug Test and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Mar 2011 (took 4+ weeks)

The phone interview was more of a behavioral test than anything else. they ask questions like what would you do if a fellow employee did this etc. and as long as your answer isn't something where you cause a conflict then you pass.

the face to face interview was with me and 2 employees. asked about communication skills, asked me to define some engineering terms like "How would you describe a moment force?". They are usually impressed with any major event planning skills.

they will ask you if you are willing to relocate to their headquarters in Iowa or some mid-west state for a year or two to train, i think this is where i lost it. i lied and said I was willing to relocate, but i dont think i sold the lie very well (i was just going for a summer internship, i have no desire to be in the midwest).

they won't contact you for at least a month after the interview (they say 2 weeks, they lie). and if you didnt get the job you'll find out by email.

Interview Questions

How would you explain a moment force to a client who has never dealt with engineering terms before?

Are you willing to relocate to our HQ for a year or two for training?

Other Details

I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Aug 2011 (took 7 months)

I first and foremost want to say that the interview process was unprofessional. Never have I been humiliated by an employer during the interview process in my life.I had, in total, 7 interviews, which included 2 in person, and they were for positions that I did not apply for. They made me go through months of telephone interviews and a personality assessment test. I finally landed a face to face interview in May which was held in one of their store warehouses that was not very clean. After my first one on one interview, I called the interviewer, a couple weeks later, to follow up and he flat out rejected me on the telephone and said he would make an offer to another guy. Then I noticed a different position, Construction laser specialist, a couple months later, which I applied for through The Ladders job search agency, not realizing it was Hilti I was applying for. A different HR rep called me up and had me come in to their NJ Headquarters to interview with two people this time, the interviewer from the first one on one interview and the new HR rep. It turns out the candidate they had rejected me for declined their offer and they wanted to re-interview me for that Field Engineer position. I was not interested in that position but in the interest of being employed, I was willing to accept and comply with their wishes. From my point of view, I wanted to present myself as a team player that was flexible to help contribute to the growth of the company. After a hour and a half interview, I felt as though the interview went well and was expecting for them not to reject me a second time. I followed up with the HR rep a couple of days later to find out when I could expect a decision. The next day the interviewer that rejected me in May, rejected me again in August through email citing the same reason: They found another candidate. This is totally unprofessional. I paid close to $200 in gas and tolls for both those interviews. I did not have to go through two interviws for jobs I did not want only to be rejected TWICE. I presented my qualifications for the job that I applied for, they pigeon-holed me into a job I didn't want and then rejected me for this position. This is a very unprofessional group of people that are not very candid with their candidates and do all kinds of probing, even asking questions that do not have anything to do with the technical merits of the job. They wasted my time and I do not recommend anyone trying to work for them. If they are playing politics with the candidate even before they get hired, than imagine the nonsense they would put you through if you do finally get hired. I felt like they were asking me so many questions only to discredit my past accomplishments and downplay the value I can bring to Hilti. In short, they are more concerned with finding something wrong with employees, rather than finding someone and creating an environment where one can become part of a team for positive contribution. I agree with some of the previous people who posted in this forum. Stay away from Hilti.

Interview Questions

Name an experience in detail where you were in conflict with a teammate in your previous international experience. How did you resolve the conflict?

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Personality Test.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Jan 2011 in Atlanta, GA (took 3 weeks)

I had a very serious interest in this industry and company. I had 15 years in a related industry. I had more than I needed in relation to education and experience requirements listed in the job posting. I did my homework on the company, visited a few of their facilities and reached out to a few current employees. Both times I had a phone interview the interviewers called exactly one hour early. Apparently the concept of time zones evades this company. Interviewers were totally disengaged in the process and seemed to know little about the actual job we were discussing. There is no way I didn't deserve to at least get a face to face interview with a hiring manager. Very arrogant and elitist company in my opinion.

Interview Questions

Do you have project management experience?

Other Details

I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Personality Test.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jan 2010 (took 2 weeks)

The interview process with Hilti included many situational questions about work experience. If you want to get a job with Hilti tell them you can move anywhere especially to Tulsa and international assignments. Even if you do not want to move tell them you are interested in moving in the interview and you will get the job. The company is obsessed with mobility and does not want to hire you if you can't move. Mention moving to Tulsa and internationally and you will have a job for sure. Since nobody wants to move to Tulsa the company has a hard time finding talent there.

Other Details

The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, a Personality Test, a Drug Test and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

View Comments (1)

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Negative Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Jan 2011 in Tulsa, OK (took 2 months)

I was made aware of an opportunity/Hilti's interest in my business school's graduates through our career development center (regionally respected part-time MBA program and I remained employed full-time). After applying online, I was contacted by an HR rep through email to setup an phone interview. Days later I was administered a 30 min. phone interview which was very basic, topical, behavioral questions. Every response I gave was on record as she typed it into the computer, and later read by various managers. Overall this first step was probably what most would expect.

Not very long afterwards I was contacted by 2 separate Sr. Directors - both hiring for unrelated positions. There was some confusion and very little coordination of efforts between these guys who had offices only feet from one another - it seems that both had thought they'd posted a position under the generic heading "Logistics Specialist" or "Logistics Analyst" but in fact only one had done so. I was ok with this b/c now I was effectively doubling my chances for success by interviewing for multiple roles, it just seemed disorganized on their part. To be brief, one role was more invovled with domestic trans, carrier selection, etc.The other was a little less operational and more analytical in nature - it involved materials purchasing, supply chain, sales forecasting, etc.

Both Sr. Dirs. followed the same process: an initial phone call for maybe 30 minutes getting to know each other, then setting up a more formal phone interview for 30 minutes...Much of this was a repeat of the initial phone interview or trying to take a deeper dive into certain answers. Both were followed by an invitation to come interview in Tulsa, OK to their HQ. I was reluctant to travel to Tulsa and spend time away from work but both managers assured me I was on a short list of candidates and it would be "well worth my time"...So on my own dime (which is highly unusual in my experience) - I traveled 4 hours round trip TWICE - they told me it wasn't possible to interview for both positions in the same day...On both occasions at Hilti I had a "marathon" of interviews - 4 interviews an hour long a piece.

It was standard fare for interviews, and my interviewers ranged from more "junior directors" if you will, to future colleagues, to people from other departments who I'd be working together with on cross functional teams. If anything the interview process lulled me into a false sense of hope, being that nobody picked at my answers, everyone seemed really down to earth, etc. Then again looking back it may have been as if some were just going through the motions. So I left Hilti feeling pretty good about things and was told I'd know something for certain in a week.

To give balance to this post I'll have to say I really liked the job descriptions, the promises of international opportunities, the seemingly fair pay (mid 50s to low 60s). However I was never extended an offer...In fact, a week passed and I heard nothing. I reached out to contact them unsuccessfully. Another week passed with only an email, "we haven't made a decision yet" - never explaining the reasoning for the revised time table and leaving me hanging in the balance over a lease that was about to expire. I shot off a couple more emails and left a vmail trying to explain my predicament, solicit more information, etc. Finally a month after my last interview I called irrate and demanded to speak to someone - I was pretty certain I didn't get the position at this point, but I thought it was gutless and cowardly to leave someone hanging without returning emails, phone calls, etc...Still, the admins told me nobody was available, they were in meetings, etc...The next day the original HR girl I had spoke with returned my call saying they went with different candidates but I "was basically the runner-up" - wow - great solace that is.

In the end I spent about 8 hours driving, 12 hours interviewing, $200 of my own money, countless time prepping for these interviews --- only to get a non response from two "gentlemen" who begged me to come up to Tulsa...They didn't even extend me the courtesy of knowing what the deciding factor was in their candidate selection so I could be armed with that knowledge going into my next interview....Not a really classy place in my opinion. Hey - everybody has to have a job and I can't blame someone for interviewing there - but if your lucky enough to have several interviewing options and are trying to decide which to go with - I'd say pass on Hilti...

Interview Questions

"Tell me about a time you found an innovative approach to doing something through analytical thinking"

All the questions were "typical" - behavioral interviews are never easy and nothing posted here will prepare you any better than you'd be otherwise (unfortunately)

Other Details

I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

3.0

Average Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Received and Declined Offer

Interviewed Aug 2010 in Atlanta, GA (took 3+ weeks)

The interview processes consisted of an phone screen first. Then after the phone screen I was asked to go visit customers with one of their sales reps. We visited sites as well as offices. Expect to be on the job and get a little dirty. Not for people who want to sell to offices only. The vehicle we rode in was marked with the company logo. Not really the car you want to drive to the store. The sales rep even made comments that customers laugh at the funny looking vehicle. The company might want to consider using the industry standard like a truck. Also, if you have a baby don't expect to put a car seat in your company vehicle. It won't happen. I then interviewed with the managers at their retail store. I have to say not sure about the one of the managers not sure if I would want to work for him.
I was interviewed again and made an offer but for Atlanta the salary was ridiculous. They want a lot from their sales reps but in Atlanta I can go with a higher industry with better pay. Overall positive but I think their expectations are a little unrealistic. I think this would be a good foundation in sales but if your good the impression is that you leave.

Interview Questions

Describe a time when you failed

Greatest accomplishment

Reason for Declining

Offer with more chance of advancement
appears importing talent

Other Details

I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview, an IQ/Intelligence Test, a Skills Test, a Drug Test and a Background Check.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Positive Experience

Received and Accepted Offer

Interviewed Jul 2010 (took 6+ weeks)

The interview process consist of a few phone interviews, followed by a face to face interview with the regional sales managers, then a final interview with the district manager.

Interview Questions

What are your long-term goals

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

2.0

Easy Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Jul 2009 (took a day)

Question and answer. Didnt follow hilti red thread dimensions. Categories where they pick you apart. Interviewed by people who dont understand a real world business model. Hr people who are incompetent, division managers who act like children in meeting and engineering personel who dont work but pretend they do. If half the leadership actually focused on the truth and doing the right thing this company could actually go somewhere.

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview.

Helpful Interview?

Yes | No

Inappropriate?

4.0

Difficult Interview

Overall Neutral Experience

Interviewed and No Offer

Interviewed Feb 2010 (took a day)

Many situational questions are asked and how you reacted to them. Give good examples of different situations and what you did to improve them. The interview will be at least 1 to 2 hours depending on the hiring manager. The company is huge on mobility so even if you are not mobile say you are will to move to get the job.

Other Details

I applied In-Person and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview.