McMaster-Carr Interview Questions & Reviews
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Updated Feb 8, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
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Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 76 ratings 
“Easy” Interview
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Interview Experience [?] Based on 76 ratings
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| 1–10 of 76 McMaster-Carr Interviews | Sort by |
Management Trainee at McMaster-Carr
Posted Feb 8, 2012
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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 Oct 2011 (took a day)
I sent in my resume in reply to a posting on my college's website. I was contacted immediately for an interview. The interview was with a recruiter for about 30-40 minutes. It was pretty standard where we went through every detail of my resume and she asked me to questions to get at my process for accomplishing X, Y, etc. I encourage you to remember everything you have done in past jobs--there were some things I didn't remember so be sure you do!
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Business Analyst at McMaster-Carr
Posted Jan 25, 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 Dec 2011 (took a day)
The hiring staff at McMaster Carr were very smart, nice, and dedicated. It was a bit confusing since most people comes in as some sort of business/customer service position and then moves around to other parts of the company as needed. This was considered the "regular" track and the other being the "management" track which people are recruited into. The paths do not cross which is very odd and limiting.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Warehouse Specialist at McMaster-Carr
Posted Jan 24, 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 Dec 2011 in Santa Fe Springs, CA (took a day)
I was contacted by McMaster Carr and had a phone screeing almost immediately. Following the phone interview I was asked to interview in person. It was a series of 1:1 interviews with four different HR representatives (all women.) They mentioned they had very high standards and that it was very competitive. I had 10 years of supervisory experience and they brought me in to interview for a warehouse worker position. If I would have taken it more seriously I probably would have been hired. i probable would have loved it too. They don't tell you the ALL of the benefits upfront like 100% of tuition is covered by the company - bachelors, masters, etc. ALL of the health insurance is covered by the company - nothing out-of-pocket. That alone would have sold me...but I digress.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Business Generalist at McMaster-Carr
Posted Dec 16, 2011
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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 Cleveland, OH (took 2 days)
I sent my resume to Corporate HR, and they responded within 4 weeks with a phone interview, and a subsequent office interview two weeks later. Having reviewed GlassDoor reviews on the position, I knew much about the process going in. The office interview was much as the other reviewers have said. With one exception.
Having had industrial distribution experience in a big company, I was much more prepared for the position to start out minimalist, and only have advancement potential for the stellar employee. I was not disappointed by the process, and the resulting offer was a step up from my previous marketing position, albeit a step down from a previous industrial distribution position.
An important aspect is the recognition that the company values its privacy, and yet plays in a well-known space. You have to really dig to get any information, but it's there. And the other industry players are well-known. Also, the call-center space is fairly uniform, and yet constantly evolving. Better, faster, stronger -- and you have to accept that it's critical to be ready to do the work, yet help the org grow.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
No negotiation at this level, but the package is generous.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
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Warehouse at McMaster-Carr
Posted Nov 23, 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 Nov 2011 (took 2 days)
I received an unsolicited text message from a McM employee, who'd seen my profile on a job site. The employee asked me if I'd be available for a phone call in the near future. I did a quick online search for information on the company, and I decided that I'd hear what the employee had to say. The employee sent an email to me with attachments relating to the position. Surprisingly, the information was VERY vague and was not position-specific
The employee called me a few days later. We spoke about the company and benefits (essentially the same information that was in the email attachments). The bulk of the phone interview dealt with me explaining my duties in previous positions and what I was looking for in a job. I asked about the typical career path with the company and if there was realistic room for movement into supervisory/management positions. The employee said that there were (facilitator, supervisor), but because of what I'd read online, I was skeptical. I agreed to visit a location for an actual interview. I was told that I'd need 30 minutes to fill out the application and 30 for the interview.
A few days later, I drove to the warehouse. The front area was very nice and the music was pleasant. I filled out the application and an employee escorted me to one of the small conference areas for an interview. Again, the interview was basically a re-hashing of my career history and duties. The interviewer told me that the company was very selective with recruiting and that someone with my background could be a great fit. The interviewer asked me what I was looking for in a position. I told the interviewer that, among other things, I wanted a position that had opportunities for career growth. The interviewer told me that there were opportunities to grow and to be involved in more complex projects, but there wasn't a rigid pecking order (assistant manager, manager, district manager, regional manager, regional vp, etc.). The interviewer said that most moves were lateral. I found that the word "lateral" was used quite often. The interviewer told me that a supervisor would give me a tour of the warehouse, shook my hand and left. 45 minutes had passed.
After 5 minutes, the supervisor arrived. We walked through the warehouse, and the supervisor explained that efficiency and accuracy were top priorities in the warehouse. As we walked, the supervisor explained basic information about the different roles (pickers, fillers, etc). There were only a few questions. They were mainly used to guage whether or not I'd enjoy the repetitive nature of the job. We walked back to the same conference room, and I was left to wait for the next interviewer. Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes had passed.
The third interviewer arrived. Once again, I was asked questions about past roles and duties. I was told about the lateral nature of growth (this time, more in depth). The interviewer went more in depth with my past experiences, asking about past challenges, experiences with co-workers/sub-ordinates and what past supervisors would say about me. I asked a few questions as they came up, but I'd already been through 2 interviews that day, and I didn't have many questions left. After 30 minutes, the interviewer wrapped it up and told me that the next interviewer would be in shortly. Nearly 1 hour and 45 minutes had passed.
The next interviewer entered the room. This interviewer was the most personable and interesting. The interviewer once again asked questions about my resume, but the interviewer also had a list of questions prepared. Some were business-based. Some were about my personal hobbies and aspirations (we were both basketball fans). By this point, I was somewhat depleted and had very few questions. When prompted, I expressed that my questions had been answered in previous interviews. The interviewer seemed understanding and simply asked me questions from the list. After approximately 45 minutes, the interviewer walked me back to the initial waiting room, thanked me for coming, told me that I'd hear from someone within a few days and wished me a good day. I was in the warehouse for over 2.5 hours.
In the end, I walked away still unsure about the company. It seemed to me that the interviewers were attempting to represent the position as something better and more engaging than it is. It's a simple warehouse/order processing position that recruits highly educated workers and pays high wages because of it. They justify filling the warehouse with an educated workforce and with experienced managers by claiming that they want an engaged and critical workforce that's capable of dealing with "curveballs." If I received an offer, I'd have to think about it.
EDIT (11/28/11):
I received a rejection letter in the mail. I usually don't interview with random companies that contact me from job boards. The lengthy interviews and inconvenient locations are reasons why. Oh well.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Management Trainee at McMaster-Carr
Posted Nov 15, 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 (took 3 weeks)
The interviews were pretty easy. They ask you some situational strategy questions, but other than that it is not hard.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
They werent really willing to negotiate
Other Details
I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview and a 1:1 Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
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No
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Management Trainee at McMaster-Carr
Posted Oct 22, 2011
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2.0
Easy 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)
Basic questions: Why McMaster-Carr?, How would you get our Yellow Book into the hands of our customers and how would you choose who to give it to?
Interview Questions
Other Details
I got the interview through a College or University.
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Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Management Development at McMaster-Carr
Posted Oct 19, 2011
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2.0
Easy Interview
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Overall Neutral Experience
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Interviewed and No Offer
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Interviewed Oct 2011 in Cleveland, OH (took a day)
The interview consisted of a 30 minute purely behavioral interview. I was asked what the last book I read was, what my favorite book was, and a time when I was faced with an ethical dilemma. Overall it was a very strange experience and I don't understand how the interview could have made my case for position, only hurt it if I messed up--which I did.
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?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Customer Service Representative at McMaster-Carr
Posted Oct 4, 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 Jul 2011 in Elmhurst, IL (took 2 days)
Started out with a phone interview from their recruiter. Subsequently went in for first round of interviews, starting with the recruiter from the phone interview. Interviewed with three other employees of the company. Questions were not overly difficult, but definitely be prepared to answer questions about your education, experience and other qualifications/skills.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Skills Test.
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Helpful Interview?
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Manager at McMaster-Carr
Posted Sep 19, 2011
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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 Aug 2011 in Cleveland, OH (took 5 days)
I had an initial phone interview and was told that the next week I would hear back. I heard back the next day asking to visit their office and have a series of interviews. The interviews were very random and seemed a bit disorganized. They had other managers interviewing me about anything from my resume, to current events, to what my ideal job would be disregarding the position at McMaster Carr. It did not seem that they had a set system, it was more of if you could pass each individuals own test.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
The company, while it does hire intelligent employees, lacked a work environment that would be fulfilling.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
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Helpful Interview?
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