I applied online. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Caterpillar (Houston, TX) in Mar 2023
Interview
Extraordinarily structured, to the point that it had an institutional feel to it. The panel asked questions exclusively in the STAR format with very little tolerance for casual conversation or getting to know the team. It gave me an impression that the culture was very cold and completely killed my interest in the position.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Typical generic STAR interview questions. Tell me about a time you had conflict in the workplace. Tell me about a time you failed at something.
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Caterpillar (Peoria, IL) in May 2021
Interview
1. Informal Interview -- The process began with an "informal" / informational / get-to-know-you meeting. Of course, this is not really informal, as all interactions in the beginning stages are part of the selection process. Mine was with the person who would be my future manager (manager of my team). The format was a Zoom meeting. 2. Formal Interview -- The interview itself consisted of questions based on the STARR method of interviewing. Those present were (1) a member of the team I would join, (2) the manager, and (3) a senior manager of another department within the division who answers to the senior executive of the division. The format was a Zoom meeting. 3. One-on-one with manager -- After the formal interview, the manager called me. Only the who of us spoke. He asked me how I thought it went, and we discussed the position further. He told me at that time that he would like to extend me an offer. The format was on the phone. 4. Working with the recruiter -- A recruiter called me an made an offer. I countered. The recruiter called the manager to convey my offer. The recruiter called me back and told me the counter offer. I accepted. The recruiter outlined the onboarding process. 5. Final stage with the manager - The manager called and welcomed me to the team. Suggestions - I never interviewed with the senior manager of my department. In hindsight, I would requested an interview with the division manager and/or the division manager and my manager. I suggest that everyone make this request so that you can get a feel for the culture, motivations, and environment in which you will work. The division's long-term goals and current initiatives trickle down the corporate structure, so knowing those and getting a sense of who your boss's boss (if at all possible) will be might help you make strategic decisions about accepting the position.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Have you practiced answer STARR interview questions?
I applied through college or university. The process took 6 months. I interviewed at Caterpillar (Panamá) in Oct 2018
Interview
3 interview in English for a position in an spanish speaking country (Panama). Situation, Task, Actions and Results methodology... great format for talking about my work experience. It was a different way to talk about my experience instead of a tell-me-about-yourself
Consultant applicants have rated the interview process at Caterpillar with 3.7 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 67% positive. To compare, the company-average is 72.2% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Consultant roles take an average of 85 days to get hired, when considering 3 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Caterpillar overall takes an average of 24 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Caterpillar as a Consultant according to 3 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone interview: 21%
Personality test: 14%
One on one interview: 14%
Group panel interview: 14%
Skills test: 14%
Drug test: 7%
Background check: 7%
Other: 7%
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