Top Industrial Engineer Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Industrial Engineer interview by going through these most asked Industrial Engineer interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

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  • Question: Tell me about your self.
  • Question Overview: This is a general question that gives you a chance to talk about yourself. You can discuss your education, your work history and your personal interests.

    Sample Answer: I enjoy reading and learning new things. I'm currently taking a class on industrial engineering at the local college. I've been working in this industry for several years and have a lot of experience.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Personal interests
    • - Education
    • - Work history

  • Question: What is an item you use every day that needs a redesign to better suit your needs?
  • Question Overview: Industrial engineers are constantly looking for ways to improve the products and services they use. They should be able to tell you about an item they use every day that needs a redesign. They should also be able to tell you how they would redesign it to better suit their needs.

    Sample Answer: I use a laptop computer every day. I'd like to see a laptop with a larger screen and more memory. I'd also like to see a laptop that's more durable and has better battery life.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ideas for redesigning a product or service
    • - Knowledge of current products and services
    • - Ability to think critically about how to improve things

  • Question: How would you evaluate and improve production work station?
  • Question Overview: Industrial engineers are responsible for analyzing your company's production work stations. They should be able to tell you how they would evaluate and improve these stations.

    Sample Answer: I would first evaluate the work station to determine if it's operating at peak efficiency. I would then look at the people who use the work station and how they operate it. I would make suggestions for improving the work station based on my findings.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Methods for analyzing the work station
    • - Plans for improving the work station
    • - Knowledge of best practices in the industry

  • Question: What have you managed?
  • Question Overview: As an industrial engineer, you'll need to manage a variety of projects. You'll want to find someone who has experience managing projects and can tell you about their methods for success.

    Sample Answer: I've managed several projects in my career. I've learned how to manage a project from start to finish, and I've learned how to manage a team as well. I'm familiar with the tools and techniques that help me manage a project.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific examples of projects
    • - Methods for managing projects
    • - Plans for future projects

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: This is a common interview question that gives you a chance to talk about your professional strengths and weaknesses. You should be able to discuss your strengths in relation to the job you're applying for. For example, if you're applying for an industrial engineering position, you should discuss your strengths in relation to industrial engineering.

    Sample Answer: I'm a very organized person, and I have excellent time management skills. I'm also very detail-oriented, which helps me stay on task. I'm always looking for ways to improve my work, and I'm always open to new ideas.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Knowledge of your own strengths and weaknesses
    • - Ability to explain how they apply to the job
    • - Evidence of a positive attitude

  • Question: What is your biggest weakness?
  • Question Overview: This is a common interview question that's designed to see how you deal with a negative situation. You should be honest in your answer and show that you're aware of your weakness and working to improve it.

    Sample Answer: I'm a perfectionist, and I tend to get frustrated when I don't meet my own high standards. I've been working on this by taking a step back and looking at the big picture.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Acknowledgement of the weakness
    • - Evidence of working on the weakness
    • - Evidence of improvement

  • Question: Why do you want to work with us?
  • Question Overview: You want to hire an industrial engineer who's excited about working with your company. A good candidate should be able to tell you what they like about your company and what they're looking forward to in their new position.

    Sample Answer: I've been looking at your company for some time. I like the way you do business and I'm excited about the opportunity to work with you.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific reasons for wanting to work with your company
    • - Evidence of research into the company
    • - Knowledge of the company's products and services

  • Question: Tell me about a project you have managed in the past and how you achieved results.
  • Question Overview: An industrial engineer should be able to tell you about a project they managed and how they achieved results. They should be able to tell you about the project's goals, how they went about achieving them and what the results were.

    Sample Answer: I managed a project that involved streamlining our company's manufacturing processes. We worked on this project for several months and were able to reduce waste by 10 percent.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific examples of projects
    • - How they achieved results
    • - How they met goals

  • Question: Tell me about a time you convinced your boss to spend money not originally planned to be spent.
  • Question Overview: Industrial engineers should be able to convince others to spend money on projects that will improve the company. They should be able to give you an example of a time they convinced someone to spend money on a project.

    Sample Answer: I convinced my boss to spend money on a new machine that would improve our production efficiency. I was able to show him how the machine would save us money in the long run.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to convince others
    • - Good communication skills
    • - Strong leadership skills

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict in the workplace.
  • Question Overview: Industrial engineers should be able to handle conflict in the workplace. They should be able to tell you how they resolve conflict and what they do to prevent it from happening again.

    Sample Answer: I've always been able to resolve conflict in the workplace. I'm a good listener and I try to understand where others are coming from. I've been able to resolve conflicts by talking with people and finding a solution that works for everyone.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Methods for resolving conflict
    • - Ability to prevent conflict before it starts
    • - Willingness to work with others

  • Question: What skills do you have that are unique to you?
  • Question Overview: Each industrial engineer has their own set of skills and abilities. You want to make sure you hire someone who has the skills you need for your company. Your candidate should be able to tell you about their unique skills and how they apply them to your industry.

    Sample Answer: I have a strong background in process analysis. I've used this skill to streamline my company's manufacturing processes and eliminate waste.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Skills that are unique to the industry
    • - Skills that are unique to the candidate
    • - Skills that are unique to the company

  • Question: How do you design a process?
  • Question Overview: Industrial engineers should be able to tell you how they design processes. They should be able to explain the steps they take to design a process, and they should be able to tell you how they incorporate the latest technology into their work.

    Sample Answer: I always begin with a plan. I look at the current process and determine what needs to change. Then I create a new process that incorporates the changes I want to make.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Methods for designing processes
    • - Plans for incorporating new technology
    • - Plans for streamlining processes

  • Question: What are your past experiences?
  • Question Overview: As an industrial engineer, you'll want to hire someone who has a lot of experience in the field. You'll want to know what types of projects they've worked on and what they've accomplished.

    Sample Answer: I've worked on a variety of projects for my previous employers. I've worked on improving manufacturing processes, streamlining production and improving safety. I'm familiar with current compliance codes regarding safety in this industry. Safety in the workplace has always been a top priority for me. My safety processes protocol includes ensuring that workers are safe and equipment operates as it should. I always incorporate the most recent compliance codes into workplace tasks without sacrificing production efficiency.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific examples of past projects
    • - Accomplishments and results
    • - Knowledge of current compliance codes

  • Question: How do you deal with difficult people?
  • Question Overview: As an industrial engineer, you may have to work with people who are difficult to get along with. Your industrial engineer should be able to tell you how they deal with these situations.

    Sample Answer: I always try to be polite and professional. I've learned that if I treat people with respect, they'll usually respond in kind. If I feel that someone is being unreasonable, I'll seek advice from my supervisor or other people who have experience dealing with difficult people.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Methods for dealing with difficult people
    • - Ability to remain calm in tense situations
    • - Willingness to seek advice

  • Question: What are your favorite skills to use in programming?
  • Question Overview: Programmers use a variety of skills to create programs and software. You'll want to hire a programmer who has experience with the most common programming languages and platforms. In addition, you'll want a programmer who has experience with the specific programming languages and platforms you use.

    Sample Answer: I've used C++ for the last five years. I also have experience with Java and Python. I'm familiar with the most common platforms, including Windows and Linux.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with common programming languages
    • - Experience with specific programming languages
    • - Experience with common platforms
    • - Experience with specific platforms

  • Question: What are your experiences in the field of programming?
  • Question Overview: Industrial engineers often use programming to streamline their processes. They may also need to use programming to create new programs for their company. A good industrial engineer should be able to tell you about their experience with programming and how they use it in their work.

    Sample Answer: I've used several different programming languages in my work. I've also worked with a team to create a new program that streamlined our work.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Experience with specific programming languages
    • - Knowledge of programming best practices
    • - Ability to create new programs

  • Question: Tell us about your previous job.
  • Question Overview: Your industrial engineer should be able to tell you about their previous job. They should be able to tell you about their role in the company and how they contributed to the company's success.

    Sample Answer: I worked as a process engineer for a small manufacturing company. I was responsible for streamlining the company's manufacturing processes. I also worked with the company's quality control team to ensure that all products met compliance standards.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific examples of projects
    • - Skills used for each project
    • - Accomplishments

  • Question: What was a time you had a teammate who didn't cooperate with your team?
  • Question Overview: Industrial engineers work in teams for various projects. They should be able to tell you about a time when they had a teammate who didn't cooperate with the team. A good industrial engineer should be able to explain how they handled the situation and what they did to resolve it.

    Sample Answer: I've had a teammate who didn't want to work with the team. I was able to resolve the issue by talking with them and explaining how their input was important. I was able to get them to see the value of working together.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Methods for dealing with uncooperative teammates
    • - Ability to resolve issues
    • - Communication skills

  • Question: What do you expect from your Internship?
  • Question Overview: An internship is a great way to get hands-on experience in your field. You'll want to make sure that your candidate has a good idea of what they want to get out of the experience.

    Sample Answer: I'm looking for a chance to apply my knowledge of industrial engineering in a real-world setting. I'm hoping to learn how industrial engineers work with other staff members and how they streamline processes.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specifics about what they hope to learn
    • - How they will apply the knowledge
    • - How they will present their experience to future employers

  • Question: What is your greatest achievement?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how your candidate deals with success. It's important that you get an industrial engineer who can take pride in their work and is willing to take on new challenges.

    Sample Answer: I was able to streamline a company's manufacturing process by 30 percent. I was able to do this by looking at the process as a whole and identifying areas where we could improve.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific examples of achievements
    • - How they've applied their skills to achieve success
    • - Evidence of a willingness to learn and grow