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Industrial Engineer Interview Questions

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Industrial Engineer interview questions and answers.

  1. How do you increase productivity and efficiency as an industrial engineer? See answer
  2. How do you improve safety in the workplace? See answer
  3. How do you stay on track when facing obstacles? See answer
  4. How do you understand application analysis? See answer
  5. What are the responsibilities of industrial engineers? See answer
  6. Which skills should industrial engineers have? See answer
  7. What were some of the biggest challenges of your previous job? See answer
  8. What is your typical daily routine? See answer
  9. Can you give me a brief overview of your industrial engineering experience? See answer
  10. How do you stay motivated at work? See answer
  11. Describe plant organisation. See answer
  12. Which management groups control our organisation? See answer
  13. Have you worked in a team before?
  14. How do you train production professionals?
  15. Which strategies do you use in your role as an industrial engineer?
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Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Industrial Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

How do you increase productivity and efficiency as an industrial engineer?

Industrial engineers must be focused on productivity and efficiency. The right candidate knows how to provide insight into methods for streamlining processes. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Discusses ideas for reducing waste
  • Has strong organisational skills
  • Demonstrates knowledge of company processes

Example:

"I've spent a significant amount of time researching company protocols to determine how I can improve them. In the past, I've completely restructured protocols to ensure the company navigated time and resources better."

How do you improve safety in the workplace?

Industrial engineers manage a company's manufacturing processes. The right candidate will look at how the company is currently managing daily operations and come up with appropriate solutions. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Demonstrates creative problem-solving skills
  • Maintains safety and effectiveness
  • Understands how to find solutions when faced with safety issues

Example:

"I'm up to date with current codes and safety regulations. Every year, I attend conferences that aim to educate employees on workplace safety. This has already been a priority for me. I ensure safety protocols are being met by incorporating new policies from my yearly conferences into the workplace."

Have you worked on a team before?

These professionals typically work with several other staff members and departments. The right candidate will have experience working on teams that eliminate waste and streamline processes. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Provides examples of previous experiences working on teams
  • Discusses methods for improving teamwork 
  • Demonstrates good interpersonal skills

Example:

"I've worked in many groups in the past. The key to working well in a team is having good communication skills and assigning an excellent team leader. When streamlining processes and working on waste management, my team members provided new insights and opinions that I used."

How do you stay on track when facing obstacles?

Industrial engineers must know how to navigate and overcome obstacles. The ideal candidate knows how to cope in high-pressure situations. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Knows when to ask for advice or help
  • Understands how to reverse engineer problems to find solutions
  • analyses situations critically

Example:

"I look at problems knowing that I can work my way backward to find their solution. When I know where the problem started, it's easier to develop a plan."

How do you understand application analysis?

This question tests the candidate's technical skills. The ideal candidate will know what application analysis is used for and how to increase company effectiveness. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Understands process analysis
  • Demonstrates ability to apply theoretical concepts
  • Develops plans for processes

Example:

"When I perform application analysis, I look at a problem like it's a series of stages. When doing this, I can set up tasks more efficiently. Depending on the situation, I'll develop an analysis that studies which operations are efficient and which aren't. Moreover, I'll discover which modifications need to be made."

How do you train production professionals on new workflows or procedures?

The ideal candidate knows how to find promise in coworkers and how to reinforce good habits. By asking this question, you develop a better understanding of the candidate's understanding of onboarding and recruitment processes. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Discusses reference materials
  • Determines whether employees understand the material
  • Demonstrates patience

Example:

"When it comes to training production professionals, providing initial and ongoing support is vital. The first thing I do is to prepare an outline, which identifies the components that are being changed as well as how those changes impact other workflows. By preparing this, everyone taking the training can follow and review it afterward. While performing a training, I use call-and-response questions to ensure everyone understands the new procedures."

What are the responsibilities of industrial engineers?

This question provides you with insight into what the candidate was responsible for in previous places of employment. The right industrial engineer can distinguish the roles of those in their profession. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Discusses what makes a good industrial engineer
  • Discusses previous responsibilities 
  • Understands various components of manufacturing and services

Example:

"An industrial engineer receives information about production and understands various methods and activities involved in manufacturing and services. We also navigate the design of control systems. This allows us to minimize issues within production systems. Moreover, we plan systems and productions to ensure everything meets quality control standards."

Which skills should industrial engineers have?

This gives you insight into which qualities the candidate prioritises in their own practise. Moreover, it provides you with a better idea of how they would fit into your team should you hire them. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Discusses their own skill set
  • Researches the skills expected for the open job position
  • Understands how their skills apply to the position

Example:

"An industrial engineer needs to have significant creativity. Because we manage processes and company systems, we need to be creative in finding solutions and developing the methods and activities involved in the manufacturing processes. An industrial engineer also needs to have good writing skills to write technical documents and develop reports."

What were some of the biggest challenges of your previous job?

The candidate's answer to this question must identify how they persevered through tough challenges. The right candidate understands how to contribute to the company regardless of challenges. This question provides you with information about how the candidate handles a tough situation. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Describes coping mechanisms for challenges
  • Demonstrates ability to find solutions
  • Discusses how to contribute to the team despite challenges

Example:

"One of my most difficult challenges was working in the re-engineering of healthcare deliveries. I also had to help reform our company culture into one that was technology-focused. When working for the company, I had to reconsider what my role was and how I could continue to contribute to the team. My priority was innovation and finding new ways for us to increase efficiency. I was always researching to discover new tools."

What is your typical daily routine?

This question tells you about the candidate's experience in the field. It also informs you of which tasks to assign and what you can expect from the candidate on a daily basis. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Discusses previous work experience
  • Understands requirements of the role
  • Discusses their best workdays

Example:

"My day typically starts with organizing the tasks that need to be done by importance and deadlines. Once I know what to do, I can look over specifications for the projects I'm working on or write reports for the projects I've recently finished. If we need any tools or materials to complete future projects, I write up purchase orders to ensure we have what we need on time."

Can you give me a brief overview of your industrial engineering experience?

The answer to this question provides you with information about the industrial engineer's work experience and what you can expect from them should they join your team. The right candidate provides a linear outline of their work experience. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Demonstrates experience in industrial engineering
  • Discusses their strengths
  • Finds a balance between school and work

Example:

"During my studies, I dealt primarily with theoretical concepts and really formed a firm foundation in the field. When I started in the workforce, though, I got a job for a large manufacturing company right away. I've only changed jobs once otherwise. I like to settle down in a place of employment and to develop my skills. Over time, I've built a skill set that allows me to work through high-pressure situations and to manage any challenges that come my way."

Which strategies or mindsets do you use in your role as an industrial engineer?

The right candidate will have well-developed strategies in place to succeed in their role. Look for answers that demonstrate strategic thinking. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Demonstrates critical thinking skills
  • Mentions how they function within their role
  • Demonstrates knowledge of open job position responsibilities

Example:

"My main strategy is to reverse-engineer problems to find solutions. When I find the cause of an issue, I can then work out how to solve it. I always work toward improving my processes. Because of this, I'm continuously doing research and testing new theories."

How do you stay motivated at work?

Industrial engineering typically involves a fast-paced environment. The right candidate knows how to keep themselves motivated to maintain good quality work in this environment. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Understands how to perform self-audits
  • Knows how to motivate others
  • Has thoughtful techniques for staying motivated

Example:

"I motivate myself by performing self-audits to determine what is negatively impacting my motivation. From there, I can find ways to improve it. When I'm feeling stressed, that means I have something to overcome and accomplish. I also believe that facing adversity allows me to develop my skills."

Describe plant organisation.

This question tests a candidate's theoretical knowledge. The ideal candidate understands how business distribution processes work. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Applies theoretical concepts to real-life situations
  • Describes plant organisation clearly and effectively 
  • Demonstrates research for the role

Example:

"organisations must be built on their functions instead of the employees working within the organisation. Plant layouts are arguably the most effective management strategies. They're commonly used in industrial settings and involve processing equipment, machine placement, and collabouration between departments to increase efficiency."

Which management groups control our organisation?

This question determines whether a candidate prepared for the interview. The best candidates will have both researched your company and learned about its internal structure. Here's what to look for in a successful answer:

  • Demonstrates knowledge of company structure
  • Demonstrates critical thinking skills
  • Discusses company processes

Example:

"From what I've seen, your company has two primary groups in control. Those two groups are frequently found in management control of other organisations as well. First, there's the administrative management group. These individuals are in charge of any sales coordination, finance management, production management, and other processing-based responsibilities. The second group is the production management group. These professionals are responsible for the company's policies. The production management group will look over the administration department's policies and enforce them across the company. These policies can range from safety regulations to policies regarding benefits."

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