20 ABB Interview Questions and Answers

When you go to a job interview, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions. Some of these questions will be general, such as, “Tell me about yourself,” or “Why do you want this job?” But you will also be asked company specific interview questions.

Company specific interview questions are designed to assess your knowledge of the company, your ability to do the job, and your fit with the company culture. They can be difficult to answer, but with some preparation, you can ace these questions and get the job you want.

ABB is a global leader in power and automation technologies. The company offers a wide range of products and services to help customers improve their productivity, safety, and sustainability.

When interviewing for a job at ABB, you can expect to be asked questions about the company, its products and services, and your experience and skills. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample ABB interview questions and answers.

ABB Interview Process

The interview process at ABB can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one face-to-face interview. The length of the hiring process also varies, but it typically takes several weeks to complete.

Overall, the interview process is fairly difficult. Many candidates report that the questions are challenging and that the interviewer is very knowledgeable about the company and the role. However, the interviewers are also generally friendly and personable, which makes the experience more bearable.

Candidates who are offered a job at ABB generally have a positive experience during the interview process. Although it is challenging, it is also an opportunity to learn more about the company and the role you are applying for.

1. What do you know about ABB?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of the company and its culture. It also allows you to show that you have done some research about the organization before applying for the position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include information about ABB’s history, products or services and current goals.

Example: “I know that ABB was founded in Sweden in 1910 by Sven Wingquist as ASEA. The name changed to ABB when the company merged with Brown Boveri Company in 1988. Today, ABB has over 100,000 employees worldwide and produces industrial automation equipment. In 2017, ABB announced plans to invest $1 billion into artificial intelligence technology.”

2. Why should we hire you?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and why you are the best candidate for the job. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight a few of your strongest skills or experiences that relate to the position.

Example: “I am an excellent communicator who is able to work well with others. I have experience working in teams and collaborating with other professionals to solve problems. My communication skills also make me a strong problem solver because I can clearly explain my ideas and solutions to others. These skills would help me succeed in this role.”

3. How would you deal with an upset customer?

This question is a great way to assess your customer service skills. It also allows the interviewer to see how you handle conflict and stress in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time when you had to deal with an upset customer and how you handled the situation.

Example: “In my previous role as a sales associate at a clothing store, I encountered many customers who were unhappy with their purchases. My approach was always to remain calm and listen to what they had to say. I would apologize for any inconvenience and offer them a refund or exchange. If they were still upset, I would ask if there was anything else I could do to make things right.”

4. Do you have experience working in a team setting?

Working in a team setting is an important part of working at ABB. The company has many different teams that work together to achieve goals and objectives, so it’s important for employees to be able to collaborate with others. When answering this question, you can talk about your experience working in a team or how you would approach collaborating with others on projects.

Example: “I have worked in a team setting throughout my career. In my last role, I was the only engineer on my team, but we still had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and any challenges we were facing. We also met once a month to discuss larger issues and make plans to overcome them. I think it’s important to meet regularly with your team members to ensure everyone is on track and there are no problems.”

5. Describe your experience leading teams and projects.

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you interact with others. Use examples from previous work experience to show that you’re a strong leader who’s able to motivate and inspire your team members.

Example: “In my last role, I led a team of five engineers who worked on projects for clients. My primary responsibility was ensuring that all project deadlines were met while maintaining quality standards. To do this, I scheduled weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and any challenges we faced. This helped me identify issues before they became major problems and allowed us to find solutions more quickly.”

6. What would you say is the main factor of successful project management?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the role of project management and how it can be successful. When answering this question, you should focus on the most important factors that contribute to success in any project management position.

Example: “The main factor of successful project management is communication. It’s essential for all team members to communicate with one another about their progress and challenges so they can work together to find solutions. Another key factor is time management. I believe it’s crucial to have an organized schedule that allows you to meet deadlines while still being able to complete tasks efficiently.”

7. Tell me about a time that you had to manage multiple deadlines at once.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your time and manage multiple projects at once. Use examples from previous work experience to highlight your ability to multitask and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last role, I had two different clients that required my attention on a daily basis. One client needed weekly reports while the other needed monthly reports. In order to ensure I met all of their needs without neglecting either project, I scheduled my week so that I worked on one report for three days in a row before switching to the next report. This allowed me to complete both projects each week without having to rush or neglect any of them.”

8. Are you experienced using Microsoft Office and other software platforms?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your computer skills and how comfortable you are using Microsoft Office. If you have experience with other software platforms, be sure to mention them in your answer.

Example: “I am very experienced using Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also use a few different project management tools, such as Basecamp and Trello. These tools help me stay organized and communicate effectively with my team members. In my last role, I was responsible for managing the company’s social media accounts, so I’m familiar with Hootsuite and Buffer.”

9. Tell us about your experience with industrial automation systems.

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience with industrial automation systems and how they work. You can use this opportunity to explain your previous role, what you did and why it was important in helping you prepare for this position.

Example: “I worked as an engineer at my last job where I helped design industrial automation systems. My team and I would meet with clients to learn about their needs and then create a system that met those needs. We had to consider many factors when designing these systems, including safety protocols, budget restrictions and more. This experience has prepared me well for this position because I understand the importance of meeting client needs while also ensuring the systems are safe.”

10. What are some things that interest you about electrical engineering?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. It also helps them determine if your interests align with those of ABB. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few things that interest you about electrical engineering and how they relate to ABB’s mission or values.

Example: “I’m passionate about helping people through my work. I find it rewarding when I can create something that makes someone’s life easier or more enjoyable. In my last role, I helped develop an app that made it easier for parents to track their children’s development. Seeing the joy on parents’ faces when they realized how much easier it was to keep track of their child’s progress was very fulfilling.”

11. Do you prefer working by yourself or as part of a team?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might fit into their company culture. If your potential employer values teamwork, it’s important to show that you’re a team player who is willing to collaborate with others and share ideas.

Example: “I enjoy working both independently and collaboratively. I find that when I work on my own, I’m able to focus more deeply on my tasks and complete them efficiently. However, I also value teamwork because it allows me to learn from other people and gain new perspectives. In my last role, I was part of a project team where we worked together to solve problems and develop solutions.”

12. What is the most difficult challenge you have faced in your career so far?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to highlight how you overcame that challenge and what you learned from it.

Example: “The most difficult challenge I’ve faced in my career so far was when I first started working as an engineer at a company where I had no experience. The company was very large, and there were many different departments with their own unique processes. It took me some time to learn all of these processes and figure out which ones worked best for our team. However, after about six months, I became more familiar with the company’s systems and processes and was able to apply those lessons to other projects.”

13. What kind of processes do you think need improvement within our company?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you’re willing to provide constructive criticism. It’s important to remember that this isn’t an invitation to complain, but rather an opportunity to offer solutions and ideas for improvement.

Example: “I think the biggest thing I would change about ABB is how we communicate with each other. I feel like there are too many different communication channels within the company, which makes it difficult to know where to find information. I’d implement one main communication channel so everyone knows where to go for updates.”

14. Can you tell me more about your knowledge of robotics?

ABB is a leader in robotics, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with their products. If you don’t have any direct experience, you can talk about your interest in robotics and how it relates to the job.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in robotics because of its potential to change our world for the better. I think that robots are going to be an important part of manufacturing in the future, which is why I’m excited to work at ABB. I also know that ABB has some of the best robotic technology on the market today.”

15. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment in your career?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personal values align with those of ABB. Your answer should be specific, but it doesn’t have to be related to work. You can talk about any time you helped someone or made something better.

Example: “My greatest accomplishment is when I was working at my last job and we had a client who needed some extra support. They were having trouble with their software, so I volunteered to stay late one night to help them troubleshoot. After several hours of testing, I figured out that they had installed the software incorrectly. Once I explained this to them, they understood what happened and thanked me for all of my help.”

16. If hired, what aspects of this position would you like to learn more about?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are eager to learn and grow in your new role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about the position or company that interests you.

Example: “I am very interested in learning more about ABB’s training programs for employees. I have heard many good things about them from my colleagues, and I would love to see what they’re all about. Another thing I’m excited about is working with our clients. I’ve heard so many positive reviews about how easy it is to work with us, and I’d like to find out why.”

17. We expect our engineers to be able to work independently on assignments. How comfortable are you working independently?

This question can help the interviewer determine how well you will fit into the company culture. They want to know that you are willing to work independently and take initiative when necessary. In your answer, explain why you enjoy working independently and provide an example of a time when you did so successfully.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently. I find it helpful to have regular check-ins with my manager or team lead, but I prefer to be able to focus on my assignments without interruption. At my last job, I was given a project where I had to create a new system for our clients. I worked independently for two weeks before presenting my ideas to my team.”

18. What would you do if you had questions about a project but no one was available to answer them?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenges and whether you have a proactive approach to problem solving. Your answer should show that you are willing to take initiative, ask for help when needed and solve problems on your own if necessary.

Example: “If I had questions about a project but no one was available to answer them, I would first try to find someone who could answer my questions. If I couldn’t find anyone, I would look up information in our company database or ask other coworkers if they knew the answers to my questions. If I still didn’t get an answer, I would contact my manager so they could address any concerns I might have.”

19. Have you ever worked on a project where communication was not efficient? How did you overcome it?

Communication is a vital part of working in the engineering industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with communication and how it can affect projects. Use your answer to show that you understand the importance of communication and what you do to ensure it’s effective.

Example: “In my last role, I was on a team where we had several remote workers. We used video conferencing software for our meetings, but sometimes there were technical issues or people would miss the meeting entirely. To solve this problem, I started scheduling weekly check-in calls so everyone could stay up-to-date on the project. This helped us overcome any communication barriers.”

20. How would you describe your leadership style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would fit into their organization. It is important to be honest about your leadership style and what type of team member you are. You may want to describe a time when you had to use your leadership skills to accomplish a goal or project.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable leader who is always available for my team members. I like to encourage collaboration among my team so that everyone feels comfortable sharing ideas. In my last position, we were tasked with creating a new product by our deadline. I encouraged my team to share any concerns they had about the project so we could work through them together. This led to us finding solutions to some problems before they became major issues.”