20 ABB Interview Questions and Answers

As a leading provider of power and automation technologies, ABB is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team. If you’re hoping to land a job at ABB, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions about your skills and experience.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common ABB interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence.

ABB Interview Process

The interview process at ABB is generally pretty smooth and straightforward. There are usually 4 rounds of interviews, which are spread out over the course of 6 weeks. The first round is typically with HR, followed by 2 managers and a final employee. Candidates generally report feeling positive after their interviews and say that everyone they met was friendly. However, some candidates have reported being “ghosted” after their final interview, meaning they never heard back from the company even after following up multiple times. Overall, the interview process seems to be fairly positive, although it can be lengthy.

1. Tell me about a time when you had to make a decision without knowing all the facts.

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. Use this opportunity to highlight how you used critical thinking, research and other relevant skills to make the best decision possible.

Example: “When I was working as a manager at my previous job, we had a customer who called in with a complaint about their product. They said it wasn’t functioning properly, but they didn’t have any documentation or proof that it was defective. We couldn’t send someone out to fix it without more information, so I decided to call them back and ask for more details. After some discussion, they were able to provide us with enough information to determine that there was a problem with the product. We sent someone out to repair it.”

2. What is your experience with ABB products?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience with their company. If you have used any of ABB’s products in the past, be sure to describe how they helped you complete your job and what you liked or disliked about them.

Example: “I’ve worked with several of ABB’s products throughout my career. I’m familiar with the A-series PLCs, which are commonly used in manufacturing facilities. In my last role as an automation engineer, I was responsible for programming these devices to control machinery on factory floors. I also had some experience working with the AC500 series inverters, which were used to convert DC power from solar panels into AC power that could be used by homes.”

3. Why do you want to work for ABB?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of ABB that you admire or find interesting.

Example: “I have always been interested in technology and innovation, so I am excited to work for a company like ABB that is constantly developing new products and services. I also really admire how ABB has implemented its ‘Human Centered Design’ philosophy into all of its business practices. This focus on human-centered design makes me feel confident that working here would allow me to make meaningful contributions to the company.”

4. Are you familiar with any of our competitors and their products?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with other companies in the same industry. If you do, they may want to know how your skills and abilities compare to those of their competitors. To answer this question, think about which companies provide similar products or services as ABB. Explain why you chose these companies and what makes them comparable.

Example: “I’ve worked for a few different automation companies throughout my career. I chose to work at each company because of the unique challenges that each one presented. For example, when I was working for Green Automation, I enjoyed learning new ways to reduce energy consumption. At Red Robotics, I learned more about robotics and how they can be used in manufacturing processes. Now that I’m applying for a position here, I realize that ABB is the perfect place for me to continue developing my skills.”

5. Describe a time where you had to prioritize, how did you choose what comes first?

This question is a great way to show your ability to prioritize tasks and manage time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you prioritized the task and what steps you took to complete it.

Example: “In my previous role as a project manager, I had to prioritize many different projects at once. One day, I received several urgent emails from clients asking for updates on their projects. I decided that I would respond to all of the emails first before moving onto other tasks. After responding to each email, I then moved onto checking in with team members about their progress on the projects.”

6. How would you describe yourself as a leader?

Leadership is an important skill for any manager, and the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership style. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you demonstrated strong leadership skills.

Example: “I believe that being a leader means helping others succeed. I am always looking for ways to help my team members grow in their roles and develop new skills. For example, when one of my employees was struggling with a project, I offered to meet with them after work so they could get some extra help from me. This helped them feel supported and motivated, and they were able to complete the project successfully.”

7. Do you have experience working in a team environment? If so, tell me about it.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential co-workers and how they work together. It’s also an opportunity for you to share any leadership qualities you may have.

Example: “I’ve worked in teams throughout my career, but I’m most proud of the team I helped build at my last job. We were all new hires, so we had to figure out our roles as we went along. However, by the end of the first year, we were working well together and supporting each other through challenges.”

8. Tell us why you think you are qualified for this job.

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you view yourself. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight any relevant experience or skills that match the job description.

Example: “I think I am qualified for this position because of my extensive knowledge in electrical engineering. Throughout my education and career, I have learned many different aspects of electrical engineering, including circuit design, power distribution and automation. In my last role, I was responsible for designing an electrical system for a new factory. This project required me to use all of my electrical engineering skills, which helped me develop even more expertise.”

9. Have you ever worked on a project that didn’t go well? How did you manage it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can recover from challenges. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about the situation but also highlight what you learned from it.

Example: “I once worked on a project where we were supposed to create an automated system for a factory that would help them reduce costs by 20%. However, after two months of work, I realized that there was no way we could achieve that goal with the resources we had. Instead, I suggested we focus on reducing costs by 10% instead. The client agreed, and we managed to complete the project successfully.”

10. Can you give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward? How did you approach the problem?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide a specific example of how you approached the problem and what steps you took to solve it.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project that required me to troubleshoot some issues with one of our products. The product had been released to the market but there were several customers who reported problems with the product. My team and I worked together to determine the root cause of the issue and then developed a solution for the problem.”

11. What skills or knowledge do you have that will help you succeed at this position?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge needed for this position. You can use your answer to highlight any relevant experience, education or certifications you have.

Example: “I have five years of experience in a similar role at another company. In my previous job, I was responsible for managing projects and ensuring they were completed on time and within budget. I also had to communicate with clients about project status and ensure they understood what we were doing. These skills will help me succeed in this position because I am familiar with the responsibilities and challenges of working in this industry.”

12. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle conflict and challenges. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and ability to remain calm under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role as an account manager, I had a customer who was upset about our company’s pricing structure. They felt that we were charging too much for our products, but they didn’t understand all of the costs associated with producing them. I explained to the customer why our prices are what they are and offered to lower their price if they would agree to purchase more units. The customer agreed, and we ended up lowering our prices across the board.”

13. How long have you been working in robotics?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how you’ve grown as an engineer. Use this opportunity to highlight any specific projects or achievements that helped you develop your skills in robotics.

Example: “I started working in robotics when I was in college, where I worked on several different projects with my team. We were able to create a robot that could navigate through a maze using sensors and artificial intelligence. This project taught me how important it is to have a strong foundation of knowledge in programming and mathematics before moving onto more complex engineering projects.”

14. What motivates you to do your best work?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what drives you. It’s important to show that your motivation is not just about getting a paycheck, but also about helping others or making an impact on the world.

Example: “I am motivated by the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. I love solving problems and finding creative solutions for my clients. When I see how our products improve someone’s life, it makes me feel like I’m doing something worthwhile with my career.”

15. How would you handle a poor performing employee?

This question can help the interviewer assess your management skills and ability to lead a team. Use examples from past experiences where you helped an employee improve their performance or developed them into a more effective member of the team.

Example: “In my last role, I had an employee who was consistently late for work. This behavior affected his productivity because he would rush through tasks in order to get back on schedule. After talking with him about the issue, we decided that he should take public transportation instead of driving to work. He also set up a calendar reminder so he could leave early enough to make it to work on time. By helping him find solutions to this problem, he improved his attendance and became a valuable member of our team.”

16. What do you know about ABB’s culture?

ABB is a global company with over 100,000 employees. The company’s culture is important to its success and growth. An interviewer may ask this question to see if you are familiar with the company’s values and how they might fit into your own personal values. To answer this question, try to describe what you know about ABB’s culture by referencing information from the job description or researching the company online.

Example: “I’ve read that ABB has an open-door policy where anyone can talk to their manager about anything. I think that’s a great way to foster communication between employees and management. Another thing I noticed was that ABB offers many opportunities for professional development through training programs and certifications. I’m excited to learn more about these offerings.”

17. We value employees who are willing to take ownership of projects. Give an example of a time where you took ownership of a project.

This question is an opportunity to show your potential employer that you are a self-starter and can take on challenging projects. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to complete the project and how it benefited your team or company.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous job, there was a lot of confusion about who should be doing what tasks. My manager asked me to create a spreadsheet with all of our responsibilities listed so we could keep track of everything. This helped us understand where each person’s strengths were and allowed us to work more efficiently as a team.”

18. Explain the difference between analog and digital signals.

This question tests your knowledge of the company’s products and services. It also shows that you can apply what you know to a real-world situation. In your answer, explain how analog and digital signals differ in terms of their functions and applications.

Example: “Analog and digital signals are two different types of electrical signals. Analog signals use continuous voltage levels to represent information. Digital signals use discrete voltage levels to represent information. For example, an analog signal could be used to control the speed of a motor while a digital signal would be more useful for controlling the direction of a motor.”

19. What kind of advancements do you see coming up in the next 10 years in regards to automation?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can contribute to it. When answering this question, make sure to include specific examples that showcase your expertise in automation.

Example: “I see advancements coming up in the next 10 years with regards to robotics. With the advancement of artificial intelligence, I think we will start seeing more robots being used for everyday tasks like cleaning or delivering packages. Another advancement I see is with regards to smart grids. As renewable energy becomes more popular, I think we’ll be able to create better ways to store power so we don’t lose any when there are fluctuations.”

20. Which tools or software packages have you used before?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company’s products and services. If you have experience with ABB, mention it in your answer.

Example: “I’ve used many different software packages throughout my career, but I’m most familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud and SAP ERP. In my last role, I was responsible for managing all aspects of our business operations using SAP ERP. This included creating reports, analyzing data and making decisions based on that information.”