20 First Solar Interview Questions and Answers

First Solar is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of thin film photovoltaic modules. The company has a strong commitment to quality and customer service, and its products are used in a variety of applications including solar power plants, residential and commercial solar installations, and more.

When interviewing for a position at First Solar, expect to be asked questions about your experience with solar technology, your engineering and technical skills, and your ability to work in a fast-paced environment. In addition, be prepared to answer questions about First Solar’s products and services, as well as the company’s commitment to quality and customer service.

First Solar Interview Process

The interview process at First Solar can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone interview and one in-person interview. For some positions, you may be required to do a research presentation or take a technical test. The interview process can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Overall, reviewers found the interview process to be challenging but fair. Some reviewers noted that the interviews were very long, especially for managerial positions. Others found the questions to be difficult but relevant to the role they were applying for.

1. Why do you want to work at First Solar?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done research on the organization and understand what it offers its employees.

Example: “I want to work at First Solar because I am passionate about renewable energy, and I believe in the company’s mission of providing sustainable solutions to power our world. I also appreciate how much the company values its employees, offering competitive salaries and benefits as well as training opportunities. I would love to be a part of such an innovative team.”

2. How would you deal with a difficult customer or client?

This question can help the interviewer assess your customer service skills. Use examples from previous jobs to show how you handled a difficult client or customer and what steps you took to resolve the situation.

Example: “In my last position, I had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their shipment on time. They were also unhappy with the quality of the product. I listened to them explain their concerns and apologized for any inconvenience. Then, I offered to replace the order at no cost. The customer accepted this offer and we resolved the issue.”

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what you’re good at and how you can improve your weaknesses. When answering this question, think about the skills you have that are relevant to the job.

Example: “I am an organized person who pays attention to detail. I also work well under pressure and meet deadlines. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too much information. To overcome this, I make sure to prioritize tasks and ask for help when needed.”

4. Have you ever had a project that didn’t go as well as planned, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you respond to challenges and use your problem-solving skills. Use examples from previous jobs that show you’re willing to take responsibility for your actions, learn from mistakes and improve your performance in future projects.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer, I was working on a project where we had to design solar panels that could withstand harsh weather conditions. We were given strict deadlines and I wanted to ensure that our team met all expectations. However, when it came time to test the durability of the solar panels, they didn’t hold up well against high winds.

I took full responsibility for this oversight and worked with my team to redesign the solar panels so they would be able to withstand wind speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. After implementing these changes, we successfully completed the project.”

5. Tell me about an experience where you developed a process improvement plan for a company.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work in a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the process you improved and how it helped the company or organization.

Example: “At my previous job, I was part of a team that developed a new system for tracking customer orders. The old system involved using paper forms to track each order, which took up a lot of time when entering data into the computer. We decided to use a software program that would allow us to enter all of the information we needed for each order while also allowing us to print out reports on demand. This saved us a lot of time and allowed us to focus more on our customers.”

6. If hired, what would be your approach to designing solar panels for use in homes?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the solar industry and how you would apply it in a professional setting. Your answer should include specific examples from your previous experience that demonstrate your ability to design solar panels for residential use.

Example: “I have worked with residential solar power systems before, so I understand the importance of designing them to be aesthetically pleasing while also being efficient at generating energy. In my last position, I designed solar panels that were lightweight and easy to install on rooftops. The panels had a sleek black finish that blended into most homes’ exteriors, which made them less noticeable than traditional solar panels.”

7. What is your experience working with manufacturing operations?

First Solar is a manufacturer, so your interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your experience working in manufacturing operations. Use your answer to highlight any relevant skills or experiences that will help you succeed at First Solar.

Example: “I have worked with several different types of manufacturing operations throughout my career. I started out as an entry-level technician and worked my way up to senior technician before moving into management roles. In these positions, I learned how to manage teams of technicians who were responsible for the production of solar panels.”

8. Are you comfortable working outdoors?

First Solar is a solar energy company that manufactures and installs photovoltaic modules. The interviewer may ask this question to learn if you have experience working outdoors in various weather conditions. If you do, share an example of how you handled the situation. If you don’t have outdoor work experience, explain why you are comfortable with it.

Example: “I am very comfortable working outdoors. In my last position as a construction manager, I oversaw crews who installed solar panels on rooftops. We worked outside all year round, including during rainstorms and snowfall. My team always made sure we were safe when working outdoors. For instance, we wore reflective clothing and used safety equipment like harnesses.”

9. Give us an example of a time when you completed a complex task under pressure.

This question is a great way to show your ability to work under pressure and complete tasks in a timely manner. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific steps you took to complete the task and how it benefited your previous employer or organization.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer at a solar power plant, I was tasked with finding ways to increase production by 10% while also reducing costs. This was a challenging task because there were many factors that could affect production and cost reduction. However, I used my engineering skills to create a plan that would help us reach our goal of increasing production by 10%. After implementing some new techniques, we were able to reduce costs and increase production.”

10. We want our assembly line workers to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

First Solar wants to know that you can work independently and are willing to do so. They want employees who will be able to take on challenges without needing a lot of supervision.

Example: “I think I would be a good fit for an assembly line environment because I am very detail-oriented and have excellent communication skills. I also like working with others, but I feel confident in my ability to perform tasks independently. I believe that I could learn the job quickly and start performing at a high level right away.”

11. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

First Solar wants to know that you can work well with others and resolve conflict. This is a great opportunity for you to show your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “I was working on a team project in my marketing class at the University of Florida. We were tasked with creating an ad campaign for a local business. I had some ideas about how we could market this business, but one of my teammates disagreed with me. Instead of getting upset or defensive, I asked her why she felt that way. She explained that she thought our target audience would be different than what I proposed. After talking it through, we came up with a compromise where we used both strategies.”

12. What is your experience with designing and testing mechanical components?

First Solar is a mechanical engineering company, so your interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience with designing and testing mechanical components. If you do, share an example of how you did it. If you don’t, explain that you are willing to learn the process.

Example: “In my last position as a mechanical engineer at XYZ Company, I was responsible for creating designs for new products and testing them to ensure they met quality standards. In one instance, I designed a solar panel that could withstand harsh weather conditions. After testing the product in different environments, I found that it worked well in most but needed some minor adjustments.”

13. Describe your experience working with mechanical components.

First Solar is a mechanical company, so it’s important to show that you have experience working with mechanical components. This question helps the interviewer determine if your previous work experience will be a good fit for this position.

Example: “I’ve worked in construction my entire life, and I’m very familiar with mechanical components. In fact, I can build or repair most mechanical systems. For example, when one of our solar panels was malfunctioning at my last job, I was able to fix it by replacing a few parts.”

14. Which area of mechanical engineering are you most interested in?

This question helps the interviewer determine if your interests align with First Solar’s goals and objectives. Your answer should show that you have a passion for mechanical engineering, but also highlight how your skills can benefit the company.

Example: “I am most interested in structural mechanics because I enjoy designing buildings and structures that are safe and efficient. At my last job, I was tasked with creating a new design for solar panels to be used on rooftops. My team and I designed a lightweight panel that could withstand high winds and other weather conditions while still producing enough energy to power homes.”

15. How often do you like to be in contact with your team when working on a project?

First Solar is a global company, so it’s important that employees are comfortable working with others across the world. This question helps employers understand how you feel about collaboration and teamwork. In your answer, explain what methods of communication you prefer to use when collaborating with team members.

Example: “I like to be in contact with my team as often as possible while working on projects. I find that constant communication allows me to get feedback from my colleagues more quickly. If there is an issue or problem, I can address it right away rather than waiting for a meeting. I also think this method of communication makes everyone feel more involved in the project.”

16. General Motors is a company that emphasizes innovation. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

General Motors is a company that values innovation, and they want to know what you think about it. They are looking for someone who can help them innovate in the future. In your answer, explain why innovation is important and how you would implement innovative ideas into General Motors.

Example: “Innovation is one of the most important things to remember when trying to be successful at any job. I believe that if you’re not innovating, then you’re falling behind. If we don’t continue to improve our products and services, then we won’t have anything new to offer customers. I am always thinking of ways to make processes more efficient or create something new.”

17. 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: “When I was working as a solar installer, there were times when customers would call in with questions about their solar panels. One time, a customer called me because they noticed that one of their solar panels wasn’t producing any energy. At first, I thought it might have been a loose connection or something similar, but after checking all of the connections, I realized that the issue was more complicated than that. The panel had developed a small crack on its surface, which prevented it from generating electricity.”

18. What is your experience with designing and releasing software?

First Solar is a technology company that uses software to design and manufacture solar panels. Your answer should show the interviewer your experience with designing, testing and releasing software products.

Example: “In my last role as a senior developer, I was responsible for creating new features and fixing bugs in our software product. I worked on a team of developers who were all tasked with different projects. We used Agile development methods to create and test new features and fix bugs. This allowed us to release new versions of the software every two weeks.”

19. Provide an example of a software development project you have worked on.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how you apply them in a work environment. When answering, consider describing the project’s goals and what steps you took to achieve them.

Example: “In my last position as a software developer for an IT company, I worked on several projects that involved developing new features for existing software programs. One of these projects was creating a feature that would allow users to track their energy usage online. This required me to research different types of tracking systems and develop code that could integrate with our current system. After testing the program, we implemented it into our website.”

20. If hired, what would be your approach to designing software for an assembly line?

This question is a way to assess your technical skills and how you would apply them in an industrial setting. Your answer should show that you have the necessary experience with assembly line software design, as well as your ability to adapt to new systems.

Example: “I’ve worked on several projects where I had to create software for assembly lines. In my last position, we were tasked with creating software for a solar panel production facility. We used our knowledge of the company’s goals and objectives to develop a system that tracked each step of the process from start to finish. This allowed us to monitor the efficiency of each employee and identify areas for improvement.”