20 Flowserve Interview Questions and Answers

When you’re interviewing for a job at Flowserve, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience with pumps, valves, and seals, as well as your knowledge of the power, oil, and gas industries. You may also be asked questions about your ability to operate automated systems, and your customer service skills.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Flowserve interview questions and answers.

Flowserve Interview Process

The interview process at Flowserve can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, there may also be a second in-person interview. The difficulty of the interviews will depend on the position you are applying for. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, with interviewers being accommodating and responsive.

1. What type of engineering are you most interested in?

Flowserve is a global leader in the engineering and manufacturing of pumps, valves, seals, automation and services for the power, oil, gas, chemical and other industries. The company’s products are used to transport liquids or gases under pressure, so it’s important that you have an interest in this type of engineering.

Example: “I’m most interested in mechanical engineering because I enjoy working with machines and figuring out how they work. In my last role, I was responsible for maintaining all of the equipment at a local factory. This included checking the equipment every day for any issues and making repairs when necessary.”

2. Describe a time when you had to make an important decision that impacted the project and/or company. How did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the process you used to make the decision and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I worked for my previous company, we were tasked with creating a new product that would help our client save money on their energy costs. We had several ideas of how to do this, but ultimately decided to create a more efficient pump. This meant we needed to hire additional employees to work on the project. I met with the HR department to discuss hiring new employees and they helped me determine which positions we should fill first.”

3. Tell me about your experience with flow control technology.

Flowserve is a global leader in flow control technology, so it’s important to show that you have experience with this type of equipment. If you don’t have direct experience, you can talk about your knowledge and understanding of the industry.

Example: “I’ve worked with flow control technology for over five years now, starting out as an entry-level engineer at my previous company. I learned how to troubleshoot issues with pumps and valves, which helped me advance into a senior position where I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the engineering department.”

4. Why do you want to work for Flowserve?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in their company. Use your answer to highlight any specific aspects of Flowserve that attracted you to apply for this role.

Example: “I want to work for Flowserve because I am passionate about working with innovative technologies and helping customers solve complex problems. In my last position, I worked on a project where we had to find ways to reduce our clients’ energy costs while also reducing maintenance costs. We were able to do both by using new technology from Flowserve.”

5. Give us an example of how you like to manage projects.

Flowserve is a global company that requires its employees to work on projects with people from different countries and cultures. Your answer should show the interviewer how you can collaborate with others, manage your time and meet deadlines.

Example: “I like to start by creating a project plan that includes all of the tasks I need to complete. Then, I assign each task to myself or my team members. I also set due dates for when we need to have each task completed. Finally, I hold weekly meetings with my team to discuss our progress and make any necessary changes.”

6. Do you have any experience managing teams? If so, tell me what your approach would be here at Flowserve.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential manager’s leadership style. If you have experience working with managers who are hands-off, ask the interviewer what their management style is and how it aligns with yours.

Example: “I’ve had two managers in my career so far, both of whom were very different from each other. My first manager was very hands-on and involved in every aspect of our work. He would check in on us daily and give us feedback on our progress. I really enjoyed this approach because it helped me feel like he cared about my success as an employee.

My second manager was much less involved. She would meet with us once a week for 30 minutes to discuss our goals for the week and provide feedback. This was helpful because it gave me the opportunity to take ownership over my projects and make decisions without her input.”

7. If hired, how will you use your previous experience to help our business grow?

Flowserve is a growing company that wants to continue its success. The interviewer may ask this question to learn how you can contribute to the company’s growth and development. Use your answer to highlight any skills or experiences that will help you succeed in your new role.

Example: “I believe my previous experience working for a large corporation like Flowserve would be beneficial because I have experience managing multiple projects at once. In my last position, I managed a team of five people who were responsible for designing and building custom equipment. This helped me develop leadership and communication skills that I think will benefit me in this role.”

8. Describe a time where you faced adversity or uncertainty on a project and how you handled it.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt.

Example: “I once worked on a project where the client was unsure of what they wanted. They would change their minds often, which made it difficult for me to create a plan that I could follow through with. Instead of getting frustrated, I decided to take notes during our meetings so I could refer back to them later. This helped me understand what they were looking for and allowed me to create a more detailed plan.”

9. When dealing with a customer, how do you ensure their needs are met and they are satisfied?

Flowserve is a customer-focused company, so the interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your customer service skills. Use examples from past experiences where you helped customers solve problems or achieve their goals.

Example: “I believe that every customer deserves excellent service and support. I make sure to listen carefully to what they need and respond with solutions that help them meet their objectives. In my last role, I worked with a client who was having issues with one of our products. Rather than just telling them we couldn’t replace it, I asked questions about how they used the product and researched ways we could improve its performance.”

10. We think it is important for employees to embrace change. How do you feel about change in the workplace?

Flowserve is a company that embraces change. They want to hire employees who are willing to adapt and learn new things. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you have adapted in the past to changes at work or school.

Example: “I think change is an important part of growth as a person and professional. I am always excited when my manager introduces something new to our team. It’s exciting to try out new ideas and methods for completing tasks.”

11. Are you comfortable working with other engineers from different backgrounds?

Flowserve is a global company with offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Panama, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden, China, India, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Example: “I’ve worked for companies that had international teams before, so I’m used to it. In fact, I find it exciting to learn about other cultures and work styles. It’s always interesting to see how others solve problems and approach their work.”

12. Give me an example of a project you worked on that required coordination between multiple departments.

Flowserve is a global company that requires its employees to work with other departments and teams. Your answer should show the interviewer you have experience working in a team environment.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked on a project where we needed to coordinate between multiple departments including engineering, sales, marketing and finance. We had to create a budget for the project and determine how much money we could spend on it. The project was successful because of our teamwork.”

13. Can you give me an overview of your current job and responsibilities?

This question is a great way to learn more about the role you’re interviewing for and how it fits into the company’s overall goals. When answering this question, try to highlight your most important responsibilities and what makes them unique or challenging.

Example: “In my current position as an engineer at Flowserve, I am responsible for designing new products that meet our clients’ needs while also ensuring they are cost-effective. This means I must work with other engineers to create designs that can be manufactured efficiently and effectively. It’s important to me that we use sustainable materials in all of our projects.”

14. Would you describe yourself as more analytical or creative?

This question is designed to help the interviewer understand your personality and how you approach problem-solving. Your answer should show that you can be both analytical and creative, but it’s important to emphasize one over the other if you feel more comfortable with one of these skills.

Example: “I would say I’m a bit more analytical than creative. While I enjoy coming up with new ideas, my favorite part of the job is finding solutions to problems using data and research. However, I also know that creativity is an important skill for engineers, so I make sure to encourage my team members to come up with their own solutions when they’re facing challenges.”

15. What does good communication look like to you?

Flowserve is a global company that operates in many different countries. As such, it’s important for employees to be able to communicate effectively with others from around the world. Your answer should show your interviewer that you understand how to communicate clearly and respectfully with people who have different cultural backgrounds than you do.

Example: “Good communication means being clear about what I’m saying and making sure that my message is understood by the person I’m talking to. It also means listening carefully to what other people are saying so that I can respond appropriately. In my last position, I had colleagues from all over the world, so I learned some basic phrases in their native languages so that we could communicate more easily.”

16. In five years, where do you see yourself professionally?

This question is a great way to learn more about the company’s future and how you can fit into it. When answering this question, be sure to mention your career goals and how they align with Flowserve’s goals.

Example: “In five years, I would love to have progressed in my current role to become an operations manager. I feel that working for such a large corporation like Flowserve will help me achieve this goal as I continue to grow professionally.”

17. Have you ever received negative feedback on a performance evaluation? How did you respond?

Flowserve wants to know that you can take constructive criticism and use it to improve your performance. When answering this question, be honest about any negative feedback you’ve received in the past and explain how you used it to grow as a professional.

Example: “I once had a manager who was very critical of my work. I took his feedback seriously and asked him for more details on what he thought I could do better. He explained that I needed to slow down and think through my processes more carefully. After our conversation, I made sure to double-check all of my work before submitting it.”

18. You will often interact with customers who may not understand technical terms. How would you explain complex concepts in a way that anyone can comprehend?

Flowserve is a company that works with clients who may not have an extensive knowledge of the industry. Your ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms can help you build relationships and maintain customer satisfaction.

Example: “I find it helpful to use analogies when explaining technical processes or procedures. For example, if I were working with a client on a project involving oil pipelines, I might say, ‘Imagine your pipeline as a straw. The oil travels through the pipe like water through a straw.’ This analogy helps my clients understand how our products work.”

19. Give me an example of when you had to adapt quickly to changes over which you had no control.

Flowserve is a global company that operates in many different countries and cultures. The interviewer may want to know how you would adapt to their unique culture if hired. Use your answer to highlight your flexibility, communication skills and problem-solving abilities.

Example: “When I was working as an engineer for a small power plant, the owner decided to sell the facility. We had no idea who the new owners were going to be or what changes they might make. I met with my team and we discussed our concerns about losing our jobs. We also talked about ways we could impress any new owners so we could keep our positions.

The day after the sale went through, I called the new owners and introduced myself. I explained why I wanted to meet them and told them how much I enjoyed working at the plant. They appreciated my initiative and assured me that I had nothing to worry about. I think this proactive approach helped me secure my position.”

20. Are you familiar with pumping systems?

Flowserve is a global leader in pumping systems, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with similar products. If you don’t have direct experience, consider describing your understanding of how pumping systems work and what they do.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of pumps in my previous positions, including centrifugal pumps, diaphragm pumps, piston pumps and screw pumps. I understand that pumps are used to move liquids or gases from one place to another. In my last position, I was responsible for maintaining all of our company’s pumps, which included replacing worn parts and making sure everything was running smoothly.”