20 GEA Group Interview Questions and Answers

GEA Group is a leading supplier of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. As such, the company is always on the lookout for talented and skilled individuals to join its team.

If you’re lucky enough to be invited for an interview with GEA Group, you can expect to be asked a range of questions specific to the company and the role you’re applying for.

In this article, we’ll give you a taste of what to expect with some sample GEA Group interview questions and answers.

GEA Group Interview Process

The interview process at GEA Group can vary in length depending on the position you are applying for, but generally speaking, it is a fairly lengthy process. There are usually multiple rounds of interviews, including both individual and panel interviews. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position, but they are generally pretty challenging. Overall, the experience is generally positive, though it can be quite stressful at times.

1. What do you know about the company?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and how you plan on contributing. Before your interview, make sure you research the company thoroughly so that you can answer this question with confidence.

Example: “I know that GEA Group has been around for over 50 years and has grown into one of the largest suppliers of systems and components to the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. I also know that they have an excellent reputation within the industry and are known for their customer service.”

2. Why did you apply for this job at GEA Group?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in their company. When preparing for this interview, make sure you read the job description and highlight any aspects that particularly interest you. This will help you answer this question with confidence.

Example: “I applied for this position because I am passionate about food safety. In my previous role as an assistant manager at a local restaurant, I was responsible for ensuring all of our employees were following proper food safety procedures. I found it very rewarding to be able to ensure customers enjoyed safe meals. I think working here would allow me to continue doing what I love while also learning new skills.”

3. What are some of your major strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. When answering this question, try to focus on your strengths while also acknowledging any areas you need to improve.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who always strives for excellence. I have been able to use these skills to help my previous employer with their inventory management system. My only weakness would be that sometimes I work too hard and forget to take breaks. This has led to me feeling overwhelmed at times, but I’m working on finding ways to balance my workload.”

4. How would you describe yourself in one word?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s personality and values. It also helps you determine if they are a good fit for your company culture. When answering this question, try to choose a word that describes your positive qualities or traits.

Example: “I would describe myself as determined. I am always looking for ways to improve my work and make sure it meets the highest standards. I have never been satisfied with just meeting expectations, so I strive to exceed them.”

5. Describe a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with, how did you handle it?

GEA Group is looking for team players who can work well with others. This question helps them determine if you have the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with your colleagues. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects where you had to work with someone who was difficult to get along with, but you still managed to complete the task successfully.

Example: “I once worked with a colleague who would often make snide remarks about my ideas in meetings. I tried to ignore her comments, but it became increasingly difficult as she continued to do so. Eventually, I spoke to her privately about how her behavior affected me. She apologized and promised not to do it again. We were able to move forward and continue working together.”

6. Looking back on your career thus far, what has been your favorite project that you have worked on?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are passionate about your work and have experience working on large projects. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the project in detail and explain why you enjoyed it so much.

Example: “My favorite project was when I worked with my team to create a new system for an ice cream factory. We had to design a system that could produce thousands of gallons of ice cream per day while also being cost-effective for the company. My team and I spent many hours researching different systems and eventually came up with a solution that would help the ice cream factory save money.”

7. Tell me about a time when you handled overlapping responsibilities between two or more projects.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use examples from your experience to explain how you plan your schedule, organize your files and keep track of deadlines.

Example: “In my previous role as a project manager, I had two projects that were due at the same time. One was a website redesign for a client who wanted to update their site with new features and functionality. The other was an e-commerce platform build for another client who needed a way to sell products online.

I scheduled weekly meetings with both teams to discuss progress on each project. I also met with each team individually every week to review their work and provide feedback. This helped me stay organized and ensure all aspects of each project were completed by the deadline.”

8. What is one thing you want out of your next job?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are motivated and excited about your career. It also gives them insight into what you’re looking for in a job, which can help them decide if GEA Group is the right fit for you. When answering this question, be honest about what you want out of your next job. Consider mentioning specific things like salary, benefits or working conditions.

Example: “I am looking for a company with a strong work-life balance. I would love to find a position where I feel valued and appreciated by my coworkers and managers. I’m also hoping to find a company that offers competitive pay and benefits.”

9. If hired, what kind of role do you think you will play in the company?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your goals and expectations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what you are most passionate about in the workplace. Consider mentioning any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I believe I would be an excellent addition to GEA Group because of my passion for innovation. In my previous position, I was responsible for creating new products and processes for our company. I am excited to continue working on these types of projects at GEA.”

10. What separates you from other candidates as an engineer?

GEA Group is looking for engineers who are passionate about their work and have a unique perspective. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss your background or previous experience that makes you stand out from other candidates.

Example: “I am an engineer because I love solving problems. In my last role, I was tasked with finding ways to reduce the cost of production while maintaining quality. After researching several different methods, I found that by implementing new technology into our equipment we could save money on labor costs without sacrificing product quality. This allowed us to increase revenue and decrease expenses.”

11. What can you tell us about lean manufacturing principles?

GEA Group is a company that uses lean manufacturing principles to improve its processes and reduce waste. Your answer should show the interviewer you understand what lean manufacturing is and how it can be used in an industrial setting.

Example: “Lean manufacturing is a production method that focuses on reducing waste, improving efficiency and increasing customer satisfaction. It’s based on the idea of eliminating all non-value-added activities from a process so that only those things that add value remain. This allows companies to focus their resources on making products customers want while also reducing costs.”

12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s used to determine how ambitious you are. Employers want to know that you’re willing to grow with their company and that you have long-term goals. When answering this question, be honest about your career aspirations. If you don’t have any specific goals, explain what motivates you at work.

Example: “I see myself working for GEA Group as an engineer in five years. I hope to have advanced my skills enough to become a project manager by then. In 10 years, I would like to be the head of engineering for GEA.”

13. Do you have any experience working with automation equipment?

GEA Group is a supplier of automation equipment, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with their products. If you do not have any experience working with GEA’s automation equipment, consider discussing your general knowledge of industrial automation systems and how it relates to the job description.

Example: “I’ve worked in food processing plants for several years now, but I haven’t had much experience with automation equipment. However, I am familiar with some common automation components like PLCs, sensors and motors. I understand that GEA Group supplies these types of equipment, so I would be eager to learn more about them.”

14. What tools do you use to keep up with industry trends?

GEA is a company that relies on innovation and technology to stay ahead of the competition. Your answer should show your interest in learning about new developments in the industry, as well as how you can apply them to your work.

Example: “I subscribe to several newsletters and blogs related to my field. I also attend conferences and seminars where experts share their knowledge with other professionals. These resources help me learn about new technologies and techniques for improving processes and products.”

15. Have you ever managed a team before?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can work with others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills you have that make you a good leader.

Example: “I’ve had several management roles in my career, including managing a team of five employees at my last job. I was responsible for delegating tasks and making sure everyone on the team was completing their work. It was challenging at times, but I learned a lot about working with different personalities and motivating people.”

16. What do you think about our market share compared to competitors?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its competitors. It also allows you to show that you are aware of the industry as a whole. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific facts about GEA’s market share compared to other companies in the same field.

Example: “I think that GEA has an impressive market share when compared to other suppliers in the food processing industry. I know that many companies have been trying to increase their market share over the past few years, so I believe that GEA has done a good job at maintaining theirs.”

17. In your opinion, where does quality fit into the engineering process?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the engineering process and how quality fits into it. When answering, you can explain what quality means in the engineering industry and how it relates to other aspects of the process.

Example: “Quality is one of the most important factors in the engineering process because it’s what ensures that the product or service meets the needs of its users. In my experience, I’ve found that there are many different ways to achieve quality within the engineering process. For example, when designing a new product, I make sure to include user feedback from previous products so that I can ensure the new design addresses any issues with the old ones.”

18. Are you comfortable speaking directly with clients to finalize projects?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with clients and how comfortable you are in that role. If you do not have direct client experience, consider describing a time when you had to speak up or ask questions to your manager about a project.

Example: “In my previous position as an engineer for a pharmaceutical company, I was responsible for creating reports on the status of projects. My team would then present these reports to our clients at quarterly meetings. While presenting, I always made sure to include any concerns we may have had so that we could work through them together.”

19. We have many employees that are able to move around different departments if they wish. Is there a particular department you hope to be placed in?

This question is used to determine if you have a preference for working in one department over another. It also helps the interviewer understand your goals and aspirations within the company. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention that you are open to moving around departments as needed.

Example: “I would love to work in the engineering department because I am very interested in how machines work. However, I know that many employees move between departments throughout their time at GEA Group, so I am willing to do whatever is best for the company.”

20. What do you know about PLC programming?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. If you have experience with PLC programming, explain how it works and what you like about it. If you don’t have any experience with PLC programming, you can still answer this question by explaining what you know about it and why you’re interested in learning more.

Example: “I’ve worked with PLC programming before, but I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills. I find that PLCs are an excellent way to automate processes within a factory or warehouse setting. They allow me to create programs that control machinery and other equipment.”