20 Kennametal Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company is different. Some companies focus on behavioral questions, while others focus on technical questions. And then there are companies like Kennametal, who focus on both.

If you’re interviewing with Kennametal, you can expect to be asked both behavioral and technical questions. Behavioral questions will assess your ability to work in a team, solve problems, and handle customer service issues. Technical questions will assess your knowledge of the Kennametal products, as well as your ability to troubleshoot problems.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample Kennametal interview questions. With these questions, you can expect to be asked about your experience with the Kennametal products, as well as your ability to work in a team and solve problems.

Kennametal Interview Process

The interview process at Kennametal can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least two rounds of interviews, one with a recruiter and one with a hiring manager. For some positions, there may also be a third round of interviews with other members of the team or upper management. The length of the hiring process can also vary depending on the position, but it is typically around four weeks.

Overall, the interview process at Kennametal is generally positive. However, there have been some complaints about the lack of professionalism of some of the recruiters and the difficulty of getting in touch with them after the initial interview. There have also been some complaints about the interview questions being repetitive.

1. What do you know about Kennametal and our products?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its products. It also shows that you have done some research on the company before coming in for an interview. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you know what Kennametal does and how it can benefit customers.

Example: “I’ve used Kennametal software since I was in college. My first job out of school was as a programmer at a construction firm where we used Kennametal to design our projects. The program helped us create more efficient designs that saved time and money. Since then, I’ve been using the program to help my current employer with their project management.”

2. Tell us about a time where you had to adapt quickly.

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential colleague’s ability to adapt and perform under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how you handled the situation successfully and what skills or knowledge helped you do so.

Example: “When I first started working for my current employer, they were using two different software programs that didn’t work well together. This made it difficult to get accurate data from both systems. My manager asked me to find a solution to this problem. After researching several options, I found Kennametal software could help us integrate our data into one system. We implemented the new software within six months.”

3. Are you familiar with the latest trends in manufacturing?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how it’s changing. You can use this as a chance to demonstrate that you’re committed to staying up-to-date on manufacturing trends, which will help you adapt to new processes more quickly.

Example: “I’m always looking for ways to improve my skills and stay current with the latest developments in the manufacturing industry. I recently attended a seminar hosted by Kennametal where they discussed the future of additive manufacturing. The company also shared some of their newest products that are designed specifically for 3D printing applications.”

4. Describe your experience working as part of a team.

Teamwork is an essential skill for any Kennametal employee. The company wants to know that you can work well with others and are willing to collaborate on projects. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your communication skills, willingness to help others and ability to take criticism from a team leader.

Example: “I have experience working as part of a team in my previous role at XYZ Company. I was the lead engineer on a project where we had to create a new design for a drill bit. My team members were all highly skilled engineers who each brought their own unique perspective to the table. We worked together to come up with a solution that would be both cost-effective and efficient.”

5. Why does Kennametal emphasize innovation so much?

This question helps the interviewer understand your understanding of Kennametal’s values and culture. Your answer should show that you value innovation as well, and can explain why it is important to the company.

Example: “In my experience with Kennametal, I have seen how much they value innovation. They are always looking for new ways to improve their products and services, which makes them a leader in the industry. This is one reason why I am so excited about this opportunity. I believe that if I work hard here, I will be able to develop innovative solutions to help customers solve problems.”

6. Do you have any experience working with CAD software?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience with Kennametal’s products. If you don’t, it’s okay to say so and explain what software you do know how to use.

Example: “I’ve worked extensively with Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks and Creo. I find these programs easy to learn and apply in my work as they are all similar in their functionality.”

7. How would you rate your customer service skills on a scale of 1-10?

Customer service skills are important for any role in the business world, and this question is a way to assess your ability to work with clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you would interact with a client on the phone or in person.

Example: “I believe my customer service skills are a 9 out of 10. I have experience working with customers over the phone and in person, and I always make sure to greet them warmly and answer their questions thoroughly. If they need help finding something online, I am happy to assist them with that as well.”

8. What is an area that you think needs improvement within the company?

This question is a great way to show your willingness to contribute and help the company grow. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area that you have experience in or one that you would like to learn more about.

Example: “I think there are many areas of improvement within Kennametal. One thing I noticed when looking at the website was that there were no social media accounts for Kennametal. I think having these accounts could help with customer service and also provide information on new products and services.”

9. Can you describe how you can help improve production quality at Kennametal?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with quality control and how you can apply it to the company. Use examples from your past job that show how you helped improve production quality, customer service or other aspects of a business’s operations.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer at Kennametal, I noticed that our software was not performing well in certain situations. I worked with my team to create new processes for handling data input and output so we could increase efficiency and reduce errors. This process improvement led to better overall performance within the company.”

10. Tell me about a time when you exceeded expectations on a project.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are capable of performing well in the role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about what you did and how it helped your team or company achieve its goals.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer, I was tasked with creating a new program for our client’s manufacturing facility. The program needed to track production levels and alert managers when they were low on supplies so they could order more parts before production slowed down. After working with my team to create the program, we found that it saved the company thousands of dollars each month by preventing unnecessary orders.”

11. Have you ever been fired from a job? If yes, what happened?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your work history and how you’ve grown from past experiences. When answering, be honest but focus on the positive aspects of what happened. Explain that you learned a lot from the experience and have grown as a professional since then.

Example: “I was fired from my first job in high school for being late too many times. I had been working at a local coffee shop and would often get distracted by friends while making drinks. After getting fired, I realized that I needed to take my job more seriously. I started waking up earlier and paying closer attention to detail when making drinks.”

12. How would you handle it if two employees were fighting during work hours?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and disagreements. It’s important to show that you’re willing to step in when necessary, but also that you’ll do so with tact and respect for the employees involved.

Example: “I would first make sure that everyone was safe and no one was getting hurt. Then I’d ask both parties to explain what happened and why they were upset. If it was a disagreement over work duties or responsibilities, I’d try to mediate between them to find a solution. If it was something more personal, I’d encourage them to take a break from each other until they could calm down.”

13. What are some ways you could make sure customers are satisfied with their orders?

This question is a great way to show your customer service skills and how you can help the company improve its reputation. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your communication skills and ability to solve problems for customers.

Example: “I would make sure that I understood what they wanted before taking their order so there are no misunderstandings later on. If they have any special requests or concerns about their orders, I would address them right away so we could fix the issue as soon as possible. I also believe in making sure my coworkers know how to take care of our customers so everyone has the same level of knowledge.”

14. Of all the jobs you’ve held, which one did you enjoy most? Least?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s work history and what they value in their career. It can also help you determine if this person would be a good fit for Kennametal, as it allows you to see how much they enjoyed working with our company.

Example: “I really enjoyed my job at XYZ Company because I got to use my creativity every day. However, I didn’t enjoy my job at ABC Company because I felt like I was just doing busywork all day long.”

15. Do you have any experience working with CNC machines?

This question is a great way to determine if you have the necessary skills and experience for this role. If you don’t, it’s important to explain what kind of experience you do have with machines that are similar in nature.

Example: “I’ve worked with CNC machines before, but I’m more experienced with 3D modeling software. Kennametal uses SolidWorks, which is very similar to AutoCAD, so I feel like my previous experience will help me transition into this position.”

16. In your opinion, what is the best way to test the durability of a cutting tool?

This question is a test of your knowledge about the products you would be selling. It also tests your ability to think critically and solve problems.

Example: “The best way to test cutting tool durability is by using it in the field. You can simulate real-world conditions, such as high temperatures or heavy loads, but nothing compares to actually testing the product in the environment where it will be used. I have found that this method helps me identify any issues with the product before they become major problems.”

17. What is your ideal work environment?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and preferences. They want to make sure you will be happy in their office, so they may also consider what kind of work environment you can provide for them. When answering this question, try to describe the type of workplace that would allow you to thrive.

Example: “I love working in a collaborative environment where everyone is friendly and willing to help each other out. I think it’s important to have fun at work while still being productive, so I prefer an office with lots of natural light and comfortable furniture. I also like offices that are quiet enough to get work done but not too quiet because I enjoy talking to my coworkers.”

18. What do you find challenging about managing a team?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and what your leadership style is. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped your team overcome a challenge or discuss a time when you had to manage a team of your own.

Example: “I find that one of the most challenging aspects of managing a team is helping my employees feel comfortable enough to ask questions and voice their opinions. I try to encourage open communication by making myself available for meetings and encouraging my team members to come to me with any questions they have about their work.”

19. Have you worked with other engineers before? How well do you work with them?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with others and your ability to collaborate. When answering, consider describing a specific time when you worked with another engineer or team of engineers to complete a project successfully.

Example: “I’ve worked with other engineers before on projects where we needed to work together to solve problems. In my last position, I was working on a project that required me to work with two other engineers who were also tasked with completing their own assignments. We met regularly to discuss our progress and any issues we encountered so we could find solutions together.”

20. What made you apply for this position at Kennametal?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working at Kennametal. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of the job listing that you find interesting or relevant to your career goals and experience.

Example: “I applied for this position because I am passionate about providing solutions to complex problems. In my previous role as an engineer, I worked with many different types of software and hardware systems, so I understand how important it is to have a team of professionals who are able to work together to solve challenging issues. I believe that Kennametal offers these opportunities.”