20 Parker Hannifin Interview Questions and Answers

Parker Hannifin is a leading manufacturer of motion and control technologies. Their products are used in a variety of industries, including aerospace, automotive, and industrial.

If you’re interviewing for a position at Parker Hannifin, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge of the company and its products. To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Parker Hannifin interview questions and answers.

Parker Hannifin Interview Process

The interview process at Parker Hannifin can vary depending on the position you are applying for, but generally speaking, it is a fairly lengthy and detailed process. For most positions, you can expect to go through several rounds of interviews, both in person and over the phone, with different members of the team. The questions can be quite technical in nature, so it is important to be prepared to answer them confidently. Overall, the interview process is very thorough and can be quite challenging, but it is also a great opportunity to learn more about the company and its culture.

1. What is your experience with fluid system design?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with a specific type of engineering. If you have previous experience working in fluid system design, share what types of projects you worked on and how they helped you develop your skills. If you don’t have any experience in this field, you can talk about other types of engineering that are similar to fluid system design.

Example: “I’ve had several experiences working with fluid systems, including my last job where I was responsible for designing new components for an oil rig’s hydraulic system. This project required me to understand the different types of fluids used in hydraulic systems and how they interact with each other. I also needed to know how to calculate pressure loss within the system so we could ensure our designs were safe.”

2. Describe a time when you had to meet deadlines and priorities on multiple projects at once.

This question can help an interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage multiple projects. Use examples from previous experience to highlight your ability to multitask, meet deadlines and complete tasks efficiently.

Example: “In my current role as a project manager, I often have to juggle multiple projects at once. For example, last month I was managing two different projects that required me to oversee the development of new products for our clients. One client needed their product developed within 30 days while the other needed theirs completed in 60 days. In this situation, I had to delegate certain aspects of each project to team members so we could meet both deadlines on time.”

3. How would you debug an error in our software?

Debugging is a common task for programmers, and the interviewer may ask you this question to see how you would approach debugging in their company. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

Example: “I would first try to find out what caused the error by looking at the code I wrote. If I can’t figure it out on my own, I will then check with my team members to see if they know what might have caused the issue. Once I’ve figured out the cause of the error, I’ll fix it and test the software again to make sure there are no other errors.”

4. Tell me about a time you had to make a decision that affected the whole team.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you make decisions and what your thought process is. Use this opportunity to highlight your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and leadership qualities.

Example: “When I was working as an engineer for a small company, we were tasked with creating a new product that would be more efficient than our current one. The team and I decided on making a new product that would be more compact and lightweight but also more expensive to produce. We presented our findings to the board, who approved the project.

I made sure my team knew they could come to me at any time if they had questions or concerns about their work. This helped us stay organized and productive throughout the entire project.”

5. Are you comfortable working with hydraulic equipment?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company’s products. If you’re interviewing for an entry-level position, it’s likely that you won’t be working with hydraulic equipment right away. However, if you have experience working with hydraulic equipment in previous roles, this can show the interviewer that you are familiar with the company and its products.

Example: “I’ve worked with hydraulic equipment before, but I’m not as comfortable with it as I am with pneumatic equipment. In my last role, I was responsible for maintaining all types of equipment, including hydraulic, pneumatic and electric. While I didn’t work exclusively with hydraulic equipment, I learned how to use it effectively when needed.”

6. What are some of your strengths?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. They want to know what skills you have that will help you succeed in the role. When answering, think of a few strengths that relate to the job description. You can also mention any transferable skills or soft skills that are important for the position.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented. I always make sure to double-check my work before submitting it. These skills helped me get through college without ever missing a deadline. Another strength is my ability to multitask. I can balance many projects at once while still meeting deadlines. This skill has helped me become an expert at prioritizing tasks.”

7. Do you have experience managing inventory?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with a specific aspect of their company. If they ask this, it’s likely because inventory management is an important part of their business and they want to make sure you’re qualified for the role. Use your answer to highlight any relevant skills or experiences that relate to managing inventory.

Example: “In my last position as a production manager, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of our inventory. This included making sure we had enough materials on hand to meet demand while also ensuring we didn’t have excess stock. It also meant monitoring when certain parts needed to be replaced so we could order them in time. I’m confident that I can apply these same principles at Parker Hannifin.”

8. Which aspects of engineering do you enjoy the most?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality might fit in with their company culture. It also helps them understand what skills you have that are relevant to this position. When answering, think about which aspects of engineering you enjoy most and why.

Example: “I love problem-solving, so I really enjoy working on projects where there is an issue we need to solve. In my last role, I was part of a team that worked on developing new technology for manufacturing equipment. We had to figure out how to make it more efficient while still being cost-effective for our client. I enjoyed figuring out solutions to these problems.”

9. What version of SolidWorks can you use?

SolidWorks is a computer-aided design program that many engineers use to create and test their designs. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using the software, which can show them your qualifications for the job. In your answer, explain what version of SolidWorks you’ve used in the past and how it helped you complete your projects.

Example: “I’ve used SolidWorks since I started my engineering career, so I’m familiar with all versions up through 2017. I find that each new version has more features than the last, making it easier to do complex calculations and simulations. As an engineer, I often need to make changes to my designs as I work on them, and being able to quickly update my models makes the process much faster.”

10. Give an example of how you helped solve a problem for a customer.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your customer service skills. Use examples from previous jobs to describe how you helped a customer and what steps you took to solve their problem.

Example: “At my last job, I had a customer who was having trouble with one of our products. They were calling in frequently asking for assistance, so I scheduled a time to meet with them at their office. When I arrived, they told me that they couldn’t get the product to work properly. We spent some time troubleshooting the issue together until we figured out that it was an issue with the software rather than the hardware. I updated the software on their system and resolved the issue.”

11. What does good quality mean to you?

This question is a great way to determine how you define quality and what your standards are. It also helps the interviewer understand whether or not you have experience with quality control in your previous roles. Your answer should include an example of a time when you implemented quality into your work.

Example: “Good quality means that all aspects of a product meet the customer’s needs. For instance, if I’m working on a hydraulic system for a mining vehicle, it must be able to withstand extreme temperatures and last long enough to complete its tasks. In my last role, I was responsible for testing the systems before they were shipped out. If any part of the system didn’t meet those criteria, I would test it again until it did.”

12. What has been your biggest accomplishment as an engineer?

This question can give the interviewer insight into your work ethic and how you view your own success. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a specific project or accomplishment that helped your company succeed.

Example: “My biggest accomplishment as an engineer was when I designed a new type of bearing for my previous employer. The bearings we were using at the time had some limitations, so I worked with a team of engineers to design a better solution. We spent several months testing different designs before finding one that met all our needs. After implementing the new bearings in our production line, we saw a 10% increase in efficiency.”

13. Have you ever had to deal with upset or angry customers? If so, what did you do?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience dealing with customers. Use your answer to highlight your customer service skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role as a sales associate at a local electronics store, I had many opportunities to interact with upset customers. One of the most important things I learned was that it’s always best to remain calm when speaking with an upset customer. This helps diffuse the situation and allows me to better understand what they’re unhappy about. In these situations, I try to empathize with the customer and find out if there is anything I can do to make them happy.”

14. What would you do if there was a shortage of materials for a product that needed to be made by the end of the day?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

Example: “If there was a shortage of materials, I would first try to find an alternative material that could be used in place of what we were missing. If this wasn’t possible, I would work with my team to create a plan for completing the product by the end of the day. For example, if we were missing one part of a larger project, I might ask my team members to complete their portion of the project without the missing piece so it could be added later.”

15. Why should we hire you at Parker Hannifin?

This question is a great opportunity to highlight your skills and experience that make you the best candidate for the position. When answering this question, it can be helpful to refer to the job description or any other information you have about the role.

Example: “I am an experienced engineer with a proven track record of success in my field. I have worked at several companies over the past 10 years, each time increasing my skill set and knowledge base. My most recent position was as a senior engineer where I managed a team of engineers and technicians. I believe my leadership skills and technical expertise are what will help Parker Hannifin succeed.”

16. Describe a time where you worked well under pressure.

When answering this question, it can be beneficial to highlight a time where you were able to complete a task or project in a short amount of time. This can show the interviewer that you are capable of working under pressure and completing tasks efficiently.

Example: “In my previous position as an engineer, I was tasked with creating a new product for our company within two weeks. At first, I was nervous about how much work there was to do, but I quickly got started on the project by delegating responsibilities to other team members. In the end, we all worked together to create a successful product that met the needs of our client.”

17. Can you tell us more about your professional goals and why you want to work at Parker Hannifin?

Parker Hannifin wants to know that you have a strong desire to work for the company and that your goals align with their own. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention one or two specific aspects of Parker Hannifin’s culture that appeal to you.

Example: “I want to work at Parker Hannifin because I am passionate about helping people in need. Your company is known for its commitment to social responsibility, which is something I feel very strongly about as well. In my last position, I worked on several projects that helped improve the lives of others. For example, I developed a new product line that allowed wheelchair users to more easily access public transportation.”

18. What kind of training have you done before?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to learn and grow as an employee. It’s important to highlight the training you’ve done in the past, especially if it relates to the job you’re interviewing for.

Example: “In my last position, I learned how to use our new inventory software. This was a big change from our previous system, so we had several trainings on how to use it effectively. We also did some team-building exercises where we discussed what we liked about the new software and what we didn’t like. The company provided us with snacks and drinks during these sessions, which helped make them more enjoyable.”

19. What are your salary requirements?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are in line with their budget. Before your interview, research the company’s salary range for the position and use that as a guide when answering this question. If you don’t know what the salary range is, look at job listings or talk to someone who works there about typical salaries.

Example: “I am looking for a salary of $50,000 per year. I have experience working in a similar role where I was paid $45,000 per year, but my skills have grown since then. I feel like I am ready for a raise.”

20. What do you know about Parker Hannifin’s history?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the company and its history. It also shows that you have done some research on the organization before applying for the position. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you understand how Parker Hannifin got started and what they do today.

Example: “Parker Hannifin was founded in 1946 by two brothers who were looking to create an improved ball bearing system. They developed their first product, which was a roller chain drive, and sold it to General Electric. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest manufacturers of motion control products in the world.”