We live in a machine-rich world and there are machines for almost everything. We are surrounded by them like never before, as you can always use an escalator to scale up or maybe use a vending machine to buy a cup of latte coffee. Thus, there is an increasing need as well as demand for automated operations, which are affected through these. A mechanical engineer is a specialized position, entrusted to design, create and maintain these machines.
With an ever-increasing demand for automation, the services of a mechanical engineer are in demand too, which is evident from the fact that an engineer receives a very lucrative starting salary. There is no shortage on the supply side either, and even a small number of job openings attract a high number of job applications. With this cut-throat competition, it is necessary to prepare hard and sincerely for the interview session. The best way is to study and read the frequently asked interview questions.
21 Best Interview Questions To Study
1. How Is A Monomer Converted Into Polymer, Explain With Two Practical Examples.
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core principles of practical chemistry, widely used in the manufacturing industry.
Sample Answer
The monomers are small organic molecules. These monomers are converted into polymers through their regular and constant joining or bondage. This leads to the formation of a long chain and results in the creation of a polymer, which is a long organic molecule. Two prominent examples are:
| Monomer | Polymer |
| Caprolactam | Nylon-6 |
| Ethene/Ethylene | Polythene |
2. What Is A Bakelite and Its Uses?
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core principles of practical chemistry, widely used in the manufacturing industry.
Sample Answer
Sir, bakelite is a type of polymer, which has been created from the combination of two monomers that are, Phenol (carbolic acid) and Formaldehyde. It was discovered by scientist Leo Hendrick Bakelite and is used to manufacture combs. switches and computer discs.
3. What Is The Primary Reason For Embrittlement Of Boiler?
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of boilers and their industrial issues.
Sample Answer
Sir, the accumulation of caustic soda is the primary reason for the embrittlement of boilers in an industry.
4. What Is A Duralumin Alloy and Its Uses?
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the alloys, as these are widely used in industries for the manufacturing of various machines and industrial parts.
Sample Answer
Sir, duralumin alloy is a combination of three different metals, which are:
- Almunium
- Copper and
- Magnesium
The combination of these metals form an alloy named duralumin and due to its lightweight, it is widely used to manufacture airplanes and pressure-cookers.
5. Name The Components Of ALNICO, Gun Metal and German Silver.
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the alloys, as these are widely used in industries for the manufacturing of various machines and industrial parts.
Sample Answer
Sure, sir, these are:
| Alloy | Components |
| ALNICO | Aluminum + Nickel + Copper + Iron |
| Gun Metal | Copper + Zinc + Tin + Lead |
| German Silver | Copper + Zinc + Nickel |
6. What Is The Difference Between Quenching and Annealing?
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the different industrial processes following which machines are manufactured.
Sample Answer
Sure, sir, It is:
- Quenching: In order to harden the steel, it is heated at a very high temperature and then suddenly cooled.
- Annealing: This is quite the opposite of quenching. In order to sthe steel, the steel is heated at a normal temperature and is gradually cooled.
7. How Is Natural Rubber Used For Industrial Purposes?
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the various raw materials that are widely used in the manufacturing industries.
Sample Answer
Sir, natural rubber is obtained from rubber trees/plants. At the time of extraction, it is very soft and almost in liquid form, white in color. This liquid can not be used for industrial purposes until it is given some strength. By using the process of vulcanization of rubber, natural rubber is heated along with sulfur, which leads to the hardening of natural rubber.
8. Name Three Prominent and Widely Used Mechanical Engineering Software For Designing Layouts.
Without having the knowledge of widely used corporate-friendly software, you will not be able to make yourself an eligible employee. Through this question, an interviewer wants to know the names of any three such software.
Sample Answer
Sure, sir, these are:
- Fusion 360
- Solidworks
- Inventor
9. Explain The Use Of Chromium In Stainless Steel.
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of stainless steel, which is widely used in industries for the manufacturing of various machines and industrial parts.
Sample Answer
Sir, unlike a normal iron, stainless steel has the ability to prevent and protect itself from the ill effects of rust. This ability is provided, due to the addition of chromium. Thus, adding chromium at the time of formation of stainless steel will protect it from rusting.
10. Name The Three Most Reactive Metals.
Metals are an integral part of the equipment manufacturing industry, which is one of the largest recruiters for mechanical engineers. Thus, there will always be questions in your interview session related to them.
Sample Answer
Sure, sir, these are (from most reactive to less reactive):
- Potassium (K)
- Sodium (Na)
- Calcium (Ca)
11. What Is A Slag?
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the various extraction methods of metals.
Sample Answer
Sir, metals are extracted from minerals, and minerals are metal-bearing ores. These ores consist of a variety of impurities, which are known as gangue in technical language. For industrial purposes it is necessary to remove gangue from an ore and for this a substance is added known as Flux. The combination of Gangue and Flux is known as Slag
12. Name At Least Five Metals and Their Ores.
This question tests your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of organic chemistry.
Sample Answer
Sure, sir, these are:
| Metals | Ores |
| Uranium | Pitchblende |
| Lead | Galena |
| Iron | Magnetite |
| Copper | Cuprite |
| Zinc | Calamine |
13. What Are Your Salary Expectations?
It is common for the interviewer to ask about your salary expectations during an interview session itself. As an ideal response to this interview question, you are expected to share an answer that is based on diligent research and scrutiny of the industry to which you pertain. Sharing any random salary figure that is too low or too high than the median salary can prove detrimental to your selection chances. Considering the delicacy of their interview question, Prepmycareer has prepared an exclusive post for your kind preparation.
14. We Operate In A Fast Paced Work Environment. How Do You Prioritize?
Business organizations operate in an environment that is fast-paced, primarily because they aim to satisfy their customers with time as well as place utility. Thus, they expect their employees to have a developed prioritization technique using which they can execute all the different tasks in a time-bound manner. Hence, as an ideal response to this interview question always share your own effective strategy for managing the different tasks and duties assigned. To prepare sincerely and in-depth for this interview question, please refer to our exclusive post that will guide you about the various prioritization techniques to be followed.
15. The Role Of A Mechanical Engineer Is Stressful. How Do You Manage Stress?
It is true and an established fact that mechanical engineers have to work in a hectic work environment wherein working hours might sometimes get stretched beyond the usual stipulated hours. This might add to the frustration and stress levels. It is a common expectation of every organization that an employee must know how to manage work-related stress. Thus, as an ideal response just share your own strategy or viewpoints in this regard. For better preparation and guidance please refer to our exclusive post.
16. We Prefer Working In A Team. What Is Your Ideal Team Culture?
Most business organizations due to the perceived benefits of high productivity and engagement, prefer to work in a team setting. You must also be comfortable working in a team, rather than working individually. Through this question, an interviewer wants to know, what in your opinion is a perfect team? or how do you expect your team members to be like?. They can be dedicated, supportive, non-biased, committed, etc. Whatever your views are, just share them with your employer. In case you are short of answers and need ten unique sample answers for this interview question, please read our exclusive post.
17. We Prefer “Quality” Over “Quantity”. What In Your Opinion Is “Quality”?
This is a trending interview question and is asked in several interview sessions. “Quality” is a unique word and has several interpretations. Your own degree of interpretation and analysis of the word “quality” would depend upon your work ethics, knowledge, and skills. This question is a master evaluator and your response to this question would carry a somewhat higher weightage. Thus, prepare sincerely for this interview question and in case you are confused, please refer to our exclusive post, which will give you ten unique sample answers for this question to read from.
18. What Is Your BIggest Weakness That Will Affect Your Working As A Mechanical Engineer?
This is a regular strength-weakness-related interview question and it frequently appears in almost the interview sessions held across the world. Prepmycareer advises that you should prepare for this interview question with greater vigor and if possible, follow a written approach. For better preparation and more knowledge, as to how to you can tackle this question, please refer to our exclusive post.
19. We Know You Have Applied With Our Competitiors Too. But, Why You Want To Work With Us?
This is a tricky interview question asked by an interviewer to understand your level of interest, commitment, and seriousness towards the business organization you sought to work with. It is expected of you to give a perfect answer to this question in a persuading and professional tone. The best source to prepare for this interview question, is the official website of the company, using which you can note a few relevant historical facts and accomplishments of the company in question. Align and compile this with your own personal interest in the company. For better preparation, please refer to our famous post.
20. Project Failures Leave A Devastating Impact On Human Mind. How Do You Manage?
It is against the law of nature, to deny failure to any particular person. Thus, everyone fails and some rise again. Through this question an interviewer wants to know, how do you manage project failures and your strategy to handle your own emotions and state of mind. This is a necessary expectation from you and you are required to share a serious and encouraging response. For better preparation and guidance, please refer to our targeted post, for better preparation.
21. Do You Have Any Questions For Us?
Be it an interview session of a barista or of a mechanical engineer, it is common for the interviewers to close an interview session using this interview question. Through this question an interviewer wants to know, whether or not you have any doubt in regards to the organization’s ethics, work culture, policies, rules, work timings, etc. You are always expected to ask a few questions from your interviewer in response to this interview question, failing which your chances of selection might get affected. Hence, refer to our model question mentioned below and frame your opinion accordingly:
- What are the various training and development opportunities offered by the company to its employees?
- Please share the list of all the incentives and allowances which are offered on working for over-time.
- Is the policy of the company to pay health insurance premiums of the employees?
Closing an interview session in style will certainly leave a long-lasting impression in the minds of an interviewer. Thus, in order to ace your closing, please refer to our exclusive post, guiding you completely in this regard.
References
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