Baker Hughes interview questions
Questions d'entretien d'embauche
- -tell me everything about yourself that can boost your application?
-give me three reasons why we should employ you?
-Why do you think you would do well to this job?
-why should we hire you for this job.
-Why this graduate program:
-Give me 3 reasons why did you choose Baker Hughes?
-A real project where you have not enough time to accomplish it. What did you do? Which steps, obstacles, solution, learned?
-A task you’ve been…
Interview process
The telephone interview is very simple. It lasted approximately 30 minutes with one of the Baker Hughes (BH) recruiters and was only competency based. They were general questions as to why I wanted to work at BH, what I would expect in my first year at BH and 3 competency questions. I was told the outcome of my interview about approximately a week after which I was invited to the Baker Hughes Experience.
Most difficult question
None of the questions were difficult.
As part of the phone interview the following questions were asked:
- Why did you apply for BH
- What do you expect to be doing in your first year at BH
- Tell me about a time you worked with someone difficult
- Tell me about your greatest achievement
- What is your favourite subject at university and why
As part of the Baker Hughes Experience there were 2 separate interviews. The first interview asked:
- What motivated you to apply for Baker Hughes?
- Why do you want to work in the Technical Field Engineer position?
- What concerns you most about this position?
The second panel interview only asked one question. After discussing with the other 20 candidates on the day, we all got asked a different question. Below is a list of some of these questions:
- What skills will you bring to Baker Hughes?
- Describe yourself in 3 words?
- What do you want out of your work?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
As part of the phone interview the following questions were asked:
- Why did you apply for BH
- What do you expect to be doing in your first year at BH
- Tell me about a time you worked with someone difficult
- Tell me about your greatest achievement
- What is your favourite subject at university and why
As part of the Baker Hughes Experience there were 2 separate interviews. The first interview asked:
- What motivated you to apply for Baker Hughes?
- Why do you want to work in the Technical Field Engineer position?
- What concerns you most about this position?
The second panel interview only asked one question. After discussing with the other 20 candidates on the day, we all got asked a different question. Below is a list of some of these questions:
- What skills will you bring to Baker Hughes?
- Describe yourself in 3 words?
- What do you want out of your work?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Interview tips
The BHE is an intensive process. Make sure you get a good sleep the night before. Remember to listen carefully to everything they say, especially the core values. SAFETY is core to everything BH do, and is something they pride themselves upon.
Experiences at the assessment centre
The Baker Hughes assessment centre is know as the Baker Hughes Experience (BHE). It is a 2 day intensive assessment centre that takes place in Aberdeen (If you applied for the technical position). The Baker Hughes staff take care of booking the transport for you.
After checking in, when I arrived in my room there was an envelope with my name on it. Inside there was a letter which said meet in the meeting room at 6AM for the beginning of the assessment centre. Some people shared their room with another person, whilst some were alone. BH don't give you any information regarding the activities you will be doing as they want to see how you cope with the element of surprise.
DAY 1
The next day started at 6AM. In total there were about 20 candidates. The day started with a short 5 minute presentation by one of the BH recruiters. He then asked us all to introduce ourself by including the following information:
- Name
- Where we are from and university
- Draw a picture that reflects us and explain why
- Choose an adjective beginning with the first letter of your first name to describe you
- Recall everyones names and adjectives of the people before you
This was done randomly, so be prepared to listen carefully and remember what everyone says.
After this we were put into groups of 5 and were given 15 minutes to create a paper aeroplane model that would travel the furthest distance and give a short presentation regarding it. One thing to note here and on any other activities you do during the BHE is that safety is paramount to everything done within BH. So it's always useful to mention safety somewhere in a presentation.
After this we went down for breakfast where an employee for BH sat at each table with the candidates and began conversation. Remember they are judging you. So ask good questions, and seem approachable and sociable.
We returned back into the metting room at around 8AM where several presentations were delivered. Listen carefully, because they give important information which you will need to recall in a presentation you are going to give on the second day. One thing to pay extra careful attention to and embed within your head are the core values within BH. This is emphasised upon by the employees alot, so remember them and use them where possible.
At 10AM we were taken to one of the BH sites in Aberdeen. We split up into a group of 4 and each went with a BH employee in their car. Upon arriving at the site we were separated into 4 groups and were allocated separate tasks which we rotated.
1) Site tour
They give you a tour lasting approximately an hour of the site. You get to see all the equipment that are used. The Nitrogen tanks, Nitrogen converters, pumps, pigs (No not that type!) etc etc etc. It's a very cool tour, something which I really enjoyed. Remember to ask good questions as you are being judged.
2) Experiments
Theres a set of 5 experiments that you carry out. You have 10 minutes to carry out each experiment and record your results. Remember SAFETY! They might put goggles or gloves on the table, even though you might not need it, USE IT! SAFETY is very important to BH (As you'll learn through the presentations).
- Measure the pH of Coke and Coffee
You'll be given 4 cups. One has coke, one has coffee and the other two have distilled water. You have litmus paper. Using the litmus paper measure the pH of the coke and coffee and record your results.
You now have to record your results of pH using an electronic pH meter. Remember to calibrate it using the distilled water so that the pH of the meter is at 7. There will be an instruction manual for the meter if you don't know how to use it.
Use the gloves provided and wear the goggles.
- Measure the conductivity of different pieces of wire
You have a piece of equipment that allows you to measure the conductivity of different pieces of wire. You most probably won't have used it unless you're an electrical engineer, so make sure you read the instruction manual thoroughly but quickly so that you know how to use it. There's a certain way to clip it onto the wires, so make sure you get that correct or you will get wrong results.
- Assemble a model
Different parts with labels will be put on the table with a set of assembling instructions. Just follow the instructions and you'll be fine. Remember to wear the goggles provided.
- Assemble a drill part
Again this is similar to above, just follow the instructions and remember to wear the goggles.
- Measure the diameter and depth of a model using a Vernier Calliper
You'll be given a model of a drill bit for which you have to find several properties, e.g. outer diameter, inner diameter, depth etc using a vernier calliper. Again remember to read the instruction manual thoroughly and quickly. This can be a bit tricky to use if you haven't used one before.
After your first two activities you'll be given a short break within which to have lunch at the site. A coupon worth £5 will be given to you, which you can use to buy anything you want there.
3) Maths test
This is not your normal maths test, it's a maths test that involves Mayan numbers and arithmetic. So it might be useful if you read up on how to do it, as it can get quite tricky, especially when you're multiplying HUGE numbers without a calculator. You'll have about 50 minutes to do this.
You'll then have a 10 minute break and then go back for your final test.
4) Reasoning test
You'll be given a passage to read and then some short questions to answer regarding the passage. It's quite simple really.
You'll then return to the hotel and they'll give you about 20 minutes to relax. We had to meet back at the meeting room at approximately 5PM.
Another presentation was delivered, this time by two people who recently joined the scheme which lasted about 30mins.
Then we were split into groups again and this time we had to build a rig from a given set of equipment (paper, straws, sellotape) and imaginary money. There are 3 different rig options you can choose. Remember this is all about how you work as a team. So make sure you communicate effectively and give everyone a chance to do something. It was a timed session, we had about 45 minutes to build, then each about 5 minutes to present why we chose the materials, rig etc. There are limited materials, so it's based on first come first serve, so don't waste too much time deciding what rig you want to build and what materials you need. Be spontaneous.
Then we went for dinner at approximately 7PM, again it was the same as breakfast with a BH staff with us. We then met back in the meeting room approximately 7:30PM.
The final thing was the first panel interview with BH staff. You'll have 3 BH staff in the room and they'll ask you the three questions mentioned above. Once done you are free to go. It was done in alphabetical order, so if your surname is with a Z, you'll be waiting a long time!
After checking in, when I arrived in my room there was an envelope with my name on it. Inside there was a letter which said meet in the meeting room at 6AM for the beginning of the assessment centre. Some people shared their room with another person, whilst some were alone. BH don't give you any information regarding the activities you will be doing as they want to see how you cope with the element of surprise.
DAY 1
The next day started at 6AM. In total there were about 20 candidates. The day started with a short 5 minute presentation by one of the BH recruiters. He then asked us all to introduce ourself by including the following information:
- Name
- Where we are from and university
- Draw a picture that reflects us and explain why
- Choose an adjective beginning with the first letter of your first name to describe you
- Recall everyones names and adjectives of the people before you
This was done randomly, so be prepared to listen carefully and remember what everyone says.
After this we were put into groups of 5 and were given 15 minutes to create a paper aeroplane model that would travel the furthest distance and give a short presentation regarding it. One thing to note here and on any other activities you do during the BHE is that safety is paramount to everything done within BH. So it's always useful to mention safety somewhere in a presentation.
After this we went down for breakfast where an employee for BH sat at each table with the candidates and began conversation. Remember they are judging you. So ask good questions, and seem approachable and sociable.
We returned back into the metting room at around 8AM where several presentations were delivered. Listen carefully, because they give important information which you will need to recall in a presentation you are going to give on the second day. One thing to pay extra careful attention to and embed within your head are the core values within BH. This is emphasised upon by the employees alot, so remember them and use them where possible.
At 10AM we were taken to one of the BH sites in Aberdeen. We split up into a group of 4 and each went with a BH employee in their car. Upon arriving at the site we were separated into 4 groups and were allocated separate tasks which we rotated.
1) Site tour
They give you a tour lasting approximately an hour of the site. You get to see all the equipment that are used. The Nitrogen tanks, Nitrogen converters, pumps, pigs (No not that type!) etc etc etc. It's a very cool tour, something which I really enjoyed. Remember to ask good questions as you are being judged.
2) Experiments
Theres a set of 5 experiments that you carry out. You have 10 minutes to carry out each experiment and record your results. Remember SAFETY! They might put goggles or gloves on the table, even though you might not need it, USE IT! SAFETY is very important to BH (As you'll learn through the presentations).
- Measure the pH of Coke and Coffee
You'll be given 4 cups. One has coke, one has coffee and the other two have distilled water. You have litmus paper. Using the litmus paper measure the pH of the coke and coffee and record your results.
You now have to record your results of pH using an electronic pH meter. Remember to calibrate it using the distilled water so that the pH of the meter is at 7. There will be an instruction manual for the meter if you don't know how to use it.
Use the gloves provided and wear the goggles.
- Measure the conductivity of different pieces of wire
You have a piece of equipment that allows you to measure the conductivity of different pieces of wire. You most probably won't have used it unless you're an electrical engineer, so make sure you read the instruction manual thoroughly but quickly so that you know how to use it. There's a certain way to clip it onto the wires, so make sure you get that correct or you will get wrong results.
- Assemble a model
Different parts with labels will be put on the table with a set of assembling instructions. Just follow the instructions and you'll be fine. Remember to wear the goggles provided.
- Assemble a drill part
Again this is similar to above, just follow the instructions and remember to wear the goggles.
- Measure the diameter and depth of a model using a Vernier Calliper
You'll be given a model of a drill bit for which you have to find several properties, e.g. outer diameter, inner diameter, depth etc using a vernier calliper. Again remember to read the instruction manual thoroughly and quickly. This can be a bit tricky to use if you haven't used one before.
After your first two activities you'll be given a short break within which to have lunch at the site. A coupon worth £5 will be given to you, which you can use to buy anything you want there.
3) Maths test
This is not your normal maths test, it's a maths test that involves Mayan numbers and arithmetic. So it might be useful if you read up on how to do it, as it can get quite tricky, especially when you're multiplying HUGE numbers without a calculator. You'll have about 50 minutes to do this.
You'll then have a 10 minute break and then go back for your final test.
4) Reasoning test
You'll be given a passage to read and then some short questions to answer regarding the passage. It's quite simple really.
You'll then return to the hotel and they'll give you about 20 minutes to relax. We had to meet back at the meeting room at approximately 5PM.
Another presentation was delivered, this time by two people who recently joined the scheme which lasted about 30mins.
Then we were split into groups again and this time we had to build a rig from a given set of equipment (paper, straws, sellotape) and imaginary money. There are 3 different rig options you can choose. Remember this is all about how you work as a team. So make sure you communicate effectively and give everyone a chance to do something. It was a timed session, we had about 45 minutes to build, then each about 5 minutes to present why we chose the materials, rig etc. There are limited materials, so it's based on first come first serve, so don't waste too much time deciding what rig you want to build and what materials you need. Be spontaneous.
Then we went for dinner at approximately 7PM, again it was the same as breakfast with a BH staff with us. We then met back in the meeting room approximately 7:30PM.
The final thing was the first panel interview with BH staff. You'll have 3 BH staff in the room and they'll ask you the three questions mentioned above. Once done you are free to go. It was done in alphabetical order, so if your surname is with a Z, you'll be waiting a long time!
DAY 2
Day 2 started at 6:30AM with us meeting in the restaurant for breakfast. Again breakfast was the same as day 1. We were told to be in the meeting room by 7AM.
At 7AM it began with another presentation for an hour followed by a break. At 8AM we were given a debating exercise to do. You'll be shown a scenario followed by a number of possible reactions from which you have to choose one. For some of these there are no right answers, but for the majority there clearly is a right answer. Be sure to link the core values of BH to the scenario and possible solutions. Once you've chosen what you'd do, people who picked the same as you will be grouped up and you then have to debate and encourage the other group to come over to your side and why you are correct and they are wrong. They are judging your ability to communicate and persuade.
This exercise lasted about an hour and was then followed by another group exercise. Again we were split into groups of 5, this time we had to prepare a 10 minute presentation to give imagining that we are BH employees giving a presentation to University students at a careers fair encouraging them to apply for us. Try and be innovative in your approach. Different groups did different things. Remember to include the core values of BH and how Safety is of paramount importance. You have 15 minutes to prepare, with 10 minutes to present, followed by 5 minutes of questions.
Then we had one more presentation given to us and we broke up for lunch. Before breaking up for lunch we were asked to write on a piece of paper wether we were still interested in the position or not.
After lunch we had our final activity of the day. A panel interview with all the BH staff that were present on the day. Each person was given a different question which can be found above.
After this panel interview was the hardest part, waiting for the answer. They tell you a yes or a no on the day. Once they have told you, you are free to go.
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