CN Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 201 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Which role are you interviewing for?
30 roles · 201 reportsCandidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at CN.
CN
Project Manager
Mid Easy Positive experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral
Received a job offer less than 24 hours after applying. The interview process was straightforward, involving a single interview. I received an update within a week. Two interviewers were present, with one leading the questioning and the other documenting responses. All communication was prompt and handled via email.
Confirmed questions1 question
- What motivated your application for this position?
CN
Data Specialist
Entry Easy Positive experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
Had a phone call with HR to set up the interview. Then there was one virtual interview that lasted about an hour. It was split between behavioral questions and some easy technical questions. The technical part focused on how familiar I am with Microsoft products and good data management practices. The hiring manager, a director, and HR were all there. It was a pretty relaxed vibe.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you describe the most difficult database you've encountered and how you managed it within the project's scope?
CN
Intern
Intern Easy Neutral experience No offer 1 round
Interview process
Take home
Interview formats
Other
Everything was online, and I had to record myself answering 4 questions. 2 were in French and 2 in English. I had 30 seconds to look at and think about the question before recording. For the first two, I could re-record if needed, but for the last two, I only got one shot. I haven't heard back yet, so I marked 'no' for getting an offer.
Confirmed questions4 questions
- Why did you choose your major? (in French)
- Why are you interested in CN? (in French)
- In five years, what do you see yourself doing?
CN
Software Engineer Manager
Manager Easy Negative experience No offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
Be careful with this job posting, it seems like CN uses it to target tech members instead of managers. They keep reposting it. The salary is low for a manager role. The recruiter mentions interviews with Manager and Senior Management, but then in the second interview with the hiring manager, they say the role has changed and start technical questions. The third interview isn't with senior management but a team of 3 tech members asking system administrator-level questions like Linux, containers, and encryption, which felt like a waste of time.
Confirmed questions4 questions
- Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult employee.
- Describe your experience with Linux.
- Explain your understanding of container technology.
CN Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from CN interview reports.
“How many moves and in what sequence are needed to switch train cars from abcde and wxyz to abcwxdeyz?”
Read reports →“When troubleshooting a network-related issue in depth, what tool would you utilize to assist you?”
Read reports →“What would you do if you saw sparks coming off a wheel while on duty as a conductor?”
Read reports →“What actions would you take if you suspected your supervisor was using drugs or alcohol while on duty?”
Read reports →“How would you handle a situation where an employee has an accident in the yard with a vehicle, causing minor damage but no injuries?”
Read report →“What would you do if you discovered a colleague had been drinking the night before work?”
Read report →“How would you approach the switch test, rearranging a train on paper with minimal moves, specifying forward, reverse, connects, and disconnects?”
Read report →“What action would you take if you observed a coworker violating safety regulations, potentially leading to an accident?”
Read report →“What would you do if a coworker was engaging in a dangerous activity on the job?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 201 CN interview reports.