DB Cargo Interview Questions
& Process

First, there was a personality test before the actual interview. Then, some questions about your experience and specific questions for 1-2 past jobs were asked. They also described the job and discussed how the personality test results and job description fit together. Lastly, there were questions about specific situations to be solved and your attitude towards them.

I attended an assessment center in Frankfurt where about 10-12 candidates were present. The day involved a case study presentation, an interview, and a group task, running from 9 am to 4 pm, though there was a lot of waiting time. They let us know if we passed the assessment at the end of the day, with contract confirmation expected in the following 6-7 days. I was promised personalized feedback for the next round, regardless of the outcome, but only received a generic email without any specific feedback. It was also noted that coordinators spoke German, even when some candidates did not, which was frustrating and seemed like a waste of time for those with limited German skills. My advice is to skip the assessment if your German isn't strong, as it can lead to significant disappointment.

It started with an online assessment, basically a personality test and some sudoku puzzles. Then, depending on the country division, it was either a phone interview or a 2-hour personal interview (you had to pay for train fares yourself). After that, we were invited to an assessment center. This involved another interview, and then working on a fake business case that we had to present individually and then discuss in a group. The interviewers were quite aggressive sometimes, really pushing for specific answers, and got annoyed if they didn't get them, repeating the same question. Despite that, the process felt fair until the feedback stage. It turned out I was rejected for reasons already on my CV, making the whole multi-week effort feel like a waste. They also promised trainees from the previous year would be there for Q&A, but they only showed up via a video call, not in person, and mostly gave presentations that painted the company in a good light. The tech was bad, with lag and old equipment, which felt awkward. The only good thing was that the atmosphere on the day was relaxed, and the other candidates weren't competitive. Most candidates were male and white, which seems to be the company's demographic. They made it clear this isn't seen as a problem and that anyone who isn't male has to prove how they can 'survive' or 'make it' there. I can't say if this is true or how bad it is, but I'd advise women to be careful.

I had an interview with both the Head of Sales and Purchasing and the Team lead for Project Management in Sales and Purchasing. The interview touched on my previous work experience and my academic career. I was asked about my motivation to partake in an internship at DB Cargo and what I already knew about the company. Having recent facts about the company helped me show my knowledge and interest. The interview also covered my skills that I have acquired at university and how I could apply these to the workspace. They also asked me about myself on a personal level, how I am as a person and similar.