Parker Hannifin Interview Questions
& Process

This was for an entry level job as a product test engineer at their O-ring division at Lexington, KY Had a screening call with a recruiter, followed by a virtual interview with the hiring manager. The virtual interview had questions about my resume, experiences and personal projects. Asked if I was comfortable working hands-on and troubleshooting. Shortly after this interview, they called me in-person at the Lexington, KY plant for an interview. Made me perform a mock test cycle for their O-ring product using Fuji paper, all tools, PPE and materials were provided on site. The mock test was followed by a panel-interview with a few different engineers from other departments.

The interview began with a brief get-to-know-you chat in a pretty relaxed atmosphere. I was asked to discuss my educational background and most relevant experiences, focusing particularly on skills applicable to the role. Afterwards, I tackled some practical and situational questions, where I had to describe how I would handle specific issues or tight deadlines. There was also a short reasoning exercise to showcase my work methodology. Towards the end, I had the opportunity to ask questions about the company and the team. The interview concluded with generally positive feedback and an explanation of the next steps in the hiring process.

My initial screening interview was great! The interviewer discussed company culture, rotations, and gave interview tips. The company seemed to have a really welcoming energy. The panel interview was a totally different experience. As soon as I joined the Teams call, they started asking questions without letting me introduce myself. They seemed disinterested from the start. There were about 7-8 people on the call, and the atmosphere was tense. Only a few people were respectful and tried to make the interview feel comfortable. An HR person spoke to me in an annoyed tone when I asked a question that wasn't well-phrased, though I admit it was a bit dumb. I could have prepared better, but their cold, dismissive attitudes made me feel like I wasn't a good fit from the beginning. The interview is very serious. They want STAR method answers, a completely serious tone, and a specific type of person, which wasn't me. Know how to explain every experience on your resume and don't let nerves get the best of you because they don't care about your feelings. Be confident. They probably sensed my nervousness and saw it as a weakness. I knew I was messing up within the first minute. Be prepared with questions to ask them at the end; I froze and only had three questions. Have a question or two for each sector, especially the one you're interested in. Their questions weren't necessarily difficult, but they want you to explain your experiences clearly and expand on them. If you're new to panel interviews, practice in front of others because I was blindsided by the number of people on the call. Know how to articulate your thoughts and experiences under pressure with a large audience. You'll be okay.

I applied online and was contacted by HR to schedule the interview. It was a TEAMS interview with HR, two buyers, and the VP of supply chain. Near the end, one person said she zoned out and asked me to repeat what I'd said. The interview got awkward when the VP asked where I saw myself in 5 years. I told him I wanted his job. He then lectured me, questioned my degree, and badgered me. I told them the interview wasn't working out and ended the call. If this is the culture, I don't want it.