Cairn Energy Graduate Engineer Trainee (Get) Interview Questions and Answers

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Be confident and answer maximum questions logically.

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: Conventional Resume Shortlisting

Round: Group Discussion
Duration: 20 minutes

Round: Technical + HR Interview
Experience: I will try and narrate the entire interview experience here. I1 refers to the technical interviewer, I2 refers to the HR interviewer and C refers to the interviewee (me)
I2: Good evening, So you interned in Schlumberger, what happened?
C: I did not get a PPO.
I2: But they came on campus, right?
C: Ya, but I did not get shortlisted.
I1 (surprised): They did not even shortlist you?
C: Initially, they did not but today morning I got a call again.
I2: Then, what happened?
C: I do not know, haven't checked the result.
I2: You did not even bother to check the result? Shows your utter disinterest in Schlumberger..
C: No, it shows my interest in Cairn India.

At this point, I2 got silenced and urged I1 to continue..

I1: So Kartik, tell us about your work in Schlumberger?
C: Explained him all the technical details, without divulging any confidential information.
I1: Can you tell me the block name?
C: No sir, I am not allowed to do so.
Please remember , questions like these are asked just to c

College Name: IIT Kharagpur

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: The shortlist had 26 students and it was completely on the basis of OGPA
Tips: Maintain good grades throughout

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: Initially it was a bit chaotic but everyone calmed down in a few minutes. I gave in some good points ,others also contributed in a healthy discussion and we came to a common conclusion that whenever players come on to the field they give their 100%
Tips: Try to pitch in at the right moment with good points rather than constant blabbering
Duration: 20 minutes

Round: Technical + HR Interview
Tips: Stay Calm and answer confidently. Take time to revive and frame your answer properly. Do not be in a hurry

College Name: IIT ISM Dhanbad

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: There were 10 candidates in each group and I guess there were around 5 such groups, and all are from chemical engineering department. Group discussion for the GG students were held separately. Duration of the group discussion was only 5 min and so each candidate will get a chance to speak for less than 1-2 min. During the GD I made good conclusion which was also supported by the whole group which gave an added advantage to my points. GD's with my batch mates really helped me because discussing with your friends gives you broader perspective, better understanding of the topics, get to to know your weaknesses, reduce fear and stress during the GD's.The Key is ' be confident, put relevant points and try to convince the group in a smart way'. FInally only 2 students from each group got shortlisted and around 12 students were selected for the final Technical & HR Interview.
Tips: Be updated with the recent topics and better to do some group discussions with your wing mates or batch mates. This really helped me. Do not shout in the GD, put your points in smart way and make a good conclusion... :)
Duration: 5 Min minutes

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: My Interview started with ' Tell me about yourself' and then they grilled me on my internships. I did my third year Intern in Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. Q1. What are the different types of pumps and their parts? (Centrifugal, positive displacement pumps and their parts) Q2. Different types of valves and their application? (Like gate, globe, butterfly, Non return valves (NRV)- check valves, ball valves etc.) Q3. Calculation of pressure drop through a pipe in turbulent flow (Not hagen poiseuille equation,it is for Laminar flow)
Q4. Pinch temperature Q5. Temperature profiles for cold fluid and hot fluid in cocurrent and counter current heat exchanger. Q6. Advantages of counter current heat exchanger over co current heat exchanger. (Other than LMTD, Check DQ Kern)- Ans. Hot fluid outlet temperature can go below cold fluid inlet temperature in counter current HEx which is not possible in case of co current HEx.
Q7. JT Expansion. MY 4th year internship was in U of S, canada where I developed two processes for manufacturing of glycerol carbonate and propylene glycol using Aspen hysys. They asked me regarding mass, energy balance (utilities) involved in the process and how I applied pinch analysis for the processes.


Tips: Be Confident, Be completely prepared with your projects, should be strong in your core concepts and try to answer logically.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: These are all basic standard questions
Tips: Be yourself, state real life examples and make some good stories.

General Tips: Be positive, keep smiling and make proper plan for the placements and work accordingly.
Skills: Chemical Engineering Basics
College Name: IIT Kharagpur
Motivation: I am interested to pursue my career in core chemical engineering and CAIRN is one of the best options available in oil and gas industry.