Propel Industries Software Developer Interview Questions and Answers

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: The starting process for the placement process was as follows:
Initially the students were asked to submit their resume. An SHL test was held: This is a psychometric test. Check out the samples here: -----/. Telephonic Interview was held. Another SHL test was held.

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: In the GD round there was a cased based group discussion. A case for improving the productivity of the company was given and one had to devise means to prove it. There were various parameters involved like labor, new products and raw materials which had to be taken care of.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: In the interview round they wanted people who had good technical knowledge as well as were able to prove that they would stick with company rather than go for higher studies. They inquired about my long term and short term goals and how I am suitable for the company. They also asked me about how I handle difficult situations and how would I react to a conflict within a team.
In the technical part they only asked me questions about power factor improvement.

College Name: IIT ROORKEE

Round: resume shortlisting
Experience: You need to answer 3 questions as a part of application process. Spend a lot of time answering those questions. You’ll also be sending your CV in this stage. I was asked various questions like why Rio Tinto, what are the products of Rio Tinto, where is it operating in India, etc. There was also a question based on sustainability development in mining companies.
Tips: The last thing you would want in your application is a spelling mistake. Review those 3 questions as many times as possible. Be very specific in your answers. Go through the company website, wikipedia and other material for information about the company. Your answers should show that you are genuinely interested in the company and that you have done research about them beforehand.

Round: phone interview
Experience: All the questions were HR oriented.
Tips: Be very loud and clear during the call. If you don’t understand anything, don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer to repeat the question. Give an alternative phone number along with your mobile number and make sure you have that mobile also with you during the stipulated time of the interview.

Round: Test
Experience: They are very easy when compared to other companies. You need not worry about them. There will be a big personality questionnaire that you need to answer.
Tips: Don’t lie much but make sure that your personality that you are projecting matches with the company’s requirement.

Round: Interview
Experience: Almost all the questions were HR oriented. My interview lasted around 45 mins, though it was quite less for others. A few questions are the same as the phone interview. Most of the questions asked were test the personality of the candidate.
Tips: Don’t be nervous and shy during the interview. Be honest, don’t lie. Try to show that you can adopt to new environments very easily. Talk about your foreign intern or any other international experience you have had. Mention your leadership and team work skills wherever possible. Prepare for HR questions. Talk to as many alumni as possible and make sure that you mention it during the interview. The interviewer might ask you if you have any questions about the company or job profile. Prepare a few smart questions for this. Have some sense of humor. In my case the interviewer was laughing for almost all the time.

Round: Interview
Experience: This is the final stage and a few students will be shortlisted based on performance in the first interview. This interview is very short. The interviewer told me that they just want to take a 2nd opinion on the candidate before confirming the offer. There might be some technical questions along with questions based on your resume. A few questions asked in the first round might be repeated.
Tips: If you make it to this round it means you did good till now. So be confident and show the same enthusiasm during this interview also. Be very thorough with each and every line in your resume. Don’t exaggerate too much about the projects and interns in your CV. I know someone who got rejected as he exaggerated about his work in the internship and could not explain that during the interview. You’ll need to ask some questions about the work profile in this round as well. So prepare some good number of questions.

College Name: IIT-Kharagpur

Round: Resume Shortlist
Experience: Based on your answers in application form and CV
Tips: Study about the safety considerations taken in the industry. There will definitely be a couple of questions on it.Try to highlight leadership skills and team activities.

Round: telephonic interview
Experience: Mainly HR questions like your goal, why Rio Tinto, which industry you would like to work, etc. Some questions might also be about your internships and your learning from it.
Tips: Be at ease, and do not panic. Try to sound natural, and not as if you are reading it out from somewhere.

Round: Interview
Experience: Two rounds of interview, depending upon your performance in 1st one. Interviews in general were not very stressful, they usually start off with a few general questions – tell me about yourself, competency based questions, etc. Then they ask: Why this industry and why Rio Tinto – everyone has different answers and there’s no right or wrong but you should be convincing enough, while answering these questions. Expect some questions on what you have mentioned in your CV - internship, projects and extra curricular activities.
Tips: Do not bother for the exact answer. If you are not very sure, just let them know. Be loud enough in your thought process. If CGPA is very high ( > 9.0) or research type internships, then be prepared to face questions like why not going for higher studies, why this particular sector, etc.

General Tips: Think of the possible questions and make some points well in advance, that would help (certainly no need to mug up everything, but make them as guidelines, so that you do not miss any important points). Be confident while answering questions, be cheerful and well dressed. Be prepared to substantiate every point mentioned in your CV ( by citing situations, examples, etc) All the Best !!
Skill Tips: CGPA more than 8.0 is must. Any leadership position, entrepreneurial activity would make candidature strong. Projects related to field work, foreign exposure,etc would help. Candidate should have decent knowledge about Rio Tinto’s activities. And be prepared to face some questions on the same.
College Name: IIT Kharagpur

Round: online application
Experience: Register on the website and fill up the essay questions.
Tips: Take your time to answer all the questions with patience. Do a little research on the background of the company Be slow and clear while talking. Be prepared with the standard questionnaire related to the resume/application filled previously.

Round: telephonic interview
Experience: A list of people selected from the applications was sent and slots allotted for telephonic interview. It was an HR interview and no technical questions were asked.
Tips: Do not read out the answers written in the application form.

Round: Test
Tips: Basic quantitative questions. Fill the personality questionnaire patiently. Check that the internet does not get disconnected in between the test

Round: Interview
Tips: Things you need the most: 1. Confidence 2. Appropriate attire (formal wear) 3. Brush up all the basics related to your department subjects 4. Be thorough with the work done at internships and projects 5. Being a girl adds to the probability of getting selected (but it also depends upon their requirements) Do not be nervous, the interviewers were very friendly. Ask relevant questions when given an oppurtunity to know more about the company.

Skill Tips: Team work, social involvement and sports are most looked for along with adventurous nature, confidence and a willingness to work at remote locations. Exposure to mining and machinery is important. Any project with dedicated work is appreciated. Foreign internship or conferences can add to the cross-cultural experiences.
College Name: IIT Kharagpur