ZF Commercial Vehicle Control Systems Graduate Engineer Apprentice Trainee Interview Questions and Answers

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - In an interview for any post always be confirmed and have in depth knowledge of any political issue or current affair before discussing it with the interviewer. Because it might happen that you don't have much in depth knowledge about the topic but still you decide to speak on the topic,on the other hand the interviewer has in depth knowledge so there could be a grilling point where this could turn into an argument.

Interview preparation tips for other job seekers - Just relax yourself and answer everything in confidence

Round: Test
Experience: Round I was an Online Test, 30 students were selected
Tips: Once you are through the tests, the next few rounds are a breeze. In my opinion the company is not looking for the best students, rather it knows that most students can adapt to the required roles with time and training. So I feel that their only concern is that they find candidates willing to stay there for sufficient enough time till their investment in the candidate pays off. So whatever you say to the interviewers please keep this at the back of your head. This includes them asking about your [plans for the future].

Round: Other Interview
Experience: Round II was the Interview, around 10-12 students got selected.
Tips: They will ask you about your resume and I feel they can tell the difference between a silly classroom project and some real work that you have done. But again its all about how you sell it. Go into the depths of it and convince them that your project is legitimate. Most questions I faced at this stage, were related to my resume. My advice keep it short, don't fill the pages.

Round: Group Discussion
Experience: The  final round was a group discussion.
Tips: The GD if you make it through is the real clincher. For me to dominate in my GD was cake walk. I was always a good speaker and I easily dominate. I feel that is what convinced them the most.

General Tips: My placement experience from my point of view was a joke. It does not test anything nor is it a reward for effort system. All the company sees you is a void entity they can fit into the system.They don't care about your extracurriculars, sports, quizzing ability, music, etc etc.They will look at your pointer to gauge if you can do work. Then they will take everything you say to gauge if you will stay at their company and be a worthy investment.Well in the beginning I felt quite apprehensive and I found the whole process daunting. I felt I couldn't survive the competition of my batchmates. I felt I was not adequately prepared for the tests. And looking at the sample questions really demotivated me. My advice- Don't do what I did at the beginning. Just go sit for the company regardless of rhyme or reason.
Skill Tips: To be honest, at the time I appeared for this company, my technical knowledge was very limited and I did not feel I was adequately prepared in the least. The tests usually have an aptitude or English sections. If your technical knowledge is limited, concentrate on these aspects. They are much easier to pick up and combined with CAT or GRE preparations, you should be able to score comfortably high on these sections.(and be assured, most people are in your state)
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Test
Experience: The first stage involves a test, comprising of around 40 questions, 25 technical questions and 15 logical reasoning and data interpretation questions together. Technical questions were from basic electronics books and also some micro-controller questions, and the LR and DI questions were like any normal questions you would come across for any normal aptitude test. Out of a total of 200 students who wrote the test, 60 or odd people were selected for the interview rounds.
Tips: For aptitude part- Your brains, cause all the questions in this section is easy to solve.

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: The 1st interview was the technical interview round where again basic electronics stuff like transistors as amplifiers, zener diodes and such other simple electronic devices. Here they also ask you about your projects (if any, hope you have done one!) and ask you to validate why you chose to do such and such a project and its relevance in the modern day. A word of caution here would be to put only those projects on your resume' which you can back up and clearly identify the role you have played in it, and explain with clarity on being cross-questioned.
Tips: For the technical part- 8051 UC, 8086 UP, Boylestad, Gaykward.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: If you've done well in the 1st round , then you'll be handed a HR form , which you'll have to fill and wait for the HR round. Beware the HR round might be an elimination round (as some other websites do caution),so be your best, answer any HR question with confidence. Normal HR questions pertaining to family background and your interest in higher studies will be questioned. Hint: If you're interested in doing your GRE/GATE after 4th year, you might not want to mention that. But i didn't have that dilemma to face, but my friends did, so be careful.

General Tips: I have been placed in 3 companies including ROBERT BOSCH, the other 2 being TCS and IBM. Maybe what i want to tell you guys reading this is that, no matter which company you have been placed in / or not placed in, you should always pursue your dream company no matter what, because it is the dream company that gives us true satisfaction of having been placed. I know many of my friends who have been placed but are not happy with having been placed. This s not an emotion that you want to spend during your final year, or even in your life. Had i not been placed in BOSCH , i probably would have pursued it off campus. So to sum it all up, sit for companies you only want to get placed in, or it is similar to having an Eclairs, while you always dreamt of the Bournville.
Typical questions that one should ask during the interview should be (if the interview went smoothly) is "What role/ responsibility will i be allotted to if i join the company?", "What is my career growth?", "Any compensation is being offered or not? "and finally (if the salary is unreasonably low), ask them about the salary and all the benefits involved in it.

Skill Tips: This experience of joining the company that you always dreamed of working for, is truly an exhilarating one. Wishing you all whoever's reading this Gyan edit, will enjoy the experience as much as i did.
Focus on electronic devices, everything from basics, and read up all the books mentioned above by me, and try to remain calm and confident during the whole process.
Skills:
College Name: NIT Surathkal

Round: Test
Experience: Online test (apti+tech).

Round: Technical Interview
Experience: 2 rounds of tech interview.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Finally one HR interview.

General Tips: It was not my first company placement procedure, so anxiety was lesser (because of familiarity), but it was largely satisfying. They will let you know where ypy stand during the interview itself.
Skill Tips: Check the company's website (in my case, they had sent a link), which will help you know what exactly they are looking for. You can strengthen your skills in that area for a better chance. Answer HR carefully, be careful not to say anything that will show you in poor light.
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Test
Experience: There just about 45 students who wrote the initial screening test, I think 20 got through.

Round: Other Interview
Experience: Then, it was the interview round. They focused mainly on Control Systems, since the profile included designing embedded control for the various fuel injectors, carburetors and stuff. Easy enough, they did not go very deep into the subject and most of the interview was simple conversation.

General Tips: I suppose one thing I did not do is to tell them that you really want the job. There was a question where they asked me if I was ready to guarantee that I would stay at Bosch for at least 3 years and I had said no. This led to them asking if I intended to pursue higher studies and this is something you would like to avoid. Not really exhausting or anything, I felt the whole process (one interview) was simple and not at all exhausting.
Skill Tips: I did not refer any material specifically for placements, but GRE preparation helped a lot. Also, I had attended ~8 interviews prior and was filled with irrational confidence when I went for the interview. Perhaps, they noticed.
College Name: NIT SURATHKAL

Round: Test
Experience: An online test for the first round consisting of 60 questions with aptitude(including a couple of C questions) and tech equally divided - +1, -.25 marks. About a dozen students were shortlisted from each branch.
Tips: Arun Sharma Quant for aptitude. I didn't particularly prepare for the tech part, just brushed up on the basics.
Prepare Digital electronics, Microprocessors(8051), Control Systems for the online test.

Round: HR Interview
Experience: Interviews were held the next day, tech followed by HR. Both rounds were elimination rounds. Finally 5 people were chosen.
Tips: For the HR, prepare responses for a standard set of questions. It isn't nice to be caught unawares.

General Tips: Do not bluff in your resume. Keep it concise. In the tech round they made me explain every aspect covered in my resume in detail: Internship, Projects, workshops etc. If you mention that you are good at something(say C++/Java), be prepared to answer questions on it. Be confident! Remember, the company should be proud to recruit you! In almost all interviews the first question asked is "Tell me something about yourself" You don't want to start off by saying "Errrrr ..(pause) " Do some research on the company and ask them questions (try to be original here!)
Please do not waste your time sitting for companies you have absolutely no desire to work in (YES this happens a LOT) regardless of pressure from parents/friends/PC's. Instead, prepare for the profile you want! If you have clarity on this regard, things will work out. There will be ups and downs (mostly downs, till you get placed) but don't be disheartened. During placement, Patience is paramount.
Skill Tips: GET's go through 2 months of training in all divisions before being assigned to any specific one. You can ask them to elaborate on this process and whether or not they are flexible for inter-dept transfers after a couple of years. If they have a product that has just come out or is something you can relate to, do mention.
Skills:
College Name: NIT Surathkal

General Tips: Robert Bosch is one of the leading core company.Although pay package is less at initial stage there is opportunity for career progression in Bosch. Basically one should be through on core subjects(BET & ATD,FM,MOM,DMD,MSM,SOM,BMP & MT,MDV,HT,ADMC,CAE) .Elective courses are not of much importance during placements.Keep memorizing and understand the basic equations and physical laws.Internship and major project is very much important.Keep solving basic aptitude problems.During online test it is most important that how fast you can solve problems than others.Find shortest ways to solve problems faster than others.Fastness comes only with Practice.

Skill Tips: Study all Basic core subjects Revise all equations and its applications Be through with all physical laws Be confidant with your answer(Interviewer may confuse you) Don't get afraid during interview If you don't know the answer tell frankly Google about the company before you go to the Interview.
Skills:
College Name: NIT Surathkal