Interview Experience: Elektroniker (Electrician) at HelloFresh

I recently interviewed for the position of Elektroniker (Electrician) at HelloFresh and would like to share my experience. The process was fairly structured, and I had to prepare for both technical and behavioral aspects of the role. Below is a detailed breakdown of my experience, along with the kinds of questions I faced and tips for preparing.

1. Initial Application and Screening

The first step involved submitting my application via the HelloFresh career portal. Shortly after applying, I received an email from a recruiter who scheduled an initial phone call. This call lasted about 20 minutes, and the recruiter asked basic questions about my previous experience and why I was interested in the role.

Key Questions from the Recruiter:

• Why HelloFresh? – They asked what attracted me to the company and its values.
• Tell me about your experience with electrical systems. – I discussed my hands-on work with industrial electrical systems, especially in automated environments.
• What do you know about our production environment? – They wanted to see if I had researched their automated production lines.

This phase was mostly to confirm my interest and technical background. It was friendly but thorough, making sure that my experience aligned with the role.

2. Technical Interview (Phone/Virtual)

After passing the initial screening, I was invited to a virtual technical interview with a senior technician. This interview was focused on my electrical knowledge, troubleshooting skills, and familiarity with maintenance processes in automated systems.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Electrical Troubleshooting: They presented me with a scenario where a conveyor system wasn’t functioning. I was asked to walk through the steps I’d take to diagnose and resolve the issue. The goal was to evaluate my problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

  Example Question:
  “A conveyor belt stops functioning mid-operation. How would you go about diagnosing the issue?”

• Automated Systems: Since HelloFresh uses a lot of automation in their production process, the interviewer asked about my experience with industrial electrical systems like sensors, conveyors, and sorting machines.

  Example Question:
  “What experience do you have working with automated sorting systems and conveyors? How would you maintain and troubleshoot these systems?”

• Maintenance Processes: I was asked to explain how I would manage preventive maintenance for electrical systems in a high-volume, automated production environment.

  Example Question:
  “How do you ensure the electrical components of a production system remain in optimal condition?“

3. Behavioral Interview (In-Person)

The third step was a face-to-face interview at the HelloFresh facility, which was more focused on my interpersonal and team collaboration skills. This round also involved a practical task where I was asked to troubleshoot and test a small electrical setup. During the behavioral part, I was asked to demonstrate how I handle work pressures and communication within a team.

Key Topics Covered:

• Team Collaboration: They wanted to assess how I’d work within a maintenance team and with other departments like production and quality control.

  Example Question:
  “Describe a time when you had to work with another department to resolve a technical issue. How did you ensure effective communication?”

• Handling Stressful Situations: Given the fast-paced nature of the job, I was asked how I handle stress, especially when dealing with urgent maintenance issues that could impact production.

  Example Question:
  “Tell us about a time when you had to resolve a critical failure in a production system. How did you manage the stress and complete the task?”

• Safety Standards: Since safety is paramount in the maintenance of production systems, they asked how I ensure that safety protocols are followed.

  Example Question:
  “How do you ensure compliance with safety regulations when working on electrical systems in a production facility?“

4. Final Round: Practical Assessment

The final stage of the process involved a hands-on practical test where I had to troubleshoot a mock electrical issue within a production line setup. The task tested my ability to quickly assess the problem and implement a solution in a timely manner. The exam was time-bound, and I was evaluated on my approach, technical skills, and ability to work under pressure.

Example Task:

I was given a faulty automated sorting machine with an electrical failure, and I had to diagnose whether the issue was due to a power failure, sensor malfunction, or wiring issue. I was expected to use a multimeter, check the electrical components, and determine the root cause of the failure.

This part of the interview was intense but gave me an opportunity to showcase my technical skills in a real-world scenario. It was clear that they valued practical experience as much as theoretical knowledge.

Common Questions You May Face at HelloFresh for an Elektroniker Role:

• Tell us about your experience with electrical systems in automated production environments.
• How do you approach diagnosing electrical faults in a high-pressure environment?
• What is your experience with preventive maintenance?
• How do you stay updated with the latest electrical safety standards and technologies?
• Describe a time when you worked under pressure to fix a system failure. How did you manage the situation?
• What types of electrical tools and systems are you most comfortable working with?
• How would you implement a safety-first culture in the maintenance team?

Preparation Tips:

• Review Electrical Systems in Automation: Since HelloFresh operates highly automated systems, you’ll need to be familiar with the electrical systems used in production lines, conveyors, sorting machines, and sensors. Brush up on how these systems work and how to maintain them.
• Practice Troubleshooting: Be ready to demonstrate your ability to troubleshoot electrical systems in real-time. You may be tested on your ability to work under pressure, so practice solving problems quickly and accurately.
• Know Your Maintenance Standards: Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance with safety standards and perform preventive maintenance in a production setting.
• Showcase Team Collaboration: HelloFresh places a strong emphasis on teamwork, so be ready to discuss how you work with others, particularly in cross-functional teams.