Interview Prep 2026
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General Interview Questions & Answers 2026

Top mechanical engineering interview questions for freshers and experienced. Covers thermodynamics, manufacturing, AutoCAD, and core concepts.

Quick Overview — General Interviews 2026

  • Total questions covered: 4+ across all rounds
  • Interview rounds: Technical Interview → Practical Assessment → HR Interview
  • Question types: Technical
  • Difficulty: Fresher, Experienced, Senior
4+Questions
3Rounds
1Categories

General Interview Process

The typical General interview process consists of 3 rounds. Understanding each round helps you prepare strategically.

1
Technical InterviewRound 1 of 3
2
Practical AssessmentRound 2 of 3
3
HR InterviewRound 3 of 3

How to Prepare for General Interview

Follow this structured preparation plan to maximize your chances at General.

1

Week 1-2: Fundamentals

Review core concepts for your role. For technical roles, practice DSA (LeetCode medium). For non-tech, review domain fundamentals and General's business model.

2

Week 3: Company Research

Study General's products, recent news, culture values, and competitors. Prepare your "Why General?" answer with specific examples.

3

Week 4: Mock Practice

Do 3-5 mock interviews using our AI Interview Gyani tool. Practice explaining your projects and past experiences using the STAR method.

4

Final Days: Review & Rest

Review these 4+ questions and answers. Prepare 5-6 questions to ask the interviewer. Get proper rest the night before.

Top General Interview Questions with Expert Answers

Technical Questions(4 questions)

Q1. Explain the laws of thermodynamics

Easy
View Expert Answer

0th: Thermal equilibrium transitivity. 1st: Energy conservation (Q=W+ΔU). 2nd: Entropy always increases (heat flows hot to cold). 3rd: Entropy approaches zero at absolute zero.

Q2. What is the difference between stress and strain?

Easy
View Expert Answer

Stress: Force per unit area (N/m² or Pa). Types: tensile, compressive, shear. Strain: Deformation per unit length (dimensionless). Hooke's law: Stress = Young's Modulus × Strain (within elastic limit).

Q3. Explain different types of manufacturing processes

Medium
View Expert Answer

Casting (sand, die, investment), Forming (forging, rolling, extrusion), Machining (turning, milling, drilling), Joining (welding, brazing, soldering), Additive manufacturing (3D printing).

Q4. What is GD&T?

Medium
View Expert Answer

Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing defines allowable variation in part geometry. Symbols: flatness, straightness, circularity, cylindricity, position, concentricity. Used in engineering drawings per ASME Y14.5.

Pro Tips from Past General Candidates

1

Use the STAR method consistently

Structure every behavioral answer as Situation → Task → Action → Result. Interviewers are trained to evaluate STAR responses.

2

Ask thoughtful questions at the end

Ask about General's upcoming projects, team culture, or growth trajectory. Never ask about salary/benefits in the first round.

3

Research recent company news

Mention General's recent product launches, earnings, or industry moves in your answers. It shows genuine interest.

4

Prepare your 'Why this company?' answer

Don't give generic answers. Be specific: 'I admire General's [specific project/initiative] because...' with personal connection.

5

Follow up with a thank-you email

Send a brief, personalized thank-you within 24 hours referencing specific discussion points. It sets you apart from 90% of candidates.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Not practicing out loud before the interview
Giving memorized/robotic answers instead of natural ones
Not asking any questions when given the chance
Speaking negatively about past employers
Not quantifying achievements in answers
Arriving without researching the company

Practice These Questions with AI

Get instant feedback on your answers with our AI-powered mock interview tool. Practice General interview questions with real-time evaluation and scoring. Used by 50K+ candidates.