Getting a job at Keyence
Keyence is a global manufacturer and supplier of automation and inspection equipment. It specializes in producing sensors, vision systems, measuring instruments, laser markers, barcode readers, and other automation products.
Its global headquarters is based in Osaka, Japan, and employs over 9,00 employees globally.
Voted by Forbes as one of the world's most innovative companies Keyence is involved in research and development to continue to innovate and improve its products. Keyence's goal is to provide solutions that improve productivity, efficiency, and quality in manufacturing and other industries.
Keyence Values
Keyence's core value is to continue to generate added value through innovation. They strongly believe in the need for outstanding problem-solving capabilities and the ability to develop products that are new in society.
In order to drive "added value" Keyence is continually looking to recruit and retain top talent.
Types Of Roles At Keyence
There are several types of job roles available at Keyence, ranging from technical roles to business and management positions. Some of the common job roles at Keyence include:
Software engineers
Product managers
Marketing professionals
Operations and logistic specialists
Finance, HR, and Admin
If you're looking for an exciting and innovative career Keyence could be a great fit for you.
Hiring Process At Keyence
The hiring process at Keyence is thorough and rigorous, designed to ensure that only the best candidates are selected for the job. We’ve highlighted each stage of the Keyence recruitment process to help you succeed at each stage.
Keyence Online Application
The Keyence online application begins via the careers website where you will be required to apply for a role online. To begin, you need to upload a copy of your resume and a cover letter as well as answer your preliminary application questions to ensure you meet the minimum requirements. It's important to ensure your application is spell checked and free from errors before submitting.
Keyence Aptitude Tests
Keyence aptitude tests are designed to assess the specific skills and abilities for the role you’ve applied for - there is a particular focus on technical and mechanical understanding as well as the ability to problem solve.
Keyence Mechanical Reasoning Test
The Bennett Mechanical Comprehension test (BMCT) is an assessment that helps Keyence measure your knowledge of mechanical concepts.
It has been constructed to assess an applicant's ability to understand and apply basic mechanical principles to solve problems related to machinery, equipment, and tools.
The test is an online multiple-choice exam that will be emailed to you during the early stages of the recruitment process. The questions may cover topics such as mechanical systems, gears, levers, pulleys, simple machines, and more.
Mechanical reasoning tests are widely used in manufacturing, engineering, and technical engineering to assess essential skills for job performance. A good way to score high on the test is to ensure you familiarize yourself with the format and practice lots of test questions.
It's also important to note that the Keyence mechanical reasoning test is not the only factor used in the hiring process. Keyence typically uses a combination of assessments, interviews, and other criteria to evaluate a candidate's suitability for a particular role.
Keyence Caliper Test
The Caliper Test is a type of technical aptitude test used by Keyence during the hiring process for certain technical and engineering positions. It is an assessment created by the publisher Tapology and helps evaluate cognitive abilities and personality traits.
The cognitive ability test will assess the following:
Numerical reasoning (number series)
Spatial reasoning (visual series)
Verbal reasoning (analogies)
Abstract reasoning (matrices)
The personality style assessment will assess your culture fit at Keyence and if you have the right characteristics and values that align with the role. These style of questions are provided on a Likert scale where you must rank statements that describe personalities as most or least like you.
To prepare you should practice each different aptitude and familiarize yourself with the question style, format, and how to solve them. Remember that these tests are timed so you should try to get efficient in answering each question.
Keyence Video Interview
You may be invited to a Keyence video interview as part of their hiring process, particularly for remote or international candidates. A video interview is a virtual interview where the interviewer and candidate communicate through a video conferencing platform such as Zoom or Skype.
You can expect to be asked about your resume, experience, and skills as well as company and job-specific questions - like ‘Why do you want to work here?’ and ‘What do you know about Keyence?’.
The video interview lasts between 30-45 minutes and is conducted by a recruiter.
When preparing for a video interview be sure to practice example questions, and ensure you give clear and concise answers. It is also important to ensure you create the right environment for the video interview - one without background noise or distraction.
Keyence On-Site Interviews
The Keyence on-site interview is the last stage of the recruitment process where you will be formally invited to interview with the team. You can expect a series of 1:1 interviews although sometimes you can also interview with a panel.
The length of the on-site interview will depend on the position and location. Some on-site interviews may be a few hours long, while others may last a full day or more.
During the on-site interview, you can expect questions like:
Tell me about your previous work experience.
How do you handle challenges or difficult situations?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What motivates you?
How do you work with others to achieve common goals?
What are your long-term career goals?
In addition to these questions, the interviewer may also ask technical questions related to the specific job you are applying for, such as your knowledge of specific software or equipment.
To prepare for the interview, we recommend re-reading the job specification and knowing your resume well - this will allow you to speak clearly and concisely about your experience and the role. The STAR interview technique (structure, situation, action and task) can help you structure your answer in addition to plenty of practice questions.
What is it like to work at Keyence?
Employees can expect a fast-paced and dynamic work environment where innovation and productivity are at the center of everything the company does.
The company offers plenty of training and personal development through a range of employee programs and continuous learning is something employees are encouraged to pursue.
Keyence values teamwork and collaboration and employees work closely with colleagues across different departments to achieve common goals.
Top Tips For Getting Hired At Keyence
1. Research the company
Like most employer interviews, Keyence will expect you to have a good understanding of the company, culture, and values. You should be familiar with their services and do as much research about the company as possible. It’s likely you’ll be asked what you know about them, so you should be able to talk about the company.
2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to the role
When you apply for a role at Keyence, it is important to tailor your resume and cover letter to the role. This will help you stand out from other candidates and help to ensure you demonstrate that you meet the requirements for the job being advertised on their career page.
3. Practice different aptitude tests
Keyence uses aptitude tests as part of its candidate selection process. Scoring high to be considered for shortlisting is an important part of success during the recruitment process. By practicing different aptitude tests, you’ll position yourself to do the best you can in the official assessments.
4. Demonstrate your technical knowledge of manufacturing
It's important that you demonstrate your technical knowledge - particularly in the interview rounds. Be sure to talk about your experience and knowledge in manufacturing and bonus points if you can relate it back to Keyence and their processes.
5. Understand the values the company care about
You should be sure to read up on the company values and mission of Keyence on their careers page. Understanding the type of candidate they are looking for can help you ensure you highlight these key points during the interview and in your application.
