Berkshire Hathaway, the global conglomerate headed by Warren Buffett, is widely respected for its broad investment portfolio and its commitment to hiring individuals who reflect its core values—integrity, discipline, and a long-term mindset. While the hiring process may differ slightly across its various subsidiaries and business units, most candidates can expect to go through several consistent stages during recruitment.
Application Process
The hiring process usually begins with submitting an application, either through Berkshire Hathaway’s main careers portal or directly on the website of the specific subsidiary, such as GEICO, BNSF Railway, or Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
The application includes a resume, cover letter, and answers to a few basic screening questions. It’s important to tailor your resume to highlight a stable career path, strong ethical foundation, and analytical thinking—traits highly valued across the Berkshire ecosystem.
Initial Screening
Once the application is submitted, candidates may receive a phone call or email from a recruiter. This initial conversation typically focuses on your interest in the company, your understanding of the role, and a brief overview of your work experience. It may also include a few behavioral questions to assess cultural fit. At Berkshire Hathaway, cultural fit is crucial. They are looking for candidates who are honest, self-motivated, and committed to doing the right thing—even when no one is watching.
Assessment Tests
Depending on the position, candidates may be asked to complete various pre-employment assessments. These can include:
- Cognitive Ability Tests: These are used to measure logical reasoning, problem-solving, and numerical ability. The tests are usually timed and are designed to evaluate your potential to learn and apply information effectively.
- Personality Tests: These assess whether your personality traits match Berkshire’s culture. Traits like integrity, attention to detail, humility, and the ability to work independently are highly valued.
- Situational Judgment Tests (SJT): These present hypothetical, work-related scenarios to evaluate how you would handle them. These tests are used especially for managerial, customer service, and operational roles.
Certain positions, particularly in finance, insurance, or engineering, may require role-specific assessments designed to measure your technical expertise and industry knowledge.
Interview Process
If you perform well on the assessments, you will typically be invited for one or more interviews. The interview process may involve:
- Phone or Video Interviews: These are often the first round and are used to verify your skills, experience, and fit for the role.
- In-Person Interviews: These may involve meeting with hiring managers, team leads, or even senior executives. Questions will likely be a mix of technical, behavioral, and situational. Expect to discuss your past experience, how you solve problems, and how you handle ethical dilemmas.
Final Steps
After interviews, successful candidates may undergo background checks, reference checks, and in some cases, a drug screening. Once cleared, an official job offer is extended.
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Common Interview Questions
Here are common interview questions at Berkshire Hathaway, tailored for various roles and emphasizing the company’s values:
General Interview Questions
- Why do you want to work at Berkshire Hathaway?
- How do you define integrity in the workplace?
- Tell me about a time you made a decision that wasn’t popular but was the right thing to do.
- How do you handle long-term projects with little oversight?
- What does financial responsibility mean to you?
Finance/Accounting Role
- Walk me through a financial analysis you’ve conducted.
- How do you ensure accuracy under pressure?
- Describe your experience with budgeting or forecasting.
- How do you handle discrepancies in financial reports?
Insurance Roles (GEICO, BH Reinsurance, etc.)
- What do you understand about underwriting or claims management?
- Tell me about a time you handled a complex customer claim.
- How do you balance risk and profitability?
- Describe a time you had to make a quick decision under pressure.
Managerial Roles
- How do you lead a team with diverse work styles?
- Describe a situation where you had to enforce a policy that was unpopular.
- How do you measure employee performance and success?
- Give an example of how you resolved a conflict within your team.
Customer Service Roles
- How would you handle an upset customer demanding a refund?
- Describe a time you went above and beyond to help someone.
- What steps do you take to ensure a positive customer experience?
- How do you stay calm under pressure?
Subsidiaries
- GEICO The Government Employees Insurance Company is an American auto insurance company.
- Jordan’s Furniture Furniture retail company.
- Dairy Queen is an American multinational chain of soft-serve ice cream and fast-food restaurants owned by International Dairy Queen.
- Berkshire Hathaway Energy is a holding company that is 90% owned by Berkshire Hathaway.
- Duracell is an American manufacturing company owned by Berkshire Hathaway that produces batteries and smart power systems.
- See’s Candies is an American manufacturer and distributor of candy, particularly chocolates.
- Fruit of the Loom is an American company that manufactures clothing, particularly underwear and sports equipment.
- Berkshire Hathaway Automotive is one of the largest dealership groups in America.
- The BNSF Railway Company is the largest freight railroad network in North America. One of seven North American Class I railroads.
- NetJets is an American company that sells part ownership or shares of private business jets.
- Benjamin Moore also known as Benjamin Moore Paints or simply Benjamin Moore, is an American company that produces paint.
- The Lubrizol Corporation is a provider of specialty chemicals for the transportation, industrial, and consumer markets. These products include additives for engine oils and other transportation-related fluidsץ
- Clayton Homes is the largest builder of manufactured housing and modular homes in the US.
- Oriental Trading Company is a direct merchant of value-priced party supplies, arts and crafts, toys and novelties, and school supplies.
