100 Top CAD Designer Interview Questions and Answers

1. What motivates you to work hard?
My motivation is to become a good drafter and successful employee

2. What makes you a better drafter than the next guy?
I believe that I can be better than the other next guy is that I am a detailed oriented CAD drafting person with experience, patience, and in the name of maturity where I can handle the stress of this job requires me to do it just as make sure that I get the work done on time.

3. What do you dislike the most about being a drafter?
Being under appreciated like my job is not an important part of getting a job completed

4. Tell me what you like most about being a CAD Drafter?
I’ve always loved 3D CAD and 2D drafting. You’re making informative design drawings as part of a team while doing something that feels more like play than work.

5. Can you do layouts on your own?
Yes, I can do the layouts of architectural plans based on floor plans on each floor from the foundation to the roof, cross sections, front and side elevations, and structural designs in wood, cement, or steel.

6. Tell me about your training?
5 years in architectural school and use for my clients in my design work.

7. Do you enjoy collaborating with others?
Yes, sharing others is a good idea , they can create a lot of new ideas.

8. Do you have any concerns about my qualifications?
This is a tuff question to ask. It may expose your shortcomings out loud and that can be difficult to handle. However, it will tell you the issues you need to address in order to get the job. It creates an opportunity for you to demonstrate why you are the person for the job and removes fears they may have of hiring you. Don’t get offended by anything they list. They may be correct in their comments.

9. Do you plan on continuing your education as a drafter?
No, I want to expand my horizon as a architectural technologist and learn new skills and assets to achieve my goals.

10. What skills and experiences would make an ideal candidate?
This question will tell you exactly what they are looking for. It also gives you the opportunity to sell yourself efficiently in that you won’t give them information they don’t need. Too much information may lead them to believe you are overqualified or don’t have the right set of skills. They may also mention something you didn’t realize they needed but can do.

11. If I saw your home office right now, what would it look like?
It would look simple and neat. Everything would be where I would need it to be. I prioritize the organization by function first rather than aesthetics.

12. Are drafters must know this industry well, how well do you?
I feel that I have a good feel on the industry. I know what it takes to complete a project to satisfaction of the requirements set.

13. What are you passionate about, outside of this career?
I am interested in and passionate about taking painting and drawing classes. I took those classes at Fleisher Art Memorial, Main Line Art Center, and Wayne Art Center. Also, I usually go to the Philadelphia Art Museum, Barnes Foundation, Rodin Museum, Woodmere Art Museum, and the art galleries in Old City and Chestnut Hill.

14. Do you enjoy working with other drafters, and sharing work, when needed?
Well, I figured it would be to my advantage to know the required programs an engineer is required to know and it has helped me, especially in my Statics&physics class.

15. What was the first CAD software you used and what was that experience like?
Asking this one is just a good conversation starter. First CAD experiences vary a lot. Entertain the conversation, share your own CAD software experiences and learn a lot about the kind of user they are, preferences, successes, failures, etc…

16. When beginning a new drawing in AutoCAD the default start-up layer will be the Defpoints layer.

A. True
B. False

B. False

17. What design did you have the most difficult time with? What made it difficult?
A 3D design that had been drafted in 2D and needed to be brought into 2D. It was difficult because there was a lack of time, so I had to work overtime to get the job completed on time.

18. Have you worked in a managed data environment, or as part of larger teams?
Ask this one to understand if they grok PDM / PLM, if appropriate for your company.

19. The version of AutoCAD being used can be checked by reading the top blue line or title bar located above the pull down menu bar.

A. True
B. False
A. True

20. How do you stay focused on your work throughout the day?
I was able to stay focused on to be on the same page with the architectural team to work on specifications, construction documentation, to work on the design aspects of the buildings that needs to be revised and edited for any other drawings, and mostly importantly I was able to get in touch with other drafters and architects to go over front elevations, roof framing, and windows in the name of architectural design.

21. We are looking for drafters that are prepared to handle more duty, how have you advanced beyond simply doing CAD Drafts?
I advance in working with people as a team and learning something out of my comfort zone.

22. What will my salary be as CAD Designer?
This is where the dancing begins. Both sides are afraid to commit to a number for fear of giving away too much or not getting enough. The employer wants to pay as little as possible and you want to get paid as much as possible. This is obvious. Before you walk in to the interview determine what you want to make. There is no max so determine what you want and determine your minimum. Don’t start with the minimum because it is very rare that the employer will give you more than what you ask for. It does happen from time to time but if they feel they can get you for less they will try. Don’t ask for what you were making at your last job; go higher, at least a little bit. Make sure you feel that the pay fits the role and responsibilities. Never work for free.

23. It is very important to learn the relationship between line types, colors, and layers.

A. True
B. False
A. True

24. When drawing a line using the relative coordinate system a line is created from ________.

A. 0,0
B. the ending point of the last line
C. the beginning point of the last line
D. none of the above
B. the ending point of the last line

25. Do you have interests in pursuing further education into architecture and engineering?
Yes, I do, I would like to become a project manager. I am also interested in building codes and specifications.

26. Tell me about your biggest mistake during a draft. How did you correct it?
Forgot to doublecheck working unit; opened new part, copied in the messed up part without unit specs and corrected any remaining dimensions.

27. UCS stands for User Coordinate System.

A. True
B. False
A. True

28. When setting up a mechanical drawing in AutoCAD the drafter should set the units to ________.

A. fractional
B. decimal
C. architectural
D. metric
B. decimal

29. Why did you go to technical school to be a drafter?
The reason why I went to CCP in 2012, because I was laid off after the architectural company was closed in 2009 due to the economic downturn of 2008. This made me realized that I had to update and upgrade CAD skills in order to sell my job skills to renter back into the architectural field as the housing market continues to improve in this economy.

30. The two principle components of a CAD system are the computer and the software used to create technical drawings.

A. True
B. False
A. True

31. The line tool icon is located on the Modify Tool Bar.

A. True
B. False
B. False

32. Understanding the Cartesian coordinate system will help the beginning drafter ________.

A. control the accuracy of the drawing
B. produce a visible grid system
C. select a different text style
D. choose various line types
A. control the accuracy of the drawing

33. Who will I be working with? What group? What department? What role will I be filling?
This question will help to eliminate some assumptions you have made about the position that may be incorrect. It will also give you an idea of the corporate structure of the company. Even small companies have corporate structures. Will you answer to one person specifically? Will you work in a group or independently?

34. The UCS icon represents the intersection of the ________.

A. X axis
B. Y axis
C. Z axis
D. All of the above
D. All of the above

35. AutoCAD is often referred to as the international standard by which all other CAD programs are measured.

A. True
B. False
A. True

36. What are your career goals as a CAD Designer?
My career goal is to become a registered and licensed architect after I complete the associate degree in CAD at CCP then transfer those credits to Drexel University to complete my bachelor degree down there. Also, I did not have an art studio after I moved to King of Prussia, but I am planning to open one someday not only as a freelance artist while I focus on painting and drawing to keep my artistic skills in shape. That will be my career goal.

37. You cannot use the Offset Tool to enlarge the size of a circle.

A. True
B. False
B. False

38. In order to create a straight line in the AutoCAD graphics window, the drafter is expected to pick a starting point and ending point.

A. True
B. False
A. True

39. In order to set drawing limits for a “C” size architectural drawing, the drafter should set the limits to ________.

A. 0,0 and 2,9
B. 0,0 and 17,11
C. 0,0 and 18,24
D. 0,0 and 34,24

40. Is this a new position or am I replacing somebody?
This is important to know. You may be replacing a person that was fired for poor performance. Maybe somebody retired, or moved on to a different company. Perhaps the person before you was promoted. Maybe the company has new projects and needs additional workers. This will help you to fit in better when you start. It also lets you know what the current work is. Hopefully, they can continue with the current workload and keep you employed. If a new position, or additional position, is be created for you make sure to ask about the current and future expected workload. Does the company have a reputation of hiring for a project then releasing you when work runs out? If you are replacing a person that was promoted then that means there is a good chance of advancement for you at this company. You can learn a lot from this one question.

41. A line with a tapering width can be easily created by using the ________ tool.

A. circle
B. eclipse
C. line
D. polyline
D. polyline

42. One quick way to view the entire drawing area is to use the Zoom command by typing ________.

A. type Z enter A enter
B. type Z enter E enter
C. type SHOWALL enter
D. type ALL enter
A. type Z enter A enter

43. If you use the absolute coordinate system to create a line from a starting point of 0, 0 8 units on the X axis and 5 units on the Y axis you enter ________ for the second point.

A. 8,5
B. 5,8
C. 0,8
D. 5,0
A. 8,5

44. One very important tool to learn is the undo tool. It is located on the Standard Tool Bar

A. True
B. False
A. True

45. What do you enjoy the most about being a drafter?
I thoroughly enjoy being able to see my drawing go from a concept/drawing to a place/item that is used or being lived in. Basically seeing something go from nothing to something of importance.

46. When using the direct entry method to create a horizontal line exactly three inches long the drafter should ________ first.

A. pull the line from away from the starting point very carefully
B. insure that Ortho is on
C. enter 3 for the length of the line
D. read the coordinate position on the Dynamic Readout
B. insure that Ortho is on

47. Panel CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer) interview questions:

  • Give an example when you had to explain a complex technical issue to someone.
  • How well did your college experience prepare you for this CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer) job?
  • How do you think I rate as an interviewer?
  • Describe a recent unpopular decision you made as a CAD Designer (Computer-Aided Design Designer)
  • What is your expected salary?
  • What other careers have you considered/applied for?
  • What would you say are your strong points?

48. Telephonic Cad drafter designer interview questions:

  1. What are three positive character traits you don’t have?
  2. What are you expecting from this firm in the future?
  3. What are your long-term goals or career plans?
  4. Tell me about yourself.
  5. When were you most satisfied in your job?

Don’t be too specific by giving away a word for a particular period of time. Try to answer Cad drafter designer interview questions completely.
Ask a friend or relative of yours to help you practice answering Cad drafter designer interview questions.

49. Competency Based CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer) interview questions:

  • Tell me about an important goal that you set in the past.
  • How would you describe the experience of working here?
  • What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?
  • When given an important assignment, how do you approach it?
  • What was the most stressful situation you have faced?

Talk about specific work related experience for the position you’re interviewing for.
If interviewing for a professional-level position, be ready to answer questions about standards within the industry. Have a good questions ready about the position, opportunities for training or skill improvement, and other questions related to the job.

50. Behavioral CAD Designer (Computer Aided Design Designer) interview questions:

Give examples of ideas you’ve had or implemented.

  • What can you do for us that other candidates cant?
  • What kind of events cause you stress on the job?
  • Has anything ever irritated you about people you’ve worked with?
  • What kinds of situations do you find most stressful?

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75. What type of hardware will you be using?
Will you be doing CAD work on a toaster? How often are workstations updated?

76. Why should I work here and not somewhere else?
This is a chance for them to sell themselves. If they can’t why would you want to work there?

77. What do you enjoy most about CAD?
This is another conversation starter. CAD is fun. Many people who use CAD enjoy the experience and can relate that in various ways. CAD can do more than mechanical or electrical design too. Sometimes, it can be quite useful to represent data geometrically, for example. A data set of points may form a surface, or be contained within a specific volume that has meaning. Putting data into a CAD system can make these kinds of relationships easy to understand and visualize in a way very similar to how we often see big data visualizations presented to us.

78. What have past employees done to succeed in this position?
If you are interviewing for a position that the company is creating, meaning it has never had a person perform these duties before, you may want to rephrase the question. This will give you an idea of what the company expects of you and what has worked for them. It can also create a dialog of how the company solves their issues and allow you to provide feedback on how might approach things.

79. Do you have any projects you can show us?
Ask this one to see what kinds of things like like doing, or have done. Often showing actual models won’t be possible because of IP concerns, but many CAD users will keep a few pictures and other information they can talk about in some attempt to help you understand what they are capable of.

80. What are the benefits of CAD?
This may seem obvious but don’t forget to ask. Get specific with the details. How much will insurance cost? When will it be available? How is vacation time determined? Is any of this negotiable? Yes, negotiate with them. You don’t have to accept their offer at face value. Wheel and deal! They might not budge but they definitely won’t if you don’t ask.

81. Is there company training for CAD?
Does the company train its CAD users? If not ask why? Have they ever trained? Why did they stop? If they don’t train and won’t train you to need to wonder why a company will hire and retain untrained workers. Why don’t they want efficiency to improve? Why don’t they value quality skills?

82. What software are you familiar with?
Ask this one to get a sense of their experience and whether or not they may be a user of the software needed.

83. What CAD software will I be using?
This may be an obvious question but it is vital to know what tool you will be using. If you can’t use that tool you may have a very difficult time in this new job. Also, ask what programs are used in the office. If you can use multiple CAD programs that the company uses then you are a very valuable candidate for a position.

84. What is the next step in the process?
Save this for last. This is the essential last question and one you should definitely ask. It shows that you’re interested in moving along in the process and invites the interviewer to tell you how many people are in the running for the position.

85. Will there be the training of CAD?
You don’t want your skill set to stagnate. You want to get better so that you will be worth more. A good employer also knows that they want employees that know what they are doing. Who wants to hire unskilled people? If they don’t offer training see if you can get them to add that as a benefit.

86. What version (of the CAD software) are you on?
What are your update plans? Versioning in CAD is very important. Stay current and be familiar with the latest versions of your CAD software. If the company doesn’t update often then you may fall behind in your skill sets. Ask why they haven’t updated recently. If they are up to date, ask when they updated and how often.

87. Using the Relative Polar Coordinate System to add a 3 inch line that is 45 degrees from the end point of the line created above the drafter would ________.

A. type @3 B. type 3 back slash and enter
C. type 3 forward slash and enter
D. type 3 and try to use the Dynamic Input readout to find the end point
A. type @3

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