Interviewing for a field engineer role at Kiewit Corporation? As one of North America’s largest and most respected construction and engineering organizations, landing a job with Kiewit can be a great career move. However, you’ll need to come prepared to shine in the interview process.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the most common Kiewit field engineer interview questions, along with examples of strong answers With the right preparation, you can show hiring managers your skills, experience and fit for the role and company
Why Kiewit? How to Show Your Interest in the Company
Kiewit places a strong emphasis on cultural fit so interviewers want to gauge your passion for the organization. Expect to get questions like “Why are you interested in Kiewit?” or “Why do you want to work here?”
When answering, be ready to speak in-depth about:
- Kiewit’s reputation, values and leadership in the industry
- Specific projects or initiatives that appeal to you
- How Kiewit’s employee-owned structure provides opportunities for growth and input
- Why you’re drawn to the field engineer role and how it fits your skills
Conveying sincere interest in Kiewit will go far. For example: “I’m excited to work for an industry leader like Kiewit that gives employees real ownership and input on projects. The infrastructure and energy projects Kiewit takes on also interest me, and I look forward to starting my career as a field engineer, developing hands-on technical skills while ensuring efficient and successful project delivery.”
Career Goals and Growth Questions
Since turnover can be costly, Kiewit wants to make sure you’re in it for the long haul. Be ready for questions like:
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- What are your long-term career goals?
- How does this position fit into your career plans?
Emphasize your desire to build your skills as a field engineer and grow your career at Kiewit. Show you’ve researched potential advancement pathways. For example:
“My goal is to join Kiewit as a field engineer and work my way up, perhaps eventually managing my own project teams. I know Kiewit supports professional development and has excellent mentors. In 5 years, if I’ve gained experience across different projects and continued learning, I could see myself in a lead or senior field engineering role.”
Key Field Engineer Skills and Abilities
Field engineers manage on-site construction, so expect interviewers to probe your technical abilities and skills like:
Project management: Overseeing timelines, budgets, safety, quality
Communication/teamwork: Collaborating with construction crews, clients
Problem-solving: Identifying issues, developing solutions
Technical knowledge: Engineering principles, building/assembling, safety protocols
Organization and detail focus: Managing many moving parts and processes
Use the STAR method to describe scenarios where you successfully applied these skills. For example:
“In my last internship, the project fell behind schedule due to supplier delays. I collaborated with the construction foreman to develop a revised timeline, reallocating resources to prioritize the most critical path items first. Through regular communication and oversight, our team successfully got the project back on track, despite a 2 week delay.”
Examples like this demonstrate you have the expertise to handle the key field engineer responsibilities.
Kiewit’s Values: Integrity, Stewardship, Excellence
At Kiewit, upholding strong values is central to the culture. Interviewers want to know you’ll embody principles like:
- Integrity: Maintaining high ethical standards
- Stewardship: Managing resources responsibly
- Excellence: Driving optimal outcomes through high performance
Discuss how you’ve exemplified similar values in past roles. For instance:
“In my last role, I always aimed for excellence in my work, double checking calculations and processes to prevent errors or incidents. I also tried to be a good steward of resources; I saved thousands by renegotiating supply contracts. If I was ever unsure about an ethical issue, I escalated it to ensure we maintained integrity.”
This shows the value-driven attitude Kiewit seeks in team members.
Willingness to Relocate
Field engineers often work at project sites away from home offices. Be prepared to answer questions like:
- Are you open to relocating for projects?
- How do you feel about travel requirements?
- What appeals to you about a mobile role?
Convey your flexibility and adventurous spirit. For example:
“I welcome the opportunity to relocate and work on different project sites with Kiewit. Traveling and experiencing new places is appealing to me. As long as I have advance notice, relocating is not an issue for me at all. I’m excited about the hands-on nature of this mobile field engineering role.”
Teamwork and Leadership Style
Collaboration is crucial for field engineers, so interviewers may ask:
- How would you describe your leadership style?
- Tell us about a time you led a successful team.
- Do you prefer to work alone or on a team?
Highlight skills like relationship-building, motivating others, and leading by example. For instance:
“I believe in leading teams through collaboration and coaching. I enjoy mentoring junior members while soliciting input from everyone to build trust. In my last role, this approach helped our team finish a complex bridge retrofit ahead of schedule. By listening and communicating every step, we avoided costly mistakes.”
Examples like this show you can lead project teams effectively.
Analyzing Your Fit
Finally, expect questions aimed at understanding your overall fit, like:
- Why should we hire you for this field engineer role?
- How do you feel your skills align with Kiewit’s needs?
- In what ways do you think you’d excel as a field engineer here?
Speak to your:
- Relevant past projects and role experiences
- Technical engineering skills and expertise
- Strong work ethic and values that match Kiewit’s
- Desire to grow long-term with the company
Concluding by reiterating your fit will help cement your case as a top candidate. For example:
“With my engineering knowledge, collaborative approach, and background delivering complex projects on time and budget, I’m confident I have the skills to excel as a field engineer at Kiewit. I’m eager to apply my technical abilities while upholding Kiewit’s high standards. I can tell this role and environment would be an ideal fit.”
Key Takeaways
- Research Kiewit’s culture, values and field engineer role
- Prep STAR examples that highlight relevant technical and soft skills
- Convey your long-term interest in the company and career growth goals
- Emphasize your flexibility, initiative and fit for the role
With the right preparation, you can have confidence tackling Kiewit’s field engineer interview. Show your dedication to integrity, stewardship and excellence, and convey your genuine interest in the company. If you present yourself as motivated, technically capable and aligned with Kiewit’s values, you’ll be well on your way to landing the job!
Day in the Life of a Field Engineer – Bethany
FAQ
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