The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is a joint venture between the two states, is a great example of how powerful it can be to work together. This agency has been around since 1921 and is in charge of maintaining and managing a lot of the states’ major transportation infrastructure, such as bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports. The Port Authority is known for its excellent management of some of the world’s busiest and most important transportation routes. This makes it a fascinating subject for our study of company-specific interview questions.
Getting hired at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is no easy feat. As one of the most high-profile transportation agencies in the world, competition for jobs is fierce. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to come prepared to your interview.
In this article, I’ll provide an in-depth look at some of the most common interview questions asked at the Port Authority, along with tips on how to craft winning answers With nearly two decades of experience in the transportation industry, I’ve seen firsthand the types of questions interviewers love to ask
Whether you’re applying for an engineering, operations, project management, or other role, these insider tips will help you stand out from the crowd and land the job Let’s dive in!
1. Why Do You Want to Work at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey?
This question gets right to the heart of your motivation for wanting to work at the agency. The interviewer wants to know that you have a genuine interest in their mission and goals.
Tip: Do your research ahead of time on the Port Authority’s history, facilities, and recent projects. Speak passionately about why their work resonates with you and how you can contribute. Convey your admiration for iconic infrastructure like the George Washington Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, and JFK Airport.
Example: “I’ve admired the Port Authority’s innovative, world-class transportation infrastructure my entire life. Being able to maintain critical assets like the Holland Tunnel that allow this region to thrive would be an absolute dream. This agency represents the pinnacle of public service in civil engineering and operations. I’m excited by the complexity of the work and the opportunity to make a positive impact on millions of lives.”
2. How Do You Handletight Deadlines and Shifting Priorities?
The fast-paced nature of the transportation industry means tight deadlines and changing priorities are common. Interviewers want to know you can handle this dynamic environment
Tip: Share an example of when you successfully managed multiple priorities. Explain your approach to time management and stress management. Emphasize skills like organization, communication, and adaptability.
Example: “In my current role, shifting priorities are part of the job. When several urgent issues came up at once on a recent project, I used tools like Excel to create a prioritization matrix examining factors like safety, deadlines, and resources. This helped me effectively triage the situation and keep the project on track. I also maintained close communication with my manager and team to stay nimble as new needs emerged.”
3. How Do You Handle a Dispute Between Two Engineers on Your Team?
Leadership and conflict resolution abilities are crucial for any managerial role. This question tests your people skills.
Tip: Showcase your collaborative, level-headed approach. Discuss mentoring team members, facilitating open dialogue, and guiding them to find constructive solutions.
Example: “Disagreements between team members are inevitable. In these situations, I would first meet individually with each engineer to understand their perspective. Then, I would have an open discussion to find common ground. My goal would be to turn this into a learning opportunity to build trust and alignment around shared objectives. Maintaining composure and fairness as the leader is critical.”
4. What Safety Practices or Improvements Have You Implemented in the Past?
Safety is top priority for the Port Authority, so this behavioral question aims to uncover your safety mindset.
Tip: Use the S-T-A-R method. Describe a Situation you faced, the Task or challenge involved, the specific Actions you took, and the positive Results you achieved.
Example: “In my last job, I noticed a lack of standardized safety protocols while visiting construction sites. To address this, I spearheaded a safety training program for all contractors. This involved collating best practices, coordinating logistics, and overseeing implementation. As a result, we saw a significant reduction in safety incidents over the next year. This demonstrated to me the importance of taking proactive measures to continuously improve safety.”
5. How Do You Stay Current on Industry Trends and Developments?
Continuous learning is essential in the transportation field where technology and best practices are constantly evolving. Interviewers want to see that you take initiative to stay up-to-date.
Tip: Discuss the conferences, publications, training programs, and professional organizations you engage with. Demonstrate an enthusiasm for learning.
Example: “I make a point to stay on top of the latest trends and technologies in the transportation engineering space. I maintain active memberships in organizations like WTS and ITS America which provide access to research, seminars, and networking events with industry leaders. I also subscribe to publications like Roads & Bridges Magazine and the Journal of Transportation Engineering. Lastly, I never miss an opportunity for additional training or certification courses to expand my skillset.”
6. How Would You Inspect the Structural Integrity of a Bridge?
Get ready for at least one technical question tailored to your engineering discipline. The interviewer wants to assess your hands-on experience and problem-solving abilities.
Tip: Use industry-specific terminology to demonstrate your technical know-how. Explain your step-by-step inspection methodology clearly.
Example: “I would start with a thorough visual inspection of all structural elements, looking for signs of corrosion, cracks, deformation, or fatigue. My next step would be NDT methods like magnetic particle testing to detect subsurface flaws in steel components. For concrete elements, I would use rebound hammers and ultrasonic pulse velocity tests to evaluate elasticity and compressive strength. I would then conduct a load rating analysis using modeling software to simulate stresses on the bridge under different traffic volumes. Based on these assessments, I could recommend any repairs or reinforcements needed.”
7. How Do You Prioritize Projects Within Budget and Schedule Constraints?
Resource allocation and optimization are key responsibilities for any project manager. This question reveals your decision-making and analytical abilities.
Tip: Demonstrate you understand the importance of aligning projects with broader organizational goals. Discuss using techniques like cost-benefit analysis and risk assessments to guide prioritization.
Example: “Aligning projects with the organization’s strategic vision is my North star when making prioritization decisions. I take a data-driven approach using techniques like cost-benefit analysis, ROI projections, and risk rating scales. This allows me to objectively score and rank projects to optimize budget and schedule limitations. Communication with leadership and stakeholders is also critical to understand evolving needs. My ultimate goal is maximizing the value delivered through our project portfolio.”
8. Tell Us About a Time You Dealt with an Unhappy Customer or Client
Providing excellent customer service is a Port Authority cornerstone. This question assesses your ability to handle challenges and de-escalate tensions.
Tip: Share a specific story demonstrating empathy, problem-solving skills, and professionalism. Focus on the positive resolution.
Example: “While managing operations at a toll plaza, I once encountered an irate customer upset over a billing error. I listened patiently to understand their perspective. I explained that I would conduct a full investigation and work to make it right. Within two days, we identified the source of the error, refunded the overcharge, and added a complimentary EZPass as an apology. The customer thanked me for the swift response. This experience reinforced the importance of turning even negative situations into positive outcomes through compassion and ownership.”
9. Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
This common question gauges your career ambitions and fit with the role. Interviewers want to hire candidates invested in professional growth.
Tip: Express your desire to develop expertise and take on additional responsibilities over time. However, be realistic and tie your goals to opportunities within the organization.
Example: “I hope to become an expert in infrastructure asset management and utilize those skills in a senior engineering role. With the Port Authority’s wide range of critical transportation facilities, I see incredible room for growth. I would love to spearhead impactful improvement projects and mentor junior engineers. Most importantly, I want to excel at leveraging my technical knowledge to advance the agency’s mission.”
10. How Do You Build Relationships with Clients and Team Members?
Strong relationship-building skills are highly valued since collaboration is central to success. Showcase your personable side with this question.
Tip: Share examples demonstrating your emotional intelligence, positivity, and inclusiveness when working with others.
Example: “I build trustworthy relationships by practicing active listening, empathy, and transparency. Whether it’s hearing out a client concern or helping a teammate meet a deadline, I focus on understanding their perspective and needs first. Things like responding quickly, meeting commitments, and showing sincere interest in their insights help cultivate lasting bonds. At the end of the day, delivering exceptional service and being kind go hand-in-hand.”
11. What Strategies Do You Use to Influence Stakeholders?
Influencing diverse groups of stakeholders is an unavoidable challenge. This aims to uncover your persuasion and communication tactics.
Tip: Discuss framing conversations around shared goals. Outline how you prepare facts and data to influence others. Share examples if possible.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Hiring Process
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey usually starts the hiring process with an online application. Next, candidates have a phone or video interview with a recruiter. If candidates pass this stage, they may be asked to come in for a panel interview with several employees. During this interview, candidates may be asked both behavioral and technical questions. The process can be different for each job. Some candidates may have to go through group interviews or more rounds with senior management. Communication throughout the process is generally good, but response times can vary. Overall, the interview experience is described as straightforward and relatively relaxed.
Interviews That Matter – Lash Green, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
FAQ
What does the port authority of NY and NJ do?
Is Port Authority NY NJ a good job?
What are the values of the Port Authority?
What is the interview process like at Port Authority?
I interviewed at Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Jersey City, NJ) The interview was virtual and featured three employees from the particular department. They just ask you questions based on your resume and what you would bring to the company. Overall, it went smoothly and they just want to get to know you. Tell us about yourself?
What does the Port Authority do?
The Port Authority oversees much of the regional transportation infrastructure, including bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the geographical jurisdiction of the Port of New York and New Jersey.
What’s new at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey?
NEW! The 10 highest salaries list at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey includes several changes in 2017, including a new executive director of the bi-state agency and raises for all but one of the seven holdovers from the 2016 top 10 list. Only one person remains in the same spot, at the same salary.
What is the Port Authority Leadership Fellow program?
The Port Authority’s Leadership Fellow Program is a distinguished program for leadership and public service in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan region.
