Can you write. What are your strengths and weaknesses. How well do you do on teams. How well can you manage your time.
Interview with Army Corps of Engineers
Interviews for Top Jobs at US Army Corps of Engineers
Intern Interview
I interviewed at US Army Corps of Engineers
Interview
Apply online and it’s best to answer the question by saying you have all the highest levels of experience. That’ll give you the best chance to get the job or the intership or whatever you seek.
- What things are you interested in (in your field)?
Attorney Interview
I applied through college or university. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at US Army Corps of Engineers (Sacramento, CA) in Sep 2021
Interview
Typical government interview. There was only one interviewer. It felt formal. Definitely do your homework about the agency. And have a good reason for why you want to work there. I did not move on to the next round.
- What is one project that we’re working on that you’re interested in?
As title states I have a federal job interview coming up with army corps of engineers. I have previously only worked private sector companies. What are some typical questions they will ask? Also any tips will be appreciated. The interview will be virtual so any tips for that would also be appreciated. Thanks!
These simple efforts to prepare for an interview are essential to doing well. Interviewing can be hard for many people, but if you dont prepare you make it even harder. Ive seldom seen more than five people asked to interview for a position, so greatly improve your 20% chance of success with some research and forethought and youll be a fed in no time!
Demonstrate your passion! Stereotypes aside, federal agencies are no different than private firms in many regards – they want capable people who care about the mission or responsibilities of their agency. Think about how your experience can help them be successful, and explain why you want to work there. Anecdotes help create a personal connection, and should help you demonstrate that your experience really is relevant to them. You should have three of four things you really want the panel to know, and work them into the interview as you go along.
Having been involved in hundreds of hiring efforts over the past decade, I am still surprised at the number of people who walk in almost completely unprepared for the most important piece of the journey – selling yourself! I know it can be intimidating, and for people new to federal employment the entire process seems almost mystical. Heres some simple advice Id give to anyone looking to move up, in, or around in the federal sector.
Lastly, recognize they have formed opinions about you from where youve worked and what youve done. They have an idea of what that experience represents, but they have likely spent most of their career in a pretty narrow world. If you have what they see as weaknesses, or perhaps “curious” aspects of your resume, offer an explanation without being asked (they likely wont ask). Some common areas of concern in my experience are a series of jobs in rapid succession, not moving “up” quickly but moving back and forth between firms, between agencies, or even between career fields. Talk about your work history and explain what led you down the path youve followed. Another tricky one is references, and can understandably be awkward for an applicant. If you havent put any references on your resume, or included a caveat asking them not to be contacted, share your reasons for it. Ive never hired someone without checking references, and you should assume that will be the rule. Your candor at this point of the interview is the start of building trust with your new employer.
The hiring official and any other interview panelists will expect you to know what their agency does, what this position does, and how it fits into the organization in a general sense. You should use the information youve learned to help answer questions; let them know you did your homework. Commenting that you havent even looked at their website is a great way to tell them youre not interested in the job at all. I also love to see applicants who have questions for the ones doing the hiring, it can show the amount of thought you have put into your efforts. What are the skills they are really looking for? Even simple questions like how soon they expect to make a final decision can help you frame answers to interview questions and establish a cordial, relaxed atmosphere. Just dont ask questions that are answered on their web page!
“There are people who understand process manufacturing, and there are people on the bench, drawing products or designing larger systems,” says Crawford Hentz, who in her previous job as director of career services at Wentworth Institute of Technology prepared about-to-be college graduates for engineering interviews. “A bench engineer is significantly different from someone out on the floor. A bench engineer has a pencil in his hand, while a floor engineer has a screwdriver.”
Here, the employer is attempting to gauge fluency, or applied expertise. Its nice to merely be familiar with, say, COSMOSWorks, says Crawford Hentz. Its another thing entirely to use the program for finite-element analysis on the LEDs Osram Sylvania manufactures, which “dont mind getting cold but hate to get hot,” she says.
FAQ
What are the questions asked in Engineer interview?
- How do you maintain your physical fitness?
- Why have you chosen your specific branch/regiment in the Army?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- What can you tell me about the Army and its history?
- What’s your personality type?
What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers engineering?
- What do you enjoy most about being an engineer?
- What was your very first engineering design?
- What is your favorite CAD design software and why?
- Have you developed any new engineering skills recently?
- What is the most important skill for an engineer?
How do I prepare for an engineering interview?
Tell me about the most challenging engineering project you’ve worked on. Describe a written technical report or presentation you had to complete. Explain a time you had to use logic to solve an engineering problem. Describe a time you demonstrated leadership skills at work.
