20 AECOM Interview Questions and Answers

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services. The company has a wide range of clients, from small businesses to large corporations. Because of this, AECOM interview questions can vary greatly depending on the position you’re applying for.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common AECOM interview questions. Whether you’re applying for a position in management or technical support, these questions will give you a good idea of what to expect.

AECOM Interview Process

The interview process at AECOM can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will consist of two rounds: a phone interview and an in-person interview. The phone interview will typically be conducted by a recruiter and will last about 30 minutes. During this time, they will ask you questions about your experience and skills. The in-person interview will be with a panel of AECOM employees who will ask you more detailed questions about your experience and qualifications. This interview will usually last about an hour.

1. Why do you want to work at AECOM?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When preparing for this interview, research AECOM’s mission statement, values and goals. Use these as a guide when answering this question.

Example: “I want to work at AECOM because I am passionate about architecture and design. Your company has such a long history of creating innovative buildings that are both beautiful and functional. I would love to be part of a team that creates spaces that people enjoy using every day.”

2. What is your experience with project management?

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services, so it’s likely that you’ll be working on projects. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with project management software or other tools used in the industry. In your answer, describe your previous experience using these tools and highlight any specific skills you have.

Example: “I’ve worked as a project manager for five years now. I started out managing small residential construction projects but quickly moved up to larger commercial projects. Throughout my career, I’ve learned how to use many different project management software programs, including Microsoft Project, Basecamp and Trello.”

3. Do you enjoy working in a team environment?

AECOM is a global company that requires its employees to work in teams. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience working with others and collaborating on projects. Show them your ability to communicate, collaborate and problem-solve with others.

Example: “I enjoy working in a team environment because it allows me to learn from my colleagues and apply their knowledge to my own projects. I find that when we all contribute our ideas and opinions, we can create better solutions for clients. In my last role, I worked as part of a five-person design team. We were tasked with designing an office space for a large corporation. Each member of the team had different strengths, which allowed us to come up with many creative solutions.”

4. Are you comfortable managing a large team of engineers on complex projects?

AECOM is a large company that often works on complex projects. The interviewer wants to know if you have the experience and skills necessary to manage a team of engineers in this type of environment. Use examples from your previous work experience to show that you can handle managing a large group of people.

Example: “I’ve worked with large teams of engineers before, so I am familiar with how to delegate tasks and communicate effectively with my team members. In my last role, I managed a team of 20 engineers who were working on a project for a local government. We had to create an entire transportation system for a new city. I was able to break up the project into smaller tasks and delegate them to different groups within our department. This allowed me to monitor each task and provide feedback as needed.”

5. How would you approach planning and implementing a project for a client?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach a project and your ability to work with clients. Use examples from previous projects that show your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills.

Example: “I would first meet with the client to discuss their goals for the project and what they hope to achieve. I find it’s important to listen carefully to my clients so I can fully understand their needs. Then, I would create a plan of action based on the information I gathered during our meeting. I would also make sure to communicate regularly with the client throughout the planning process so they know exactly what we’re doing.”

6. Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision about a project.

When an interviewer asks you to describe a time when you made a difficult decision, they are trying to learn more about your problem-solving skills. Use this question as an opportunity to highlight how you used critical thinking and analytical skills to make the best possible choice in a challenging situation.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a project that required me to create a new design for a building’s exterior. The client wanted a modern look but also wanted to incorporate some of their family history into the design. I knew that incorporating these two elements would be challenging, so I met with the client multiple times to discuss their ideas and get feedback on my designs. Eventually, we came up with a final design that incorporated both the modern style the client wanted and the family history they were looking for.”

7. Do you have any experience working as an engineer in the oil, gas or mining industry?

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets. The company’s clients include the oil, gas and mining industries. If you have experience working in these fields, it can be beneficial to mention this during your interview.

Example: “I worked as an engineer for a small oil and gas exploration company for three years before I decided to pursue my master’s degree. During that time, I gained valuable experience with designing and implementing complex projects. I also learned how to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.”

8. Tell us about a time when you faced conflict with a co-worker. How did you handle it?

AECOM wants to know that you can work well with others. This question helps them understand how you handle interpersonal conflict and whether you have the ability to resolve it quickly.

Example: “I once had a disagreement with a colleague over a project deadline. I was working on a project for a client, and my colleague wanted me to take more time to complete it so we could get paid more. I explained to him that taking longer would not benefit our client or us in the long run. He understood my reasoning and agreed to help me finish the project by the original deadline.”

9. How well are you able to manage stressful situations?

AECOM is a global company that requires its employees to work in many different locations. This can be stressful, so the interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to manage stress and adapt to new environments. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects where you had to handle multiple tasks at once or overcome unexpected challenges.

Example: “In my last position as an architectural designer, I was working on a project with a tight deadline. My team and I were able to meet the deadline by staying focused and communicating regularly. We also delegated responsibilities among ourselves to ensure we could all complete our parts of the project.”

10. In what ways can you use technology to improve productivity in construction?

AECOM is a technology-focused company, and the interviewer may want to know how you can use your technical skills to help their business. Use examples from your previous experience that show your ability to work with new technologies and implement them into construction projects.

Example: “I have extensive knowledge of 3D modeling software, which I used in my last position to create detailed models of buildings before they were constructed. This allowed me to identify any potential issues or problems early on so we could make changes before construction began. It also helped us save time and money by avoiding costly mistakes later.”

11. Can you describe how you handled a situation where a team member was not performing up to standards?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and your ability to motivate others. Use examples from previous roles where you helped a team member improve their performance or skills, or when you took on additional responsibilities to help your team succeed.

Example: “In my last role as an architectural designer, I worked with a colleague who was new to the company. He had trouble communicating his ideas to clients and other team members, which led to misunderstandings and delays in project completion. I offered to meet with him one-on-one to discuss his projects and provide feedback on ways he could improve his communication style. After several meetings, he became more confident in his work and started to develop relationships with clients.”

12. We want our employees to be innovative problem solvers. Give an example of a time when you solved a complex problem.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and how you can apply them in a professional setting.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a project that required me to create a 3D model of a building using AutoCAD software. The client wanted the model to be as accurate as possible, so I had to use several different tools to ensure accuracy. I used the ‘snap’ tool to make sure all measurements were exact, then used the ‘offset’ tool to measure the distance between objects. Finally, I used the ‘mirror’ tool to reflect the image of the building to accurately represent it.”

13. What is one thing that excites you about working at AECOM?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you feel about working for their company. When answering, try to be honest and positive. Think of something that really excites you about the job or the company as a whole.

Example: “I am excited to work at AECOM because I love being part of a team. In my last position, I was always looking for ways to help others and make sure everyone on my team was doing well. I think it’s important to support one another in the workplace, so I would love to continue that here.”

14. If hired, how will you enhance the company’s reputation among clients and other stakeholders?

AECOM is a global company that works with clients and stakeholders in many different industries. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and how you plan to contribute to the company’s success. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to communicate effectively with others and solve problems.

Example: “I understand that AECOM has an excellent reputation among its clients and other stakeholders. I would like to continue building on that reputation by providing high-quality work and ensuring that my projects meet or exceed client expectations. I also believe that it’s important for me to be transparent with stakeholders about any challenges we encounter during project development.”

15. Have you worked in a global environment before? How have you dealt with cultural differences between yourself and colleagues from different countries?

AECOM is a global company, and the interviewer may want to know if you have experience working in a multicultural environment. Showcase your ability to adapt to different cultures by explaining how you’ve done so in the past.

Example: “I’ve worked with colleagues from all over the world before, and I find that it’s important to be open-minded when communicating with people who speak differently or use different customs than me. In my last position, I had a colleague from Germany who spoke English but used some words differently than I was used to hearing. Instead of assuming he didn’t understand what I said, I asked him to repeat himself and clarified any questions I had.”

16. Would you consider yourself detail oriented?

AECOM is looking for candidates who are detail oriented and can pay attention to small details. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have these skills and how well you apply them in your work. Use examples from previous jobs where you were able to notice small mistakes or errors and fix them before they became a problem.

Example: “I am very detail oriented, which has helped me succeed in my career so far. In my last job, I noticed that one of our projects was missing some important information. I looked through all of our files until I found the information we needed. It turned out that it had been there all along but I hadn’t seen it because it was hidden behind another document.”

17. How would you coordinate with a team member who is struggling with their responsibilities?

AECOM is a global company that requires its employees to work with others from different backgrounds and locations. Your answer should show the interviewer that you can collaborate with people who have different perspectives, values or goals.

Example: “I would first try to understand what’s causing their performance issues. I would then meet with them one-on-one to discuss how we can support each other in our individual roles. If they’re having trouble managing multiple projects at once, for example, I might offer to help them prioritize their tasks so they can focus on the most important ones.”

18. What is your knowledge of engineering fundamentals?

AECOM is a global provider of professional technical and management support services to a broad range of markets. The company’s clients include governments, institutions, corporations, investors and developers in over 100 countries. AECOM has more than 30 offices across the United States and approximately 17,000 employees worldwide.

Example: “I have an extensive knowledge of engineering fundamentals, including civil, structural, environmental, transportation and water resources engineering. I also understand how these principles apply to real-world projects. For example, when working on a project for a client who needed a new bridge, I was able to use my understanding of engineering fundamentals to determine what materials were best suited for the job.”

19. Provide an example of a time when you used your organizational skills to help a team complete a task.

AECOM is looking for candidates who can use their organizational skills to help the company achieve its goals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time you helped your team complete a project on schedule or within budget.

Example: “At my previous job, I was part of a team that had to organize and manage all construction documents for a large-scale project. The project required us to keep track of thousands of pages of documentation, which could have been overwhelming if we didn’t have a system in place. To ensure our team stayed organized, I created a database where everyone could upload and store their documents. This allowed me to easily access any information I needed and ensured the entire team knew exactly what they were responsible for.”

20. As part of a team, we are looking for someone who can communicate effectively with others. Tell me about a time when you had to explain something complicated to a colleague.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and how you can help others understand complex information.

Example: “When I was working on a project for a client, my team had to explain the details of our plan to the client’s board members. We were presenting in front of about 20 people, so we needed to make sure everyone understood what we were saying. To prepare, we created visuals that helped us explain the concepts more clearly. In the end, the presentation went well, and the client was happy with our work.”