20 DLR Interview Questions and Answers

As the national aeronautics and space research centre, DLR is always on the lookout for the best and brightest minds to help further their mission. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to interview for a position at DLR, you can expect to be asked some tough questions specific to the company.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample DLR interview questions and answers. With these, you’ll be able to show off your knowledge of the company and its work, as well as your skills and qualifications for the role you’re applying for.

DLR Interview Process

The interview process at DLR can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For some positions, you may only have one interview, while for others you may have multiple interviews. The length of the hiring process can also vary, but it is typically fairly quick. Overall, the interview process is generally positive and professional.

1. How do you feel about working in groups?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you might fit into a team at the DLR. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you worked in a group and what your role was.

Example: “I enjoy working in groups because I find that my ideas are often better when they’re discussed with others. In my last position as a software developer, I would work on projects alone for most of the day, but then we would have weekly meetings where everyone would discuss their progress. During these meetings, I found that many of my solutions were more efficient after hearing other people’s thoughts.”

2. If I called your previous employer what would they say about your work ethic?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are a hard worker and that your previous employers would be willing to give you a positive reference. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific projects or tasks you worked on with your previous employer.

Example: “My last employer was very happy with my work ethic. I always arrived at work early and left late. If there were any extra tasks they needed help with, I was always eager to assist. They said I was one of the hardest working employees they had ever had.”

3. What are some of the best and worst decisions you have made in life?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s personality and values. It also helps you understand how they make decisions, which can be important in this role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include examples of both good and bad decisions so that the interviewer can see your thought process.

Example: “The best decision I ever made was deciding to go back to school for my master’s degree. This helped me get my current job, and it has opened up many opportunities for me. The worst decision I have ever made was when I decided not to apply for a job because I didn’t think I had enough experience. After applying for several jobs, I realized that I could have applied for any position. If I hadn’t been afraid to try, I might have gotten an earlier start on my career.”

4. Are you comfortable with repetitive tasks?

This question is designed to determine if you are a good fit for the role. The interviewer wants to know that you can handle repetitive tasks and still maintain your quality of work.

Example: “I am comfortable with repetitive tasks, but I also like to switch things up every once in a while. For example, at my last job, we had to do the same task over and over again, however, we were able to change our methods each time. This helped us stay engaged and motivated throughout the day.”

5. Would you be willing to relocate or travel for work?

If you’re interviewing for a position at DLR, it’s likely that the job will require some travel. The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have any objections to traveling or relocating. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to relocate or travel as needed for work.

Example: “I am happy to relocate or travel for work. I understand that many jobs in aerospace and research require employees to be flexible with their location or travel schedule. I would be excited to take on a role where I could learn more about different areas of the country.”

6. Do you have experience programming in Matlab, Python, C++, SQL etc.?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience with programming languages and can use them in your work. If you do, mention which ones you know how to program in and what projects you used them for.

Example: “I have worked extensively with Matlab, Python and C++. I used these programs to create models of various aircrafts and vehicles using 3D modeling software. This allowed me to test different designs and configurations before building prototypes.”

7. Tell us a time you had to deal with an upset client.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with people. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you helped the client feel better or what steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their package on time. I apologized for any inconvenience and asked them if there was anything we could do to make up for it. They said that would be fine, so I offered to give them free shipping on their next order. The customer seemed happy with my response and even left us a five-star review.”

8. Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s career goals and how they plan to achieve them. It also helps you determine if their goals align with those of the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include your short-term goals as well.

Example: “I see myself working in a management role at DLR within five years. I would like to continue my education in aerospace engineering so that I am prepared for this promotion. In the meantime, I hope to work hard and gain valuable experience here.”

9. Why should we hire you over other applicants?

This question is a great opportunity to show your knowledge of the position and how you can contribute to the company. You should highlight your relevant skills, experience and education in relation to the job description.

Example: “I am an extremely organized individual who has excellent time management skills. I have worked as a project manager for three years at my current employer, where I managed teams of up to five people on projects that required me to meet deadlines while maintaining quality standards. This skill set makes me well-suited for this role, which requires someone with strong leadership qualities.”

10. Give me an example of a decision you reached that was unpopular, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can handle conflict. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about the situation and highlight what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “When I was working as an engineer at my previous company, we were tasked with creating a new product that would appeal to our target audience. However, I disagreed with the direction of the project because I felt like it wasn’t going to meet the needs of our customers. Instead of keeping quiet, I brought up my concerns in a team meeting and presented my ideas for alternative solutions. My suggestions were well-received by my colleagues, and we ended up changing the entire design of the product.”

11. Could you tell me about a project where you struggled to complete a task on time, why did this happen?

This question is a great way to learn more about how you handle time management and the challenges that come with working in a fast-paced environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain what steps you took to ensure you met your deadlines in the future.

Example: “In my last position as an aerospace engineer, I was tasked with creating a new prototype for a space shuttle. The project required me to work alongside several other engineers who were also responsible for different aspects of the design. Unfortunately, one of my colleagues became ill and wasn’t able to complete their portion of the project on time. This meant that I had to take over his responsibilities while still completing my own tasks. While I managed to finish all of my assignments by the deadline, I learned that delegating tasks to others is important so everyone has enough time to complete their projects.”

12. Describe a situation when you were responsible for handling multiple projects at once.

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe how you organized your schedule and managed your time to complete all of the projects on time.

Example: “At my previous job, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. One project involved creating a new website design while another required me to create an online marketing strategy. In order to manage both projects effectively, I scheduled weekly meetings with each team member to discuss their progress and any challenges they were facing. This allowed me to stay updated on the status of each project and provide guidance when needed.”

13. Have you ever worked in a team setting before?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s teamwork skills. It can also help you determine if they have any experience working with other professionals in similar roles. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how your team worked together and what made that process successful.

Example: “I’ve had many opportunities to work in teams throughout my career. In my last position as an aerospace engineer, I was part of a large team that included engineers, scientists and technicians. We all worked together to solve problems and create new solutions for our clients. One of the things I enjoyed most about working on a team was being able to bounce ideas off of others and get their feedback.”

14. Can you explain how your past experience will help you succeed here?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how it relates to this role. Use examples from your past experience that show you have what it takes to succeed in this position.

Example: “I’ve worked as an engineer for five years, so I understand the importance of working with others on projects. In my last job, I was part of a team that designed a new type of airplane wing. We had to work together to solve problems and come up with solutions. My teammates were all very smart people, and we learned from each other every day. I think I can bring those same skills to this position.”

15. Are you able to prioritize several assignments simultaneously?

This question is a good way to assess your time management skills and ability to work under pressure. When answering, it can be helpful to mention how you prioritize tasks and the steps you take to ensure that all deadlines are met.

Example: “I am able to manage multiple assignments at once because I have developed a system for prioritizing my tasks. First, I make sure that any urgent or important assignments are completed first. Then, I move on to less urgent but still important projects. Finally, I complete any remaining tasks.”

16. How do you organize yourself when faced with multiple responsibilities?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your tasks and manage your time. Describe a situation in which you had to multitask, and explain how you organized yourself to complete all of your work on time.

Example: “I have worked with multiple projects at once before, but I find it most effective to focus on one task at a time. This helps me give each project my full attention and ensures that I don’t overlook any important details. When working on multiple projects, I create a schedule for myself so I know when I need to start each task and by what deadline.”

17. If a coworker asked you to do something unethical, how would you react?

This question is an opportunity to show your integrity and willingness to do the right thing. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give a specific example of how you would react in that situation.

Example: “If a coworker asked me to falsify data or test results, I would politely decline their request and report them to HR immediately. In my experience, most people who ask for unethical favors are not aware of the consequences of their actions. If they were educated on the risks, I believe many would choose to act ethically.”

18. We are looking for someone who is goal oriented. Could you give examples of goals you set and achieved?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are motivated and driven. It’s also an opportunity for you to showcase how you can set goals, plan ahead and achieve them.

Example: “I have always been interested in aeronautics and space research. When I was in high school, I decided to take as many science classes as possible. This led me to taking AP physics my senior year of high school. In college, I took several aerospace courses and even completed a summer internship at NASA. My goal was to work there after graduation, but I knew it would be difficult to get hired without any experience. So, I started looking for jobs right out of college. After two years of working here, I applied for the open position and got the job.”

19. Our company needs people who can take initiative. Describe a time when you saw a problem and took action rather than waiting for it to be assigned to you.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to take initiative. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the issue or complete the task.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our company’s website was not mobile friendly. This meant we were missing out on potential customers who were searching for us online. I brought up the issue with my supervisor, and together we decided to hire a web developer to create a new website. The project cost $5,000, but within six months of launching the new site, we saw an increase in sales by 10%.”

20. We are looking for someone with flexibility. Explain a time when your job changed dramatically and how you handled it.

This question is a great way to show your flexibility and adaptability. It also shows that you can be flexible in other areas of your life, such as with your schedule or work hours.

Example: “I was working at my previous job for about two years when the company decided to change our entire workflow system. We had to learn how to use new software and update all of our processes. I took it upon myself to learn the new system before anyone else so I could help others who were struggling. This helped me become more knowledgeable in the field and led to an increase in my responsibilities.”