20 KBR Interview Questions and Answers

KBR is a global engineering, construction, and services company, with operations in more than 40 countries. The company has a long history of working on some of the world’s most challenging projects, including the construction of the Panama Canal and the development of the world’s largest LNG project in Qatar.

KBR is always looking for talented and ambitious employees to join its team. If you’re interested in working for KBR, you may be asked to participate in a job interview.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample KBR interview questions and answers.

KBR Interview Process

The interview process at KBR can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one face-to-face interview. The length of the hiring process also varies, but it typically takes several weeks to complete.

Overall, the interview process is fairly difficult. Many candidates report that the questions are challenging and that the interviewer is very knowledgeable about the company and the position. However, the interviewers are also generally friendly and personable, which makes the experience more bearable.

Candidates who are offered a position at KBR generally have a positive experience. The company is known for its excellent benefits and competitive salaries. Additionally, KBR employees report high levels of job satisfaction.

1. Tell us about a time you had to deal with an individual who was difficult. How did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you used your communication skills to resolve the situation or how you avoided conflict altogether.

Example: “I once worked with an individual who was very outspoken about their opinions. This person would often disagree with my ideas in front of other coworkers, which made me feel uncomfortable. I decided to approach them privately and ask if they could speak more quietly when voicing their opinion. They agreed and we were able to continue working together without any issues.”

2. What is your experience working in the defense industry?

The defense industry is a highly specialized field, and many companies in this sector look for candidates with experience working in the military. Your answer should show that you have relevant skills and knowledge to work at KBR. You can mention your previous job title, what you did and how long you worked there.

Example: “I was an officer in the army for five years. I started as a second lieutenant and ended up as a major. During my time in the army, I learned how to lead teams of people and manage projects. I also gained valuable leadership and communication skills.”

3. Give an example of a project that you have worked on and explain how you approached it.

This question is a great way to show the interviewer your skills and how you apply them. It also gives them an idea of what kind of work you have done in the past. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a project that was particularly challenging or one that you are proud of.

Example: “In my last position as a construction manager, I had to oversee a large project where we were building a new hospital wing. The project required us to build on top of an existing parking lot, which meant we needed to create a foundation for the entire structure. This was quite a challenge because there were many different elements involved, including creating a drainage system and ensuring the safety of all workers.”

4. Are you familiar with ISO 9000, if so what do you know about it?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a network of national standards bodies that develops and publishes international standards. ISO 9000 is an internationally recognized quality management system standard that specifies requirements for a company’s quality management procedures, documentation processes and customer satisfaction.

This question allows the interviewer to assess your knowledge of industry-specific terminology and practices. It also gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to learn new concepts quickly. In your answer, try to clearly define what ISO 9000 is and how it relates to KBR.

Example: “I am familiar with ISO 9000 certification because my previous employer had implemented this process in their business operations. I understand that ISO 9000 is a set of guidelines that companies can use to ensure they are providing high-quality products and services to their customers. This certification helps businesses like KBR maintain a reputation as a reliable supplier.”

5. Why do you want to work at KBR?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its values. It also allows you to talk about what attracted you to this role, which can help you connect with the interviewer on a personal level. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of KBR that appeal to you.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in working for an engineering firm like KBR because I find the work they do fascinating. I’m especially drawn to the idea of helping people through my work, so I was excited to learn more about KBR’s humanitarian efforts. I think I would fit well into this culture as someone who cares deeply about others.”

6. We are looking for team players, describe your teamwork philosophy.

Teamwork is an important skill for employees at KBR. The company wants to know that you understand the importance of teamwork and how it can help you succeed in your role. When answering this question, explain what makes a good teammate and how you would apply those skills to your work at KBR.

Example: “I believe that teamwork is one of the most important aspects of success. I am always willing to lend a hand or share my knowledge with others. I think that by helping others, we all learn new things and become better professionals. In my last position, I was working on a project where I had to create a presentation. My coworker asked me if she could look over my slides before I presented them to our team. I agreed and let her make any changes she wanted. She made some great suggestions that helped improve my presentation.”

7. Do you have experience leading teams or managing projects?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you might fit into their company culture. Use examples from previous work experience to highlight your ability to lead a team or manage projects.

Example: “In my last position, I led a project management team that helped our department meet deadlines and stay within budget. We had weekly meetings where we discussed upcoming projects and any issues we were having with them. This allowed us to collaborate on solutions and come up with innovative ideas for completing tasks. As a result of our teamwork, our department was able to complete all projects on time.”

8. Describe a time when you made a mistake and how you handled it?

Employers ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. This is an opportunity to show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions, apologize when necessary and use the experience to improve yourself in the future.

Example: “When I was working as a project manager at my previous company, I had a team member who wasn’t performing well on his tasks. Instead of addressing the issue with him directly, I spoke with his supervisor about it instead. Unfortunately, he didn’t get the help he needed and continued to perform poorly. When I realized what happened, I apologized to him and asked if there was anything I could do to make up for it. He said he would like more training opportunities, so I arranged for him to attend a seminar on project management.”

9. Provide an example of a time where you had to make a recommendation to someone above you?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with your superiors and whether or not you’re comfortable doing so. It can also show them that you have confidence in your own ideas and opinions, which is an important quality to have when working for a large company like KBR.

Example: “When I was working as a project manager at my previous job, there were times where I had to make recommendations to my director about certain aspects of our projects. For example, one time we were having issues with a client who wasn’t happy with some of the work we’d done on their site. My team and I decided it would be best to offer a discount on the rest of the project rather than try to fix everything they didn’t like. The client agreed, and we were able to finish the project without any further complications.”

10. Tell me about a time where you had to make a decision without having all the information.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to gather information or how you made the decision.

Example: “When I was working as an engineer for a construction company, we were building a new shopping center in a rural area that didn’t have any cell service. We had been working on the project for about two weeks when one of our team members fell off a ladder and broke his arm. He couldn’t drive himself to the hospital, so another member of our team drove him while I stayed behind to finish up some work. The other employee who went with my colleague called me from the hospital and asked if he could go home early because he was feeling sick. I told him no, but then I realized that I would need to find someone else to help me get back to the site after visiting hours at the hospital. I ended up calling my boss and asking her to send another team member to help me.”

11. Describe a time where you had to use creativity to solve a problem.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you use them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you took to solve the problem and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I worked as an engineer for a construction company, we were building a new shopping center in California. The project was going well until one day when it started raining heavily. We had already poured most of the foundation, but there was still some work left to do on the second floor. My team and I decided that we would have to wait out the rain before finishing the job.

I knew that if we waited too long, the cement wouldn’t set properly. So, I used my creativity to come up with a solution. I called another construction company nearby and asked if they could send over two more engineers to help us finish the job. They agreed, and together our teams finished pouring the cement just in time.”

12. Tell us about a time where you had to learn something new quickly.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you adapt to new situations and challenges. Use examples from your previous work experience that highlight your ability to learn quickly, solve problems and apply what you’ve learned to complete tasks.

Example: “When I first started working as a project manager for KBR, I had to learn how to use our company’s proprietary software program. It was challenging at first because it was different than any other software I’d used before. However, I took time every day after work to practice using the program until I felt comfortable with it. Now, I’m able to use the program efficiently and effectively.”

13. Have you ever been responsible for developing software? If so, please tell us about it.

This question is a great way to determine if you have the skills necessary for this role. If you are not familiar with software development, it’s important to highlight your ability to learn new things and adapt quickly.

Example: “I’ve never been responsible for developing software, but I am very comfortable learning new programs and adapting to different environments. When I was working as an IT specialist at my previous job, we were tasked with creating a new system that would help us manage our inventory more efficiently. We had two weeks to create the program before the company’s annual inventory report. The team worked together to develop the program in time.”

14. Tell us about a major accomplishment in your career.

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s skills and abilities. It also helps you determine if they are a good fit for KBR. When answering this question, it can be helpful to choose an accomplishment that relates to the position you’re interviewing for.

Example: “When I was working as a project manager at my previous company, we were tasked with building a new hospital in a remote area of Alaska. The construction site was difficult because there was no power or running water. We had to work around harsh weather conditions and limited resources. Despite these challenges, our team managed to complete the project on time and under budget.”

15. In order to succeed here we need people who can think outside the box. Can you give an example of this trait?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you have the skills and abilities they’re looking for. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you used your critical thinking skills to solve a problem or challenge in your previous role.

Example: “In my last position as a project manager, I was tasked with creating a plan to build a new bridge over a river. The only issue was that there wasn’t enough room on either side of the river for construction equipment to work. In order to solve this problem, I had to think outside the box and come up with a unique solution. We ended up building the bridge while it was still under construction.”

16. Describe a situation where you were able to successfully build rapport with someone who wasn’t initially receptive to you.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you interact with others and your ability to build relationships. Use examples from previous work experiences where you had to overcome challenges in building rapport with someone or a group of people.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a project that required me to collaborate with several different departments within the company. One department was particularly resistant to our ideas and didn’t want to cooperate with us at all. We tried to be as friendly and helpful as possible, but they still weren’t responding to us. Eventually, we decided to take them out for drinks after work one day. They were surprised when we invited them, but once we started talking about work over drinks, they opened up more and began asking questions about what we do.”

17. Have you worked with any non-standardized processes before?

KBR is a global company that works with many different clients. They want to know if you have experience working in this type of environment and how you would adapt to it. Use your answer to highlight any previous work experiences where you had to adapt to new processes or systems.

Example: “I’ve worked for several large companies before, but I also have some smaller business experience. In both situations, I was used to the standard operating procedures. However, when I started working at my current job, I encountered a client who didn’t use the same process as us. It took me a while to get used to their system, but now I’m comfortable adapting to different processes.”

18. What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. When answering, it’s important to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention something that is relevant to the job description.

Example: “I have five years of experience in construction management, which includes managing budgets and overseeing projects. I am also highly organized and detail-oriented, which allows me to keep track of all aspects of a project. These skills make me an excellent candidate for this position because they are two of the most important qualities needed for success at KBR.”

19. Tell us about a time where you had to adapt to change quickly.

This question is a great way to assess your ability to adapt to change. Employers want to know that you can adjust quickly and effectively in the workplace, especially when it comes to working with clients who may have unique needs or requests.

Example: “When I was working as an engineer for a construction company, we were hired by a client to build a new house. The client had some specific design ideas that they wanted us to incorporate into the home, but after we started building, the client decided they wanted to make some changes to their original plans. We had to work closely with the client to find a compromise between what they originally wanted and what they changed their mind about. In the end, we built them a beautiful home that met all of their needs.”

20. Our employees often travel. How would you feel about travelling for work?

KBR often requires its employees to travel for work. The company wants to ensure that you are comfortable with this aspect of the job and will be able to complete your tasks while on the road. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention a specific time when you travelled for work or discuss how much you enjoy travelling.

Example: “I love traveling. I find it exciting to see new places and meet new people. In my last position, I was required to travel quite frequently. I found that I enjoyed these trips because they gave me an opportunity to get away from my daily routine. I also met some great people during my travels.”