20 Kiewit Interview Questions and Answers

Kiewit is one of the largest construction and engineering firms in North America. The company has been in business for over 140 years and has worked on some of the most iconic construction projects in history.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Kiewit, you can expect to be asked a range of questions about your skills, experience, and qualifications. In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common Kiewit interview questions, with sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Kiewit Interview Process

The interview process at Kiewit is very long and difficult. It can take up to six weeks to complete, and the interviews are extremely challenging. However, the overall experience is positive and the company is very professional.

Kiewit is known for being a great place to work. The company is large and well-respected, and it offers a variety of positions in many different fields. The interview process is very long and difficult, but it is worth it to work for such a great company.

The first step in the process is to submit an online application. After that, you will be contacted by a recruiter to set up a phone interview. If you pass the phone interview, you will be invited to an on-site interview.

The on-site interview is divided into two parts. The first part is a panel interview, where you will meet with several managers from different departments. The second part is a behavioral interview, where you will be asked questions about your past behavior in various situations.

After the on-site interview, you will be given a job offer. If you accept the offer, you will start working at Kiewit.

Overall, the interview process is long and difficult, but it is

1. Tell me about a time when you had to be extra organized.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your organizational skills. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects that highlight how you stay organized and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last job, I was responsible for managing all of our company’s social media accounts. This included posting to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. It was important that I posted at least once per day on each platform so we could reach as many people as possible. To make sure I didn’t miss any days, I set up an online calendar where I would write down what I planned to post each day. Then, I would schedule the posts throughout the week.”

2. What are your career goals?

Employers ask this question to see if you have a plan for your career. They want to know that you are motivated and driven, and they also want to make sure you’re interested in the position. When answering this question, be honest about what you want from your career. Explain how this job will help you achieve those goals.

Example: “My goal is to become an executive manager of a construction company. I’ve been working toward this goal since I started my career, and I feel like Kiewit would be a great place to continue my development as a leader. I’m excited by the opportunity to work with such a large team on challenging projects.”

3. How did you handle stress in the past, and how do you plan on handling it at Kiewit?

Stress is a natural part of the construction industry, and employers want to know how you plan on handling it. They also want to make sure that you’re aware of the stress that comes with this job. When answering this question, be honest about your experience with stress in the past and what you did to overcome it.

Example: “I’ve worked in construction for five years now, so I’m used to dealing with some stress. However, I always try to remain calm when things get hectic. In my previous position, I would take short breaks throughout the day to help me relax. I also made sure to communicate clearly with my coworkers so we could work together effectively.”

4. Describe a project that required strong leadership skills. How did you lead your team through this project?

Leadership skills are important for construction managers because they need to be able to motivate their teams and ensure that the project is completed on time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you needed to lead your team through a challenging project.

Example: “When I first started working as a construction manager, my company was hired to build a new hospital. The hospital’s budget was tight, so we had to work quickly to complete the project before the deadline. My leadership skills helped me communicate with my team about our progress and how we could meet the hospital’s needs while staying within the budget.”

5. If I were to call your previous boss, what would they say is your greatest strength? Weakness?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s work ethic and personality. It also allows you to see how they interact with their superiors. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of what your previous boss would say about you if they were asked this same question.

Example: “My previous boss would probably say that my greatest strength is my ability to stay calm under pressure. She would also likely mention that I am always willing to help others when needed. My weakness would probably be that sometimes I get so focused on one task that I forget to check in with my team members.”

6. Do you have any experience with cost estimating?

Cost estimation is an important part of the construction industry. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with estimating costs for projects and how well you can do it. If you have previous experience, share your past experiences with cost estimation. If you don’t have any experience, explain that you are willing to learn about it.

Example: “I’ve had some experience with cost estimation in my last job. I worked on a project where we needed to estimate the total cost of the project. We used several different methods to determine the cost, including using our own estimations and comparing them to other companies’ estimates. The company we compared ourselves to was also working on the same project. After comparing our numbers, we found that our estimates were accurate.”

7. Can you tell us about a time where you had to communicate with people of different backgrounds?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with people who have different perspectives and opinions. It’s important to show that you’re willing to communicate with others, even if they don’t share your views or values.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked on a team of engineers from all over the world. We had to work together to solve problems and complete projects. Sometimes we would disagree about how to approach a problem or what the best solution was. In these situations, I always tried to be respectful and listen to everyone’s ideas. Then, I would explain why I thought my idea was the best one.”

8. What tools have you used for project management?

Project management is a key skill for construction managers. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with the tools they use at Kiewit. In your answer, explain which tools you’ve used and why you prefer them over other options. If you haven’t worked in construction before, it’s okay to say that you’re familiar with project management software but haven’t had an opportunity to use it yet.

Example: “I’ve used several different tools for project management throughout my career. I find Trello to be one of the most useful because it allows me to create boards for each aspect of a project. For example, on one project I was working on, I created a board for design ideas, another for budgeting and another for communication between team members. This helped keep everyone informed about what was going on and ensured we were all on the same page.”

9. Why should we hire you?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills you have that are relevant to the job description. Use these skills to explain why you’re the best candidate for the position.

Example: “I am an extremely hard worker who is always willing to take on new challenges. I’m also highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me great at managing projects. My communication skills are excellent, so I can work well with my team members and clients. Finally, I am passionate about construction and would love to help Kiewit build some amazing structures.”

10. What was your GPA in college?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have the academic background they’re looking for. If your GPA was high, it can show that you were able to balance school and work while maintaining a good grade point average. If your GPA was low, you should explain why in your answer.

Example: “I had a 3.9 GPA during my time at college. I took challenging classes and worked hard to maintain my grades. My professors always told me how proud they were of my work ethic and dedication to learning.”

11. What has been the most challenging part of your education so far?

This question can help interviewers understand how you’ve overcome challenges in your academic career. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a time when you faced a challenge and overcame it or used the experience to learn something new.

Example: “The most challenging part of my education so far has been learning how to manage my time effectively. I have always had a hard time balancing schoolwork with extracurricular activities, but I learned that if I plan ahead for each day, week and month, I can stay on top of everything. Now, I use an online calendar to keep track of all my assignments and due dates.”

12. Are you willing to relocate if needed?

Employers may ask this question to see if you’re willing to move for a job. If they are looking to hire someone who can relocate, it’s important that you let them know that you would be willing to do so. When answering this question, make sure to mention any factors that might affect your willingness to relocate. For example, if you have family in the area or if you own property.

Example: “I am open to relocating as long as I’m given enough notice. My family is here and I don’t own my home yet, but I could put my house on the market within two weeks of receiving notice. I also have no pets, which makes moving easier.”

13. Give an example of a time when you had to use your written communication skills.

This question can help the interviewer determine how you use your written communication skills to solve problems and communicate with others. Use examples from previous jobs where you had to write reports, emails or other documents that helped your team succeed.

Example: “In my last position as a project manager, I was responsible for communicating important information to my team members about upcoming deadlines, changes in plans and other relevant details. This helped me ensure everyone on my team knew what they needed to do to complete their tasks and meet our goals. It also helped them understand why we were making certain decisions and gave them confidence in my leadership abilities.”

14. Which area of civil engineering interests you the most?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your interests align with Kiewit’s projects. Use this opportunity to show that you have a passion for civil engineering and are eager to apply your skills in an industry setting.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in transportation infrastructure, so I would be thrilled to work on any of Kiewit’s road or bridge projects. However, I also enjoy working on water treatment facilities because they allow me to use my math and science skills while helping people. In fact, I volunteered at a local wastewater plant last summer, where I learned how to test water quality and monitor chemical levels.”

15. Have you ever made a mistake during a project or presentation? How did you handle it?

Employers ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. When answering, be honest about a mistake you made in the past and explain what you learned from it.

Example: “When I was working on my master’s degree, I had to give a presentation for one of my classes. I was so focused on making sure everything went smoothly that I didn’t practice enough beforehand. During the presentation, I forgot some important information and got nervous. I took a deep breath and remembered all the research I did for the project. I then presented again, and everything went well.”

16. How do you keep up-to-date with industry trends and best practices?

Employers want to know that you are committed to your career and continuously learning. They may ask this question to see if you have a plan for keeping up with industry news, publications or conferences. In your answer, share how you stay informed about the latest developments in your field. You can also mention any specific resources you use to learn more about construction projects.

Example: “I am passionate about my career, so I always make sure to read trade magazines and attend industry events. I recently attended a conference on innovative construction techniques where I learned about new materials and methods of building. I also subscribe to several online newsletters from different companies that offer tips and advice.”

17. How do you prioritize multiple projects?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage multiple projects at once. Use your answer to highlight your time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.

Example: “I use a project management software that allows me to create different task lists for each project I’m working on. This helps me stay organized and ensures I don’t forget any important tasks or due dates. In my previous role, I was responsible for managing three major construction projects at once. I used this system to organize all of my tasks and ensure I met all of the deadlines for each project.”

18. Do you have experience developing construction schedules?

Scheduling is an important part of construction management. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with scheduling and how much experience you have. In your answer, share what types of schedules you’ve created in the past and what software or tools you used to create them.

Example: “I’ve worked on a few different types of schedules throughout my career. I’ve created PERT and CPM schedules using Microsoft Project. I also helped develop a Gantt chart schedule for one project where we needed to know when certain tasks would be completed so that we could meet our deadline. I was able to use MS Project again to help us complete that task.”

19. What makes you stand out as a candidate?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for Kiewit. Focus on what you have done in previous roles that is relevant to the position you are applying for.

Example: “I am passionate about construction and I always strive to be the best at my job. In my last role as a project manager, I was able to increase productivity by 10% while also reducing costs by 5%. My team members were happy with these results, and we finished projects ahead of schedule. These results show that I know how to lead a team and get things done.”

20. Talk about a time when you had to work under tight deadlines. How did you accomplish all the tasks?

This question is a great way to see how you handle pressure and time constraints. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a specific project or situation where you had to work under tight deadlines and the steps you took to complete your tasks in a timely manner.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a construction site when one of our cranes broke down. The crane was needed for that day’s work, so we had to find a replacement quickly. We were able to locate another crane within an hour, but it still meant we had to rush through the rest of the day’s work to get everything done by the end of the day.”