20 Kimley-Horn Interview Questions and Answers

Kimley-Horn is one of the nation’s largest and most respected engineering firms. With over 1,000 employees in more than 60 offices nationwide, Kimley-Horn provides a wide range of engineering services to public and private clients.

If you’re hoping to land a job at Kimley-Horn, you can expect the interview process to be competitive. The company is looking for the best and brightest engineers, so you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions.

In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of sample Kimley-Horn interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Kimley-Horn Interview Process

The interview process at Kimley-Horn is generally pretty straightforward. Most positions will require at least two interviews, one with a recruiter and one with a perspective team. Some positions may also require a written assessment or an in person interview. The entire process usually takes about 2-3 weeks from start to finish.

1. Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment?

Kimley-Horn is a company that works on many projects at once. The interviewer wants to make sure you can handle the fast pace of their work environment. Use your answer to highlight your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks.

Example: “I am comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, especially when I know what my goals are for the day or week. At my last job, we had multiple projects going on at once, so I learned how to manage my time well. I also have experience prioritizing tasks based on deadlines and importance. This skill has helped me stay organized while still getting all my work done.”

2. What is your experience with AutoCAD and Revit software?

This question is a great way to see how much experience you have with the company’s software. If you’re applying for an architectural engineer position, it’s likely that your job will involve using these two programs. When answering this question, be sure to mention which version of each program you’ve used and what your level of expertise is.

Example: “I’m very familiar with both AutoCAD and Revit software. I started working with AutoCAD when I was in college, where I learned the basics of the program. After graduation, I worked as an intern at Kimley-Horn, where I gained more experience with the program. I also took online courses to learn more about the advanced features of AutoCAD. As for Revit, I first learned about the program while working at Kimley-Horn. I then enrolled in a course to learn more about the program.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to work on multiple projects at once, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage multiple projects. Use examples from previous experience to show that you are organized, efficient and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last position as a civil engineer, I was responsible for managing several large construction projects at once. One of these projects required me to oversee the design and implementation of new water treatment facilities while also working on an expansion project for a local hospital. To handle this workload, I scheduled regular meetings with my team members to discuss progress and delegate tasks. This helped me stay organized and ensure all projects were completed by their respective deadlines.”

4. Why do you want to work for Kimley-Horn?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what you like about the job listing and how it fits with your career goals. Before your interview, read through the job description thoroughly. Think of a few reasons why you are excited about the position. Make sure that these reasons align with the skills and experience listed in your resume.

Example: “I am interested in working for Kimley-Horn because I have always been impressed by the quality of work they produce. When I was looking at architecture school, I looked into several different programs. The one offered here stood out as having some of the best facilities and instructors. I also really liked the idea of being able to work on projects all over the world.”

5. How would you describe your management style?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would interact with your team members and other employees. Your management style is a reflection of your personality, so it’s important to be honest when answering this question.

Example: “I believe in being an approachable manager who encourages my team members to ask questions and voice their opinions. I think that by encouraging open communication, everyone on the team will feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns. This helps me learn more about my team members’ strengths and weaknesses, which allows me to better assign projects and tasks.”

6. Describe the process of designing a bridge from start to finish.

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the entire design process. It also allows you to show how you can work with others and manage projects. When answering this question, try to include all steps in the process from start to finish.

Example: “The first step in designing a bridge is determining what type of bridge it will be. There are many different types of bridges that serve different purposes. For example, there are suspension bridges, arch bridges, beam bridges and cable-stayed bridges. After deciding on the type of bridge, I would then determine the location where the bridge will be built. This is important because the environment around the bridge will affect its construction.

After determining the location, I would begin creating plans for the bridge. These plans would include the size of the bridge, materials needed and other specifications. Once the plans have been created, they would be reviewed by my team members and clients. If any changes need to be made, we would make them before moving forward with construction.”

7. Have you ever worked with a team that was not performing well? How did you manage it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and your ability to motivate others. When answering, be sure to highlight your communication skills and problem-solving abilities.

Example: “I have worked with several teams that were not performing well. In my last position as an engineer for a construction company, I was part of a team that had trouble meeting deadlines. We would often miss our deadlines by two weeks or more. This caused the company to lose money and clients. My manager and I decided to meet with each member of the team individually to discuss what we could do differently. After this meeting, we all agreed on new goals and set up weekly check-ins to ensure we were making progress.”

8. Do you have any experience working with local governments?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience working with a specific type of government. If you do, they may ask you more questions about your experiences to see how it relates to their company. If you don’t, they might ask you what types of governments you’ve worked with in the past and how that prepared you for this role.

Example: “I haven’t had the opportunity to work directly with local governments before, but I did intern at a state government agency where I learned valuable skills that I think would be helpful here. The agency was responsible for maintaining roads throughout the state, so I got some experience working with different types of infrastructure projects. I also gained some knowledge on how to interact with citizens who were unhappy with our services.”

9. What are some methods you use to decrease project costs?

This question can help the interviewer determine your ability to manage costs and stay within a budget. Use examples from previous projects where you helped decrease costs or managed budgets effectively.

Example: “I use several methods to reduce project costs, including using 3D modeling software that allows me to see how different design elements will look before construction begins. This helps me eliminate costly changes during the building process. I also make sure to hire qualified contractors who have experience with similar projects. Hiring experienced professionals can save money in the long run because they know what to expect and are able to complete tasks more efficiently.”

10. Describe a time when you were faced with an obstacle while working on a project. How did you overcome it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle challenges and obstacles in your work. Use examples from previous projects to describe a time when you overcame an obstacle or challenge that helped you succeed.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a project with a team of five other engineers. We were tasked with designing a new bridge for a city. The mayor wanted the bridge to be aesthetically pleasing while also being able to withstand high winds and heavy traffic. My team and I worked hard to create several different designs based on the specifications. However, we soon realized that none of our designs would meet all of the requirements.

I suggested that we break up into smaller groups and each focus on one aspect of the design. For example, one group could focus on aesthetics, another on weight capacity and so on. This strategy allowed us to come up with multiple solutions for each requirement. In the end, we created three unique bridges that met all of the specifications.”

11. How would you approach managing a large scale development project?

This question can help interviewers understand your management style and how you would approach a large-scale project. Use examples from previous projects to highlight your leadership skills, communication abilities and ability to work with teams.

Example: “I have experience managing multiple aspects of a development project, including the budgeting process, scheduling meetings and coordinating with subcontractors. I find that it’s important to be organized when working on these types of projects because there are so many moving parts. For example, in my last position, I was responsible for overseeing the construction of a new shopping center. The project required me to manage budgets, schedules and subcontractor contracts while also ensuring all team members were meeting their deadlines.”

12. What are your short term & long term 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, but also realistic about the steps it takes to get there. When answering this question, be sure to include both short-term goals (such as certifications or promotions) and long-term goals (such as leadership positions).

Example: “I am currently working toward my professional engineer license. I would like to achieve this by the end of next year. In the long term, I hope to become a project manager at Kimley-Horn. I think I could excel in this role because of my experience with managing multiple projects simultaneously.”

13. What is your experience with construction management?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how you might fit into their company. If you have previous construction management experience, share what projects you managed and what skills you used to complete them. If you don’t have any construction management experience, you can talk about other relevant work experience that helped you develop these skills.

Example: “I’ve worked as a project manager for Kimley-Horn since I graduated from college. In this role, I manage multiple projects at once, including hiring subcontractors and managing budgets. I also use my communication skills to keep all team members informed of important information.”

14. We like our engineers to be able to work independently. Would you say you are good at working on your own?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can work independently. It also helps the interviewer understand if you are comfortable with this type of environment. When answering, it’s important to show that you have experience working on your own and that you enjoy doing so.

Example: “I am very good at working independently. In my last position, I was often given projects where I had to research and solve problems without any help from others. This helped me learn more about different types of engineering and allowed me to develop my problem-solving skills.”

15. Provide an example of a recent project you worked on.

This question is a great way to see how you apply your skills and knowledge in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to choose a project that highlights your strengths or interests.

Example: “I recently worked on a large-scale construction project for an apartment complex. The client wanted to add more parking spaces to accommodate their growing business. I helped my team create a plan for where we would build new parking lots and how many spots we could fit into each lot. We also had to consider safety when choosing locations for the parking lots. After creating our plan, we presented it to the client and they approved it.”

16. Which areas of civil engineering are you most interested in?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your interests and goals. It also helps them understand what you might be most passionate about in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention an area that is relevant to the job description or one that you are particularly interested in.

Example: “I am very interested in transportation engineering. I find it fascinating how engineers can create safe roads for drivers and pedestrians alike. I would love to work on projects like these at Kimley-Horn. Another area I’m interested in is environmental engineering. I have always been passionate about protecting our environment and reducing our carbon footprint. I think working with renewable energy sources could be really exciting.”

17. Do you consider yourself a leader or a follower?

This question can help interviewers understand your leadership style and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a time when you were in charge of a project or initiative at work or school.

Example: “I consider myself a leader because I enjoy taking on new projects and responsibilities. At my last job, I was the lead designer for our team, which meant that I had to manage other designers’ schedules and deadlines. This role helped me learn more about managing people and communicating effectively with others.”

18. What is your experience with using Microsoft Excel?

This question is a great way to see how you use Microsoft Excel and what your experience level is. You can answer this question by describing the types of projects you’ve worked on using Excel, including any specific skills you have with the program.

Example: “I’ve used Excel for many different projects throughout my career. I started out as an intern at Kimley-Horn where I was responsible for creating spreadsheets that tracked client information and project details. As I gained more experience, I began using Excel to create complex formulas and calculations. This helped me understand how to use Excel in ways other than just data entry.”

19. What is your favorite part about being a Civil Engineer?

This question is a great way to learn more about your candidate’s personality and interests. It can also help you determine if they are a good fit for the company culture. When asking this question, try to be as open-ended as possible so that candidates feel comfortable sharing their honest opinions.

Example: “My favorite part of being a Civil Engineer is getting to work with such an amazing team. I love collaborating with others on creative solutions to problems. My second favorite thing is seeing my designs come to life. There is something special about watching a project take shape from just an idea into reality.”

20. What is your experience with preparing a budget for a project?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with financial management and how you plan for expenses. Use examples from past projects to explain how you developed a budget, what factors influenced it and how you monitored its progress.

Example: “I have extensive experience creating budgets for my projects because I find that it’s an important part of managing finances. In my last position, I prepared a budget for each phase of construction based on estimates from the project manager. Then, I reviewed the budget at least once per month to make sure we were staying within our projected costs. If there was any variance in cost, I would adjust the budget accordingly.”