20 McDermott Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique process. And while some questions may be universal, others will be specific to the company you’re interviewing with.

If you’re interviewing with McDermott, a global engineering, procurement, construction and installation company, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the engineering field, your project management skills, and your ability to work in a team environment.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample McDermott interview questions and answers. By familiarizing yourself with the company and the types of questions they’re likely to ask, you can increase your chances of impressing your interviewer and landing the job.

McDermott Interview Process

The interview process at McDermott is fairly quick and straightforward. Most positions will require only one or two interviews, with the occasional assessment test. The questions asked are mostly resume-based, with some behavioral questions thrown in. Overall, the interview experience is positive and professional.

1. Tell me about yourself.

This is a common question that interviewers ask to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality and skills match the job description. Use this opportunity to highlight your most relevant experience, education and skills.

Example: “I graduated from University of California with a degree in civil engineering. I have five years of experience working as an engineer for McDermott. In my role, I work on large-scale projects like airports, hospitals and sports stadiums. My favorite part of the job is problem solving because it’s challenging but rewarding when I find solutions.”

2. What do you know about McDermott?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge of McDermott and its history. It’s important that you show the interviewer that you have done some research on the company, including what it does and who it works with. You can also include any information about the company’s values or goals in your answer.

Example: “I know that McDermott is an American multinational engineering, procurement, construction and installation company that was founded in 1960 by James E. McDermott. The company has worked with many different clients over the years, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP and Shell. I am excited to be here today because I believe this company has a lot to offer me as a professional.”

3. Why are you interested in working at McDermott?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role and company. When preparing for this interview, read through McDermott’s job description and highlight any aspects that you are passionate about. Use these as talking points in your answer.

Example: “I am interested in working at McDermott because of its reputation for being a leader in the engineering industry. I have always been fascinated by how structures like bridges can be so large but still remain standing. I think it would be exciting to work on projects like these. I also appreciate McDermott’s commitment to safety and environmental sustainability. These values align with my own.”

4. How would you handle a difficult client that is not happy with the work done by your team?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges in your work. Use examples from past experiences to show that you are able to resolve conflicts, communicate effectively with clients and maintain a positive attitude even when working under pressure.

Example: “In my previous role as an engineer, I had a client who was unhappy with our team’s progress on their project. The client called me directly to discuss his concerns about the project, which made me feel uncomfortable because it is not normal for clients to call employees directly. However, I understood that he was just looking for answers and wanted to make sure we were doing everything we could to meet his expectations.

I explained to him that there was nothing more we could do at that point of the project but assured him that we would continue to work hard until the project was complete. He seemed satisfied with my response and thanked me for taking the time to speak with him.”

5. Do you have any experience managing teams?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you might fit into their company. Use examples from your experience to highlight your management style, communication skills and ability to motivate a team.

Example: “In my last position as an operations manager for a construction company, I led a small team of five employees who were responsible for managing projects on-site. My primary responsibility was ensuring that all project deadlines were met while maintaining quality standards. To do this, I developed weekly checklists for each employee to ensure they completed their tasks by the end of the day. This helped me monitor progress and identify any issues before they became major problems.”

6. Give us an example of when you had to prioritize a task, how did you choose what comes first?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of how you prioritized the task and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I worked as a project manager for my previous company, we had multiple projects going on at once. One day, one of our clients called me about a delay in their construction project. They were getting ready to start pouring concrete when they noticed some issues with the foundation. We needed to figure out which project would have to wait so that we could get the other project back on track.”

7. Tell me about a time where you led a team and it was successful, what worked well?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can work with others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the strengths of your team members and what they contributed to the project or task at hand.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer for a construction company, I was tasked with leading a small team of engineers on a new project. We were given very little time to complete the project, but we managed to do so successfully by delegating tasks among ourselves and communicating effectively. Each member of our team had different strengths that helped us get through the project.”

8. What makes you stand out from other candidates?

This question is a great opportunity to showcase your skills and qualifications. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any unique or specific experiences you have that make you an ideal candidate for the role.

Example: “I am passionate about engineering and construction, which led me to pursue my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. I also completed an internship at McDermott where I gained valuable experience working with clients and developing project plans. This internship helped me realize how much I enjoy working here and inspired me to continue pursuing a career in civil engineering.”

9. Describe some of your past work experiences.

This question is a great way to show the interviewer your skills and abilities. It’s also an opportunity for you to talk about how your past work experiences have helped prepare you for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked in construction since I was 18 years old, starting as a laborer on small residential projects before moving up to working with larger commercial buildings. In my last position, I managed a team of 10 laborers who were responsible for completing various tasks throughout the day. This experience has taught me how to delegate responsibilities and manage multiple projects at once.”

10. Would you be comfortable traveling for this job?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your willingness to travel. If you are applying for an international job, it’s likely that you will have to travel at some point in your career with this company. When answering this question, be honest and explain how much you enjoy traveling.

Example: “I love traveling! I’ve been to several countries around the world, and I’m always excited to see new places. In my last position, I was often required to travel internationally. I found it exciting to visit different cultures and meet new people. I think I would thrive in this role because of my passion for travel.”

11. How do you plan on contributing to our company if hired?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer how your skills and experience can benefit McDermott. Use examples from your resume or past job descriptions to highlight what you’re looking for in a company.

Example: “I’m passionate about working with a team that values innovation, collaboration and integrity. I believe my communication skills, problem-solving abilities and attention to detail will help me contribute to this culture of excellence at McDermott. I also have extensive knowledge of construction equipment and processes, which would be beneficial as we continue to grow our business.”

12. What are your short term & long term career goals?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your career aspirations and how you plan to achieve them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include details about what steps you’re taking to reach these goals and any relevant experience that will help you succeed.

Example: “My short term goal is to become a project manager at McDermott. I have been working toward this by volunteering as a mentor in my university’s engineering club and participating in several leadership development programs. My long-term goal is to eventually start my own construction company.”

13. Have you ever been tasked with solving a problem that wasn’t easy to solve? How did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills. Use examples from past experiences to highlight how you approach solving problems and use critical thinking skills to find solutions.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with finding ways to reduce costs for one of our projects. After speaking with my team members about their ideas, we decided that it would be best to cut back on some of the materials we were using in order to save money. We also discussed other cost-cutting measures such as reducing overtime hours and eliminating bonuses for the project’s completion. While these changes weren’t ideal, they helped us reach our budget goals.”

14. Tell me about a project you were involved with that you are proud of.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are proud of the work you do and how it impacts others. When answering this question, try to pick a project that was challenging or unique in some way.

Example: “I am very proud of my work on the new hospital wing at St. Mary’s Hospital. The hospital had been experiencing overcrowding issues for years, so we were tasked with building an entirely new wing to accommodate more patients. We worked closely with the hospital staff to ensure our design met their needs while also being cost-effective. In the end, we built a beautiful new wing that has helped reduce wait times and improve patient care.”

15. Are you familiar with any CAD software or BIM software? Which ones?

This question is a great way to see if you are qualified for the position. It also shows your knowledge of current technology and how it can be applied in the workplace. If you have experience with any CAD or BIM software, list them in your response.

Example: “I am familiar with several types of CAD and BIM software. I’ve used Autodesk Revit Architecture, AutoCAD Civil 3D and Navisworks Manage throughout my career. These programs allow me to create detailed models that help me understand complex projects.”

16. Can you tell me about a time where you failed and what you learned?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s ability to overcome challenges and use them as opportunities for growth. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on your ability to learn from mistakes and how you’ve used those lessons to improve yourself or your work.

Example: “In my last position, I was working with a team of engineers to complete a project that required us to meet very specific deadlines. One day, I noticed that one of my colleagues had not completed their portion of the project by the deadline we’d set. I asked if they needed any help, but they said they were almost done. However, when the next deadline came, they still hadn’t finished their part of the project. I learned that sometimes it’s better to offer assistance than wait until the last minute.”

17. Describe a time you had to convince someone to see things your way, how did you do it?

This question is a great way to show your communication skills and how you can persuade others. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to convince someone of something and what the outcome was.

Example: “When I first started working as an engineer for McDermott, my manager asked me to create a new design for a project that would save the company money. At first, I thought about creating a design that would only meet the requirements but then decided to try convincing my manager to let me create a more efficient design. I presented him with several different designs and explained why each one would be better than the other. He agreed to let me create the most efficient design, which saved the company thousands of dollars.”

18. We like our employees to be able to think critically at all times. How do you ensure that you stay focused while working?

This question is an opportunity for you to show the interviewer that you have a method of staying focused and productive at work. You can answer this question by describing your process for remaining focused on tasks, or you can describe how you stay motivated when working on projects.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when I set aside time each day to focus on my work. For me, it’s important to schedule out my entire week so that I know what I need to accomplish each day. This helps me remain focused because I don’t allow myself to get distracted until I’ve completed all of my daily tasks. I also find that having a good workspace setup with everything I need within reach helps me stay focused.”

19. What kinds of projects interest you most?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interests and goals. You may be able to use this opportunity to discuss a specific project you worked on in the past or one that you would like to work on in the future.

Example: “I’m most interested in working on projects that involve renewable energy, such as solar power plants. I’ve always been passionate about protecting the environment, so it’s exciting to see how much progress we’re making toward clean energy sources. In my last role, I helped design a solar farm for a client who wanted to reduce their carbon footprint.”

20. What do you consider your biggest strength as an engineer?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how your personality might fit in with their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what skills or abilities you have that helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I consider my ability to work well under pressure one of my biggest strengths. In my last role, I was working on a project where we were behind schedule due to inclement weather. I worked with my team to find ways to stay ahead of our deadlines while still maintaining quality. We ended up finishing the project early, which saved the client money.”