20 Parsons Corporation Interview Questions and Answers

Parsons is a leading engineering, construction, and technical services firm with operations in more than 150 countries. Parsons’ employees are some of the most talented and dedicated people in the industry, which is why the company is always looking for new talent to join its ranks.

If you’re hoping to land a job at Parsons, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of sample Parsons interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Parsons Corporation Interview Process

The interview process at Parsons Corporation can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will consist of a phone screen with HR followed by a more formal interview with the hiring manager. For some positions, you may also be interviewed by a panel of senior employees. The interview process is generally quick and efficient, taking about a month from start to finish.

1. What do you know about Parsons Corporation?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your research skills and determine whether you are familiar with their company. Before your interview, make sure you read through the job description and any other information about the position that’s available online. You can also use this time to learn more about Parsons Corporation by searching for news articles or social media posts about them.

Example: “I know that Parsons Corporation is an international construction firm that specializes in building infrastructure projects. I’ve also learned that they have been around since 1945 and have offices all over the world. I am excited to be here today because I think my experience as a civil engineer would be a good fit for this company.”

2. How would you describe your management style?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would fit into their company culture. It’s important to be honest about your management style and what type of team members you prefer working with.

Example: “I believe in being a hands-on manager who is available for my employees at all times. I like to make sure that everyone on my team feels comfortable coming to me with questions or concerns, so I try to always be approachable. I also think it’s important to give praise when it’s due, which is why I hold regular one-on-one meetings with each employee to discuss their progress and offer encouragement.”

3. Describe a time when you had to work with an engineer that was not performing well, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and your ability to work with others. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a colleague improve their performance or skills, or when you had to replace an engineer who was not performing well.

Example: “In my last position as a project manager, I worked with an engineer that did not have much experience in his field. He would often make mistakes on projects, which caused delays for our team. Instead of firing him, I decided to mentor him and give him more responsibilities so he could learn new skills. After several months, he became one of the best engineers on our team.”

4. Tell me about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and disagreements. It can also show them your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked on a team project and had a disagreement or conflict with another person.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant, I was working on a project with two other accountants. We were all responsible for different aspects of the project, but we often communicated through email about our progress. One day, one of the accountants sent out an email that included some incorrect information. I responded to the email by explaining why the information they provided was wrong. They replied back saying that I misunderstood what they meant.

I decided to call them instead of responding to their email so we could discuss the issue in more detail. After talking with them, I realized that I did misunderstand what they said. I apologized for my mistake and explained that I wanted to make sure everything was correct before submitting the report.”

5. Tell us why you want to work at Parsons Corporation.

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. It also allows you to show them that you did some research on the organization and have an idea of what it offers its employees. When answering this question, make sure to highlight aspects of Parsons Corporation that appeal to you personally.

Example: “I want to work at Parsons Corporation because I am passionate about construction and engineering. Your company has such a long history of creating innovative products and services, which makes me excited to be part of the team. I would love to help contribute to the development of new technologies and processes that can improve the industry.”

6. Do you have experience managing teams of engineers?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with a team of professionals and how well you collaborate. Use examples from your past to highlight your leadership skills, communication abilities and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my current role as an engineer at XYZ Company, I am responsible for managing a team of five engineers. We work together on projects that require us to communicate effectively and solve problems quickly. In one instance, we were tasked with creating a new product by our client within two weeks. My team and I worked long hours to meet this deadline, but we successfully launched the product in time.”

7. What is the most difficult engineering problem you’ve dealt with?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills. Your answer should include an example of how you approached the issue and what steps you took to solve it.

Example: “The most difficult engineering problem I’ve ever dealt with was when my team had to create a new type of bridge that could withstand high winds. We spent several months researching different types of bridges, including suspension bridges, arch bridges and beam bridges. After we decided on which type of bridge would be best for our project, we started building prototypes. It took us about five prototypes before we found one that worked well enough to use in real life.”

8. What are some of your favorite software tools?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and see if your personality matches with the company culture. It also helps them understand what software tools you’re familiar with, which may be used at Parsons Corporation. When answering this question, try to mention a few that are relevant to the job description or industry.

Example: “I’ve been using Microsoft Office for years now, so I’m very comfortable with it. I also really enjoy learning new things, so I recently started exploring Google Docs. I find it’s great for collaborating on projects and sharing ideas with others. Another tool I use is Slack, as I find it helpful for communicating with my team members.”

9. What criteria should be used to evaluate the performance of an employee?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to evaluate the performance of others and yourself. It’s important to be honest in your answer, as you may need to use these same criteria when evaluating your own performance at a future date.

Example: “I believe that there are three main factors that should be considered when evaluating the performance of an employee. First, I think it’s important to consider how well they performed their job duties. Second, I think it’s important to consider whether or not they met any deadlines or goals set for them. Finally, I think it’s important to consider if they were able to exceed expectations.”

10. What do you think will be the biggest challenge you’ll face in this position?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your problem-solving skills. They want to know that you can identify challenges and come up with solutions. When answering this question, try to think of something specific that you’ve faced in the past. Explain how you overcame it or what steps you took to solve the issue.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges I’ll face will be managing multiple projects at once. In my last position, I had two managers who helped me prioritize tasks and stay on track. However, if I’m promoted to this role, I plan to take on more responsibility and manage these projects myself. To prepare, I would create a schedule and delegate tasks to other employees.”

11. What types of projects have you worked on before?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of your experience level and what types of projects you’re comfortable working on. You can answer this question by listing a few of the most recent projects you worked on, including the type of project it was and any notable details about it.

Example: “In my last position as a construction manager, I oversaw several large-scale commercial building projects. One of these projects included constructing a new wing for a hospital that would allow them to expand their emergency room services. Another project involved renovating an old office building into a modern workspace for a tech company.”

12. What kind of support do you need from your manager?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would interact with your manager if you were hired. Your answer can also tell them about what kind of support you need from others in order to be successful at your job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about a time when you needed more support and what your manager did to help you.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when my manager is available for questions or concerns. If I have an issue or question, I prefer to speak with my manager directly rather than going through other people. This helps me feel like I’m getting answers quickly and allows me to get back to work as soon as possible.”

13. What are your salary expectations?

Employers ask this question to make sure you’re not overvaluing your skills and experience. They want to know that you understand the job market in their area and are realistic about what you can expect to earn. Before your interview, research salary information for similar positions in the same geographic region. You can also use Glassdoor’s Salary Explorer tool to find out how much people with your education and experience level typically earn at Parsons Corporation.

Example: “I’m looking for a position where I can apply my skills and experience to help an organization achieve its goals. I believe my value is in my ability to solve problems and create solutions. As such, I am willing to accept a salary within 10% of the average national wage for someone with my qualifications.”

14. Why is innovation important for engineers?

Engineers are often tasked with creating new products and processes that can improve the quality of life for people. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how your work as an engineer can impact others. In your answer, explain why innovation is important and what it means to you personally.

Example: “Innovation is essential because it allows engineers to create new solutions to problems. I think it’s important to always be looking for ways to improve existing systems or create something entirely new. For example, when I was working on my last project, we were tasked with finding a way to reduce costs while also improving the efficiency of our product. We ended up coming up with a solution where we could use less material to produce the same amount of goods.”

15. What skills or experiences do you think you can bring to our company?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on their company and understand what they are looking for in a candidate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention skills or experiences that match those listed in the job description.

Example: “I think my ability to work well with others would be beneficial to Parsons Corporation because of the collaborative nature of your projects. I also have experience working as part of a team, which I believe will help me fit into your organization seamlessly. Additionally, I am familiar with many of the software programs used by Parsons Corporation, so I know I can hit the ground running when starting my new position.”

16. What would you consider your greatest strengths 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 culture. It also helps them understand what skills you bring to the table that could be beneficial for this role. When answering, think about which engineering skills you have that you feel are most important.

Example: “My greatest strengths as an engineer would be my problem-solving skills and attention to detail. I am always looking for ways to solve problems or make improvements to existing systems. I also pride myself on being able to look at a project from multiple angles and ensure that all of the details are accounted for.”

17. Have you ever managed a budget? If so, what was the size of the budget?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with managing a budget and how you might handle their company’s budget. If you have no prior experience, you can describe what steps you would take to create one for this organization.

Example: “I’ve managed my own personal budget since I was in college. I use an online budgeting tool that helps me categorize expenses and set goals for myself. For example, I try to save at least 20% of my income each month so that I can invest it later on. This has helped me become more financially responsible and prepared for emergencies.”

18. We often deal with stakeholders who don’t understand the technical aspects of our work. Can you give an example of how you’ve handled a situation like that?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with clients and other stakeholders. It’s important to show that you’re able to communicate effectively, even if your audience doesn’t have a technical background.

Example: “I once worked on a project where we had to explain our work to a client who didn’t have any experience in technology or marketing. I started by explaining what my team does at Parsons Corporation and then broke down each step of the process into simple terms they could understand. They were very appreciative of the information and asked many questions about the company and its goals.”

19. Are you willing to travel internationally if necessary?

This question is a good way for the interviewer to assess your willingness to travel and how you feel about it. If you have any concerns or reservations, be sure to address them in your answer.

Example: “I am willing to travel internationally if necessary. I understand that this can be part of the job as an engineer, but I do prefer to stay close to home when possible. In my last position, I was able to avoid international travel, but I would be prepared to go if needed.”

20. When was a time you were able to use persuasion to successfully convince someone to see things your way?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you might use your communication skills to influence others in a positive way. Use examples from previous positions where you used persuasion to convince someone of something and it resulted in positive outcomes for yourself or the company.

Example: “In my last position, I was working with a team on a project that required more resources than we had available. I knew if we asked our manager for additional funding, they would likely deny our request because we were already over budget. Instead, I convinced my teammates to work overtime without pay so we could complete the project before its deadline. The extra effort paid off, and we successfully completed the project ahead of schedule. Our manager approved the additional funds we needed.”