20 Williams Interview Questions and Answers

As an energy infrastructure company, Williams is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team. If you’re interested in working for Williams, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some specific interview questions about the company and its business.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Williams interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence.

Williams Interview Process

The interview process at Williams can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, many of the interviews are conducted virtually, through platforms like HireVue and Microsoft Teams. Additionally, some positions may require multiple rounds of interviews, while others may only have one.

Generally speaking, the interviews are behavioral in nature, and focus on your past experiences and how they relate to the job you are applying for. However, some positions may also include more technical questions. Overall, the interview process is relatively straightforward, but can be time-consuming, depending on the number of rounds of interviews required.

1. What do you know about Williams?

Williams is a large company with many different departments. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company and understand what it does. Use your answer to highlight any specific areas of interest that you might have in working for Williams, such as its mission statement or recent news stories about the company.

Example: “I know that Williams is one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America. I also know that the company has been involved in some interesting projects recently, including building a pipeline under Lake Oahe in South Dakota. I am interested in working for a company like Williams because I enjoy learning new things and being part of something bigger than myself.”

2. Tell me about a time where you had to work with someone difficult, what was the situation and how did you handle it?

Williams is looking for candidates who can work well with others, even if they’re difficult. This question helps them determine how you handle conflict and whether or not you have the ability to resolve it. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to help others succeed and that you understand the importance of teamwork.

Example: “I once worked with a colleague who was very critical of my work. I tried to ignore her comments at first, but eventually she started making me feel like I wasn’t doing my job well. I decided to talk to her about it, and we had a long conversation where I explained why her criticism made me feel so bad. She apologized and promised to be more supportive in the future.”

3. How do you expect your technical skills to help solve our business problems?

Williams is looking for candidates who can use their technical skills to help the company achieve its goals. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you understand what Williams does and how your background would be useful in helping the company succeed.

Example: “I have a lot of experience working with large data sets, which I think will be very helpful at Williams because you’re constantly collecting information about energy infrastructure. In my last role, I worked on a project where we had to analyze thousands of pieces of data to find patterns and make predictions. This helped us save money by identifying areas where we could optimize our operations.”

4. At Williams we value diversity in the workplace. Can you describe your experience working on diverse teams?

Williams is a global company that operates in the United States, Canada and Trinidad. They want to know if you have experience working with people from different backgrounds. This question also helps them determine whether you can adapt to their unique corporate culture.

Example: “I’ve worked on diverse teams throughout my career. I find it helpful to learn about other cultures and perspectives. In my last position, I was one of two women on our team. The rest were men. We all respected each other’s differences and learned from each other. It helped us work more efficiently as a team.”

5. Give us an example of a project you worked on that required creativity.

Williams is looking for employees who can think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. When answering this question, try to describe a time when you used your creativity to solve a problem or improve an existing process.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with finding ways to reduce our company’s carbon footprint. After researching different methods of reducing emissions, I decided that we should invest in more efficient equipment. This would allow us to produce the same amount of energy while using less fuel. My idea ended up saving the company thousands of dollars each year.”

6. Why are you interested in joining the energy industry?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your background and why you’re passionate about the industry. When preparing an answer, think about what drew you to this career path and how it relates to Williams specifically.

Example: “I’m interested in joining the energy industry because I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of connecting resources across long distances. In my last job as a project manager, I oversaw the construction of several pipelines that transported natural gas from Texas to New York City. It was so rewarding to see all of the hard work come together at the end of each pipeline.”

7. If hired, what would be the first thing you want to learn about Williams?

This question is a great way to assess your interest in the company and how you plan to contribute. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that interests you about Williams or an aspect of the job description that you feel you are qualified for.

Example: “I would want to learn more about the company’s safety procedures. I have always been interested in energy infrastructure companies because they seem to have such interesting safety protocols. In my last position, I was responsible for implementing new safety measures at a manufacturing facility. I think I could bring some valuable insight into Williams’ current safety practices.”

8. Are you comfortable traveling for work?

Williams is a company that requires its employees to travel for work. If you are interviewing for an entry-level position, it’s likely you will be required to travel less than someone in a management role. However, the interviewer may want to know if you have any concerns about traveling and how you would handle those concerns.

Example: “I am comfortable with traveling for work. I enjoy meeting new people and learning more about different places. In my last job, I was required to drive long distances every day. It took some getting used to at first, but now I’m quite comfortable driving long distances.”

9. What is your past experience as a project manager?

Williams is looking for a candidate with experience managing projects. This question allows you to share your past experiences and how they relate to the job description.

Example: “In my last position as a project manager, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of a large-scale construction project. My team and I had to manage multiple contractors, vendors and suppliers while ensuring that we met our deadlines. We also had to ensure that the company’s budget remained within the allotted amount. In this role, I learned how to delegate tasks effectively and communicate clearly with my team.”

10. What do you think makes a good engineer?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the engineering field and how you can apply it to Williams. When answering this question, try to focus on skills that are important for engineers at Williams. You may also want to mention any personal qualities that make you a good engineer.

Example: “I think a good engineer needs to be detail-oriented, organized and able to work well with others. I am always prepared for meetings and have my notes in order so I can stay focused on what’s being discussed. I’m also very comfortable communicating with other people about technical concepts because I enjoy sharing my ideas and learning from others.”

11. Do you prefer leading or following when working with a team?

Williams is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. Your answer to this question can help the interviewer understand your leadership style and how you prefer to work with others.

Example: “I believe in leading by example, so I would rather follow someone who has more experience than me. However, if I see something isn’t working or there’s an opportunity for improvement, I’m not afraid to speak up and offer my opinion. In fact, I think it’s important to have a diverse group of people offering different perspectives on a project.”

12. We at Williams believe that innovation is critical to success, which engineering problem have you been most innovative with?

Williams is looking for engineers who are innovative and creative. This question helps them determine if you have the ability to be innovative in your work. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time when you were able to solve a problem creatively.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer at a small company, I was tasked with finding a way to reduce costs while maintaining quality. After researching different methods, I found that we could save money by using recycled materials instead of new ones. We implemented this change and saved the company thousands of dollars each month.”

13. Describe a time when you had to provide feedback to a coworker who wasn’t performing well. How did you approach the situation?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and your ability to provide constructive feedback. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you provided feedback to a coworker who wasn’t performing well and the results that followed.

Example: “In my last role as an operations manager, I had a coworker who was consistently late for work. After talking with them about their lateness, they explained that they were having trouble getting their child ready in time for school every morning. I offered to drive them to work one day so we could talk more about the situation. They agreed, and after our conversation, they started arriving at work on time again.”

14. Have you ever given a presentation before? Were there any challenges?

Williams is looking for candidates who are comfortable speaking in front of a group. This question allows you to show your presentation skills and how you overcame any challenges that came with it.

Example: “I have given several presentations at my current job, but I also presented at a conference last year. The biggest challenge was making sure the information was accurate. I always double-checked all of my facts before presenting so there were no mistakes or misunderstandings.”

15. Tell us about an idea you pitched to management before. Did they accept it?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you can contribute ideas that help the company. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what happened with your idea and how it impacted the company positively or negatively.

Example: “When I first started working at Williams, I noticed that we were using outdated software for our inventory management system. This was causing us to lose track of some of our inventory, which would lead to delays in shipping orders. I pitched my idea to management to upgrade our inventory management software to one that could integrate with our other systems. Management agreed, and we saved money by upgrading instead of purchasing new software.”

16. Who is one person in the world that you look up to and why?

Williams is looking for candidates who are passionate about their work and have a desire to learn. This question helps the interviewer get an idea of your career goals and aspirations. When answering this question, try to name someone in your field that you admire or someone who has achieved something you would like to achieve.

Example: “I look up to Elon Musk because he’s such an innovative thinker. He started SpaceX with the goal of making humans a multi-planetary species. I think it’s so important to dream big and follow through on those dreams. His company has already made huge strides toward space exploration and I hope one day my company can do the same.”

17. What type of projects have you worked on previously?

Williams is a large company that works on many different projects. The interviewer wants to know what type of work you’ve done in the past and how it relates to their company. Use your answer to highlight any experience you have with energy infrastructure, such as working on power plants or pipelines.

Example: “I worked for an engineering firm where I was responsible for designing residential buildings. However, my favorite project was when we designed a new hospital wing at a local children’s hospital. It was rewarding to see our design come to life and help improve patient care.”

18. What was the last book you read about leadership?

Williams is looking for candidates who are passionate about leadership and have a desire to learn more. This question helps them determine if you’re actively trying to improve your skills as a leader. When answering this question, try to mention something that helped you in the past or inspired you to be a better leader.

Example: “The last book I read was ‘Leadership Is Not For Cowards’ by Ronald A. Heifetz. It’s an excellent guide on how to lead through uncertainty. In my previous position, we were faced with many challenges. The strategies outlined in this book helped me find solutions to our problems and keep my team motivated.”

19. What do you consider to be your greatest strength?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a specific example that relates to the job description or industry.

Example: “My greatest strength is my ability to work well under pressure. I have experience working on large projects where there were tight deadlines, and I always managed to meet them. In fact, I often exceeded expectations by finishing tasks early. This skill has helped me develop excellent time management skills.”

20. Do you have any experience managing operations?

Williams is looking for candidates with experience managing operations. This question helps them determine if you have the skills and knowledge to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight any previous management experience. If you don’t have direct management experience, consider discussing a time when you managed a team or project.

Example: “I’ve had several opportunities to manage operations at my current job. I am currently responsible for overseeing our entire marketing department. In this position, I help develop strategies that improve our company’s digital presence. I also work with my team to create content that attracts new customers. These responsibilities have helped me learn how to effectively lead a large group of people.”