35 Boeing Interview Questions & Answers
Table of Contents
Boeing is a leader in aerospace and defense with a long and impressive history of innovation, leadership, and growth. As a top US exporter with employees in over 65 countries, there are a wide variety of opportunities at Boeing to impact the world. Given Boeing's commitment to continual improvement, sustainability, and community engagement, the talent pool for any given job opportunity can be competitive. Therefore, it is critical to prepare properly for your upcoming interview. Here are some tips to get you started:
1. Do Your Research
If your time is limited, be sure to look over the general info page on Boeing's website. However, it is best to go much deeper. I recommend walking through their values, DE&I programs, blogs, sustainability reports, and global programs. This level of research will help you craft thoughtful and engaging responses likely to resonate with your interviewer.
2. Prove You are the Best Candidate
Be ready to prove how you stand out from your competition. Focus your thoughts on your analytical skills, experience with specific technologies and/or methodologies, leadership abilities, and communication skills. Boeing values candidates who can demonstrate excellence in these areas.
3. Develop a Compelling Why Statement
Top companies hire candidates that are excited about the work they will be doing. They want to hire candidates who want more than just a paycheck. This is especially true at Boeing. Knowing exactly why you want to work at Boeing and what you are most excited about will help you connect with your interviewer and convince them that you have the potential to go far at Boeing.
4. Prepare for a Panel
While some interviews at Boeing are conducted one-on-one, many candidates report participating in panel-style interviews. It is important you prepare yourself for this possibility. In order to be successful in this setting, it helps to learn the names and roles of your interviewers so you can address each of your interviewers specifically at some point in the interview. Spread your eye contact and attention around the room and do your best to keep everyone engaged.
In combination with the tips above, the questions and answer advice in this guide will raise your chances of success in your upcoming interview. While you may be asked questions outside of this guide during your specific interview, the time you spend researching and preparing responses is sure to help boost your confidence and set the stage for an excellent conversation with your interviewer(s) at Boeing.
Adaptability
1. How would you handle a situation here at Boeing in which you were presented with new material or a new task that you didn't understand?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Most employers encourage and even expect learning on the job, and Boeing is no exception. In fact, Boeing's values state the following: "Rooted in transparency, fairness and learning, a Just Culture creates an environment where everyone feels free to report errors and are treated fairly for making mistakes while being held accountable for negligence or malicious behavior. The intent is to help all of us learn from mistakes to improve as individuals and as a company."
This question provides you an opportunity to demonstrate how open you are to learning, developing, and even being coached by others. Professional development and growing leaders are both highly valued aspects, so your interviewer will need to see that potential and desire in you.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
How to Answer
Use this question to display to the interviewers how you identify where your gaps of understanding are as well as the initiative you take to seek solutions or support. As you answer, be sure to reiterate that you use your solid communication skills in seeking understanding. Align your response directly with Boeing's values and prove that you have a multifaceted approach to taking action when a gap in your knowledge exists.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"The first thing I would do if presented with new material I didn't understand would be to research the material on my own. I would spend enough time to make sure I understood the basic concepts involved. From there, I would ask my supervisor for clarification and guidance on how I could continue my education on the subject. This might include shadowing, practicing a new skill, or working with a new system.
I really enjoy learning new things and exploring new opportunities. Boeing has a strong track record of innovation and allowing employees to learn on the job. These are some of the main reasons I am excited about the possibility of joining your organization."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I welcome the unfamiliar at work because it means that I have an opportunity to learn and grow as a professional. When I first receive something like this, I often start by asking clarifying questions about the material or project to better gauge my level of understanding. After that, I might simply research on my own depending on the circumstances and my level of non-understanding. However, if it is particularly complex, or if my understanding is minimal, then I would seek guidance from a supervisor or colleague. I have so much to learn from others at work, and I always appreciate the opportunity to develop in that way as a professional when I'm able. I would look forward to bringing this same attitude to work at Boeing."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have worked with defense systems for a long time. Threats constantly change and I am always researching new concepts as they are developed. I would do the same at Boeing.
My typical approach begins with digging into whatever materials I can get my hands on. Data is often classified in this space, so I read whatever information is available to me at my clearance level. From there, I meet with my superiors to ask them for guidance. They typically have higher levels of clearance and access to helpful information. They can usually steer me in the direction I need to go. In the event further information is unavailable, I work with the experts in my field to prototype solutions and experiment to find the best way forward."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"As an analyst, one of my primary roles is to understand information that is originally unclear. I am comfortable working in ambiguous environments and I use a variety of methods to review the information available and determine how to proceed.
One of the main methods I lean on first is research. I review the available data, review similar situations and outcomes, and look for any patterns or trends that apply. I also interview subject matter experts, colleagues, clients, or users to help me gain context and clarification on the results of my research. For example, in the case of a task that is unclear, I might ask a mentor or supervisor to walk me through a time when they approached something similar.
Finally, I shadow, observe, and practice if I am presented with a new area that requires me to gain operational experience. Depending on the situation, I would apply one or more of these techniques when presented with new material or a task that was unclear at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"As a project manager, I typically lean on the relationships I form to assist me when I am presented with something that is new or unclear. I work with cross-functional teams of subject matter experts and senior stakeholders. They represent a vast pool of knowledge and expertise to lean on. My approach usually involves asking around to see if anyone has tackled something similar, and then breaking the assignment down into actionable tasks from there.
I would apply a similar process at Boeing. I would ask my team to see if they could help me to clarify the situation, and then I would seek guidance from any available subject matter experts as needed until I could develop a reasonable plan."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"My assignments as a software engineer frequently have elements that are unknown. For example, the business requirements for a solution may be clear, but the design may be unknown. Likewise, I may know how the system I am an engineer for will function, but I may not know how a downstream integration point will be affected if I make a change.
My go-to approach in situations that are unclear or new is to ask around and to experiment. I discuss complex scenarios with technical leads, other engineers at my company, or with development communities online. Chances are that someone has faced something similar. I also build small units of code or prototypes to test assumptions and experiment before proceeding with full blown implementations if the end result is unclear. I feel confident I would be able to handle new or unclear situations here at Boeing using a similar approach."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"In my last role, I was presented with an excel file which was difficult to understand. I went to see the person who created the file and asked for clarity on what was required from me. This worked."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a solid answer. You are demonstrating resourcefulness and eagerness to learn. Awesome job. I made very minor grammatical edits.
"In my last role, I was presented with an Excel file that was difficult to understand. I sought out the person who created the file, and asked for clarification."
Adaptability
2. Describe a time when you had to quickly adapt to a change at work. How will you be adaptable to change here at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The exact motivation for this question varies depending on the role you are interviewing for at Boeing. For example, many of the development teams at Boeing follow agile methodologies including Scrum and SAFe. In the case of a software engineer, the interviewer wants assurance that you can work iteratively and shift priorities as backlog priorities change. They want to know you will embrace new technologies and take advantage of unexpected opportunities to improve the solutions you develop.
In the case of an equipment engineer, the interviewer may seek proof you know how to think creatively and adapt when presented with an engineering roadblock. An analyst interviewer is likely to test for creative thinking and problem solving skills, but along a different line.
Written by Karrie Day on May 24th, 2023
How to Answer
Walk your interviewer through a scenario from your professional past in which you clearly demonstrated adaptability. The STAR Method works really well for any question that asks you to walk your interviewer through a specific example of behavior or accomplishment and should help you develop a well-crafted response.
The scenario you choose should:
- Show that you can remain calm in the face of change
- Clearly understood your role and how to shift accordingly
- Demonstrate how you added value by adapting
- If possible, demonstrate adaptability in alignment with your target role at Boeing
Once you've walked your interviewer through your example, apply what you shared and provide an example of how your adaptable behaviors align with the work you expect to do if hired at Boeing. With this question, it is important that you understand that Boeing is continuously adapting and innovating in everything that they do. Any way you answer, make sure to reiterate that you are flexible and adaptable!
Written by Karrie Day on May 24th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"Other than my internship, this will be my first official professional role if I am selected for the position. However, I am comfortable adapting to change as needed. For example, my family moved unexpectedly during my senior year in high school. It turned out that I was behind in several subjects at the new school, and I felt lost while in class when I first arrived.
It was a bit of a shock, but I jumped right in and did the work necessary to catch up to the other students. It required a lot of reading and dedication, but I was able to maintain my grades and enroll in the college I wanted to attend. I feel I would be able to do the same here at Boeing. I will jump in and do the work necessary to be successful in whatever I am asked to take on even if it requires extra effort."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"Last year our company was sold to a competitor, and a lot of our management team changed hands. It was a great deal of change to handle in a short time, especially being unsure of who to report to ahead of others. I am resilient, though, and have made the big changes work by keeping my head down and delivering great work, no matter who it goes to in the end. In this particular situation, communication was key and I never hesitate to overcommunicate to colleagues and leadership."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"As a senior aviation engineer, I have learned to be continually open to change. There are new innovations in this field constantly, and it is important to make sure my skills are up-to-date. For example, one of the junior engineers I worked with asked me about a new technology I was not familiar with. He had recently graduated with his Ph.D. in physics from a top university and had interned with another company. They were using a new technique that allowed for advanced systems cooling. I asked him to walk me through what he knew about it and then I researched on my own.
We were able to collaborate and quickly develop a proposal for how we could integrate the new technology into our current control systems. I feel I would be able to demonstrate the same level of open-mindedness and adaptability to change here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"In my current role as a business systems analyst, I am the lead analyst for a product with stakeholders across several verticals. We have a steering committee and the projects I am assigned to are ultimately owned by a senior-level sponsor from our operations group. I invested a lot of time and energy in creating cohesion amongst my stakeholders and understanding the vision and goals of our sponsor. However, the sponsor was promoted and moved to another division within the company.
A new sponsor was assigned and his vision for the products we were working on was quite different than the original sponsor's. Our steering committee meetings were chaotic and several members were frustrated and fearful our plans for development of the features they previously agreed to would change. I took action and scheduled a meeting with the new sponsor to walk him through the current plans and discuss the value the stakeholders were expecting. He brought me up to speed on the business goal changes he wanted to implement.
I took back what I had learned in the meeting and did the analysis to understand the impact of his visionary level changes. I was able to demonstrate that several of the changes he requested would allow us to generate more value than the previous plan. I then worked with my program manager to estimate a new budget and timeline.
We presented the revised plan to the steering committee. They were able to see that the proposed changes added value and that the essence of their original needs was maintained in the revised plan. I feel my quick response and resulting analysis helped the committee avoid unnecessary conflict by focusing on the business value of the changes.
I would respond to change here at Boeing similarly. I would assess changes analytically and do the work to inform intelligent and data-driven strategies for adaptation."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"Last year I was informed that a major project my team was working on was cancelled. Our company had recently been purchased and the senior-level managers decided the project we were assigned to represented an unnecessary redundancy.
My team and my stakeholders were shocked as they felt the alternative system they were being told to now use would not fulfill their needs. I worked with the analysts on my team to quickly identify the most relevant gaps so that we could present them for consideration. Ultimately, the senior managers understood that the gaps were significant and we worked out a plan to ensure that the needs of my stakeholders were met by revising the original project scope to include important systems integration features.
I feel the quick action that my team and I took helped to clarify the needs of our stakeholders and ensure that they had the features necessary to properly support their operations. I remained calm and focused on gathering the information needed to make the best decision possible. I feel confident I would respond to change similarly at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I am comfortable with change as a software engineer. Technology changes quickly and plans constantly evolve in an agile development environment.
In my current role as a software engineer, I was assigned to work with an analyst to set up a quick web solution for one of our customers. I originally architected the solution using XML and one of our lead engineers encouraged me to use JSON instead. At first, I was unclear about the benefits of JSON and why it would be a better fit in this particular case. I did some research and was able to see he was right, and that it would be a much cleaner approach given the requirements. I updated my design plans, and the solution turned out great in the end.
I plan to lean on the same behaviors here at Boeing. I am excited about the possibility of working for such an innovative company that constantly adapts to take advantage of the latest developments in technology."
Written by Karrie Day on May 24th, 2023
User-Submitted Answer
"At a previous company, redundancies were prominent. I had to adapt to the change of atmosphere and ensure my tasks were completed with the same drive on positivity."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
If I were the interviewer, I may need more clarification to fully understand your response.
"(This is an example that can be revised) I once worked in an extremely fast-paced environment where I was working on multiple projects at once. At any given time, I had to change my prioritization to accommodate new and changing conditions. I can assess situations quickly in order to provide the best service."
Behavioral
3. How would you handle a coworker here at Boeing who was not doing their job?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Working with a colleague that isn't pulling their weight on a team is a situation that can happen in any work environment, including at Boeing. While you may be able to learn a new task and be up and running quickly, not everyone is the same way. Boeing values employees who allow their co-workers to make mistakes and grow from them. Your interviewer wants to know if your approach to dealing with this style of conflict is in alignment with the principles Boeing employees display in the workplace.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
How to Answer
Explain to the interviewer that you understand how everyone is different in how they work and that communication can help bring clarity as to why a person isn't doing their job to the best of their abilities. Give an example where you helped talk through a colleague not performing on the job by addressing the situation by asking questions and being honest.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"The first thing I would do in the event a coworker was not doing their job would be to ensure that my observation is correct. I am in the early stages of my career, and I realize that my understanding of the responsibilities of my coworker may be limited.
Next, I would ask a mentor, or trusted coworker how situations like these are typically handled at Boeing. I know different companies handle performance issues in various ways and I would want to make sure my approach was in line with the culture of Boeing. I would then determine my next steps based on what is best for my team, my coworker, and the company."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"My coworker was a great salesman, but admittedly terrible at the administrative side. He made so many mistakes and didn't seem to care. It bothered me because I take such pride in the quality of my work. I decided to talk with him and found out that he wasn't very clear on expectations or how to do some of the basic aspects of the paperwork for each sale. He ended up going to some additional training to get on the same page as the rest of the team. In the end, even though I was nervous about having the initial conversation with him, I was very glad that I did approach him and he was thankful as well."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"In my experience, it is always best to have a candid conversation with a coworker who is not fulfilling the requirements of the role. I feel it is important to extend a coworker the same courtesy I would appreciate if the situation were reversed. I typically keep these conversations short and focus on the business impact of the issue. I find that just bringing the problem to light often results in the necessary improvements.
As a manager, I also have a duty to take specific action if the resource falls within my area of responsibility. In cases like that, I start with a conversation about the issues in a one-on-one, and then I allow time for improvement. If the issues persist, I move forward with formal performance reports and action plans as needed."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I have experienced issues like these before with coworkers. I prefer to talk with the individual directly first. This is especially important if we are partnering on an analysis deliverable. I approach these conversations with empathy and kindness and try to work toward some kind of agreement for change. I would be open to offering support to my coworker if they need help or mentoring.
In the event the issues continue, I would speak with the project manager assigned to the initiative we are working on, or the resource manager my coworker reports to."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"As a project manager, the members of my teams do not report directly to me, but I am directly accountable to our stakeholders for the success of their work. Therefore, it is important for me to quickly address performance issues that occur within the teams I work with. I like to start with a casual conversation to make the issue known and determine if there is anything I can do to offer support. I often find that coworkers are unaware of the issue, or going through a difficult personal situation. Sometimes the initial conversation is all that is needed.
In the event more action is required, I work with the coworker to set clear expectations for improvement. I also adjust their assignments or pair them with a mentor as needed. We work out a reasonable time for change, and follow-up accordingly. I let them know my next step would be to speak with their manager, and I have rarely had to take that step."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"My work as a software engineer is usually one piece of a solution developed by several engineers at the same time. It is important that we all deliver code that meets a certain standard because our solutions are tightly integrated. Even small errors in quality or design can cause major problems.
I usually speak directly with my technical lead or scrum master when I experience an issue with a coworker. I lean on their expertise and leadership skills to help me figure out the best way forward. I am always willing to work with a coworker to help them improve if the performance issue is due to a skill or knowledge gap."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"When a coworker is not doing their job, I try to put myself in their shoes, and I try to see what would I want to get motivated. Then I try to motivate them that way. We all have different ways of thinking and seeing situations. So one person's situation may be different than the other's.
I would try to talk to them see if I can get a feel of why they are not doing what they are doing and then would try to mold the motivation or the help that way. Maybe they just don't understand what they are doing, or maybe they have family issues."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
These are all excellent strategies. I have reworded slightly for the sake of brevity. Also important to note is the overuse of the word 'try' which you may want to watch during your real life interviews.
"When a coworker is not doing their job I will put myself in their shoes to see what could motivate them. Then, I use that as my approach. We all see situations differently, so it's important to get to know that person's viewpoint. I would talk to this person and get a feel of why they are not doing their work. Maybe they don't understand the task, or they are struggling with family issues."
Behavioral
4. Tell me about the most challenging aspect of your previous job. How did you overcome it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Sometimes the most significant workplace challenge is a difficult task that puts you outside of your comfort zone. As Boeing is in the continued pursuit of excellence in all that they do, your interviewer is posing this question to see that you can handle the most challenging of situations with grit, determination, and a positive attitude.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Prior to your interview, try to think of a great example to talk about that proves your ability to use these traits in overcoming a challenge on the job. It could be something that requires skills you haven't mastered yet or qualities where you are not the strongest. Explain to the interviewer why it was difficult, but be sure to spend more time highlighting the actions you took to overcome the challenge as well as any key lessons you learned as a result.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"My last role was my internship here at Boeing. The most challenging aspect of the role was accepting that I would have to leave at the end of my internship. I absolutely loved the innovative culture and the amazing people who gave their time to teach me. I worked on real projects and I felt like I was able to add value while learning about Boeing's business and customers.
It was hard at the end of my 12 months not to know if I would be back after completing my senior year of college. Instead of focusing on the unknown, I did my very best on every assignment I was given and worked to build a good reputation. I also networked to get to know as many people in as many departments as possible before I left and I kept in touch throughout the year. One of my contacts recommended me for this role, and I am incredibly excited to be considered for the opportunity with the Digital Services and Analytics team here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"The most challenging aspect of my last job was troubleshooting some of the older technology. We needed some serious upgrades, but they weren't in the budget. Learning how to work around this problem was quite a challenge, but I learned how by referring to old manuals and online forums. I ended up becoming one of the stronger users of this program in our entire office in a short time. I quickly became the go-to person when anyone had questions about the technology and my director was thoroughly impressed at the extra effort I put into this."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"The most difficult aspect of my previous role was the infighting between the senior managers who were my colleagues. As a senior manager, it is important to me to lead by example and set the proper tone for the individuals I have the privilege to lead. Our manager meetings always seemed to have a negative element to them and there was a lot of blaming between groups.
I had previously come from a more positive environment and had experience facilitating meetings. I asked my VP if I could take a more active role in the meeting going forward. We established ground rules, developed clear action items, and made a commitment to work together the way we wanted our teams to collaborate.
The situation did not change overnight, but bringing it to light and making agreements to change helped to move things in the right direction. We held each other accountable and celebrated each other's successes. I am really glad I asked for change instead of allowing an unhealthy team dynamic to continue."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I work for a small company and there are only four business analysts on staff. The most challenging aspect of my role is that I am often pulled in competing directions. None of us has a clear domain of expertise, so I have had to learn many business verticals in a short period of time.
While it can be challenging, I have been able to gain a ton of experience quickly. I dive right in every time I am assigned to a new area and I partner with the business experts to learn their workflows, systems, and structure. From there, I work to understand their business needs and define their requirements for change. While I do not have many senior-level mentors in my role to learn from, I have been able to research and ask others within the community when I need support. I feel that all of the skills I have used to overcome the most challenging aspect of my current role would serve me well as a business analyst here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"One of the most challenging aspects of my role as a project manager was working with my director to establish ground rules for working with our customers. My director is fantastic and very supportive of the teams I work with and he works hard to make sure we have everything we need to be successful. However, he frequently interacted with our stakeholders and sponsors outside of official project meetings and he had a habit of agreeing to take on additional scope without understanding it or knowing how it would affect the current plan. He would simply hand off the request and let me know it needed to be completed by whatever date he agreed to.
At first, I worked with my teams to accommodate these requests as best as possible, but over time the team became stressed and frustrated. I set up a meeting with him to discuss the issue and a possible better way of handling extra scope requests from senior stakeholders. He indicated that he understood the problem, but it was very important to him that we remain agile and do our best to accommodate new requests when they come in. I am also a believer in providing the best customer service possible, but I knew there was a better way that could meet all of our needs.
I suggested that we schedule a quick bi-monthly check in with each of the senior stakeholder and project sponsors to discuss any new requests they might have outside of the features we were already working on. I asked that we include myself and our technical lead. That way, we could field the requests and offer a sense of timing and impact to the original plan. We could also ask questions about the scope to reduce the ambiguity when we took the requests back to the team for further analysis and design.
The new format worked really well and my director now does a great job of asking stakeholders to hold the details of their requests until we meet. He lets them know their needs and ideas are important and that we want to make sure we give them the time and consideration they deserve. Our customers seem happy with the approach and the chaos within the team has settled."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"The most challenging aspect of my current role has been to become a more vocal and active leader within my teams. I am a naturally introverted person, and I tend to focus on my own work. I am always open to helping or mentoring, but I wanted to push myself to openly lead during meetings so that I could progress to a formal technical leadership role in the future.
I am still working on improving my leadership skills, but I no longer see the work I do in this area as a challenge. It is a fun opportunity. I have enjoyed observing others and what seems to work well when they lead. I have observed formal leaders and those who lead by example. I have begun incorporating some of the same approaches in my own work.
I also asked my tech lead if I could take point on some aspects of our project to grow my leadership skills. She has been very supportive and let the team know that I would be leading those initiatives. I provide direction, answer questions, review the work of others, help them through challenges, and champion their successes, I have thoroughly enjoyed working in this capacity and pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I look forward to continuing to grow my leadership skills if selected for the position here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Behavioral
5. When have you shown great integrity at work?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As an organization, Boeing strives to hold itself to the highest ethical standards in the way they handle their business and the way they treat others. They state that they "are united by a shared commitment to our values--safety, quality, integrity, and transparency--above all else." For example, they require all of their employees to review and sign their code of conduct annually.
Your interviewer is looking to hire an individual that shows this same integrity in their work. If asked this question during your interview, your interviewer ideally wants to hear you talk about a time when you feel you have shown your highest levels of integrity on the job.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Prior to your interview, take the time to walk through the aspects of Boeing's approach to ethics. This will help you have a better idea of the bar you're aiming for in a way that applies to your specific role.
Next, think of a time when you displayed integrity through honesty and high moral standards. As you answer, paint a picture for your interviewer that shows why this approach was important. Specifically, walk them through what resulted from your commitment to integrity. For example, stronger client relationships, healthier team environments, avoidance of the termination of a coworker, or mitigated legal issue are all great results you could discuss with your interviewer.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I worked in a warehouse in college and one of my main responsibilities was to take inventory each month. One of my coworkers was assigned to my area to double-check my counts. There were two of us assigned to ensure we landed on the same number each time. We were supposed to check independently and then discuss discrepancies.
He showed up to our meeting to review our numbers with large portions of the inventory unaccounted for. He looked at my count and added it to his report. I let him know I was uncomfortable with that approach as it violated the integrity of the accounting process. He let me know he was struggling to keep up and was afraid he might get fired if he asked for more time for his inventory work. I had been doing it for a while and had a good workflow, so I offered to walk him through my process. I also met with our manager to let her know what was going on and inform her of our plan to improve and ensure the numbers were correct.
My coworker's speed improved greatly with a few minor adjustments to his process and we were able to ensure a proper count each month going forward. My manager thanked me for being direct with her about the problem and taking a proactive approach to help a teammate."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"Last year, I was working with two other colleagues on an important project for a client. As the deadline drew near and being in crunch time, our manager had to be out of the office for a short medical leave. Right away upon her departure, my two colleagues turned a blind shoulder to the project and pretty much left me alone to finish it. While taking that same approach would have been an easy decision for a lot of people, I decided to buckle down and handle the rest of the project and deliver the results to our client. In the end, the client was very satisfied. Upon our manager's return to the office, she was impressed as well. At that time, I felt it was my duty to inform her of the situation of me handling the entire completion of the project."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"I currently hold TS/SCI security clearance and a fellow engineering manager has TS. Our manager mentioned some information he wanted me to review during a meeting and my coworker asked me about it afterward. The information was designated TS/SCI and I knew that he did not have the proper clearance to read the information. He argued that TS and TS/SCI are technically the same level. However, I know that the TS/SCI level indicates I have access to compartmentalized information specific to my role, and sharing it would violate the terms of my clearance.
I told him I was uncomfortable sharing what I had read, but he continued to ask me questions. I let him know it was important to me to always honor the integrity of my clearance level and to stop asking me for details he was not currently cleared to have. I let him know I would need to report his behavior to our facility security officer per the rules of the DCSA if he asked me again, or if I became aware of him asking other coworkers for information he did not have clearance for."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"In my current role I support a system that has a direct install on client machines that requires a database connection to be configured on each machine it is installed on. We host the software through a virtual network to avoid security concerns with database access. However, as one of the main points of contact for disaster recovery, I know the password for the database connection and two of the developers on my team have this information as well.
We were in the middle of a system update and one of our scripts went sideways. I figured out what caused the error in the database and one of the developers wrote an update script to fix it. The system is business critical, so our process requires us to have all scripts tested, approved, and implemented by a delivery manager. The developer knew we were working under a tight deadline, so he suggested using the password to access the database and make the update himself to speed along the process. He felt like he had properly tested the script and that the risk was minimal.
I was uncomfortable with that course of action because it violated the process. I let my teammate know I would be happy to speak with our customers and explain the delay. We followed the proper channels and our QA tester found an issue with the script when she was testing it. I am very thankful I pushed for following the rules because it saved us from creating more issues and a potential reprimand if we had made the direct update ourselves."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"One of my teams currently works on two products our group develops and supports. We were working on a project that had the potential of going over budget and another that was ahead of schedule. I review our budgets and projections with my teams regularly to ensure that we are all doing our best to be financially responsible.
One of the analysts on our team suggested logging work for the project that was at risk financially to the project that was ahead of schedule so that both projects would appear that they were delivered on budget. I let the team know I understood why that might be an appealing option, but there were several reasons why taking that approach was a poor idea. I communicated that I was prepared to be accountable if we ended up over budget on the at risk project, and we spent the rest of the meeting reviewing the bigger picture benefits of integrity when logging time to projects."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Systems Engineer Example
"I was working with a fellow engineer and he asked for my login information to a console we use to deploy updates to one of our systems. He wanted to make an update overnight and did not want me to have to wake up and log in to make the change. I realize he felt he was doing me a favor, but access to that console is tightly controlled and monitored for a reason.
I let him know I appreciated his consideration of my schedule, but that handling these types of updates was a part of my job duties and that I was happy to log in and help overnight. Additionally, I let him know that I would be willing to speak to our architect and technical manager if there was a business case to grant him access in the future. I take system security very seriously, and I would show the same level of integrity here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"When I was working as a substitute teacher, there was a time when I arrived, and no plans were left. I had experience assisting with a kindergarten class before and could have made up educational activities to keep them busy for the day; no one would have faulted me. However, I knew this school's teachers of the same grade would have weekly meetings to coordinate, so instead, I sought out the other kindergarten teachers to see what their lessons were. I looked at what they were working on and gathered the supplies I would need for the day. When there was something I couldn't find, I checked with one of the other teachers if I could borrow the materials when they were not using them for their class and shifted the schedule around. As a result, the students continued learning topics they were meant to even if the lesson may have been a day off since the coworkers may pace their classes somewhat differently."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Amanda Knight Reviewed the Above Answer
Well done! Integrity and honesty are foundational characteristics that are necessary to help teams work well together. The example you've chosen shows that you take pride in your work and want to do the right thing, even when it may be inconvenient or more difficult than taking another path. Consider taking your response a bit farther by stating that you would apply that same level of integrity to your work at Boeing by adapting to new situations, making actionable plans where possible, and striving to continuously improve each day.
Behavioral
6. How would you communicate with someone who has a different cultural background than you?
How to Answer
Show that you are a team player by demonstrating how you have gone above and beyond to support other team members who are different from you. Being perceptive and sensitive to others is critical, especially with an employer like Boeing which has taken great strides in becoming a diverse and inclusive organization. Explain that you are accustomed to working in diverse environments and that you can quickly adapt to any different situation in which you are placed.
Want to take your response to the next level? Be sure to research Boeing's take on diversity and inclusion as well as their company culture. Your demonstration of similar values within your response will help to convince your interviewer that you will fit in well with the team at Boeing.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing is a large international corporation with offices located all over the globe. They expect their employees to understand how critical it is to share information in an open and comfortable setting. Cultural differences exist between its employees, but Boeing has developed their own culture for ensuring any gaps are overcome in favor of respect, inclusion, and collaboration. Your interviewer wants to know that your values in this area align with the diverse and inclusive culture Boeing has worked so hard to develop over the years.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I worked in project teams with people of various backgrounds in my classes at college. I found it to be fun and interesting to learn from them about their cultures and family like at home. I even invited several friends from various countries to holidays at my home when they weren't able to travel to be with their own families.
There were times when we ran into translation issues. I found it helpful to use technology as a translation tool in the event we couldn't figure it out on our own. Boeing's international reach is one of the reasons I am so excited to be interviewing for this opportunity. I genuinely look forward to extending my knowledge of other cultures in the event I am hired for the position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have worked with people from all backgrounds and personalities throughout my entire career and I really value this type of work environment. Whenever I join a new team, I make a point to get to know each person and find ways we can connect. I made a point to help one of our new hires feel welcomed by taking them to lunch and letting them know that I am available if they have any questions. I wanted to help make the transition of moving from Saudi Arabia and working at a new place as smooth as possible for them."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have had the opportunity to work with people with a wide array of backgrounds. I have also travelled internationally for work over a dozen times. My go to approach for communication in situations like these is to make sure I approach them with the upmost respect and kindness. I find that any communication snags are widely overlooked when the people you work with can tell you have only the best intentions.
Additionally, I ask them if they would be open to sharing some of their traditions and culture with me. I find that usually leads to them asking me to do the same. I always make it a point to be an excellent host to anyone I work with that is new to my culture. I would look to use the same strategies here at Boeing if given the opportunity to learn about new cultures or extend hospitality."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"If time permits, the first thing I do when working with someone who is from a culture I am not familiar with is research their culture. I find this helps me to anticipate common communication challenges and learn social cues that indicate communication issues exist.
I also check in often during meetings to ensure we are all on the same page. I paraphrase and use metaphors frequently to make sure everyone is tracking as we go. I also make it a point to ask them to stop and ask questions at any time. I feel these strategies would help me bridge any communication gaps due to cultural differences here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"As a project manager, I find myself in a position to facilitate meetings often. I like to use basic facilitation tools to help bridge gaps in communication. For example, someone may come from a culture in which it is considered rude to ask questions during a meeting. They may be accustomed to holding all questions until the end. However, as a team we can leverage ground rules such as 'there are no dumb questions' and 'please ask questions at any time during the meeting'. Rules like these help ensure everyone follows their manners and we establish a culture that is shared by all during the meeting.
Outside of meetings, I approach others with respect and courtesy. I extend them the same kindness I show all humans. That strategy has worked well for me during my time as a project manager."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I have had the opportunity to work with amazing people from all kinds of cultures during my time as a software engineer. In my experience, technology is a common bridge that we can all lean on from a communication perspective.
In addition to discussing technology, I make it a point to ask questions about their lives and families as appropriate. I also love to try foods from all over the world. I find that the people I work with open up and communicate more easily after I explain that I love food, and I am interested to learn about their favorite local dishes."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I have worked in a few different countries, in Germany, I worked with french, german, Spanish and Indians for Americans and with Japanese support remotely. I like to take time to get to know people and where they are from, as I am interested in travel like to find out about other countries. Its always to go for a meal with people from different cultures, particularly since a lot of different cultures are based around food and people feel more comfortable and open up when they around food from home,"
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Kristine Knutter Reviewed the Above Answer
Great response! It's clear you have experience working with diverse cultures, and you thrive in building relationships with people from various cultures. I reworded your answer in places to help with clarity.
"I have worked in a few different countries and developed good work relationships with people from different cultures. In Germany, I worked with French, German, Spanish, and Indian co-workers, as well as with American and Japanese co-workers for remote support. I like to take time to get to know people and where they are from, and I am interested in traveling and finding out about other countries and cultures. I always go out for a meal with people from different cultures, particularly since a lot of different cultures are based around food, and people feel more comfortable. They open up when they are enjoying food from their home countries."
Behavioral
7. How often do you think of innovations that will improve your work performance?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As a leader in the commercial aviation business, Boeing is always looking to make improvements and innovate in what they do. Improved work performance dramatically impacts how their machines are manufactured and their clients benefit from those improvements. Boeing is so committed to innovation that they invest $3B annually in research and development. You can find examples of how their investment has paid off here.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Take some time to think about ways you have participated in changes that improved work performance or designs you have found useful in the past. Don't hesitate to talk about ways that you stay up to speed on changes in your field, whether that is through participation in various industry-specific societies or any journals/publications you subscribe to. As well, talking about any ideas you've come up with by attending continuing education credits can also be great to discuss with this question.
Keep in mind that your innovation example does not need to describe the invention of an aerospace or defense technology specifically. Boeing thrives on innovative quality improvements and the application of lean principles, so discuss whatever applies best to your role.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"Given that I am early in my career, I am constantly innovating to improve my performance. I approach my work with humility and I observe others frequently to look for ways to apply their best practices to my own work. It is a continual refinement process that constantly improves my work."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I genuinely embrace innovation and creativity in my work. For that reason, I am always on the lookout for new and more productive ways to accomplish my goals in the workplace. Recently I incorporated a new electronics recycling plan in our office that has saved a lot of items from going into the landfill, not to mention reduced the clutter in our office. I also am a firm believer in networking with others in my field to stay abreast of new and innovative ideas in our work."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"As an aerodynamics flight engineer, innovation is a constant consideration and one of the key requirements of the role. I am always asking myself how the solutions my teams develop can be improved. Critical thinking and problem solving are skills that I lean on with almost every task that I do. The innovations I apply to my work improve my own performance, but more importantly, they improve the importance of the products I support."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I innovate regularly in my work as a business analyst. I refine my approach to analysis and documentation often. As a process reengineering expert, I continually ask myself, 'how can I make this better for my customer or my team?' For example, I recently took an advanced course in SQL to improve my ability to monitor the systems I am responsible for and to identify and address data issues more efficiently. I was able to apply what I learned by writing several new queries that I use on a daily basis to check for issues and make the appropriate corrections. The changes I made reduced errors by 17% over a three month period."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I look for opportunities to improve my work performance regularly. There are infinite ways to refine and improve the way I present information, plan for projects, and work with stakeholders. Additionally, I look for innovation opportunities at the team-level. I ensure that my teams meet at least once a month to reflect upon our work and develop clear action plans to improve our performance. We address mistakes and ensure that we continue to improve anything that is working well."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I would estimate that I make an improvement to my work performance at least once a week as a software engineer. Refactoring code to make it more efficient is a key responsibility of my role. It is similar to writing and then editing your work to make it clear and concise. The changes I make to improve my work are then worked into the next iteration and improved upon from there.
Major innovations occur less frequently, but I am continually working with my fellow engineers to look for new technologies and internal process improvements we can incorporate in our work. I would bring the same innovative approach to Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I try t think of innovations all the time. I am a practitioner of the continuous improvement method. I persuaded my supervisor of implementing a new layout which reduced time picking from 10 mins to 2 mins."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a fantastic response. Your self-improvement work ethic shines, and you provided a concrete methodology and outcome that worked for you.
"I try to think of innovations all the time. I am a practitioner of the Continuous Improvement Method. I convinced my supervisor to implement a new process that reduced pick-up times from 10 minutes to 2 minutes."
Behavioral
8. Tell us about a time when you faced an unexpected challenge at work. How did you handle it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This situation-based question is commonly asked during interviews. Boeing is no exception as their employees are known for their ability to deal with and even thrive in the face of some of the world's most difficult challenges. Unexpected circumstances can arise at any time and be minor or major, so the interviewer needs to understand how well you remain cool, collected, and solution-oriented.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Begin by briefly walking your interviewer through the necessary background details of the scenario you select. While you can choose a story from any point during your career, describing a recent scenario or one directly related to the role you are interviewing for can have a stronger impact.
Next, describe your response to the challenge. You should focus the majority of your response here. Be sure to demonstrate your adaptability in the face of adversity and your ability to stay focused when things go unexpectedly.
Finally, walk your interviewer through any significant lessons you learned from the situation. This does not always apply, but describing your key takeaways can be a memorable way to complete your response to this question.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I worked for a property management company prior to graduation. I mostly answered phone calls and had administrative duties. Our staff accountant got sick unexpectedly and was out for three weeks. The accounting was behind and the controller for the company stepped in. She asked if I would be willing to step up and work with her to get things back on track. I had to learn the accounting system, make ledger entries, and work with her to analyze discrepancies. I was dealing with a lot of money and a system I didn't know, but I jumped in and helped in every way that I could.
I really enjoyed stepping in to help, and the work I did was valued by the owner of the company. My coworker also thanked me for helping out while she was away. I assisted with month end regularly after that and we were able to speed the process up by a day or two each time."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"My current company has increasingly leaned on Zoom meetings and online platforms to collaborate virtually since the start of the pandemic. For the most part, it has been a great experience and an easy transition from our already tech-savvy approach before. One day, I was scheduled to present a new initiative during a team meeting, and my computer crashed 20 minutes prior to the meeting. I realized that I didn't have time to call our IT department and wait on hold, so I immediately began looking for another solution. Luckily, I had the presentation saved on SharePoint, so I emailed it out to the team from my phone and advised everyone to open the link while I was presenting. I joined the meeting through my phone, explained the slight hiccup to the team, and had them follow along from their own computers. Despite the inconvenience, my solution felt seamless."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"As a support manager, there are unexpected changes every day. I never know which clients will contact my teams for support, and there is always a chance that a critical issue will arise. Last year, my team went through a period in which 30% of our staff was out sick at the same time. We provide on-site support, so their absence meant it might take longer than usual to address issues. Our clients have service level agreements, and there are a number of issues that can arise if we fail to meet them.
One of the days was particularly active with support requests. We had three business-critical level issues that needed to be resolved as soon as possible. I sent an email out to all of the engineering managers to ask if they had anyone on-site that could work with our fleet for the day. Several managers responded and allowed me to send their guys out on non-critical calls. This freed up my guys who were still well to address the critical issues. I went out on several calls myself as well. It was a bit chaotic, but I appreciated everyone's flexibility and willingness to step up and help."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"One of the challenges I face in my role as an analyst involves unexpected critical support tickets. We have a team dedicated to the support of our applications, but they escalate to my team when they are unable to resolve the issue. I never know when these issues will arise, and they are typically complex and sometimes difficult to diagnose. I support a few business critical applications, and our customers rely on us to solve the problems that arise as soon as possible.
In cases like this I have to work as quickly as possible to analyze the problem, review the data involved, and work with our developers to resolve any problems that require a code fix. My commitments and assignments outside of support do not change, so I also work with my team to make sure all of our regular work is handled. I look forward to taking on unexpected challenges like these if selected for the analyst position here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"Last year I was working on a project that was cancelled unexpectedly. We had a team of ten resources including two contractors. I was able to easily find assignments for our full time resources. They took on technical debt and support assignments and jumped in to help with other projects within our department. However, it was unclear where we could assign the contractors. They were here in the US on work visas and it was important to me to check into all available options on their behalf. I reached out to all of my contacts across the company to see if anyone had a business need and budget available to take them on. Fortunately, we were able to maintain our contract with them and they were able to stay here through the end of their visa."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I am fairly comfortable dealing with unexpected challenges after working as a software engineer for the past five years. I jump in on support tickets that come up, and I run into unexpected challenges when coding often. One of the most recent challenges I faced happened last week when we were deploying an upgrade. Our delivery manager reached out to me during the deployment to let me know several AWS Lambda services were showing errors and were not working properly.
I did not develop the services that were in question, but I was the engineer on call, so I jumped into triage. I did a quick review of the code and noticed one of the services was pointing to the wrong database. I quickly made the change, staged some data, and then ran unit tests to make sure that the change worked properly. The delivery manager turned the service on again and ran the database update scripts included in the release. We were able to get everything up and running during our original migration window and the client was happy with the upgrade."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"When my supervisor gave me an extra position while still being the health and safety administrator, that was a very unexpected challenge. I handled it by taking it in stride. I worked a schedule out that allowed me to designate the necessary days for each job.
I did certain tasks on Mondays and Tuesdays, and other tasks the other days of the week. I explained my schedule to all employees and coworkers and had a very smooth system going that allowed me to stay focused on each job."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds like you were very organized and focused during this time. Great response!
Behavioral
9. How would you deal with a difficult client at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Possessing the ability to work well with others you perceive as difficult is a valuable skill to foster over the course of your career. The ability to apply this skill in a client setting is a must-have requirement for many companies, including Boeing. Your interviewer wants to know how developed your conflict resolution and customer service skills are.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
You want to show the interviewer that you work well with every person, even though you recognize there are some folks out there who are quite difficult to please. If possible, share an example from your past that highlights this skill. Even better, offer an example that is directly applicable to the role you're interviewing for. If neither of these options applies, walk your interviewer through how you plan to approach difficult client situations.
Begin your response by offering some context about the situation and what you did to make the client happy. Remember, there's no need to be negative or share any negative interactions you had with the client. Focus on how you responded graciously and courteously to client complaints. Last, remember that Boeing values their stakeholders' trust and preference and does this through a competent and respectful approach with everyone.
Struggling to find an approach that works for you? Take a look at our expert examples. Also, this article offers a deep dive on the dos and don'ts of answering workplace conflict interview questions.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I worked in retail for years in high school and college. I have a lot of experience dealing with difficult customers. I would leverage those same skills here at Boeing. I would first use reflective listening techniques, and I would seek to understand the nature of their issue or frustration. In the event I could resolve the problem myself, I would do whatever was necessary and appropriate to resolve the problem. If their issue fell outside of my domain or experience level, I would seek guidance from a mentor or superior on how best to proceed.
I think the most important thing is to let clients know they are appreciated and that you care about their needs. I would try to stay involved in some way until a resolution was resolved, and would check in going forward as appropriate for my role."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I recognized that my client had good intentions and wanted what was best for his company. When we interacted, I always took his feedback with a grain of salt knowing that. Even though my client was demanding, my job was to support him and comply with our agreed upon expectations. I never took anything personally and stayed professional, even when my client acted harshly. Throughout my career, I feel that I've really built this alligator-like skin where I can remain the person that acts calmly and respectfully with difficult clients."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have dealt with several difficult clients over the years. In my experience, the best strategy is to show end-to-end ownership and accountability. It is important to set clear expectations, stick to them, and then take ownership for any delays or failures accordingly."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"The first step I take when dealing with a difficult client is to try to find the root of the issue. Sometimes there is a mismatch in expectations, sometimes they are unclear about the role they play on a project, sometimes they are experiencing pressure from their management that is out of my control. Depending on the nature of the issue, I develop a strategy to alleviate the issue.
For example, one of my current clients would outline her vision for very specific solutions to her business problems. Essentially, she would do her own analysis and design work. However, her solutions would not always solve the issue in the most efficient way possible. Likewise, her solutions did not take into account technical or budgetary constraints. She would then become frustrated when I would return with mock ups and functional requirements that were different than her vision.
I scheduled a meeting with her to explain how a business analyst typically partners with a client to understand the business requirements and how those requirements are then translated into a functional and technical design. She was very interested in IT and wanted to stay involved, so we worked out a plan to partner closely while allowing me to guide the piece of the process I was responsible for. I really enjoy working with her now, and we have partnered to deliver several excellent solutions."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"One of my specialties as a project manager is project rescue. I am often asked to step in to help get at-risk projects back on track. I was told that the client for my most recent project was exceptionally difficult and demanding. The first step I took was to work with my internal team to gather background information. They expressed their concerns that the client had unrealistic expectations and she frequently contacted the engineers directly instead of following the proper protocol.
I then scheduled a meeting with the client. She was indeed difficult and very upset that the project was tracking behind schedule. However, I let her know I was there to support her and do all that I could to make the project a success. I asked for her thoughts on what had gone wrong, and what improvements needed to be made. She indicated that the analyst on the team was not helpful and that the previous project manager made frequent excuses for missed deadlines.
I then developed a strategy to move forward that addressed her feedback while also honoring the background my team provided. I worked with my team to address a resource performance issue and reset expectations for the responsibilities of the analyst role. I then worked with the client to create realistic improvement expectations and set up a proper communication plan going forward. She understood that contacting the engineers directly kept them from focusing properly and she agreed to work with the analyst going forward. I agreed to attend those meetings as well to ensure that the quality standard expected for the project was delivered as promised.
I would follow a similar approach here at Boeing. I would gather the relevant background information, hear the client's concerns, and then develop an action plan to move things forward. I would also follow-up regularly and observe to ensure that the working agreements were followed."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I have worked with difficult clients in the past. I believe in a high standard of customer service, but clients are also required to follow operating agreements that ensure the success of a product. For example, I recently worked with a client that was difficult to contact, and there were significant delays in response time to my questions. We follow an agile process, so a delay of a day or two can put an entire iteration at risk of not being complete.
I contacted the client to let them know the delivery of his features would be at risk if we did not have a response. He still did not answer, so I escalated the issue to our program manager. She worked with the client's management to discuss the impact of the delays and help get things back on track. I typically do not like to escalate, but the project was at risk and letting someone know was the right call.
I would follow a similar approach here at Boeing. I would be respectful and responsive to the needs of my client, but I would seek support from my team leaders who specialize in client management if my ability to deliver on time or on budget was at risk."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"In my last role, our client was difficult by blaming us for poor delivery performance. I was able to show the client that we were taking their issue seriously by meticulously going through their data. I also went to their site to discuss the matter. We found that the client had made an error with the data. However, because I responded proactively; the client was happy with our approach."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
Great example. When answering this question (and questions like this), be sure to round out your response. I added language around what you do in a general sense, then backed it up with an example.
"When dealing with a difficult client, I listen to the grievance and do not take the issue personally. I deescalate issues by being proactive in problem-solving quickly and thoughtfully. I once dealt with a difficult client who was dissatisfied with our delivery performance. I listened to the grievance, and reviewed the data associated with the order. I took it a step further by visiting their site and reviewing the data with the client. Ultimately, it was not my team's error, and the client was pleased with my approach."
Behavioral
10. If hired at Boeing, how will you earn the trust of your new coworkers?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing prides itself on the mutual respect the teams within their walls show to each other and the integrity with which they operate. In asking this question, your interviewer would like to know how you would win your new co-workers over if hired for this role.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
How to Answer
Workplace relationships are essential to nurture, develop and grow. Talk to the interviewer about how you plan to earn the trust of your new co-workers, should you be offered the position. Some things to think about ahead of your interview are your abilities to show respect, common courtesy, a great work ethic, and solid communication skills.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
Entry Level Example
"As an entry level engineer, I feel I can earn the trust of my new coworkers by demonstrating my willingness to work hard alongside a passion for learning. I will utilize the time and energy my coworkers invest in teaching me to the best of my ability and I will honor my commitments. I imagine I will make mistakes at some point, but I will own them and work hard to improve as necessary."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"As a person that thrives in a team-based environment, building trust on a team is so important to the team's success and my success as an individual. If hired at Boeing, I would begin the building of trust by being a very open, honest, and approachable new colleague on your team. I would take the time to get to know my new colleagues and give them some insight into who I am, both personally and professionally. As we begin working together, I would be respectful of others' time and efforts and always deliver on what I say I'm going to do."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"It can be difficult to earn the trust of new coworkers working in an advanced role with top security clearance. For good reason, it can take a while for teams to believe in someone new. I do not have a specific plan for earning trust other than to do what I have always done in every role I have had the chance to work in. I treat everyone with the upmost respect and courtesy. I make clear commitments, and I keep my word. I am honest about my experience and skills. I am accountable for my work, and I make an effort to improve when gaps in my skills are present."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I recognize that trust is not easily gained in certain settings, and I strive to reach the goal of gaining the trust of my co-workers as soon as possible when working on a new team. I do this by approaching my work with a good attitude, by making clear commitments, and by delivering quality work. The analysis deliverables I create are well informed and accurate. My teams are quickly able to see that they can trust the information I provide. Once they trust my skills as an analyst, the rest seems to fall into place as I am a courteous and empathetic person."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"As a project manager, I feel there are three main ways I can work to earn the trust of my coworkers. First, I feel it is critical to demonstrate advanced leadership skills. This includes leading by example, inspiring others to do their best, and addressing team conflict.
Second, I gain trust with my teams by working to enable them to execute their tasks as easily as possible. I remove roadblocks and help them however I can.
Finally, I gain trust by serving as a sounding board for my teammates. I keep their confidence and help them work through difficult problems and conflicts within the team. While there are many other avenues to gain trust such as excellence in strategic planning, or handling difficult customer issues, I believe the three strategies I mentioned would help me to gain the trust of my coworkers here at Boeing as quickly as possible."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I think the first thing I could do to earn the trust of my coworkers at Boeing would be to put in the time to learn the systems I will be working on. Anything I develop will be more effective if I understand the architecture, the integration points, the database design, and the procedures used within the systems. Additionally, I would earn their trust by delivering my work on time and ensuring that it is thorough and developed with a high level of quality."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Behavioral
11. How would you be able to manage the stress that comes with this role at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing values employees that operate with excellence, accountability, quality, integrity, and safety in all that they do. As you might expect, the important work of Boeing can create an environment that causes stress. Your interviewer wants to know you can manage the stress associated with your target role in a healthy and productive way.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
How to Answer
With your interviewer looking to hear that you can manage stress on the job in an organized and healthy way, make sure to keep your answer simple. The interviewer is interested to hear that you have managed yourself and supported others through stressful situations and that you have learned to be proactive so that the stress doesn't get to you. Provide a few examples of simple and effective ways you have previously managed stress on the job.
Our expert answer examples will demonstrate how to tailor your response depending on the role you're interviewing for. We also have several excellent responses from members of our community. Still struggling? Check out this helpful Harvard Business Review article that will walk you through several science-backed techniques for stress management in the workplace.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I think that my best strategy is to mentally accept that any entry level job I take on holds the possibility for stress. There will be a lot for me to learn and juggle initially. I find that when I anticipate stress, I am better able to cope with it. I believe that a healthy level of stress at work will help me grow professionally and establish behaviors that will serve me in the future."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I've learned to stick to my routine and ensure that my calendar is always up to date. I've found that simple acts of scheduling like this make all the difference in my productivity and my attitude by the time I get to work. I found out my coworker was terminated one day and it meant that I would need to take over her job while we interviewed other people to fill the position. It was stressful, but I stayed focused and took extra care in my scheduling so that I didn't get sick or overwhelmed. I also took the time to ensure that I was taking care of myself outside of work to remain refreshed and inspired each day on the job."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"The products that Boeing develops have a profound impact on the world. I realize that the work that I do has the possibility to make a major difference in important political and world affairs. To me, that responsibility comes with the potential for a high level of stress.
My go to technique for handling the stress of this role is to ensure that I carve out time each day to disconnect from the work. I take my work home and often consider solution options during my free time. However, I make sure that I unplug fully for at least an hour every day. I focus on my family, or something relaxing that helps me to recharge and ready myself to handle whatever is next."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"Analysis can be stressful at times. I work hard to solve difficult problems and analyze complex data sets, and I am often asked to perform those tasks under tight deadlines. I find that taking regular mental breaks helps me to deal with the stress. My mind tends to do its best problem solving when I am relaxed, so forcing myself to step away for a quick walk, or snack or something helps me to refocus and find the answers I need when I return."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"One of the biggest things I can do as a project manager to deal with stress is to reduce the stress as much as possible for my teams. I identify opportunities to help them work together as efficiently as possible, and I remove roadblocks that would otherwise hold them back from completing their assignments. I ensure our goals are clear, and I work directly with our stakeholders to set reasonable expectations. I encourage everyone to practice self-care mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Finally, I regularly schedule time for us to celebrate our successes and have fun together at work. Team success sets the stage for my success, and taking great care of my team reduces my stress personally."
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
Software Engineer Example
"As a software engineer, I am often asked to develop solutions under tight deadlines. Projects run behind from time to time, and it can be difficult to perform when you feel stressed. I find that planning my day out each morning helps me to reduce stress. I make sure I schedule time to deal with the unknown, and I allow enough time to complete my work in advance of my teammates needing it for their pieces of the project.
Additionally, planning out my day helps me identify what I need from others on my team as early as possible. I make my requests first thing to avoid delays. All of these practices help me to manage my time effectively and reduce my stress."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I believe I manage stress pretty well. I try to stay focused on my tasks at hand and follow a schedule that fits my activity and drive. I know a few times where stress has come in the workplace for me. I was informed that the payroll administrator was getting a new job, and I would be taking on her work as well as my Health and Safety position. I scheduled the days that were necessities for each job and informed my now two bosses how I would manage them both. It was stressful at first, but I found my stride and got in a rhythm."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Good example of how you handle current stress levels.
Behavioral
12. What are your strengths that you would bring to the team at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
The interviewer wants to hear how you will use your strengths to make a positive impact on your teams, for Boeing, and for the world. While that may seem like a tall order, it is exactly what Boeing is asking of new hires. For example, you will see statements like 'Join us and build the future for yourself, for our customers and for the world' repeated throughout the careers page of Boeing's company website.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
How to Answer
Think of the traits that have helped you succeed in the past. You can draw from your experiences in school or activities if you lack work experience. Having great people skills, being positive and a good listener are all strengths, but you want to dig a bit deeper and discuss a more memorable advantage.
Next, talk about how these strengths will help you in the workplace at Boeing. Before your interview, review the specifics of the job description you are interviewing for and try to talk about how your strengths align with the specific requirements of the role.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"As an entry level candidate, I think my biggest strength is my desire to learn and add value to a team. I invested a lot of effort in obtaining my degree, and I am excited to build upon what I have learned in a professional setting. I have a lot of energy to offer and I am willing to work hard to have a positive impact here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"When I applied to join the team at Boeing, I was very confident that my skills and experience would be an asset in this role. My strengths as both a person and a colleague that have been vital to my success in my career are my ability to be a respectful and empathetic person on the job and an employee that is always accountable for their actions. I am a firm believer that a team is only as solid as its weakest link and I can imagine that displaying both of these values is vital to your team's success at Boeing."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I think one of my biggest strengths that I will be able to apply directly at Boeing is my military background. I was in the US Air Force for 15 years, and I understand the real world scenarios that lean on the solutions Boeing offers. I feel I can bring this insider knowledge to my team at Boeing to help them think from the perspective of the end-user. I also feel that I will be able to lean on my extensive network of military contacts for feedback and guidance as needed."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"As an analyst, I am skilled at data analysis and pattern recognition. I am adept at sifting through large data sets and separating the important themes from the background noise. I am also great with my customers. I work hard to understand their operations and anticipate their needs. I feel that each of these strengths would be applicable to my work if selected for the business analyst position at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"One of the biggest strengths I feel I could bring to my work at Boeing would be my strong facilitation skill set. I am trained in a number of team-based and strategic planning facilitation techniques, and I lean on those skills regularly to establish a collaborative and aligned environment within the teams I work with."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I believe my comfort with exploring new technologies would be an asset to my team at Boeing if hired. I have extensive experience testing new technologies and assessing them for their potential to add value. I have a strong track record of partnering well with architects and other experts to plan major framework and design changes. Additionally, I use my mentoring skills to help other engineers get up to speed and understand how architecture changes affect their assignments."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I am a strong communicator and team worker."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
Good response. These are definitely strong traits, but you can add more depth. Let the interviewer envision you being in the position.
"Integrity is one of my biggest strengths as well as communication and being a team player. I am very mindful of my performance and quality of work. I believe these strengths would be a great asset and fit for this position."
Behavioral
13. Tell us about a time you successfully navigated conflict in the workplace.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing places a heavy emphasis on teamwork and building leaders, so they will likely ask you a series of situational and behavioral questions where you will have a chance to display your initiative, collaboration, and leadership. Demonstrating your ability to analyze a situation and react appropriately, efficiently, and even empathetically will help set you above the rest. With this question, your interviewer is wanting to hear about your ability to handle conflict in the work place in a healthy manner.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
How to Answer
Think of a time you've encountered conflict at work, including the situation, and explain the steps you took to resolve it. Use an example that demonstrates your leadership and compassion when a conflict arises.
Keep in mind that Boeing values qualities such as inclusion, humility, and transparency. If possible, describe a solution that highlights your ability to expose and address a negative situation in a manner that honors all parties involved.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I experienced conflict with a colleague during my recent internship. My manager assigned me a mentor and asked that I shadow them and work with them directly to get my assignments. The person they assigned me to regularly cancelled our meetings, and generally seemed disinterested in working together. I was excited about he opportunity to be working with someone with more experience and it was disappointing to be paired with someone who was unwilling to give their time.
I set up a meeting with my mentor and asked if there was anything I could do to make it easier on him to teach me. I let him know I was invested in learning as much as I could, and I was willing to jump in and help with any of his assignments he felt I could handle. I reminded him of the expectations that our manager had set for our time together and asked him if he interpreted the goals differently than I had.
It turned out that he was going through a difficult personal situation and was struggling with the idea of teaching while trying to make it through his work day. He thanked me for discussing the issue directly with him as opposed to escalating to our manager. He then gave me access to his calendar and told me I could join any meetings I thought would add value to my experience. He told me to listen for tasks I felt like I could handle when he was taking on action items, and to ask to take on anything I was interested in.
From that point on, we quickly established a great relationship. I was able to reduce his workload during the difficult time he was going through, and he was able to answer questions and provide guidance. I am glad I spoke with him directly and that we found a way forward."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"In a previous position, I worked on a team that had challenges with power dynamics, interpersonal conflict, and trust. Unfortunately, the mid-to-upper managers appeared unaware of the tension and damage that was being caused to the overall team. I had only been in my position for a few months, and I could see how significantly the long-term effects of these dynamics impacted the productivity and morale of my colleagues. So, I set up an informal meeting with my coworkers to discuss the conflict within the team and try to glean some concrete issues contributing to the tension. With consent, I took those concerns to my supervisor in our next one-on-one meeting to seek solutions and mediation. She was grateful to have something tangible to work with and take to management, and from there she was able to set up a team meeting to bring these issues to light and set some whole-team expectations to prevent tensions from rising again in the future. In less than two weeks, productivity, morale, and collaborative work had already increased significantly."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have been in my current position for three years. The typical job path is to be promoted to a senior-level within two to four years of taking on the role. I believe strongly in striving to learn to perform at the job level above your current level as soon as possible. This approach helps me to align my growth and learning in a direction that will serve myself and my company well in the future.
I have exceeded the job requirements for my current role for over a year now. Additionally, I gained several helpful certifications since my last promotion. I am qualified for a promotion, and my manager told me six months ago that he was working on getting it approved.
Our annual reviews came around two months ago and I was not promoted. I was disappointed given the discussions I had previously had with my manager. He did not openly address the situation, and there was a lot of tension after my review meeting. I scheduled a follow-up shortly after my review. I was calm and directly asked why I was not promoted. He indicated that he did try to get me promoted, but there was no room in the budget. I let him know I understood, but I would have preferred that he share that with me as opposed to ignoring the situation.
He apologized and asked if there was anything he could do to help. He is very well connected within the aerospace industry, so I asked if he would be willing to reach out within his network to see if anyone had a senior engineering position available. He put me in touch with a friend here who recommended I apply for this position. I really appreciate my manager's willingness to help me grow in my career even if it is with another company. He speaks very highly of Boeing and said he felt I could thrive here."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I have been fortunate in my career to work with teams and clients that experience minimal conflict. However, I did have a conflict with a stakeholder on a recent project. My team follows an agile development methodology and we work in three week increments. We make it a goal to fully develop working features at the end of each increment, but there are times when features are not fully complete and must be carried over to the next iteration.
One of my stakeholders was very excited about a new feature that we were working on. While we were able to complete the development for the feature during the iteration, we were unable to fully test it. The feature impacted another system we integrate with, and the team responsible for that system was unavailable to make and test the required configuration changes on their side. My stakeholder was angry that he and his team had to wait for the new features and demanded that we release the new functionality without worrying about the other system during our iteration review.
I asked him if we could discuss the issue offline. I felt that I could better explain the situation after he had a chance to accept the news and calm down a bit. We met and I walked him through the potential issues that could arise if we released the functionality without testing it fully. He quickly understood that moving forward was a risky and poor idea.
I then offered to speak to the other team and ask if they would be willing to move as quickly as possible with the testing. They were able to complete the testing within a week and my team adjusted our work in the next iteration to release the feature to production in the middle of the sprint. We typically do not make production releases off schedule, and our stakeholder really appreciated us making an adjustment to accommodate his needs as quickly as possible."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"One of the teams I worked with recently experienced a lot of conflict during meetings. There was history from previous projects that were affecting the current project and keeping us from working together effectively. I decided to facilitate a meeting to work through the most important issues and find a way forward. I asked everyone to individually brainstorm a list of improvements the team needed to address. Then, I presented the findings so that the feedback could be reviewed without team members knowing exactly who had written each item.
We identified themes and then voted to identify the issues that were most impactful to our work. After that, we brainstormed strategies for improving the top items. We created a new list of ground rules and various working agreements to address process issues. Overall, taking time to take a step back and address the conflict together as a team was a really helpful strategy. We now hold regular check-ins to see if anyone has ideas on how we can continually improve, and the conflicts have been greatly reduced."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I work with a colleague that had a reputation for developing confusing and inefficient code. He would frequently indicate his assignments were complete and our quality assurance analysts would then find that several basic requirements had not been addressed. Our project manager asked me to get involved and help my fellow engineer improve the quality of his work.
At first, I scheduled a meeting to review some of his recent code and discuss the problems with my colleague's work. He was defensive and essentially shut down, so I decided to take an alternative approach. I worked with our technical lead to identify several assignments that I could partner with the junior engineer on. We collaborated on the design, worked together on our code, unit tested our solutions, and then reviewed what we developed to ensure it met all of the requirements.
During our time together it became apparent that he needed to spend additional time designing and testing. Observing my process seemed to help him learn he needed to slow down and ensure that his work was intelligently designed and complete at each step of the process. He ultimately thanked me for helping him in a collaborative way and said it was much more effective than pointing out what was wrong with his original code."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"In a past role, I was involved in a situation where two of my subordinates were close to physical contact regarding an issue over a forklift truck.
I immediately called both subordinates to a meeting, saying that I wanted to resolve the issue right away. I asked both parties to state from their perspective what the problem was. It turned out that the issue was one of poor communication.
I got a commitment from both parties that their communication with each other needs to be improved because I did not want a further meeting where I would be forced to take action.
This resolved the issue, and there was no further conflict between the two individuals concerned."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
This is a good example. I would categorize the example on a broader scale, as to present it as a workplace characteristic that you can use if future issues arise at their company.
"My key approach to conflict in the workplace is healthy and open communication. I have de-escalated heated situation between subordinates by removing both parties into a neutral meeting area, discussing my concerns and the subordinates', and reaching a more productive resolution. I prefer transparency in the workplace, so that issues can be resolved completely. They may be difficult conversations, but they are essential in clearly defining acceptable and professional behavior."
Behavioral
14. Tell me about a time when someone gave you difficult feedback on your work. How did you handle it?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
It can be hard to know how to respond when a leader or colleague tells you about ways you need to improve in your work, especially when you are working so hard already! Don't let this question catch you off guard during your interview. Your interviewer wants to be sure that you are mature enough to receive feedback about your work and make appropriate changes.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
How to Answer
You want the interviewer to know that you take feedback constructively and that you don't take this sort of thing personally. Keep in mind that Boeing expects their employees to make mistakes and learn on the job. They also expect their candidates to demonstrate humility in their work. Don't be afraid to be honest, but be sure to describe a time when you accepted the input and took specific steps to implement an improvement related to the feedback you received.
Written by Karrie Day on May 26th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I received difficult feedback during my internship. It was my first corporate job, and I assumed that I needed to arrive each day at 9am. After a couple of weeks, my supervisor called me into his office and asked me why I was consistently late. I was confused because I felt like I had arrived at the correct time each day. He informed me that the team I was working with typically arrived no later than 8am. He explained that they held a touch base first thing each morning, and that it would add a lot of value for me to observe their daily planning process.
I immediately adjusted my arrival time, and I learned that I need to ask questions about the working style and norms of any team right away when I begin working with them."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"Earlier in my career, my manager told me that I needed to pay closer attention to detail when she noticed some mistakes in my paperwork. I am meticulous about staying organized and double-checking my work, so I was a little surprised at first. I took a deep breath and let my manager know that I would have a peer review of the documents before I submitted them and that I would take extra steps to make sure it didn't happen again. I now use a couple of programs and apps to ensure my work is triple-checked before I submit it."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I deliver presentations on a monthly basis in my current role. I felt like it was important to provide as much information as possible each time I presented. However, I once had a senior manager offer feedback about my slides during our monthly review. He noted that he was having difficulty following along because my slides were unclear and busy. I thanked him for his feedback, and moved on with the meeting.
After that, I took my presentation to a mentor that had a lot of experience delivering presentations. She walked me through several improvement suggestions. I worked hard to adjust my next presentation to minimize the text on the screen and highlight the most important facts. The manager who commented on my presentation before noticed the change in my approach and offered positive feedback. The information I presented led to valuable discussion and it seemed like all of the attendees benefited from the changes my mentor and I discussed."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I am a naturally detail oriented person, and I like to have as much information as possible when I review a concept. However, I had to learn to write for my audience. In my current role, many of my clients are directors, or executives within their company. I would send very detailed update emails regarding various topics during the course of a project. I once had an executive reply and ask me to summarize my points and highlight the action items. He went on to say that he was busy and didn't have time to sift through my message.
I was a bit taken aback because I had worked hard to provide a detailed update, but his request made a lot of sense. I start now with the headlines and action items, and then I provide additional details in case they want to dig further. He appreciated the change and thanked me for accommodating his needs. I found that his suggestion was applicable in many writing scenarios and I am thankful for the feedback he offered."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"My manager offered me difficult feedback in a one-on-one meeting shortly after I transitioned into project management. She stated that I was struggling to let go of the analyst assignments and I was micro managing the analyst work. As a former analyst, I naturally dialed into that piece of the process and wanted to make sure it was executed well. However, I needed to allow the lead analyst to lead her part of the project and I needed to focus my time and energy in managing my part. I agreed with the feedback and stepped back to allow the analysts to set their own direction and manage their own tasks. They did a truly phenomenal job on the project, and I grew as a leader."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"The technical lead on one of my projects pointed out that a solution I had worked incredibly hard on needed to be reworked. He referenced several design flaws and opportunities to tighten up my code. I have a tendency to be a perfectionist, so it was difficult feedback to hear. However, he was absolutely right. He walked me through his improvement ideas and we came up with a solid plan to rework my solution.
I learned a lot technically from him, but his feedback also brought a flaw in my process to light. I learned that it makes sense to collaborate and gather feedback early and often. I thanked him for helping me out and I grew to be much more comfortable sharing my work before it is complete."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I handled the problematic feedback by listening carefully to what was said. I then took the time to review the points raised and put in an action plan to improve my performance."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
Collaboration versus isolation is a key message you can drive home with your response.
"When I have received difficult feedback, I use it as an opportunity to collaborate with the person reviewing my performance. Creating an action plan helps my problem-solving nature and, together, my manager and I have a working document to visualize my progress and remain accountable."
Behavioral
15. Tell me about a time when you reached a goal within a tight deadline. What did you learn from this situation that you can bring to our team at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Imagine yourself racing to complete a project or task at Boeing with only six hours left to reach the finish line. Whether you have experienced this type of pressure in school or the workplace, you understand the intensity. Boeing wants to hear that you are determined and motivated to get these projects done. They also want to hear how you navigated the obstacles along the way.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Prior to your interview, be sure to think about the steps you took to make a short-notice project happen in your past. Provide your interviewer with context, describe your actions, and then describe the results of the work you put in to ensure success under a tight deadline. If you are applying for a leadership role, be sure to describe any actions you took to help your team stay calm and focused while working under stressful conditions.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I currently work for a medium-sized company as an assistant in their finance department. I had never worked in finance previously during budget planning, and I worked on the team that helped each department finalize their budget for the next year. Our CFO wanted everything buttoned up by the end of November, and we were very close to the deadline.
Several groups submitted budgets with requests that were unclear and missing information necessary to prove they were justified. I was asked to work with the financial analysts on my team to compile a collective list of issues and then schedule the meetings to discuss them with the department heads. I had a week to ensure that all of the analysts submitted their lists and schedule the meetings. Several of them waited to submit their piece until the last minute, but I stayed late and completed my part on time.
I learned several things from my time on that initiative that applies to the open financial analyst position at Boeing. First, I learned to anticipate that budgetary requests will lack proper analysis, and I can add value by proactively working with any departments I partner with to ensure they understand the standard required for budgetary approval. Secondly, I learned that frequent communication about the next steps and downstream expectations for any set of deliverables helps all of the members of a team coordinate properly and support each other in meeting tight deadlines."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"Last year, my current director came to me with a short notice design that a customer was requesting and they were wanting this within two weeks. Knowing that a typical new design from scratch could take four to six weeks, I immediately started by shifting around my current workload to accommodate and make this project a top priority. The key to success in this design was being organized with my full workload and having the ability to prioritize my work. I ended up delivering the finished design in just 8 working days and my director and the customer were thoroughly impressed. If hired at Boeing, I would bring this same ability to meet tight deadlines while staying focused on my entire workload."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"The company I currently work for went through a significant round of layoffs last spring. As a senior manager, I was made aware that I would be losing 30% of my staff the week before the layoffs. We had several critical projects in flight and I knew I would need a plan to help the members of my group absorb the shock of the loss of some of their teammates while encouraging them to do their best to meet our production commitments.
I took a day to process the news and lay out my thoughts for a strategic plan. I first identified the projects that could be slowed down without a critical business impact. Next, I identified the most important work my teams had on their roadmaps.
After the news of the layoffs, I met with our program managers to review my analysis and hear their thoughts on how we could shift assignments around and meet as many deadlines as possible. It wasn't easy, but we came up with a solid action plan. I met with all of their teams to listen to employee concerns an reiterate the importance of meeting our deadlines.
The people I have the privilege to lead did an incredible job of stepping up and maintaining our production schedule given the unfortunate circumstances. I even jumped in and took on several project tasks along the way. In the end, we were able to ensure that all of the business critical work was completed on time.
I learned that it is helpful for senior leaders to utilize information they are given in advance of a situation like this to the fullest, even if the news is difficult to process. It helped my team a lot to see how engaged I was and how willing I was to step into the details and figure out a plan that could work for everyone. I would apply the same approach here at Boeing in the event my teams were ever in a tough spot. I would provide direction, offer support, and jump in and help in any way that I could."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"The executive stakeholder for my last major project called me shortly before we were scheduled to deliver a major release and asked me to include a new feature. He had socialized the test version of the solution with his peers and manager, and they offered unexpected feedback that turned into an emergency request for my team.
Everyone on my team had been working hard to prepare for the release and I knew that news of a last minute request was going to be difficult to hear. I asked my stakeholder to outline the benefits of the new feature as well as the risk of not including it so that I could clearly explain the need to my team.
I wasn't sure how the team would respond, but everyone seemed to understand the importance of the request. We met to determine a strategy to finish the release prep work while developing and testing the new feature. I asked my stakeholder if he would provide a subject matter expert from his area to help answer questions on demand, and we partnered to drive out the requirements as soon as possible. The engineering team ran with the design and assigned a senior engineer to develop it. Everyone helped with the new feature and regression testing, and we were able to get it all done before our release date. The new feature led to a sales increase, and our team received recognition from senior leaders for our agility and hard work.
I learned that it is important to fully understand the value of last minute requests. Sometimes, they are critical and it is worth putting in the time to get them done. I would apply the same knowledge here at Boeing. I would ensure that I have a clear understanding of the expected benefits of a request as well as the cost of delay. I would use this information to make informed decisions on behalf of my stakeholders and my teams."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"Our organization has a 'use it or lose it' budget policy that can result in unplanned project requests popping up at the end of the year when department leaders review their actuals at the end of the 3rd quarter. Last year one of the departments I manage projects for had enough left in their budget to redesign a portion of their facilities. The project was medium-sized, but it can be difficult to secure contractors during the holiday season.
I reached out to all of my contacts and quickly put together a plan and hired resources for the job. We were able to add several new offices, and a much needed employee lounge area to their space. It had been a tough year for that group, and making changes to their work environment seemed to give them a boost in morale.
I have learned to anticipate end of the year project requests during my five years in project management. I do my very best to accommodate them because every project has the potential to make a positive impact for the client, a business group, an end user, or for an employee. It is always important to do your best as a project manager to find creative ways to deliver upon the needs of your clients. I would apply the same understanding to my project work here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"Projects with tight deadlines are normal in software engineering. The teams I work on use an agile methodology and we work in three week sprints. While it is acceptable to miss a deadline and carry work over sprint to sprint, it is a best practice to take on a reasonable scope that can be completed within the time allotted.
I noticed that my team was carrying feature work over frequently and it was causing a number of problems. We were having trouble keeping track of exactly which tasks were complete, which features were fully tested, and which were ready to be released. It felt like we were never finished, and I wanted to find a better way forward.
I worked with our product owner and scrum master to tighten up a number of internal processes. We spoke with the team and made it a clear goal to finish our scope for the sprint a day early to ensure there was enough time to test and complete everything prior to the start of the next sprint. We paid close attention to everyone's stand up reports and we made sure that we addressed setbacks or roadblocks more aggressively than we had in the past. We ended up finishing on time and it made a huge difference in our process. We were able to cleanly tie everything up and give our full attention to the next sprint the following week. Several teammates commented on how much better it felt to only be working on one set of features at a time. Ultimately, we reduced our carryover percentage by 46% by making a few minor process and expectation adjustments.
I learned that it is important to speak up on a team when you notice an internal process improvement opportunity. I look forward to working with the teams here at Boeing and reflecting regularly on our work to identify and implement process improvement opportunities."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I am constantly making goals for myself to encourage my workflow. I try to perform one inspection per day, so I am continually writing investigative reports, and they are due every two weeks. If I do not stay organized, everything will fall apart. Creating smaller goals to produce quality reports helps my state agency overall."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds as though you have a lot going on! Try speaking about one specific instance for this 'Tell me about a time' style question. These situational questions generally require a specific story to be most impactful.
Career Goals
16. What does success mean to you in your career?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Everyone has their own interpretation of professional success. For some, success is reflected in their earnings and the type of lifestyle they can create for themselves. For others, success is merely the reward of a job well done. Your interviewer is looking to hear how you would gauge your own personal success if hired at Boeing.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Explain what you are doing to be successful in your professional life to give your interviewer some sense that you are motivated to succeed at Boeing. It is helpful to provide examples of ways you feel successful that are tied directly to the work you will be doing at Boeing. This will boost your interviewer's confidence that the role you are aiming for will be fulfilling. This might include working with specific technologies, taking on an advanced leadership role, or working for a company with values that align with your personal values. Whatever you decide to share, make sure your interviewer knows you have a clear vision of how you will be successful at Boeing!
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"For me, success is all about learning as much as I can while adding value to the individuals and teams I work with. I am early in my career and I want to grow as much as possible while demonstrating excellence in the areas I do have experience in. I enjoy making a contribution, even if it is a small piece of the overall picture. I feel there are endless opportunities for me to learn and contribute simultaneously here at Boeing, and I hope to be selected for the open position within your team."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"To me, success means that I am spending each day helping someone, feeling fulfilled in my overall life, and making my customers happy. I feel best when I know that I have exceeded the expectations of others on the job and I would love to bring this attitude to work at Boeing."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"Success for me at this stage in my career is about two main things. First, I feel successful when I work with my peers to develop dynamic value-driven goals and the KPIs to measure them intelligently. Secondly, success lies in empowering my teams to meet and exceed the goals that we set. I thoroughly enjoy developing high-performance teams, and I work hard to ensure they have everything they need to be successful."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I feel successful as a business analyst when I am able to understand the goals of my clients and properly transform their needs into requirements for solutions that add value. It is really rewarding to deliver a solution, or suggest a process change and see how it makes their lives easier, generates revenue, reduces costs, etcetera. On a personal level, success for me is about continual growth. It is important to me to learn about new business verticals and industries.
I am excited about the possibility of working here at Boeing because it would allow me to be successful in both of the areas that are important to me at this stage in my career."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"As a project manager, I feel successful when the teams I work with are able to collaborate effectively to meet or exceed the goals of our projects. I genuinely enjoy enabling teams to thrive and create a culture of high performance, and I know I have been successful when I am able to help facilitate healthy team dynamics."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"Success for me as a technologist is about two main things. First, I strive to develop quality solutions that serve the end customer well. It is rewarding to see something I created being used and valued by a customer.
Second, success is about growth and staying up-to-date on the latest technology. I realize that I will not always have the opportunity to work on professional projects that utilize cutting edge technology. Sometimes it makes more sense to use something that is a better fit for the needs of the customers. However, I continue to learn and explore new technology in my free time because I enjoy it. Based on my research, it seems like there are ample opportunities to work with and create innovative solutions here at Boeing, and I feel my ideals of success would be fulfilled in the event I am offered the open position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"For me now success is doing something where I feel I am making a difference where I know I am not just riding the coattails of someone else. This job will give me the opportunity to do that. I will have control of my situation."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Good! I would leave out the final sentence as it doesn't add anything valuable to the interviewer.
Communication
17. When you're leading or participating on a team, what steps do you take to get team members to contribute ideas?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing is looking for individuals to join their team who are innovative co-creators in change. To adapt and thrive in the competitive aerospace and defense industries, a true team effort is required from all at the organization. With this question, your interviewer wants to be assured that they'd be hiring a team member that can help bring out the best in everyone that they work with.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
Prior to your interview, put some thought into how you get your colleagues to step up and give productive ideas. Give an example that demonstrates how you interact with your team and help others feel supported in sharing their opinions. If appropriate, walk your interviewer through formal facilitation tools and techniques you have used in the past such as various brainstorming methods. Demonstrating you have a seasoned toolkit in this area can help set you apart from other candidates.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I have worked on a number of team projects and it can be a challenge at times to generate enough ideas to make the right decision. My go to approach is to review the current set of ideas and consider whether they are a fit for the task at hand. If there is a gap, I remind my teammates of the goals we are working toward and the importance of thinking the situation through thoroughly. I then lead by example and generate another idea myself. I have found that to be an effective way to get things moving."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I love learning from other team members. It doesn't matter to me whether you are in an entry-level position or you've been working in your role for years, every voice matters. I listen to everyone's opinions and help others to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts in group discussions or when I'm working on a team to solve a problem. My approach of being respectful and open to everyone helps to promote a great team environment."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"In my experience, a team that is struggling to generate ideas is experiencing some sort of roadblock that needs to be removed. I assess the situation and then use a strategy that helps to remove the roadblock and allow for a creative flow of ideas to continue.
For example, the teams I lead currently hold product design sessions once a month. They last for two days and my teams are usually worn out during the afternoon of the second day. The quality of the ideas offered and the discussion around them suffers as a result. I recently implemented a change that helped with that issue.
We now go for a walk together as a team after lunch on the second day. We go outside if the weather is nice, or we walk around our building if we need to stay inside. Getting everyone up and moving seems to help us avoid the second afternoon slowdown pattern and helps us finish our design sessions with a quality set of ideas."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I work on cross-functional teams with a mix of personality types. Several of our subject matter experts are introverts and they sometimes hold back if they think their idea won't be ultimately selected. I like to remind my teammates that there are no dumb ideas, and the wrong idea is often the inception point for the right idea. I throw out an idea of my own and ask others to share what they are thinking even if it isn't perfect. That usually gets the conversation moving."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I lean on facilitation and brainstorming techniques to help my teammates generate ideas. My first step is to ensure we have a healthy team environment. This includes making sure the room is comfortable, ensuring we have the proper materials, and establishing ground rules for our session.
Next, I facilitate a brainstorming exercise that matches our needs. For example, if we are discussing a sensitive subject I might ask everyone to brainstorm independently and then I collect the ideas, mix them up, and read them out anonymously.
My teams love it when they see my facilitation kit in my hand before a meeting. I try to make the process as fun and engaging as possible, and I would enjoy the opportunity to lead these types of sessions here at Boeing in the event I am offered the project manager position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I currently work with a very talented and creative team. There is usually an abundance of ideas and we are more likely to get stuck on trying to decide which is best. However, we do struggle to generate ideas from time to time. In these cases I like to encourage everyone to take a break and do some research. We clear our minds and then reach out to our contacts or research online to help spark a new idea. We then come back together to share what we have learned. That approach has worked well for me and my team in the past."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I believe that more heads are better than one. But I believe that if not allowed in team situations, we can become fixated on one or two ideas when there are way more minds than just those two. I feel that giving every person a chance to speak and never criticizing but embracing their concepts or ideas allows for a better team atmosphere and a cohesive group that is willing to work harder and stronger than a fixated group listening to only a handful of people."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Giving every person a chance to speak, and never criticizing are both stellar ways to encourage team contribution. Fantastic job :)
Direct
18. What makes you qualified for this role at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing is a dream employer for many people, no matter what line of work that they are in. Many who apply to Boeing, never even get to the interview stage. Now that you've received the call for a formal interview, it's your job to win the interviewers over by explaining what makes you the best candidate for their open position. If you've received the opportunity to interview, they know you're qualified on paper. Now, they want you to give examples and share qualities that make you stand out above the rest of the competition for the job.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
As with most all of the Boeing interview questions, the first step to successfully answering this question is to spend time reviewing the applicable information. In this case, you will want to review the job description for the position you are interviewing for and reflect on some specific examples that show you are the most qualified for this role. It can also be helpful to search Boeing's career page for job descriptions of roles that are senior or complimentary to the role you are interviewing for.
Walk your interviewer through the most notable ways your experience and skills align with what they are looking for. Then, highlight any advanced skills or relevant experience you can offer that will set you apart from your competition. Keep in mind that Boeing is looking for leaders across every department. Even if you're not interviewing for a management role, your initiative and communication skills will help you be an active leader in your field. Your ability to interact with customers, clients, and coworkers will also make you an asset.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I am qualified for this role because I recently completed my degree and I meet the knowledge requirements. I have been fascinated by aerospace and defense technology since I was a child and I am passionate about establishing myself professionally in this industry. Additionally, I am personally aligned with Boeing's commitment to sustainability and community. I am excited about the opportunity to work for a company that hires top talent and makes a significant impact to the world."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am qualified for this role because, in addition to meeting all of your must-have requirements, I also check the boxes for your nice-to-haves. I bring a history of exceeding my targets in my current role and bring positive performance reports for the last five years. I am dedicated to my employer and will increase your productivity exponentially. I am ready for this challenge at Boeing and look forward to joining your esteemed organization."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I am qualified for this role because I have a strong track record of delivering innovative solutions within the defense industry. I have the clearance necessary for the role, and I have successfully navigated both commercial and government projects throughout my career. I am excited about the opportunity to align with the mission of Boeing and continue to work with top caliber teams to deliver world-class solutions."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I am qualified for this role because I have extensive data analytic and process reengineering experience within this industry. I have experience working with systems and equipment engineering teams, and I am adept at eliciting requirements within both spaces. I understand the value stream of my customers and I use my analytic and creative skill sets to identify solutions that drive and sustain their business. Finally, I have excellent communication skills and I am able to partner effectively with leaders across various business verticals. I believed my combined experience and skill sets align well with the open senior business analyst role here at Boeing, and I look forward to being a part of the Airplane Systems Integration team if offered the position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I believe I am qualified for the role here at Boeing for several reasons. First, I have experience managing projects within multiple industries and using a variety of methodologies. I have experience handling complex scenarios and working with various cross-functional teams to effectively deliver projects. I am Six Sigma green belt, and I am currently working toward my black belt certification. Finally, I am an empathetic and servant leader. I believe strongly in setting the talented professionals on the teams I work with up with everything they need to be successful. I work hard to connect with them, support them, and reward their successes."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I am qualified for the software engineer role here at Boeing because I meet the educational, knowledge, and experience requirements for the role. I began developing when I was a teenager and I enjoy working with as many languages and technologies as possible. I work hard to develop clean and efficient code that is extensible and reusable, and I have a solid understanding of architectural concepts.
I have experience working on projects that follow various agile methodologies, and I am a solid teammate who is willing to continually learn and share any knowledge with others. I feel I would be a solid addition to the team here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I meet all of the required components as wells as many of the preferred qualities. I am highly self-motivated and results-oriented. I have a resilient work ethic and will increase the success and productivity of Boeing within my role. I am eager to learn and take on new tasks and more responsibility."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
I like that you referred back to the Boeing job description, mentioning that you check all the boxes! Energetic and eager response.
Direct
19. What do you know about Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing is an industry giant in commercial flight, defense, and space and they are a very competitive company that only hires those who take their job seriously. One way you can show you're serious about working there is by doing your research before the interview. Boeing is known for asking this question and other related questions during interviews. It is imperative you are well prepared to nail this question at any time during the interview process.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I have always known since I was little that I wanted a career in aerospace technology development. I am fascinated by the idea of continuing to explore the universe and Boeing is a company that is working to make that happen.
I did a lot of research on the company prior to this interview. I started by reviewing the history of how Boeing began. I find the story of William Boeing fascinating. He was a true pioneer and showed a commitment to diversity and innovation over 100 years ago. I am inspired by the story of how Boeing became the brand it is today.
Beyond the history, I have researched the products Boeing makes, Boeing's customers, and the programs Boeing has developed to give back to the communities they serve. I am truly impressed, and I am excited about the possibility to work for a company that has such a rich history and impact on today's world."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am so excited to be interviewing with Boeing because you are a highly competitive organization that takes giving back to the world very seriously. As a person and employee that believes firmly in quality, safety, and integrity in my work, I loved reading that these are qualities that Boeing acts out on a daily basis in all that you do. As well, I want to join a staff that believes in and values diversity, equity, and inclusion and I know you have that here at Boeing and I absolutely respect you being an industry leader in creating 130 Business Resource Groups for your staff."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have worked for over a decade as a consultant to several aerospace corporations such as Airbus and Lockheed Martin. I am familiar with the technology used by Boeing, the groups Boeing solutions serve, and some of the history of Boeing's competitors. I understand the needs of several of Boeing's customer groups, and I welcome the opportunity to work from within a solution provider organization as opposed to consulting with customers to select a provider."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I have not yet had the opportunity to work at an aerospace and defense organization. I am an enterprise applications analyst, and my background lies in other industries. However, I am excited to be interviewing for this role here at Boeing.
I have always had a general awareness of the brand, and I learned a lot in my research in preparation for this interview. Boeing has an impressive and extensive line of products as well as a portfolio of amazing innovative projects in flight. Additionally, Boeing has a rich history and track record of changing the world for the better. I am excited about the opportunity to join the company and continue to learn about Boeing if offered the position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I have managed projects at Delta Airlines for the last five years of my career. Several of my customer groups have strong relationships with the sales team and other subject matter experts here at Boeing. Given those relationships, I have knowledge of how the various groups at Boeing are structured as well as the project methodologies that are used by Boeing to develop products. I feel my experience at Delta is in alignment with the requirements outlined for this role, and I would be able to apply what I have learned to allow for a smooth transition into my new role if offered the position here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I have awareness of the basic history, customers, and products of Boeing. However, I have spent a lot of time recently learning more about the software development approach of Boeing. I am impressed with Boeing's commitment to solution flexibility, portability, user experience, and the rapid inclusion of user feedback into the development process. I have worked in agile development environments for a long time, and a lot of companies state a commitment to those values, but lose sight of them in the process. The Boeing software ecosystem appears to be intelligently designed and yet open to change. I appreciate that model, and I look forward to working with the talented individuals here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"Boeing demonstrates innovation by being the leader in developing commercial planes, defense, and security systems.
I saw a quote on the company website that read, "Do the right thing, every time. No exceptions." That speaks volumes to the level of conduct Boeing represents. That is a company I want to be associated with and a representative."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Fantastic response! You have obviously done your homework on Boeing. The interviewer will greatly appreciate the effort.
Discovery
20. How would you describe your work ethic that you would bring to the Boeing team?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing seeks to hire team members that are in alignment with their principles and values. Your interviewer wants to know more about your attitude toward work and working with others as it will help them assess whether you are the right fit for team Boeing.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Before answering this question, let's explore the concept of work ethic. Someone who works hard and applies their values of discipline and creates the best quality while working towards a higher goal is a person with a solid work ethic. Taking it to the next level, you can think about some of the moral principles that drive you. Integrity shows up in the quality of work you offer, your honesty, and your reliability. These are also core values at Boeing.
As well, teamwork is an ability and a mindset that helps you motivate others and work collaboratively with your colleagues. Your ability to take responsibility and follow through with commitments is another way you can demonstrate your work ethic. Consider using some of these concepts when you discuss this topic with your interviewer at Boeing in your interview.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I have limited professional experience, but I have ultimately gone above and beyond the duties of every role I have had. For example, I worked as a virtual assistant while I was in college. My manager knew that I was working toward my degree in data analytics and asked if I wanted to take on some data analysis assignments for her company in addition to my work as her assistant. She said my previous work was excellent and she wanted to offer me as many opportunities as I could handle. I jumped right into everything she sent me, and I enjoyed the opportunity to extend my role. I know I would approach the role of associate analyst here at Boeing the same way."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I am a very dedicated and loyal employee. I saw on the Boeing website and social media platforms that you describe your company as accountable, quality-focused, and driven by integrity in all that you do. My work ethic is the same. I am driven by providing excellent results in my work and being responsible for all of my actions on the job. I would look forward to bringing this work honest, flexible, and come ready to work hard for my employer every day."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have worked in cybersecurity for 12 years, and I understand the criticality of the work I do. It requires that I give my tasks my full attention, and that I work as quickly as possible to mitigate threats. A minor slip by any one team member can open a door for a major attack.
I would offer Boeing my dedication and full attention as a senior cybersecurity engineer. I would be prepared to give my work my best effort every day that I work, and I would be prepared to jump in outside of my normal hours as needed. I am passionate about protecting defense systems to the fullest and I will do my highest quality work every day."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"One of my current coworkers describes me as tenacious. I think that is a great way to describe my work ethic. I invest myself fully in my assignments and I see them through until a quality outcome is achieved. I do whatever it takes to gather and analyze the information available to me, and I partner with the right people at the right times to design solutions that are a custom fit for the needs of my clients. I would offer the same level of excellence as a business analyst to my stakeholders and teams here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I would describe my work ethic as balanced. I work hard and set a good example for the project teams I lead. However, I also know how to step back and take time to learn something new, or take a break and rejuvenate so that I can work hard again the next day. I help my teams do the same to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy dynamic.
I would bring the same approach here to my work at Boeing. I would work hard to establish a healthy flow and balance in between working hard to achieve goals and taking time to restore equilibrium."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I have a strong work ethic. I have an impeccable track record of exceeding expectations for every role I have worked in since college. I put in extra time and effort as needed to deliver my work on time, and I volunteer to help or mentor others regularly. Additionally, I am constantly reviewing new technologies and participating in continual learning opportunities. I look forward to offering the same level of excellence to my assignments here at Boeing if selected for the open position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I believe my work ethic is very strong. I have high integrity. I will do all I can to help the client while still keeping our employees safe. I am loyal and dedicated with a will to go the extra mile."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Wonderful! :)
Discovery
21. Tell me about your experience working in this field. How can this experience apply to this role at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Open-ended questions like this can feel a little overwhelming at first. Learning how to talk about yourself is a skill that will help you express yourself clearly and concisely. Boeing wants to ideally hear about your accomplishments, not just your qualifications for the job that you are interviewing for.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Start by writing out a summary of your experience followed by a few pivotal moments where you made an impact. Highlight your expertise, skills, or any training you have received. You can also include any continuing education, from workshops to higher education, that you have pursued to further your career and prepare you for this role.
When answering, keep your response brief and aligned with the list you made. Resist the temptation to over-explain the examples you provide. Your interviewer(s) will ask for additional detail for any items they need clarification on.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"This will be my first professional role after college graduation. However, I learned a lot during my six month internship at BAE Systems. I was a quality engineer intern and I focused on parts compliance assessments, and issue root cause analysis initiatives. I feel I can apply this experience directly to the engineering team here at Boeing. I understand that a major goal of the Apache program is to extend the current set of certifications, and I welcome the opportunity to be a part of such an important initiative."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"As you can see from my resume, I have worked in this field for the past eleven years, after graduating with my bachelor's degree. I have been with my current organization for the past six years and I am confident that my current position has fully prepared me for success at Boeing. What you may not know from just looking at my resume is that I have spent a lot of time training our new hires in my department. In taking the lead on this for the past several years, I have been formally recognized by my organization for a job well done in mentoring our new hires. I look forward to bringing this experience to work for Boeing!"
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I am a US Air Force veteran and I most recently served as an AFSC 21AX Aircraft Maintenance Supervising Officer with experience in propulsion and conservation solutions. I am an experienced leader with over a decade served within the industry. I look forward to continuing to serve my country by developing defense solutions here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I have never worked within the aerospace and defense industry, but I have seven years of experience working with enterprise information systems as an analyst. I feel I will be able to directly apply my expertise in warehousing and ERP systems analysis to the open role within the Transportation, Warehousing, and Logistics team here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I have 4 years experience working within the Aerospace industry as a project manager. My current company handles both government contracts and commercial projects. I have experience working with senior stakeholders within both sectors and I feel that experience combined with my previous five years' experience working to deliver enterprise software solutions makes me an optimal candidate for the senior project manager position here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"If selected for the position, this will be my first aerospace industry role. However, I have seven years of professional experience as a software engineer. I am skilled in object-oriented programming within a number of languages, scripting, database design, and web service development. I have active security clearance, and I feel I am an excellent candidate for the open position here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I have worked in the aerospace field for 11 years. I have been in operations for 20 years. This means that I can quickly add value to Boeing's business."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
Fantastic response. I changed the wording slightly.
"I have worked in the Aerospace field for 11 years and Operations for 20 years. My vast experience can be highly valuable for your team at Boeing."
Discovery
22. What would you say is one initial weakness that you would have in this role with Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Even though the recruiters at Boeing are looking for excellence, they know that any candidate they interview isn't the perfect candidate. The motivation behind a question like this is twofold. First, Boeing wants to know any areas they may need to offer you additional support if selected for the role. Second, they are likely testing your integrity and looking for candidates who offer truthful and authentic responses.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
How to Answer
To successfully answer this question, you will need to be strategic. First, think of an area where you can improve that pertains to the job description for the role that you are interviewing for. For example, maybe you could do a better job of taking the initiative to solve problems before they become an issue, or you need to work on a skill they have listed as a nice-to-have in the job description.
Even though it may feel vulnerable to share a weakness, your self-awareness is a strength! Your insight that you know you need to grow in this area shows the interviewer that you know you have room for improvement and that you have a desire to grow.
Explain the gap and what you are proactively doing to improve. Make sure to not be hard on yourself. Show that you are dedicated to growing and learning from your weaknesses.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I think that an initial weakness I would have as an entry-level employee here at Boeing is that I have never worked in a large corporate setting before. I am unfamiliar with the culture and norms, and I will need to ask a lot of questions along the way. While it may take me a while to get up to speed and figure out how things work, I am a fast learner and I am dedicated to being successful in any role that I take."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I tend to be a perfectionist, which means I can often get caught up in the details and get behind on deadlines. I am working on creating a better infrastructure for my days, setting reasonable goals, and planning. This method has helped me to manage my time and not lose time striving for impossible perfection in my work. Here at Boeing, I am confident that your team-based atmosphere will really help me curb my perfectionist approach, knowing that I'd have a great team surrounding me."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"As a manufacturing engineer, I am knowledgeable of lean manufacturing principles. However, I am not Six Sigma certified, and I know there are specifics to Six Sigma such as the vocabulary and application of concepts that I would need to learn. I am dedicated to getting my certification as soon as possible if selected for the open role here at Boeing. I feel it would be a natural fit for me given my background."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I believe it is important for any business analyst to dive in and learn the detailed workflows and applications of their assigned business area or stakeholders. Even though I have been an analyst within the aerospace and defense industry for the past three years, I know my stakeholders here at Boeing will have their own specific way of working that I will need to come up to speed on as soon as possible. Additionally, I will need to review the data model for each system and understand how it moves through the tightly integrated data network here at Boeing. It can take a while to gather institutional and system-specific knowledge, but I enjoy this aspect of my work and I look forward to it if selected for the open role here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"Relationships are key to success for a project manager. If hired, I will not have a strong network of relationships to lean on here at Boeing right away. It takes time to establish trust with teammates, customers, and/or stakeholders. While this may be an initial weakness, I am confident I can address the gap quickly. I enjoy meeting new people and I am a skilled networker. I am accountable and trustworthy and I have been able to develop strategic relationships quickly within my previous roles. I feel I will be able to do the same here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I have focused mostly on web application development in my career. I have limited Unix/Linux experience. I understand that the associate software engineer role within the Satellite Mission Software Products team requires three years of experience in this area. I have used Linux on several occasions, but I would not consider myself strong in this area. I am more than willing to put in the time to bridge this gap if selected for the position and I think you will find that my qualifications in other areas of to the role exceed the requirements listed."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"In the past, I have had an issue with time management. I went on a management course where I learned about the Eisenhower matrix. I use this method together with my mobile phone time management app to improve my time management."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Lauren McCabe Reviewed the Above Answer
Great response! Your experience with training courses makes you a stand out candidate. All the trainings you have attended should be reflected on your resume. Be ready to name another weakness in the event you are asked in an interview.
"In the past, I struggled with time management. When I notice deficits, I try to better myself through continued education and training. I took a Management course that introduced me to the Eisenhower Matrix, which was very helpful and I use on a daily basis along with a mobile time management app. I took the necessary steps to better that particular weakness."
Discovery
23. How would your most recent manager describe you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
This question offers your interviewer insight into how you feel you are viewed by your management. While the opinions of your teammates, partners, and clients matter as well, knowing what your manager thinks about you can help your interviewer know if you are a self-starter, a good leader, a solid communicator, an excellent teammate, etcetera.
Additionally, your answer helps provide information that will be used to validate the authenticity of your responses after your interview. For example, a reference you provide might be asked if they agree with the answer you provided to this question.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
How to Answer
Hopefully, your current leader is open in their communication with you, allowing you to understand what they enjoy and appreciate when it comes to your work ethic. If possible, draw your response from takeaways from your last performance review or a piece of feedback you have recently received from your leader. Avoid 'guessing' what your manager thinks of you. In this interview with Boeing, try to relate the feedback you've received to Boeing's core values of excellence, accountability, safety, quality, and integrity. If you can, solidify your reply by referring to the reliable employment references you can provide upon request.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I believe my current manager would describe me as eager to help and eager to learn. I work hard to complete my work with a high level of quality, and I am always asking if there is more that I can do. I use any downtime I have to learn something new, or help out a fellow coworker. I look forward to approaching my work here at Boeing with the same eager spirit and commitment to quality."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my last performance review and also in some casual discussions, my manager has described me as motivated, encouraging to others, and consistent in my work. I strive to exceed expectations when I can, and I encourage my fellow team members to deliver their best work. My current manager is happy to speak on my behalf as a positive reference should you want to talk with him."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"My current manager would describe me as a utility player with subject matter expertise in a wide range of subjects. He knows I have engineering experience working with a multitude of technologies, and he often asks for my assistance with difficult problems and ambiguous tasks."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I believe my manager would describe me as detail oriented and thoughtful. I take the time to sift through the details of each process, dataset, and scenario I analyze. I have a keen eye, and I am skilled at finding themes within complex datasets. In regards to thoughtful, my manager knows I approach all of my clients and teammates with kindness and empathy. I take the time to listen and I work with them to find the best possible solution available. I feel these same qualities will be a valuable asset to my teams here at Boeing in the event I am selected for the open position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"Based on my most recent reviews and conversations, I think my manager would say that I am a solid leader and trustworthy project manager. I have been asked to step in a rescue two separate failing projects within the past year. There were sensitive team and client conflicts on each project. My manager felt confident that I would be able to step in and address the problems within each team while simultaneously smoothing over the client issues. I was able to keep everyone's confidence while finding a way to get each of the projects back on track."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I believe my manager would describe me as curious. I am usually the guy who asks most of the 'why?' questions in a meeting. It is important to me to understand the why behind any solution I build as it helps me to think from the end user perspective and build additional quality into my deliverables. I would apply the same methods here at Boeing to ensure that the solutions I design are a fit for the needs of those that use them."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Discovery
24. What are some ways you have worked to improve yourself over the past year?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
When an interviewer asks about self-improvement, it shows they seek to hire someone who takes the initiative and wants to grow. Because Boeing is always striving to be innovative and groundbreaking in all that they do, they expect their staff to be continually improving and learning to keep their innovative atmosphere progressing forward.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Think about a goal you recently achieved, or are actively working towards, and explain what you did/are doing to help you reach that goal. If your goal is ongoing, like being a good leader, tell how your actions will help you in the short and long term. As you answer, be sure to stay relevant to the field in which you are applying. Focus less on any weakness you want to improve, and more so on the steps or actions, you are taking to improve.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"My college sponsored a group of 50 students in gaining blue belt certification in innovation engineering with Eureka Ranch. I was selected to participate and received my certification late last year. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and I feel like it improved my critical thinking and problem solving skills. I look forward to using what I learned here at Boeing if offered the open position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I just went to a leadership conference to help me cultivate some of my skills and learn how to be a more effective leader on my team. I have found it to be beneficial to attend continuous training and conferences like this at least once a year because I am surrounded by other leaders who also want to challenge themselves and grow. I find that I'm always learning new tactics and techniques at each one, so they are definitely beneficial to my growth as a leader."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I researched various technologies related to efficiency and sustainability last year. I also attended the CleanTech Forum in Europe.
It is very important to me to align my work with companies that demonstrate a commitment to the future and the environment. That's why I am interviewing here at Boeing. I researched Boeing's programs such as EcoDemonstrator and the various remediation activities such as the Duwamish Waterway cleanup and restoration projects. Boeing has an impressive record of innovation and service that I would love to be a part of in the future."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I attended classes on NoSQL databases over the last year. A lot of the analysis I do is data driven. I am very comfortable writing queries to pull information from traditional relational databases, but I was unsure how to get the information I needed effectively from a NoSQL DBMS. I learned a lot, and I am glad to have added these skills to my analysis toolkit.
I am unsure of the usage of any NoSQL databases at Boeing, but I feel my work in this area demonstrates my commitment to keeping my technical skills up to date. I would enjoy the opportunity to continue to learn relevant technical skills if offered the open position at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I feel that healthy communication dynamics are vital to the success of a team. I have participated in facilitated sessions in which the communication styles of each team member are assessed and then team members learn how to best communicate collectively. I wanted to bring that knowledge to my own teams, so I took a class last year to learn how to facilitate DISC communication style assessments.
I practiced what I had learned with my teams when I returned from my class. Everyone seemed to learn a lot about the best way to present information to their teammates, and the health of the communication dynamic of each team improved significantly as a result. I look forward to applying the knowledge I gained in my role as a project manager going forward."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I set a professional goal last year to obtain my cloud services certification. I attended a Microsoft bootcamp and then received my Azure Developer certification. In the future, I would like to continue and obtain DevOps and Architect level certifications as well. I know Boeing uses a mix of cloud services including AWS, so I would be willing to expand my knowledge to other platforms as needed."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"In my current role, I have recently taken on the training side of each project. I have never had formal tutor training; it is something that I have always just fallen into. So I have recently enrolled in some online courses to improve my teaching styles and better understand how adults learn."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Your response shows a lot of insight and a desire to up-skill. Very nice work!
Diversity
25. At Boeing, we have a steadfast commitment to our company's equity, diversity, and inclusion plan. What does our commitment to D&I mean to you?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Before attending your interview, be sure to take the time to research the equity, diversity, and inclusion plan on Boeing's website. As you do this, you'll quickly find that respecting one another and advancing a global, diverse team is one of Boeing's core values. In asking this question, your interviewer ideally wants to hear what a focus on diversity & inclusion in the workplace means to you.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
How to Answer
Talk to your interviewer about the positive experiences you have had working in a diverse environment. To give your interviewer the sense that you will embrace and thrive in the environment at Boeing, don't hesitate to talk about your commitment to valuing diversity in the workplace. This can be especially effective if an equity, diversity, and inclusion program has positively affected you recently.
Consider concepts you've learned through participation in business resource groups, training you've taken, and developing or implementing policy improvements. Discuss how you have worked to increase your awareness and mention any of the Boeing-specific programs you would be excited to participate in if hired.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
Entry Level Example
"Generally speaking, I think a company as large as Boeing truly benefits from blending ideas from all cultures and backgrounds. I am impressed with Boeing's ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. I am excited to explore and join several of the business resource groups if selected for the position. I attended BRG events at the company I had my internship with. I learned a lot, and met amazing people who offered insight and encouragement."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I took the time to read through Boeing's diversity and inclusion statement online prior to applying and I was thoroughly impressed. The awards and accolades that Boeing has received in recent years for a commitment to employing disabled individuals, military veterans, and women are very impressive. I am also impressed that your organization embraces the differences in people, their experiences, and how they view the world. This plan is important because you have an incredible dedication to creating products that serve everyone, rather than a specific demographic. Boeing embodies inclusion, and has shown consistent progress in these D&I efforts compared to your competition."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"I am pleased to see the breadth of Boeing's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is clear this company has gone beyond a few training videos and presentations, and is truly working to make lasting change. I have managed a lot of teams over the years, and it is important to me that my entire staff receives holistic support that helps them to thrive and receive the equality they deserve. I feel the programs available at Boeing allow for that, and I am committed to ensuring any teams I lead have my full support in participating in and growing D&I initiatives during their time at Boeing.
I plan to participate directly as well, and I look forward to working with my senior leaders to identify ways in which I can add value to D&I programs if selected for the position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"One of the most important aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion plans that I feel some companies are missing is making significant investments to work toward greater levels of equity within our communities. As an analyst, I know that problems these large can take time to resolve and they are multifaceted. I was excited to see that Boeing has made a commitment to work to address one of the root causes of the issues we face globally. Boeing's investment in and support of non-profit groups fighting for equity is impressive, and I would be honored to work for a company that is willing to invest in the lives of the communities in which its employees live."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important to me, and I worked to align myself with companies that have embraced and invested in diversity prior to the growth in this area over the past few years. I appreciate working with individuals of all backgrounds, and I support everyone in their journey to feel included and experience equity in the workplace. I believe strongly that we are all equal as humans and honoring that first helps us feel comfortable enough together to let what is unique about each of us shine. I feel Boeing is working hard to create and maintain that type of environment. I am impressed with the programs available, and I look forward to participating and working to improve our world with my teammates if selected for the position here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"The company I work for currently has worked hard over the last few years to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion. I have always embraced and enjoyed working in diverse and cross-functional environments, but I learned that there was an opportunity to improve my awareness of diversity issues and support of the programs working to resolve them.
I know there is more to do and learn, and I am excited to continue that journey here at Boeing. I researched the programs available here before I applied for the position, and I feel Boeing can offer an inclusive and healthy environment while working to educate and continually improve in this area."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Experience
26. Boeing values applying Lean principles to all that we do. What familiarity do you have with Lean principles?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Prior to your interview, it is necessary that you understand the importance the organization places on Lean Manufacturing principles. Working hard to eliminate waste is one of their core values and drives how they operate in all areas. Your interviewer will be hoping to hear that you have some knowledge of Lean principles when asking this question.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
How to Answer
At a high-level, you should at least be comfortable talking about how Lean production focuses on eliminating waste at all levels of an organization. Additionally, you will want to be able to describe how this could apply to the job you are interviewing for at Boeing.
If you have direct experience or training in Lean principles, be sure to talk about that and how you will be able to apply what you know with Boeing. If you don't have direct experience or training in Lean, try to do your homework ahead of your interview. As well, don't be afraid to point out your inexperience in Lean principles while showing you are excited to learn and thrive in using them.
Need more? The following resources from the American Society for Quality provide basic information that may help you answer questions like these in your upcoming interview at Boeing:
What is Lean
What is Six Sigma
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
Entry Level Example
"My knowledge of Lean principles is limited to the concepts we reviewed in several of my classes at Georgia Tech as well as research I have done on my own. For example, I know the five principles involve the identification of value, mapping the value stream, flow, pull, and perfection. However, I have not yet had the opportunity to see the concepts applied in a live manufacturing setting. I would love to work with the principles and understand them at a deeper level if offered the role of entry-level manufacturing engineer here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I have not had the opportunity to work in a formal setting where Lean principles were implemented, but I am familiar with Lean manufacturing and would really look forward to working under the philosophy here at Boeing. Throughout my career, I've always been a proponent of eliminating wasteful work and processes and have always worked to make processes transparent and easy to remember. In this role with Boeing, I see these elements of Lean being very important."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"I have worked in Lean organizations for over 15 years. I am also a Certified Six Sigma Black Belt. I am comfortable leading change through the application of Lean principles, and I have experience working with resources that are experts in Lean as well as those who have very limited knowledge of it."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I am familiar with the basics of Lean. I was scheduled to begin my Green Belt certification courses this year, but my current employer recently put a freeze on all non-essential training. I am eager to learn more, and I look forward to continuing my education in this area if selected for the business analyst position here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I have been a project manager for five years and the cross-functional teams I work on follow an agile methodology. I know that some of the concepts within Lean manufacturing are directly applicable to product engineering projects and I wanted to know more. Last year I signed up for a Lean Management Principles course on Udemy. I enjoyed it and I walked away with several ideas for process improvement for my teams. I would love the opportunity to explore Lean further here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"The projects I currently work on follow Scrum methodology. We are constantly focused on iterative process improvement, incremental quality improvement, and the delivery of user value. While I am not an expert on Lean, I see overlap between agile methodology and Lean principles, and I think I would be able to quickly get up to speed on the application of Lean principles my project teams might use here at Boeing. I would also welcome the opportunity to continue my education in this area."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Leadership
27. How have you demonstrated leadership when you were not in a formal leadership role? How will this benefit the team here at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing prides itself on building leaders and promoting them to higher and higher positions within the company. They want to see initiative and potential in any candidate for greater leadership beyond the role that they are interviewing for. Additionally, they want to hire team players who understand that every member of a team can and should exhibit leadership qualities such as pacesetting or cheerleading even when they aren't formally assigned a leadership role.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
Given the sheer size of Boeing and the diversity within their walls, they are familiar with a number of leadership styles. Don't feel confined to share an example of a specific type of leadership you think they want to see. Instead, focus on an example that is authentic to you. If you have time, you can take your response a step further by indicating how you hope to continue to develop and refine your leadership skills with the exceptional guidance you can expect at Boeing.
It is best to use standard terms to describe your leadership style. Check out this article from the Project Management Institute that breaks down 10 Leadership Styles and How to Identify Your Own if you need help refining your response. Keep in mind that many leaders exhibit more than one leadership style depending on the situation and the team members involved.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Entry Level Example
"Most of my classes for my major my senior year at college included a group project. The projects did not have formal roles, and there was not a leader assigned. We were collective responsible for our success as a team. However, it quickly became clear in each of the projects that leadership was needed. Sometimes the project required coordination, sometimes it needed conflict resolution. Other times, team members needed cheerleading and coaching. I found myself naturally stepping up to work in each of these roles. I enjoyed keeping my groups focused and working with them to develop a solid plan to complete the project. I enjoyed checking in with my teammates regularly and helping to resolve problems.
I realize I am at an entry-level position in my career, but I would love the opportunity to continue to grow these skill sets here at Boeing. Initially, I feel I will be able to observe and learn from the excellent leaders here at Boeing. Long term, I will be able to refine my own approach and lead initiatives within my own teams."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"Early in my career, I volunteered at a science program for kids. I built great relationships with the students, other volunteers, and staff. One day, one of the kids began unexpectedly suffering from a panic attack. I knew that the site manager was gone that day, so I scanned the room for staff to notify. The other volunteers started to panic as well, so I quickly stepped in to de-escalate the situation. I had a few volunteers take the rest of the children to another area to play, and I asked another volunteer to contact the site manager and guardians. While they were doing this, I approached the child with a quiet, calm, and open demeanor. I just sat down next to him and told him I was there to listen whenever he was ready. After some time, he improved, and we were able to get him home safely to his family."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have been an engineer for over 20 years and I have always led by example. I realize the importance of the work we do in the defense industry and I push myself to approach my work with a high level of excellence every day. I feel that kind of dedication inspires others to do their best even when I am not leading formally. I will bring the same commitment to excellence to my work here at Boeing if offered the role of Technical Lead Engineer within the Weapons Development team."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"As a business analyst I often serve a bridge between technical and business experts. I lead informally often when facilitating discussions and creating alignment between these two groups. I help them to understand each other's perspectives and develop solutions that meet the needs of my clients while full considering technical feasibility and best practices. I can offer the same skill set to Boeing and look forward to performing in this area if hired."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"Prior to moving into project management, I was an analyst. I naturally demonstrated a number of valuable leadership qualities in that role and I was offered opportunities to lead my own project team even prior to formally stepping into project management. I earned the trust of my teammates and my clients through my accountability and the consistent delivery of solid solutions.
If selected for the senior project manager role here at Boeing, I would conduct myself as a leader both formally and informally. I align my approach to leadership with the specific situation and the needs of the group. I look forward to learning from the leaders here and continuing to grow and refine my skills in this area."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I believe in the value of open architecture. The solution landscape of my previous employer is rigid and they are locked into commitments with vendors that are not serving their needs in many cases. I spoke up and lobbied for using open architecture and hardware agnostic approaches when opportunities to develop new solutions would arise. Sometimes my voice was heard, and sometimes I was ignored. However, my commitment to my beliefs in this area inspired some fellow developers to explore open architecture practices further.
I would bring that same voice to Boeing. I am comfortable sharing my beliefs, and I am understanding when decisions are made that go in another direction. However, I have thoroughly researched Boeing's take on solution architecture, and I am excited about the opportunity to work within a technology organization with an approach that is in direct alignment with my values as a developer."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"When I am doing the scheduling for project managers, I do not have a leadership role. They tell me how they want the schedule, and I do it. However, I do it to the best of my ability. If I see something that confuses me, I will stop and bring it up to the PM so that the client will not also be confused and I can explain it to them.
Also, when I did the safety audit for the refinery, I led by example. I was given a task that many thought I could not do in time, and I exceeded expectations."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Well done! Fantastic examples of displaying leadership, without even being asked.
Leadership
28. Give me an example of a time when your communication style helped you to be a more effective leader on the job. How will your style of communication help you in this role with Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
At Boeing, the organization looks for natural leaders to emerge throughout their organizational chart. Your interviewer wants to hire someone who can be a natural leader on their team. With this question, your interviewer wants to hear how your unique communication style helps you be a natural leader. They'll be expecting you to give a specific example of a time when your communication style helped in doing this.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
The first step to a successful answer is to take time to think about what communication style(s) you use most often. There are several helpful models and tools that can assist you in defining your style. This communication styles quiz is an example of a tool that can help you refine your thoughts about which style of communication you naturally lean on and how it adds value in a professional setting.
When answering, walk your interviewer through a time when you communicated effectively in a team, client, or management setting. Be sure to demonstrate your ability to build meaningful connections, actively listen, speak with transparency, and show respect for others. Identify the specific value you added through your approach to communicating, and then convince your interviewer you will be able to add similar value if hired at Boeing.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I think my biggest strength as a communicator is that I am an intent listener and I observe non-verbal communication well. One of my responsibilities as an intern was to keep the meeting minutes for a steering committee my team participated in. I was able to follow along and take great notes on behalf of the team. Additionally, I kept an eye on the participants during the discussion. I noticed that some comments my coworker made seemed to offend one of the senior leaders on the committee during a meeting. She crossed her arms, frowned and basically shut down for the rest of the meeting after the comment was made.
I felt I would be a poor leader if I didn't offer my coworker feedback on the effect her comments had on the meeting. I let her know it might be worth us reaching out to the participant who may have been displeased with the comments. It turned out my instinct was right, and the senior leader appreciated us asking for feedback and attempting to smooth things over. She applauded my insight and encouraged me to keep working with my skills in this area.
As an entry level employee, I think I can offer similar ethical and encouragement to my leadership here at Boeing. I can listen and observe intently during meetings and offer insight as appropriate."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my current role, we have undergone many policy changes over the past eight months due to a company merger. In my role, it is up to me to communicate all changes to the team. While communicating these changes, I have deployed a transparent communication approach. I describe my communication style as honest and often vulnerable. I show the employees that I do not have a private agenda; thus, building their trust. I communicate my intentions, the intentions of the company's leadership team, and the end goal. Through my open and honest approach, I have been able to overcome any negative stigma by being consistently honest, open, and transparent about the direction our company is heading."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"I have worked within customer support organizations for years. Many of my roles supported business critical and/or life saving products that required top priority service level agreements. As a leader within these organizations I have learned that direct communication and authoritative leadership are often necessary. There isn't always time to determine how everyone on the team feels about an approach. Sometimes you need make clear and direct assignments and mobilize your resources.
I would use the same communication style and approach to leadership here at Boeing for mission critical support initiatives. It is important that my staff understand that I care about their ideas and their needs, but that there are times when I will ask them to respect authority and follow along with the plan because it can mean the difference between life and death in some cases."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I have taken several communication style assessments over the years and I tend to fall into the category of an influencer. That style serves me well as a business analyst. I work with a set of clients who sometimes think they are process reengineering and technology experts. While they are very knowledgeable and experts within their own domain, I often find myself in a position to ask them to take a step back and help me understand the problems we are trying to solve before we discuss the solution. I remind them that root cause analysis is a critical aspect to ensuring that we determine the most valuable way forward. I do this in an empathetic, friendly, and enthusiastic manner. I find that we are then able to easily get on the same page and move forward as a team.
I will bring the same influential communication style to my teams here at Boeing. I recognize I do not always have the best answer, but I am skilled at helping teams recognize when steps have been skipped and the best answer may have been overlooked."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I would say that my communication style is a blend of cheerleading and encouraging others to be conscientious. For example, one of the project teams I manage projects for currently is a cross-functional group of talented individuals. Many of them are subject matter experts within their domain and they work together well. I encourage them, cheer them on, celebrate their successes, and do what I can to ensure they are recognized and rewarded for their hard work. However, they have a track record of group think that causes them to move too quickly at times. I am typically the one who reminds them we need to be responsible and ensure we are taking the time to think thing through from all angles. I am the one who makes sure we follow the processes and regulations we are required to follow.
I think both of these styles will serve my teams well here at Boeing. I understand that I will be working on projects with top notch experts and that the projects are subject to strict regulations in many cases. My approach is an excellent fit for that type of dynamic."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I am a patient and humble communicator, and I think that style serves me as a leader in many cases. I work on a team with several strong personalities. They are all excellent at what they do, and their opinions are worthy of sharing. However, there are times when they are in conflict with each other. I stay calm and then work with them to help them understand both sides and bridge their ideas together.
I am a quiet leader, but I diffuse tense situations like these well. I believe my style is a welcomed asset in almost any team setting, and I think I will be able to leverage my communication strengths effectively at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Operational
29. At Boeing, how would you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Prioritizing is a skill that requires practice. There are many instances where you will be handling multiple tasks and projects at one time in this role. In turn, your interviewer will want to hear that you will bring the ability to prioritize and stay organized in your work, no matter how hectic things will get.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
As you answer this question, talk about your ability to prioritize work by giving an example of a time that you've had to do this in your past. As you discuss this, talk about the tools that you used to stay organized and on track with all that you were assigned at a given time. Having a tried and true system in place will impress your interviewer and show that you are ready to handle all that is thrown at you.
Be sure to discuss industry-standard prioritization methods if you are a senior-level candidate and your role requires knowledge of specific prioritization models such as Kano, Cost of Delay, or Weighted Shortest Job First. This will help convince your interviewer you have the ability to leverage analytical methods until your on-the-job knowledge catches up to your peers.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Entry Level Example
"My first step is to ensure that my understanding of the priority of my tasks is accurate. I like to check in with my manager or someone who is more senior in the role to discuss the scenario and see if they have guidance to offer. Those discussions sometimes lead to helpful adjustments or an offer for support that helps me get everything done.
In the event all of the priorities are equal, I then lean on my time management skills to make sure my projects are successful. I like to plan out my week in advance and then revisit my plan daily. I allow time for unplanned tasks that pop up throughout the week, and I communicate any status changes as soon as they are known."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my current position, I am juggling many priorities and deadlines all of the time and I've really honed a great system to keep myself organized and prioritized in what I am working on at any given moment. First and foremost, I ensure that my calendar is up to date with my deadlines, meetings, and time set aside for project work. I also keep a running written list of all of my tasks. I know this seems kind of old school, but I find it works out well for me to work off of a written list. Every morning, I reprioritize my list of to-do's based on the highest priority items. As well, I try to leave windows of time open each day to work on the high needs, quick-fix problems that surface on a daily basis in my work."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"I have learned that there are times when there are truly several top priorities and they all deserve my attention. I work extra hard during these times to get everything done. I am willing to put in extra hours, or reach out to my peers for support. I also limit distractions and lean on detailed plans and task lists."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"Working on multiple projects with competing priorities is normal for me in my work as a business analyst. I have learned to use strategic and project planning best practices to ensure that I get everything done on time.
I review roadmaps regularly to ensure that I understand the long range plans of my projects. This helps me to identify in advance the times when I will most likely be the busiest. I then plan things out week to week as efficiently as possible. I look for opportunities to apply lead and lag best practices and I use downtime for one project to complete tasks on another. These strategies have helped me to improve my planning skills and deliver my work on time and in a quality manner."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I use time management, planning skills, and formal tools such as the Kano model to prioritize my own work as a project manager. I adjust my approach to match the needs of the situation as needed.
The more important aspect of my work is to ensure that my teams have a solid plan to work from when they are working on multiple high priority initiatives. Scenarios like these can be stressful for a team and it helps them to know there is a strategic and thoughtful plan in place. I review the plan regularly with my teams and offer support in whatever ways I can to make sure they have the time they need to get everything done on schedule. I communicate changes to the plan as soon as they are known, and I check in regularly to ensure we stay on track."
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Software Engineer Example
"My current team follows an agile methodology. We work quickly, and I am usually assigned several features within each sprint. My go to strategy is to plan my work out across the entire sprint at the end of our design sessions. I set small goals and use an online calendar tool to share my plan with my team.
I usually work on a quick hit feature first so that there are things ready for a test while I am working on completing more difficult deliverables. Finally, I make clear commitments in my stand up meetings each day so that my teammates know what to expect from me. I let the scrum master know if I have any roadblocks, and I make sure I ask for any information or support I need as early as possible."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"There have been many times when I had tasks to complete by a deadline. As a teacher, I had to juggle multiple classes, lesson plans, and get grades back to students promptly. As a student at university, I had many projects or tests to prepare for each finals weeks. My method remains the same, I list what needs to be completed, when it needs to be completed by, what could be extended, if one task relies on another's completion, and what are the consequences if something was not done on time."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Amanda Knight Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds like you're used to managing multiple priorities simultaneously. You can consider strengthening this answer by explaining your rationale for completing projects in a particular order? Do you complete the most urgent first or those that are required for the completion of another later? Do you complete those that may include information or pieces needed by a team member? In addition, what tools or strategies do you rely on to ensure all things are completed timely such as a shared calendar, reminder app, time blocking, etc.? Adding this information helps the interviewer understand how you work to support your team and achieve overarching goals.
Operational
30. What steps would you take to make an important decision on the job here at Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
As an employee at Boeing, your decisions on the job will impact others. It's important to express to the interview team that you recognize the weight of your responsibility, whether you are managing a team or leading by example in this role that you are interviewing for.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
Prior to your interview, write out the steps that you consider when making an important decision on the job. Prepare yourself by thinking of examples of when you were faced with a difficult decision and explain the thought process you used in walking through the decision.
Be sure to align your response with the role you are interviewing for. For example, an analyst or systems engineer should include research and data analysis steps within their response. An entry-level candidate should include seeking guidance from more experienced team members.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Entry Level Example
"The first step I would take when making an important decision would be to make sure I understand the details of the situation. I would want to know who would be affected by my decision and the exact scope of the decision that is needed. From there, I would brainstorm a list of options and think through the potential outcomes. Given that I am relatively inexperienced professionally, I would also ask for guidance and support as appropriate before moving forward."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"Whenever I am making an important decision, I question how the company will benefit and how it will impact customers. I also check to make sure the decision is in line with the company's values. It's important to consider how the decision will impact the company. I take steps to address these factors before I decide what needs to happen next."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I am required to make important decisions on a daily basis in my role. If time permits, I step through all of the options and weigh the pros and cons of each option depending on the downstream impact and potential for value. I also discuss important decisions with the subject matter experts on my team, or with my peers. However, there are times when I simply have to lean on my experience and intuition."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I begin any important decision-making process with information gathering. This includes discussions with stakeholders or my team and analysis of any available data. My next step is to define the decision options and compare them to each other. Sometimes the comparison analysis is a formal process that involves ranking and scorecards. Other times this is a lite process I run through mentally. If am the one who will implement the decision, I then select the best option and develop an action plan to move forward."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"My process for making important decisions professionally typically begins with a mix of discussion and analysis. I consult with subject matter experts, peers, my teams, or my clients as needed. I then brainstorm a list of options either alone or with a team. I compare the value stream of each option and then determine the best way forward. Additionally, I always think about how the decision will be implemented and what strategic and tactical steps will be required for success."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"As a systems engineer, my first step in making important decisions typically involves working to understand the customer need, and/or requirements that need to be met. From there, I review the current state of the technical design of the system and determine the areas that will be affected when the decision is made. If the system integrates with other solutions, I consider the downstream impact to those systems as well.
Once I understand the situation technically, I develop a list of options. I sometimes need to do research if there is a possibility of incorporating new technology. I might also consult with fellow engineers or architects depending on the need.
Finally, I weigh the options from a technical and business perspective and make a decision or a recommendation for moving forward if the decision needs to be approved by a technical lead, architect, or stakeholder."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"If an important decision needs to be done, I begin thinking about the consequences of my decisions, and how would this affect the company. Secondly, I don't go by only my own decisions, I always ask the opinion of others in my team and if they are happy to go with what I have in mind. And finally, I think about if our production capability could sustain the production once the final decision is executed to avoid stopping halfway through the process. Whenever I do team leading in my current workplace, I have to make sure that my goal is to make our clients highly satisfied by making sure the projects given to us are efficiently done. To make this possible, I've asked my line manager if I could request more staff members to perform the tasks with me before I pull them out of their designated areas without it being compromised. Since I already have enough people with me, I delegated the tasks to each of my members and began the project. We have successfully completed the jobs without any further delays and our clients were happy about it."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
You do a good job of walking your interviewer through the exact steps that you'd take when making an important decision at work, along with the hoped-for outcomes. This shows a high level of problem-solving skills!
Operational
31. Safety is our top priority in the workplace at Boeing. How have you prioritized working under strict safety protocols during your career?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing remains more committed than ever to strengthening its culture of safety through continuous improvement, learning, and innovation. No matter what department you would be joining at Boeing, their teams take a proactive and collaborative approach to promote safety within the workplace and your interview wants to ensure that they'd be hiring a safety-conscious colleague in you with this question. While your interviewer isn't looking for you to know all of the safety protocols at Boeing, they will be looking to hear that you are familiar with working under specific safety procedures and that safety is always a top priority for you.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
As you answer this question, be sure to be very specific when you talk about safety procedures you have followed in previous jobs, and also explain why following those procedures was important. You might consider walking your interviewer through a specific scenario in which your attention to safety protocols added value.
For candidates that have not yet worked in a role in which safety protocols were a driving factor, be sure to communicate clearly that you understand the importance of safety and your willingness to learn all of the necessary protocols. Let them know you plan to be diligent in following all procedures required for safety despite your relative inexperience in this area.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Entry Level Example
"This role would be my first professional experience where safety protocols are a concern. I would ensure that I review the protocols upon arrival and discuss anything I am unclear about with a supervisor. I take my personal safety and the safety of others very seriously, and I would remain committed to diligently following the safety rules every day I work at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my current position, safety is always a top priority in my work. Working both in an office setting and a production floor, I know the safety protocols of both settings and follow them diligently. In this role with Boeing, I would be very cognizant of all policies on proper safety gear and the proper use of tools and equipment necessary for the job."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"As a quality control expert, I think about safety in the workplace in two main ways. First, I make it a priority to review the policies for every location I work at. The company I work for currently has three main plants and the protocols are slightly different at each location. I ask the senior leaders there for any changes to the policies in the event it has been a while since I have worked at a particular plant.
Once I feel comfortable with the protocols for the safety of myself, my coworkers, and any contractors or clients that may be on-site, I focus on safety protocols from a quality control perspective. My role requires that I stay up-to-date on all regulations and that I thoroughly test all of the equipment I am scheduled to review. I also have several team members who report to me, and I make sure to carefully review their work and thoughtfully answer their questions. I realize that a missed step, or sloppy work could have severe consequences, and I am proud of my accident free track record of ensuring the quality of the products I review."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I have visited a number of client sites where I was required to review and follow the safety protocols. I have learned to ask for this information in advance of my visit and I ask for clarification on any policies that I am unsure about prior to my arrival. I know that my customer's work is dangerous in many cases, and I am grateful that there are clear and helpful policies in place to keep everyone as safe as possible. I know Boeing has made a strong commitment to safety for their employees and the users of their products, and I will follow all of the protocols applicable to my work if offered the business analyst position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"It is a top priority to ensure that I work in a safe environment. I travel often and I always make sure I am up to speed on the rules prior to my arrival at any site that I work at. Additionally, I make sure I investigate the protocols for the members of my team or any clients that travel with me. I make it a part of my process to ensure that everyone understands their role and how the rules apply to the work they will be doing. I know that Boeing has very clear policies in place, and I appreciate the continual investment Boeing makes to prioritize the safety of their employees and customers."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"Strict adherence to workplace safety protocols in a physical environment is a standard part of my job when I work in the field to troubleshoot issues. I have always followed all of the policies as outlined, and I will continue to do so.
As a cybersecurity engineer, there are also strict information safety protocols in place. I have worked on blue team projects in the past, but I am typically a red team engineer. There are limits to the attack methods we are allowed to use and there are clearance guidelines that must be strictly followed. I have a solid record of exposing threats while following protocols, and I look forward to assisting Boeing in protecting the critical solutions developed here from outside attack."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I worked with a lot of chemical materials when I worked at ______l. Many chemical materials can harm one's body; causing skin burns, inhalation problems, etc. I always wear safety goggles, rubber gloves, and lab coats in the lab to project myself. When there is a task to work with acid digestion, I have to wear a face shield and an acid rubber protection coat for extra protection. Therefore, I took the problem of safety seriously."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Krista Wenz Reviewed the Above Answer
Good response, showing the interviewer that you are concerned about your safety and follow the company's protocols.
Problem Solving
32. Rate your problem-solving skills that you would bring to the Boeing team from 1-10. How do you justify your rating?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
No matter what job or department you are interviewing with, your interviewer wants to hire a creative and solid problem solver. Boeing thrives on handling the toughest of issues in the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries and it is important to identify candidates with advanced skills in this area.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
How to Answer
When asked questions about your problem-solving abilities, you of course want to give yourself a healthy rating. However, it's crucial that you remain realistic as you answer. Try to avoid giving yourself a 10 because nobody is perfect and you do not want to come across as overly confident or someone who has no room for feedback and improvement. Alternately, avoid giving yourself too little credit. You do not want to paint the picture that you are a problem-solving dud! Try to remain in the 7.5-9.5 range while staying honest and accurate. Everyone has room to learn and improve! Be sure to justify your score as well.
Written by Karrie Day on May 31st, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I would rate my problem-solving at a 6 out of 10. Compared to my peers, I feel I do a good job at solving problems in life and in a professional setting. However, I am early in my career and I realize I have not yet had exposure to many of the integrated and complex problems that arise in a more demanding role. I feel it would be unfair of me to rate my skills any higher until I have the opportunity to test them in a role such as the entry-level Quality Specialist position here at Boeing.
I would like to add that I do love challenges, puzzles, and digging in to better understand complex concepts. I feel those traits will serve me well if I am offered the position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I rate my problem-solving skills as an 8/10. I will, on occasion, have times when I am not as efficient as I would like to be but all in all, I do feel that my problem-solving skills are above average. My supervisor and co-workers will attest to my fast reflexes when a problem arises, and they would also say that I remain calm under pressure and am able to communicate effectively with all that I work closely with. If I were fortunate enough to join your team at Boeing, you would quickly find out that I bring great critical thinking skills to help solve your greatest of problems in this department."
Written by Ryan Brunner on November 13th, 2021
Experienced Example
"I would rate my problem-solving skills as a 9 out of 10. As a senior manager, the majority of my day is spent supporting others through their own problem solving processes, solving problems for my teams, solving problems for the groups we support, or working with my peers to solve problems on behalf of our managers. I am able to remain calm, gather the information needed to analyze the situation, brainstorm solutions, anticipate outcomes, develop action plans, and measure the quality of the solution. I feel confident I will be able to leverage these same skills effectively here at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I would rate my problem solving skills at an 8. I learned formal critical thinking and problem solving techniques at a young age while enrolled in various gifted educational programs. We learned to solve problems using critical and outside of the box thinking techniques within individual and group settings. I have been working with those skill sets ever since.
I am also formally trained in several root cause analysis techniques. I believe that uncovering the root cause or causes of an issue is a critical step in the problem solving process that is often overlooked or skipped to save time. In my experience, skipping this step can lead to solutions that mask symptoms without solving the problem.
I believe my experience solving problems daily as an analyst combined with my critical thinking and root cause analysis skill sets justifies my score of an 8 out of 10. I know there is always room to grow, and I look forward to a life long pursuit of continual improvement in this area."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"As a project manager, one of my main duties is to solve problems on behalf of my team. I also spend ample time anticipating problems that might occur and developing strategies to mitigate them. Additionally, I am usually involved in the development of solutions for business critical or customer-focused problems. Given my experience, and the fact I continually use and refine my problem solving skills on a daily basis, I would rate myself a 9 out of 10 in this area."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I rate my ability to solve problems as an 8 out of 10. Developing software is like working on a never-ending puzzle. There are always issues to resolve or opportunities to improve. I have been engineering software for a long time, but my experience is limited to enterprise application software. I feel I need to grow my skills by working with problems within different industries. That is why I am interviewing for the position here at Boeing. I feel I can immediately put my experience to use within this department while ultimately learning about and solving problems within the aerospace and defense industry."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Teamwork
33. Tell me about a time when you had to work with another team to accomplish a goal. What did you learn from that experience that you can bring to Boeing?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Boeing is a multinational corporation with over 140,000 employees. When you work for a company that large, there is no doubt that you will find yourself working with members of different departments or 'cross-functionally.' Your interviewer wants to know if you can work on the scale required for success at Boeing.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
As a company, Boeing strives to 'innovate and operate to make the world better,' and that will require collaborating across teams and even time zones. So, when you think of your example, be sure to briefly share the circumstances of the example and more heavily emphasize what went into making cross-functional teamwork a success. As you research this role prior to your interview, try to look for clues into what departments you could be cross-functionally working with and describe a similar example in your response.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I work as an associate financial analyst in my current role. Our department partners with the various departments to review project budgets, make projections, assist with reporting, and develop annual budgets. I am assigned to work with the properties teams. I reach out regularly to their project managers to gather information that the senior analysts or managers on my team need to approve the budgets for projects like office buildouts, equipment upgrades, etc.
The project managers are extremely busy, so I am mindful of their schedules when I request information. I make sure the timelines for responses are clear and I offer to help in any way that I can. Recently, I offered to sit in on a planning meeting and compile the budget-related information on their behalf. They appreciated my assistance and asked if I would be willing to help in that way on a regular basis. It reduced the time spent gathering and documenting budgetary information and I was able to provide helpful insight. I learned a lot about project planning by partnering with the properties team, and I look forward to partnering in similar ways with the teams here at Boeing if offered the financial analyst position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"In my current position, I work on a cross-functional team to create, plan, and execute an annual company-wide conference. We have members from several teams working from several locations, so maintaining strong communication is key to the success of our collaboration. Given our busy schedules and locations, we have minimal opportunity to meet together as a group. So, we schedule recurring meetings at a mutually agreed upon time, ensure that at least one representative from each team is present, and share full notes and follow-up on our shared drive. We maximize technology to facilitate smoother transitions and timelines by utilizing shared calendars, shared drives, and group chats in Microsoft Teams to stay connected. As a result, we're able to hit our targets and execute the event each year without hiccups."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I manage a customer support operations group and I work continually to improve our customer's experience. I regularly review customer requests, handling time, escalations, and recurring patterns. I recently noticed that we were handling a large volume of tickets for a system that had been relatively stable previously and I dug into the data to look for a root cause.
It turned out that the system had recently been rolled out to a new customer group and the majority of the support requests came from that customer. I reached out to the implementation team and inquired about the project. It turned out that the project was fast tracked and the users were thrown in without proper training. We worked out a plan to use one of the implementation team analysts and a support analyst from my team to field the requests and offer training assistance. The support requests went down 74% within two months and the customer greatly appreciated our proactive approach.
I learned that fast tracked implementations are a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate excellent customer support. We now have a process in place to identify projects like this before they are rolled out and we assign a support representative to provide a custom mix of support and training until the users feel comfortable with their new solution. I feel confident I would be able to provide the same issue resolution and leadership skills to the team at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"My team partners with other teams on a regular basis. A lot of the solutions we work on are integrated, and require assistance from other teams. Additionally, we work with outside vendors on occasion and partner with the teams who work for those companies.
I was recently working on a project to implement a vendor solution that required excellent teamwork on my part. The vendor embellished the capabilities of their solution in the sales process and it left my users with a number of critical functional gaps to account for. It became apparent to me early on in the process that the solution would not work as designed, so I partnered with the senior analyst from the vendor team to validate the gaps and collaborate on potential solutions. We ultimately came up with several creative options that met the needs of the users.
I learned it is important to stay focused on the goals of a project when issues like this arise. My clients and some of the members of my team were upset about the vendor lying about their solution capabilities, but the goals of the project were the same. The needs of my customers still needed to be met. Instead of focusing on why things went wrong, I remained positive and reached out to the other side to find a way forward. I would bring the same positive and collaborative spirit to Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I currently manage projects for three cross-functional teams. They each support a different group and their projects do not typically have crossover. However, one of my teams was working on a business critical project with regulatory deadlines. They were at risk of running behind and our customer made several last minute scope change requests.
I pulled the leaders from all three of my teams together to make them aware of the situation. I asked if the other two teams would be willing to offer support. They stepped up and we worked out a plan to add two resources to the struggling team to get the project done.
The resources that helped were incredibly valuable, and the situation helped me see an opportunity to restructure the way we staff projects. I am in the process of working with my director to create more cross-project knowledge sharing opportunities to better support our customers during times like these in the future. I look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate similar creativity, leadership, and process change skills at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"In my current role we work with a change management team that deploys all of our solutions to production environments. We have a number of continuous deployment solutions in place, but there are a number of processes that require manual steps or levels of approval prior to implementation.
Our team normally works with the same delivery manager on all of our products, but he recently left the company unexpectedly. A new delivery manager was assigned and several of our initial implementations experienced issues and delays. I offered to partner with the new delivery manager to walk him through our systems, services, and architecture basics. We also reviewed the deployment review and approval approach for our specific customer group and systems. Finally, I worked alongside him during our next few deployments. I answered questions as we went and the process went smoothly.
I learned it would have been best to offer this kind of support initially when the new delivery manager was assigned. We incorrectly assumed the previous manager left detailed instructions, and we now know that it is important to reach out immediately in the event of a change to ensure the smooth delivery of our solutions to our customers. I am absolutely willing to offer support and assistance like this at any time if selected for the systems engineer role at Boeing."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I was in charge of the production and logistics unit. The Projects team needed my departments' services to get work to their client. I worked with the Project Manager and his deputy to ensure that the orders were dispatched on time."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Mary H. Reviewed the Above Answer
Great job on providing a specific scenario. Make sure to include specific actions, and the result or outcome. See below.
"When I was working at _____ and in charge of the production and logistics unit, I was asked to partner with the Projects department in order to fulfill a client request. I communicated closely with the Project Manager, as well as his deputy, and ensured that all orders were dispatched on time. The request was met timely and the client was satisfied."
Teamwork
34. How have you made a positive impact on your team in the past?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
In looking to bring you on to their team, your interviewer wants to ensure that they are hiring a true difference maker that can make a positive impact on their team. This might include things like raising the bar by setting an example of excellence, helping your teammates through a stressful time, developing a more inclusive environment, facilitating a solution for a team conflict, or going the extra mile to get a project done on time.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
How to Answer
To help ensure that you can help foster Boeing's innovative atmosphere, try to give an example that shows you can think outside of the box and creatively solve problems. Your strengths and skills can help make you an asset, so put some thought into this question ahead of your interview. No matter how you answer, ensure that you can convince your interviewer that you can make a positive impact in the role that you are interviewing for by painting a full picture of the situation you talk about.
Written by Karrie Day on June 3rd, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I interned here at Boeing prior to my graduation. When I arrived, my team was working hard to complete a critical project. There was limited time for me to ask questions or expect others to guide me because they all had top priority tasks to complete prior to the implementation. I listened intently in meetings did my best to take on any tasks I felt I could complete successfully with minimal guidance. I was able to keep task lists updated, take meeting minutes, and I even brought snacks for everyone in the afternoons.
My teammates thanked me for jumping in the way I did. Taking on some of the smaller tasks freed them up to take breaks as needed and complete the more difficult assignments. Once things slowed down, they took the time to teach me and help me learn about working at Boeing. I thoroughly enjoyed my internship and I am excited to be interviewing for a full time opportunity."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"I was working as a consultant to help improve the hiring process for a growing business. When I learned that they didn't have an applicant tracking system and they didn't have the budget to purchase one, I helped create one for them to use until their budget allowed. This contribution helped to speed up the hiring process significantly for them and it is something that they continue to use to this day."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"I have worked on a lot of teams over the years as a contributor and a leader. I enjoy working in teams and it is important to me to have a positive impact on every team I work with. I approach team settings with calm and positive energy. I help to keep everyone focused on the goals we need to meet, and as a team leader, I help to resolve conflicts and inspire healthy team based behaviors."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I have made a positive impact on many of the teams I have worked with, but I am the most proud of the work I have done with my current team. Before I arrived, the members of the team had very little knowledge of the customers we support. They did not understand their business or the user personas of the end users. I shadowed our customer group and worked to learn their processes. I also met with several individual users to learn more about their working environment and responsibilities.
I put together a presentation with the highlights of what I learned and shared it with my team. I also authored user persona documents to help improve our ability to craft solutions with the user perspective in mind. We reviewed everything together and I even asked some of our customers to attend the session and answer questions from the team. The session I led was a huge success and it served to strengthen our customer relationships and the quality of the solutions we work together to create."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I work within a project management office at my current company. I noticed that there were several major inconsistencies in the project chartering and roadmap approaches across our group. With the support of our director, I led an initiative to streamline our processes so that the information managed by our group was more consistent across projects.
My peers appreciated the templates and process guidance that resulted from my efforts. Everyone offered their feedback and we developed a more consistent brand for our group. We even received feedback from several senior stakeholders that the consistency helped them process project update information more efficiently."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I work remotely in my current role. I noticed that a recurring theme in our reflection meetings was that we were not collaborating effectively. Our team lead put a number of process changes in place that helped, but I felt like I could do more.
I set up a series of lunch and learn meetings to help us keep our skills sharp and get to know each other better. We held the meetings monthly and we rotated presentation responsibilities. The leader of the meeting presented information about a technical topic, and then reserved the last ten minutes to share a bit about themselves personally. We learned some valuable technical skills, and we learned to connect with each other. These meetings are a lot of fun, and I look forward to collaborating with the teams here at Boeing if selected for the open position."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I am working on P6 scheduling in my office because no one else knows how to do it here. I have provided our PMs with easy access to someone who can do their scheduling by allowing them face to face contact. I created the P6 schedule for one of the jobs we are working on now and was asked to do another one when the new refinery job was awarded to us."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
Very good!
Teamwork
35. Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team to solve a problem. What role did you play on the team in this situation?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Problem-solving with any team can be challenging! Because the global efforts at Boeing to be an innovative and creative leader in the aerospace and defense industries require the ultimate in teamwork, your interviewer wants to hear that you can work as part of a larger team to solve problems on the job.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
How to Answer
Give an example that shows you are a leader and that you are willing to ask for help when you need it. Humble leaders are hard to come by these days. Present the situation and explain what you and your team did to create optimal results. As well, be sure to talk a bit about the role that you took on as part of that team in solving the problem so your interviewer gets a sense of the type of team player you will be at Boeing.
Written by Karrie Day on May 30th, 2023
Entry Level Example
"I worked as a quality assurance intern last summer. I was assigned to a cross functional development team. They were running behind on their project and added extra developers to assist. That meant that there was more to test each week, and the QA analyst who I worked with was already swamped. She had to abandon automation of tests in favor of manually testing as many functions as possible. I have some development experience, and I had been interested in their automated testing tools since joining the team.
I knew that I could help speed things along if I could automate some of the more basic functions of the new features as they were developed. I stayed late one night and gave it a shot. I created several testing scripts to learn the automation tool. I showed them to my colleagues, and they were impressed with my initiative. I ran point on automation for the rest of the summer, and I appreciated the opportunity to add value to the team and the system."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Answer Example
"My coworkers and I worked together to resolve a pretty urgent client situation. The issue was with their production process and my organization supported the maintenance of their production equipment. I shared the problem with my coworkers for support. I led the effort in researching their issue and how we could tweak the machinery to fit their new needs. My colleagues helped me back up my research with more facts and information to provide for my client. Together we were able to gather additional information and make a great recommendation to assist my client."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Experienced Example
"The demand for several of the products my group managed tanked during the pandemic. There were also major supply chain issues. We were in uncharted territory and nobody really knew if we needed to make major adjustments to our production schedules or just give things a little time to settle down. Everyone was stressed at our managers' meetings because our staff had a constant flow of questions, and we did not have answers in many cases.
I worked with my fellow managers to triage the situation. We created a forum for employees to ask questions. We pulled our best supply chain and production management subject matter experts together and let them provide situational guidance. As managers, we reviewed the decisions and provided feedback as necessary. Unfortunately, the pandemic lasted a lot longer than we expected, but we mobilized the right people at the right time to determine our best course of action."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Business Analyst Example
"I typically work in a cross functional team setting, and I am the only analyst assigned to the projects I work on. The same is true for most of the other analysts within our department. I felt like we were missing an opportunity to mentor each other and share best practices with other analysts. At the time, I was somewhat new to the company, and I only had a few coworkers I knew well enough to reach out to when questions came up.
I set up meetings with a couple of the managers within our department and asked for their support in setting up a knowledge sharing group amongst the BAs. My request was received well and each manager allotted time for us to get together. I worked with a group of senior analysts to determine the discussion topics for the year. We each took turns presenting information about our systems and the business verticals we supported. We discussed requirement documentation, workflow reengineering, and design techniques. We also saved time in each meeting for freeform Q&A.
My fellow analysts and I really love these meetings, and they have added a lot of value to our project work. I hope the program continues after I move on to my next opportunity, and I am grateful for the relationships I was able to establish with my peers."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Project Manager Example
"I often manage projects that utilize solutions and materials from third party vendors. We recently worked with a vendor who was struggling to integrate properly with some of our technology. The project was at risk of running behind, so I stepped in to see what I could do to help move things along.
Our technical lead informed me that the engineer assigned from their side was fairly inexperienced and taking longer than expected. I reached out to the project manager assigned by the vendor and brought her up to speed on the problem. I asked if she would be willing to speak to her management about assigning a technical lead on their side to oversee the work of their engineer. They freed up a resource to join the combined team and help mentor the junior engineer. They ended up getting everything done on time and upholding the terms of our contract."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
Software Engineer Example
"I was the lead engineer on an integration project last year. The analyst on our team was new and struggling to properly gather and document the requirements for the project. She needed time to learn the business unit we were working with as well as the data within the systems we were working to integrate. The team was frustrated and our requirement review meetings weren't going well.
I offered to work with her to help her gather the knowledge necessary for the project. I was not an expert on the business, but I was able to help her understand the databases involved and how the data flowed through each system. We took three days and reviewed everything technical she might need to know. Then we spent the other two days of that week shadowing business users to learn about their workflows and how they use the systems.
The knowledge we gained collectively made a huge difference in the project. The requirement quality improvement was noticeable to everyone on the team, and things went much more smoothly from that point on. I'm glad we took a step back and invested the time to get the information the team needed."
Written by Karrie Day on November 14th, 2022
User-Submitted Answer
"I was tasked with updating a green sheet for our shop to minimize the work not related to the shop that is used in the field, such as working from heights, scaffolding, etc. It was my first time doing this, so I used my shop colleagues as resources and asked for their opinions to make the green sheet more user-friendly for them.
I did my walkthrough of the shop and used my judgment on what was necessary to be on the green sheet. Then, after I sat down with my shop colleagues, I took their opinions as well. They had a few more things they believed were not necessary for the shop green sheet, and I finished it up and sent to my boss for implementation.
He felt that it was very well done and we put it into process. The shop employees are much happier with less paperwork, and I had a better understanding of what we did in the shop. We worked together to complete an objective that we both wanted to be changed and implemented."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Rachelle Enns Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds like you did an excellent job taking everyone's needs into account for the creation of this green sheet. This is a great example!
Questions to Ask Your Interviewer at Boeing
While it can be a challenge to stay calm and answer all of the questions thrown at you in a Boeing interview, it is important to work in a few questions of your own. Asking compelling and thoughtful questions is a wonderful opportunity to impress your interviewer(s) and leave a lasting impression.
The exact strategy to follow for asking questions depends on a few things. Obviously, you'll want to customize your questions to the requirements and maturity level of the role you're interviewing for. It is also important to ask questions that are a fit for the style of interview you're in (individual vs. panel). Finally, it helps to ask at least one question related to something specific that came up during your interview as this shows you are actively listening and engaged in the process.
Regardless of your role, you may find the following questions helpful to you in preparation for your interview. It can be difficult for some candidates to come up with questions on the fly, so having a list of questions at the ready is a great way to ensure you take full advantage of your chance to ask a few of your own.
1. I appreciate Boeing's commitment to sustainability. Can you tell me how your department specifically contributes to environmental sustainability?
2. What is the biggest challenge the team(s) I will be working with face, and what could I do to help them address it?
3. I am interested to learn more about the XYZ program (something specific like Leadership NeXt). Can you tell me about how candidates are identified?
4. I am excited about the opportunity to work with XYZ technology if hired. Can you recommend any helpful educational resources I should explore?
5. I know Boeing is a large company with many exciting opportunities. Can you describe some of the career path opportunities for the XYZ role?
Boeing Company Culture
Taking the time to learn about the culture of Boeing is a solid interview preparation activity. It will help you to know if you are a fit for their culture, and it will help you craft interview question responses in alignment with their values. Boeing has high expectations for their employees given the mission-critical nature of the products they develop. Knowing more about how they operate will help you convince your interviewer you will be able to fit in and quickly become a contributing member of Team Boeing.
One of the best ways to learn about the culture at Boeing is to familiarize yourself with their values. As expected, they value teamwork, collaboration, safety, quality, and innovation, but a few things outside of the basic cultural expectations for a global aerospace and defense company stand out.
First, Boeing strives for excellence. That's a high bar and they expect excellence in their engineering practices, leadership, and stakeholder relations. That's a well-rounded approach and they have a number of leadership development programs focused on fostering excellence in these areas.
Second, Boeing is all about reducing waste. This is evident in their commitment to sustainable environmental practices, but it is also core to how they operate. They encourage their employees to 'crush bureaucracy' in favor of streamlined processes that save time and energy in addition to the responsible use of materials. They value lean principles and reward team members who can eliminate rework and maximize value.
Finally, Boeing's values page states that they "foster a Just Culture grounded in humility, inclusion, and transparency." That's a powerful statement about their culture. They speak about fair treatment that allows team members to make mistakes, be accountable, and learn so that they can grow together as a team. Boeing also states that they seek to incorporate and amplify global perspectives which is a demonstration of their commitment to diversity.
Given the values of Boeing, it is important to be ready to demonstrate how you have shown excellence, applied lean principles, and are in alignment with the Just Culture of Boeing. Proving your ability to thrive in these areas can serve as a means of impressing your interviewers to set yourself apart from the other talented individuals interviewing for the job you want.
About the Author
As a former technologist, I was excited when I learned I would be working on the Boeing Q&A set. I knew going in that Boeing had a strong track record of innovation and excellence when it comes to their use of technology, but I learned so much more when I dug in to research the company. Here are a few things that impressed me personally:
Product Development Process Maturity
I spent time digging through the open roles at Boeing and I noticed roles that indicate that the process of developing products at Boeing is advanced. They know their stuff! For example, they employ multiple levels of scrum masters. This means they assign highly skilled and advanced product development facilitators to teams working on mission-critical projects. Additionally, some of their teams utilize SAFe (scaled agile framework). This means Boeing understands how to bridge multiple teams together in a scaled agile setting for maximum collaboration and success. That's important!
Lean Practices
Boeing leverages lean principles within their manufacturing sectors, software engineering, and operations groups. This means they understand how to maximize value, ensure quality, and reduce waste. Each of these practices is good for the company, good for its clients, and in theory, good for the employees of Boeing.
Well Developed Careers Site
The career coach in me really appreciated Boeing's careers pages. They are very clear about what they are looking for in each of the roles listed. They offer a breakdown of responsibilities and the types of traits/soft skills needed. They use descriptive language such as 'relentless improvements' and 'thinking beyond boundaries'. They also offer salary range, benefits, and relocation assistance information. All of this tells me that Boeing is committed to identifying candidates that are a great fit for their needs and their culture.
Talent Development and Long-Term Career Options
Boeing has a strong internship program. This is a smart move in my opinion. They invest in bringing young talent in, showing them the world of Boeing, and then convincing the best to come back and work full-time. Programs like these help to develop future leaders, and Boeing isn't shy about their preference for promoting from within. They also have a well-developed leadership program, a healthy list of business resource groups, demonstrated commitment to hiring veterans, and several continual learning programs. If the idea of working your way up in a company like Boeing sounds appealing, they may be the perfect fit for you!
In summary, there are always new and exciting opportunities at Boeing that offer a wide range of benefits. No matter what type of role you are interested in, landing a job at Boeing results in an impressive addition to your future resume. I hope this Q&A set has helped you prepare and boost your excitement about your upcoming interview at Boeing. I wish you success, and I encourage you to keep Boeing on your radar in the future!
Learn more about Karrie Day