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Boeing Mock Interview

Question 1 of 38 for our Boeing Mock Interview

Boeing was updated by on June 5th, 2023. Learn more here.

Question 1 of 38

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?

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.

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How to Answer: 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?

Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Boeing job interview.

  • 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

      Anonymous Interview Answers with Professional Feedback

      Anonymous 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."

      Lauren's Feedback

      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."
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  • 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