Tell me about a time when you took the initiative to improve work-related procedures.
If you take the time to research Jacobs' values you will notice that three out of four apply to this question (we do things right, we aim higher, we challenge the accepted). Talk you your interviewer about a time when you epitomized any of the Jacobs values while working to improve work operations.
"I was able to present and implement one specific change in the office this past year. It was a recycling program that I felt was very important, even for our smaller office. We had significantly less waste after initiating my plan, and I enjoyed seeing others take pride in helping our environment. When researching Jacobs I noticed there are several projects and internal initiatives that have an environmental or sustainability focus. I would love the opportunity to work for a company that shares my values in this area."
"In my most recent position, I noticed that our written procedures were not exactly how the employees were doing things. I decided to interview the employees and compare it to the written procedures that management wanted to use. We were able to come to a compromise that met all of the safety and quality requirements of the company but still worked a bit faster and easier for the staff. I know that Jacobs values employees willing to challenge the accepted way of doing things and I am pleased to know that is a priority of your company."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
In FCC, I realized that what the employees were doing was not aligned with the internal procedures. After having a meeting with my line manager and company internal auditor, I interviewed the employees to find out the gaps and root causes. Finally, we were able to come to a compromise that met all of the safety and quality requirements of the company but still worked a bit faster and easier.
Amanda's Feedback
Wonderful response! You've shared a pertinent example that showcases your ability to identify a problem, determine the root cause, and then follow through to meet employee needs while adhering to applicable guidelines.
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