What duties on our job posting do you consider the most challenging?

"The duties I consider the most challenging are (X duties you consider the most challenging) because I don't have experience performing such duties in a professional capacity. However, I have performed similar duties in a volunteer capacity while in university where I (X equivalent experience in a volunteer capacity). Because of this experience, I know I will be able to successfully perform in a work environment."

Tell the interviewer the duties on the job posting that you consider the most challenging and why, by emphasizing some of your strengths or past/equivalent experience that will enable you to nevertheless be successful in this role.

What motivates you in your career?

"What motivates me the most in my career is becoming the best in my field, and as a result having the opportunity to make an impact on a greater scale. For instance, with this position, what motivates me the most is the opportunity to (X motivating factor found on the job posting). I am extremely passionate about this career and look forward to becoming the best version of myself."

Tell the interviewer about your passion for this career, what motivates you to be the best in your field, and what you look forward to the most in this position. Review the job posting before your interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved, and mention one or many duties that you look the most forward to (related to your motivation), and why. This will show the interviewer that you are passionate about your work and that you also did your due diligence before your interview.

Tell me about your attendance record in your current or last position.

"I am extremely reliable and always on time. For instance, in my current position of (X position title) for (X company), I regularly have to work very long hours, sometimes working overtime until 9pm, yet nevertheless start my day at 6am. To be on time, I always ensure to get a good night sleep and prepare for the next day the night before. I am proud to say that I am always on time, and I even do my best to arrive 30 minutes before my shift is scheduled to start."

Employers are looking for reliability and commitment. Provide an example of your excellent attendance record and punctuality in a previous position, in a professional or volunteer capacity. Answer by providing an example where, e.g., you were rewarded for your behavior or congratulated by a superior, or where it could have been difficult for someone to remain reliable, yet you were.

Tell me what your current or former employer had to say about the quality of your work in your last performance review.

"My current employer said that I am a highly meticulous individual and a very hard worker. For instance, I always review my work at least twice before completion."

Always review the job posting before an interview to familiarize yourself with the personality traits the employer is seeking. Answer this question by mentioning some of the familiarity traits listed on the job posting by providing an example in a professional setting.

What are your short term career goals?

"In 2 to 3 years from now, for instance, I would like to have grown within the company and having established myself as an expert. I hope to eventually move up the ladder and become a Manager or Team Lead. I wish to commit to my employer and contribute to the company's success."

Answer by telling the interviewer about your short-term goals, however by ensuring your goals are related to the position and company you applied for. Should your short-term goals significantly differ from the position or company, the interviewer may assume you will leave eventually the position if hired, for a better opportunity at another company, should one presents itself. As a result, you may be instantly disqualified.

Have you ever left a position without providing notice?

"I have never quit a job without notice as I am extremely reliable, professional and committed to my employer. Furthermore, should I have serious work issues, I will request a meeting with my employer to discuss them and find reasonable solutions."

Tell the interviewer whether you ever had to quit a job without providing notice, should that apply to you. Mention what led you to quit. In the event this never happened to you, tell the interviewer why this isn't something you would do by emphasizing how reliable and committed you are, and will be.

Tell me about your post-secondary education.

"I read on your job posting that one of your preferred educational qualifications is an associate's degree. As you can see on my resume, I hold an Associate's degree in (X) from (X university), granted in (X year). I also have a (X) Certificate, which I am positive will be highly beneficial in this role as I have developed relevant skills as a result of the knowledge acquired in my studies."

Ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the educational requirements for this role.Answer this question by mentioning your degrees and certifications that you have, by putting emphasis on those that are relevant to the position you applied for. Should you hold one or several of the preferred educationalqualifications listed on the job posting, tell the interviewer you directly meet the educational qualifications, making you a great candidate for this role - and this is an opportunity for the interviewer to see you did your due diligence before the interview. Alternatively, tell the interviewer why you believe your education has prepared you for this role.

What would you current or former employer say about you?

"My former employer would say that I am a very hard worker, that I have excellent communication skills and that I am extremely customer-oriented."

Always review the job posting before an interview to familiarize yourself with the personality traits the employer is seeking. Answer this question by mentioning some of the familiarity traits listed by providing an example in a professional setting.

How do you handle stress and pressure?

"I thrive under pressure and always remain calm in stressful situations. This is an opportunity to perform to the best of my abilities."

Tell the interviewer about your stress management skills and ability to work under pressure.

Tell me about your ability to remain ethical in difficult situations.

"When working for (X company) as a/an (X position title), we had to complete a project (... what happened in this project where your ethics were tested). As this was dishonest, I (... what you did to remain ethical)."

Provide an example in a position held in a professional or volunteer capacity, or alternatively in a university setting, e.g., when working on a project with classmates.

What is you greatest strength and how will it contribute to your success in this role?

"I thrive on challenges and do not hesitate to work long hours to get the job done. I also have strong project management, time management and organizational skills which will absolutely benefit me in this role."

Tell the interviewer your greatest strength(s) which you believe will help you be successful in this role.

What is your greatest weakness and what are you doing to improve in that area?

"I believe my greatest weakness is that it is hard for me to stop working when there is more to do. I am very focused in my work and wish to complete all tasks by the end of each day. However, it isn't always possible to do so. To improve in that area, I do my best to prioritize and use daily to-do lists to keep track of my duties so that I can get to work as soon as I get to the office in the morning."

Tell the interviewer your greatest weakness which can nevertheless be a strength in this role. Also mention what you are doing to improve in that area.

Why should we hire you?

"You should hire me because I have the right educational and professional qualifications that you require, as well as the right personality traits. I am professional, dedicated, and have excellent project management skills."

Ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved and the qualifications required from the successful incumbent.Answer this question by emphasizing your educational qualifications, experience and personality traits, which provide evidence of your suitability for this role.

What do you enjoy the most about being a Civil Engineering Technician?

"My favorite part about being a Civil Engineering Technician, and what excites me the most about this position specifically, is the opportunity to work with clients internationally. My past experience was extremely exciting, however my clients were all local. I am extremely passionate about this career and look forward to acquiring further skills with clients of different cultures."

Tell the interviewer about your passion for this career and what you look the most forward to in this position. Review the job posting before your interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved, and mention one or many duties that you look the most forward to, and why.

What excites you the most about this position?

"What excites me the most about this position is the opportunity to work with clients internationally. My past experience was extremely exciting, however my clients were all local. I am extremely passionate about this career and look forward to acquiring further skills with clients of different cultures."

Tell the interviewer about your passion for this career and what you look the most forward to in this position. Review the job posting before your interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved, and mention one or many duties that you look the most forward to, and why.

Are you available to work overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays, and/or start your shift early in the morning?

"I carefully reviewed the job posting numerous times before this interview and am aware of the work schedules. I am willing to work over the weekend, early in the morning, in the evening, overtime and holidays, as required."

Always ensure to review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the work schedule. Should an interviewer ask such a question, it is highly likely you will have to work such schedules/days and that you will have to be flexible. As such, the interviewer will expect you to have applied for the position after carefully reading it, in turn expecting you to be able to work as needed.Should these requirements be mentioned on the job posting and should you answer in the negative, you may be immediately disqualified. Not only would you not meet a crucial requirement for the role, this would also show you did not carefully read the job posting before applying and the interviewer may think you simply applied to get any job - and as such, you are not serious about working for this employer specifically and/or will not commit.

How do you or would you motivate your team?

"I would meet with my team on a regular basis to ensure they are meeting all expectations, and that they are satisfied with the duties they have to perform. I would also occasionally reward them by using incentives, e.g., monetary incentives and/or the opportunity to move up the ladder by acquiring management skills."

Tell the interviewer what you have done or would do to motivate your team and ensure its success.

How do you feel about the paperwork end of being a Civil Engineering Technician?

"I am comfortable with people as I have excellent organizational skills, which I believe are essential to successfully perform in any position. For example, if I have to perform numerous duties in a short period of time, I need to know how to prioritize, meet the respective deadlines, and be able to easily access the required documentation. I will use lists to keep track of upcoming duties, a calendar to keep track of deadlines and regularly update my records."

Tell the interviewer about your organizational skills in a work environment by providing an example of your capabilities. Provide an example in a professional or volunteer capacity, or alternatively in a university setting.

When working on a typical project in your field, what do you find to be the usual culprit to time delays, and how do you correct these issues?

"The culprit to time delays is poorly managing one's time. I am proud to say that I have excellent time management skills. For instance, in my last role at (X company) as (X position title), I regularly had to complete numerous projects on very tight deadlines (X further information pertaining to the projects involving the use of your excellent time management skills). However, should delays inadvertently occur, I would get to work as soon as possible and would not hesitate to work overtime and/or delegate duties to ensure project completion in a timely fashion."

Tthe interviewer wants to ensure you have good time management skills. Answer this question by providing an example of such skills in another position as for employers, past behavior is a good predictor of future behavior.

Tell me about a time when a certain project did not go as planned. How did you and your team correct the issue?

"No such project comes to mind. I believe my high degree of meticulousness, my time management and organizational skills ensure I am rarely faced with poorly planned projects as I always anticipate all aspects of a project before they occur. Should I be faced with such a situation, however, I would immediately meet with my team so as to rectify the situation in a timely fashion and would not hesitate to work overtime to get the job done."

Tell the interviewer about the biggest obstacle/challenge you have had to overcome in your career having regard to a problematic project, in any position, and how you successfully resolved the situation. Should no such project come to mind, tell the interviewer why you believe you never encountered any in your professional life while adding how you would hypothetically handle such a situation.

Tell me about a time when you had to criticize and give feedback to a construction worker. How did it go?

"I I do not have such experience, however, in such a situation, I would remain professional, polite and respectful. I would privately meet with the individual and give him/her a chance to express his/her point of view and then follow up to ensure my feedback is taken seriously. I truly hope hope to acquire team management skills so as to lead team members to success."

If the interviewer asks such a question, it is likely that the position entails team management duties - current or future, which will most of the time already be outlined on the job posting. As such, he/she will assume you applied to this role upon having adequately read the job posting, and that you have an interest in team management and/or some sort of team management experience. Tell the interviewer about your team management experience, should you have any, in a professional, volunteer, or educational capacity (alternatively). Try to provide an example related to the position/industry you applied for, as much as possible. If you cannot do so, provide any example by telling the interviewer you are positive your skills will easily be transferable. Should you not have such experience, mention that you are more than willing to gain team management skills and would love to take on a leadership role. Mention how you would hypothetically handle such a situation.

What are your long term career goals?

"In 7 to 10 years from now, for instance, I would like to have grown within the same company I started off with, having acquired skills enabling me to establish myself as an expert in my field. I would love to be responsible for more managerial duties and ultimately lead a team of professionals."

Tell the interviewer about your career goals in ~7 to 10 years from now. Ensure to link your career goals to the company you are applying for to show the interviewer you can be a long-term asset for the company and that you are looking for stability.

What do you know about our firm?

"I reviewed the job description and website before this interview and know you are a company specializing in (X services you noticed on the company website). I am particularly excited about (X programs/initiatives) that I saw on your (website/social media pages) as I (X reasons you are excited about these programs/initiatives, such as passion or similar initiatives undertaken in school or volunteer capacity)."

Tell the interviewer about your knowledge of the company you applied for. It is imperative to always conduct your due diligence before an interview by reviewing the job description, company website and social media pages to familiarize yourself with the company and work involved. It is also important to show the interviewer you did not apply to the advertised position simply because you are looking for just any job, but that you wish to work for this company specifically.

What do you feel your best skill is related to the position of Civil Engineering Technician?

"My best skill is time management. This skill particularly served me well in my last position at (X company name) where I was employed as a/an (X position title). In this role, I (X confirmation as to how this skill benefited you in this role and contributed to your success)."

Always review the job description before the interview to familiarize yourself with the skills required from the successful incumbent. Answer this question by mentioning a skill listed on the job posting, if outlined, and provide an example of this skill in a professional capacity. Alternatively, provide your top skill, which you believe will highly benefit you in this role, and provide an example of this skill in a professional setting, preferably related to the type of position you applied for.

How well do you handle criticism?

"No example comes to mind. However, I would always remain calm and professional, and would do my best to follow up with the person in question so as to obtain feedback. I always welcome constructive criticism as it enables me to better myself and improve my work."

Answer this question by providing examples of your ability to remain calm, collected and professional at all times. Provide an example of a situation in a professional capacity reflecting your ability to handle criticism. If such a situation never happened to you, tell the interviewer how you would hypothetically handle such a situation.

What made you choose a career as a Civil Engineering Technician?

"I have a passion for civil engineering (...). I furthermore believe that my my educational qualifications related to this field and the courses taken in my studies have contributed to my desire to pursue this career, ensuring that I will thrive in this role."

Tell the interviewer the reasons why you decided to become a Civil Engineering Technician or whether this career is or was the logical step in your career by emphasizing some of your strengths that will benefit you in this particular role.

Tell me about an important goal that you set in the past. Were you successful?

"My most important goal is one where I had to (X ...) on a very tight deadline (... detailed information pertaining to this goal, such as the company name, your position title, and so on). I successfully met the requirements and my superior was highly satisfied. My strong time management skills contributed to my success and will undoubtedly enable me to thrive in this role at your company."

Tell the interviewer about your most successful goal, preferably in a professional capacity and related to the position/industry you are applying for. Alternatively, provide any successful goal in another professional capacity, in a volunteer capacity, or in a university setting.

Give me an example of when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

"I am particularly proud of the time I (X project you are the most proud of). I went above and beyond because the client's satisfaction mattered to me and my employer, and (X other reasons why you went above and beyond). The client was so satisfied by the high level of commitment and quality of my work that he hired our company for all of his upcoming projects."

Provide an example of a situation in a professional capacity, preferably related to civil engineering. Alternatively, provide an example in any other professional or volunteer capacity, or in a university setting. Add that you are positive your skills will be transferable in this role.

Civil Engineering Technician Interview Questions

Go Back

1. What duties on our job posting do you consider the most challenging?
2. What motivates you in your career?
3. Tell me about your attendance record in your current or last position.
4. Tell me what your current or former employer had to say about the quality of your work in your last performance review.
5. What are your short term career goals?
6. Have you ever left a position without providing notice?
7. Tell me about your post-secondary education.
8. What would you current or former employer say about you?
9. How do you handle stress and pressure?
10. Tell me about your ability to remain ethical in difficult situations.
11. What is you greatest strength and how will it contribute to your success in this role?
12. What is your greatest weakness and what are you doing to improve in that area?
13. Why should we hire you?
14. What do you enjoy the most about being a Civil Engineering Technician?
15. What excites you the most about this position?
16. Are you available to work overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays, and/or start your shift early in the morning?
17. How do you or would you motivate your team?
18. How do you feel about the paperwork end of being a Civil Engineering Technician?
19. When working on a typical project in your field, what do you find to be the usual culprit to time delays, and how do you correct these issues?
20. Tell me about a time when a certain project did not go as planned. How did you and your team correct the issue?
21. Tell me about a time when you had to criticize and give feedback to a construction worker. How did it go?
22. What are your long term career goals?
23. What do you know about our firm?
24. What do you feel your best skill is related to the position of Civil Engineering Technician?
25. How well do you handle criticism?
26. What made you choose a career as a Civil Engineering Technician?
27. Tell me about an important goal that you set in the past. Were you successful?
28. Give me an example of when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.

Civil Engineering Technician Interview Questions

1. What duties on our job posting do you consider the most challenging?

2. What motivates you in your career?

3. Tell me about your attendance record in your current or last position.

4. Tell me what your current or former employer had to say about the quality of your work in your last performance review.

5. What are your short term career goals?

6. Have you ever left a position without providing notice?

7. Tell me about your post-secondary education.

8. What would you current or former employer say about you?

9. How do you handle stress and pressure?

10. Tell me about your ability to remain ethical in difficult situations.

11. What is you greatest strength and how will it contribute to your success in this role?

12. What is your greatest weakness and what are you doing to improve in that area?

13. Why should we hire you?

14. What do you enjoy the most about being a Civil Engineering Technician?

15. What excites you the most about this position?

16. Are you available to work overtime, evenings, weekends and holidays, and/or start your shift early in the morning?

17. How do you or would you motivate your team?

18. How do you feel about the paperwork end of being a Civil Engineering Technician?

19. When working on a typical project in your field, what do you find to be the usual culprit to time delays, and how do you correct these issues?

20. Tell me about a time when a certain project did not go as planned. How did you and your team correct the issue?

21. Tell me about a time when you had to criticize and give feedback to a construction worker. How did it go?

22. What are your long term career goals?

23. What do you know about our firm?

24. What do you feel your best skill is related to the position of Civil Engineering Technician?

25. How well do you handle criticism?

26. What made you choose a career as a Civil Engineering Technician?

27. Tell me about an important goal that you set in the past. Were you successful?

28. Give me an example of when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty in order to get a job done.