Civil engineering is a professional engineering field concerned with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally created environment, such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and trains.
Traditionally, civil engineering has been divided into a variety of sub-disciplines. It is defined to separate non-military engineering from military engineering and I the second-oldest engineering subject after military engineering in the public sector. Civil engineering may be done by municipal public works departments up to federal government agencies, and in the private sector, it can be done by locally based businesses up to Fortune 500 global corporations.
1. Why Did You Choose To Study Civil Engineering?
My father, a math teacher, was a big influence on my decision to become a civil engineer. He shared with me, as a child, his passion for deciphering mathematical problems and other challenges. He frequently urged me to consider unconventional approaches to each issue. He urged me to have a creative mind and to constantly investigate how something is made and how it operates. He gave me the motivation to investigate whether an alternative approach could be used to enhance the design.
2. Do You Have Any Experience Using Surveying Tools?
I am familiar with surveying equipment; however, I have limited experience operating it. However, I was in charge of setting up survey equipment before projects started in my previous position as a civil engineering technician. In addition, I assisted with equipment calibration and problem-solving during fieldwork.
3. Do You Understand How Engineering Geology Uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS)?
I have extensive knowledge of GIS platforms. In my previous position, I created maps of regions where there were environmental problems, using GIS extensively. As an illustration, I previously worked on a project where we had to locate places at risk of flooding. I was able to assess which were at risk. As a result, we constructed our recommendations with more knowledge.
4. What Are Some Of The Most Crucial Factors To Consider When Doing A Site Investigation?
When doing a site investigation, the client’s budget is the first item I consider. This is because it enables me to choose the techniques I will employ to gather information about the website. For instance, if the client has a tight budget, I could be forced to overlook some more expensive testing techniques. The amount of time I have to finish the project is another factor. If there is not much time, I will have to prioritize my tasks to complete as much as possible in the time provided.
5. How Do You Decide Which Risk Mitigation Strategy Is Most Effective At A Specific Location?
I first take into account what produced the risk in the first place before selecting the best method to minimize it. For instance, I would research stabilizing options if a slope on a construction site was unstable. If soil loss caused the instability, I could advise putting in erosion management measures like rock barriers or sowing grass to help stop soil loss. Another time, I worked with a customer who wanted to construct a new shopping center but had to figure out how to do so while safeguarding the nearby wetlands.
6. How Can You Tell If A Material Is Strong?
I employ many techniques to ensure materials are strong enough for their intended usage because strength is one of the most crucial considerations when constructing structures. Uniaxial compression testing, which entails sandwiching a sample between two plates and applying pressure until it breaks, is one technique I employ. Flexure testing is a technique where I repeatedly bend a beam or slab until it cracks. I can compute each material’s ultimate strength to identify its stress-strain curve.
7. What Function Do Quantity Surveyors Perform In The Building Sector?
I’m confident in saying that quantity surveyors are essential to the industry. I frequently participate in practically all phases of a construction project, including feasibility, design, construction, extension, renovation, maintenance, and even demolition. Through my expertise, I can assist clients in reducing project costs while maintaining quality, standards, and supplies. At the same time, I make sure that projects are finished on schedule and can counsel clients on a number of contractual matters.
8. What Approach Do You Take While Working On A Project With Suppliers And Contractors?
I believe that communication is the most critical aspect of dealing with suppliers and contractors. I make sure that everything I communicate with them is clear and that both parties know each other’s expectations. This enables me to defend the organization and my clients if someone fails to deliver on their promises or causes project delays. If anything like this happens, I make a point of being forceful and holding contractors, suppliers, and myself accountable so that we can have a backup plan that the customer will approve.
9. Give An Example Of An Instance When You Discovered And Solved A Project Issue.
When working on my first civil engineering job, I saw that our team’s projections for building a new road were incorrect by several feet. We couldn’t modify anything because we had already poured the concrete for the road’s base. Instead, I measured the present one and compared it to the original blueprints. After conducting some studies, I discovered that the original designs used out-of-date data for the area. I alerted my supervisor, who subsequently contacted the previous plan’s provider. They submitted amended blueprints, allowing us to finish the job without incident.
10. What Structure Would You Construct If You Could, And Why?
If I could create any structure, it would be a bridge across the water. Bridges fascinate me because they allow people to traverse enormous expanses of water without swimming or driving around them. They’re also stunning architectural components that help us connect with our environment. When constructing a bridge, I would make it strong enough to support heavy traffic while allowing plenty of sunshine to stream through.
11. What Is Your Background In Waste Management System Design And Implementation?
My previous position as an engineering geologist required me to develop and install a new waste management system for a major metropolis. Because the present system had grown obsolete, we needed to devise a more effective method of managing the city’s rubbish. I began by researching various types of waste management systems currently in use around the world. After considering numerous alternatives, I determined that a centralized waste management system would be the best option for the city. We then devised a strategy for implementing the new system.
12. Have You Ever Had Any Experience Handling Dangerous Materials?
I’ve dealt with a number of dangerous materials, including radioactive elements such as uranium and plutonium. In my previous role, I was in charge of detecting the presence of these components on building sites and devising mitigating techniques to ensure worker safety. For example, when I discovered significant amounts of radiation at one, I advised that we suspend the building until we could locate an alternate material or a place where employees’ exposure could be reduced.
13. When Should You Use A Third-Party Consultant?
I would only engage a third-party consultant if I believed my organization was incapable of doing the assignment itself. For example, if we were working on a major project with many distinct components, hiring a third-party consultant who specializes in one area may be more efficient. This allowed us to concentrate our efforts on areas where we shine while still gathering all the essential information for the project.
14. Give Me An Example Of A Time When The Materials Were Subpar.
I discovered that supplies from one of our primary suppliers were not up to our requirements during a complicated project for one of our long-term clients. When I realized this, I immediately contacted my team and scheduled an urgent meeting to see if we could find a solution before the deadline. Fortunately, we contacted a couple of our smaller suppliers, who agreed to assist us at regular pricing despite our request for rapid delivery.
Simultaneously, I’ve chosen to hold the former provider responsible. I reviewed our agreement and contacted them the next day. I insisted they refund the whole amount we paid for the items, including the shipping fee. They were hesitant, but I persuaded them that paying the amount back to us was the best option in such a case.
15. What Is The Significance Of Having Control When Planning A Test?
Control is required when designing any test since it allows you to compare the findings to what is expected. For instance, if I were doing a water pressure test on a pipeline, I would want control that displays the average amount of water pressure for that pipeline at all times. In this manner, I can check whether the pressure fluctuates over time or if there are any problems with the pipeline.
16. There Is A Chance That A Project Will Not Be Able To Withstand The Expected Load. What Is Your Plan Of Action?
I would first investigate the project’s load capability and foundation type. If I discover any difficulties with either of them, I will solve them quickly so we can avoid any problems in the future. For example, if the foundation was not built properly or if the building had cracks, I would have my crew restore the foundation before proceeding with the remainder of the project.
17. Describe The Steps You Take To Perform A Site Investigation.
When doing a site investigation, I first meet with my client to discuss their project objectives. Following that, I did a preliminary analysis of the region to grasp the geological conditions. The samples were then collected from various regions of the site and analyzed in the lab. After reviewing the data, I reported my results to my customer and made recommendations on how to enhance the geological conditions at the site.
18. How Do You Keep A Solid Subcontractor Network?
I feel that developing connections with subcontractors is one of the most significant aspects of this industry since they play a vital part in the day-to-day progress of a project. I always make a point of rewarding and appreciating my subcontractors. It is my responsibility to ensure that the firm pays them on schedule and recognizes their achievements. It’s also critical for me to keep an open communication channel since it helps ease tensions and quickly settle any problems that emerge.
19. How Would You Handle A Scenario In Which Someone Was Breaking Fire Safety Regulations?
In my previous position, I had a coworker who regularly broke fire safety regulations. He would frequently leave his trash on the break room floor rather than in the garbage bin. This violates fire safety rules because, in the event of a fire, the rubbish might burn and cause structural damage to the structure. I spoke to him about it multiple times, but he continued to break the regulations. I eventually reported him to our supervisor, who issued him a warning. After that, he obeyed the rules.
20. We Want To Be Sure That Our Construction Is Secure. How Would You Inspect A Structure To Guarantee Its Structural Integrity?
I would start by visually inspecting the structure for fractures or other deterioration that might jeopardize its integrity. The construction would then be subjected to a number of stress tests to determine its ability to endure pressure without breaking. I might, for example, lay weights on top of the structure to check if it bends or breaks under strain. If it passes these tests, I can be confident that it is structurally sound.
21. What Do You Believe Is The Most Important Skill An Engineering Geologist Should Possess?
I believe that communication is one of the most crucial abilities for an engineering geologist to possess. I feel communication is necessary while working on projects with other experts. In my previous position, I worked with a number of engineers and architects who needed information regarding geological conditions on building sites from me. I expressed complicated geological ideas to them in a way that allowed them to make judgments.
22. What Are The Main Objectives Of A Geotechnical Engineer?
A geotechnical engineer’s principal aims are to safeguard the safety of people who utilize buildings and other structures and to preserve the environment from construction projects. To do this, I undertake site inspections before construction and monitor ground stability during development. If there are any issues with the ground’s stability or if we need to make changes to the project, I collaborate with my team to find solutions.
23. Give An Example Of A Period When You Had To Plan The Foundation For A Tall Structure.
My previous job as a geotechnical engineer required me to build a foundation for a 100-story skyscraper. The initial stage in developing the foundation was establishing what soil could support the building’s weight. After examining soil samples from the surrounding region, we found that clay soil would be most suitable for bearing it. I estimated the pressure the building would exert on the earth and utilized that knowledge to calculate the required foundation depth.
24. Which Foundation Do You Like To Use?
I have a lot of expertise in both shallow and deep foundations. Deep foundations, I believe, are more beneficial for huge buildings since they give support from below ground. I also prefer working with shallow foundations since it allows me to construct distinctive patterns. For instance, I once built a shallow foundation into a sidewalk to make it a part of the city.
25. The Soil Beneath A Building Site Has The Potential To Become Unstable. What Procedures Do You Have In Place To Avoid This From Happening?
I would first do a geotechnical examination of the site, which would entail collecting soil samples and evaluating them in a lab. The results of these tests would then be analyzed to see whether any variables may have rendered the soil unstable. If it is proven stable enough to sustain the construction, I will design the foundation. If I detect that it is unsuitable for the building, I will offer other soil stabilization solutions.
26. What Do You Believe Is The Most Important Skill A Civil Engineering Technician Should Possess?
In my opinion, the most crucial skill for a civil engineering technician is attention to detail. This is because I’ve seen how an engineer might overlook minor aspects while developing a project, resulting in costly blunders later on. As a civil engineering technician, I pay special attention to all the details so I can effectively express them to my colleagues.
27. How Frequently Do You Improve Your Engineering Technology Knowledge?
I seek new methods to expand my understanding of civil engineering technologies. I attend seminars offered by local engineers regularly and subscribe to various trade periodicals. I have recently enrolled in a civil engineering technology course at a neighboring community college, where I may get an associate’s degree.
28. Describe A Period When Your Team Or Organization Was Going Through A Transition. How Did That Affect You, And How Did You Respond?
My manager departed the firm last year, and the company couldn’t replace him for several months. This changed the way our team worked since she was the one who ensured we were all on the same page. I recommended a fast daily check-in after a couple of weeks of missed deadlines and miscommunications on the team. It took 10 minutes a day, but it helped us get back to working effectively and decreased the frustrations that had begun to build. It helped me understand that adjusting to change necessitates recognizing the gaps that change produces and finding innovative solutions to fill them.
29. Give Me An Example Of A Situation When You Had To Juggle Many Tasks. How Did You Deal With It?
As a member of an early-stage business, I had to wear several hats. I’d be recruiting one moment, in front of potential clients, and then meeting with the cofounders about building contracts. Changing gears so rapidly frequently felt like whiplash. I discovered that it wasn’t the juggling that was the issue, but the continual switching back and forth. I began chunking my work so as to devote many hours to related activities. One is a recruitment block, another is designated for site visits. It became a lot easier to handle after I realized the trick to multitasking.
30. Give Me An Example Of A Moment When You Effectively Persuaded Someone At Work To See Things Your Way.
I was once entrusted with terminating a project. Of course, this may be difficult for individuals who are impacted. If done incorrectly, it may devastate a team’s morale. I won’t go into too much detail about the project, but suffice it to say that everyone involved worked hard and it required a lot of persuasions to convince them that this was the right decision. Rather than allowing the notion to take hold that months of their effort would be discarded, I proactive discussed with everyone all of the ways their work will still be used by other areas of the organization.
It wasn’t what they had hoped for, but knowing that their efforts weren’t in vain lessened the blow and allowed me to deliver the sad fact that we wouldn’t be able to achieve our initial objectives. Considering what negative reactions they could have and attempting to be empathic helped me to directly address their worries and demonstrate why this was the best way ahead.
Conclusion
Always practice for interviews. To consciously answer a question like, “Why should we hire you?” is one thing. It requires a distinct skill set to clearly and persuasively communicate it out loud. No matter how organized your thoughts are in your brain, the first time you say them, you’ll sound disorganized and confused. You’ll sound smoother and more eloquent if you repeat the phrase ten more times.