Avoid These 5 Mistakes in Your Job Interview

Interviews for civil engineering roles can be a major hurdle, whether you’re entering the workforce or advancing your career. It’s not just your technical knowledge that counts—how you present yourself and connect with interviewers matters just as much.

At StrataWay, we’ve identified five common mistakes candidates make in interviews—and how you can avoid them to stand out for all the right reasons.

1. Not Researching the Company or Their Projects

Walking into an interview without knowing what the company does—or what they’ve been working on lately—is one of the fastest ways to make a weak first impression. It signals to the interviewer that you haven’t taken the time to prepare and may see the role as just another job rather than a position you’re genuinely excited about.

Interviewers want to see that you care about this job at this company. They’re assessing whether you understand their mission, challenges, and industry position. If you can’t speak about them in a meaningful way, you’ll blend in with every other candidate.

What to do:

• Study their website – Read their “About” page, leadership bios, and service offerings.

• Check recent projects – Look for press releases, case studies, or portfolio updates. Identify one or two projects you can mention in conversation.

• Read industry news – Search their name in Google News or LinkedIn to see if they’ve been involved in recent developments or partnerships.

• Find common ground – Maybe you’ve worked with similar clients, used similar tools, or faced similar challenges. Reference these to show alignment.

2. Failing to Highlight Adaptability and Learning Agility

Engineering projects may not go exactly as planned—design changes, budget shifts, unexpected site conditions, or new regulations can turn a smooth job into a moving target. Employers want to know you can roll with the punches, pivot when needed, and keep delivering results.

Adaptability shows you can thrive in uncertainty, while learning agility proves you can quickly absorb new information and apply it effectively. These traits signal that you won’t freeze when faced with unexpected challenges—you’ll find solutions and keep the project on track.

What to do:

• Share a real example – Think of a time you had to quickly learn a new software or process to keep a project moving.

• Highlight the outcome – Emphasize how your quick thinking or fast learning directly contributed to meeting deadlines, solving problems, or saving costs.

• Show proactive learning – Mention recent certifications, trainings, or tools you’ve taught yourself to stay ahead in your field.

3. Not Asking Thoughtful Questions

When the interviewer wraps up by asking, “Do you have any questions for us?”, they’re not just being polite—it’s another chance to show your interest, engagement, and strategic thinking. Responding with “No, I think you covered everything” can make you seem passive or uninvested.

Asking smart, targeted questions shows you’ve been actively listening, you’ve done your homework, and you’re thinking ahead about how you can add value. It also shifts the conversation from a one-way evaluation into a professional dialogue—exactly how you’d interact on the job.

What to do:

• Prepare about 3-4 questions ahead of time so you’re not scrambling in the moment.

• Focus on contribution – Ask about current priorities or upcoming projects.

• Avoid overly self-focused questions at the interview (like salary, vacation time, or office perks)—save those for when you’re further along in the hiring process.

• Tailor your questions to what you’ve learned in the interview—this shows you were listening and processing their answers.

4. Underestimating the Value of Soft Skills

Communication and teamwork aren’t just “nice to have”—they directly affect project outcomes, client satisfaction, and workplace morale. Failing to highlight this leaves the interviewer with an incomplete picture of your value.

It's important to be able to clearly explain your design to clients, coordinate effectively with other disciplines, and resolve conflicts as they arise. Employers look for engineers who can lead discussions and keep teams moving forward under pressure.

What to do:

• Share stories where soft skills saved the day – For example, a time you diffused tension between stakeholders or clarified a technical misunderstanding that was blocking progress.

• Highlight client interaction – If you’ve explained technical issues to non-technical audiences, mention it—it’s a highly sought skill.

• Show leadership, even without a title – Coordinating schedules or mentoring junior staff counts.

  
  

5. Not Preparing for Common Interview Questions

Even the most technically skilled engineers can stumble if they walk into an interview without preparation. Unfamiliar questions or poorly structured answers can make you seem unsure, even if you know your stuff.

Interviewers often ask standard questions like “Tell me about yourself” or “Describe a challenging project you worked on” to assess not just your experience, but your communication, problem-solving, and self-awareness. Hesitation or vague answers can leave them questioning your readiness.

What to do:

• Identify common questions in your field – Technical, behavioral, and situational questions are typical in civil engineering interviews.

• Practice out loud – Speaking your answers helps you stay confident and reduces filler words like “um” or “you know.”

• Tailor answers to the company – Highlight experiences or skills that align with the company’s projects, values, or challenges.

Final Thoughts

Interview success comes down to preparation, clear communication, and showing both technical and interpersonal strengths. Avoid the above mistakes, and you’ll be well on your way to impressing your interviewers and landing the job.