The Question That Separates Good Candidates From Great Ones in Engineering Interviews
About the Author
Nick Koop, Director
With over 11 years in recruitment, Nick has worked closely with engineering professionals across Australia, from small consultancies to global firms. He’s built his approach on honesty, consistency, and actually listening to what people want, not just what’s on paper.
Melbourne born and bred, Nick’s usually either following sport, chasing his kids around, or finding a decent spot for a quiet pint. He’s a long-suffering North Melbourne supporter, which probably says enough about his resilience.
Contact Nick
Want to discuss your next engineering hire? Give Nick a buzz or drop him a line via:
📧 nick@vividrecruitment.com.au
You can also connect with Nick on LinkedIn or follow the Vivid Recruitment LinkedIn page for more industry insights, news, jobs and general chit chat and tips!
Want Better Interview Advice That’s Actually Useful?
If you’re preparing for a move in engineering, planning, or construction and want straight answers, reach out. No scripts. No fluff. Just a proper conversation.
Most candidates treat the end of an interview like a formality. It’s not. The questions you ask can leave a stronger impression than anything you’ve said before it. If you’re working in engineering, construction, or design, one simple question can tell you what success actually looks like and quietly position you as someone worth hiring.
Why the Last 5 Minutes of an Interview Matter More Than You Think
We’ve sat in on a lot of interviews across engineering and construction. Civil designers, project engineers, planners, you name it.
And one thing keeps happening.
The interview wraps up, things are going well, and the hiring manager asks:
“Do you have any questions for us?”
Half the time, the candidate says something along the lines of:
“Nah, I’m all good.”
That’s a miss. A big one.
Not because it’s rude. But because you’ve just skipped one of the easiest chances to stand out without having to sell yourself.
The Question That Actually Gets People Remembered
Here’s a question we’ve seen land really well:
“When you think about your top performers in this organisation, what qualities or mindset set them apart from someone who simply meets expectations?”
Simple. No fluff. But it does a lot of heavy lifting.
Why This Question Works (Especially in Engineering and Construction)
1. It Shows You’re Thinking Beyond the Job Description
Anyone can talk through their CV. Most engineers can explain a project they’ve worked on.
But this question tells the interviewer you’re already thinking about how to succeed in their environment.
Not just how to get through probation.
2. It Gives You the Real Version of the Role
Job descriptions in our industry are… optimistic.
Every role sounds like a mix of technical delivery, stakeholder management, innovation, and leadership. In reality, every business values different things.
Some care about billables and utilisation.
Some care about client relationships.
Some just want someone reliable who doesn’t create headaches.
This question cuts through the polished version and gets you closer to the truth.
3. It Positions You Without Saying It Out Loud
You’re not saying “I’m a top performer.”
But you are making it clear that’s where your head is at.
That subtle shift matters.
Especially in a market where good engineers are hard to find but great ones are even harder to keep.
What You Should Be Listening For in Their Answer
This is the part most candidates miss.
Don’t just ask the question and nod along.
Pay attention to what they actually say.
Look for patterns like:
- Ownership vs hand-holding - Are their best people self-sufficient or heavily managed?
- Technical depth vs client-facing skills - Do they value design excellence or relationship building more?
- Hours vs output - Are top performers the ones staying back late or the ones delivering efficiently?
- Culture signals - Do they mention teamwork, ego, communication, or just KPIs?
This is the stuff that tells you whether you’ll actually enjoy working there.
Interviews Go Both Ways (Even If People Pretend They Don’t)
There’s still this old-school thinking in parts of construction and engineering that interviews are one-sided.
They’re not.
If anything, in the current market, candidates have more say than they realise.
You’re not just being assessed on whether you can do the job.
You’re working out:
- Will I learn here?
- Will I be backed by leadership?
- Is this place going to burn me out?
If you’re not asking questions that help you answer those, you’re flying blind.
Other Questions That Actually Add Value (Not Just Filler)
If you want a few more that don’t sound rehearsed, here are some we’ve seen work well:
- “What does success look like in this role after 6 to 12 months?”
- “What’s been the biggest challenge for someone in this position previously?”
- “How does the team typically handle pressure when projects get tight?”
- “Why did the last person leave?”
None of these are fancy. That’s the point.
They’re real questions that get real answers.
A Quick Reality Check From Recruitment
We’ve worked with enough hiring managers across consultancies, contractors, and developers to say this confidently:
Candidates who ask thoughtful questions get remembered.
Not always because of what they asked, but because of what it signals.
It shows:
- Curiosity
- Commercial awareness
- A bit of self-respect
And in an industry where a lot of interviews blur together, that’s often the difference.
Final Thought
If you take nothing else from this, take this:
Don’t waste the last five minutes of an interview.
That’s where you stop being just another CV and start looking like someone who actually gets it.
Vivid Recruitment - Your specialist partner in:
Architecture & Interior Design Recruitment | Urban Design & Planning Recruitment | Mechanical Engineering Recruitment | Electrical Engineering Recruitment | Structural Engineering Recruitment | Civil Engineering Recruitment | Acoustic Engineering Recruitment | Hydraulic Engineering Recruitment | ESD / Sustainability Engineering Recruitment | Fire Engineering Recruitment
