Aecom Iterview Flashcards
Interview Practice
My understanding of the role as a QS
Pre-Contract:
* Cost planning and estimating
* Attendance at Design / client meetings
* Assisting senior staff in the preparation of documentation
* Procuring construction works and managing tender processes
* Compilation of contract documentation
Post Contract
* Attendance at site progress meetings
* Completion of Valuations
* Financial reporting
Skills I have for this role
- Strong mathematical and analytical skills enhanced during my A Levels
- Passionate about the role and have done independent learning to further my understanding
- Proactive and driven to work and create success in role at Royal Marsden when I worked towards clearing a year long backlog
- Can work effectively in a team to meet common objectives as demonstrated at Royal Marsden when I worked across several teams
- Organised when managing tasks and communicate well with all parties shown when working at Royal Marsden
- Can communicate to offer or ask for support as shown in role at Royal Marsden
Personal achievements
- Cleared a yearlong back log within 3 months of working at Royal Marsden, required me to work with different people across several teams and undertake different tasks to clear the data. As a result, it cleared the backlog and helped the hospital’s system to run smoother.
- At GXO warehouse regularly achieved a pick rate of over 110%
My understanding of Aecom
- A global infrastructure consulting firm, who offer many services like architecture and design, cost management and program management. Working in many markets in the UK like Education, Healthcare, Commercial & Residential, Leisure and Transportation.
- Within cost management, targets of reducing client risk, improve value and deliver positive outcomes in all sectors.
A time I have shown I can collaborate well with others
Have demonstrated I can work effectively with multi discipline team to meet common objectives as demonstrated at Royal Marsden when I worked as part of their private patients billing team
A time I have shown good communication skills
Demonstrated good communication skills in my previous role at the Royal Marsden when I worked across several teams and had regular meetings with the various teams to discuss any issues with the system or billing. Also when to offer support to others to assist with their workload or be prepared to ask for support when required. As many people worked remotely a lot of the communication was through MS teams or through texts or calls.
Why am I interested in Aecom
- To work on major projects Bloomberg’s European headquarters, which is the world’s most sustainable office space, by design. It interested me due to the size of the building and the design, split into 2 buildings which are connected by link bridges on the upper levels. This project also received many awards like the RIBA 2018 Stirling Prize. As the main Victorian brick sewer traverses the site, foundations and the structure had to be designed to allow the building to bridge over the sewer. Aecom provided cost management services for this project so it excites me to have the opportunity to work on similar projects.
- The ADVANCE programme which will help build my career by attending instructor-led training sessions where I will meet and hear from people in the business to help me succeed in the role. It will also help me build relationships with fellow apprentices across the UK through activities
- Values align with mine, Safeguard, sustain, innovate, collaborate, deliver and thrive
- The apprentice community with Aecom having several hundred apprentices going through the same process
Technical knowledge I have of the role
- I have experience with cost plans and reports, bills of quantities, design team meetings, progress meetings, site visits and have used RIB CostX to measure the areas and perimeters of designs
- I have taught myself the 8 RIBA stages and what should happen at each stage
- Also learnt the differences between NEC and JCT contract and the pricing options (A-F) under the NEC contract
My understanding of the role at Aecom
- Work within the cost management team to help provide construction cost management services to your local, regional and national clients and global clients
- Work with clients both in the public and private sector
- Work on Commercial (new build, refurbishment and fit out)
- Industrial developments
- Infrastructure schemes including large scale rail, highways and water projects
- Be involved in all stages of a project
Growth/development shown
- I have shown development and growth in my previous role at the Royal Marsden when I learnt a new system which meant I could bill patients. This meant I was able to help others and work with more teams to prevent a backlog
Why a degree apprenticeship?
- I will be able to apply live projects and the day to day of the role to my university studies
- I can earn an income whilst studying for a degree and establish myself within the company and work towards more senior roles
- Gain a professional qualification like RICS
- Avoid student debt
How do I manage workload?
- I manage workload through prioritising tasks that need to be completed soon to ensure I meet deadlines
- Also communicate any issues with my manager or team to ensure I can complete my workload and ask for support if necessary
- Willing to work overtime to meet deadlines
- Create a routine to manage my time dedication to work and my studies
- Communicate with my team and manager to discuss how I can better allocate my time
- Seek advice from other apprentices on the programme or who have completed it and learn how they best managed their time
How do I deal with conflict?
- I deal with conflict through taking time to understand the other person’s view and their reasoning
- Ensure the choice made isn’t personal and all relevant parties are made aware of the situation
- Once the conflict is resolved understand how it was what caused it and how it came about and put in measures so it does not repeat
Why me/what makes me different?
- I am really interested in quantity surveying and have sought after some work experience and independent learning to understand the role more
- Dedicated learner and worker who strives to do their best everyday
- A team player who is kind and supportive and looks to build good working relationships to best achieve the best outcome for any tasks or work projects
- I am a strategic thinker who remains calm and focused even during pressured situations
Why do I want to work in the construction industry?
I have been interested in the built environment from a young age which has fuelled my desire to work in the industry.
My interest was enhanced after my work placements at G&T and Mace where I gained a better understanding of the industry, in particular quantity surveying.
The industry is ever changing through technology advancements
Personal Challenges I have overcame
Managing my A Level studies alongside my part time role at McDonald’s
When travelling, one of my flights were cancelled as would have been in China for over 24 hours so had to email the airline myself and call them to change my flights without paying an extra fee.
How would I deal with a client/contractor who has raised a problem or concern
- Speak to the client and understand their issue and speak to my team and appropriate people to talk about how we can solve this issue
- Ensure I clearly explain how the issue will be addressed
What motivates me
- The opportunity to be successful in what I do and strive to do my best with everything I do
- Working with a friendly but also hard working and dedicated team
- Also the opportunity to learn and develop my skills to support a team
A time I have managed different deadlines
- During my role at the Royal Marsden I worked across several teams so often was given separate tasks which had different deadlines, one time I was asked by one team to clear some old billing as it was long overdue and consultants were making complaints and then there was a new agreement with an insurance company so I had to convert all the coding and pricing as soon as possible.
- I prioritised the insurance company task as the deadline was closer and so was priority however I had to continue to bill the patients so I completed it little and often. I also asked for some support with the billing as I was not too sure I could complete it and as it was important the task was completed on time I felt it was necessary to ask
A time I have effectively managed my studies and work load
- was during my A Levels I continued my part time role at McDonalds which required me to learn how to allocate my time effectively which at first I wasn’t used to but after speaking to my teachers and manager I was able to set a routine and allocate my time better and then during my exams I reduced my hours more so I could focus on them
A time I have used my initiative to overcome an obstacle
- I have used my initiative to overcome an obstacle was when at my role at the Royal Marsden there was defunding so the team shrunk in size so I took it upon myself to learn a new IT system and offered to work across another team to help support the workload
A time I have demonstrated leadership
- I have demonstrated leadership during my role at Royal Mail when I delegated the tasks effectively among the team I was working in to ensure our workloads were manageable
Why I want to do a degree apprenticeship and how it will benefit me and the company?
- I’m interested in doing a degree apprenticeship as I am really interested in quantity surveying after completing my two work placements
- I am confident that it is the best route to help me learn the role and develop my skills as a quantity surveyor as I can apply classroom learning to live projects and the day to day of the role but also learn from experienced professionals and understand how they tackle any challenges
- It will benefit the company as I will have been in the company from the start of my career so I will develop a deep understanding of the company and by the time I have finished the programme I will have experienced the role for 5 years so will have experienced many projects and worked across many teams and built good relationships
A time I have been asked to do a new task and how I went about successfully completing it
During my role at the royal marsden I had learnt the new system and had been tasked to change the codes of drug and accommodation charges due to a new agreement. I was explained briefly how to do it. I then began it and was unsure so asked for help from a team member I had a good relationship with and they explained it better and showed me how to do it so I was able to do it and complete ahead of schedule which my manager appreciated
