Petroleum Engineers Interview Questions & Answers

Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface.

Interviewers look for candidates who demonstrate excellent skills such as:

• Creative thinking skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Math skills

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for petroleum engineering positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills that you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Analytical skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your analytical skills:

Petroleum engineers must be able to compile and make sense of large amounts of technical information and data in order to ensure that facilities operate safely and effectively.

Creativity

Why the interviewer is interested in your creative-thinking skills:

Because each new drill site is unique and therefore presents new challenges, petroleum engineers must be able to come up with creative designs to extract oil and gas.

Learn more about creative-thinking skills interview questions and how to answer them!

Interpersonal skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your interpersonal skills:

Petroleum engineers must work with others on projects that require highly complex machinery, equipment, and infrastructure. Communicating and working well with other engineers and oil and gas workers is crucial to ensuring that projects meet customer needs and run safely and efficiently.

Math skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your math skills:

Petroleum engineers use the principles of calculus and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.

Problem-solving skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your problem-solving skills:

Identifying problems in drilling plans is critical for petroleum engineers because these problems can be costly. Petroleum engineers must be careful not to overlook any potential issues and must quickly address those which do occur.

Learn more about problem-solving interview questions and how to answer them!

(source: bls.gov)

Petroleum Engineers Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Tell me about a time you had to compile and make sense of large amounts of technical information and data.
2. What is the main advantage of ‘X’ in petroleum engineering?
3. What do you do to ensure the safety of your colleagues and the environment on a job site?
4. Describe a crisis you encountered at work. How did you handle it?
5. What qualities do you have that would help you on the job?
6. How do you present complex information and ensure that all parties involved understand it?
7. What methods would you use to enhance ‘X’?
8. What is the most challenging project you have worked on as a petroleum engineer?
9. Tell me about some of the projects that you have helped design and develop. How did your involvement affect the outcome?
10. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.