Applying & Interviewing
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Applying for a new opportunity is an exciting step, and knowing what to expect can make the process easier. Whether you're exploring career opportunities, preparing your job application or getting ready for an interview, this guide walks you through each stage of the Burns & McDonnell hiring process. Explore resources, application tips and interview insights to help you put your best foot forward and move confidently through every step of the hiring process.
Start Your Job Search
People responsible for hiring have a considerable number of resumes across their desk every day. Your resume should showcase you and needs to be designed in a way that helps you look good. Having the basics up to date is a must. This will give the interviewer a way to contact you and will provide a great snapshot of your experience and accomplishments. So, what makes a good resume? A strong resume is well-rounded and concise. Focus on your accomplishments, responsibilities and include projects that you're proud of. Use data to quantify your achievements and start your bullet points with strong action verbs, such as led, developed, implemented and executed. You can tailor your experience and keywords to mirror what the company is looking for, so do research on their project work and the role that you want. Cover letters can be beneficial if you'd like to explain something in more detail. Here at Burns & McDonnell, cover letters are optional. While many other companies require them, it is good to check before applying. By including the right information and presenting it clearly, you will create application materials that stand out and leave a lasting impression.
Start by putting your best foot forward. A strong resume helps you clearly communicate your experience, impact and career direction so you can confidently take the next step in your search.
Networking is a critical part of the job search. When attending events, have on hand a few talking points or questions related to the event or industry ready to go. This shows that you're engaged and interested. Depending on the type of event, you can even research company attendees ahead of time. This is a great opportunity to gather information about company culture, interesting projects, benefits and locations, which you can use to guide conversations. When starting a conversation, begin with a friendly greeting and introduce yourself. Confidence and a positive attitude will help you stand out. After you've established a connection, start your elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech to spark interest in who you are and what you do. Think of it as a mini sales pitch about yourself. Include your name, major, school, career interests, relevant experience, skills and desired career position. Elevator pitches do not have to be all encompassing. Short and sweet is the way to go. To exit gracefully from a conversation following your pitch, wait for a natural pause, thank the person for their time, and express your intention to stay in touch. If you need to think of a reason to leave the conversation, try excusing yourself to go grab a refreshment or comment on not wanting to keep them engaged too long. The key here is to leave with next steps. By mastering your elevator pitch and learning how to enter and exit conversations smoothly, you will shine and make a memorable impression at any event.
As you begin exploring opportunities, having a polished introduction makes it easier to share who you are and what drives you. A clear, concise pitch helps you make meaningful connections throughout your job search.
Before You Apply
Fostering connections with individuals inside the companies you would like to work for can boost your chances of getting hired. Before you apply, reach out to your contacts and ask if they're aware of any openings at their companies and if they would be willing to recommend you. If you do not already know someone at the companies that you're interested in, connect with individuals on LinkedIn in your field of interest. Use personalized messages when you send connection requests, explaining why you are interested in their work and their company. Another way to gain access to a company is to attend community and professional events and get to know people there who work at the companies that interest you. As always, do your research. If possible, determine in advance which company representatives you would like to get to know and mobilize on your behalf. When you're at an event, make the most of small talk. Start with a friendly greeting and ask open-ended questions. After your conversations, stay in touch. You can ask for a business card or suggest connecting on LinkedIn. Following up with a personalized note can help build relationships. By effectively leveraging your network and mobilizing your contacts, you'll be well-prepared, with word of mouth preceding you before you apply for your next position.
Before submitting an application, reaching out to people in your network can offer valuable insight into the work you’re pursuing. These conversations can help you better understand the role and prepare for next steps.
Job and career sites can offer a wealth of opportunities but knowing how to search effectively is key to finding the perfect match. When searching for jobs on career sites, use keywords, locations, industries, disciplines and types of roles to find opportunities that align with your interests. The more specific your search, the better. Titles and divisions can vary by company, so it's good to check the years of experience listed on a job description to verify that it's a good fit. The jobs at Burns & McDonnell are updated daily and featured on third-party websites such as LinkedIn, Handshake and Indeed. If you don't see a role that catches your eye on our Careers page, join our talent community to learn of future opportunities and make us aware of your interests. For students seeking an internship or their first full-time job, our early careers positions typically open in the early fall each year before we hit campus job fairs. There are many ways to connect with us, and no matter what stage of your career you're in, you can apply for as many roles as you would like. If you need an update on your applications, simply log on to our careers portal to see your status for each role. I hope these tips help you navigate our job postings and connect with our company. We look forward to reviewing your application.
Navigate your job search with tips for finding the right opportunities, exploring new career options and staying connected through our talent community.
Interview Process
If you are selected to move forward, you’ll hear from us.
A member of our recruitment team will reach out regarding next steps. Depending on the role and location, your interview may be pre-recorded or conducted by phone or in person. Throughout the process, you may speak with a recruiter, the hiring manager or members of the team. Your recruiter and recruiting coordinator are here to help. Please reach out if you need assistance or an accommodation, or if there’s anything we can do to make your interview experience more comfortable.
Ever wonder why employers use prerecorded video interviews? There are several reasons, but most importantly, we do it to offer flexibility. It allows you to complete the interview in your own time, and it creates a fair interview process by giving all candidates the same questions. Once you create a profile on our platform, you will get a confirmation email and the option to move into the interview. At that point, you'll be prompted to test your equipment's video and audio capabilities. The interview generates prepopulated questions but will give you time to compose your thoughts before recording. Typically, you will have two chances to record your answer on video before moving on to the next question. If you are using the Burns & McDonnell platform and choose to use your second interview, the first recording will be replaced and only the second one will be submitted. Prerecorded interviews can be awkward, so focus on exuding confidence and being engaging. Even though you might be at home, dress as you would for an in-person interview, and try not to have a background that's too distracting. Avoid reading off your resume. Instead, offer relevant, personal examples that apply to each question. By understanding the process and following these tips, you will be well-prepared for your prerecorded video interview.
If your interview process includes a pre-recorded interview, taking a few moments to prepare ahead of time can help you make the most of the experience. Reflect on your experience and gather your thoughts so you can communicate clearly and confidently.
Before an interview, preparation is key. It is important to research the company and the role you're applying for. Understanding the job requirements and being prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the role and organization are critical. You will also want to review common interview questions and practice your responses to feel more confident. Rehearsing with a trusted friend who will give honest feedback can be helpful. When it is time for your interview, dress professionally. If in person, arrive early and give yourself a moment to calm your nerves. When meeting the interviewer, offer a firm handshake and good eye contact to display a sense of confidence. If the interview is live on camera, test your camera and microphone beforehand. Use a clean and professional background and join the meeting on time. During the interview, listen carefully to questions and think before you respond. We recommend sharing specific examples of your experiences and accomplishments. Where appropriate, use the STAR method: Frame the answers by focusing on situation, tasks, actions and results. Know that many companies use multiple people to conduct interviews, so be prepared to field questions from more than one individual. Also, prepare a few insightful questions ahead of time about the job and the company to ask the interviewer. This shows your genuine interest and helps you determine if the job is right for you.
As you move into conversations with our team, thoughtful preparation helps you make the most of each interview. Reflecting on your experience and understanding the role will help you show up ready to engage.
Post-Interview
After the team completes all interviews, you’ll be notified of its hiring decision.
If another candidate is selected, don’t be discouraged. You can continue to search for other opportunities that may be a good fit. We recommend setting up job alerts or joining our talent community if no roles immediately catch your eye.
If you receive an offer, congratulations! Your recruiter will contact you with details and be your guide as you consider joining us. The offer letter will be sent via email.
Total Rewards: Benefits & Compensation
Understanding how employee ownership shapes our culture can help you envision what it’s like to be part of our team. Ownership influences how we collaborate, how we support one another and how we invest in our shared success.
Making the Transition
Once you accept your offer, your recruiter and hiring manager work with you to solidify your start date. We’ll begin preparing you to join the team (and celebrating your decision!), and you’ll have a few additional action items to complete to close out the hiring process. Completing those tasks quickly will see that onboarding moves along smoothly.
As you explore your next career move, it's helpful to understand how different companies approach the way they work. Hear how collaboration in the office creates opportunities to learn, connect and grow.
The right workplace is about more than the work itself. Explore how culture, connection and a sense of belonging can influence your career journey.
Additional Information
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