Construction Interview? Here’s What You Need to Know!
If you are in the field of construction, now is a strategic time to start looking for a new (better) position: jobs in construction are growing at a faster-than-average rate in the United States. A growing field typically means more job opportunities, so if you are considering a new position in construction, it may be time for a refresher on how to ace your ensuing interviews!
Do you have a construction interview coming up? Take a look at our essential preparation guide to make sure you stand out among the competition.
What should I include on my construction resume?
Your resume is your chance to sell yourself to your potential future employer, so how are you going to set yourself apart? With any resume, you will want to include your past experience, your education, your certifications and your achievements. Beyond just listing your past jobs, however, you will want to highlight the things that you did to add value to those positions – and how you will add value to this position. Also, try to take keywords from the job description and incorporate them into your resume.
Depending on the specific position, try to include only the most relevant experience and keep the resume to one page in length. For example, if you are interviewing for a construction project manager position (like this one in North Charleston), you will obviously want to include any past project management experience; if you don’t have any, think of ways to spin other past roles to be interpreted as relevant to the job.
What questions will I be asked in a construction interview?
With every profession, there are a certain set of interview questions you should anticipate being asked. Along with possessing the technical skills to be a successful construction professional, your interviewer will want to know that you are dependable, safety-conscious, great at problem solving and a team player, among a plethora of other soft skills.
These will differ slightly from job to job, but some common construction interview questions you should consider preparing answers for include:
- Can you describe some recent projects you have worked on?
- How do you ensure safety or prevent injuries on the worksite?
- Tell us about a project that didn’t go exactly as planned. How did you handle it?
- How do you resolve team conflicts?
What questions should I ask in a construction interview?
You will also have the chance to ask your interviewer some questions, usually at the end of the interview. You must ask at least one question; if you don’t, you may come off as uninterested or just eager to get the interview over with. Asking insightful questions is a chance to gain rapport with your potential future boss, as well as dig a little deeper into whether you will enjoy the job itself. Some sample questions are:
- What is the workplace culture like?
- What would I be expected to achieve in the first 3 months?
- What do you enjoy most about this company?
- What upcoming projects would I be working on?
What should I wear to a construction interview?
In many cases, job seekers are advised to ‘dress the part’ – this is not one of those instances! Even though the day-to-day attire of construction workers is casual and highly functional, you should dress somewhat professionally to meet with your interviewer. A clean, pressed button down with dark pants is a safe bet for both men and women. Opt for professional looking shoes and accessories and come prepared with a printed copy of your resume on hand.
Regardless of what you will be wearing on the construction site, you want to present yourself as a construction industry professional during your first impression with your potential future boss.
Do you have any more essential construction interview tips up your sleeve? Join the conversation on LinkedIn!
