Question: Can you tell me about your journey to becoming a construction project manager?
Explanation: This is an introductory question that the interviewer will use to start the conversation, get to know you better, and gather data for future inquiries.
Question: What is your method for building a team for a project?
Explanation: This is an operational question. Operational questions will be asked during the interview to understand how you approach your position. The most suitable way to answer operational questions is directly & concisely.
Question: What is your experience managing complex budgets on a large building project?
Explanation: This is another operational question.
The interviewer wants to make sure you have the experience vital to control the budgets of large construction projects. So keep your answer direct and to the point, and anticipate a follow-up question.
Question: What steps do you take when a worker disregards your instructions about their assignment on a project?
Explanation: This is a behavioral question. This type of question offers a scenario likely to occur for this type of position and then asks how you would react to it. The soundest way to respond to behavioral questions is using the STAR framework. First, you express the Situation, describe the Task you need to perform, discuss the Moves you would take, and then talk about the Results you anticipate achieving.
Question: How would you react if you witnessed one of your workers not using the required safety equipment on a job?
Explanation: Any construction project must prioritise safety. Progress, prices, and final completion of the project can all be impacted by safety concerns. Therefore, ensuring safety is maintained on the job site is one of the critical responsibilities of a construction project manager. Since this is another behavioral question, use the STAR framework to structure your answer.
Question: What are the methods you use to keep a construction project on time and under budget?
Explanation: Because it is similar to a question you were previously asked, you could recognise it. Similar questions will be asked again during the interview to gauge your responses and make sure you are being truthful. You shouldn’t have any issues with this as long as you honestly and openly respond to each question.
Question: How do you keep your construction project teams motivated?
Explanation: Another practical question, the interviewer is attempting to gauge your interpersonal and communication abilities with this one. The ability to do this is essential for any project manager. You can give examples of how you have done this in the past and the outcomes you obtained while answering this question and discussing how you accomplished this.
Question: Can you describe your experience hiring subcontractors or dealing with vendors during a construction project?
Explanation: Another operational question, this one intended to gauge your readiness to manage resources that are not directly under your control. Management, negotiation, communication, and teamwork are abilities needed to work with vendors and subcontractors. Since this is what the interviewer anticipates, make sure you address some or all of these in your response.
Question: How would you react if you completed a project per the contractual requirements, but the client is unhappy with the results and refuses to sign off on the project?
Explanation: This is another hypothetical behavioural question. Although it is uncommon, there is a chance that a client won’t approve the finished product. You ought to be able to outline the actions you would take if this occurred. Make sure to answer using your response using the STAR framework.
A word of warning when using question lists.
Question lists offer a convenient way to start practicing for your interview. But unfortunately, they do little to recreate actual interview pressure. You’ll never know what’s coming in an actual interview, making interviews so stressful.