The interview can be the hardest part of any recruitment process if your not ready for an interview. Below are some questions that you need to be able to answer.
Q: What construction equipment do you have experience with?
A:The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s experience with common construction equipment. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience with the same equipment your company uses
- Willingness to learn how to use other types of equipment
- Licence to operate heavy equipment
Example:“I’ve been in construction for over ten years, so I have experience with most construction equipment. I have experience operating an excavator, backhoe, bulldozer, grader, loader, and dump truck. I also have a heavy equipment operator licence. If there’s any other type of equipment you use, I’m happy to learn how to operate it.”
Q: Are you able to interpret blueprints or electrical drawings?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s ability to interpret important documents that are essential to construction work. To further test their skills, you can show them a blueprint or electrical map and ask them questions about it. What to look for in an answer:
- In-depth understanding of how to read blueprints and electrical drawings
- Strong analytical skills
- Evidence of experience in the construction industry
Example:“Yes, in my previous role, my supervisor taught me how to interpret blueprints and electrical drawings. This skill is necessary for Construction Workers to plan effectively, so I honed my skills.”
Q: Are you comfortable with the physical demands of the job?
A:The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s stamina and ensure they can keep up with the physical demands of construction work. What to look for in a candidate’s answer:
- Understanding of the role
- Experience in a physically demanding role
- Commitment to personal health and safety
Example:
“As I’ve been in construction for five years, my job has kept me physically active and healthy, and I enjoy the physical demands of this work. However, it’s important to me that I maintain excellent health outside of work, too. I do my best to eat a healthy diet, and, in my free time, I enjoy hiking and running.”
Q: Have you ever had or witnessed an injury on the job? What happened?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s ability to react in an emergency. It also provides insight into their understanding of health and safety precautions on construction sites. What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of safety regulations
Example:“I did witness a colleague get hit by a piece of a rock that fell from a crane. He was wearing a hard hat, so he was okay, but the impact knocked him out. I have basic first aid training, so another coworker and I quickly carried him out from under the crane to avoid any other debris while someone called an ambulance. I got an ice pack and held it to the bump that was quickly forming until the ambulance came. I later gave a full report about the incident to my supervisor.”
Q: What’s your favourite part of construction work, and why?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s experience and knowledge of construction work. It also provides insight into what type of tasks they enjoy. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience with similar construction projects
- Understanding of their role and the different tasks involved in construction work
- Candidate’s strengths
Example:“My favourite part of construction work is operating heavy machinery. It’s less physical than other work, but I find it really enjoyable. I spent a lot of time getting my heavy equipment operator licence, so I like to make use of it.”
Q:What PPE must Construction Workers wear and, why?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s understanding of PPE (personal protective equipment) and what type Construction Workers must use. What to look for in an answer:
- In-depth knowledge of relevant PPE
- Experience wearing PPE
- Understanding of safety precautions and the importance of wearing PPE
Example:“The PPE we need varies depending on the job we’re doing. But generally, Construction Workers must wear CSA standard head protection to protect against impact or penetration. We must also wear safety footwear for protection against sole punctures, damage to the toecap, and electric charges when necessary. Hi-visibility clothing is usually necessary as well, so heavy equipment operators can see our other team members. Depending on the work, the law may require protective equipment for eyes, ears, lungs, hands, or the entire body.”
Q:What new skills or knowledge have you learned in the last year that makes you a better Construction Worker?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s current skills and knowledge to see if they would be a good fit for your team. What to look for in an answer:
- Willingness to continue learning
- Possession of skills or knowledge you’re looking for in a candidate
- Understanding of skills and knowledge a Construction Worker should possess
Example:“I recently learned how to operate a crane, which was especially helpful in my last position when nobody else on site knew how to operate one. I think being able to operate a crane makes me a better Construction Worker, as I now have more to offer. I can use a crane to lift and move heavy or oversized loads, saving my team time and effort.”
Q: What types of construction projects do you have experience with?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s experience to determine if they require further training. It can also reveal their specialties and strengths. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience in a similar role
- Ability to adapt to different tasks
- Possession of experience you’re looking for in a candidate
Example:“I have experience building houses, highways, and commercial buildings such as hospitals, retail stores, and warehouses. Most of my experience is in building houses as I’ve been doing it for five years, but I’m happy to work on any type of construction project.”
Q: How do you ensure you and your colleagues are safe when working?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s knowledge of relevant health and safety regulations. What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to contribute to a safe work environment
- Knowledge of national, provincial or territorial health and safety regulations
- Strong attention to detail
Example:“To ensure my colleagues and I are safe at work, I follow all health and safety regulations. This includes wearing the necessary PPE, keeping my work area safe to minimize slips, assessing equipment before using it, and reporting any defects or issues I notice. I always monitor my team members and ensure they’re following the health and safety regulations, too. When working as a team, it’s important that we’re all taking the same precautions to protect one another, and ourselves.”
Q: What is the most successful construction project you’ve worked on, and why?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s background and experience with successful projects. It can also reveal their strengths and preferred work environments. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience in a similar role
- Knowledge of what makes a project successful
- Acknowledgement of their contribution to a successful project
Example:“The most successful project I worked on was turning an abandoned warehouse into a hospital for the community. It took us two years to demolish the old building and create a new one. I think it’s the most successful project I’ve worked on because it was the first project I worked on from start to finish. It was rewarding to see the significant impact that having a hospital in the community made to its residents.”
Q:What would you do if you noticed a colleague wasn’t following proper health and safety protocols?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s communication skills and willingness to enforce regulations if necessary. What to look for in an answer:
- In-depth knowledge of health and safety regulations
- Ability to communicate well with colleagues
- Knowledge of when to escalate an issue
Example:“If I noticed a colleague wasn’t following health and safety protocols, I would approach them and let them know. It could be an oversight or a matter of not knowing the regulations. If they continued to ignore protocols, I would escalate the issue to a manager. Safety protocols are in place to keep everyone safe, so I wouldn’t want to put anyone at risk by ignoring the issue.”
Q:Why does construction work appeal to you?
A:The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s motivation for pursuing a career as a Construction Worker to determine whether they’re committed to their work. What to look for in an answer:
- Understanding of the role and their career path
- Experience as a Construction Worker
- Passion for their work
Example:“I’ve always enjoyed building and creating things, even from a young age. My dad worked in construction as well, so he would take me to work occasionally, or show me pictures of his machines and the construction sites. When I was old enough, I apprenticed with him and really enjoyed the work, so I continued on and eventually became part of his full-time crew. I love working with him, but I’m pursuing a new position to work with a bigger company that has more opportunities for professional growth.”
Q: Have you ever had a disagreement with a team member? What happened?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s problem-solving skills and ability to handle conflict in a professional setting. What to look for in an answer:
- Able to resolve conflict independently and professionally
- Strong communication skills
- Experience working with a team
Example:“I’ve had one disagreement with a colleague who told me I was wearing the wrong PPE. He insisted I needed CSA-approved shoes with the blue rectangle marking, which has a protective toecap but no puncture-resistant sole. I told him we needed shoes with a green triangle as they have sole puncture protection and a protective toecap. We went to our supervisor for clarification, and he said I was right. My colleague apologised and got the correct footwear.”
Q: Has a client or supervisor ever been unhappy with your work? If so, why?
A: The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s experience and how they deal with feedback. What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to accept positive and negative feedback
- Honesty when discussing their experience
- Willingness to learn from their mistakes
Example: “No, thankfully all of my clients and supervisors in the past have been happy with my work. I strive for the best in everything I do, and always ensure I’m working safely and efficiently to meet deadlines.”
Q: Are you comfortable working at heights?
A: Sometimes Construction Workers need to work at heights. The aim of this question is to assess the candidate’s experience and confidence working under those conditions. What to look for in an answer:
- Ability to adapt to different environments
- Experience working at varying heights
- Willingness to work at heights
Example:“I actually enjoy heights, so I’m comfortable working at any altitude. I have experience constructing high-rise buildings, so I can guarantee I have no trouble with heights.”
