The senior project manager makes all the difference when it comes to a successful construction project. Ensuring your project goes well will require attention to some specific details. First, you will need to make sure you hire the right senior project manager. That means making sure your interview process goes well.
Here are a few construction interview questions you need to consider to make sure you get that right person. Those in search of a senior project manager job can also use these questions to get an idea of the answers that companies hope to hear.
What Was Your Favorite Project and What Stood Out About It?
Many of the construction interview questions you will run across are designed to get an idea of the project managers’ behavior. This question will help with the sort of management experience they have, as well as the projects they have been very successful with. This will give the interviewer some insight into where applicants are passionate.
What Are the First Things You Like to Address in a Project?
With this question, the interviewer wants to know the applicant’s knowledge and how they would craft a project plan. For applicants, talking about what you do for your project plan and presentation will give them insight into how you will work with their teams.
Discuss the various roles and components of the project as well as scheduling and costs. This will help them understand how well you pay attention to details. Answer this question well, and your future employer will have an idea of your priorities, approach, and how you motivate your team.
How Do You Close a Project?
All projects will have a beginning and end. The responsibility of the project manager is to deal with the activities of all phases from start to finish. When you ask an applicant about closing, you want to know they understand there are obligations that need tending to at the end of a project as well.
How Do You Deal With Challenges?
Every project comes with its own set of challenges. There will be changes requested by the client, and there will be differences in quotes, and all will need to be handled. The interviewer wants to know what the applicant will do when situations arise.
For applicants, focus your answer on illustrating your understanding that change requests will not only happen but will also need to be managed and therefore require a specific skill set.
How Do You Set and Manage Goals?
Applicants are now being asked about their outline, so to speak. The project will not get done if the project manager doesn’t know how to create or implement goals, both of which are important parts of the job.
With these questions in mind, you’ll be ready to hire (or get hired as) a great senior project manager.
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