Hiring managers are placed in the unique position of talking to lots of prospective candidates. During interviews, it is the goal of the hiring manager to determine if someone is a good fit for the company and position at which they are applying. To do this, interviewers need to ask questions that will elicit a response that will help them make a determination.
For hiring managers that need to hire construction managers, knowing the best questions to ask makes the most difference in how well the interview process goes. For this reason, our expert technical recruiters have put together the best questions you can ask prospective candidates for construction manager positions.
1. Do you have experience managing budgets for large construction projects?
As the construction manager, the person you hire is going to be responsible for managing budgets. It is the job of the construction manager to know what each part of the budget is allocated for on a job site. By asking this question, you can determine whether or not your candidate has this experience or the capability of handling budgets.
Budget management can also lead to using less budget, so hiring a construction manager with budget management experience can save you money over time.
2. How do you monitor and track project progress?
The person you hire for your construction management position will need to document the progress of each project that they are responsible for managing. Additionally, most projects will have deadlines that the team is expected to meet. A construction manager needs to have excellent time management skills and project management experience to ensure that all parts of the project run smoothly and are completed on time.
Since both time management and budget-consciousness are essential parts of managing construction projects, these first two questions might be some of the most important for many hiring managers.
Asking this question could also lead you to numerous secondary questions, such as:
- What would you do if your project was falling behind schedule?
- How would you get your project back on track?
- How would you manage a project that is starting to go over budget?
- What ways have you found to reduce overall costs for a project?
3. How do you keep your team motivated?
A good boss is essential to morale on a job site, and a good boss will have ways to keep the team motivated, even when things are going just as planned. By asking this question, you can determine if the candidate uses short-term or long-term motivational tactics. You are also looking to see if this person has good interpersonal skills and the ability to manage a team.
4. Do you have experience hiring subcontractors or dealing with vendors?
Part of the job of a construction manager is dealing with vendors and subcontractors while working within a set budget. This also means that the construction manager needs to be able to communicate with vendors and subcontractors to discuss estimates for both goods and services effectively.
You want to hire someone who has experience hiring subcontractors. A few skills that this person needs include decision-making skills and both written and verbal communication skills. An organized construction manager will also be able to sort and store vendor information.
5. What type and size of projects have you been responsible for in the past?
Some construction managers might be unfamiliar with projects of a certain scale and type. For example, if the candidate you are working with has only worked on small projects, the building of an office complex or mall might feel like an overwhelming task to manage. Additionally, you might end up talking to a few people that would need extensive training to be able to perform the job you are hiring for successfully.
This is the perfect question to ask if you are stuck between a couple of otherwise highly qualified candidates.
6. How would you handle a worker who disregards your instructions for their part of your project?
The way a construction manager handles disrespect and potentially dangerous situations on the job site is very telling. You want someone who will react appropriately to the situation without compromising their position when it comes to completing the job safely and accurately. By learning what candidates have done in the past, you can determine if they will be a good fit for the open position with your company.
While there are dozens of questions you may want or need to ask construction managers, these six questions will help you learn a lot about how each candidate would manage a construction team for your company.
If you are looking for a recruiter to help you find and vet talent, contact Austin Nichols Technical Search today at 816-471-5575. Our recruiters can help you save critical time and resources as you search for a construction manager to add to your growing team.
