Key Interview Behaviour
Body language is number one on the list: though there are other dos and dont’s to watch out for in a construction job interview.
If you have more than one interviewer be sure to give equal attention to all the people in the room. Speak slower than you think you should.
The speed your words come out of your mouth is faster than it sounds in your head – if you think you are speaking a bit too slowly you will actually be speaking at the right tempo. Breathe naturally and let your words come from your diaphragm.
Think of a question to ask your interviewer(s). At some point you will be asked if there is anything you would like to know. Be honest and come up with a question that shows you understand and are interested in the company that is interviewing you.
Learn to treat your interviewer(s) with the right combination of deference and openness. You want to present yourself as honest, pleasant and interested in the construction role you are applying for, without seeming over-friendly or fawning. Too much confidence can be a bad thing. Bear this simple rule in mind: the more extreme in any way your behaviour and/or dress is, the less likely you are to get the construction job you want.
Honesty is the Best Policy
Not many construction job interviews have gone well for a candidate who lied. From simply misunderstanding a question and failing to ask to have it clarified, to making outright false claims on your construction CV, your interviewer(s) can tell when you aren’t telling the truth.
Remember that one of the key attributes of any construction worker, in any role, is the ability to identify what needs to happen: and then to make it so. If you don’t hear a question correctly, or simply don’t understand the thrust of that question, ask your interviewer(s) to make themselves clearer. Not understanding what someone is driving at does not mean that you are ill fitted for the construction role in question. Not asking them to clarify what they mean, though, does show that you are not able to get the information you need to complete a task on your own initiative.
The Perfect Construction Job Interview Answer
The perfect construction job interview answer does three things: it avoids excessive jargon and technical words; it gives a detailed view of ways in which you have used your existing skills; and it relates itself closely to the job for which you are being interviewed. Remember – jargon is often used to disguise a lack of knowledge or experience. Be plain in everything you say and never use a fancy sounding term when you can describe it in plain English.
Go into detail about the things you have done. Try to pick one example per question, and make every example different. Have a general template answer in your head and fit it to the questions you are being asked. Start with a positive response and then relate your chosen example to illustrate it. Check the answers you are giving for their direct relevance to the construction role you are being interviewed for. If necessary, you can tack a coda onto any answer that is straying from the point, by saying “and in relation to this position, I would…” or something similar.
Develop a Green Streak
Interviewers for Construction Jobs like to know that you are aware of the latest trends and developments in the industry. Take the time to develop a basic understanding of sustainable and green construction. It will show that you are informed and enthusiastic – that you are a part of the industry rather than just someone looking for a job.
Finally: be pro-active where action is called for. If there is any information you need, to complete an answer to a question or to understand more about the construction company you are being interviewed by, ask. Interviewers like candidates who know how to get what they need.