Top 7 Construction Superintendent Interview Questions

Whether you are the one conducting the interview, or the one being interviewed in the pursuit of a superintendent construction job, the overall process can be stressful.  And one of the most stressful elements is knowing which questions to ask or answer.

So, no matter what side of the table you are on, here are seven top construction superintendent interview questions you can use to prepare for your next interview.

1.     What are the roles of a construction superintendent?

If you are the candidate interviewing for a construction superintendent job, you should almost certainly expect a question like the one above. Having a firm grasp of your roles and responsibilities as a construction superintendent will be one of the main things your interviewer is looking to determine.

If you are the interviewer, this question can help you ascertain whether a particular candidate understands what you expect of him or her and whether his or her understanding matches the breadth and scope of the projects he or she will be assigned to.

2.     Are you familiar with construction management software?

While superintendent construction (and the construction industry as a whole) has not been the best adopter of technology, that is starting to change.

As a candidate, you can separate yourself from others if you possess a newer technical knowledge that you can show will improve the productivity and efficiency of your work.

On the flip side, interviewers should narrow down qualified talent by seeking those familiar with new, productivity-enhancing tools making their way onto job sites.

3.     What is a challenge you faced in your former workplace and how did you overcome it?

Disruption and conflicts are constant challenges on any project.  And the last thing you want is a construction superintendent incapable of addressing and resolving those challenges.

As a candidate, rely on the STAR Method to describe a specific challenge you faced and how you overcame it while working in a leadership position.

Interviewers, this is one of the better behavioral interview questions. Make sure you ask this question and pay close attention to the responses, or you could be left with a superintendent ill-suited to conflict resolution.

4.     How did you manage daily field reports for the construction projects of previous employers?

As a candidate, you must be prepared to show you are qualified and capable of using daily field reports to track project milestones and account for all supplies ordered and used for designated tasks.

Interviewers should look for candidate answers that demonstrate an individual with experience completing detailed documentation for complex construction projects and an ability to monitor and closely supervise the workload and tasks completed by workers.

5.     Do you feel you have the right skills to communicate well with suppliers?

If you are a candidate, you must demonstrate with prior examples that you have great communication skills and that you are comfortable contacting suppliers, even if they are outside the usual network of connections.

Interviewers should look for answers that demonstrate an individual possesses an ability to build strong relationships with vendors and the competence to order supplies at acceptable costs.

6.     How do you find suitable alternatives to reduce costs?

As a candidate, you will do well to share experiences from your past where you have found ways to save money without compromising the quality or the overall strength of the project.

Interviewers should find ways to pick the brains of those they are interviewing to hear them reason and explain what they would do to reduce costs.

7.     Which practical steps would you take to ensure orderliness on-site?

If you want to show you are a qualified construction superintendent, prepare responses that show you possess the skill and know-how to ensure orderly construction sites.

Interviewers know that without orderliness, it is hard for projects to finish on time and in budget.  Make sure you ask the above question to learn how a particular candidate will ensure orderliness.

BONUS QUESTION: What are your salary expectations?

There are many great questions to ask at the end of the interview.  One of the best is to ask salary-related questions.

As a candidate, you will want to know what you stand to earn as compensation.

And interviewers will also want to know what salaries candidates are looking for, and whether a particular candidate is well outside the range.

Looking for superintendent construction jobs or for insight into construction superintendent salary ranges? See who is hiring and corresponding salaries at CyberCoders.com.