Construction can prove to be a varied, rewarding and fulfilling career. It is an ever-evolving industry which brings together a diverse and skilled workforce. A career in construction could see you doing a range of tasks from laying bricks to building bridges, fitting bathrooms to inspecting worksites. Regardless of which field you end up in, the UK construction industry is not only broad, it is also very well paid and construction workers continue to be in high demand.
Whether you are just starting out with a career in construction or are looking for a new role in the sector that utilises your years of experience, it is important to prepare for interviews so that you can make the best impression possible. In this article we will explore common interview questions for construction workers and guidance on how to answer them. We will also provide suggestions on what questions you should consider asking the interviewer and the best attire for the interview.
Construction Interview Questions
The area of construction which you choose to pursue will greatly influence the questions that you are asked. Certain areas of construction work require specialist knowledge or qualifications, so you should expect to be asked technical questions relating to these specialisms in detail. Nevertheless, there are common interview questions which you are likely to be asked irrespective of which area of construction you are applying for.
Below you will find 10 questions that you may be asked during an interview for a position in construction and points to consider in your answer. The ‘answers’ to these questions highlight key points you should try to mention as well as some insight into why you may be asked them. However, it is important to remember that they are a general guide and shouldn’t be memorised and repeated verbatim. Use them in conjunction with your experience and own research of the role and company to help you prepare and feel confident before the interview.
Tell us about yourself
Yes, we know, it’s not technically a question, but it is common for an interviewer to ask you to talk a bit about yourself at some point in the interview. Whilst this is often intended to get to know you personally, keep your answer relevant. Mention hobbies and interests but don’t go on a 5 minute rant about your love of marine life. Instead, discuss personality traits that speak to a valuable employee such as being ambitious and highly motivated.
Be honest and where possible, find a way to organically relate your hobbies and interests back to the role to some degree. For example, you might decide to mention that you enjoy photography in your free time because you’ve always admired the buildings in your local area and became fascinated by how they were built. This hints towards a keen eye for detail whilst indicating that construction is something that you are thinking about even in your leisure time.
Why do you want to work in construction?
This question is almost guaranteed to come up in some form so it is important you have a succinct answer ready. This is your chance to show both your passion and investment in a career in construction. In your response, mention what you would like to achieve in your career in construction as well as why you think you are suited to a position in construction.
If you have prior experience in the industry, highlight why you already like working in the sector and how that enjoyment has fuelled your desire to explore new areas of construction. If you are applying for your first job in construction, show off your knowledge of the industry and highlight how a desire to work in construction has guided your studies/training.
What do you know about the company?
This is the time to show off the research that you have done on the company. Talk about the history of the company, the kind of projects they’ve worked on, the ethos and values and how you align with them. This information should be readily available online and even the most cursory search should result in useful information to relay about the company.
Can you give me an example of a time when…?
Questions such as this are often used to discover if you have a particular skill that is required for the job. It may be more technical such as asking for an example of a time you used specific software or performed a certain manual task, or it may relate more to soft skills such as asking for an example of a time when you demonstrated leadership. It is best to answer these kinds of questions using the STAR method.
STAR stands for situation, task, action, result and it provides a structure which allows you to effectively demonstrate your experience. The method enables you to highlight key skills and beneficial qualities to prospective employers whilst providing a clear and concise answer. When using the STAR method be sure to place emphasis on the action and result as this showcases your effectiveness at solving problems and finding solutions.
What would you do if…?
Scenario based questions are often intended to see how you go about solving problems. They may cover topics such as unexpected delays, team conflict or negative feedback. Though the question is hypothetical, where possible draw on previous experience if you’ve faced similar problems in the past and be sure to mention how your actions in that situation led to a positive outcome. Remember to take your time and be honest, don’t rush to answer the question as you may end up talking about irrelevant details in an attempt to fill the time. If you’re not sure, say so and ask for a bit of time to think.
For example, if you were asked ‘what would you do if a client complained about the quality of your work,’ you may respond ‘that’s a great question, let me consider that for a moment’ before answering; ‘I would firstly apologise to the client and ask them to show me specifically what they were unhappy with. I would then ask them how they would like the problem to be rectified, explain the options available, depending on the issue, and whilst fixing any errors would be of the top priority, I would ensure I provided a realistic timeframe for the repairs so as not to promise something that cannot be delivered in a timely manner.’
How do you ensure all safety practices are followed on a construction site?
Safety on a construction site is of the utmost importance and being able to demonstrate not only your knowledge of health and safety practices, but also your awareness of their importance will be incredibly advantageous. Begin by reiterating the importance of good safety practices on site and mention a few regulations that you know. If you have previous experience of maintaining the safety of yourself and others on site, now is the time to mention it. This is also the perfect time to mention any training that you have had and how it has bolstered your knowledge of safety practices.
Try to be specific and don’t be afraid to go into detail where applicable. For example, instead of saying ‘I know that hard hats are important’ you could expand your answer by saying ‘I am aware of the importance of appropriate PPE and whilst on my last project I noticed some coworkers not wearing helmets when they should. I addressed this with them immediately and then informed the site manager so that further training could be provided to highlight why PPE is important and should be worn at all times.’
Can you describe a time where you had to work as part of a team?
Teamwork is a fundamental part of working in construction and interviewers want to know how well you work with others. It’s not enough to simply say that you have worked in a team before. Instead, highlight the challenges that the team faced, how you overcame them by working together and what you learnt about teamwork from that experience. It is highly likely that you will be asked about working in a team at some point during your interview, so take the time to prepare an answer that shows your understanding of the importance of teamwork and the benefits it can bring to a project.
What is your greatest weakness?
Contrary to popular belief this question is rarely intended to trick you into revealing your worst traits. When interviewers ask you about your weaknesses they want to know how self-aware you are and your potential for growth within the job role. Be honest when answering this question but don’t be too self-deprecating and highlight a weakness that reflects badly on you.
Moreover, as tempting as it can be, don’t say your greatest weakness is ‘working too hard.’ Not only is this answer likely to elicit an eye-roll from the interviewer, it also doesn’t necessarily showcase the traits that they are looking for. Instead, say something like ‘I have a keen eye for detail but sometimes can get too focused on the small details. Whilst these are important, I’ve learnt to recognise when this focus might be slowing me down or dragging out a task. I will also seek advice from colleagues if I can feel myself becoming too fixated on a minor detail and use their guidance to redirect my attention/efforts if necessary.’
What construction tools and equipment have you worked with most?
This question is particularly relevant for on-site construction roles such as carpentry or bricklaying. Interviewers want to know the scope of your experience using key construction tools and equipment. If you have prior experience in the construction industry, then you can tailor your answer to work in tandem with your CV, highlighting the roles in which you learnt how to use certain tools and equipment. If this is your first foray into the construction sector, be sure to mention any tools you have used whilst gaining hands-on experience as well as any personal study that you have undertaken to further your knowledge.
Can you describe a challenging project that you worked on and how you overcame any obstacles?
The operative word in this question is ‘overcame.’ When interviewers ask questions such as this, they want to see how you identify and most importantly solve problems in challenging situations. Challenges are a guarantee in any industry and construction is no different so this is the perfect chance to show your adaptability and innovative thinking. Avoid vague descriptions and outcomes and instead ensure that your answer is detailed and specific. Try to clearly quantify the results of your actions and how they solved the problem, such as how it helped you save time, get back on schedule or reduce cost.
Answering interview questions can be daunting but remember to keep your answers clear and honest. It can be tempting to over-embellish in an attempt to make yourself stand out as the best candidate. However, ensuring that your answers are honest, concise and presented in a professional and succinct manner is the best way to show that you are the right person for the job. Interviewers aren’t necessarily trying to ‘catch you out’ so don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something, they will appreciate the honesty and if you phrase your answer well you can highlight your willingness to learn and enthusiasm to further your professional knowledge.
Want to get ahead?
Our range of Health and Safety Courses provide you with expert training that can help you to stay safe whilst working and help you to stand out from the crowd in an interview.
Questions to Ask a Construction Company in an Interview
It might not always feel like it but interviews are a two-way street and as much an opportunity for you to learn about the company, as it is for them to learn about you. Asking questions at the end of an interview provides you with deeper insight into the company and the people you may end up working with, as well as showing an enthusiastic interest in the position. It’s a good idea to have some questions prepared ahead of time, ready for the end of the interview. If you find that the answers to those questions came up organically at some point during the interview, don’t be afraid to mention the questions you had planned and how they’ve already been answered.
It’s a good idea to have a mix of company specific, role specific and wrap up questions, but don’t bombard the interviewer. If you prepare a list of 10 questions, it might be that time only allows for 4 or that by the end of the interview only 2 feel pertinent. Conversely, the interviewer may mention something that sparks a question you hadn’t thought of before. Make a quick note of it and be sure to bring it up when given the chance. For example, ‘You mentioned earlier that your business is committed to promoting diversity. What methods do you use to facilitate this?’
Below you will find some useful questions to ask a prospective employer at the end of an interview.
Is there anything from my CV or that I have said that you would like me to clarify in further detail?
What continuing professional development opportunities are available at this company?
If I were successful in attaining the role, where would you see me in six months?
The construction industry is expected to see an economic boost this year after a decline in 2024. How will this impact your business and the responsibilities of this role?
What challenges are the company currently facing and how are you seeking to overcome them?
Construction Job Interview Attire
The general rule of thumb when deciding what to wear to an interview is smart, business attire. However, you don’t find those working on a construction site laying bricks or operating cranes in a three piece suit. Your attire at an interview is important as it shows your professionalism and helps to cement a good first impression. Nevertheless, it should be reflective of the role and industry that you are interviewing for.
As such, the best construction job interview attire is smart/business casual. Avoid wearing jeans and instead opt for dark trousers or a skirt, with a plain long-sleeved shirt. Depending on the role that you are applying for you may decide to wear a tie, however, if your position is likely to be more site based then you don’t need to wear one. Keep your footwear simple and closed toe, avoiding trainers or excessively high heels.
If you are unsure or have been invited to a more informal interview, remember you can always ask. You may worry that this could come across negatively to a prospective employer but it is better to be safe than sorry and asking shows your eagerness to meet their expectations whilst avoiding ambiguity, both of which are valuable traits for a prospective employee to have.
Thorough interview preparation is vital to making a good and lasting first impression. Interviews can be daunting and nerves are to be expected. However, preparation in advance, thorough research of the company and a robust knowledge of the industry can help you to feel more relaxed and confident in yourself and what you have to offer.
Rachel is a Junior Copywriter at High Speed Training with extensive experience in the education and independent hospitality sector. Having worked with students to improve their Maths and English skills, Rachel has an in-depth understanding of different educational needs. She has also worked in the independent hospitality industry, working to advocate for and raise awareness of the independent food and drink businesses at the heart of local communities. Rachel is passionate about providing people with useful information to support their personal and professional development.
Like all modern websites, we are using cookies to ensure our website works, provide you with a
personalised
experience, and help us make our website
better for everyone.
Learn more
6 min read
