There are so many angles to an interview for a construction worker position.
Interviewers tend to ask complicated questions and expect that the answers that they receive will not be as complicated!
That is something that every candidate needs to look out for. While you may be asked complex sounding questions, you do not need to provide multiple answers.
The trick is to simplify how you present your answers.
Look at it this way; interviewers do not always check how much you know about the job duties you will perform if hired.
They also want to know you as a person. This knowledge will give them an idea of how you deal with coworkers and supervisors and handle problematic issues.
Your personality is of great interest to interviewers. Of course, job knowledge must not be downplayed here as it is also imperative. Frankly, no one is going to hire a person with a great personality and zero job knowledge!
To understand this with an example, let us see what a construction worker may be asked during an interview.
See also: Construction Worker Resume
Here are some question and the potential answers that you can make use of.
Construction Worker Interview Questions and Answers
What are the key responsibilities of a construction worker?
Primary responsibilities of a construction worker include:
- breaking up concrete using jackhammers
- operating drill machines as needed
- shoveling construction material into cement mixers
- positioning and aligning concrete and steel structures
- signaling heavy machinery operators for correct placement of portable structures
- setting up and removing of scaffoldings for support
How important is it to be able to read and interpret blueprints and electrical drawings?
There is nothing more important than being able to read and interpret blueprints and electrical drawings.
This is because all activities of a construction worker depend on these two. If one cannot read and understand these, one cannot plan and execute construction activities.
Have you ever had an on-the-job injury? Describe what happened and the measures you would take to ensure that it does not happen again.
Earlier on in my career, I fell from a high rise building that I was performing construction work on. I had been too sure of myself and decided not to fasten my harness because I was “only” 20 feet above the ground.
I fell and landed on my behind. I was lucky not to break my back. But from then on, I realized that even if one is 2 feet above the ground, a harness is essential.
How do you deal with situations where customers have problems with the quality of your work?
It is not always possible to satisfy everyone. However, it is our job to make sure that they are happy with what we do. If a customer has issues with the quality of my work, I confer with him to determine what went wrong and then take all measures to ensure I correct it.
Tell us about a situation in which you had little or no direction. How did you deal with it?
Situations such as these arise often. Construction workers all have their specialties, and there are times when we do not get many directions. In a case such as these, I make use of my judgment as much as possible, along with keeping in contact with customers to ask for periodic feedback.
For you, what is the most enjoyable and most challenging part of this job?
I enjoy installing various systems into constructional structures, especially the electrical ones since I find them very amusing and like to see how they work. The part I find confusing is when the plan changes after half or full has been done. Design modifications usually involve breaking down of a portion of the construction, and when redone its neatness is compromised
How will your previous work experience support you in this job?
In my previous role, I have been mainly responsible for cement mixing, loading, and unloading of material and spreading concrete mixtures to dry and form structures.
Fine tasks might vary a little, but I believe the core duties I have mentioned are all required by the position in question as well, and my experience will give me an edge over other inexperienced candidates
What are the skills you have developed during your previous construction worker job?
When I joined as a construction worker, I had very little knowledge of mixing materials.
Over the past four years, I have learned a lot about the types of building materials, their specifications and required quantities to generate specific quality and compositions of construction blocks as per the demand of the target structure
Do you have any experience in interpreting a blueprint or a building design layout?
Last year it so happened that our contracting supervisor had to go on leave and I took charge of the team for 15 days.
I understood, translated and implemented the blueprint plan effectively while he was gone and in return, he was delighted with my work
How would you rate your mathematical skills?
My numeracy skills are reasonably good. I can quickly calculate the required percentages of various construction materials to be added to the mixture. I am also well versed in calculating cost estimates based on the given market rates and client’s construction plan
What is the construction task that you feel you are best at?
I believe I am best at cement spreading. Being a perfectionist, I do not stop until the assigned surface is consistent and smooth
What do you know about us?
You are a well-known construction company, and you have many attractive buildings to your credit. You work mainly in concrete and cement structures but also provide services in glass fittings, pipe laying and installation of electrical systems