Insight Blog

In a previous post, Differentiate Yourself In An Interview By Asking Questions, we discussed the strong competition among professionals in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction (A/E/C) and Facilities Management sectors and the importance of asking good questions during interviews to differentiate yourself among your peers. Within the post, we also outlined general questions that we recommend addressing at the appropriate time with a prospective employer.

As executive search consultants within A/E/C and Facilities Management, we wanted to highlight industry-specific questions that we suggest candidates ask during interviews with our client organizations. Not only do these types of questions demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the challenges and opportunities within these sectors, but they also show your motivations and interests, which is key during interviews. There are some people who are just looking for a job so you want to demonstrate that you are looking for a career opportunity that supports your long-term goals.

Suggested questions for roles within A/E/C:

• What makes your company different from its competition?

• What are your plans for strengthening your company's presence and brand in the marketplace?

• Can you describe your backlog of work?

• What are your current and future technology initiatives?

• Do any of your goals include streamlining the design and construction process? If so, in what ways?

• Are you considering alternative project delivery methods? If so, which ones?

• What are your strategies for pursuing target vertical and geographic markets? Are there new markets being considered?

• Does your firm perform succession planning and if so, how?

Suggested questions for roles within Facilities Management:

• What are your organization's sustainability plans and objectives?

• Are you utilizing technology to effectively manage utilities, buildings, capital projects and budgets? If so, how is that being done? Do you have plans to enhance those efforts?

• How do you approach energy efficiency? (Examples are: strategic procurement, production and distribution practices, initiation of commissioning and decommissioning programs.) How do you plan to improve your energy management?

• Are you considering alternative project delivery methods for capital projects? If so, which ones?

• What are your short- and long-term capital programs and building initiatives and do they include green building?

• Can you elaborate on your organization's financial commitments for capital projects and maintenance initiatives?

• How well does your administration team support your facilities management efforts?

• How is your organization dealing with the aging facilities workforce? How do you perform succession planning?

If you were a hiring manager, would a potential candidate who asked these questions stand out to you?