Job Interview Tips for Construction and Engineering

So you’ve got an interview for your dream job. A little bit of nerves might be healthy but it’s time to put your fears aside. We’ve put together a list of our top interview tips, picked up from years of interviewing and recruiting new staff.

Find out what to do, what not to do, and how to walk out of your interview knowing you put your best foot forward. These tips won’t guarantee you’ll get the job, but they’ll give you the confidence to be the best you can be.

Come prepared

One of the biggest mistakes we see during interviews is when candidates have no idea about the role they’re going for or the company that’s hiring. Don’t rock up at your  interview without researching first. Doing so will help you anticipate the questions that will be asked and give you an idea of the company culture you’re potentially entering into. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to dress appropriately for your interview and turn up on time.

Additionally, we recommend brainstorming some questions you might be asked and rehearsing them before you arrive. Remember, the goal of the interview is to land a job that you want, so make sure you know exactly what you want and expect before heading in.

Be yourself

Having interviewed hundreds of people in engineering and construction, one of our main pieces of advice would be to ‘be yourself’. By this we don’t mean using the sort of language you’d use with your mates at the pub on a Friday night, nor do we mean talking at length about your after hours hobbies. Being yourself at an interview means showing sincere enthusiasm for the role and being open and honest about your strengths and weaknesses. Not only can employers and recruiters smell insincerity and indifference a mile off, but you’d only be doing yourself a disservice by lying.

By being yourself, you’ll be visibly confident in what you’re communicating, and you’ll naturally ask relevant and inquisitive questions that reflect your enthusiasm and interest in the role.

Be flexible

In the good old days, before technology had its way with industries and roles, employers expected their new staff to have a set number of required skills. These days, employers are quickly learning that adaptability in a new employee is much more valuable than a set requirement of skills. With the way companies work these days, any given role will change and evolve year on year, so that the skills needed for the role are constantly in flux.

Do not fear your gaps in knowledge and experience. Put forward your flexible and adaptable nature, your willingness to change, grow and learn, and you’ll surely impress at your upcoming interview.