- Where did you go to school?
- Do you feel your education prepared you to work as a GIS specialist?
- What skills did you develop in your last position?
- How do you maintain professional awareness?
- Are you a member of any professional organizations?
In 2004, Directions Magazine published an article called the Top 15 Interview Questions. They were generic questions any hiring manager might ask. Eight years later we want to update those with questions that are more specific to the field and go beyond button-pushing. Editor in Chief Joe Francica, Executive Editor Adena Schutzberg and principal of ENTCHEV.com, Atanas Entchev, compiled the questions they might ask of candidates. We’ve not separated them out for more or less technical positions or entry level or advanced ones; we feel most are applicable to the full range of positions.
These questions will help you realize that hiring managers want more than just a person who can run a piece of software, write an app or make a map. They are looking for well-rounded, interesting and interested people who can grow as the position and company do.
10 Interview Questions for GIS Management Positions
As a gis manager, what is your management style?
Answer tips:
Some of the more common labels, like progressive, consultative, persuasive, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management guru you listen to.
The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.
Answer samples
What experience do you have with respects to this particular GIS MANAGER position?
Answer tips:
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you know you do not have much experience in the job you are applying for, plan for this question ahead of time and ensure you can provide some relatable examples based on what you have done.
Almost all interviewers will appreciate confidence and pride in the work experience you have earned and your passion in transfering these valuable skills to your future role or position.
Answer sample
This question is a great way to assess your flexibility as an employee. It’s important for employers to know that you can adapt to their systems and processes, even if they differ from what you’re used to. In your answer, explain how you would research the new software and learn it quickly. Show them that you are willing to put in the time and effort to make sure you understand the system well enough to do your job effectively.
Example: “A GPS is a navigation device that uses satellites to determine its location. It’s similar to GIS because it also uses satellite ry to create maps. However, while a GPS can only show you where you are, a GIS allows me to see more information about my surroundings, like traffic patterns or population density. I use both systems every day at work.”
Example: “I would use a GIS system to analyze location-based data when I need to combine spatial analysis with other types of data, such as demographic or environmental information. This is because GIS systems are designed specifically for analyzing geographic data, so they’re more efficient than other software programs at performing this task. In my last role, I used a GIS system to create maps of areas where there were high rates of crime. Then, I overlaid those maps with data on population demographics to see if there was any correlation between crime rates and certain groups of people.”
Example: “I believe that one of the most important qualities for a GIS manager is communication. This role requires me to communicate with many different people, including my team members, clients and other stakeholders. I am always prepared to answer questions or provide additional information when necessary. Another quality I think is important is organization. As a GIS manager, I need to organize data and create maps and reports. Having strong organizational skills helps me complete these tasks efficiently.”
Example: “I think it’s important to update a GIS system regularly because new updates often include improvements to existing features or add new ones. I’ve worked at two different companies where we had regular updates for our GIS systems. At my current company, we do monthly updates, which is what I prefer. It allows us to implement new features quickly but still gives us time to test them before using them.”
These questions will help you realize that hiring managers want more than just a person who can run a piece of software, write an app or make a map. They are looking for well-rounded, interesting and interested people who can grow as the position and company do.
In 2004, Directions Magazine published an article called the Top 15 Interview Questions. They were generic questions any hiring manager might ask. Eight years later we want to update those with questions that are more specific to the field and go beyond button-pushing. Editor in Chief Joe Francica, Executive Editor Adena Schutzberg and principal of ENTCHEV.com, Atanas Entchev, compiled the questions they might ask of candidates. We’ve not separated them out for more or less technical positions or entry level or advanced ones; we feel most are applicable to the full range of positions.
FAQ
How do I prepare for a GIS interview?
- Volunteer. …
- Create a Portfolio. …
- Research the GIS Job You Are Interviewing For. …
- Don’t Rush to Answer. …
- Project the Right Body Language. …
- Make Sure to Highlight Your Experiences. …
- Demonstrate Your Ability to Work Collaboratively. …
- Be Positive.
How do you talk about GIS in an interview?
What is the difference between GIS commands and GIS tools?
What questions do they ask during interview?
- Tell me about yourself.
- Walk me through your resume.
- How did you hear about this position?
- Why do you want to work at this company?
- Why do you want this job?
- Why should we hire you?
- What can you bring to the company?
- What are your greatest strengths?
