All of us have experienced that nervous energy in the hours leading up to a job interview. We want to know what questions they will ask the facility manager during the interview, what the right answer is for each question, and how many people are applying for the same job.
Traditional job interviews are already stressful. We are now in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, so many facility management interviews are done online. This can make the process even more stressful.
Although it’s important to note that not every interview will be remote. A Gartner survey from April of this year found that 86% of companies have switched from in-person interviews to phone calls or videoconferencing-based interviews.
Landing a senior facilities manager role takes thorough preparation and exceptional interview skills. As a facilities management leader you oversee building operations maintenance, space planning, and more. Companies rely on senior FMs to keep costs low, utilize space efficiently, and enhance workplace culture.
With so much responsibility comes rigorous hiring standards. Senior facilities manager interviews assess both your technical expertise and soft skills. Hiring managers want to know you can manage budgets, projects, and people.
We analyzed hundreds of senior facilities manager interview questions to uncover the most common ones Read on to learn
- Why companies ask the top interview questions
- How to prepare winning answers
- Technical questions to expect
- Tips for nailing the interview
Why Interviewers Ask the Most Common Senior FM Interview Questions
Hiring the right senior facilities manager impacts costs employee retention and even revenue. No pressure! That’s why interviewers thoroughly vet candidates with probing questions.
Let’s examine the reasoning behind some frequent senior FM interview questions:
Why are you interested in this role?
Interviewers want to gauge your passion for facility management. Do you see it as just a job, or as a career path? Share how this role aligns with your experience and interests.
What Achievements Are You Most Proud of?
This reveals your values and track record of success. Share professional accomplishments that demonstrate strong leadership, business acumen, and people skills.
How Do You Handle Conflict?
Senior FMs collaborate with many stakeholders daily. Interviewers need to know you can diffuse tense situations and build consensus. Share an example that highlights your emotional intelligence.
Where Do You See Yourself in 5 Years?
Hiring managers want to see you have ambition balanced with loyalty. Convey you’re eager to grow in responsibilities with the company long-term.
What Are Your Salary Expectations?
The hiring team needs to ensure your salary range aligns with their budget. Research typical salaries for this role and share a reasonable range.
What Questions Do You Have for Me?
This shows your engagement level. Ask thoughtful questions that provide insights about the company culture, leadership philosophy, and plans for growth.
Thorough preparation is key to answering these senior facilities manager interview questions confidently. Next, let’s explore how to develop winning responses.
How to Prepare Killer Responses to Common Senior FM Interview Questions
You can’t “wing it” in a senior facilities manager interview. Hiring managers assess if you have the strategic vision and communication skills needed to oversee complex workplace operations.
Follow these tips to develop compelling responses:
Research the Company’s Culture and Challenges
Visit the company website, read recent news articles, and search LinkedIn to understand their values, mission, and competitive landscape. This enables you to tailor responses.
Review the Job Description Thoroughly
Make a list of the required and preferred qualifications. Be prepared to share examples of when you demonstrated those skills.
Practice Answering Questions Aloud
It’s not enough to think about what you’ll say. Practice vocalizing answers aloud until the delivery feels smooth and natural.
Prepare Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Smart questions demonstrate your curiosity and engagement. Ask about leadership style, new initiatives on the horizon, and workplace culture.
Review Your Resume
Refresh your memory on key achievements, projects completed, and technologies used at each position. This helps you provide detailed examples.
Get a Good Night’s Rest
Being well-restedresults in sharper mental clarity and reduces anxiety. Hydrate well and avoid caffeine before the interview.
With practice responses ready, you’ll exude confidence. Next, let’s review some of the top technical senior facilities manager interview questions.
Technical Senior Facilities Manager Interview Questions to Expect
While all candidates get asked general questions, hiring managers also assess technical expertise with role-specific questions. Here are some examples of technical senior FM interview questions:
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What is your experience with CAD and BIM? Computer-aided design and building information modeling expertise is highly valued. Be ready to elaborate on your proficiency.
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Which CMMS platforms are you familiar with? Share experience with top computerized maintenance management systems like eMaint, Fiix, UpKeep, Hippo CMMS, and others.
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How do you track and report on FM metrics? Discuss KPIs like system uptime, work order cycle times, energy utilization, etc. and how you measure success.
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Tell us about a recent facilities project you managed. Share the scope, vendors involved, budget managed, and results delivered. Emphasize leadership skills.
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What is your experience with IoT sensors and workplace analytics? Data-driven decision making is crucial today. Highlight your ability to gather and analyze space utilization data.
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What innovative ideas do you have for our workplace? Share ways you would enhance the office space to attract talent, improve collaboration, and reduce costs.
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How would you approach preventative maintenance schedules? Share your methodology for balancing cost, safety, and asset lifecycles when planning maintenance.
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What safety procedures or training programs have you spearheaded? Emphasize commitment to safety and continuous improvement. Provide examples of reducing risks.
You can gain an edge in the interview by researching the company’s tech stack and current workplace. Identify their pain points so you can discuss relevant ideas and experience.
Let’s wrap up with some final tips for acing the senior facilities manager interview.
Final Tips for Nailing the Senior Facilities Manager Interview
You understand why the most common senior FM interview questions get asked and how to prepare for them. Here are a few final tips:
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Dress professionally. You want to look sharp and exude confidence. Opt for business formal attire, neatly groomed hair, and minimal accessories.
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Arrive 10-15 minutes early. This shows promptness and enthusiasm. Use the extra minutes to catch your breath and review notes.
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Make steady eye contact. Look interviewers in the eye to build rapport and appear focused. Avoid staring or frequently glancing away.
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Sit up straight and avoid fidgeting. Good posture conveys engaged listening. Keep hand motions minimal and avoid leg bouncing.
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Express enthusiasm. Smile, nod, and use positive language like “definitely” and “absolutely” rather than flat responses.
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Send a prompt thank you note. Reiterate your interest in the role and highlight your qualifications. Include any helpful ideas you forgot to mention.
With meticulous preparation and these tips, you’ll showcase yourself as the strategic facilities leader they need. Stay confident under pressure, and you’ll be well on your way to landing the senior FM role. Best of luck with your upcoming interview!
What is your biggest weakness?
Almost all job interviews ask this question, which is meant to test your ability to think critically and be self-aware. You should be ready to answer this question because it is meant to weed out candidates who don’t do well undera lot of stress. Try to come up with a weakness that everyone can relate to, and never use an example that shows how bad your job is. Give an honest, confident answer and always show how you have resolved these issues, either partly or wholly.
Example: “I tend to be a perfectionist, therefore it has been difficult for me to delegate to others. But I’ve learned that everyone in the company needs to be good at a lot of different tasks in order for the organization and my team to grow. ”.
Not to say: “Because I’m a perfectionist, I don’t trust anyone else to work as hard as I do.” As a result, I avoid delegating important tasks to others. ”.
1 What do you know about our company?
As a facilities manager, you will be expected to be a leader in every facet of the organization. You need to know everything about your company and the industry it works in order to do your job well. You must also show a willingness to consistently learn and grow. This is your first opportunity to put those skills to work. Anyone can read the company’s mission and spout out the information on the “About Us” page. Dig deeper for information and relate the organization and position back to your passions and experience.
If you discover that the company does a lot to support animal rights, you could talk about how you foster animals for the Humane Society or ran a 5K race to raise money for animals.
FACILITIES MANAGER Interview Questions & ANSWERS! (How to PASS a Facilities Management Interview!)
FAQ
What interview questions to ask senior manager?
What is the most important concern for facility managers?
How do you introduce yourself in a senior manager interview?
What questions do facilities manager interviewers ask?
In an interview for a facilities manager position, the hiring manager may ask questions about your industry knowledge, past leadership experience and specific skills. Learning some common facilities manager interview questions can help you prepare responses and feel more confident before your interview.
What should you not say in a facility manager interview?
What not to say: When answering one of these facility manager interview questions, try not to express goals that have little or no relation to the job you are interviewing for. For example, if you are applying for a position on the facilities management team, but your career goal is to become the head of marketing in the next 5 years. 3.
How do I prepare for a facility manager interview?
You’ll usually be asked this before the other facility manager interview questions, so you need to set the tone for the rest of your interview by laying the groundwork from the start. Drive home the message that you’re a great fit for this role — and when the following facility manager interview questions come up, you’ll be able to reinforce it. 2.
Are facility manager interview questions a trap?
Facility manager interview questions like this one are designed to be a trap, weeding out those candidates that don’t have a clear understanding as to what their role would be. The facilities management role is changing, and FM leaders are being asked to take on more strategic responsibilities.
