Building Services Engineering Interview Questions And Answers

► Tell me about the most challenging engineering project that you have been involved with during past year.

► Describe the most significant written technical report or presentation that you had to complete.

► In your last engineering position, what were some of the things that you spent the most time on, and how much time did you spend on each?

► What do you enjoy most/least about engineering?

► What new engineering speciality skills have you developed during the past year?

► Do you have any patents? If so, tell me about them. If not, is it something you see yourself pursuing and why or why not?

► Think of a specific engineering project when you answer this question. What could you have done to be more successful in achieving your goal(s)?

► Describe a time when you confronted a problem that really tested your engineering know-how.

► What is your overall career objective? Do you see yourself working in engineering ten years from now? If not, what do you think you will be doing?

► Give me an example of a time in which you were effective in doing away with the "constant emergencies" & "surprises" that engineers often face?

Describe a time when as a member of the engineering department, you were instrumental in building a good long-term relationship with another department within the company?

Tell me about your greatest success in using the principles of logic to solve an engineering problem in your last job?

Give me an example of a time when you applied your ability to use analytical techniques to define problems or design solutions?

To what extent has your engineering background required you to be skilled in the analysis of technical reports or information?

Describe a time when you used your engineering knowledge to solve a problem for which there appeared to be no answer.

Tell me about a time when you became aware of a hazardous workplace condition. How did you handle it?

Tell me about your experience in dealing with routine engineering work. How do you keep from getting bored?

I expect the engineer that I hire for this position to be precise - detailed oriented in everything he or she does. What checks and balances do you use to make sure that you don't make mistakes?

Give me an example of a time when you had to teach a skill to other engineers?

Some of the best-engineered ideas are born out of an individual's ability to challenge, other's ways of thinking. Tell me about a time when you were successful in do this?

On your last project assignment, what problems did you identify that had been previously overlooked?

How has your present or last engineering job changed while you've held it?

If I offer you a position as an engineer with us, how do you plan to get off to a jackrabbit start?

Give me an example of something that you have learned from a mistake that you made on a job at a client site.

Tell me about a time when a project team effort that you were involved in failed.

For what advice or assistance do fellow engineers turn to you?

Tell me about the most challenging technical proposal you've ever written.

What factors would you consider in building an engineering department from scratch?

How do you communicate priority projects with a team of other engineers without making them feel overwhelmed?

Describe a specific engineering project that you were responsible for that required a lot of interaction with a variety of people over a long period of time.

What do you get out of engineering that you couldn't get from any other kind of work?

Describe a typical day out in the field in your last or present job?

What media contacts do you have that would help us market our technical products/services?

What step-by-step criteria do you use to make difficult decisions that involve other engineers?

To whom did you turn for help the last time that you ran into a major technical problem, and why did you choose that person?

Give me two examples of technical decisions that you had to make on your last job?

Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision that affected the entire engineering department?

In the field of engineering, priorities often change quickly. Give me an example of a time when that happened. How did you handle it?

How can you best use your engineering education and prior work experience to help our company grow?

How long have you been looking for an engineering spot? Have you had any job offers yet? If so, why are you still looking?

Tell me about a time when you had to take disciplinary action with an engineer who reported to you.

Tell me about the last time you lost your temper in the field.

What personal characteristics do you feel are necessary to be a successful engineer?

What single technical skill or ability is your best asset?

What kind of hours did you typically work in your most recent engineering job?

What kinds of information would you request or require before you felt you could do justice to a project assignment?

Describe two specific technical contributions you would expect to make during the first six months on the job if you joined our company.

Tell me about a time when you surpassed all expectations by going "above and beyond" for a client.

What have you specifically done to make the work of the engineers who report to you easier?

How do you feel about the workload in the engineering department on your present or previous job?

A competent Building Services Engineering Technician is expected to be able to demonstrate the following skills and competences:

► Systems design in the building services fields,
► Develop the various types of drawings encountered during the life cycle of a project from the tender preparation stage to the production of as built
drawings,
► compile materials schedules and support the project team in material certification,
► Surveying and works measurement.

This question will require you to display industry knowledge but there is room for subjectivity. The three most common constraints are time, money and resources. But an interviewer may find a different answer interesting if you are able to justify it. Any knowledge you have of the red tape surrounding planning regulations may be highlighted here, and will impress your interviewer.

Describe a situation in which you had to collect information?
How did you react when faced with constant time pressure?
Tell me about an important goal that you set in the past?
When given an important assignment, how do you approach it?
What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?

How have you changed in the last five years?
Situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise?
Where do you see yourself in five years time?
What was the most stressful situation you have faced?
If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?

How would you describe your work style?
Are you planning to continue your studies?
What do you like and dislike about the job we are discussing?
How do you keep track of things you need to do?
How do you decide what gets top priority when scheduling your time?

What are you looking for in terms of career development?
Have you done this kind of work before?
Have you ever had to deal with conflicting deadlines?
What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision?
Describe a situation where you had to plan or organize something?

Which subjects did you enjoy during your qualifying degree?
What is the difference between a good position and an excellent one?
What is a typical career path in this job function?
What type of work environment do you prefer?
What irritates you about other people?

How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
What do you think, would you be willing to travel for work?
What would make you happy in a job?
What support training would you require to be able to do this job?
What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?

What are you expecting from this firm in the future?
What are three positive character traits you don't have?
How do you see your job relating to the overall goals?
Who else have you applied to/got interviews with?
What do you believe are your key strengths?

Tell me about an important issue you encountered recently?
Do you prefer to work in a small, medium or large company?
What are your long-term goals or career plans?
Time when you made a suggestion to improve the work?
Your greatest weakness in school or at work?

This question is testing your industry knowledge. If you have prepared thoroughly before the interview, it will shine through when is comes down to these testing questions. This question basically wants you to describe your daily routine, as well as your role within a larger context. An accurate answer would be appropriate here, but try not to make it sound like you are reading the job specification.

This seems like a general question but is particularly relevant to the construction industry as you will often have to deal with difficult colleagues, clients or suppliers. The best answers will be industry related. If you do not have industry experience then try to thing of an example that relates, e.g. dealing with a supplier in a different industry. Your ability to maintain professionalism, demonstrate diplomacy and communicate effectively will all be assessed here.

Identifying and describing the various stages of the design process, the factors that affect progress towards the final design solution and the
need to work with others to achieve the design solution.
Examining the various stages of the planning process in construction projects.

►Exploring typical examples of effective written and graphical communication between the various members of the project team.

►Examining the client requirements and developing an initial brief to aid production of the design solution.

►Operating criteria for specification such as fitness for purpose, visual appearance, costs, resistance to degradation, and ease of working on site.

►Producing various options of sketch designs to satisfy a given brief that complies with financial, legal and environmental constraints.

►Producing specifications to meet the requirements of client.

►Extracting constructional and dimensional data from the specification, drawings, the project site and materials specifications.

►Producing formal drawings and documentation needed in the life-cycle of a project.

►Exploring the techniques used to prepare price estimates.

►Exploring tendering methods used for a variety of construction works and identifying the documentation associated with each method.

It is the written approval issued by Council after the development application is determined. The development consent will often contain certain written conditions, which must be met before an Occupation Certificate can be issued. These conditions should be read carefully prior to commencing your development project. Your builder should also be given a copy of the Development Consent prior to any works commencing on site.

Minor development that does not require any approvals are regarded as Exempt Development.

Is low impact type of development, which can be approved by either Council or other accredited private certified without notification of neighbours and with pre-determined conditions of consent. Council and other accredited certifiers can assess these applications and they have a 7-10 working day turn around time for approvals, subject to requirements of assessment.

The first step you should undertake to object to a notified development is to come in to Council Chambers and discuss the issues you are objecting to with Council's Building Services Section. One of Council's Building Surveyors will be happy to discuss the Development with you and explain any questions you may have. If you still have an objection, please submit this objection in writing to Council. Should you wish to remain confidential, please advise Council of this in your objection as objections are generally made available to the public.

A building consent is granted when the decision is made that the application complies with the requirements of the Building Code and the building levy is paid.

Issuing occurs once the building consent authority has granted the building consent, produced the relevant documentation and attached other relevant information such as the PIM and development contribution notice.