Site Supervisor Interview Preparation Guide
Refine your Site Supervisor interview skills with our 61 critical questions. Our questions cover a wide range of topics in Site Supervisor to ensure youre well-prepared. Whether youre new to the field or have years of experience, these questions are designed to help you succeed. Dont miss out on our free PDF download, containing all 61 questions to help you succeed in your Site Supervisor interview. Its an invaluable tool for reinforcing your knowledge and building confidence.61 Site Supervisor Questions and Answers:
1 :: Explain briefly the various methods of concrete curing?
Curing is the process of maintaining the moisture and temperature conditions for freshly deployed concrete. This is done for small duration of time to allow the hardening of concrete. The methods that are involved in saving the shrinkage of the concrete includes:
☛ (a) Spraying of water: on walls, and columns can be cured by sprinkling water.
☛ (b) Wet covering of surface: can be cured by using the surface with wet gunny bags or straw
☛ (c) Ponding: the horizontal surfaces including the slab and floors can be cured by stagnating the water.
☛ (d) Steam curing: of pre-fabricated concrete units steam can be cured by passing it over the units that are under closed chambers. It allows faster curing process and results in faster recovery.
☛ (e) Application of curing compounds: compounds having calcium chloride can be applied on curing surface. This keeps the surface wet for a very long time.
☛ (a) Spraying of water: on walls, and columns can be cured by sprinkling water.
☛ (b) Wet covering of surface: can be cured by using the surface with wet gunny bags or straw
☛ (c) Ponding: the horizontal surfaces including the slab and floors can be cured by stagnating the water.
☛ (d) Steam curing: of pre-fabricated concrete units steam can be cured by passing it over the units that are under closed chambers. It allows faster curing process and results in faster recovery.
☛ (e) Application of curing compounds: compounds having calcium chloride can be applied on curing surface. This keeps the surface wet for a very long time.
2 :: Do you know what are the different type of slump test indications?
Slump tests are performed to empirically measure the workability of fresh concrete. It is used to measure the consistency of the concrete. In general there are three different types of slumps that occur in slump tests. They are as follows:
► True Slump
► Shear Slump
► Collapse Slump
True Slump: This type of slump is characterized by the general drop of the concrete mass evenly without visible signs of deterioration or disintegration.
Shear Slump: It indicates that the concrete mix is deficient in cohesion. This type of slump leads to segregation and bleeding. Henceforth in the long run effecting the durability of the concrete.
Collapse Slump: This type of slump is indicates that the mix of concrete is simply too wet. The mix is considered to be harsh and lean.
► True Slump
► Shear Slump
► Collapse Slump
True Slump: This type of slump is characterized by the general drop of the concrete mass evenly without visible signs of deterioration or disintegration.
Shear Slump: It indicates that the concrete mix is deficient in cohesion. This type of slump leads to segregation and bleeding. Henceforth in the long run effecting the durability of the concrete.
Collapse Slump: This type of slump is indicates that the mix of concrete is simply too wet. The mix is considered to be harsh and lean.
3 :: Tell me why are pull-out tests performed for soil nails?
Pull out tests are performed for primarily the following reasons:
☛ In order to detect and the verification of the bond strength among the soil and the grout adopted during the design of soil nails. This is considered to be as the primary objective of performing pull out tests for soil nails.
☛ For the detection of any slippage or occurrence of creeps.
☛ To detect the elastic and deformations (plastic) of any of the test nails employed. Observations are made during the loading and unloading cycles of the soil nails repetitively.
☛ To achieve the perfect balance the test nails should always be loaded so that the ultimate soil/grout mixture with an upper limit of 80%.
☛ In order to detect and the verification of the bond strength among the soil and the grout adopted during the design of soil nails. This is considered to be as the primary objective of performing pull out tests for soil nails.
☛ For the detection of any slippage or occurrence of creeps.
☛ To detect the elastic and deformations (plastic) of any of the test nails employed. Observations are made during the loading and unloading cycles of the soil nails repetitively.
☛ To achieve the perfect balance the test nails should always be loaded so that the ultimate soil/grout mixture with an upper limit of 80%.
4 :: Do you know what are your weaknesses for Construction site supervisor position?
Try not to be too critical when answering this question. Instead, pick one of your weaknesses and try to turn it into a positive.
For example, you could be a perfectionist, which means that you sometimes take longer on tasks, but you make sure that they are completed to a high quality. It is important to make a negative into a positive as it doesn't make you appear overly critical and shows you can reflect on your own performance.
For example, you could be a perfectionist, which means that you sometimes take longer on tasks, but you make sure that they are completed to a high quality. It is important to make a negative into a positive as it doesn't make you appear overly critical and shows you can reflect on your own performance.
5 :: Explain me your salary requirements?
Find out what the salary is for the job is that is possible ahead of time. If there is no salary posted then do some research. Find out what the market is paying and what you are worth. Make a reasonable salary offer based on this information. Do your best to avoid making a salary offer if you can. You can ask the employer if they have a salary range they plan to pay the person in this position.
6 :: Tell me a time you had to introduce important change in your last job?
Your ability to persuade and influence your employees or team members to accept change is key.
Show how you were able to gain support and commitment from them by using the appropriate communication style, by listening and responding to concerns and questions, by asking for their help and commitment and by providing support.
Show how you were able to gain support and commitment from them by using the appropriate communication style, by listening and responding to concerns and questions, by asking for their help and commitment and by providing support.
7 :: Tell me how do you encourage your team?
Keeping your employees motivated is a major role of a supervisor. The interviewer is trying to see if your employees will respond to you and your encouragement. Use examples to show how your ideas have improved the workplace.
"I've always found great success with mini-competitions. I keep them small enough so that's there's no hard feelings, but big enough that the employees will work hard. For example, last Black Friday we held a contest to see who could have the most sales by the end of the day. The winner received a mini-spa day for all their hard work. This actually resulted in our most profitable Black Friday to date and the employees really got into it. It was the first time that no one really complained about working the day after Thanksgiving. In fact, they have requested to do more contests like that one. We've also done group contests. For example, we found that Wednesdays were our slowest days, so I gave them all a goal of raising Wednesday sales by three percent. If they did, they would each get a gift card to a local restaurant. It only took about three weeks for them to meet the goal. "
"I've always found great success with mini-competitions. I keep them small enough so that's there's no hard feelings, but big enough that the employees will work hard. For example, last Black Friday we held a contest to see who could have the most sales by the end of the day. The winner received a mini-spa day for all their hard work. This actually resulted in our most profitable Black Friday to date and the employees really got into it. It was the first time that no one really complained about working the day after Thanksgiving. In fact, they have requested to do more contests like that one. We've also done group contests. For example, we found that Wednesdays were our slowest days, so I gave them all a goal of raising Wednesday sales by three percent. If they did, they would each get a gift card to a local restaurant. It only took about three weeks for them to meet the goal. "
8 :: Tell me how do you go about dealing with bad employees?
Companies are looking to hire supervisors who understand that not every employee is perfect and to see how they handle a bad fit. Show them that you are encouraging and don't give up easily.
"I wish I could tell you that I've never experienced an employee who wasn't the right fit. But, that's not the case. In almost every job I've had, there's been at least one questionable hire. Because they were hired in the first place, it shows that we saw something in them that may not be shown at work. I start by scheduling a meeting with them to see what the issue may be. Many times it's not work related, just that personal issues are being brought into the work place. In that situation we work out a plan on how they should improve and I let them know that, while we are rooting for them they need to step up their game. In other cases where the employee doesn't seem to care at all about the job or they are getting noticed for not working hard, I will either request that they retake the training or that we part ways."
"I wish I could tell you that I've never experienced an employee who wasn't the right fit. But, that's not the case. In almost every job I've had, there's been at least one questionable hire. Because they were hired in the first place, it shows that we saw something in them that may not be shown at work. I start by scheduling a meeting with them to see what the issue may be. Many times it's not work related, just that personal issues are being brought into the work place. In that situation we work out a plan on how they should improve and I let them know that, while we are rooting for them they need to step up their game. In other cases where the employee doesn't seem to care at all about the job or they are getting noticed for not working hard, I will either request that they retake the training or that we part ways."
9 :: Do you know what are the steps involved in the concreting process, explain?
The major steps involved in the process of concreting are as follows:
1. Batching
2. Mixing
3. Transporting and placing of concrete
4. Compacting.
☛ Batching: The process of measurement of the different materials for the making of concrete is known as batching. batching is usually done in two ways: volume batching and weight batching. In case of volume batching the measurement is done in the form of volume whereas in the case of weight batching it is done by the weight.
☛ Mixing: In order to create good concrete the mixing of the materials should be first done in dry condition and after it wet condition. The two general methods of mixing are: hand mixing and machine mixing.
☛ Transportation and placing of concrete: Once the concrete mixture is created it must be transported to its final location. The concrete is placed on form works and should always be dropped on its final location as closely as possible.
☛ Compaction of concrete: When concrete is placed it can have air bubbles entrapped in it which can lead to the reduction of the strength by 30%. In order to reduce the air bubbles the process of compaction is performed. Compaction is generally performed in two ways: by hand or by the use of vibrators.
1. Batching
2. Mixing
3. Transporting and placing of concrete
4. Compacting.
☛ Batching: The process of measurement of the different materials for the making of concrete is known as batching. batching is usually done in two ways: volume batching and weight batching. In case of volume batching the measurement is done in the form of volume whereas in the case of weight batching it is done by the weight.
☛ Mixing: In order to create good concrete the mixing of the materials should be first done in dry condition and after it wet condition. The two general methods of mixing are: hand mixing and machine mixing.
☛ Transportation and placing of concrete: Once the concrete mixture is created it must be transported to its final location. The concrete is placed on form works and should always be dropped on its final location as closely as possible.
☛ Compaction of concrete: When concrete is placed it can have air bubbles entrapped in it which can lead to the reduction of the strength by 30%. In order to reduce the air bubbles the process of compaction is performed. Compaction is generally performed in two ways: by hand or by the use of vibrators.
10 :: Explain under what circumstances should pot bearings be used instead of elastomeric bearings?
Pot bearings are preferred over elastomeric bearings in situations where there are chances of high vertical loads in combinations of very large angle of rotations. Elastomeric bearings always require a large bearing surface so that a compression is maintained between the contact surfaces in between the piers and the bearings. This is not possible to maintained in high load and rotation environment. Also the usage of elastomeric bearings leads to the uneven distribution of stress on the piers. This results in some highly induced stresses to be targeted at the piers henceforth damaging them. Due to the above reasons pot bearings are preferred over elastomeric bearings in such cases.