Construction Deck

Question 1

Tell Me About Yourself

Answer 1

I am Project Manager for INF Associates, I manage commercial electric projects. I manage the full cycle of the project after design. I create schedules, manage the budget, manage subcontractors, and interfacing with the customer. Previous to this role I worked for a general contractor with in house electricians and plumbers and estimated and managed electric and mechanical projects there.

Question 2

What Kind of projects do you manage?

Answer 2

I manage commercial electric projects. Most of my projects are chargers, but I have a solar project. Our charger projects can get pretty complex with large switchgear installations and utility coordination.

Question 3

What scope are these projects in size?

Answer 3

50,000-3 million

Question 4

What does your company do?

Answer 4

We are an engineering firm and electrical contractor, EPC

Question 5

How do you prepare a budget and what is your profit margin

Answer 5

I use and excel spreadsheet with formulas, subbed out work is usually a 30-50% profit. I have a budget for each project I complete, and sometimes we do cash flow projections

Question 6

What is a typical day like for you?

Answer 6

I usually have meetings with clients and internal teams. I will do paperwork and respond to emails if I do not have meetings. Writing budgets, schedules, change orders, or fixing problems.

Question 7

How do you stay organized

Answer 7

We have a project management software that keeps track of each job. I have file folders on my computer for each project where I store budgets, plans, specifications, and anything relevant to the project. I keep a todo list on the project management software, and our office team has a todo list on there so I never ask people to do things on email as it gets lost in the shuffle. We have an office todo list and a personal todo list in the project management software.

Question 8

Have you managed the schedules for the projects you’ve worked on? What scheduling software did you use?

Answer 8

I do not currently use P6 although I have in my previous role. I currently use microsoft project.

Question 9

Can you describe your management style?

Answer 9

I do not like to micromanage. I like to trust people to get things done. I will make sure to check in and make sure they have important tasks sorted. I do check in on important things to make sure they are getting done.

Question 10

What is your approach to difficult stakeholders.

Answer 10

I try to communicate as honestly as possible and use my communication skills to keep clients calm and explain why there are additional costs or delays. Keeping calm and staying customer focused. Everyone is different I use my emotional intelligence to create a relationship with each stake holder and understand where they are coming from.

Question 11

If a project is behind schedule, what would you do to ensure your team completes it by the deadline?

Answer 11

If a project falls behind schedule or is looking to get behind. I will brainstorm ways to expedite crews and subcontractors. If we have to delay another job I will switch the crews, we may look at weekend work. For subcontractors I will express my concerns and see if something can be done. Frequently materials may be on delay, I will try to pay to expedite shipping scour other suppliers for the materials and do the best I can do move things forward.

Question 12

Can you tell us about a time something went wrong in a project you were managing, and what you did to overcome it? / OR / Describe a challenging project
you’ve had, and what you did to overcome difficulties.

Answer 12

Constantly we have issues with material lead times. I have to always be on top of materials. The supplier can say one thing then, the lead time will change for a reason out of our control. In the event this causes a delay, I have to be on top of it. We have to communicate with clients as early as possible and do our best to expedite materials. The second a project is handed to me I have a sense of urgency about checking the material lead times and putting an accurate schedule together.

Question 13

How would others who you’ve worked with in the past describe you?

Answer 13

Organized, Professional, Hardworking, Fast Learner

Question 14

Do you facilitate an environment of collaboration on your team? If so, how?

Answer 14

When I go to a job site and there is a field condition problem. I usually always ask for the crews input on the situation. If there is a large installation that is difficult I am usually always there to show my support and help in any way I can.

Question 15

What skills or strengths do you have that you believe make you an excellent project manager?

Answer 15

I have 10 years of construction project management experience. I have excellent communication skills, I am very organized, I like learning new things, and I work very hard.

Question 16

Describe a recent project and how you contributed to its success

Answer 16

I recently completed a large installation for National Grid. There was a gas line relocation and the GPR was showing a lot of conflicts in the digging zone. I was able to get a change order to hand dig the relocation and make a good profit for the company. There were many field conflicts that I submitted as RFIs and resolved professionally.

Question 17

Have you managed the budgets for previous projects you’ve worked on? What tools or software did you use?

Answer 17

yes I have budgets for each job I manage. I have a template I use. I have the scope there. I also keep track of out of scope items on this budget. I input subcontractor costs, and I track our crews hours.

Question 18

What are your weakness

Question 19

Where do you see yourself in five years

Answer 19

Managing a team of project managers, in ten years maybe running a business operation

Question 20

What do you know about our company

Answer 20

provide turnkey energy solutions like design engineering and installation of energy solutions and lighting

Question 21

Describe a failure

Answer 21

I have made mistakes, I recently ordered a material that had an approved as noted comment I forgot to order with. It ended up being fine and I needed to order a small attachment part. I try to make as little mistakes as possible and I am always triple checking big decisions.

Question 22

What do you like most about your job and what would you change

Answer 22

I love that the company is small and I have the ability to work flexibly. I am looking to work on more complex projects and work my way up a larger organization.

Question 23

Tell me about a conflict at work you faced and how you dealt with it

Answer 23

Elios van

Question 24

When you get a new project how do you prepare things?

Answer 24

We do a project turnover meeting with engineering. I get up to speed on the project, I will then go to my checklist where I will start working on materials, the contractor, permitting, and figuring out my budget.

Question 25

Tell me about a successful project you have recently worked on, number 2

Answer 25

I am the project lead for NYPA project that is 3.3 million dollar project for New York Power Authority. I have been managing a team of engineers on the design phase of the project and we are about to enter the construction phase. I have been making sure the engineers are designing the project to the contract. I am also making sure we are charging the customer for change orders for out of scope items wanted by NYPA. I am coordinating with the customer, engineers, and contractor to complete this successfully.

Question 26

4 questions (2 pertaining to the Client, and 2 specifically about the position/project you are interviewing for)

Answer 26

What do you see the first three months looking like for me? What does success look like in my role?

Question 27

What policies and procedures have you implemented to improve work flows

Answer 27

I helped the company update to a new project management software. I created a budget template that we use on most jobs. I create project plans for crews on work orders so they know what scope they need to do. For anything repetetive I have to write I have templates, like sending updates to clients and etc.

Question 28

tell me about the most challenging job you had and how did you approach it

Answer 28

I have had a lot of tough jobs. Most of the issues come down to managing subcontractors its important to communicate expectations with them and try get ahead problems and be proactive instead of reactive

Question 29

What general metrics do you use to make sure a project is on track

Answer 29

verifying the schedule from beginning to current seeing if it meets expectations, seeing if things are started to get over budget

Question 30

How would you resolve conflict in your team?

Answer 30

Having a sit down and understanding everyones point of view. Where everyone is coming from.

Question 31

What is INF Associates

Answer 31

INF Associates is a turnkey energy solutions firm – we perform complete design, equipment supply, and installation of projects including electric vehicle (EV), charging solutions, LED lighting upgrades, and mechanical system retrofits.

Question 32

Tell me about what you do at AMI

Answer 32

I manage several concurrent projects as well as estimate new projects. I manage the whole life cycle of my project from estimating to writing a budget to hiring the sub contractors to coordinating our internal crews. I am a partner so I wear a lot of different hats.

Question 33

What technologies have you programmed, how exactly have you improved the company?

Answer 33

I have programmed a few things. If I think I can automate a process for myself or the company I will automate it. I have a program that automates progress and inspection reports for my self. Additionally I created a program that formats update photos how our clients like them. In my spare time I am currently developing an environmental reporting application, where you can automate all of your swppp enviromental reporting.

Question 34

Curve ball question -

Answer 34

Id have to get back to you on that I am not sure

Question 35

What is your electrical experience?

Answer 35

Our company has its electric license, we perform electric panel replacements and system upgrades every now and then. On renovations our company self performs all the wiring and upgrades. My sister is a substation project manager, and I have been studying the electric power systems space looking to get a career in this industry specifically.

Question 36

How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations

Answer 36

I write problems down, break them into parts I can control and not control

Question 37

How do you prioritize your work?

Answer 37

Depending on importance of clients/ size of clients business, long nights to get all deliverables back to clients

Question 38

What motivates you?

Answer 38

Building cool things, building impactful things, making money, upward career mobility

Question 39

What would your first few months look like in this role?

Answer 39

I would review the plans and contract specifications for the jobs I am managing. Additionally would learn the tech/management stack

Question 40

How did you end up in your current role?

Answer 40

It was job in near my family, I was living in delaware at the time. There was an opportunity for ownership and it was a great opportunity.

Question 41

What are the first steps in planning a construction project?

Answer 41

Writing a budget, writing the schedule, ordering long leed materials, finding subcontractors, planning the site and pre-construction process

Question 42

How do you structure a team for a project? What do you consider?

Answer 42

Skills of the workers with regards to the scope of the job.

Question 43

What actions would you take if a project is falling behind schedule or exceeding the project’s budget?

Question 44

How would you handle a worker disregarding your instructions about their part of the project?

Answer 44

I would document this occurrence, then have a meeting to discuss the instructions. If it happens again I would have to recommend they leave the project.

Question 45

What would you do if some of your workers were not using the necessary safety equipment?

Answer 45

I would stop work on the job until the correct safety ppe is obtained. Further observation of the site would be required to make sure we are in compliance.

Question 46

Have you ever experienced conflict with supervisors, and how did you handle it?

Answer 46

Cannot think of an example, will have to get back to you on that

Question 47

How do you approach leadership?

Answer 47

Getting everyones opinion. Listening to everyone. Showing up for hard things, being present for the crews and leading by example.

Question 48

What would you do if extreme weather conditions or labor action causes delays in this project?

Answer 48

I would make sure to document the schedule and send notice letters to the owner of weather delays.

Question 49

How do you keep workers motivated to perform accurately with changing requests, obstacles, time constraints, and budget limitations?

Answer 49

Make sure I give them the resources and update them often on change conditions

Question 50

I would like details regarding your latest project's success. Can you tell me about the challenges you encountered, and how you overcame them?

Answer 50

Lead times of switch gear at national grid, turned into success by temporary powering it. Gas lines at national gird, turned into a positive,

Question 51

Tell me about a time you have demonstrated leadership skills

Answer 51

In every role I have ever been in, if something is difficult for the crews to do or they are uncertain about things I will always be there on site with them to help them do the work physically, or just be there watching and show them I am there to support them

Question 52

Tell me about a challenge or conflict you've faced at work and how you deal with it

Answer 52

Clients may be unhappy with the way certain things come out, I generally have the customer is always right attitude and apologize. If something is out of scope it must be billed of course. Clients are frequently unhappy about the schedule or time to completion. I have to manage customers expectations and do the best I can for them

Question 53

What is your greatest professional achievement

Answer 53

When I drive by some of the highway work I built I get a great sense of accomplishment

Question 54

What can you bring to the company

Answer 54

A decade of construction management experience and acumen to help effectively manage projects

Question 55

What are your greatest strengths

Answer 55

My greatest strengths are my ability to stay organized. My memory and ability to conceptualize field issues and field/construction related issues. My experience in dealing with employees gives me the experience to delegate, and coordinate with my team members effectively.

Question 56

How would you describe a project plan?

Answer 56

I discuss the scope of the project with my team. What each task of the project is. What the subcontractors are doing. I then enter the plan into their work orders.

Question 57

What’s your experience with budget management?

Answer 57

I write a budget for each project I am on. I have a excel template with formulas in it. I input the scope items and their respective budgets.

Question 58

Tell us about a time something went wrong in a project you were managing.

Answer 58

Situation: Start by describing the facts of the situation and why it happened—in this case, what had gone wrong. Task: Go on to describe what task you were expected to do to solve the situation. Action: Next, explain what you did and how you did it. Result: Finish by sharing the outcome. Also, describe what you learned from the experience.

Question 59

Why do you want to work at this company?

Answer 59

I want to build green energy solutions, Jenna had stated it was a great company culture where people enjoy work events

Question 60

What’s a time you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?

Answer 60

My boss the owner has a more adversarial view of the customers than I. Where I think we may offer a credit or forego a change order as a courtesy. The owners are less likely to want that. I believe it is good business to offer courtesy for small items.

Question 61

What type of work environment do you prefer?

Answer 61

I like to be independent not micro managed and have the ability to make decisions I like to collaborate with my peers

Question 62

What are your pet peeves?

Answer 62

When

Question 63

How do you plan to achieve your career goals?

Answer 63

Working relentlessly hard

Question 64

Whats your dream job

Answer 64

Managing a construction branch, being a project executive, ceo or coo

Question 65

What makes you unique

Answer 65

I have automated processes at my company. I have developed processes for our crews. I have learned how to program to save time for myself and the company. I bring my intelligence, my 8 years of construction management experience, and my business management experience. I have not worked in a corporation I have worked really hard in a small company doing whatever it takes to make my projects successful

Question 66

Tell me about a challenge or conflict you've faced at work, and how you dealt with it.

Answer 66

Subcontractors constantly cause delays or can be unresponsive. - Randolph job....

Question 67

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a sudden change in your job?

Answer 67

Changes happen every day. Problems arise in projects all the time. When they come up we just have to deal with them. Change orders, conditions arent what we thought, etc. Open up a wall and the conditions are not what we thought we have to come up with a game plan.

Question 68

What can you bring to the company?

Question 69

Have you ever faced any ethical issues at a job and what did you do?

Question 70

Five years

Answer 70

Director of Construction or Project Executive

Question 71

Describe an ideal workplace for you.

Question 72

What do you like least about the world of project management?

Answer 72

The emergencies that arise, the stuff out of your control. Can you give examples? Unforeseen conditions, permits taking a long time,

Question 73

why do you want to leave your present job)?

Question 74

Why do you want to work for us?

Question 75

Describe a routine day at work at your previous employment.

Question 76

What is your electrical experience

Question 77

Explain how you handle difficult conversations with clients or vendors.

Answer 77

If there is a delay to a project timeline I will send an email as early as I know there will be a delay. Additionally I will follow up with a phone call.

Question 78

What did you do at AMI and what is your electrical experience there?