When preparing for a facilities management interview, having a solid strategy can make all the difference. Walking into the interview room (or joining the video call) with confidence, and knowing how to effectively answer questions, is crucial. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard, or unable to confidently showcase your experience and knowledge, making the interview experience more daunting than it needs to be.
Whether you’re stepping into a Facilities Management (FM) for the first time or looking to advance into a more senior position, acing the job interview is essential. At Randstad, we understand the importance of presenting your skills and experience effectively. We've been helping skilled professionals like you prepare for interviews with top industry employers for over 60 years, providing the tools, exclusive insight and knowledge to stand out from the competition.
While you’re collating your facts and figures, it’s also important to remember that interviews aren’t just about the employer assessing you—they’re an opportunity for you to evaluate whether the company and role align with your career goals. Asking the right questions during the interview can provide valuable insights and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
Here are some key questions and topics of discussion to consider ahead of your FM interview:
Job security
Earlier this year we surveyed over 12,000 UK workers as part of our annual employer brand research, to uncover what they deem the most important factors when choosing a new role.
Job security, perhaps unsurprisingly, was the top priority for over half of workers (53%) when seeking new employment. With that in mind, here are six questions to consider to ensure you are joining the right organisation in terms of a secure position:
- How many sites do you have?
- How many projects can I expect to be working on?
- What is the turnover rate of your staff?
- What would be a typical career path for someone starting in this role?
- How do you feel you have performed compared to your key competitors over the last few years?
- Are you able to comment on any upcoming changes or developments in the company that might impact this role?
Training
Shortly behind on the list of ideal job desirables, as according to our research, is the desire for good training. If like the majority of UK workers you are keen to upskill yourself and make improvements to your CV, the following five questions are good to keep front of mind:
- Is the training programme structured, or more informal?
- Is there an opportunity to gain new industry relevant qualifications/certifications such as; IOSH, NEBOSH or Authorised Person (HVAP or LVAP)?
- What topics does the training cover?
- Who is responsible for delivering the training? Are there designated trainers within the organisation, or will you be paired with an external trainer?
- Is the training continuous?
Non-monetary benefits
In a world where a desire for good work-life balance is more important than an attractive salary, there is much more to consider when weighing up the possibility of committing to work for a new organisation. Consider having a discussion based around the wider benefits package which will enable you to achieve greater work-life balance, contribute to your future and make your job easier day-to-day. For example:
- Company car/van
- Is a company van provided?
- Is there a fuel card?
- If it’s an electric vehicle, will I have access to an on-site charging point?
- Are personal miles allowed?
- Pension plans
- Is salary sacrifice an option?
- Will you match my contributions?
- Can I increase my contributions, and if so, will my employer match it?
- What are the charges on the fund?
- Wellbeing
- What are the restrictions around paid time off (including parental leave)?
- Do you offer on-site free or subsidised lunches?
- Are discounted services, such as gym memberships, health, dental and eyecare available?
Management style
If it’s your first stage interview or the first time speaking to your potential future manager, it's good to get an understanding about their management style and importantly, personality.
Ensure you create a two-way conversation; this is the most upfront way of establishing whether a manager will be a good leader. You can be direct and ask what their preferred management style is. However if you wish to be more subtle, ask about the manager’s experience; find out if they have had a similar career path to you - it’s worth having a look at their LinkedIn profile too before the interview in preparation. If you share similarities it could help with making your working relationship run smoothly, however it’s always good to be confident and use your past experience to advise of what has worked in previous roles for you and what hasn't. Consider asking the following five questions:
- How do you see a manager's role on a team?
- How do you motivate a team?
- Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult employee.
- How many individuals do you currently manage?
- How do you recognise/reward success?
Armed with the above insight you should enter your next FM interview feeling confident and prepared. If you need any assistance on how to craft a standout CV for facilities management roles you can also find it here.
If you’ve not yet got an interview to prepare for, explore our latest Facilities Management job vacancies below: