Facilities Manager interview questions and answers
These Facilities Manager interview questions will help you look for important qualifications and skills of candidates.
10 good facilities manager interview questions
- If I asked you to find ways to save energy, what would you think of?
- Imagine you have hired a contractor for a renovation and you perceive that they aren’t using adequate protection equipment. What do you do?
- If I told you we’re going to hold an event for customers and vendors in a few days, what steps would you take to prepare the premises?
- How often did you inspect premises at your previous job?
- Name some areas where a facilities manager is responsible for legal compliance.
- What’s your experience with Business Continuity Planning?
- What records is a facilities manager obliged to keep?
- How do you think COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations affect our business?
- What criteria/process do you use to choose service providers for cleaning, landscaping, catering, etc.?
- What software have you used as a facilities manager?
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
If I asked you to find ways to save energy, what would you think of?
This question assesses the candidate’s ability to think critically about resource management and sustainability.
Sample answer:
“I would conduct an energy audit to identify areas of inefficiency. Then, I’d look into LED lighting, smart thermostats, and possibly solar panels to reduce energy consumption.”
Imagine you have hired a contractor for a renovation and you perceive that they aren’t using adequate protection equipment. What do you do?
This question gauges the candidate’s commitment to safety and compliance.
Sample answer:
“I would immediately halt the work and insist that the contractor comply with safety regulations before resuming.”
If I told you we’re going to hold an event for customers and vendors in a few days, what steps would you take to prepare the premises?
This question tests the candidate’s organizational and planning skills.
Sample answer:
“I would ensure the venue is clean, safe, and accessible. I’d also coordinate with vendors for any required setups and make sure all utilities are functioning properly.”
How often did you inspect premises at your previous job?
This question assesses the candidate’s proactive approach to facilities management.
Sample answer:
“I conducted weekly inspections to ensure everything was in order and to preemptively address any issues.”
Name some areas where a facilities manager is responsible for legal compliance.
This question evaluates the candidate’s understanding of the legal aspects of facilities management.
Sample answer:
“Legal compliance areas include building codes, fire safety, ADA compliance, and occupational safety.”
What’s your experience with Business Continuity Planning?
This question gauges the candidate’s ability to plan for emergencies and disruptions.
Sample answer:
“I have developed and executed business continuity plans that include backup power solutions and emergency exit strategies.”
What records is a facilities manager obliged to keep?
This question tests the candidate’s knowledge of administrative responsibilities.
Sample answer:
“Facilities managers should keep records of inspections, maintenance activities, safety audits, and compliance certificates.”
How do you think COSHH regulations affect our business?
This question assesses the candidate’s understanding of health and safety regulations.
Sample answer:
“COSHH regulations ensure that hazardous substances are stored, used, and disposed of safely, which is crucial for employee well-being and legal compliance.”
What criteria/process do you use to choose service providers for cleaning, landscaping, catering, etc.?
This question evaluates the candidate’s decision-making skills in vendor selection.
Sample answer:
“I look for reliability, quality of work, compliance with safety standards, and cost-effectiveness when selecting service providers.”
What software have you used as a facilities manager?
This question gauges the candidate’s familiarity with tools commonly used in facilities management.
Sample answer:
“I have experience with FM software like IBM Tririga and iOffice, which help in asset management and space planning.”
What does a good facilities manager candidate look like?
A strong candidate for a Facilities Manager position will have a well-rounded skill set that includes technical knowledge, organizational skills, and a strong commitment to safety and compliance.
Red flags
Be cautious of candidates who lack attention to detail, have poor communication skills, or seem unfamiliar with compliance and safety regulations.
Facilities Manager Interview Questions
The responsibility of having a safe and well-cared for workspace falls on the shoulders of your Facilities Manager. They oversee the day-to-day use of space while striving to reduce operational costs.
Education ranges from high school diplomas to bachelor’s degrees, depending on the position. Experience in the industry, as well as in a managerial role, is a more common requirement. Certification is available for facilities managers, so you can use it to screen resumes depending on the responsibility of the position you’re hiring for.
Facilities managers may face all kinds of situations while looking after the premises. Behavioral or situational questions are the best way to find out their initiative, critical thinking and dependability. Try to also discover their knowledge of standard procedures (e.g. choosing facilities services providers) and all compliance requirements. Since they’ll be managing personnel, ask to discover their leadership and communication abilities.
Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.
Operational and Situational questions
- If I asked you to find ways to save energy, what would you think of?
- Imagine you have hired a contractor for a renovation and you perceive that they aren’t using adequate protection equipment. What do you do?
- If I told you we’re going to hold an event for customers and vendors in a few days, what steps would you take to prepare the premises?
Role-specific questions
- How often did you inspect premises at your previous job?
- Name some areas where a facilities manager is responsible for legal compliance
- What’s your experience with Business Continuity Planning?
- What records is a facilities manager obliged to keep?
- How do you think COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) regulations affect our business?
- What criteria/process do you use to choose service providers for [cleaning/landscaping/catering/etc.]?
- How do you feel about taking up some manual labor when necessary?
- What software have you used as a facilities manager?
Behavioral questions
- Tell me about a time you found it hard to coordinate everyone for a maintenance project. How did you resolve this?
- Describe the biggest challenge you have faced when trying to reduce operational costs
- Recall a time your department’s budget was almost exceeded. What did you do?
- Was there a time you found diversity among your subordinates a problem? How did you turn it around?
- Recall a time you spotted a potential hazard on the premises. What measures did you take to correct it?