Interview Guides
Interview Questions
Estimator
Provide Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services
to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or service. May specialize according to particular service performed or type of product manufactured.
Download below a PDF version of interview questions for Estimator
Top Interview question for "Estimator"
Analyzing Data and Problem Solving
-
Provide some examples of data you have gathered to prepare a cost estimate. How did you decide what was important? What conclusions did you reach?
-
Tell me about a time when you worked in a situation where the rules and guidelines were not clear? How did you react?
-
Some people consider themselves to be "big picture people" and others are "detail oriented". Which are you? Give an example of a time when you displayed this.
-
Tell me about the most complicated project you’ve worked on. What was your process to work through it?
-
Have you made mistakes in the final estimate report? What did you learn?
-
How do you respond if the project’s expenses start exceeding estimates?
-
How do you ensure accuracy in your work? What is your quality control process?
Business Knowledge and Organization
-
Describe a time you managed to reduce costs for a project. How did your team respond?
-
What are the most important factors that affect overall costs?
-
What are common metrics you use in your estimates?
-
What do you do when you have a tight deadline and multiple projects to finish? What do you do if you realize you won’t meet a deadline?
Technology
-
Which software tools or systems have you worked with? What functions do you find most useful?
-
What kinds of data and technical information do you review?
Teamwork and Communication
-
Can you tell me about a time when you had a conflict regarding cost on a project and how you ended up finding a solution?
-
What is the most effective way you have found to engage stakeholders where you have to convince people who do not work for you to provide information?
-
Tell me a time when organizational priorities shifted and significantly changed your assignment.
-
Tell me a time you dealt with an unreasonable request.
-
How do you decide what information is important to share and how do you disseminate this information to other people?
-
How do you go about establishing rapport with a new person?
“I feel as though I have a consultant on my shoulder ready to assist and discuss with me any difficult choices that result from the results of the testing. They have this area nailed, and I am very satisfied and content with the system.”
Pair these questions with candidate scorecards for the most effective and efficient hiring outcomes
“All of the people I have hired since going through the FACT-based Hiring System have been my top performers. The system has greatly improved my team!”
“I love the performance management software! It allows me to keep track of all my hires and their metrics in one place! We have been able to push our hiring process faster than ever before!”
