If you have been asked for an interview for a labouring job, firstly, congratulations! Your CV and cover letter have clearly impressed, and this should give you great confidence. Now, you need to get prepared for the interview and the various questions you may be asked. Read on to find out everything you need to know.

What do you bring to the table? One of the biggest mistakes that people make when going for labourer jobs is assuming that it is all about sheer brawn. It’s not! Your employer will be looking to see what other qualities you will bring to the table. Some of the qualities they will be looking for include flexibility, strength, attention to detail, working with a team well, and technique. Spend some time writing down examples of how you have displayed these qualities in the past. You can then draw upon these examples in the interview to show your interviewer that you are the best person for the vacancy. Being well prepared can make a huge difference.

Prepare for some of the most commonly asked labourer interview questions – You need to prepare for the standard general interview questions, as well as the standard questions that are related to the construction industry.

Here are some examples of typical interview questions you may be asked:

–       Why do you want this job?

–       What are your strengths?

–       What are your weaknesses?

–       What were your responsibilities at your last position?

–       Why are you better than the other candidates?

–       When were you most satisfied in your job?

–       What did you like least about your last job?

You will also be asked questions that are more specific to the construction industry, including:

–       How quickly do you learn new tasks?

–       Do you prefer working on your own or as part of a team?

–       What was your hardest task and how did you tackle it?

–       What procedures do you follow to prevent injuries on the job?

–       What is your personal checklist to ensure you are ready to leave the job daily?

–       Describe some of your most recent projects

Expect some curveballs – Despite all of the preparation you do, there are likely to be some curveball interview questions. Do not panic if you get asked a question that you have not prepared for. Give yourself a second to think about it before answering; there are no prizes for diving right in. We’ve heard of many interviewers asking candidates some of the most outlandish questions in order to break the tension, such as: “There is a zombie apocalypse, what do you do?”

Be yourself – Last but not least, it’s important to be yourself! Your interviewer wants to see your personality; they don’t want to see a person you have created in order to bag the job. Construction roles involve working with a lot of people on a daily basis, and so they want to make sure that you are the right fit for the team. Let your personal charm shine through.