Resources
Post a Job
 Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a $100 CAD credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed are 40% more likely to report a hire than non-sponsored jobs**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires
*The $100 CAD Sponsored Job credit offer is only available for new accounts in Canada that post a job and expires one year after account creation. Upon expiration of the credit, users are charged based on Sponsored Job budget. Terms, conditions, and quality standards apply **Indeed data, Canada, Q2 2024

Facilities Manager Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Facilities Manager interview questions and answers.

  1. What do you feel is the most critical responsibility of a facility manager? See answer
  2. What is your process for record-keeping as a facilities manager? See answer
  3. How do you ensure safety for our customers and clients as facility manager? See answer
  4. Describe your experience using computer systems and programs. See answer
  5. Describe your experience hiring outside services for facility support. See answer
  6. Describe your experience with emergency preparedness as a facilities manager. See answer
  7. How do you ensure the safety of your facility maintenance staff? See answer
  8. Suppose we want to hold an open house for the public. As the facility manager, how would you prepare for the event? See answer
  9. As a facilities manager, what qualities do you look for when hiring staff for your department? See answer
  10. How would you describe your management style as a facilities manager? See answer
  11. Describe how you keep your staff informed of essential facility updates. See answer
  12. As a facilities manager, what criteria do you use when completing performance evaluations for your staff? See answer
  13. What unique qualities would you bring to the position to benefit our company? See answer
  14. What is the largest facility you’ve managed?
  15. What technical certifications or training do you have that benefit a facility manager’s position?
Show more questions Show fewer questions

Hire your next Facilities Manager today.

Post a job

Hire your next Facilities Manager today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Facilities Manager Interview Questions and Answers

What do you feel is the most critical responsibility of a facility manager?

A competent facilities manager understands the full scope of duties and responsibilities of their position. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's awareness of the job description and ability to identify crucial responsibilities. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding the full scope of tasks and responsibilities of the job description
  • Ability to identify critical areas for success in the position
  • Desire to provide high-quality work at all times

Example:

"As a facilities manager, I feel that the most critical responsibility is the care, maintenance, and safety of the facility and its occupants. The position is all-encompassing and includes outdoor and indoor maintenance, renovation, and proper daily functioning."

What is your process for record-keeping as a facilities manager?

A facilities manager must maintain proper documentation and records of specifications, maintenance, and instructions. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to follow an organized process of record-keeping. What to look for in an answer:

  • Organizational skills to manage a system to keep vital records and documentation
  • Basic computer literacy skills to effectively use software programs
  • Knowledge of records that are essential to keep for the facility

Example:

"I like to keep digital records of all important documents and files. I track maintenance schedules and upkeep of the facilities in a computer program that I like to use. Any manuals and instructions are scanned and put into a digital folder."

What is the largest facility you've managed?

A facilities manager must be comfortable with managing the size of facility your company has. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's experience in the size and complexity of facilities they've managed. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to adapt their experience to the current situation
  • Experience with various sizes of facility management
  • Understanding the scope of the job description

Example:

"I have experience with facility management of small buildings, all the way up to large multi-building facilities. For example, the largest facility I've managed was a local college campus that has a main academic building and several outbuildings that combine for about 100,000 square metres plus multiple outdoor student areas."

How do you ensure safety for our customers and clients as facility manager?

A facilities manager must be mindful of the safety and security of everyone within the facility, including customers and guests. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to facility safety for the public. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of safety precautions for public visitors
  • Interest in maintaining a safe environment at all times
  • Ability to follow safety protocol and best practices

Example:

"Ensuring the safety of the public is an important responsibility for a facilities manager. I closely monitor all of a facility's safety protocol, such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers, AED stations, and proper signage. Safety also includes emergency preparedness by clearly marking tornado shelter points and muster points outside."

What technical certifications or training do you have that benefit a facility manager's position?

Depending on the company, you may require a facilities manager to have specific academic or technical training. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's educational or technical background and ability to apply their knowledge in the position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Completion of company-specific educational requirements, as needed
  • Technical understanding of various building functions, such as HVAC and plumbing
  • Interest in continuing to learn and develop their technical knowledge

Example:

"I hold a Red Seal Journeyman ticket in millwrighting and also have training in HVAC systems. My technical knowledge has supported my hands-on experience in being a facilities manager by providing me with a foundation of understanding to assess and analyze building problems."

Describe your experience using computer systems and programs.

A facilities manager must have foundational computer literacy skills to support the tasks and responsibilities of the position. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's level of computer experience. What to look for in an answer:

  • Solid foundational computer literacy skills
  • Experience using basic word processing and spreadsheet programs
  • Desire to learn new programs as required for the position

Example:

"I'm comfortable using several computer programs, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for email. In my previous position, I also used a specific software called Azzier, which is a maintenance and facility management program used for scheduling, record-keeping, and special projects."

Describe your experience hiring outside services for facility support.

A facilities manager must be confident in hiring third-party services as needed for indoor or outdoor projects and maintenance. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's experience in selecting outside services for facility support. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to use good judgement and specific criteria when vetting third-party contractors
  • Awareness of budgetary constraints when selecting services
  • Creative and problem-solving skills to develop potential solutions using current resources

Example:

"In my previous position, I was responsible for selecting landscaping services over the summer and parking lot maintenance to clear snow in winter. I had a specific budget that I needed to work within and spent time finding a contractor who would deliver quality work for the price we could afford."

Describe your experience with emergency preparedness as a facilities manager.

A competent facilities manager understands the importance of emergency preparedness of the facility. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach in preparing a facility for emergencies and critical situations. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of emergency preparation best practices
  • Interest in staying current with new technology or emergency standards
  • Ability to maintain a safe and prepared facility for all potential situations

Example:

"Emergency preparedness is something I schedule in my calendar for regular review. All emergency systems must work properly, so maintenance and drills are a part of my monthly routine. I also provide support to the health and safety department by assisting in the writing of manuals and emergency procedures."

How do you ensure the safety of your facility maintenance staff?

A facilities manager must be aware of safety risks and encourage a safe working environment for their employees. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to workplace safety. What to look for in an answer:

  • Awareness of provincial and federal occupational health and safety regulations
  • Interest in providing a healthy and safe working environment
  • Ability to lead by example to their department staff

Example:

"Workplace safety is essential to having productive employees, so I lead by example and always wear the proper protective equipment when working hands-on. Whether it's steel-toed boots, eyewear, or hearing protection, I focus on safety at every staff meeting and when assigning tasks."

Suppose we want to hold an open house for the public. As the facility manager, how would you prepare for the event?

Although not responsible for the event itself, a facilities manager must support events by ensuring the facility is prepared appropriately. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to support projects and events outside their daily responsibilities. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in providing facility support to special projects and events
  • Interpersonal skills to work successfully within a team
  • Awareness of what areas will be affected and how to properly prepare

Example:

"To support the open house, I would ask to be part of the project team so that I'm included in the planning process. With being on the project, I'm better informed about what areas of the facility are needed and how I can prepare. Then I..."

As a facilities manager, what qualities do you look for when hiring staff for your department?

A competent facilities manager must be part of the hiring process, including interviewing, performance evaluations, and disciplinary action. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's experience with hiring qualified staff for their department. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience in reviewing resumes, interviewing, and hiring facility staff
  • Ability to identify specific qualities, skills, and competencies for job positions
  • Awareness of the company culture and the importance that a candidate fits within the team

Example:

"When hiring a facility employee, the qualities I look for are reliability, work ethic, and willingness to learn. Unless the role is highly technical, I would rather hire a fantastic, hard-working employee with little technical knowledge but a great attitude and then teach them the technical side."

How would you describe your management style as a facilities manager?

Every manager develops a unique way of managing and leading their teams. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's management style from their perspective. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to identify their professional strengths and weaknesses
  • Self-awareness of their style of management
  • Interest in continuing to develop their management skills

Example:

"I would describe my management style as mentoring and authoritative. I have specific expectations of my staff and the quality of their work. I also expect assigned tasks to be completed on time. However, I also believe in providing guidance and support to my staff about their work, but not telling them exactly how to do it unless required."

Describe how you keep your staff informed of essential facility updates.

A facilities manager must communicate with their department staff effectively and efficiently. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's approach to department communication. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport with staff and develop a successful team
  • Communication skills to effectively deliver critical information and updates
  • Interest in encouraging open communication within the department

Example:

"In my previous position, all staff were provided with an email address and were expected to check it daily for information and updates. I also held a staff meeting every month over a paid lunch hour to openly discuss any issues as a team."

As a facilities manager, what criteria do you use when completing performance evaluations for your staff?

A facilities manager is typically responsible for the performance evaluations of their staff members. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's level of experience with performing work assessments. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience or exposure to completing employee performance evaluations
  • Ability to remain objective and focused on core competencies
  • Communication skills to provide constructive feedback to staff

Example:

"When evaluating my employees, I focus on the key skills required for the position and use those criteria as my framework for feedback. I also focus on positive contributions, areas they've improved in, and opportunities to develop better skills."

What unique qualities would you bring to the position to benefit our company?

During an interview, a candidate wants to highlight their best skills and characteristics. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's unique qualities and how they would apply that skill to benefit your company. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interest in researching the company before attending the interview
  • Awareness of the complete job description for the position
  • Ability to adapt experience and knowledge to benefit their role and their employer

Example:

"In addition to my years of experience as a facilities manager, I'm also a ticketed boilermaker. This unique trade provides me with technical expertise that enhances my ability to troubleshoot and even repair specific mechanical problems, saving on outside contractors."

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

Hire your next Facilities Manager today

Post a Job

Explore Interview Questions by Title

No search results found

    Related Articles

    How To Conduct a Job Interview and Find the Right Candidate
    Read article
    Best Practices for Virtual Interviews
    Read article
    4 Ways to Ask Cultural Interview Questions
    Read article