17 Assistant Surveyor Interview Questions and Answers

An assistant surveyor works with a licensed surveyor to help collect data and measurements that are used to map land boundaries. Assistant surveyors also help to research land records, prepare reports, and operate surveying equipment. If you’re hoping to become an assistant surveyor, you’ll need to know how to answer assistant surveyor interview questions.

Employers are looking for assistant surveyors who have strong math skills, are detail-oriented, and have experience with surveying equipment and software. You’ll also need to be able to work well both independently and as part of a team. An interview is your chance to show that you have the skills and qualifications to excel in this role. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of sample assistant surveyor interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the use of surveying equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using surveying equipment. If you do, they might want to know how comfortable you are with the specific type of equipment that their company uses. They may also be trying to assess your ability to learn new technology quickly. In your answer, try to show that you’re willing to learn new equipment and software as needed.

Example: “I am familiar with the use of most surveying equipment. I worked for a small engineering firm where we used both traditional and digital surveying equipment. I’m very comfortable working with all types of surveying equipment, including GPS units, total stations and robotic total stations.”

What are some of the most important skills for an assistant surveyor to have?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value in a job and how your skills match the position. When answering, it can be helpful to mention some of the specific skills listed on the job description that you have or are willing to learn.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for an assistant surveyor is attention to detail. I’ve noticed that many surveyors rely on their assistants to double-check their work before submitting reports. Another skill that’s useful is communication. As an assistant surveyor, you’ll likely need to communicate with clients about any questions they may have about the project. Finally, patience is another important skill because projects can take longer than expected.”

How would you describe the relationship between a principal surveyor and an assistant surveyor?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your understanding of the hierarchy in a surveying company. Your answer should show that you understand how an assistant surveyor works with their principal surveyor and what is expected of you as an assistant surveyor.

Example: “I believe that the relationship between a principal surveyor and an assistant surveyor is one of mutual respect. As an assistant surveyor, I would expect my principal surveyor to be someone who can provide me with guidance when needed but also allow me to work independently on projects. In return, I would always strive to meet all deadlines and deliver quality results.”

What is your experience with using GPS devices?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with using GPS devices and how you might use them in this role. If you have previous experience, share what you’ve learned about using these tools to survey land. If you don’t have much experience, explain that you’re excited to learn more about it.

Example: “I’ve used a GPS device for surveying before, but I’m always looking to improve my skills. In my last position, I was responsible for collecting data on the location of property lines using GPS technology. I had to enter coordinates into the device and record the information. It took some time to get used to, but after a few weeks, I became comfortable with the process.”

Provide an example of a time when you made a mistake as an assistant surveyor and how you fixed it.

Interviewers ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. When answering, it can be helpful to focus on a mistake that was not too severe but still shows the interviewer that you are capable of recognizing your errors and learning from them.

Example: “In my first month as an assistant surveyor, I made a small error in one of my calculations. My supervisor noticed the mistake before we submitted our report and asked me about it. I explained what happened and apologized for making the mistake. He told me that he appreciated my honesty and assured me that he would correct the report before submitting it to his superiors.”

If you were conducting a boundary survey, who would be the primary stakeholder and why?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. In your answer, try to highlight your communication skills by describing how you would communicate with the stakeholder throughout the boundary survey process.

Example: “The primary stakeholder in a boundary survey is usually the client who hires us for the job. I always make sure to introduce myself to my clients before beginning any surveying project so that they know who I am and what I’m doing. Throughout the course of the boundary survey, I like to keep them updated on our progress and let them know when we’re about to start or finish a task.”

What would you do if you and the principal surveyor disagreed on the interpretation of data?

Interviewers want to know how you would handle a conflict with another surveyor. They also want to see if you can work well with others and collaborate on projects. In your answer, show that you are willing to compromise and respect the opinions of others.

Example: “If I disagreed with the principal surveyor, I would first try to understand their interpretation of the data. If I still felt strongly about my own interpretation, I would explain why I disagree and ask for more information or evidence to support my position. I would then use this new information to reevaluate my conclusions and make any necessary changes.”

How well do you understand the concepts of trigonometry?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your mathematical skills. This is because trigonometry is a common tool surveyors use in their work. Your answer should show that you have the necessary math skills for this job. If you are not familiar with trigonometry, consider taking a class or practicing on your own before your interview.

Example: “I understand the concepts of trigonometry very well. In my last position as an entry-level surveyor, I used trigonometry every day. It was part of my daily routine to calculate angles and distances using trigonometric functions. I find it easy to apply these concepts in real-world situations.”

Do you have experience preparing maps?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience level and how you might fit into the role. If you have surveyor experience, share what types of maps you prepared and for whom. If you don’t have direct experience, explain any other mapping or cartography work you’ve done in the past.

Example: “I worked as a GIS technician at my last job, where I helped create digital maps using ArcGIS software. We used these maps to track changes in land use over time, which was helpful for environmental conservation projects. In addition to this, I also created several custom maps for clients who needed them for their businesses.”

When would you use an alidade?

An alidade is a surveying tool that helps you measure horizontal angles. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to use the tools of the trade and when it’s appropriate to do so. In your answer, explain what an alidade is and give an example of when you used one in a previous job.

Example: “An alidade is a type of compass that has two arms with sights on them. You can use it to measure horizontal angles by sighting from one end of the arm to the other. I’ve used an alidade many times during my career as an assistant surveyor because it’s such a useful tool for measuring horizontal angles. For instance, I used an alidade to help me determine the angle between two buildings at a construction site.”

We want to hire someone who is detail-oriented. Describe a time when you paid attention to detail while performing your job.

An employer might ask this question to make sure you have the attention to detail necessary for their job. They want someone who can perform quality work and ensure that they’re not missing any important details. In your answer, try to describe a time when you paid close attention to detail while working as an assistant surveyor.

Example: “When I worked as an assistant surveyor, I was responsible for making sure all of our measurements were accurate. One day, my supervisor asked me to measure a property’s width. I walked along the edge of the property, counting each step I took. When I got back to my car, I realized I had forgotten to count one of my steps. I went back to the property and counted again. This time, I made sure to count every single step.”

Describe your experience with using surveying software.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with surveying software and how you use it. This can help them determine if you have the necessary skills to complete tasks in their organization. In your answer, describe which types of software you’ve used and what you like or dislike about each type.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of surveying software throughout my career. I find that GIS is one of the most useful types because it allows me to create maps and perform many other functions. However, I also enjoy using CAD software because it’s easy to use and provides a lot of information. I prefer not to use desktop surveying software because it’s difficult to transfer data from these programs.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you would be a good fit for the position. Before your interview, make sure to read through the job description thoroughly so that you can refer to specific requirements or skills they are looking for in an assistant surveyor. In your answer, try to highlight any of these skills that you possess.

Example: “I am passionate about math and science, which is why I decided to pursue a career as a surveyor. Throughout my education, I have learned many surveying techniques and gained valuable experience working on projects with my classmates. I also understand the importance of accuracy when it comes to surveying, which is why I take pride in my work and strive to provide quality results.”

Which surveying techniques do you prefer to use?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience in the field. It also helps them understand which techniques you prefer to use and how comfortable you are with different surveying methods. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few specific surveying methods that you have used before and why you prefer them over others.

Example: “I am most comfortable using GPS technology when surveying land because I find it’s one of the fastest ways to get accurate measurements. However, I also enjoy using traditional surveying equipment like theodolite and total stations because they allow me to see the entire landscape from above.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an assistant surveyor?

This question can help interviewers understand what you think about the job and how you might approach challenges. You can answer this question by identifying a specific challenge that assistant surveyors face and explaining how you would overcome it.

Example: “The most challenging part of being an assistant surveyor is having to work with different clients who have varying expectations. I find that the best way to handle this situation is to be as transparent as possible when discussing projects with clients. This helps me set realistic expectations for both myself and my clients, which makes it easier to meet everyone’s needs.”

How often do you perform boundary surveys?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with boundary surveying. They may ask this to see if you have the skills and knowledge necessary for this type of work. In your answer, try to explain what a boundary survey is and how often you perform them. You can also mention any specific experiences you’ve had with boundary surveys.

Example: “I perform boundary surveys about once every two weeks. I find that this frequency works well because it allows me to get familiar with each property before having to do another survey. It’s important to know the boundaries of each property so we can accurately record who owns what land. This information helps clients make informed decisions about their properties.”

There is a mistake in the data you collected. How would you handle it?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to fix the mistake and how you would communicate with others about what happened.

Example: “If there was a mistake in my data collection, I would first try to figure out why I made that mistake. If I could not find an explanation for the error, I would immediately inform my supervisor of the issue so they could help me correct it. In either case, I would then go back through all of my notes and compare them to the original survey to ensure I had collected accurate information.”