17 Building Administrator Interview Questions and Answers

The building administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a commercial or residential building. He or she oversees the maintenance staff, manages the budget, and ensures that the building meets all safety and security regulations.

If you’re interested in becoming a building administrator, you’ll need to demonstrate your leadership, management, and customer service skills during a job interview. You’ll also need to be familiar with the building’s systems, such as the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.

We’ve compiled a list of common building administrator interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next job interview.

Are you comfortable working with a team of professionals to manage the day-to-day operations of a building?

Building administrators often work with a team of professionals to manage the day-to-day operations of their building. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working in a collaborative environment and that you have experience doing so. In your answer, explain how you enjoy collaborating with others and what makes you a good collaborator.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with a team of professionals to manage the day-to-day operations of a building. I find it helpful to get input from my team members when making decisions about the building. For example, if I’m unsure whether or not we should hire more security guards for the night shift, I will ask my team members what they think. Their opinions help me make informed decisions.”

What are some of the most important qualities that a building administrator should have?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you possess the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer this question by listing some of the most important qualities, such as:

Communication skills Organizational skills Problem-solving skills Time management skills Example: “The first quality I think a building administrator should have is excellent communication skills. This person needs to be able to clearly explain complex ideas to others in an easy-to-understand way. Another important quality is organizational skills. A building administrator must be organized so they can keep track of all their tasks and responsibilities. Finally, I believe problem-solving skills are essential because there will always be issues that need resolving.”

How would you handle a situation where a contractor was not meeting the building’s standards?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to manage a team of contractors and ensure they are completing their work according to the building’s standards. In your answer, describe how you would handle the situation in a way that is fair but also ensures the contractor completes their work correctly.

Example: “If I encountered a situation where a contractor was not meeting our standards, I would first meet with them to discuss what they were doing wrong and give them an opportunity to correct it. If they did not improve after the initial warning, I would remove them from the project and find another contractor who could complete the work. This method allows me to be fair to the contractor while ensuring we get the best results for the building.”

What is your process for ensuring that building policies and procedures are being followed?

Building administrators are responsible for ensuring that all employees and contractors follow the policies and procedures of a building. This includes everything from safety protocols to how to use equipment properly. Interviewers ask this question to determine if you have experience with enforcing company policy. In your answer, explain what steps you take to ensure everyone is following the rules.

Example: “I believe it’s important to be consistent when enforcing policies. I always make sure to give warnings before issuing any disciplinary action. If someone breaks a rule, I first discuss the issue with them and let them know what they can do differently in the future. If they break the same rule again, then I will issue a formal warning or write up an employee for their actions.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult resident or tenant.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from your past experience where you were able to resolve a conflict with a resident or tenant in a positive way.

Example: “In my previous role, I had a resident who was very unhappy with the service we provided. The resident called me multiple times per day and sent me emails complaining about everything from our building’s landscaping to how long it took for us to respond to their request for maintenance. After several weeks of receiving these complaints, I scheduled a meeting with the resident to discuss their concerns. During the meeting, I listened to all of their complaints and explained why some things take longer than others to complete.”

If you had to choose one area of the building to focus on improving, what would it be?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate prioritizes their work. It also shows you what they think about your building and its current state. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area that needs improvement or something you would like to implement in the future.

Example: “If I had to choose one area of the building to focus on improving, I would say energy efficiency. The company has been growing at such a rapid pace, so we haven’t really had time to make any major improvements to our facilities. However, if I were given the opportunity, I would love to install solar panels on all of our buildings.”

What would you do if you noticed that a maintenance worker was not following safety protocols?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to manage employees and ensure they’re following company policies. In your answer, explain how you would handle the situation in a way that ensures the safety of everyone involved.

Example: “If I noticed an employee wasn’t following safety protocols, I would first speak with them about it privately. If they didn’t comply after our conversation, I would document the incident and notify their supervisor. I would also make sure to inform my own supervisor so we could address the issue together.”

How well do you handle stress and pressure?

Building administrators often have to make important decisions quickly. They also need to be able to handle stress and pressure well, as they may be responsible for the safety of their team members. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when you were under pressure but still managed to perform well.

Example: “I find that I do my best work when I am under pressure. In fact, I thrive on having tight deadlines because it motivates me to get things done more efficiently. I once had to oversee the construction of an entire building while simultaneously overseeing renovations at another site. There was a lot of pressure to get everything right, but I found that I performed better than ever before.”

Do you have any experience using building management software?

This question can help the interviewer determine your comfort level with using software to manage a building. If you have experience, share what type of software you used and how it helped you in your previous role. If you don’t have any experience, you can talk about your interest in learning more about this type of software.

Example: “I’ve worked in my current position for five years now, so I haven’t had the opportunity to use building management software yet. However, I am very interested in learning more about it because I think it could be an effective way to streamline many aspects of my job. For example, if we were able to integrate our maintenance software with other systems, like security or energy monitoring, we might be able to save time and money by identifying issues before they become larger problems.”

When it comes to budgeting, what is your process for determining the allocation of funds?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to manage a budget and determine how you allocate funds. Use examples from previous experience in which you determined the best way to spend money on projects or initiatives.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for managing the company’s budgeting process. We had a set amount of funds we could use each month, so I developed a system where I would meet with department heads to discuss their needs. Then, I would create a list of all necessary expenses and rank them by importance. After that, I would assign funds based on the rankings.”

We want to improve communication with our residents. What is your strategy for doing so?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your communication skills and how you can help improve the company’s current practices. In your answer, explain a specific strategy or two that you use to communicate with residents in your previous role.

Example: “I find that one of the best ways to improve communication is through regular newsletters. I usually send out monthly newsletters to keep residents informed on any upcoming events, maintenance issues and other important information. Another way I like to communicate with residents is by hosting community meetings once per quarter. These quarterly meetings give me an opportunity to address questions from residents and discuss new policies.”

Describe your process for delegating tasks to other professionals on your team.

Building administrators often need to delegate tasks to other professionals on their team. This question helps employers understand how you manage your time and the responsibilities of your job. Use examples from previous experience to describe how you decide which tasks to assign, who you choose to delegate to and why you make those decisions.

Example: “I typically start by reviewing my calendar for the week. I look at what meetings or events are coming up that require preparation. Then, I think about any projects that may be due during that same time period. For example, if a project is due two weeks before an event, I will delegate that task to someone else so I can focus on preparing for the upcoming meeting.

In addition to delegating based on time, I also consider delegating based on expertise. If there’s a task that only one person on our team can do well, I’ll give it to them so they can use their skills to their full potential.”

What makes you stand out from other building administrators?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have unique skills and abilities. You can answer this question by describing a skill or ability that makes you stand out from other building administrators. This could be something like having experience with a specific software program, being able to communicate effectively with different types of people or possessing leadership qualities.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which helps me keep track of all the important information in my buildings. I also have extensive knowledge of construction and renovation procedures, so I know how to manage projects efficiently. These skills make me an excellent candidate for this position because they allow me to perform my job well.”

Which building management certifications do you hold?

Employers may ask this question to learn more about your experience and qualifications. They might also use it as a way to determine whether you’re qualified for the job. When answering, make sure to list any relevant certifications that apply to the position.

Example: “I have two building management certifications. The first is my Certified Building Professional certification from the National Institute of Building Management Professionals. I earned this certification after completing their exam with a score of 90%. My second certification is my Certified Facility Manager certification from the International Facility Management Association. I completed their exam with a score of 85%.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Building administrators often interact with customers, so it’s important that they have strong customer service skills. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of providing excellent customer service to their clients. In your answer, explain what makes good customer service and share a specific example from your experience.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of customer service is being empathetic toward the client. When I worked as an administrative assistant at a law firm, we had a client who was upset about how long his case was taking. Instead of getting defensive or making excuses, I listened to him and explained why things were taking longer than expected. He appreciated my honesty and understanding, and he ended up leaving the firm on good terms.”

How often should building maintenance be performed?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with maintenance and how often you perform it. If you have no prior experience, you can describe what you would do if you were hired for this role.

Example: “I believe that building maintenance should be performed at least once a month to ensure safety and prevent any issues from occurring. However, I also understand that some buildings may not need as much maintenance due to their size or location. In my last position, I worked with the facilities manager to create a schedule where we could meet the needs of each building while still providing quality service.”

There is a bug infestation in one of the apartments. What is your response?

Bugs are a common problem in apartment buildings. An interviewer may ask you this question to see how you would handle such an issue. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to ensure the safety of residents and eliminate the infestation.

Example: “I would first make sure that all residents were safe by evacuating them from their apartments. Then I would contact my supervisor or another building administrator for help with the situation. After they arrive, we would assess the extent of the bug infestation and decide on the best course of action. We might choose to call in pest control services to treat the affected areas. Once the bugs are gone, we would allow residents back into their homes.”