20 DPR Construction Interview Questions and Answers

DPR Construction is a national commercial building contractor and construction manager. The company has been in business for over 25 years and has completed projects in a variety of markets, including healthcare, life sciences, education, office, retail, technology, data centers, and more.

When interviewing for a job with DPR Construction, be prepared to answer questions about your experience in the construction industry, as well as your knowledge of the company and its projects. You may also be asked questions about your ability to work in a team environment, handle stress, and solve problems.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample DPR Construction interview questions and answers.

DPR Construction Interview Process

The interview process at DPR Construction is very thorough and can take several weeks to complete. It typically starts with a screening call from a recruiter, followed by an in-person interview with a panel of DPR employees. The final stage of the interview process is usually a team interview, where you will meet with your potential workgroup to see if you are a good fit for the team.

1. What is your experience with the construction industry?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your experience with construction and how it relates to the job. If you have no prior experience, explain what led you to this career path.

Example: “I’ve always had a passion for building things, so I started out as a carpenter when I was in high school. After working on several projects, I realized that I wanted to work on larger-scale projects, so I went back to school to get my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. This allowed me to work on more complex projects, which I enjoyed.”

2. Do you have a background in architecture or engineering?

DPR Construction is a construction manager that works with architects and engineers to build commercial buildings. The company wants to know if you have experience working in these fields so they can determine whether your skills are transferable to their business. If you do, explain how your background helps you succeed as an employee of DPR Construction.

Example: “I studied architecture at the University of California Berkeley where I earned my bachelor’s degree. While there, I worked on several projects including designing a new wing for a hospital and creating a master plan for a city park. My architectural background has helped me understand what it takes to create successful building designs.”

3. Why do you want to work for DPR Construction?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in working for their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done research on DPR Construction and are excited about what they do. You can also use this time to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the position.

Example: “I want to work for DPR Construction because I am passionate about construction, but I also love helping businesses succeed. In my last role as an accountant, I helped small business owners understand how to manage their finances so they could spend money wisely. I think I would be a great addition to DPR Construction because of my experience with accounting and my passion for building.”

4. Describe how you would handle a difficult situation if it arises on site.

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your problem-solving skills and how you would react in a challenging situation. Use examples from previous experience where you had to solve problems on site or with clients.

Example: “I once worked for a client who was very demanding, but I always made sure that I delivered the best quality work while maintaining my professionalism. One day, he called me at 2 am because he wanted some changes done on his project. I politely told him that it wasn’t possible to make any changes at that time of night, but I would be happy to meet with him first thing in the morning. He agreed, and we met later that day. We discussed the changes he wanted and I explained why they weren’t feasible. In the end, he understood my reasoning and we were able to come up with an alternative solution.”

5. How would you approach a project that has been delayed because of materials arriving late?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage a project that has been delayed. Use examples from past experience where you were able to overcome challenges in order to complete projects on time.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a construction site when materials arrived late. The client was very concerned about the delay because they had already started moving into their new office space. I immediately called the supplier to find out what happened with the shipment. They informed me that there was an issue with one of the shipments, but it would be arriving later that day.

I then contacted my team members to let them know about the situation and asked if anyone could work overtime to get the job done by the end of the week. Luckily, everyone agreed to stay longer so we could finish the project before the client moved in.”

6. Give an example of when you had to communicate technical information to someone who was not familiar with the topic.

This question is an opportunity to show your communication skills and ability to explain technical information in a way that’s easy for others to understand.

Example: “When I was working on my master’s degree, I had a professor who specialized in the field of construction management. He would often use terms and acronyms that were unfamiliar to me, so I asked him if he could provide us with a list of all the abbreviations and their meanings. This helped me immensely because it allowed me to look up any acronym or term I didn’t know and learn more about what they meant.”

7. Have you worked on any projects that were over budget, what did you do?

This question is a great way to see how you handle challenges. It’s important that you show the interviewer that you can take responsibility for your actions and learn from them.

Example: “I once worked on a project where we were under budget, but I was still able to learn something from it. The client wanted us to add more features to the building than what was originally planned. We ended up going over budget by about $50,000 because of this change. However, I learned that it’s important to communicate with clients so they understand the impact their changes will have on the overall cost.”

8. What are some things that you consider before starting a project?

This question can help the interviewer understand your thought process and how you approach a project. It can also show them that you have experience with construction projects, which is helpful if this is your first time working for DPR Construction. In your answer, try to include some of the steps you take when starting a new project.

Example: “I always consider safety first when I start a project. This includes making sure all workers are wearing proper equipment and following any safety protocols set by the company. I also make sure that we’re on schedule and within budget before beginning work. These two things are essential to ensuring the success of a project.”

9. Tell us about a time where you had to take initiative and make a decision without consulting your manager.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and solve problems on your own. Use examples from previous work experiences to show that you’re capable of making important decisions without supervision.

Example: “In my last position, I was working with a team of subcontractors who were all doing different aspects of construction for one project. One day, our lead carpenter called in sick, so I had to take over his responsibilities while also managing other tasks. I spoke with each subcontractor about their specific duties and delegated some of them to other members of the team. This allowed me to focus on the most important parts of the job.”

10. Can you tell me about a time when you had to present something to upper management?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your communication skills and how you interact with management. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your ability to communicate effectively, organize information and present data in an easy-to-understand format.

Example: “In my last position as a construction manager, I had to present our progress on a project to upper management every week. This helped me develop my presentation skills and learn how to use visual aids to make complex information easier for others to understand. I also learned that it’s important to be honest about any challenges or setbacks we faced so that management could support us.”

11. What is your overall goal when managing a team?

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership style and how you plan to contribute to DPR Construction. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific goal or two that you have for your team members and how you helped them achieve those goals in previous roles.

Example: “My overall goal when managing a team is to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and sharing their ideas. I believe this helps foster creativity and innovation within our projects, which ultimately leads to better outcomes. In my last role as construction manager, I encouraged my team to share their thoughts on project management and design so we could incorporate their feedback into our work.”

12. How would you deal with conflict between two members of your team?

Conflict is a natural part of any workplace, and DPR Construction wants to know how you would handle it. Your answer should show that you can use your communication skills to resolve the conflict quickly and fairly.

Example: “I have been in this situation before at my previous job. I noticed two members of my team were having an argument about who was responsible for a mistake on a project. I asked them both to come into my office so we could discuss the issue privately. Once they were there, I explained that I wanted to hear their sides of the story. After hearing both sides, I realized that one employee had made a mistake but didn’t want to admit it. I talked with him further until he admitted his mistake. Then, I praised him for being honest.”

13. What does DPR stand for and why?

This question is a test of your knowledge about the company and its history. Interviewers ask this to see if you have done any research on their organization before coming in for an interview. They want to know that you are serious about working for them, so they will likely be looking for answers that show enthusiasm.

Example: “DPR stands for David P. Rose Construction Company. The founder, David P. Rose, started the company in 1989 after he left his previous job as a project manager at another construction firm. He wanted to start his own business because he was tired of seeing projects go over budget and behind schedule due to poor management. So, he decided to create a company where he could manage every aspect of the building process himself.”

14. If a client asks for more than what they contracted out for, how would you respond?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate with clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to negotiate with a client or customer.

Example: “I would first ask the client why they want more than what was contracted out for. If they have legitimate reasons, I will try my best to accommodate them while also explaining that we need to stay within our budget. If they are not willing to compromise on their request, I will explain that we cannot do any additional work without increasing our budget.”

15. We like to focus on building long term relationships here at DPR Construction. How would you build a strong relationship with new clients?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships. It’s important for construction companies to have strong client relationships because it can lead to repeat business, referrals and more opportunities.

Example: “I would start by making sure I understood the goals of the project and what the client wanted. Then, I would make sure that my team was communicating with them regularly about progress on the project. I also like to meet with clients at least once a week to discuss their expectations and how we’re meeting those.”

16. Describe a time where you had to keep track of multiple tasks while meeting deadlines.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage multiple projects and deadlines. Use examples from your experience to highlight your organizational skills, time management abilities and ability to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my current role as a construction manager, I have to keep track of multiple tasks while meeting client expectations and project deadlines. For example, last month, I had to oversee two major commercial building projects at once. One was a new office space for a software company, and the other was an expansion of a retail store. Both projects were due within one week of each other, so I had to make sure that all subcontractors were on schedule with their work and that we met our clients’ needs.”

17. How would you approach a contractor that refused to follow safety protocols?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to manage a team and ensure that everyone is following safety protocols. In your answer, demonstrate how you would approach the contractor in a professional manner while also ensuring they understand the importance of adhering to company policies.

Example: “I would first speak with the contractor privately about why it’s important for them to follow all safety protocols. If they still refused to adhere to our rules, I would document the incident and inform my supervisor so we could take further action. Documenting the situation ensures that we have proof if something happens later on.”

18. What is your favorite part of the design phase?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you interact with your team. The design phase is an important part of construction, so it’s helpful if you enjoy this stage of the process. Consider what parts of the design phase you find most interesting or enjoyable and explain why they are meaningful to you.

Example: “I really enjoy the brainstorming phase because I love coming up with new ideas for projects. It’s fun to work with my team to come up with unique ways to solve problems that we encounter during the project. I also like the finalization phase because I feel like all of our hard work has finally paid off. Seeing the finished product is always exciting.”

19. Are you comfortable working outdoors?

DPR Construction often works in harsh weather conditions, so the interviewer wants to make sure you’re comfortable with this. If you have experience working outdoors, share it with them. If not, let them know that you are willing to learn and develop these skills.

Example: “I am very comfortable working outdoors. In my last position, I was responsible for overseeing construction projects on a daily basis. This included checking in with all of our subcontractors and making sure they were meeting their deadlines. It also meant inspecting the site regularly to ensure everything was going smoothly. I’m used to being outside in all types of weather.”

20. Have you ever managed a large group of people?

This question can help an interviewer determine if you have the skills and experience to manage a team of construction workers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any management or leadership roles you’ve had in the past.

Example: “In my last position as a project manager for a commercial building contractor, I was responsible for managing a large group of people on each job site. My primary responsibility was making sure that all employees were completing their work efficiently and safely. I also helped resolve conflicts between coworkers and communicated with clients about any issues they encountered.”