20 Smart City Locating Interview Questions and Answers

Smart City Locating is a FREE apartment finding service that helps renters find their perfect apartment in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. They work with over 500 apartment communities in the four cities they serve and have helped tens of thousands of people find their new home.

If you’re looking for a job at Smart City Locating, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your qualifications, work history, and availability. In this guide, we’ve assembled a list of Smart City Locating interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Smart City Locating Interview Process

The interview process at Smart City Locating is generally quick and easy. Most applicants report only having one or two interviews that last around 30 minutes each. The difficulty of the questions asked during the interviews varies, but most people report that they were not difficult. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with many people being offered a position within 48 hours of their interview.

1. What do you know about the Austin area?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the Austin area and how you can apply it to smart city locating. You should research the Austin area before your interview so that you can answer this question with confidence.

Example: “I know that Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, which makes it an ideal location for smart city locating. I also know that there are many tech companies located here, including Dell, Apple and Samsung. This means that there’s already a strong foundation for technology in Austin, making it easier to implement new technologies like smart city locating.”

2. How would you describe your customer service style?

Customer service is an important part of working in a smart city. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the right personality for their team. Use your answer to show that you are friendly, helpful and empathetic. Explain how these traits help you provide excellent customer service.

Example: “I believe that everyone deserves great customer service. I am always willing to go above and beyond to help someone. When people reach out to me with questions or concerns, I respond quickly and thoroughly. I also try to be as empathetic as possible when they’re upset. For example, if someone’s trash wasn’t picked up, I would apologize and offer to reschedule the pickup for them.”

3. Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a client.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your work ethic and willingness to go above and beyond for clients. Use this opportunity to highlight any unique or challenging projects you’ve worked on in the past, as well as how you helped your client achieve their goals.

Example: “In my last role, I was working with a client who needed to find a way to reduce traffic congestion in their city. We spent several weeks researching different solutions before we found one that would be effective. In the end, we implemented a new public transportation system that reduced traffic by 20% within six months.”

4. If you had to choose one, which is more important: quality or quantity of work? Why?

This question is a test of your work ethic and values. It’s important to show that you value quality over quantity, but also that you can produce both in equal measure.

Example: “Quality is more important than quantity because it shows the true value of what I’m doing. If I’m producing high-quality work, then my projects will be successful and have lasting effects on the community. Quantity is still important, however, as it allows me to complete larger projects and meet deadlines. In my experience, I’ve found that if I focus on quality first, then I can usually achieve higher quantities.”

5. Do you have experience working in real estate?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working in a similar industry. If you don’t, it’s important to explain what skills and knowledge you gained from your previous job that will be useful for this role.

Example: “I worked as an agent at a real estate company for three years before I moved here. During my time there, I learned how to work with clients to find homes they love and negotiate prices on behalf of my clients. This skill is especially helpful when looking for properties within smart cities because I know exactly what to look for.”

6. What are some challenges that come with being an apartment locator?

Apartment locators are responsible for finding suitable housing options for clients. This can be a challenging task, especially in areas where there is a lack of affordable housing or when the client has specific requirements that make it difficult to find an apartment they like. Your answer should show the interviewer that you understand the challenges of this job and how you would overcome them.

Example: “The biggest challenge I’ve faced as an apartment locator was finding a suitable place for a family with two young children who were looking for a three-bedroom house within their budget. We searched for weeks but couldn’t find anything that met all of their needs. Eventually, we found a landlord willing to build a third bedroom onto their existing home so that the family could stay.”

7. What do you think the most challenging part of this job will be for you?

This question is a great way to see how well you understand the job and what it entails. It also helps employers determine if you are aware of any challenges that may arise in this position. When answering, be honest about your thoughts on the role but try to focus on solutions or ways to overcome these challenges.

Example: “The most challenging part of this job for me would be working with a team. I am used to being an independent worker, so collaborating with others could take some getting used to. However, I have always been a quick learner, so I think I can adapt quickly.”

8. Have you worked on commission before?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s work ethic and how they handle financial responsibility. When answering, it can be beneficial to mention your previous commission experience and what you learned from it.

Example: “I have worked on commission before, but I’ve never had as much responsibility as this position requires. In my last job, I was tasked with finding new clients for our company, which meant that I would get paid based on how many sales I made. This led me to spend a lot of time researching different companies and learning about their needs so that I could find them a solution. While this helped me grow professionally, I found that I enjoyed working in an office environment more than being a salesperson.”

9. Are you comfortable meeting new people?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you will interact with other team members. Your answer should show that you are a friendly and outgoing person who is willing to meet new people.

Example: “I enjoy meeting new people, especially when I get to learn about their lives and experiences. In my last job, I was part of a project where we had to interview residents in order to find out what they wanted from our smart city. I found it really interesting hearing everyone’s stories and opinions. It made me realize that there are so many different ways to live your life, which makes each person unique.”

10. Can you give us an example of a time where you were proactive at work?

This question is an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to take initiative. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you noticed something was wrong or out of place at work and took the steps to fix it.

Example: “At my last job, I noticed that our customer service team wasn’t responding to emails in a timely manner. This could have led to unhappy customers who weren’t receiving answers to their questions. So, I scheduled a meeting with the department manager to discuss how we could improve response times. We decided to add another person to the email support team so there would always be someone available to respond.”

11. Describe your process for finding clients.

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and the steps you take to find clients. Use this opportunity to explain what methods you use to find new customers, including any specific strategies that have helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “I usually start by researching which companies are looking for a locating service. I also look at who my competitors are and reach out to them about their services. If they’re already using a company, I’ll ask if they know of anyone else who might be interested in hiring us. Another strategy I’ve used is reaching out to local government officials and asking if they know of any opportunities for locating services.”

12. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation/person. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenging situations. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively with others and solve problems creatively.

Example: “In my last job as an IT specialist, I had a client who was very demanding when it came to receiving updates on his computer system. He would call me several times a day asking for updates, which made it difficult to complete other tasks. Eventually, I scheduled a meeting with him where we discussed his expectations and what he could expect in terms of service. This helped him understand why I couldn’t respond to all of his questions immediately and reduced the number of calls I received.”

13. What types of apartments are you familiar with?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your experience with different types of apartments. You can list some of the most common apartment types you’ve worked with and explain why they’re important in smart city locating.

Example: “I’m familiar with all kinds of apartments, but I have more experience with luxury apartments because that’s what my last company focused on. Luxury apartments are great for smart cities because they usually have high-speed internet connections and plenty of space for new technology. They also tend to be located in areas where there are lots of young professionals who would benefit from having access to smart city features.”

14. When was the last time you learned something new?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your ability to learn new things and adapt to change. Use examples from your previous job or education experience that highlight your willingness to try something new, your ability to apply what you learned and your interest in technology.

Example: “I recently took an online course on how to use a 3D modeling software program. I was looking for ways to improve my skills as a civil engineer, so I decided to take this class because it seemed like a good way to add another skill to my resume. The class was challenging at first, but once I got the hang of it, I really enjoyed learning about the different features of the software.”

15. What are you looking for in your next role?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your career goals and how they can help you achieve them. Before your interview, make a list of what you’re looking for in your next role. Consider things like salary, benefits, company culture and job responsibilities. When answering this question, be honest about what you want from your next position. Explain that you are excited to join their team because it aligns with many of the things you listed as important.

Example: “I am looking for a smart city locating position where I can use my problem-solving skills to find innovative solutions to challenges. I also want to work for a company that values employee growth and development. In my last role, I was able to complete an online course on coding, which helped me understand some of the basics of computer science. I think I could bring those skills to this role and contribute to the overall success of the company.”

16. What qualities make someone a good apartment locator?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you interact with others. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific quality that you have or an experience where you demonstrated the quality in another person.

Example: “A good apartment locator is someone who has excellent communication skills and is friendly. I once worked with an apartment locator who was very outgoing and always had a smile on her face. She made everyone feel welcome when they came into our office and helped them find the perfect place for their needs. Her positive attitude definitely contributed to her success as an apartment locator.”

17. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as an apartment locator?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you had to overcome an obstacle and how you did so.

Example: “The biggest challenge I’ve faced as an apartment locator is finding apartments that are affordable for my clients while also being in safe neighborhoods. In the past, I have used my knowledge of local resources to help find solutions for my clients. For example, if they were looking for a two-bedroom apartment but couldn’t afford one with a washer and dryer, I would look for other options like laundromats or coin-operated laundry machines.”

18. What do you like about working independently?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what motivates you. Your answer can also show how well you work independently, which is an important skill for this role. When answering this question, think about what motivates you in your daily life and career. Consider mentioning a few things that are most motivating to you.

Example: “I love working independently because it allows me to be creative and innovative. I enjoy coming up with new solutions to problems and figuring out ways to make processes more efficient. In my last job, I was often tasked with finding locations for smart city projects. I enjoyed researching different areas of the city and determining where these projects would benefit the community the most.”

19. What are some difficulties you face when working with clients?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and adapt to different situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and ability to work with clients.

Example: “I find that one of the biggest difficulties I face when working with clients is explaining technical terms or processes in a way that’s easy for them to understand. When I first started my career, I would get frustrated if a client didn’t understand what I was saying. However, I’ve learned that it’s important to use simple language and analogies to make concepts easier to grasp. I also try to anticipate questions they may have so I can explain things thoroughly before they ask.”

20. What attracted you to Smart City Locating?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are interested in this role. It can also give them insight into what motivates you as a professional. When preparing your answer, think about what drew you to this career path. Consider mentioning any personal experiences that led you to pursue this line of work.

Example: “I have always been fascinated by technology, so when I learned about Smart City Locating, it was an obvious choice for me. I love being able to use my skills to create solutions that make people’s lives easier. In fact, I remember one time when I helped my mom find her car in a crowded parking lot. She had forgotten where she parked, but with my locator, I was able to pinpoint its location.”