20 The Walsh Group Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to construction, The Walsh Group knows a thing or two. As one of the leading general contracting and construction management firms in the United States, The Walsh Group has been responsible for some of the most iconic buildings and structures in the country.

If you’re hoping to land a job with The Walsh Group, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some specific interview questions about your experience and qualifications. In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common questions asked in an interview for a position with The Walsh Group.

The Walsh Group Interview Process

The interview process at The Walsh Group is generally very smooth and quick. In most cases, candidates will have a phone screening with a recruiter followed by an in-person interview with potential supervisors. The entire process usually takes place within a few weeks.

What can I expect during the interview?

During the interview, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, interests, and goals. The interviewer will also want to know why you are interested in working for The Walsh Group. It is important to be prepared to answer these questions in order to make a good impression.

What is the overall experience like?

Overall, the experience is positive. The interviewers are friendly and seem genuinely interested in getting to know the candidates. The process is relatively quick and efficient.

1. What do you know about the Walsh Group?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your research skills and see if you’re familiar with their company. It’s important to show that you’ve done some background work on the Walsh Group, including what they do, who they are and how long they’ve been in business.

Example: “I know The Walsh Group has been in business since 1999 and specializes in general contracting construction management. You have an excellent reputation as a leader in the industry, which I’m excited about because it means I can learn from experienced professionals. I also know that you have offices in New York City, Boston and Miami.”

2. Why do you want to work at the Walsh Group?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your interest in their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have done research on the Walsh Group and are excited about working for them.

Example: “I want to work at The Walsh Group because I am passionate about construction management, and I believe your company is one of the best general contracting companies in the industry. Your commitment to safety and quality really impresses me, and I would love to be a part of such an amazing team. I also appreciate how much you value employee training and development, which makes me feel like I could grow with this company.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had an ethical dilemma in the workplace, how did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your moral compass and how you make decisions in the workplace. This is an opportunity for you to show that you can be honest, fair and empathetic when faced with a challenging situation.

Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding and wanted me to complete their project as quickly as possible. I told them that we would do our best to meet their deadline but it might not be realistic. They were upset at first but eventually understood that there are many factors that influence construction timelines. We ended up finishing the project on time.”

4. How would you describe yourself as a leader and follower?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership and teamwork skills. Your answer can help the interviewer understand how you would fit into their company culture. To answer this question, think about a time when you were both a leader and follower in a situation. Explain what made you switch between these roles.

Example: “I have always been someone who is eager to learn new things. In my previous role as an engineer, I was often the first person to volunteer for projects that required me to learn something new. However, I also enjoy being a team player. When I worked on a project with other engineers, I was happy to take on any task they needed me to do.”

5. Do you have experience working with Microsoft Excel?

The Walsh Group uses Microsoft Excel to create construction schedules and other documents. The interviewer may ask this question to learn if you have experience with the program and how comfortable you are using it. If you do, share your previous experience with the program. If you don’t, let the interviewer know that you’re willing to learn.

Example: “I’ve used Microsoft Excel in my last two positions as a project manager. I find it helpful for creating construction schedules and tracking budgets. It’s also useful for organizing data into tables and graphs.”

6. Can you tell me a little bit about your educational background?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to the construction industry. You can use this opportunity to share what you’ve learned in school that helped prepare you for a career as a general contractor, such as leadership skills or communication abilities.

Example: “I graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. During my time there, I took several classes on project management and scheduling, which have been very helpful when managing large projects. I also completed an internship at a local construction company where I gained valuable experience working alongside experienced professionals.”

7. What is the most important thing that you learned in college?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are eager to learn new things and improve your skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that has helped you in previous jobs or something that will help you succeed in this role.

Example: “In my construction management program, we learned about many different types of building materials and how they affect the overall quality of a project. I think this knowledge will be very useful at The Walsh Group because you have such an extensive portfolio of projects using various materials. I’m excited to apply what I’ve learned to your company’s future projects.”

8. Describe a situation where you were able to provide a creative solution to overcome a barrier or obstacle.

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively. Your answer should demonstrate that you can use critical thinking skills to find solutions to problems, even if they are not obvious at first glance.

Example: “When I was working on a construction project for a client who wanted to build an outdoor swimming pool in their backyard, the ground was too rocky to support the weight of the pool. Instead of giving up or trying to convince the client to change their mind about having a pool, I suggested we install a concrete deck around the perimeter of the yard so the family could enjoy the outdoors without having to worry about bugs or dirt getting into the water. The client loved the idea and agreed to it.”

9. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. The interviewer wants to know what you’re good at and where you can improve. When answering this question, try to focus on your strengths rather than weaknesses.

Example: “I am very organized and detail-oriented. I also have excellent communication skills and work well under pressure. My weakness is that sometimes I get overwhelmed with too many projects at once. To combat this, I make sure to prioritize my tasks so I’m always working on the most important ones.”

10. If there was a mistake on a project, how would you react?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you respond to challenges. This is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to learn from mistakes.

Example: “If there was a mistake on a project, I would first assess the extent of the issue. Then, I would determine what caused it and take steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. If possible, I would try to fix the mistake as soon as possible so we don’t have to pay for additional costs. In my experience, it’s important to be honest with clients about any issues or mistakes. It shows them that you’re committed to providing quality work.”

11. Are you comfortable taking initiative?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to take on responsibility and make decisions. Use examples from your past experience that show you can be proactive when needed.

Example: “In my last position, I noticed a few of the team members were having trouble with their time management. So, I created a weekly meeting where we discussed our goals for the week and how we could achieve them. This helped everyone stay organized and motivated throughout the week. The meetings also gave me an opportunity to check in with each employee and see if they needed any help or guidance.”

12. When was the last time you failed and what did you learn from it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you use them to overcome challenges. Your answer should include a specific example of a time when you failed, what you learned from the experience and how it helped you develop your skills as a construction manager.

Example: “The last time I failed was during my first week on the job at The Walsh Group. I had just started working with one of our clients who wanted us to build a new home for their family. I was so excited to start that project because it was my first big job. However, after we finished building the foundation, I realized that I forgot to order enough materials to complete the entire house. I felt embarrassed but called the client to explain the situation. They were understanding and gave me another chance to finish the job.”

13. Are you comfortable having many tasks going on at once?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you can handle the fast-paced environment of a construction site. This is because general contractors often have many projects going on at once, and they need employees who can manage their time well. In your answer, explain that you are comfortable with multitasking and managing several tasks at once. Explain how you plan your day so you can stay organized and focused.

Example: “I am very comfortable having multiple tasks going on at once. I find it easy to prioritize my work and organize my schedule so I can get everything done. At my last job, I had three major projects going on at once, and I was able to balance all of them while still meeting deadlines.”

14. Have you ever been involved in a team environment?

The Walsh Group is a team-oriented company, so it’s important to show that you can work well with others. When answering this question, describe your experience working in teams and how you contributed to the success of the project or task.

Example: “I have worked on several projects where I was part of a larger team. In my last position, I was part of a five-person construction management team. We were responsible for overseeing all aspects of a large commercial building project. My role was to manage the budget and schedule while also ensuring quality control measures were being followed. The entire team worked together to ensure we met our deadlines and exceeded client expectations.”

15. Are you comfortable communicating with clients?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your communication skills and how you interact with clients. Use examples from past experiences where you had to communicate with clients about construction projects or other services you provided.

Example: “Yes, I have experience communicating with clients on a daily basis. In my current position as a project manager, I regularly meet with the client to discuss progress reports and any issues that arise during the construction process. This helps me ensure that the client is satisfied with our work and gives them an opportunity to provide feedback so we can make improvements to the project.”

16. Do you have any specific areas of interest within engineering?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any experience in the construction industry. If you don’t, they may want to know what areas of engineering interest you and how that could help you succeed in this role. When answering this question, try to show your passion for engineering by explaining which aspects of it you enjoy most.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in civil engineering because I find it fascinating to build structures that can withstand natural disasters. In my last position as a structural engineer, I worked on several projects where we had to reinforce buildings to make them more resistant to earthquakes. It was very rewarding to see those projects come to fruition.”

17. We take safety very seriously here at the Walsh Group. How do you think we can make our job sites even safer for workers?

The interviewer may ask this question to see how you can contribute to the safety culture of their company. Show them that you value workplace safety and have ideas for making it even better at The Walsh Group.

Example: “I think one way we could make our job sites safer is by having more frequent meetings with all workers on site. I’ve worked in construction where there were no regular safety meetings, and it made communication between management and employees difficult. Having regular meetings would allow us to discuss any issues or concerns they might have and give us a chance to address any questions they have about safety.”

18. What is one thing that you wish you knew more about?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the construction industry and how you plan to grow as a professional. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something that you are currently learning about or researching.

Example: “I wish I knew more about building codes before starting my career. While I have learned much since beginning my career, there are still many aspects of building codes that I am not familiar with. To help me learn more about these regulations, I have been taking an online course on building codes. This has helped me understand some of the most important parts of building codes and has given me a better idea of what to expect when working on projects.”

19. Tell me about a time you had to deal with difficult coworkers, how did you manage it?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. This can be an important skill for a construction manager, as you may have to resolve conflicts between coworkers or with clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you used your communication and problem-solving skills to help solve the issue.

Example: “In my last position, I had two coworkers who didn’t get along very well. They would often argue over small things, which made it difficult for us to work together. I talked to both of them separately and asked what they thought was causing their issues. After that, we decided to meet as a group and discuss ways we could improve our teamwork. We all agreed to focus on our individual tasks and not worry about other people’s jobs.”

20. What type of projects excite you the most?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interests and passions. They want to know if you would be excited to work on their projects, so it’s important to answer honestly. If you have experience working on similar types of projects in the past, share that information with the interviewer.

Example: “I love working on large-scale commercial construction projects because I enjoy seeing my designs come to life. In my last role as a project manager, I oversaw the development of several shopping centers, which was very rewarding for me. I also really enjoy working on residential construction projects because I get to meet new homeowners and see how happy they are when they move into their new homes.”