Here are the top ten Quantity Surveyor HR interview questions and answers or Quantity Surveyor job interview questions from the HR Blog, these interview questions for the Quantity Surveyor job role will help you in preparing you for the session.
1. What is the role of Quantity Surveyor (QS) in the construction industry?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) job interview Tip number 1
This is a pervasive question that HR people ask job applicants for the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role. Through this interview question in the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to see how you see the position with the other roles in the construction industry
Sample answer for this question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job/HR interview
I believe that a Quantity Surveyor (QS) plays an integral role in the construction industry. Estimating and monitoring construction costs is a critical aspect of this trade. It is vital that as QS, I am involved in the project from start to its completion — be it tax depreciation schedules, replacement cost estimation in reference to claims and insurance, etc. Naturally, the main takeaways of this role are minimizing projects costs and make the most value for money without compromising on materials, standards, or quality.
I have done my bachelors in civil engineering, which has helped me get a good grasp over the basics of the construction sector. And with a degree/diploma in quantity surveying, which allows me to exercise my expertise in both domains.
2. What IT skills must a Quantity Surveyor (QS) have according to your understanding?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) job interview question Tip number 2
Through this interview question in the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to see how you see if you are able to visualize and use IT tools to increase your productivity, make sure you do research about various IT tools and software that can help a Quantity Surveyor (QS) do their work more efficiently
Sample answer for this question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job/HR interview
As a QS, being well-versed in IT skills is critical to absorb complex information and provide insightful solutions promptly, especially for two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) representations, construction components and drawings details, etc.
Good knowledge of construction industry, like CAD tools, being updated with HSE building regulations and legal guidelines is pivotal. It would give me an in-depth insight into ways of further reducing costs.
Of course, other core skills like computer literacy, in particular, MS Excel, word processing, accounting, etc. helps ensure accuracy when dealing with significant numbers and simplifies the process of managing massive financial data.
Besides this, I do believe that a systematic approach to organizing, problem-solving, and thinking on my feet would be a bonus. Since negotiating and communication with multi-functional teams is crucial, it’s another skill I feel would be instrumental in shaping the overall project costs.
3.What according to you should be the Key Result Areas of a Quantity Surveyor(QS)?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) job interview Tip number 3
Through this interview question in the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to test and see how much clarity you have about the KPI’s for the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job, This question gives them the insight into the level of accountability and transparency about what the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job entails. Make sure that you speak about being ready to take on further or additional responsibilities. Being a team player and someone who wants to pick up an additional burden will help you in cracking the job interview for Quantity Surveyor (QS).
Sample answer for this question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job/HR interview
The key responsibility areas (KRAs) of a Quantity surveyor are diverse and often require involvement at minuscule levels. While the primary responsibilities include efficiently managing and maintaining the project, carrying out cost management initiatives, including forecasting, is an integral aspect of KRAs. Scope of the work also includes conducting research and evaluating the estimated costs of materials and labor, evaluating the complete work and also providing advice on legal and contractual problems. KRAs may involve meeting clients, officials, etc. as required during the construction time-frame.
4. As a Quantity Surveyor (QS), how do you Project Financial Management?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) job interview Tip number 4
Through this interview question in the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to test and see how much clarity you have about how you will go about managing the financial impact on your construction project. The QS role is very closely linked with the Project budget as you are the one who draws up the cost sheets for project procurement. Every company is different, and their styles of financial management and the use of technology vary, though increasingly people are using technology to create Bill of quantities for a construction project. If you are stumped about an answer, there’s no harm in admitting, especially if it’s out of your professional domain.
Sample answer for this question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job/HR interview
For me, financial management is all about handling the entire lifecycle of the project. It starts with estimating costs, right from the first calculation to its final values. My role in project financial management would be to lower costs without compromising on quality and get the tasks executed in the shortest period possible. Along with providing regular financial statements and cost reports to keep track of expenses, it’s also important to consider risks or hindrances that may arise. I am a strong advocate of using technology to simplify tasks and increase productivity.
For example, a labor or transportation strike may throw the entire process off the tracks. It would mean added expenditures and increased time, which in turn would increase costs. In such cases, I should think on my feet and work with multi-functional teams to devise intelligent solutions.
5. As a Quantity Surveyor, how do you manage Administration and Reporting in the project?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job Tip 5
Through this interview question in the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to test and see how much clarity you have about how you will go about reporting and communicating the project updates to various stakeholders, timely reporting of project metrics especially around the project costs can prevent cost overruns on a construction project.
Sample answer for this question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job/HR interview
The QS role is very closely linked with the Project budget as you are the one who draws up the cost sheets for project procurement. Every company is different, and their styles of financial management and the use of technology vary, though increasingly people are using technology to create Bill of quantities for a construction project. If you are stumped about an answer, there’s no harm in admitting, especially if it’s out of your professional domain.
For me, attention to detail is vital, and that forms the basis of administration and reporting. Project documentation should foremost meet and adhere to all statutory, company, and operational requirements. Considering that this would build the base of the final accounts, it is imperative to keep track of all site orders, including purchases, managing invoices from multiple departments and also controlling usage and authorization as required. While maintaining a tab of day to day activities is essential, it is also necessary to ensure that key metrics are being adhered to.
6. As a Quantity Surveyor, how do you deal with Contractor and Supplier Management in the project?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview Tip 6
Through this interview question in the Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to test and see how you will handle the vendors and contractors and your understanding of the Supply Chain Management process. Make sure you communicate that vendors are partners and you treat them professionally.
Sample answer for this question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job/HR interview
Contractor and supplier management requires tactful handling. Negotiation and excellent communication skills come into play here. Raising clarification on a project, should not come across as an argument. Understanding and getting an overview of the suppliers is equally important as is keeping them interested while getting the best bargain. In any project hurdles and hiccups are common, the key how we handle them. Resolving disputes or disparities between the contractor and the supplier, ensuring that all subcontractors and suppliers are as per statutory requirements is again, essential.
7. As a Quantity surveyor, what do you think are the goals for Health & Safety Management in the project?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview Tip 7
Through this interview question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to test and see how vital is HSE in your thought process. Safety is everyone’s responsibility; you have to make sure that you tell them that since as a principal contractor, the ultimate liability rests with company and contractors, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Sample answer for this question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job/HR interview
I know that health is wealth may sound clichéd, but it holds in every aspect of life, including construction. For example, violating safety or health laws have stringent financial penalties — not to mention the charges of lawsuits that could potentially burn a hole in the pocket. I would aim to strive for the minimal loss time incidents rate with hopefully 0% injuries.
It’s also essential to keep a check not only on documents but also coordinating with other team members to make sure that legislative and health & safety systems and policies are followed to the T. In particular, checking that the subcontractors and suppliers have their insurance or health policies in place.
8. As a Quantity Surveyor, what is your contribution to the project management, how do you support the project manager on the site?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview Tip 8
Through this interview question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to test and see your ability to support other functions and roles in the project and how well you can communicate any risks in advance to the project manager. Make sure you tell them about the importance of timely communication and weekly meetings.
Sample answer for this interview question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job/HR interview
The project manager and Quantity Surveyor should work in tune to ensure timely and successful completion of the project. In particular, the project manager interacts with the team more frequently, and hence, you get a more detailed perspective of what’s happening at the necessary levels. Sometimes the smaller issues may escalate into more significant problems, and that’s where the project manager’s role is critical.
I want to be well-informed about the end-to-end developments of the project. Though my role would be assisting with analyzing risks, working on potential cost-saving methods, and conduct cost reviews, keeping track of everyday cost discrepancies or issues. This would ensure that once the project is complete, the client receives all required documents like applicable warranty, instruction documents, and other guarantee papers.
9. As a Quantity Surveyor, how do you contribute to quality assurance and risk reduction?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview Tip 9
Through this interview question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to get an insight into how you will go about reducing the project risk, either by building them into procurement or through timely communication, or project KPI’s. Not having a plan to manage quality and risk would signal disaster on the project. Give them an example of how you do a risk management plan for your project and then tie it up with KPI’s.
Sample answer for this interviewquestion for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job/HR interview
For successful implementation and quality assurance through different phases of the project, it is crucial that the team understands the financial implications of complying with contractual terms. A simple breach of contract, whether intentional or unintentional, can delay a construction project for weeks or even months, which upsets the entire planning. Hence I would prefer that queries and doubts related to contractual terms are promptly addressed. For this, I have to be updated with latest market trends.
Contributing to project debriefs for analyzing required areas of project success and scope of improvement is pivotal too. Surprise checks, defect remedial inspections, etc. are simple and efficient means of ensuring that hindrances are minimized. Doing so also helps stick to the project costs.
I also feel that building project risk models give another dimension to managing qualitative and quantitative risk analysis. In particular, probability simulations are contributory in reducing potential risks.
10. What is the role of the quantity surveyor in cost and financial management in a project?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview Tip 10
Through this interview question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview, the interviewer wants to get an insight into how well you will integrate and support the project procurement and project budgeting team. Additionally, they want to see how they will approve the final bills by cross-checking if the actual work was done as per specifications or not. Make sure you tell them how you do things to avoid new claims by the contractors.
Sample answer to this question when interviewing for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job
As a quantity surveyor, one of my principal responsibilities would be to support the cost or financial management of the project so that the clients can get an objective, precise, and reliable assessment of the entire project capital. As Quantity Surveyors (QS), we define the specifications for procuring items, so if we put in wrong specs, the total project costs will go haywire. Our work also entails checking bills and deductions or notes for variations, and we have to be very precise with the bill of quantities, or else the final costs will shoot up due to further claims.
As a Quantity Surveyor (QS), It will also help to have an overview of what investment funding would be available for the future and how the required planning methods can be implemented to resolve the needful. The very reason a quantity surveyor is also called a construction economist is to analyze financial management prospects. Starting with an estimate of the project cost to tentative cost plans, all are critical steps of financial planning. Research and studying financial data is the foundation of this management. Next comes the preparing of budgets and cash flows or administering the approximate project cost, which is done as per analytical reviews.
Through the execution of the project, investment performance indicators should also be tracked and recorded. These include Residual Land Value, Profit, Margin, etc. Comparing multiple options for different financial outcomes should be analyzed too.
The quantity surveyor should not only take into account the data available but also be on-trend with newer feasibility models, data banks, and tools to help reach new benchmarks.
For me, my role in any project is to bring down costs without compromising on the quality, and with the right financial management methods, this can be turned into a deliverable. The final result of my role is to add value to the construction project while saving capital and lifecycle costs.
11. What is the role of a quantity surveyor in Project Procurement & Contract Management?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview Tip 11
This interview question for Quantity Surveyor (QS) role is a tricky one as the interviewer wants to see if you are a team player and how much you would be willing to negotiate in terms of contract management. Procurement of the project depends largely on generating interest of the contractors while trying to bring down costs as much as possible.
Sample answer to this question when interviewing for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job
When it comes to the management of construction project procurement and contract, I feel that the first step is to get my research sorted by identifying, collecting, processing, and interpreting data and information. This would be instrumental in the evaluation and selection of appropriate procurement system and contractual arrangement. Based on this knowledge, hopefully with a few pointers up my sleeve that can help me negotiate, I might be able to scale down costs.
Procurement of the right workers and laborers is the key to the success of any project. I would also want the client to be involved since this is a two-way road. I can help the client understand the procurement criteria to the best of my abilities, which in turn would help in selecting a team that is cost-effective and yet doesn’t compromise on standard or quality. While traditional procurement methods may be cliched, it is important to go for a reliable team. I am open to hiring newcomers as long as they come with good referrals and have the required expertise in this area. Of course, this would be the call of the client — ideally having a brief and doing background checks is critical to this process. Wrong procurements can break a project.
Though I am all for verbal agreements, I always believe in prompt action and getting things on paper. So preparing tender and contract documents and completing these formalities, on a priority basis, is required.
Prior to administration of tendering processes, it’s vital to check that all facts are in place too.
When it comes to managing the implementation of construction contracts, it’s crucial to take into consideration if contractors are using only in-house teams or if they plan on hiring sub-contractors. Little things like these can make a huge difference in the overall budget.
12. What is the role of quantity surveyor in Measurement, quantification, and documentation?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview Tip 12
During the interview questions for Quantity Surveyor (QS) roles, remember that the main goal of the QS is to ensure apt measurement, quantification, and documentation — through the entire lifecycle or phase of the project. If you are asked this question during an interview for Quantity surveyor, answer the same while breaking through the process. Simplify the answer from a practical perspective.
Sample answer to this question when interviewing for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job
I feel that this is one of the most vital questions asked when you have an interview regarding measurement, quantification, and documentation. They form the basis of the Bill of Quantities (BQ). So it’s vital that the entire process of measuring and quantifying construction works for project costing be done in an organized way. One can use the traditional approach where intuition and experience are merged, which is very important to the process. Yes, contemporary modes of computerized calculations and maths will give precise results, but they often fail to consider certain external aspects. During cost planning and control, as a QS it is my primary responsibility to ensure that any changes or costs are updated and upgraded.
Preparation of bills of quantities and work program requires in-depth analytical skills and an agile approach to problem-solving. It is also vital that resources planning and control are checked on a regular basis. This should include valuation for interim payment too. The preparation of project accounts involves taking into consideration the value of the costs before, during, and after completion.
13. As a quantity surveyor, how do you best use technology in your project?
Quantity Surveyor (QS) role job interview Tip 13
One of the common interview questions for Quantity Surveyor (QS) roles involves the use of technology in the project. With pricing and efficiency being a primary reason to hire a QS, the role of technology in this sector has transformed too. From the employer perspective, it would mean precision and faster execution.
Sample answer to this question when interviewing for Quantity Surveyor (QS) job
Today, construction has embraced technological advances in almost every aspect. Be it 3D modeling or using machinery to replace manual labor. In the same way, as a quantity surveyor, I have to continually ensure that I update myself with technologies and implement them as required.
Technological innovations in the sector of engineering should also include sound knowledge of materials, machinery, and manpower in quantity surveying functions. All of these would contribute to the overall figures of cost and financial management.
Technology can help in organization and better management of all of these segments. From storing data to managing multi-functional teams, technology can assist in analyzing the process to extrapolate precise costing data.
Recommending changes to contract administration, managing the earned value reporting, interacting with other departments to ensure amendment to contracts, claims against contractors/ subcontractors can be facilitated by thorough knowledge of tech.
But most importantly, the application of principles and practice in providing quantity surveying services should be done using a blend of technology and intuition. Expertise and knowledge of relevant skills combined with technical expertise are beneficial for smooth operations.
On the whole, I would like to use technology to understand the estimates and budgets of various teams. Identiying the potential risks can help me minimize cost overruns from arising and in the process, make sure that budgets are adhered to. Technology can help me in executing decision-making and advisory responsibilities.
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Jappreet Sethi
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