As a building inspector, what experience do you have training others?

Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Focus Your Answer On
What to Avoid
Entry Level Example
Answer Example
Experienced Example

The interviewer will ask this question if one of the job duties is to train others. It could be that your job would be to train coworkers, the community, or businesses on building hazards and codes that affect them. The interviewer wants to determine your experience and qualifications in a teaching capacity to see if you will be a good fit for their agency.

Focus on describing the number of years of experience you have training others and in what capacity. Explain if you have trained and mentored new inspectors, provided continuing education training, or taught construction classes at the community college or trade school.

This question applies to training others while working as a building inspector. Avoid describing training others in a different capacity unless you are a new inspector with no prior experience. If that is the case, you can use an experience where you trained others as a coach, a tutor, or new employees at a previous job.

"As a new inspector in this field, I have not had experience training others. However, I have been a soccer coach for five years, training kids aged 12-15. My experience as a coach has taught me how to be patient and mentor others in a way they need to be taught, as everyone learns differently."

"As a building inspector for the past seven years, I train others daily. Whether I train customers on the building codes or ways to prevent hazards or mentor new hires, my job requires educating others."

"I have worked as a building inspector for the past ten years and have trained the public on building codes, construction students at a community college, and mentored new inspectors at different companies I have worked for. I feel very confident in my teaching capabilities."