Do you work well under pressure?

"Yes, I work very well under pressure. Just last week, we had a big second-story slab to pour, with trucks lined up on the project. Halfway through the pour, the pump broke down. I had to scramble to find a way to get the mud to the second floor. My crew and I rigged up a pulley system and started hauling buckets of concrete to the second floor. I called dispatch and asked if they could send another pump, which they did, but they were an hour out. So, we used the pulley system for an hour and made the best of what we had to work with. In the end, the floor turned out great."

Working under pressure and in stressful situations is expected in this profession. You will have deadlines to meet, crew members who call off work on the day of a big pour, customers who have questions or concerns, mixers that show up late, and mud that dries too quickly. As a cement mason, it is your job to work well under pressure and solve problems that may come up. The interviewer wants to know that you will work well under pressure if they offer you the job. Give an example of a job where you worked well under pressure and remained calm and in control.

What do you do to ensure safety on the job?

"Safety is very important to me. I have seen coworkers permanently injured while doing something unsafe, and I don't want that to happen to anyone on my crew. I require everyone on my crew to wear hard hats, eye protection, steel-toe boots, safety harnesses when working above six feet, and to use caution when using electrical tools around water. If the situation requires my crew to wear gloves or respirators, I will ensure my crew wears the appropriate protective equipment."

There are many safety precautions you should abide by when working with concrete. The safety precautions could include wearing a hard hat, eye protection, gloves, steel-toe workboots, checking the safety of portable electric tools, and wearing a safety harness when working higher than six feet off the ground. OSHA and your employer mandate precautions, and the interviewer wants to hear what precautions you take to ensure a safe working environment for yourself and your crew. Describe the importance of safety and the steps you take to ensure you and your team are safe.

Would you consider yourself a hard worker?

"Yes, I consider myself to be a very hard worker. I grew up on a ranch and learned from a young age how to work hard. I enjoy physical labor, and I work until the job is done."

Working as a cement mason is hard, laborious work. Crews need to work hard, quickly, and in adverse conditions. The interviewer wants to determine if you are a hard worker to see if you would be a good fit for their company. Describe your work ethic, and give an example of why you consider yourself to be a hard worker.

If our crew is trying to meet a deadline, would you ever call off work?

"I understand the importance of meeting deadlines and being a team player. I would not call off work unless I was injured or so ill that I could not perform my job duties. At my previous job, if we did not meet a deadline, the company would pay a penalty. I had the flu, but I showed up to work so that I did not leave my crew or the company in a bind. In the past four years, I have only called off work three times due to an injury or illness, and I had a doctor's note every time. In those situations, there was no deadline that we were working to meet."

The interviewer wants to see if you take your profession seriously. They want to hire a dependable team player. If you call off work when the crew is working to meet a deadline, it could delay the project and cause problems with the client. Describe your work ethic and how important it is for you to meet deadlines. Tell the interviewer the number of times you have called off work and for what reasons. Show the interviewer that you are a team player who respects their crew, the company, and the client.

Do you have any questions for me?

" Yes, I do have a few questions. Thank you for asking. How long have you worked here, and what do you like most and least about this company?"

Interviewers will typically ask if you have questions for them at the end of the interview, and it is recommended to answer in the affirmative. Asking questions shows your excitement to know all you can about the company, working conditions, or job description that wasn't answered during your research of the company. Be sure not to ask questions that could be answered by reading the job announcement or company website.

Do you have any questions about the position?

"Thank you. I do have a few questions about the position. If hired, what project would I be starting on? What is the size of the crew I would be working with?"

Before the interview, you should review the job description. Some job announcements are very detailed, and you might not have any questions. Others are vague and will leave you with questions. Asking questions during an interview shows your interest and enthusiasm for the position. You may have a question about the schedule, how much travel is involved, what your first 30 days would look like, or if there are growth opportunities within the company. Avoid asking questions about the pay or benefits, as those topics will be covered when you are offered the job.

Why did you leave your previous job?

"I left my previous job after being laid off. The company was losing revenue and had to downsize, so they furloughed me and 15 others. My supervisor said it would be temporary, but after one month, he called and said it would be permanent."

There could be many reasons you left your previous job, such as being laid off, being fired, lack of opportunity for advancement, wanting a shorter commute, or the company closing. The interviewer wants to hear why you left to determine what work environment you thrive in and if your values align with the company. Avoid speaking negatively of your previous employer or coworkers, and if you were fired, explain the situation and describe what you learned from it.

How long has our company been in business?

"Your company has been in business for 30 years. Jonathan Buckley founded the company to provide rail transportation infrastructure that keeps people and goods moving across the United States and Canada."

Before your interview, research everything you can about the company. Interviewers will ask questions about their company to see how interested you are in learning about their organization and determine if you have done your homework. Review their website to know when the company was founded and by whom. If you simply say, 'your company has been in business 30 years,' it shows you have done your research. However, adding who founded the company and what the mission statement is will earn you more points in your interview.

How did you hear about this position?

"I heard about this position from the website Indeed. I searched for cement mason jobs in the area, and yours was the first position that came up in the search."

Companies pay a lot of money advertising their job announcements and want to see which methods work the best. The interviewer also wants to know if you were referred by another employee, which speaks favorably on your part. Describe how you heard about the position and name the employee who referred you, if applicable.

If hired, there may be times you have to travel out of town for a job. Would you be available to travel when needed?

"Yes, I would be available to travel when needed. In my last position, I would travel to different projects and enjoy experiencing new places. I have a family, but my wife is a stay-at-home mom and understands my schedule. So, traveling will not be an issue."

Typically, when a company requires travel as part of the job, they will put that in the job description, and you will be aware that is a requirement when you submit your application. The interviewer wants to ensure that if they hire you, travel will not be an issue. Describe how traveling when needed will not be a concern and how you enjoy traveling for projects. They want to see that you are a team player and have flexibility with your schedule.

Do you have reliable transportation?

"Yes, I have several forms of reliable transportation. I own a new motorcycle and a truck, which is two years old. Both are reliable, and I have never had an issue with either. I perform all regularly scheduled maintenance and keep them in top running condition."

If reliable transportation is a job requirement, interviewers can ask you this question. However, interviewers typically cannot ask if you own a vehicle, as it can be discriminatory. They want to know that you have reliable transportation and that showing up to work on time will not be an issue. Reliable transportation can include driving a private vehicle, carpooling, taking a taxi or bus, riding a bicycle or motorcycle, or walking. Describe what type of reliable transportation you use, reassuring the interviewer that getting to work will not be a problem.

If hired, how long would you work for us?

"If you hire me, I plan on working for you until I retire. I just relocated to the area and bought a house, so I do not plan on leaving. My goal is to work another 20 years before retirement."

Companies pay a lot of money to interview, hire, and train applicants. The interviewer wants to hear that you are looking for long-term work. Be honest about your plans, but if you are looking for long-term work, you will have a better chance of getting hired.

Are you afraid of heights?

"No, I have never been afraid of heights. I enjoy heights and love roller coasters, bungee jumping, and skydiving."

As a cement mason, you will not usually work at great heights unless you are working on a high-rise building. However, you will be working on scaffolding, which can be intimidating for someone afraid of heights. The interviewer wants to hear that you are not scared of heights and it will not be an issue for you if hired. Describe your relationship with heights.

What do you like to do in your free time?

"In my free time, I coach my son's hockey team, take long motorcycle rides with my wife, and play the guitar. I also enjoy having barbecues and playing horseshoes."

The interviewer wants to hear that you have hobbies or activities outside of work and know how to relax and have fun. Working as a cement mason can be stressful at times, and the interviewer wants to hear how you destress and learn more about your personality. Describe what you enjoy doing in your free time.

Our company prides itself on providing excellent customer service. How would you describe excellent customer service?

"I also pride myself on providing excellent customer service, and that is what drew me to your company. I describe excellent customer service as treating all customers with respect, greeting them by name and with a smile, actively listening and answering their questions, and responding to any concerns they have. I do not leave any job without making sure the customer is satisfied, and I thank them for their business."

Excellent customer service can be described in various ways, and the interviewer wants to see if your response aligns with the company's values. Some ways to provide excellent customer service include being friendly, listening to your customers, responding promptly to questions or concerns, ensuring the customer is satisfied, and thanking them for their business. Explain what you do to provide excellent customer service.

What do you dislike about working with concrete?

"What I dislike about working with concrete is the instability of the job. My work depends on the weather, the economy, and how many customers spend money on our services. This profession is unpredictable, but over the years, I have realized this will never change. I now have a budget and stick to my budget and save as much as I can for those days I do not have work. I also have a small cabinet business that supplements my income when I am not working as a cement mason."

There can be many factors you dislike about working with concrete. You may not like the instability of the work due to the climate or the economy, trucks showing up late to a job, your mud drying more quickly or slowly than you hoped, or working in bad weather. The interviewer wants to hear what you dislike the most to see how you handle challenges. Describe what you do not like about your profession, and give an example of how you keep this adversity from affecting your work.

How did you learn to work with concrete?

"My dad taught me how to work with concrete when I was 15 years old. He was a general contractor who specialized in concrete, and I was looking for a summer job. My dad hired me to work on his crew and taught me everything I know about concrete."

There are many ways you could have learned to work with concrete, and the interviewer wants to know how you got started in this profession. You could have learned from a friend or relative, watched YouTube videos, completed an apprenticeship, or read books on the subject. Describe how you were introduced to this field and learned to work with the many aspects of concrete masonry.

Tell me about your education and how it has prepared you to work as a Cement Mason.

"I was homeschooled by my parents and received my high school diploma through the home school program. My homeschooling program taught me a lot about the different trades. I also helped my dad build our house from the foundation up. I learned every aspect of concrete work from my dad when I was 14 years old. I have been working with concrete for ten years and feel very confident in my skills as a cement mason."

There are typically no educational requirements to become a cement mason unless you do an apprenticeship, which may require a high-school diploma or the equivalent. Many cement masons do not have a high school diploma and have learned their craft through on-the-job training and hands-on experience. If you made it to the interview, you must have met the company's educational requirements. Describe your education and how it has prepared you for this position.

When dealing with heights, do you have experience wearing safety harnesses?

"Yes, I have four years of experience wearing safety harnesses during my apprenticeship. My employer was very safety conscious and required safety harnesses at any height greater than six feet. I feel comfortable wearing them and also value safety first."

Both OSHA and most companies require the use of fall protection, including safety harnesses, at a height of six feet or higher. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience wearing safety harnesses or if they would need to train you on their use if hired. Be honest and describe your experience using harnesses.

Do you have experience working in very hot temperatures?

"I do have experience working in very hot temperatures. My first experience with hot temperatures was when I was a line cook at a diner for two years and worked over hot stoves and fryers. I also gained experience working in hot temperatures during my apprenticeship in Florida. I've developed quite a tolerance for the heat."

Cement masons work in all types of weather, including sweltering temperatures. Depending on where you are located, you may be expected to work in very hot temperatures. The interviewer wants to see if you are comfortable with those conditions and if you can acclimate and successfully perform your job. Describe your experience working in hot temperatures and explain what you do to keep yourself from overheating.

What do you feel is the most important skill for a Cement Mason to have?

"I think the most important skill for a cement mason to have is the ability to work collaboratively with a team in a complex and fast-paced environment. Masonry work can only successfully be accomplished with a crew, and cement masons need to articulate what they need for the project to run smoothly."

Many skills are important for cement masons to have. There are skills directly related to masonry work, such as concrete finishing, blueprint reading, masonry techniques, framing, and power tools skills. Other skills include excellent communication, stamina, strength, interpersonal, mathematical, and problem-solving skills. Review the job announcement to see what the employer lists as required skills, and choose a skill you feel is the most important so your answer aligns with the company's requirement.

What is your greatest strength?

"My greatest strength is my communication skills. I have excellent verbal and written communication skills and can speak in a clear, concise manner. I have some crew members who do not speak English very well, and I do not speak Spanish, but I can demonstrate what I am looking for, and then they understand. After listening to a client's vision, I convey my understanding by repeating their wishes to ensure we are on the same page. I believe having excellent communication skills is important in any profession."

This common interview question allows the interviewer to assess if you have the qualities they are looking for in an employee. Review the job announcement to see what qualities the employer is looking for in their ideal candidate. If the job announcement says they are looking for a highly skilled cement mason with over three years of experience leading a successful team and excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills, you should choose one of those keywords in your response.

Why do you want to work for our company?

"I want to work for your company for several reasons. You are known as the best construction company in the county. You take pride in your craftsmanship while providing excellent customer service. I follow the same philosophy as the owner and believe in being early, starting on time, finishing on time, and never leaving a job until the customer is satisfied. I want to work for you and be a part of your stellar team."

Before your interview, research the company and the job requirements. Interviewers will ask questions about their company and the specific role you would be filling if hired. They want to see that you have done your homework and are genuinely interested in working for them. Review their website, online customer reviews, testimonials, and the company's mission and vision statement to find something unique about the company that makes you want to work for them. Give several examples of why you want to be a part of their team.

Why should we hire you over the other candidates?

"I am sure there are many qualified candidates for this position, but you should hire me because I meet and exceed your requirements for the job. I have eight years of experience as a cement mason, leading diverse teams on various small and large-scale projects. My focus has always been on providing excellent customer service and satisfaction, and I expect the same from my crew. I have excellent blueprint reading, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, and work well under pressure. I believe I would be a wonderful addition to your team."

There are most likely many qualified candidates applying for the position. Now is the time to sell yourself and tell the interviewer why they should hire you over the other applicants. Review the job description to see what qualities the company is looking for in its ideal candidate. Highlight those qualities in your response, along with any additional traits that will benefit the company if they hire you. For example, suppose they are looking for a cement mason with 4+ years of experience leading diverse teams, knowledge of reading blueprints, and excellent customer service skills. In your response, you should mention your eight years of experience and knowledge leading diverse teams, emphasizing customer satisfaction. You would then highlight your blueprint reading skills and additional qualifications.

What is your greatest weakness?

"My greatest weakness is remembering names. I can remember my crew members' names because I work with them all the time, but I have trouble remembering customers' names. I realize this is a weakness because it is important to call my customers by their names as a sign of respect. I found a book that teaches memorization skills, and I have been using the techniques described in the book to improve my memory. The book talks about name association, and the tips I have learned have helped immensely. I already see an improvement in my memorization skills, and I am only halfway through the book."

This common interview question allows the interviewer to discover if you are self-aware and humble enough to admit your faults. Everyone has weaknesses. Your interviewer wants to hear about how you identify and improve your weakness. Describe a weakness relevant to this position, and give an example of how you are working to turn that weakness into a strength.

What three words would your former employer use to describe you?

"In my exit interview, my former employer gave me a letter of recommendation. In that letter, he described me as an excellent mason with great attention to detail, a strong work ethic, and excellent customer service skills. He said my work was always perfect. He could depend on me to show up to work in any type of weather. I also had 100% positive reviews from my customers."

The interviewer might call your former employer for a reference, so you should answer as accurately as possible. If you have a performance review or letter of recommendation, you can use three keywords that your former employer used to describe you and your performance. When responding, use those three keywords with examples for each.

How do you keep your crew inspired and motivated?

"I keep my crew inspired and motivated by allowing them to perform their job without micromanaging them. I also like to teach my crew new skills and allow them to try different techniques and tools. When the crew learns something new, it inspires them to set and achieve goals, which motivates them to do their best."

One aspect of this job is keeping your crew inspired and motivated. The interviewer wants to see that you have leadership skills and will be a good fit for their company. Describe your leadership style, explain how you inspire and motivate your crew, and use an example.

How would you describe your leadership style?

"I would describe my leadership style as one that coaches and leads by example. I like to set a good example, work alongside my crew, and mentor them when needed. If I expect my crew to show up early and be ready to start working on a project, I must be there before them. If I expect them to work in 100-degree weather to meet a deadline, I need to be sweating and working right there next to my crew. To me, that is a sign of a good leader."

Working as a cement mason requires leadership skills. You will be responsible for ensuring the project runs smoothly, completing the project satisfactorily, and keeping the crew motivated and inspired. You will also need to demonstrate to customers that you have control of the project. There are many different leadership styles: coercive, authoritative, democratic, pacesetting, and coaching. Research the different leadership styles to see which describes how you lead. Explain your style to the interviewer and give an example of your skills at work.

What types of jobs do you find most challenging?

"I find it most challenging to work in the direct sun. My job is physically demanding, and the sun adds another layer of intensity to an already challenging profession. I work through this challenge by wearing SPF clothing that is breathable, staying hydrated throughout the day, and taking breaks in the shade when I can."

There are various aspects of working as a Cement Mason that you might find challenging. It could be working in hot conditions or inclement weather, working with a skeleton crew, working off scaffolding, or an overnight pour. The interviewer wants to hear what you consider challenging and how you handle those challenges to determine if you will be a good fit for their company. Describe the type of jobs you find most difficult and explain how you work through the challenge.

How do you handle a crew member who is consistently late?

"First, I would not allow a crew member to be consistently late. The first time they were late, I would pull them aside and have a private conversation. I would ask why they were late and respond accordingly. If the problem is getting their child to a daycare that opens close to our start time, I would adjust their schedule so they could start later. If they are getting stuck in rush-hour traffic, I would suggest leaving their house earlier. It depends on the situation, but my crew knows I do not tolerate tardiness."

If you have a consistently late crew member, you should take care of it before it becomes a problem. Letting the crew member continue to show up late shows that you do not have strong leadership skills. Describe how you would talk to the person to discover the reason for their tardiness and come up with a solution. Your response shows the interviewer your problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills, which are desirable qualities in a cement mason.

Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a crew member. What happened?

"I recently disagreed with a new crew member who showed up to the project right on time, but then he started eating his breakfast and finishing his coffee before getting to work. The rest of the crew had been working for about 20 minutes before this crew member started working. I pulled this person aside on their lunch break and told him he needed to be ready to work at 8:00 sharp and to eat his breakfast and drink his coffee before arriving at work. He disagreed and said that his old job allowed him to take the first half-hour on the clock to eat breakfast, drink coffee, and build team morale. I calmly told him that this company does not operate that way and that if he wanted to eat, drink, and talk with the guys, he could arrive half an hour earlier. After our talk, he started arriving half an hour early, and we never had another issue."

The interviewer wants to learn about your conflict-resolution skills and if you stay calm and collected during a dispute. There will inevitably be conflict among coworkers, but an essential aspect to the interviewer is how you deal with it. As a cement mason, it is your responsibility to keep disputes to a minimum among yourself and your crew and take care of problems when they arise. Describe a time you had a disagreement with a crew member and how you resolved the situation.

Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What did you and your crew do to fix it?

"I made a mistake during my last project that I didn't catch until later. My crew and I were setting up formwork with a transit, and the transit must have been bumped. I made the mistake of not double-checking the transit, and our forms were not square. When I realized what happened, my crew and I had to redo the forms before the pour. I learned to double-check the transit before setting up forms and to remind everyone to take care when near the transit."

When an interviewer asks about a mistake you made, they want to know that you are humble enough to admit you made an error. They also want to know what problem-solving skills you use to correct the mistake. Solving a problem with your crew shows you have leadership skills and that you work well with a team. Describe a time you made a mistake and how you enlisted your crew to help fix it. End your response on a positive note, and explain what you learned from your mistake.

What was the most difficult concrete job you worked on?

"The most difficult concrete job I have worked on was grinding, chopping, and patching a high-rise building that sustained earthquake damage. My crew and I were working 20 stories high on scaffolding and had to pulley all the materials up to the site, which was time-consuming and laborious. Also, we were on the coast, and high winds would pick up in the afternoon, causing the scaffolding to sway and our materials to slide away from us. It was more challenging being that high off the ground, but we rigged a system to keep our materials close to us when the winds picked up, which solved the problem."

There could be many factors that make a job difficult. It could be the size of the project, the weather, problems with the concrete mixing trucks or the mud, or clients who got in the way or were unhappy about some aspect of your work. The interviewer wants to hear about your most difficult concrete job to see how you handle adversity and problem solve. Choose a complex project and refrain from speaking poorly of customers, even if they were the reason the job was challenging.

What is your definition of teamwork?

"I define teamwork as a group of people with varying experiences working together to accomplish a goal. Everyone on the team can learn something from each other, and together we can achieve our goal. In this field, teamwork is essential to complete projects and meet deadlines. I could not accomplish what I do without the help of my crew."

Teamwork is defined as 'a group of people working together to achieve a common goal.' As a cement mason, teamwork means working together with your crew to complete a project. The interviewer wants to hear how you define teamwork to see if you are a team player and that you value your crew's expertise. Give an example of teamwork as it relates to the position.

How are your blueprint reading skills?

"My blueprint reading skills are excellent. In high school, I took a drafting course where we had to draw blueprints for residential and commercial buildings. I learned the symbols for every aspect of a build, including masonry."

Reading blueprints is a fundamental skill for cement masons. The interviewer wants to hear that you have this skill and that reading blueprints will not be an issue if they hire you. Masonry focuses on specific parts of a blueprint since it deals only with structures made from units bound together with mortar, such as stone, bricks, glass and concrete blocks, and tile. You do not necessarily need to learn how to read the entire blueprint, but it is best to learn as much as you can for your profession. Describe your experience reading blueprints and explain where you learned how to read them.

Cement Mason Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Do you work well under pressure?
2. What do you do to ensure safety on the job?
3. Would you consider yourself a hard worker?
4. If our crew is trying to meet a deadline, would you ever call off work?
5. Do you have any questions for me?
6. Do you have any questions about the position?
7. Why did you leave your previous job?
8. How long has our company been in business?
9. How did you hear about this position?
10. If hired, there may be times you have to travel out of town for a job. Would you be available to travel when needed?
11. Do you have reliable transportation?
12. If hired, how long would you work for us?
13. Are you afraid of heights?
14. What do you like to do in your free time?
15. Our company prides itself on providing excellent customer service. How would you describe excellent customer service?
16. What do you dislike about working with concrete?
17. How did you learn to work with concrete?
18. Tell me about your education and how it has prepared you to work as a Cement Mason.
19. When dealing with heights, do you have experience wearing safety harnesses?
20. Do you have experience working in very hot temperatures?
21. What do you feel is the most important skill for a Cement Mason to have?
22. What is your greatest strength?
23. Why do you want to work for our company?
24. Why should we hire you over the other candidates?
25. What is your greatest weakness?
26. What three words would your former employer use to describe you?
27. How do you keep your crew inspired and motivated?
28. How would you describe your leadership style?
29. What types of jobs do you find most challenging?
30. How do you handle a crew member who is consistently late?
31. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a crew member. What happened?
32. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What did you and your crew do to fix it?
33. What was the most difficult concrete job you worked on?
34. What is your definition of teamwork?
35. How are your blueprint reading skills?

Cement Mason Interview Questions

1. Do you work well under pressure?

2. What do you do to ensure safety on the job?

3. Would you consider yourself a hard worker?

4. If our crew is trying to meet a deadline, would you ever call off work?

5. Do you have any questions for me?

6. Do you have any questions about the position?

7. Why did you leave your previous job?

8. How long has our company been in business?

9. How did you hear about this position?

10. If hired, there may be times you have to travel out of town for a job. Would you be available to travel when needed?

11. Do you have reliable transportation?

12. If hired, how long would you work for us?

13. Are you afraid of heights?

14. What do you like to do in your free time?

15. Our company prides itself on providing excellent customer service. How would you describe excellent customer service?

16. What do you dislike about working with concrete?

17. How did you learn to work with concrete?

18. Tell me about your education and how it has prepared you to work as a Cement Mason.

19. When dealing with heights, do you have experience wearing safety harnesses?

20. Do you have experience working in very hot temperatures?

21. What do you feel is the most important skill for a Cement Mason to have?

22. What is your greatest strength?

23. Why do you want to work for our company?

24. Why should we hire you over the other candidates?

25. What is your greatest weakness?

26. What three words would your former employer use to describe you?

27. How do you keep your crew inspired and motivated?

28. How would you describe your leadership style?

29. What types of jobs do you find most challenging?

30. How do you handle a crew member who is consistently late?

31. Tell me about a time you had a disagreement with a crew member. What happened?

32. Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What did you and your crew do to fix it?

33. What was the most difficult concrete job you worked on?

34. What is your definition of teamwork?

35. How are your blueprint reading skills?