Landscape Architect Interview
Questions

6. There are many steps a Landscape Architect must take before completing projects. What steps do you enjoy the most and what steps do you need to improve upon the most? Ensure to review the job posting before your interview to familiarize yourself with the expectations related to the position. Answer this question by providing an example of a step that you enjoyed taking in a past position (preferably related to landscape architecture), which is a step you will also have to take in this new role. Alternatively, you can mention that you do not have any preference, as all steps matter and contribute to the successful completion of the project, or that the finished product is what you enjoy the most. Add the reasons why to support your position. Also provide an example of a step related to project management you need to improve on, if applicable. Here is an answer example: "I value each step and the importance each has on the finished product. I thoroughly enjoy seeing the successful completion of a finished product, reflecting the work involved and commitment required for this project. I do not believe there are steps I need to improve on as I pride myself on my strong project and time management skills, enabling me to complete all projects successfully and in a timely fashion."7. Tell me about a time when you had to be critical of a landscaper's work. How did you handle the situation? The interviewer wants to see you have conflicting resolutions skills and that you will remain calm and professional in the face of conflicts. Answer this question by providing an example of your conflict resolution skills in a past position, preferably related to landscaping architecture. Alternatively, provide an example in any other professional capacity, or in a volunteer capacity. Here is an answer example: "In my last position as (X position title) for (X company), I was responsible for managing a team of landscapers and one landscaper did not follow the instructions related to a project we were working on (... further information pertaining to the project you were working on and duties this landscaper had and did not complete). I met with him privately to discuss the situation and to understand why he had not followed the instructions. I then reaffirmed the expectations and duties he had to perform, emphasizing that each of us had a set of duties to perform to ensure the project's success (...)."8. What are your favorite projects to work on? Review the job posting and company website/social media pages before the interview to familiarize yourself with the projects you will be working on as a Landscape Architect, or projects the company has or will soon be working on. Ensure to answer by providing examples included on the posting or company website/social media pages, including your own experience in similar roles, if you have any. Also add the reasons why these were favorite projects of yours - alternatively why some of the projects listed on the job posting or company website/social media pages are projects you look forward to the most. Here is an answer example: "My favorite projects to work on are (X projects listed on the job posting) because I have extensive experience completing such projects. For instance, in my last position as (X position title) for (X company), I completed similar project (... detailed information regarding these projects). I thoroughly enjoyed working on such projects because (X reasons why these were your favorite projects, such as enjoying being the leading managing a team, and so on)."9. Tell me about a time when you created a design, and the client was not pleased with it. How did you change the design and what was the final outcome? Provide an example of such a situation by emphasizing your willingness to work tirelessly until the client is highly satisfied with the finished product. The interviewer wants to ensure you are client-oriented and committed to clients' satisfaction. Here is an answer example: "While working at (X company) as a/an (X position title), I created (X design), however the client was dissatisfied with it because (X reasons why he/she was dissatisfied, such as miscommunication). I met with the client to determine what his/hers expectations were and committed to provide a new design in a timely fashion. The client wanted (X client expectations, so I modified my old design by (X alterations made) and resubmitted my design to the client. I work long hours to complete the new design as soon as possible. In the end, the client was highly satisfied."10. Describe the most creative work-related project you completed. Should an interviewer ask such a question, it is highly likely that creativity will be valued in this position. Answer by providing an example of the most creative work-related project you successfully completed. Do your best to provide an example related to the position you are applying for, i.e., involving some of the duties you will have to perform in this new role. The best predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar setting. Here is an answer example: "The most creative work-related project that I completed, and the most successful, was (X creative work-related project related to landscape architecture, as per the job posting). This was a very successful project and my employer and client were highly satisfied of the finished product."11. Why are you the best Landscape Architect for us? Tell the interviewer the reasons why you are the best candidate for this position. Ensure to review the job posting before the interview. In answering the question, mention that you have the qualifications required for this role (educational, professional, personality traits, and so on). Here is an answer example: "I am the best candidate for this role as I have the relevant educational qualifications for this role, in addition to numerous years of experience in the field. I furthermore saw on your job posting that you are looking for a serious candidate with strong project management, team management and organizational skills, and I already possess these skills."12. What is your philosophy towards work? The interviewer and the employer are looking for commitment towards the company and work to be performed, and respect toward colleagues, members of the team management team and clients. Here is an answer example: "i take my work seriously and am committed to performing to be best of my ability. The company's success is my success. I also value respect and as such, am extremely respectful toward all clients and every single individual at the company."13. What duties are the easiest and the most difficult for you to perform? The interviewer wants to determine your boundaries. It is important to demonstrate you can manage anything that comes your way. Always review the job posting before the interview and keep it closeby at the time of the interview. Provide example of easy and difficult duties on the job posting, and how easily you will be able to manage both. Provide example of the successful performance of these duties in a previous position, if you have any. Here is an answer example: "An example of an easy duty is (X easy duty on the job posting/any other easy duty related to landscape architecture), because when working as a/an (X position title) for (X company), I (X similar easy duty successfully performed). An example of a difficult duty is (X easy duty on the job posting/any other difficult duty related to landscape architecture), because when working as a/an (X position title) for (X company), I (X similar difficult duty successfully performed)."14. Tell me about your team management skills. When an interviewer asks such a question, it is highly likely that you frequently will have to work with other people. As such, the interviewer wants to ensure you have good team management skills and that you are comfortable working in a collaborative fashion. Answer this question by providing an example of your team management skills in another position as for employers, past behavior is a good predictor of future behavior. Here is an answer example: "I pride myself on my excellent team management skills. I truly love working as part of a team and appreciate brainstorming ideas with others. For instance, in my last role at (X company), we regularly had to complete several projects as a team. We proved extremely creative and were able to better allocate the distribution of resources and complete the project on a tight deadline."15. Give me a time when you went above and beyond the requirements for a project. Provide an example of a situation in a professional capacity, preferably related to architecture. Alternatively, provide an example in any other professional or volunteer capacity, or in a university setting. Add that you are positive your skills will be transferable in this role. Here is an answer example: "I am particularly proud of the time I (X project you are the most proud of). I went above and beyond because the client's satisfaction mattered to me and my employer, and (X other reasons why you went above and beyond). The client was so satisfied by the high level of commitment and quality of my work that he hired our company for all of his upcoming projects."16. Tell me about an accomplishment you are the most proud of. Tell the interviewer about the accomplishment you are the most proud of, preferably in a professional capacity and related to the position you are applying for. Alternatively, provide any accomplishment in another professional capacity, in a volunteer capacity, or in a university setting. Here is an answer example: "The accomplishment I am the most proud of is managing a very large project on a very tight deadline (... detailed information pertaining to this project, such as the company name, and so on). As a result, I developed strong project and time management skills that will undoubtedly enable me to thrive in this role at your company."17. What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you tackle it? Answer this question by providing an example of a difficult situation you overcame. Preferably provide an example in a professional capacity. Alternatively, provide an example in a volunteer capacity or in a university setting. The interviewer wants to see resilience and an ability to move forward in the face of adversity. Here is an answer example: "At my last position, I had to complete a project on a very short notice, as revised by the client. Notwithstanding the amount of work involved, I got to work immediately. I used numerous lists to keep track of the daily duties to be performed, and delegated some duties to ensure all expectations could be met. The project was completed by the deadline and the client was highly satisfied."18. Why should we hire you? Review the job posting before the interview to familiarize yourself with the personality traits and qualifications required for this role. Answer this question by mentioning a few of the traits and qualifications outlined that you also possess, proving you are indeed the best candidate for this role. Here is an answer example: "You should hire me as I am a team player, a hard worker and I thrive under pressure. I furthermore have all of the educational qualifications that you require."19. How do you evaluate success? Answer this question by mentioning what constitutes success for you, such as meeting all deadlines, being recognized as a team player by your employer, and so on. Do not mention monetary incentives. The objective is to show the interviewer you wish to grow as a professional, not simply be rewarded monetarily. Here is an answer example: "Success is meeting my daily, weekly, monthly and annual goals and being recognized as a hardworking professional by my employer. The company's success is my success. I also value becoming the best in my field."20. How do you handle stress and pressure? Employers are looking for individuals who can perform under stress and pressure. For instance, tell the interviewer you remain calm, professional and productive under stress and when faced with numerous deadlines. Here is an answer example: "I thrive under pressure and stress serves as a motivation for me to perform to the best of my abilities."