Top 20 Landscape Architect Interview Questions

Answer this question by mentioning the reasons why you decided to pursue this career, such as your passion for the field, and experience in your childhood.

"I decided to pursue a career as a Landscape Architect because this is the career I've been wanting to pursue for as long as I can remember. My father is a Landscape Architect and introduced me to this field when I was a child."

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.

"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 (...)."

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.

"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."

Provide an example of your favorite landscape design project in a volunteer capacity or university setting. Mention the reasons why you believed this was a great project.

"My favorite landscape design project I have worked on was (X project in a volunteer or educational setting). It was such a great project because (X reasons, such as the numerous steps involved to complete the project and high level of commitment of all parties involved)."

Tell the interviewer about your goals as a Landscape Architect related to the company you are applying for, and by ensuring to emphasize you wish to grow within the organization. The interviewer wants to ensure you will commit to the employer and will not leave should another opportunity presents itself at another company. It is mandatory to review the company website and social media pages before the interview to familiarize yourself with the company, industry and services offered.

"I wish to grow within the company and acquire further skills related to architecture. In a few years, I would love to have moved up the ladder, having acquired managerial skills and managing a team of landscapers. I also saw on your website that you (X initiative/program that sparked your interest). This is a program/initiative I would also love to get involved in as I am extremely passionate about this program/initiative."

Tell the interviewer about your passion for this career and what you look the most forward to in this position. Review the job posting before your interview to familiarize yourself with the duties involved, and mention one or many duties that you look the most forward to, and why.

"What excites me the most about this position is the opportunity to work with clients internationally. My past experience was extremely exciting, however my clients were all local. I am extremely passionate about this career and look forward to acquiring further skills with clients within different cultures."

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.

"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."

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.

"I thrive under pressure and stress serves as a motivation for me to perform to the best of my abilities."

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.

"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."

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.

"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."

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.

"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."

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.

"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."

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.

"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."

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.

"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."

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.

"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)."

Always review the job posting, company website and social media pages before an interview to familiarize with the work involved and services offered by the company. Answer this question by mentioning a past project completed by the company to demonstrate you wish to go in the same direction the company already went in. Add the reasons this project seems so exciting.

"A dream project would be (X past project you saw on their website or social media pages), because (X reasons why this project seems so exciting, such as ability to work on a project abroad for a given period of time)."