Do you have any questions for me?

"Yes, I do have a few questions, and I appreciate you asking. How long have you worked for this company, and what do you like the most about your job?"

At the end of an interview, the interviewer will often ask if you have any questions. Asking a question or two will show the interviewer that you are interested in learning all you can about the company or the position. Be sure to ask questions that are not easily answered when reading the job announcement or company website, which will show that you have done your research on the company.

Avoid asking questions about money, sick leave, benefits, or vacation time. When you ask those questions, it shows the interviewer that you might only be interested in the monetary aspect of the position and may not be serious about your job. Those questions are typically outlined in the job announcement or discussed with Human Resources when offered the job.

Do you have reliable transportation?

"Yes, I do have reliable transportation. I have a few ways I can get to work, depending on the weather. During the warmer months, I will ride my motorcycle that is two years old and very reliable. During the cold and rainy season, I will drive my five-year-old truck, which is also reliable. I provide regular maintenance on all my vehicles and have never had a mechanical issue that has made me late to work."

Legally, the interviewer cannot ask if you own a vehicle because the question can be discriminatory to those who don't. However, the interviewer can ask if you have reliable transportation if it is part of the job requirements. They want to ensure you will be a dependable employee and show up to work on time. Reliable transportation includes a personal vehicle, taxi or Uber, public transit, motorcycle, carpool, bicycle, and walking. Describe your mode of reliable transportation and assure the interviewer that transportation will not be an issue for you.

Avoid saying that you do not have reliable transportation, and you will figure out how to get to work every day. If you show disinterest in how you plan to get to work, the interviewer may doubt your work attendance and punctuality if hired. Even if you do not own a vehicle, have a plan and backup plan to get to work on time and explain that to the interviewer.

Why do you need this job?

"I need this job because I am a Roofer and do not want to work in another industry. I have a new baby and need this job to support my family while my wife stays at home with her."

The interviewer asks this question to see what your motivation is to work. It might be that you need this job to support your family, save for a house, or pay your bills. It seems like a silly question to ask, but the interviewer wants to ensure that you don't need this job until something better comes along. They want to hear that you are enthusiastic and excited about roofing and plan to stay with the company for the long term. Explain your reason for needing this job.

Avoid saying that you don't need this job or that you need this job until you find something different. If you sound uninterested in this job, the interviewer will assume you will not be a reliable employee and might pass you over for another candidate with more enthusiasm.

If hired, how long do you see yourself working for us?

"If you hire me, I plan to stay with your company until I retire. I am 33 years old, so that would be about 25 to 30 years."

Companies spend a lot of time and money recruiting and training new employees. The interviewer wants to hear that you will not be a short-term employee and plan on staying with their company for a long time. A good answer is that you plan on staying with the company until you retire.

If you plan to move on to another company or leave the area, describe your situation and the time frame. If you respond that you plan to leave for another company, you will likely be passed over. Be honest, but give the interviewer reason to believe that you plan to stay with the company for a reasonable amount of time.

Why did you leave your last place of employment?

"I gave notice at my last place of employment to pursue a career in the construction industry. I worked as a pizza delivery driver through high school and knew that I wanted to pursue a career as a Roofer after graduation. I left on good terms and am still friends with my former supervisor and coworkers."

The interviewer asks this question to determine if you were fired, gave notice, or were laid off from your previous employment. They want to know the circumstances of your separation and can call your previous employer to verify, so you must be honest. If you were fired, explain why and what you learned from the experience. If you left on your own or were laid off, explain what happened in those situations, too. The interviewer wants to gain insight into what type of employee you will be and your dedication to the company if hired.

As with any interview question, you should avoid being dishonest in your response. If you were fired, it may be tempting to fib and give another reason, but the interviewer will find out when they call your previous employer for a reference. Be honest and humble, showing you have remorse for your actions and can take ownership when you make a mistake. Avoid speaking negatively of your previous supervisor or coworkers if you left because of issues at work. If you gave notice because you did not like the work environment or management, explain that you left because you were seeking employment with a company that offers room for professional growth.

If hired, are you available to work weekends?

"If you hire me, I am available to work Sundays, but I have an ongoing commitment every Saturday for the next three months. I am the soccer coach for my son's team, and we have games every Saturday. During the off-season, I could work Saturdays when needed."

The interviewer asks this question to see your availability and flexibility to work non-standard working hours. Every company's work schedule is different, and they want to see if working weekends will be an issue for you. If you have a prior commitment that would keep you from working weekends, explain what that is. If the interviewer understands your reason for not being available on weekends, they may still hire you and adjust your schedule accordingly. If you have no outside commitments and can work weekends, that is even better.

Avoid saying you can work weekends if you cannot. You should also avoid saying you cannot work weekends without giving a reason. Explain your availability and be honest in your response.

Our company requires a pre-employment drug screening. Would you have an issue taking a drug test?

"No, I do not have an issue taking a drug test. I do not take drugs, so I have nothing to worry about. At my last job, we had random drug testing three times a year, and my tests always came back negative."

Most companies in the construction industry require a pre-employment drug screen for safety reasons. Some companies may also require random drug screening or screen after an accident or on-the-job injury. Explain that you will not have an issue taking a drug test before being hired to assure the interviewer they have nothing to worry about if they hire you.

Avoid saying you have an issue taking a pre-employment drug test. If you refuse to take the test, the company will assume you have something to hide and not offer you the job. If you are worried about a test coming back positive, you might want to wait to apply and interview for a roofing job until your test is sure to come back clean.

Some projects require our employees to travel out of town. Are you available to travel when needed?

"Yes, I am available to travel when needed. I enjoy traveling, seeing new places, and meeting different people. Traveling was common in my last job since most of our projects were out of state. My family understands my schedule, and traveling will not be a problem for me."

If travel is required as part of the job description, it should have been mentioned in the job announcement, so you should be aware of that before your interview. The interviewer wants to hear that you will be available to travel when needed and that you do not have outside commitments that will prohibit you from traveling. Describe your situation and tell the interviewer if you will be available to travel if hired.

If you are not available to travel when needed, avoid telling the interviewer that you cannot travel at all. Explain why you would not be available to travel so the interviewer can decide if your reason is sufficient to hire you anyway. If they need a Roofer who can travel, they might be cautious to hire you and choose another candidate who is more flexible with their schedule.

How did you hear about this position?

"I heard about the position at a career fair at my community college. I talked to one of the recruiters, Joe, who said you were looking for roofing apprentices, and he encouraged me to apply. I was looking to pursue a career in the construction industry, and roofing sounds like a job I would enjoy very much."

The interviewer wants to hear how you heard about the position for several reasons. Companies spend a lot of money advertising their job openings and want to see what methods work best. They also want to know if another employee referred you. Studies show that employees who work with their friends tend to be more reliable and productive in the workplace. If a friend or acquaintance referred you, be sure to name that person and how you know them.

Avoid saying that you cannot remember how you heard about the position. If you cannot remember, the interviewer may think you do not pay attention to detail or that you are forgetful, which are not good traits for a Roofer to possess. Try to remember how you heard about the job opening.

Tell me about your education.

"I graduated from Dos Pueblos High School two years ago and received my high school diploma. I am currently finishing my associate's degree in construction management and will complete my bachelor's degree in two years. After high school, I was accepted into an apprenticeship program, where I have worked for the past two years learning all types of roof construction, installation, and repair."

The interviewer wants to hear about your education to determine if you meet the company's requirements. Some companies require a high school diploma or GED, while others require education in a trade school or apprenticeship program. While education is important in this field, experience is even more valuable. Explain how your schooling has prepared you for this position, and include any courses you may be enrolled in that are relevant to the job.

If you made it to the interview, you must have the education the company requires. Avoid being dishonest and saying you have a high school diploma or GED if you do not, as the interviewer can ask for transcripts to validate your claim.

What types of roofing jobs have you never done?

"I have never performed repair work on roofs. My experience as a Roofer has been installing new roofs. I realize your company primarily works on roof repairs, and I am excited to have the opportunity to learn new skills. Having an understanding of how roofs are installed will make the transition to repair work that much easier for me."

The interviewer wants to hear about your experience as a Roofer to see if you have the qualifications they are looking for. They want to determine if you have experience working on their types of projects or will need to be trained. If you are interviewing for a company that repairs roofs and you have never repaired roofs, the interviewer will see that you will need on-the-job training. Be sure to explain that even though you may not have experience performing specific types of roofing jobs, you are willing and eager to learn.

You should not tell the interviewer that you have never done one of the roofing jobs that the company offers as a service and that you have no desire to perform that type of work. If the roofing company works primarily on commercial buildings and you say you have not worked on that type of project and dislike that type of work, you will not be viewed as a strong candidate.

Tell me about your roofing experience.

"I have four years of experience installing and repairing residential and commercial roofs. I started as an apprentice with Mueller Roofing Company and became a licensed Roofing Contractor at the end of my apprenticeship. I have installed all types of roofs, including metal, shingles, clay tiles, and wood shake, and consider wood shake my specialty. That is one of the reasons I am excited to interview for this position since your company's reputation relies on your wood shake roofs."

The job announcement should have specified how many years of experience are required to apply to the position. Since you made it to the interview, you must have the experience the company needs. The interviewer wants to hear how many years of experience you have, where you gained your experience, what types of roofing jobs you have worked on, and how your expertise will benefit their company. Describe your roofing experience while making sure to hit those key points.

Avoid simply stating the number of years of experience you have. Elaborate by describing how you gained your experience, how many years you have been a Roofer, your roofing expertise, and how your knowledge will benefit the company if hired. If you are new to the industry, explain that you hope to gain experience working as an apprentice for the company and are excited to have this opportunity.

Have you installed a metal roof before?

"Yes, I have installed many metal roofs over the past six years. I enjoy metal roofs because they are lightweight, easy to install, and the process goes much quicker than other types of roofing material."

The interviewer will ask this question to gain insight into your experience working with different roofing materials. If the company installs metal roofs, they will be looking for a Roofer with experience installing this type of material. If you have never installed a metal roof before, be honest and explain that you do not have experience with metal roofs, but you are eager and willing to learn. If you have installed metal roofs, describe your experience with this roofing material.

Avoid responding with a simple yes or no answer since the interviewer wants you to elaborate on whether you have experience or not. You should also avoid saying you do not like installing metal roofs or have no desire to do so. If the company installs metal roofing as one of its services, they will pass you over for another candidate since you have no desire to work with this roofing material.

Do you have any experience with tile or slate roofing?

"No, I have never installed tile or slate roofing in my one year of roofing experience. I have installed shingles and metal roofing, but I am excited to learn how to work with tile and slate roofing. I pick new things up quickly and would enjoy the opportunity to learn from your company."

The interviewer will ask this question to gain insight into your experience working with different roofing materials. If the company installs tile or slate roofs, they will be looking for a Roofer with experience installing this type of material. If you have never used these materials before, be honest and explain that you do not have experience with tile or slate roofing, but you are eager and excited to learn. If you have installed tile or slate roofs, describe your experience with this roofing material.

Avoid responding with a simple yes or no answer since the interviewer wants you to elaborate on whether you have experience with these types of roofing material or not. You should also avoid saying that you do not like installing tile or slate roofs or have no desire to do so. If the company installs slate or tile roofing as one of its services, they will pass you over for another candidate if you have no desire to work with this type of material.

In three words, how would your previous employer describe you?

"I received a letter of recommendation from my previous employer when I left the company, and she described me as one who pays attention to detail, is a team player, and provides excellent customer service to all clients. She said my work never needed correcting, I worked well with any crew I was placed with, and all of my clients enjoyed working with me and gave me glowing recommendations."

The interviewer wants to know how your previous employer would describe you to gain insight into what type of employee you might be. They want to hear positive traits, not ones that would keep them from hiring you. Use a past performance review or letter of recommendation to find three keywords your former supervisor used to describe you. If you review the job announcement before your interview, you can find attributes the company is looking for and use those words in your response.

Avoid using words that might keep the interviewer from hiring you. If you say your previous employer would describe you as unreliable, lazy, and dishonest, the interviewer will pass you over for another candidate. You should also avoid being dishonest in your response, as the interviewer can call your former employer for a reference.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

"In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family. I work long hours and look forward to my days off with them. We spend a lot of time outdoors playing frisbee golf, surfing, mountain biking, and kayaking. I also recently started playing bass guitar, so I enjoy spending time practicing when I can."

The interviewer wants to learn more about your personality through learning about the hobbies and activities you like to partake in on your days off. They want to evaluate your interests and see if you will be a good fit for the team. They also want to see if you have healthy ways to decompress from the stressors of your job, making you a more relaxed and calm employee. Describe three or four ways you like to spend your free time and why you enjoy those activities.

Avoid naming activities that may be looked down upon by the interviewer who may have different interests than yours. For example, you might enjoy getting drunk on the weekends while playing golf with your buddies, but the interviewer may not drink and would frown upon that. In that case, leave out the drinking and say you like to play golf with your friends.

How often do you miss work?

"I do not miss work very often. I used one sick day in the past year because my wife was out of town on business, and our child was sick and could not go to daycare. I keep myself healthy and do not like using sick days because I let my team down when I do."

The interviewer wants to know about your work attendance to determine if you will be a dependable, reliable employee if hired. The interviewer may call your former employer for a reference, so be honest in your response. If you have missed work often in the past, you may not be ideal for the position. If you have missed work often, explain why.

If you have a habit of missing work, avoid blaming others for your poor attendance at work. The interviewer wants to see that you take responsibility for your actions, even though you might not be considered for the position. You should also avoid being untruthful since the interviewer can verify the information with your previous supervisor.

Why are you the best roofing candidate for us?

"While I am sure there are a lot of qualified candidates for the position, I am the best roofing candidate because I have all the requirements you are looking for in a Roofer. I have over seven years of experience installing and repairing all types of roofs, I have proven leadership and teamwork skills, and I provide excellent customer service to all clients. I have a strong work ethic, am trustworthy and dependable, and pay attention to detail. I have lived in this town my entire life and will bring a large clientele with me if hired."

When an interviewer asks why you are the best candidate or why they should hire you over the other applicants, they want to hear what makes you unique and how hiring you will benefit their company. When responding, you should sell yourself in a way that makes the interviewer want to hire you over others. Highlight your experience, enthusiasm, and professionalism, and let them know you have the qualities they are looking for in a Roofer. Use keywords from the job description to show the interviewer you have the exact traits they want in an employee.

Avoid sounding cocky or arrogant when responding to this question. Sell yourself, but in a humble way. Also, you should avoid talking poorly about the other candidates who may be just as qualified as you.

What are your career goals?

"My short-term career goal is to be hired by your company as an apprentice. Then, I would like to gain three or four years of experience before advancing to a management position. I am excited by the opportunities your company offers for professional advancement, which is one of the reasons I am excited to be interviewing for this position. Before moving to a managerial position, I plan to take a business course at the community college that emphasizes leadership and management of employees."

The interviewer asks about your career goals for several reasons. They want to know if you have set professional goals for yourself and if those goals include working with this company. People who set goals for themselves are looked upon favorably as it shows that you want to improve yourself and take steps to advance your career. If you are happy being a Roofer and do not want to advance in your career, that is fine, too. If that is the case, explain that you are happy working as a Roofer and that your career goals are to improve with experience to be the best you can be. Describe your career goals and explain what you will do to achieve those goals.

Avoid saying that you do not have career goals or believe in setting goals for yourself. If you respond that way, it shows you may not have the drive and motivation the company is looking for in a Roofer. A better response would be to say that your career goals are to be hired by their company and become the best Roofer you can be while gaining valuable experience.

What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

"My greatest weakness is my lack of experience installing tile and slate roofing. My experience as a Roofer has been installing roofing on commercial buildings, but I would like to be more well-rounded. That is why I am excited to be interviewing with your company since you offer on-the-job training in installing other types of roofing material. I want to turn my weakness into a strength, and I see that is possible with your company."

Just as an interviewer may ask about your greatest strength, they will also likely ask about your greatest weakness. The interviewer asks this question to see that you are self-aware and humble enough to admit that you have an area that could use improvement. Everyone has weaknesses, and what you do to improve shows the interviewer that you are proactive and set goals to turn that weakness into a strength. Describe your weakness and the measures you are taking to improve.

Avoid describing a weakness that would keep you from successfully performing your job. For example, if you say that you do not work well with others, the interviewer will see that as a deal-breaker since you need to be a team player in the roofing industry. Choose a weakness that will not interfere with being a great employee.

What is your greatest strength?

"My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I find this strength is beneficial as a Roofer because there are many details involved in installing a roof correctly. If I did not pay attention to detail, I could overlook a key component of the installation, which could cause problems for the client down the road."

In asking this question, the interviewer wants to determine if you have the qualities they are looking for in a Roofer. The strength you describe should relate to the position. Review the job announcement, look at the qualities that the company is looking for, and use one of those keywords in your answer. If the company is specific about the traits they want in a Roofer and you use one of those as your greatest strength, the interviewer will be more likely to look at you as a strong candidate. For example, suppose the company advertises they are looking for a dependable, safety-conscious Roofer with excellent communication skills and attention to detail. You should then choose one of those keywords as your greatest strength.

Avoid describing a strength that does not relate to the position of Roofer. For example, if your most significant strength is your ability to type 100 words per minute, that would not apply to this position. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the qualities to be a successful Roofer and benefit the company if hired.

Describe your work ethic.

"I have a strong work ethic and believe in working hard, being dependable and trustworthy, and helping others when needed. I was raised on a cattle ranch and taught the value of hard work at a young age. My parents taught me to work hard to achieve my goals, which I have done and continue to do. I was also taught, 'if you are not early, you are late.' I show up at least half an hour early to work each day and am trusted by my supervisor and crew. I love to assist others when they need help and enjoy mentoring the younger generation."

Work ethic is defined as a set of moral principles a person uses in their job that encompasses many traits. These traits include hard work, dedication to the company, integrity, teamwork, dependability, professionalism, and respectfulness. The interviewer wants to hear that you have the traits and work ethic they are looking for in an employee and that you will be a hard worker who is a good fit for the company. Describe your work ethic with examples to back it up.

As with any interview question, you should avoid being dishonest. If you say you have a strong work ethic and are dependable and hard-working, but you are unreliable and do the bare minimum, the interviewer will find out when they call your previous employer for a reference. You must have a strong work ethic, or you will not last long.

If you weren't applying for this roofing position, what other positions would you consider?

"If I weren't applying to this roofing position, I would consider applying to the electrician apprentice or framer positions. I worked as a framer for two years before being introduced to roofing, and I have always been fascinated by electricity and the wiring of homes. However, my first choice is to work as a Roofer because I like the challenge of working on roofs."

The interviewer asks this question to see what skills you possess and other jobs you would consider if not hired for the Roofer position. When you research the company before your interview, check if they have different roles they are looking to fill. Describe other jobs in the construction industry that you are interested in and why they interest you.

Avoid saying that you would apply for a job outside the construction industry. The interviewer only wants to hear about careers in the construction industry that you would consider doing.

Why do you want to work for us?

"I want to work for your company because of your stellar reputation in the area. I like how you treat your employees and customers and offer room for professional growth. In the next five years, I would like to advance to a superintendent position, and that would be possible with your company."

The interviewer wants to hear that you have researched their company and understand what motivated you to apply for the position. They want to know why you chose their company and what qualities stood out to you. You may want to work for their company because of their reputation, room for professional growth, or the type of roofing work they perform. Give your reasons for choosing their company.

Avoid saying you want to work for this company for the salary or benefits package. Even if that is the primary reason you chose to apply for the position, give another reason you want to work for them. If the interviewer feels you are only applying to their company for monetary purposes, they might choose another candidate who is motivated by other reasons.

What type of roofing jobs do you like doing the most?

"I most enjoy replacing roofs because I can take something old and make it new again. It is satisfying to remove a 20-year-old roof and replace it with more modern roofing, making the house look brand new. The homeowners are always happy and excited to see the finished work."

There are many types of jobs you could work on as a Roofer. You could work on commercial buildings or residential homes, repair roofs, install new roofs, and replace roofs. The interviewer wants to see what type of roofing jobs you like the most to determine if you will be a good fit for their company. Be honest in your response, but try to tailor your answer to include the types of projects the company works on. If the company's website says they specialize in installing, repairing, and replacing residential roofs, your answer should include one of those services. Describe your favorite type of roofing job and explain the reason you like it.

When responding to this question, you should avoid not including the type of projects the company is known for. If the company is a commercial roofing company and you say you prefer working on residential buildings, they might think you would not be motivated to work with them and may not offer you the job.

What do you enjoy about roofing?

"I enjoy working as a Roofer for many reasons. I enjoy working with a team to achieve a common goal, I like working outside in the fresh air, and I enjoy physical labor. I cannot imagine working in any other profession."

The interviewer asks this question to see what inspires and motivates you to show up to work each day. They want to know that you enjoy your profession and are in it for the right reasons. Choose a few examples of why you enjoy working as a Roofer and explain why it is the right field for you.

When responding to this question, avoid saying that you enjoy the money or benefits that come with working as a Roofer. If you only focus on the monetary aspect, the interviewer may think you are in this profession for the wrong reasons. You should also avoid saying that you do not enjoy this type of work and are only working as a Roofer until something better comes along.

How important is safety to you?

"Safety is extremely important to me. I use all required safety equipment upon entering a job site and remind my crew if they are not following safety protocols. I have a friend who died from falling off a roof because he wasn't harnessed in like he should have been. I do not want that to happen to myself or my crew. It is important to me that my team and I all make it home safely at the end of the day."

Safety at any job should be every employee's top priority, especially on a construction site. As a Roofer, you understand the dangers of working above the ground with obstacles all around you. Companies must follow safety laws and require their employees to do the same. The interviewer wants to hear that you take your safety and the safety of others seriously and that you will follow the company's safety procedures. Explain how and why safety is important to you and how you follow safety protocols.

When responding, avoid saying that safety is unimportant or acting indifferent about safety. When an employee is injured or dies on the job, the employer will be hit with significant fines and lawsuits, which they aim to avoid. You do not want the interviewer to feel you would be a liability if hired.

Are you comfortable carrying shingles up a ladder?

"Yes, I am comfortable carrying shingles up a ladder. It is physical work, but I enjoy the physical aspect of working as a Roofer. I have carried shingles up ladders as high as three stories and feel extremely confident in my skills."

The interviewer asks this question to see if you are comfortable performing one of the duties as a Roofer. They want to know that you do not have a problem carrying shingles up a ladder to ensure you will be a good employee if hired. Use an example to demonstrate that you are comfortable performing this duty.

If you are not comfortable carrying shingles up a ladder, the interviewer may pass you over for another candidate. Avoid saying that you are not comfortable performing this duty, even if it is not your favorite part of the job. You could say that there are other parts of the job you like better, but they might still view you as a weaker candidate than others. Respond in a way that shows the interviewer you are comfortable performing this duty as a Roofer.

Are you afraid of heights?

"No, I am not afraid of heights, but I am cautious and use safety measures while working as a Roofer. I have seen some bad accidents when coworkers have fallen off a roof or ladder, so I am always aware of the dangers of working up high."

People who choose to work as Roofers are typically not afraid of heights. However, the interviewer asks if you are afraid of heights to ensure that you will not have an issue if they hire you. Hopefully, heights do not bother you. Tell the interviewer that you are not afraid of heights and give an example of the highest roofs you have worked on during your career.

Avoid saying you are afraid of heights, as the interviewer may question your ability to perform the job. If you are scared of heights, be honest and say that while you do not enjoy heights, you have overcome that fear to be a roofer. Assure the interviewer that heights will not be an issue if they hire you.

If you noticed the wood was rotted-out underneath a roof after removing the roofing material, what would you do?

"When I am doing a roofing repair or replacement and notice rotted-out wood, I remove all of the roofing material so I can identify the extent of the damage. Once I determine the extent of damage, I can give the company an estimate for the cost of repairs to present to the client."

If you find that the wood is rotted-out after removing the roofing material, you must determine the extent of the damage to see how much needs to be replaced. The interviewer wants to know if you understand the importance of identifying and replacing rotted-out wood before replacing the roofing material. Describe what you would do in this situation.

When responding, avoid saying that you would not address the rotten wood and replace new roofing material over the rotted-out wood. If you do not address the issue, it will cause further problems for the client down the road and is unprofessional as a Roofer.

What is the steepest roof you have worked on?

"The steepest roof I have worked on was a gambrel roof with a 20/12 bottom pitch. I thought the steep slope would be difficult to work on, but it was quite easy with the proper scaffolding."

The interviewer asks about the steepest roof you have worked on to gain insight into your experience and comfort level working on steep roofs. Describe the steepest roof you have worked on and any challenges you faced and overcame. The interviewer will also see how you face and handle challenging roof slopes, which shows your problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Avoid saying that you do not know the steepest roof you have worked on. Roofers must know the slope of the roofs they are working on to determine what roofing materials can be used and gauge where water may collect in certain areas.

What was your worst experience as a Roofer?

"My worst experience as a Roofer was witnessing one of my crew members get hit by a large tree branch. We heard the branch crack and break above us, and we tried to scramble off the roof. Before my coworker got to the ladder, he was hit in the head. It knocked him out for a few minutes, and he suffered a brain injury. I stayed with him until the fire department got there and removed him from the roof. I tried to keep him from moving in case he had a spinal injury. Witnessing someone close to me suffer an injury like that was my worst experience as a Roofer."

The interviewer asks this question to see what you consider a bad experience and how you handled the challenge. Think of your worst experience as a Roofer and describe the situation and how you responded. How you act in these situations shows your problem-solving skills and resilience to adverse conditions, which are excellent qualities to possess as a Roofer.

If your worst experience as a Roofer involved a supervisor, coworkers, or client, avoid speaking negatively about them. When you speak poorly of others, it shows the interviewer that you do not have an issue talking about others behind their back, which could create conflict in the workplace.

What has been the most challenging roofing job you have worked on?

"The most challenging roofing job I have worked on was three years ago when I worked on a three-story roof in Florida. We had a tight deadline because a tropical storm was headed our way. Every day, we had rain and thunderstorms and had to tarp the roof several times a day. Two days before we were to complete the job, the tropical storm turned into a hurricane and ripped the roof off overnight. That was the most challenging job in my career."

The interviewer wants to know the most challenging roofing job you have had to gain insight into your experience and what you deem difficult. They want to see that you can handle challenging roofing jobs and determine if you will be a good fit for their team. Describe the most difficult roofing job you have had and explain why it wasn't easy, Then, tell the interviewer what you gained from that project.

You should not tell the interviewer that you have never found a roofing job difficult, as it may indicate arrogance or cockiness. The interviewer wants to hear how you face challenging jobs and persevere through them, showing you have the determination to work through difficult situations.

How important is it to you that you get along well with your crew?

"It is very important to me that I get along with my crew. Working on roofs is dangerous work, and I want my team to trust that I have their backs and trust that they have mine. I do not enjoy conflict, so I make a point of getting along well with others."

Getting along well with your crew is essential in the construction industry. As a Roofer, you are near your crew working in dangerous situations. The interviewer wants to know that you are a team player and work well with others. Explain why it is important to you to fit in and get along with the other members of your team.

Avoid telling the interviewer that it is not important to get along with your crew. If you do not care about getting along with your team, it will indicate to the interviewer that you might be a problematic employee. The interviewer does not want to hire a Roofer who may bring conflict to the workplace.

Where do you install an ice shield?

"In my experience, an ice shield is installed in areas where water could typically collect under the roofing material. An ice shield is a waterproof membrane, and I install them in the eaves, valleys, vent stacks, rake edges, and chimneys. Ice shields are installed if there is a chance water will collect under the roofing material."

An ice and water shield is a waterproof, protective membrane used to prevent water and ice damage if water gets under the roofing material. Typically, an ice shield is applied to the most vulnerable parts of a roof, such as the eaves, overhangs, rake edges, and valleys. An ice shield can also be used underneath flashing near vent stacks and chimneys since the shingles and flashing do not overlap completely. The interviewer asks this question to see how familiar you are with installing an ice and water shield and if you know the purpose of doing so. Explain why ice shields are installed and where they are typically applied.

If you have prior roofing experience, avoid saying that you do not know where an ice shield would be installed, which shows you do not have sufficient roofing experience. If you are new to the roofing industry, explain to the interviewer that you do not have prior experience installing ice shields, but you are excited to learn.

Roofer Interview Questions

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1. Do you have any questions for me?
2. Do you have reliable transportation?
3. Why do you need this job?
4. If hired, how long do you see yourself working for us?
5. Why did you leave your last place of employment?
6. If hired, are you available to work weekends?
7. Our company requires a pre-employment drug screening. Would you have an issue taking a drug test?
8. Some projects require our employees to travel out of town. Are you available to travel when needed?
9. How did you hear about this position?
10. Tell me about your education.
11. What types of roofing jobs have you never done?
12. Tell me about your roofing experience.
13. Have you installed a metal roof before?
14. Do you have any experience with tile or slate roofing?
15. In three words, how would your previous employer describe you?
16. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
17. How often do you miss work?
18. Why are you the best roofing candidate for us?
19. What are your career goals?
20. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?
21. What is your greatest strength?
22. Describe your work ethic.
23. If you weren't applying for this roofing position, what other positions would you consider?
24. Why do you want to work for us?
25. What type of roofing jobs do you like doing the most?
26. What do you enjoy about roofing?
27. How important is safety to you?
28. Are you comfortable carrying shingles up a ladder?
29. Are you afraid of heights?
30. If you noticed the wood was rotted-out underneath a roof after removing the roofing material, what would you do?
31. What is the steepest roof you have worked on?
32. What was your worst experience as a Roofer?
33. What has been the most challenging roofing job you have worked on?
34. How important is it to you that you get along well with your crew?
35. Where do you install an ice shield?

Roofer Interview Questions

1. Do you have any questions for me?

2. Do you have reliable transportation?

3. Why do you need this job?

4. If hired, how long do you see yourself working for us?

5. Why did you leave your last place of employment?

6. If hired, are you available to work weekends?

7. Our company requires a pre-employment drug screening. Would you have an issue taking a drug test?

8. Some projects require our employees to travel out of town. Are you available to travel when needed?

9. How did you hear about this position?

10. Tell me about your education.

11. What types of roofing jobs have you never done?

12. Tell me about your roofing experience.

13. Have you installed a metal roof before?

14. Do you have any experience with tile or slate roofing?

15. In three words, how would your previous employer describe you?

16. What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

17. How often do you miss work?

18. Why are you the best roofing candidate for us?

19. What are your career goals?

20. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

21. What is your greatest strength?

22. Describe your work ethic.

23. If you weren't applying for this roofing position, what other positions would you consider?

24. Why do you want to work for us?

25. What type of roofing jobs do you like doing the most?

26. What do you enjoy about roofing?

27. How important is safety to you?

28. Are you comfortable carrying shingles up a ladder?

29. Are you afraid of heights?

30. If you noticed the wood was rotted-out underneath a roof after removing the roofing material, what would you do?

31. What is the steepest roof you have worked on?

32. What was your worst experience as a Roofer?

33. What has been the most challenging roofing job you have worked on?

34. How important is it to you that you get along well with your crew?

35. Where do you install an ice shield?