Key Skills to Display as a Clerk of Works to Excel in Your Next Job Interview

As a Clerk of Works, you safeguard quality and represent the client’s interests on site. The COW and QTI professionals who thrive in this role rely on people skills, technical expertise and hands-on experience, finding clear, actionable steps to resolve complex situations. Here are some practical tips so that you can approach your next Clerk of Works job interview with confidence.

Showcase Your Value

Be prepared to give examples of how your observations turned into actions that saved time, budget or rework. Candidates that can lucidly explain their professional achievements leave a strong impression.

Action step: Make a list of how you added value to a previous job, whether that’s reduced snag closure times, avoided rework, or smoother handovers; and use quantifiable metrics to impress your interviewer.

Clear Communication

Interviewers don’t just require a well-formatted CV; they need someone who can listen to questions and clearly articulate answers. That doesn't mean you have to be a Shakespearean-level orator, but speaking in a way that is concise, relevant and level-headed goes a long way in demonstrating your professionalism.

To expand on these points:

• Conciseness is crucial because interviewers won’t remember long rambling responses and your original point  could get lost
• Keeping answers and discussions relevant ensure you are addressing the question head-on. Going off at a tangent can give the wrong impression
• Keep emotions out of it, interviewers don’t enjoy speaking with moody or downbeat candidates and don’t  usually want to hear fierce and lengthy criticisms of current employers (even if justified)

Action Step: Rehearse your answers to generic interview questions so that on the day you sound credible as a Clerk of Works, e.g., “tell me about a project you’ve worked on recently”, “What makes a good Clerk of Works in your view?”, etc.

Technical Competence

A Clerk of Works is expected to know the details of construction quality, compliance, and safety inside and out. In interviews, expect to be quizzed on building regulations, British Standards, NHBC requirements, or JCT contracts where appropriate. Proving your knowledge of inspection methods, materials, and defect identification shows you can be trusted to uphold standards on-site.

Action Step: Brush up on any of these areas you’re less familiar with prior to the interview, so nothing catches you out.

Final Thought

Maxim Recruitment has open Clerk of Works vacancies in many parts of the UK, so now is the perfect time to hone your interview skills so you can be ready to be selected for the next exciting opportunity. Whether it’s on the phone to a recruiter or face-to-face with your potential new boss, it is good preparation to hone your interview skills, so that all the hard work you’ve put in over the years as a Clerk of Works can be fully recognised and you can successfully land the career move you deserve.

Hugh Duffield
Graduate Recruitment Director Consultant
Maxim Recruitment
LinkedIn

Hugh is a Graduate Recruitment Consultant based in the Maxim head office in Leicester, UK. Day-to-day responsibilities include researching, shortlisting, contacting, and interviewing premium construction industry candidates. Working with the UK team to help construction industry job seekers move into premium construction jobs with market-leading UK and international clients.