Roofing Talent Spotlight - Part 2: Successful Interviewing

By Rich Carroll, Carroll Consulting Group.

Learn the ins and outs of conducting a successful interview for your roofing business.

Conducting a successful interview for your roofing business requires a focus on assessing the candidate's knowledge, skills and experience related to roofing-specific tasks, safety protocols and project management. Here are some tips to help you conduct a successful interview for the roofing industry: 

1 - Evaluate roofing experience: 

• Ask the candidate about their roofing experience, including the types of roofs they have worked on (residential, commercial, flat, sloped, etc.). 
• Inquire about their knowledge of different roofing materials, installation techniques and repair methods. 
• Assess their familiarity with local building codes and regulations specific to roofing projects. 

2 - Assess technical skills: 

• Ask specific technical questions to gauge the candidate's expertise in roofing. For example, inquire about their ability to identify and diagnose roofing problems, perform roof inspections and estimate materials and labor requirements for a roofing project. 
• Evaluate their proficiency in using roofing tools and equipment, such as screw guns, roof cutter and safety equipment. 

3 - Focus on safety: 

• Roofing can be a high-risk profession, so it's crucial to assess the candidate's knowledge and commitment to safety protocols. 
• Inquire about their experience in implementing safety measures on roofing projects, conducting safety inspections and following OSHA regulations. 
• Ask about their understanding of fall protection, ladder safety and the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the roofing industry. 

4 - Project management and problem-solving skills: 

• Assess the candidate's ability to manage roofing projects effectively. Inquire about their experience in estimating project costs, creating work schedules and coordinating with subcontractors and suppliers. 
• Ask about their problem-solving skills and how they handle unexpected challenges that may arise during roofing projects, such as inclement weather or unforeseen issues with the roof structure. 
• Ask the candidate to walk you through a project from start to finish and how they handled issues that arose. 

5 - Estimator and sales: 

• Ask specific questions about projects they were awarded. How did they do on the estimate.
• How do they figure labor hours or squares per hour.
• Their bid success rate they have each year.
• What projects do they typically get (new construction, reroof).
• How do they hand off projects to crews.

6 - Contact the provided references to gain insights into the candidate's performance and reliability, communication and customer service: 

• Roofers often work closely with homeowners, contractors, and other team members. Evaluate the candidate's communication skills and their ability to work collaboratively and provide excellent customer service. 
• Inquire about their experience in effectively communicating with clients, understanding their roofing needs and addressing their concerns. 

7 - Look for physical fitness and stamina: 

• Roofing work can be physically demanding, so it's important to assess the candidate's physical fitness and ability to handle the physical requirements of the job. 
• Ask about their ability to work at heights, lift heavy materials and withstand the physical demands of working outdoors in various weather conditions. 

8 - Reference checks: 

• Request references from the candidate's previous roofing projects or employers to verify their experience, skills and work ethic. 
• Contact the provided references to gain insights into the candidate's performance and reliability. 

Remember to create a comfortable and professional environment during the interview process, and allow the candidate to ask questions about the roofing business, the company culture and the specific projects they may be involved in. A successful interview in the roofing business focuses on assessing the candidate's technical skills, safety awareness, project management abilities and their ability to work effectively in a physically demanding and customer-oriented industry. 

If you are interested in learning more about the interview process, please contact The Carroll Consulting Group at CCGRP.online.