1. What Roles Does a Planner Scheduler Perform?

This question is meant to assess your familiarity with the roles of a planner scheduler.

Tip #1: State several roles performed by planner schedulers

Tip #2: Prove that you are familiar with your roles

A planner scheduler’s role includes implementing work schedules for both equipment and staff
in a construction or industrial setting, examining project plans and developing workable
schedules, and making recommendations on schedules to balance workload, decrease costs, and
increase productivity. The role also involves ensuring schedules are compliant with labour
agreements and safety regulations, and resolving issues associate with schedules.

2. What Qualities Make a Good Planner Scheduler?

The interviewer wants to hear qualities that you think can make a planner scheduler successful.

Tip #1: State two or three qualities that a good planner scheduler should have
Tip #2: Prove that you know what can make you successful

To be successful, a planner scheduler should be analytical and organized. He or she should be a

problem solver who has a good understanding of scheduling multi-layered projects. Moreover,
this role requires advanced planning skills and excellent time management. One also needs to be
flexible to change with the project flow.

3. What is the Daily Routine of a Planner Scheduler?

This is a common question in a planner scheduler job interview. The interviewer seeks to assess
your familiarity with
The interviewer seekswhat planner schedulers do daily.
to assess

Tip #1: State activities that a planner scheduler performs on a typical day
Tip #2: Prove your understanding of what you should do every day at work

A planner scheduler may have varied duties depending on the company. But on a typical day, he
or she designs project schedules, contract agreements, and planning controls for different levels.
The planner scheduler administers projects, assesses man hours spent on project activities,
prepares reports, and evaluates vendor schedules to make sure they adhere to the contract master
schedule. Other duties include distributing project hours appropriately, ensuring efficiency of all
schedules, and managing schedule communications.
communications.

4. Why Do You Believe You Will Perform Well in This Job?

The interviewer wants to hear what will make you perform excellently in this role.

Tip #1: Mention the skills, interests, and experience relevant to this job
Tip #2: Make your response convincing

I am currently performing the same role at ABC Company. Over the year I have worked as a
planner scheduler, I have gained great experience. The challenges I have encountered have
helped to enhance my skills. With my abilities and experience, I will execute this role expertly
and effectively.

5. As a Planner Scheduler, How Do You Evaluate Your Success?

The employer seeks to hire people who can evaluate how well they are performing. So the
interviewer wants to know whether you can assess how successful you are.

Tip #1: State how you assess your success

Tip #2: Be precise and provide a complete answer

I assess how successful I am by looking at how well I’m achieving the goals set by my
supervisor. I consider myself successful whenever I meet them or exceed the set targets. Other
than that, I seek to know whether other employees are satisfied with my service. If they are, I
consider that a success.

6. How Do You Work Under Pressure?

This question seeks to test whether you can manage pressure effectively and remain productive.

Tip #1: State how you work under pressure

Tip #2: Prove that you can manage pressure at work

If there is too much work to be completed within a specific time, I make sure to remain calm.
Then, I order my tasks based on urgency and importance. Besides, I maintain focus on the task I
am doing to ensure I accomplish it correctly and quickly. If there is a need, I seek help from
colleagues to get the work completed on time.

7. How Do You Prioritize Your Work?

Your ability to order work based on the order of urgency and importance is what the interviewer
seeks to assess using this question.

Tip #1: Mention the way you prioritize your work

Tip #2: Demonstrate your ability to order your work according to urgency and importance

I begin by identifying all tasks that need to be done. Then, I determine how important and urgent
every task is. Following that, I order my tasks based on their urgency and importance. The most
urgent and important tasks top the list while those that are least urgent and important come last.

8. How Would You Motivate an Individual Who is Reluctant to Take on More

Work?
Here, the interviewer wants to assess whether you can motivate others.

Tip #1: State how you would inspire an employee to take on additional work
Tip #2: Prove your skilfulness in motivating others

I would look at the perspectives and needs of the person to understand what makes them
reluctant. If they lack certain tools, I would make sure they have all the necessary tools for
completing additional tasks. Besides, I would communicate the intended goal and establish an
incentive or reward that will offer motivation.

9. If a Worker Informs You About a Problem, Which Approach Would You

Take to Solve It?
The interviewer asks this question to test your problem solving skills.

Tip #1: Describe how you would solve the problem

Tip #2: Provide a systematic problem solving approach

To start with, I would inquire more about the issue to acquire all the information about it. Then, I
would look at all the potential solutions to the problem. By assessing the longevity and quality of
each solution, I would identify the most appropriate solution. Following that, I would implement
it to eliminate the problem.

10. If You Are Hired, What Are Your Future Goals?

Here, the interviewer wants to hear what you plan to achieve in the future if you are hired.

Tip #1: State your future goals

Tip #2: Demonstrate that you can be a valuable asset in the future

My future goal is to take up more responsibilities. I will build this capability as I get more skilled
and experienced in the profession. I also expect to offer much more value in the future.

11. How Would You Disagree With Your Boss About a Decision You Know Isn’t
Right?

This question seeks to assess whether you understand how to help your supervisor know a
particular decision is wrong in a positive way.

Tip #1: Describe how you would disagree with your boss about a decision that is wrong
Tip #2: Show that you are keen to point out any wrong decision

I aim to build a good working relationship with my boss. If I discover that a particular decision is
wrong, I would speak to my boss about it and point out facts. Besides, I would explain the
impact of the decision. Then, I would suggest alternatives.

12. If You Made a Decision That Didn’t Result in the Outcomes You Expected
to Achieve, How Would You Handle the Situation?

Here, the interviewer wants to assess whether you own your mistakes and devise
ways to minimize
Here, the interviewertheir
wantsdamage.
to assess whether you own your mistakes and devise ways to

Tip #1: State the action you would take to reduce damages resulting from a wrong decision
Tip #2: Demonstrate that you own your mistakes and learn from them
First, I would own the mistake and then assess the damage caused. The aim would be to
understand how it came about. Next, I would use the situation as a learning opportunity and
brainstorm other solutions that would help minimize the current problem. In the end, I would
choose the most appropriate solution.

13. As a Planner Scheduler, How Would You Challenge the Status Quo?
The intention of asking this question is to know whether you can challenge how things are done with the
aim of suggesting an improvement.

Tip #1: Mention how you would challenge the status quo
Tip #2: Be clear and convincing

I would find out projects that are running behind schedule. Then, I would plan how to improve
processes and operations to bring them back on schedule. Once I develop my plan, I would
discuss it with relevant project managers. I would seek to show them how my approach
guarantees the timely completion of their projects.

14. What is Most Rewarding About Your Current Job?

The interviewer seeks to know the area of your job that offers great satisfaction.

Tip #1: Mention what is most rewarding about your current position
Tip #2: State something that shows you have been successful

It is greatly rewarding for me to support other workers to achieve success. I have trained several
subordinates who have worked with me at different times. Seeing them learn how to perform
their work effectively and in the end become successful is very satisfying.

15. How Do You Manage Different Personalities At Work?

Most workplaces have people with different personalities. The interviewer wants to know how
you handle them.

Tip #1: State how you handle people of different personalities

Tip #2: Prove your ability to work with different people

I make effort to know each employee on an individual level. By understanding their

personalities, I adjust my style to effectively fit every person. Having people with varied
personalities is beneficial to any company. This is because they can offer different viewpoints
and ideas that would enhance decision making.

16. Describe the Way You Manage Your Work Week

This question tests your ability to plan your work effectively.

Tip #1: Describe how you would plan work for an entire week
Tip #2: Demonstrate your planning skills

On a Monday, I report early and develop a working schedule for the week. I set deadlines for
every task as well as goals for each day. I ensure to set aside some time each day for tasks that
may come up. In doing so, I prioritize tasks and have an attack plan for every day. I also have
time to perform unplanned activities.

17. How Do You Keep Up With Trends And Developments In Your Profession?
Here, the interviewer aims to understand how you stay current about happenings in your
profession.

Tip #1: State how you stay informed about new trends and developments
Tip #2: Prove that you always stay updated

I read a lot about new developments taking place in my profession. I have subscribed to three
newsletters that publish industry news. Additionally, I attend regional seminars that are
organized quarterly by our professional association. During these seminars, we discuss new
developments as well as issues facing the industry.

18. How Would You Resolve Conflict Between Two of Your Colleagues?
The interviewer asks this question to assess whether you can resolve conflict among employees.

Tip #1: State how you would resolve a conflict between two employees
Tip #2: Prove that you can be trusted to resolve disagreements at work

I would begin by understanding the cause of the conflict from each employee. Then, I would
think about a level ground that both parties can settle on. Next, I would meet both and convey the
solutions I’ve thought about. Also, I would ask them to abandon their personal stands and agree
to move on as workmates.

19. What Do You Consider A Good Working Environment?

The interviewer wants to know whether you can fit in their working environment.

Tip #1: Describe a good working environment

Tip #2: Show that you are flexible

A good working environment is safe and supports employees to work optimally. It is peaceful
and makes workers desire to come to work. Moreover, it promotes the growth and development
of employees as well as goal attainment. I understand different companies offer varied working
environments. Thus, I adjust accordingly.

20. What Have You Done about Personal Development in the Past Year?
The interviewer wants to know the initiative you have taken to develop your skills in the past 12
months.

Tip #1: Mention a course you have pursued in the past year
Tip #2: Be honest and brief

I pursued a short course in planning and scheduling. Through it, I have enhanced my
professional skills. I can now plan and make schedules much better than before.