Facility Management
Facility Management is the practice of coordinating the physical workplace with the people and activities of an organization. It involves overseeing buildings, equipment, and services that support an organization's main activities. Think of it as taking care of everything that helps a business run smoothly - from maintaining buildings and equipment to managing security, cleaning, and workplace safety. This role is sometimes called "facilities management" or "facilities maintenance management," and it's crucial for keeping any workplace running efficiently, whether it's an office building, manufacturing plant, or retail space.
Examples in Resumes
Supervised daily operations of a 50,000 sq ft corporate office as Facility Management lead
Reduced operational costs by 25% through implementing new Facilities Management procedures
Managed a team of 15 staff members in Facility Management roles across multiple locations
Typical job title: "Facility Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Facility Managers
Professional Associations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop and manage a facility's annual budget?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with budget planning, cost analysis, vendor management, and balancing maintenance needs with financial constraints. Should mention experience with long-term planning and capital improvements.
Q: How do you handle crisis management in facility operations?
Expected Answer: Should describe experience with emergency response plans, team coordination during crisis situations, and preventive measures. Should include examples of actual crisis management situations.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure workplace safety and compliance?
Expected Answer: Should explain knowledge of safety regulations, inspection procedures, and implementation of safety programs. Should mention experience with safety training and documentation.
Q: Describe your experience with vendor management and contract negotiations.
Expected Answer: Should discuss process for selecting vendors, negotiating contracts, managing relationships, and ensuring service quality. Should include examples of successful vendor partnerships.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What systems would you use to track maintenance requests?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of work order systems, basic maintenance scheduling, and response prioritization. Should show knowledge of common facility management software.
Q: How would you handle a tenant complaint about temperature issues?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic troubleshooting steps, communication process with tenants, and when to escalate issues to specialized maintenance staff or contractors.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic building maintenance oversight
- Work order management
- Vendor coordination
- Safety procedure implementation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Budget management
- Team supervision
- Contract negotiation
- Project management
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic planning
- Capital project management
- Multi-site operations
- Emergency response planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with building systems or maintenance procedures
- Poor understanding of safety regulations and compliance
- Lack of budget management experience
- Limited knowledge of vendor management and contract negotiation
