Hard Services
Hard Services refers to the physical and technical maintenance of buildings and facilities. Unlike soft services (like cleaning or security), hard services focus on maintaining the building's core systems and structure. This includes taking care of heating and cooling systems, electrical systems, plumbing, fire safety equipment, and building repairs. It's essential for keeping buildings safe, functional, and compliant with regulations. When someone mentions hard services in their resume, they're typically talking about managing or performing technical maintenance work on building systems.
Examples in Resumes
Managed Hard Services contracts worth $2M annually across multiple commercial buildings
Led a team of 15 Hard Services maintenance engineers for a major shopping center
Reduced Hard Services operational costs by 25% through implementing preventive maintenance programs
Coordinated Hard Services and Building Services delivery for a 50-story office tower
Typical job title: "Hard Services Managers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Hard Services Managers
Professional Associations
Online Communities
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop a strategic maintenance plan for a large commercial building?
Expected Answer: A strong answer should cover budget planning, preventive maintenance schedules, contractor management, compliance requirements, and how to balance operational needs with cost efficiency.
Q: How do you handle emergency situations involving critical building systems?
Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate experience in crisis management, knowledge of emergency protocols, ability to prioritize responses, and experience coordinating with emergency services and maintenance teams.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure compliance with building regulations and safety standards?
Expected Answer: Should discuss knowledge of relevant building codes, regular inspection procedures, documentation practices, and experience working with regulatory bodies.
Q: What factors do you consider when selecting contractors for maintenance work?
Expected Answer: Should mention contractor vetting process, cost comparison, service quality assessment, insurance requirements, and track record evaluation.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the main building systems that fall under hard services?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list major systems like HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire safety, and elevators, with basic understanding of their maintenance requirements.
Q: How do you prioritize different maintenance requests?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of urgency levels, impact on building operations, safety considerations, and basic workflow management.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of building systems
- Maintenance request handling
- Health and safety awareness
- Simple maintenance scheduling
Mid (2-5 years)
- Contractor management
- Preventive maintenance planning
- Budget management
- Regulatory compliance
Senior (5+ years)
- Strategic maintenance planning
- Project management
- Team leadership
- Risk management and emergency response
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of building systems and their maintenance requirements
- Lack of understanding about safety regulations and compliance
- Poor grasp of maintenance planning and scheduling
- No experience with contractor management or budgeting
