Though the outlook for urban planner jobs looks rosy, you’ll still be competing for the best opportunities. Preparing for a job interview can be both nerve-racking and stressful for any professional, but proper preparation is the best way for an urban planner to ace a job interview. This article is a guide to how to interview for urban planner jobs, with the five best ways to prepare, from researching the company to strategizing your best interview questions.
Acing the interview
To find urban planner jobs, you need to show them you’re the best candidate for their company. In order to be that candidate, you need to tailor your interview to each opportunity. Here are our five tips for how to interview for an urban planner job.
Research the company
After scheduling an interview, the first thing to do is research the company. Understanding your future responsibilities and what will be expected of you is paramount to succeeding in an interview.
Take the time to research the company from multiple sources. Reach out to current and former employees through your network, read recent news releases, and even spend some time Googling them. Looking past the company’s public social media presence, you can be prepared to talk specifically about what draws you to the company and why you would be a good fit.
Prepare your portfolio
Every urban planning job is different, with expectations that can change from district to district. Understanding the projects the prospective company is undertaking and the type of work they are focused on can help you tailor your portfolio to the company’s needs. It also means you know what skills to emphasize during the interview. You want to learn as much as you can about the open position.
When preparing your portfolio, emphasize experience relevant to both the position and the company’s needs. An urban planner is a designer and a problem solver. Show in your portfolio that you both understand the problems and challenges you’ll be expected to solve and that you have the experience and skill to tackle them.
Highlight your design skills and strengths
When researching the company and preparing your portfolio, consider how your skills fit the position. Consider what strengths and skills you can discuss in the interview, and prepare your answers to show your relevant experience.
Even if you’re used to interviewing, spend time preparing your selling points for this urban planning position. What skills and experience do you have that make you the best planner for the position? Do you have special experience reading and researching zoning reports or coordinating field surveys that could be relevant to the job? Take a hard look at what is expected of you for this position and how your past experience can be made applicable.
Research the area
A core part of any urban planning job is understanding the region you’ll be working in. The expectations of an urban planner can change from district to district, and zoning laws can be a unique challenge depending on the location.
An urban planner must design entire neighborhoods and districts that are functional, attractive, and sustainable. Knowing the area and its challenges, such as growing population, land use, evolving technology, and environmental regulations, makes the work of an urban planner possible. Making it clear in the interview that you’re already familiar with the area and its unique difficulties and opportunities makes you a more competent, more attractive candidate.
Practice common interview questions
Once you’ve researched the company and position, take time to practice responses to common interview questions to emphasize your strengths. Don’t try to memorize entire answers or you may come off stiff during the interview. Instead, write bullet points or notes to keep them on hand for reference in the interview.
Remembering to bring up your different strengths, experiences, observations, and skills can make an interview and show the interviewer how hard-working and prepared you are. If you have family or friends willing to help, try doing mock interviews to get comfortable answering interview questions. You can only prepare for some things in an interview, but feeling prepared and confident walking into the room is the best way to interview for any job, including an urban planning position.
How Certis Solutions can help you find your next urban planner job
Certis Solutions is a technical staffing firm that finds the best talent for urban planning jobs and other roles. Taking a role as a Certis AEC consultant means benefitting from close relationships with the industry’s top companies and being able to practice your urban planning skills at the peak of your industry.
Bring your career to a new high and exceed expectations with us. Contact Certis Solutions today.
