Trade and site interviews are often shorter and more practical than office interviews — being prepared with the right paperwork makes a stronger impression than a suit.
Bring these
– Your CSCS card (or proof you’ve booked the test if you don’t have one yet)
– Copies of relevant certificates: NVQ, CPCS/IPAF tickets, First Aid, any trade-specific quals
– A printed CV, even if you’ve already emailed one
– Photo ID
– References or previous site contacts, if asked for
Dress for the site, not the office
Clean workwear or smart-casual is usually the right call for a site-based interview — a suit can actually read as not knowing the environment, unless it’s explicitly an office-based role (estimator, project manager working from a head office).
Have real examples ready
Most interviewers will ask about a specific project you worked on. Have two or three ready with detail: project type, your role, a challenge that came up, and how it was resolved.
Ask about the actual work
What’s the current live project, expected duration, team size, and site location — practical questions like these show you’re evaluating the role seriously, not just taking whatever comes up.