Test technical credibility by asking for specifics: real incidents, named systems, the sequence of decisions and the evidence behind them. Probe CV claims in layers, use scenarios and a plant walk, involve a technical reviewer, and check the story with references and documents. Confidence is not competence.

This guide gives FM, estates and workplace leaders a practical method for judging whether a candidate really has the technical depth a role demands. It is designed for panels that include non-specialists as well as engineers.
It covers defining the depth required, probing CV claims, using real incident questions, testing compliance understanding, plant walks and document exercises, scenario scoring, spotting vocabulary without substance, and checking the story through references.
What the guide covers
- Defining the technical depth each role needs
- Turning CV claims into evidence questions
- Incident and ladder questioning
- Testing compliance understanding fairly
- Plant walks, document exercises and scenarios
- Telling depth from vocabulary
- Using technical reviewers and references
Related guides
Free Maxwell Stephens guides on the same subject:
- How to Interview Facilities Management Candidates Properly
- Interview Scoring Template
- Safety and Compliance Leadership in FM: Who Owns the Duty
Who this resource is for
FM, estates and workplace leaders, and the HR colleagues who sit on their interview panels.
Talk to Maxwell Stephens
Maxwell Stephens is a specialist Facilities Management recruitment consultancy. If you are planning an FM, estates or workplace appointment, contact us for a confidential conversation, or read our case studies to see how comparable searches were run.
