Job Application Form

Time to Answer

2 open days

Process

1 Phone Call

1 Onsite Interview

Days to get an Offer

4 Days after Interview

Three Essential Screening Questions

Question 1: Assessing Business & P&L Acumen

"This role has full P&L responsibility for the new division. Describe your most relevant experience managing a budget or P&L for a construction or trades department. What was the approximate annual revenue you were responsible for, and can you give a specific example of a decision you made that directly improved its profitability?"

What to Look For in a Strong Answer:

• Directness and Confidence: They should answer directly without hesitation. A great candidate will be comfortable discussing numbers.
• Specifics over Generalities: Instead of saying "I cut costs," they should say, "I renegotiated a supply contract for copper linesets, saving us 7% quarterly," or "I adjusted our billable hours model for service calls, which increased margin by 12%."
• Understanding of Key Levers: Their example should demonstrate they understand the drivers of profitability in a trades business (e.g., labor efficiency, materials cost, job costing, service contract revenue).
• Scalability: The revenue numbers they mention should give you a sense of whether they can handle the scale you're planning for.

Question 2: Verifying Hands-On Technical Expertise

"As the General Manager, you'll be the ultimate technical authority and will need to perform hands-on work, especially with complex projects. Tell us about the most challenging heat pump (air source, geothermal, etc.) installation or commissioning you have personally been involved in. What made it challenging, and what specific steps did you take to ensure it was successful?"

What to Look For in a Strong Answer:

• Technical Language: They should use industry-standard terminology correctly and confidently (e.g., talk about static pressure, subcooling/superheat, duct design, control board configuration, etc.).
• Problem-Solving Focus: A great answer will clearly outline a problem (e.g., "The unit was short-cycling post-installation"), their diagnostic process ("I started by checking the thermostat wiring, then airflow..."), and the specific solution ("...and discovered the return duct was undersized, so we had to fabricate a transition to increase airflow.").
• Ownership: Look for "I" statements. "I diagnosed," "I decided," "I taught the tech." It shows they were an active participant, not just a bystander.
• Mentions of Commissioning: A top candidate will recognize that a successful project isn't just installed; it's commissioned. Bonus points if they talk about balancing airflow or verifying performance against manufacturer specs.

Question 3: Gauging the "Builder" Mentality

"We're looking for a leader to build this division from the ground up. Describe a time you were tasked with creating a new system, team, or business offering from scratch. How did you approach the first 90 days, and what do you believe was the single most critical factor in its success?"

What to Look For in a Strong Answer:

• A Clear Process: They should describe a logical sequence of actions—not just "we worked hard." A strong answer might sound like: "First, I assessed the market need. Second, I developed a simple service offering and pricing. Third, I identified the minimum equipment and one key hire needed to start. Fourth, I set clear 30, 60, and 90-day goals."
• Focus on People and Process: The "most critical factor" they identify should show strategic thinking. Good answers might include "Getting the right lead technician on board," "Establishing a simple but non-negotiable checklist for every job," or "Clear communication with the sales team so we only sold what we could deliver."
• Proactive vs. Reactive: Their story should sound like they were driving events, not just reacting to them. They should be the one creating the structure, not waiting for instructions.
• Enthusiasm: You should be able to hear their excitement about building something. This is a tough job; a candidate who isn't genuinely motivated by the challenge won't succeed.