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Landscaper Interview Guide

What’s Hard to Evaluate in a Landscaper Interview

Landscape work spans genuinely different skill sets (softscape/planting, hardscape installation, irrigation, turf), so "landscaping experience" on a resume can mean almost anything. The interview needs to find out which one the candidate actually knows.

Print this page for a combined worksheet with this trade’s questions plus the full 30-minute framework: notes lines and a rating scale after every question, ready to fill out by hand during the interview. Use your browser’s print function (Ctrl/Cmd+P) to generate it.

Technical Competency Questions

Which of these are you strongest in (softscape installation, hardscape, irrigation, or turf), and walk me through a job that proves it.

Mirrors how NALP's own Landscape Industry Certified Technician exam is structured, as separate specialty tracks rather than one generic "landscaper" skill. Use it to find out which specialty you're actually hiring for.

Tell me about a grading or drainage problem you had to solve on a job.

Poor drainage is the single most common source of expensive landscape callbacks (erosion, plant failure, foundation issues). This tests real judgment, not plant-name memorization.

Describe how you'd troubleshoot an irrigation zone that isn't covering evenly.

Tests systematic diagnosis (pressure, head spacing, clogged nozzle) versus guessing.

Red Flags

Landscaper Interview Worksheet

Candidate name: Date:

Work History (5 min)

Walk me through your work history: what you did, what you were responsible for, and what tools or systems you used.

Notes:

Rate interviewer response 1–10, 10 being the best12345678910

Technical Competency (10 min) -- Question 1 of 3

Which of these are you strongest in (softscape installation, hardscape, irrigation, or turf), and walk me through a job that proves it.

Notes:

Rate interviewer response 1–10, 10 being the best12345678910

Technical Competency (10 min) -- Question 2 of 3

Tell me about a grading or drainage problem you had to solve on a job.

Notes:

Rate interviewer response 1–10, 10 being the best12345678910

Technical Competency (10 min) -- Question 3 of 3

Describe how you'd troubleshoot an irrigation zone that isn't covering evenly.

Notes:

Rate interviewer response 1–10, 10 being the best12345678910

Safety (5 min)

Tell me about a specific time you stopped or changed a job because of a safety concern.

Notes:

Rate interviewer response 1–10, 10 being the best12345678910

Reliability (5 min)

Tell me about a specific mistake you made on the job and what you did afterward.

Notes:

Rate interviewer response 1–10, 10 being the best12345678910

Red Flags -- check any that apply

Candidate Questions (5 min)

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