Top Most Horticulturist Interview Questions
Q – 1 Can you describe yourself?
Ans- This is probably the MOST common first question asked. It sets the stage for the whole interview. Be careful. Keep it short. The interviewer doesn’t want to hear your whole life story. Mention education, personality traits and interests which are job-relevant.
Q – 2 Has anything or anyone irritated you at work?
Ans- Obviously things irritate you at work, but try to avoid saying it. Rather say you prefer to focus on the job.
Q – 3 How do you deal with pressure/stress?
Ans- Try to keep your answer positive. You may love the pressure and the pace of the job. Try to avoid saying you’ll crumble. If the job demands stress and you cannot deal with stress, maybe the job is not for you.
Q – 4 Where else have you applied for a job as Horticulturist?
Ans- This is a good point to hint you’re in demand. Try to avoid being too arrogant. Be honest and mention the companies, but try to avoid going into details.
Q – 5 What relevant experience do you have as Horticulturist?
Ans- If you have lots of relevant* experience mention all of it. If you are changing careers then you need to think creatively, but honestly, how your experience could benefit the company.
Q – 6 Why should I hire you as Horticulturist?
Ans- ‘Because I’m great!’ or ‘I really need a job’ are not the answers the interviewer is looking for. This is a good time to give the interviewer a list of all your relevant, positive attributes: for example: your education, work experience, personality traits, etc that would make you the ideal candidate for the job. Try to avoid any negative feedback.
Q – 7 Why are you applying for this job?
Ans- Be careful, this question could trip you up. Try to avoid mentioning money at this point. Even if you have been retrenched or are struggling – try to remain positive at all times. Try to avoid sounding desperate. If you were fired, you need to think about your answer and have a good explanation. Give this some thought before the interview and really think about the reasons for wanting the job. A good reason could be that the position will allow you to grow and get experience.
Q – 8 What’s your greatest strength as Horticulturist?
Ans- This is your time to shine! It’s the one time you can let the interviewer know why you’re perfect for the job. Remain positive at all times. For example: you’re a good motivator or … a team player … or you’re dedicated and reliable … or you thrive under pressure, etc.
Q – 9 Have you had any issues with your previous boss?
Ans- This is a test! Be careful. Avoid falling for this one. The interviewer is testing to see if you would speak badly about your previous boss or company.
Q – 10 What motivates you to do a good job as Horticulturist?
Ans- Money is NOT the answer! Try to avoid saying this even if it’s true. You may want to consider that getting recognition for a job well done is what motivates you.
Q – 11 Are you prepared to put the company before your own interests?
Ans- Answering YES or NO could be dangerous. If you say YES, it means you don’t respect yourself and your family and if you say NO, it might mean you’re not dedicated to the company. Be careful how you answer this question. Finding a balance between the two is important.
Q – 12 Would you rather work for money or job satisfaction, be feared or liked?
Ans- It’s fine to say money is important, but remember that NOTHING is more important to you than the job. It really is an unfair question but sometimes it’s asked.
‘Feared or Liked?’ – Believe it or not, this question is often asked. The clever answer is: neither, I’d rather be respected. Fear does not motivate people – being liked, may not get the job done because others are taking advantage of you.
Q – 13 Has a suggestion of yours ever been implemented (used)? If so, describe it?
Ans- Understand the word ‘implemented’. This means your idea was put into action. If you have many ideas and they only live in your head, they are no use to anyone. Try thinking of an idea of yours that has a positive ending. Keep your story short and sweet.
Q – 14 What’s your biggest weakness as Horticulturist?
Ans- If you say you haven’t got one – you’re lying. We all have weaknesses. This is a horrible question but one that needs asking. If you get asked this question, think of a small work-related weakness … then say you’re trying to work on improving it.
Q – 15 Why should the we hire you as Horticulturist?
Ans- This is the part where you link your skills, experience, education and your personality to the job itself. This is why you need to be utterly familiar with the job description as well as the company culture. Remember though, it’s best to back them up with actual examples of say, how you are a good team player.
It is possible that you may not have as much skills, experience or qualifications as the other candidates. What then, will set you apart from the rest? Energy and passion might. People are attracted to someone who is charismatic, who show immense amount of energy when they talk, and who love what it is that they do. As you explain your compatibility with the job and company, be sure to portray yourself as that motivated, confident and energetic person, ever-ready to commit to the cause of the company.
Q – 16 Do you have any questions for me regarding our work or company?
Ans- This is probably the most common final question in an interview. While doing research on the company – some questions may come to mind. Write them down. Having questions prepared shows the interviewer that you’re interested and motivated.
Q – 17 What are you expecting to earn?
Ans- This is a difficult question to answer. Try to avoid saying a number right away. In the work place – you want as much as possible and the company wants to pay as little as possible. So you need to be careful how you approach this question.
You may want to research the market place to find out what the average pay is for this kind of job.
You may say that, with your background and experience you are worth between R? and R? per month. Or, you could just say that you’re more interested in what this position could do for your career.
Q – 18 What do you know about this company and why do you want to work here?
Ans- Do some homework and research the company. Find out all kinds of facts. For example: Has the company been in the news lately? If yes, make sure it’s a positive news story or don’t bring it up.
Once you have researched the company you can then work out how your own goals and career plans would benefit from this position. Think before answering.
Q – 19 What experience do you have in this agricultural field?
Ans- Hopefully if you’re applying for this position you have bags of related experience, and if that’s the case you should mention it all. But if you’re switching careers or trying something a little different, your experience may initially not look like it’s matching up. That’s when you need a little honest creativity to match the experiences required with the ones you have. People skills are people skills after all, you just need to show how customer service skills can apply to internal management positions, and so on.
Q – 20 WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE FOR HORTICULTURE TECHNICIAN POSITION IN THE LAST YEAR?
Ans- ► Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.
► Employers look for applicants who are goal-oriented. Show a desire for continuous learning by listing hobbies non-work related. Regardless of what hobbies you choose to showcase, remember that the goal is to prove self-sufficiency, time management, and motivation.
► Everyone should learn from his mistake. I always try to consult my mistakes with my kith and kin especially with elderly and experienced person.
► I enrolled myself into a course useful for the next version of our current project. I attended seminars on personal development and managerial skills improvement.
Q – 21 Have you done anything to further your experience as Horticulturist?
Ans- If it’s relevant – it’s worth mentioning. This could include night classes, hobbies or volunteering positions, etc. If you have gained any experience through these fields – it’s experience!
Q – 22 Have you ever had a conflict with boss or professor? How was it resolved?
Ans- Note that if you say no, most interviewers will keep drilling deeper to find a conflict. The key is how you behaviourally reacted to conflict and what you did to resolve it.
For example: “Yes, I have had conflicts in the past. Never major ones, but there have been disagreements that needed to be resolved. I’ve found that when conflict occurs, it helps to fully understand the other person’s perspective, so I take time to listen to their point of view, and then I seek to work out a collaborative solution. For example . . .”
Focus your answer on the behavioural process for resolving the conflict and working collaboratively.
Q – 23 Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
Ans- This is a common and tricky question to answer. No-one can really predict the future. Think carefully before answering – it could either show you’re focused, ambitious and a hard worker or it could imply that you’re directionless or unmotivated if you answer: I don’t know.
Most companies are looking for employees who will stay and grow with the company. An answer that reflects this is advantageous.
Think about the job and how the experience and/or training will help your career. Will it help you move forward and upward? Do you have goals you’re working towards? Are you willing to learn?
Q – 24 Are you a team player and what would co-workers say about you?
Ans- If you’re a team player and you’re applying for a job in a large company/organisation – then the answer will always be YES! You cannot survive otherwise. You may also let the interviewer know what kind of role you’d like to play in a team, for example: team leader, organiser, or follower. However, if you’re not a team player, maybe the job is not suited to you.
If you’ve had negative personal relationships with fellow co-workers try avoid mentioning them. Try thinking of positives comments some of your co-workers would say.
Q – 25 General Horticulturist interview questions:
Ans- ► Describe a difficult problem you have had to deal with.
► What do you feel were the most significant things you got out of going there?
► Why did you choose your major?
► What civic organizations do you belong to?
► Give me an example of a decision you made that benefited your company.
► What do you really want to do in life?
► What other positions have you had that qualify you for this position?
Q – 26 Behavioral based Horticulturist Interview Questions:
Ans- 1. Let’s say you put a plant in the wrong place and the symmetry of your design will be slightly off. Your supervisor urgently needs you to move on to the next job, what would you do?
2. What was the toughest situation you have had designing a project?
3. Describe a time when you had a design that did not turn out to your original plan and what steps you took to resolve the situation.
4. What was your most successful design project and describe why you believe it was successful?
5. How do you decide what should be priority work when you look at your daily schedule?
6. Describe a situation you faced in your last position which illustrates your problem solving skills. What steps did you take to solve the problem?
7. What is the most creative work project you took on and where did your satisfaction come from when you completed it?
8. Describe a situation when others you worked with on a job disagreed with your ideas on how to handle the problem. What did you do?
9. Give an example of a time you had to do something beyond the call of duty to get the job done?
10. Describe how you would handle a situation where you were required to finish multiple tasks by the end of the day and there was no conceivable way that you could finish them.
Q – 27 Strengths and Weaknesses based Horticulture interview questions:
Ans- ► Your greatest weakness in school or at work?
► Tell me about your strengths.
► Tell us about the last time you had to negotiate with someone.
► Would you rather write a report or give it verbally?
► What would be your ideal working environment?
Q – 28 Phone Based Horticulturist interview questions:
Ans- ► Describe a few emergencies that caused you to miss or reschedule work?
► What is the most creative work-related project you’ve been involved in?
► What are the major influences that encourage you to take a job?
► What are your outstanding qualities?
► Which is more important to you, the money or the type of job?
► Are you proactive?
► What was your biggest failure?
Q – 29 Situational Horticulture interview questions:
Ans- ► What do you think, would you be willing to travel for work?
► What attracted you to this company?
► What have you been doing since your last job?
► What parts of your education do you see as relevant to this position?
► What is the difference between a good position and an excellent one?
Q – 30 WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE IN THIS FIELD OR FOR HORTICULTURE TECHNICIAN POSITION?
Ans- ► Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.
► If you are being asked this question from your employer then you can explain your experience. Tell the employer what responsibilities you were performing during your job. You can tell what programs you developed and what modules you worked on. What were your achievements regarding different programs.
► I have been working with computers since 2001. I also have a degree in network support/computer repair. I have built my last 3 computers, have work with Dell as an employee. So I have around 15 years experience working with computers.
Q – 31 Situational Horticulturist Interview Questions:
Ans- 1. You are working with a crew and productivity for your group is assessed on how the whole crew performs. One of your crew members is not doing his job. What would you do?
2. You are working on three job sites at a time rotating your time on each of the sites. You haven’t been at one of the sites for a week and when you checked you had not heard any issues from the team working on that site. You make a routine visit on that site and the customer tells you she does not want you to continue the work and for your team to leave. What steps would you take to deal with this situation?
3. You disagree with your supervisor on how to handle a worksite situation and you are concerned that the way he wants to handle it could cause a safety issue. The supervisor is not willing to listen to you. What would your next steps be?
4. You have just been asked to give some advice on lawn issues to a very important customer. It’s an issue that you have never dealt with before. Your manager is not around to help. There is no established precedent or process for dealing with this issue. What do you do?
5. Your team has been working 12 hour days 6 days a week for the past several weeks. You can tell their morale is quickly going downhill. As a team member you feel exhausted as well but the job still needs to be finished to the customer’s satisfaction. What would you do to try and build up the morale with your team members?
Q – 32 Difficult Horticulturist interview questions:
Ans- ► What concerns do you have about this job?
► Which one is better: mentoring or coaching?
► What position do you expect to have in five years?
► What did your subordinates think of you?
► What do you do to deal with stress?
► What would your ideal career position be?
► Where else have you applied for work?
Q – 33 Behavioral Horticulturist interview questions:
Ans- ► Have you had any specific offers?
► What are your plans for self-improvement and personal development?
► Have you ever worked with anyone with developmental disabilities?
► Are you willing to go where the company sends you?
► What was your overall average for class standings?
► Rate yourself on a scale of one to ten.
► Would you choose the same curriculum again?
Q – 34 Behavioral Horticulture interview questions:
Ans- ► Describe a situation where you had to plan or organise something.
► How do you keep track of things you need to do?
► What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision?
► What kind of events cause you stress on the job?- What do you like and dislike about the job we are discussing?
Do not forget to ask for the names of interviewers. And then, remember to give them a polite thank you. Your answer should be focused on what you can bring to the role that will be of benefit to the company.
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control.
Q – 35 Communication skills based Horticulture interview questions:
Ans- ► What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?
► What support training would you require to be able to do this job?
► What major challenges and problems did you face?
► What is a typical career path in this job function?
► Who has impacted you most in your career and how?
Q – 36 Be prepare for Horticulturist Interview:
Ans- ► How did this job vacancy come about?
► How do they see the role developing?
► What are the challenges facing the team/department/organisation?
► What would they expect you to achieve in the first three months after appointment?
► Are there any problems in this role that you should know about?
Q – 37 Group Based Horticulturist interview questions:
Ans- Specific example of a time when criticized your work.
What do you ultimately want to become?
What do people most often criticize about you?
Give an example of how you worked as Horticulturist on team.
Have you ever challenged, shaken old work methods.
What do you do if you disagree with a co-worker?
What do you consider your most significant strength?
Q – 38 TELL ME ABOUT YOUR ABILITY TO WORK UNDER PRESSURE AS Horticulturist?
Ans- You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.
Mention pressures you face on the daily, such as dealing with deadlines on a regular basis.
Try not to use an example where you created the pressure yourself, by waiting too long to start something, or by handling a task irresponsibly at the beginning.
For example, working under pressure to meet a customer’s deadline could be a good example, but not if you had waited too long to start the project.
“Pressure is actually a catalyst to my work. When there is an imperative deadline, I refocus my energy into my work which in fact, has helped me to produce some of my best works. (Give examples) I guess you can say I thrive under pressure.”
Q – 39 Video Horticulture interview questions:
Ans- ► What problems have you encountered at work?
► Describe a situation in which you had to collect information.
► How would you weigh a plane without scales?
► What was the most difficult period in your life, and how did you deal with it?
► What would you say are your strong points?
Q – 40 Sample Horticulturist Interview Questions:
Ans- ► Give us a brief idea of your educational background and your special interests in it.
► What sort of experience do you possess that you think that shall help you in this job?
► What do you think are the disadvantages of this job? Why?
► Give an example of your past job where you provided a miraculous solution to a difficult problem related to your job?
► What was the reason for quitting your previous job?
► How do you think shall this job be better than the previous job of yours?
► Why did you choose this particular career? What are your goals with respect to your career?
► What kind of a salary do you wish to acquire?
► What prospects besides money are important to you in a job like this?
► According to you which factor is more important – Yield or resistance to a fatal disease?
► What was the last experiment that you have conducted in your past job? Was it successful?
Q – 41 Basic Horticulture interview questions:
Ans- ► Have you done this kind of work before?
► Do you work well under pressure?
► What is more important to you: the money or the work?
► How did you prepare for this work?
► Do you have any questions for me?
Answer as sincerely as possible. Don’t lie as if you are discovered, it shall be very bad situation. Avoid negative comments about past employers. Don’t spend a lot of time on these Horticulture interview questions.
Q – 42 Panel Based Horticulturist interview questions:
Ans- ► How do you maintain a positive discussion?
► What negative thing would your last boss say about you?
► How well did your college experience prepare you for this Horticulturist job?
► Describe some ideas that were implemented.
► Have you ever had to introduce a policy change to your work group?
► Give an example of when you had to present complex information in a simplified manner.
► Do your skills match Horticulturist job or another job more closely?
Q – 43 Telephonic Horticulture interview questions:
Ans- ► Can you describe a time when your work was criticized?
► When were you most satisfied in your job?
► What are you expecting from this firm in the future?
► How well did your college experience prepare you for this job?
► What are three positive character traits you don’t have?
Answer as sincerely as possible. Don’t lie as if you are discovered, it shall be very bad situation. Make sure the experience is relevant.
Don’t get trivial or negative answering Horticulture interview questions.
Q – 44 Job Knowledge based Horticulturist Interview Questions:
Ans- 1. Please describe your background and experience that would make you a strong candidate for this job?
2. What technique do you follow to choose shrubs, plants and flowers by inspecting the type of soil?
3. What are your strengths in landscape design?
4. What areas would you like to gain more experience or knowledge?
5. If I did a reference check with your former manager, what contributions would he/she say you made to your previous company?
6. In your opinion what weather conditions are best for plants to thrive throughout the year?
7. What technique do you use to clean older plants from the garden?
8. What are the key responsibilities of a landscape technician?
9. What are your views in organic growth of plants?
10. What have you liked the most about your last job? The least?
Q – 45 Competency Based Horticulture interview questions:
Ans- ► How would you describe the experience of working here?
► How do you react to instruction and criticism?
► What are your expectations regarding promotions and salary increases?
► What techniques and tools do you use to keep yourself organized?
► How do you feel about taking no for an answer?
Talk about specific work related experience for the position you’re interviewing for.
Don’t talk about previous experience that is not related to the position in question. Make sure you’re well prepared for this Horticulture interview questions as you won’t likely get a second chance to really shine.
Q – 46 What is your greatest weakness as Horticulturist?
Ans- This is a challenging question — as if you have no weaknesses you are obviously lying! Be realistic and mention a small work related flaw. Many people will suggest answering this using a positive trait disguised as a flaw such as “I’m a perfectionist” or “I expect others to be as committed as I am.” I would advocate a certain degree of honesty and list a true weakness. Emphasize what you’ve done to overcome it and improve. This question is all about how you perceive and evaluate yourself.
Q – 47 What Are Physical Requirements For Horticulturist?
Ans- The job of a horticulturist includes a lot of physical labor, so hiring managers will want to know if you’re capable of dealing with long hours outdoors. You’ll be working with your hands a lot, planting, weeding and pruning and caring for plants. At times, you might also need to lift heavy weights and work in hot, humid conditions in all kinds of weather. You might need to put in extra hours or work an added day over the weekend. Thus, you’ll field questions about overtime work and your physical condition.
Q – 48 What kind of salary do you need as Horticulturist?
Ans- A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That’s a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position?
In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.
Q – 49 What Administrative Skills are required for Horticulturist?
Ans- Oral and written communication is essential, because you’ll likely prepare reports for your superiors, clients and customers, and you’ll answer queries from visitors. Basic mathematical skills are also essential so you can calculate areas, circumferences and volume. Another important skill you need to have is to be able to understand instructions sent to you. These could be in the form of diagrams, schedules and written reports. Prepare to answer questions regarding these skills, because you need them to perform your duties effectively.
Q – 50 What challenges are you looking as Horticulturist?
Ans- A typical interview question to determine what you are looking for your in next job, and whether you would be a good fit for the position being hired for, is “What challenges are you looking for in a position?”
The best way to answer questions about the challenges you are seeking is to discuss how you would like to be able to effectively utilize your skills and experience if you were hired for the job.
You can also mention that you are motivated by challenges, have the ability to effectively meet challenges, and have the flexibility and skills necessary to handle a challenging job.
You can continue by describing specific examples of challenges you have met and goals you have achieved in the past.
Q – 51 What Machinery required for Horticulturist?
Ans- Horticulture involves the use of different types of machinery, such as tractors, vertical cutters, mowers and weed cutters, and interviewers will likely test your knowledge of working with these machines. For example, they might ask you to discuss the tools you use to control thatching. In response, you could talk about vertical cutters and power rakes. The hiring managers also might want to be sure that you can use the tools safely and deal with any problems that might arise. At this point, you’d discuss maintenance schedules for your equipment.
Q – 52 Tell us why do you want to work with us?
Ans- More likely than not, the interviewer wishes to see how much you know about the company culture, and whether you can identify with the organization’s values and vision. Every organization has its strong points, and these are the ones that you should highlight in your answer.
For example, if the company emphasizes on integrity with customers, then you mention that you would like to be in such a team because you yourself believe in integrity.
It doesn’t have to be a lie. In the case that your values are not in line with the ones by the company, ask yourself if you would be happy working there. If you have no issue with that, go ahead. But if you are aware of the company culture and realize that there is some dilemma you might be facing, you ought to think twice. The best policy is to be honest with yourself, and be honest with the interviewer with what is it in the company culture that motivates you.
Q – 53 What Chemicals required for Horticulturist?
Ans- As a horticulturist, you must have in-depth knowledge of fertilizers and pesticides. Your duties also might include placing orders for proper materials and other plant supplies. Thus, interviewers might ask you about fertilizer programs you developed and started for areas such as parks, sports arenas and business complexes. You can also expect them to quiz you about the various methods for controlling pests.
Here, you’ll talk about weighing options such as pruning, mulching and even replanting before turning to chemicals. You’ll also discuss selecting chemicals least harmful to humans and the environment.
Q – 54 Explain what do you know about us?
Ans- Follow these three easy research tips before your next job interview:
1) Visit the company website; look in the “about us” section and “careers” sections
2) Visit the company’s LinkedIn page (note, you must have a LinkedIn account – its free to sign up) to view information about the company
3) Google a keyword search phrase like “press releases” followed by the company name; you’ll find the most recent news stories shared by the company
Remember, just because you have done your “homework”, it does not mean you need to share ALL of it during the interview! Reciting every fact you’ve learned is almost as much of a turn off as not knowing anything at all! At a minimum, you should include the following in your answer:
1. What type of product or service the company sells
2. How long the company has been in business
3. What the company culture is like OR what the company mission statement is, and how the culture and/or mission relate to your values or personality
Q – 55 Tell me a suggestion you have made that was implemented in this agricultural field?
Ans- It’s important here to focus on the word “implemented.” There’s nothing wrong with having a thousand great ideas, but if the only place they live is on your notepad what’s the point? Better still, you need a good ending. If your previous company took your advice and ended up going bankrupt, that’s not such a great example either. Be prepared with a story about an idea of yours that was taken from idea to implementation, and considered successful.
Q – 56 What do you know about Landscaping?
Ans- Horticulturists oversee landscaping activities and design attractive grounds through their expert selection and placement of plants. The interviewers thus might ask you about plants you’d place in different kinds of light, plants you’d place together or not and how you’d select plants to beautify the environment. You might be in charge of directing projects for repair or improvement of an area, and your prospective employers might check your knowledge of coordinating labor, equipment and materials.
Also, be ready to answer questions about laws and standards that pertain to your assigned areas, especially if you’re vying for a job with a state or federal agency or for a large project.