Preparation for a Project Manager role at Garver requires more than just reviewing your resume; it requires demonstrating a strategic mindset. You must be able to articulate how your past technical decisions directly contributed to the profitability and success of your previous projects.

Role-Related Knowledge – You must demonstrate a deep understanding of civil engineering project lifecycles. Interviewers look for your ability to connect technical requirements with project deliverables, ensuring you can speak the language of both engineers and clients.

Problem-Solving Ability – Garver values candidates who can navigate ambiguity. You will be evaluated on your ability to deconstruct a complex problem, identify the root cause, and implement a structured solution under pressure.

Leadership & Influence – As a Project Manager, your authority often comes from your ability to influence rather than dictate. Be prepared to provide concrete examples of how you have mobilized teams, resolved interpersonal conflicts, and managed client expectations to drive project completion.

Culture Fit & Values – Garver emphasizes integrity, excellence, and long-term client relationships. Show that you are a collaborative partner who values the growth of the team as much as the success of the project.

The interview process at Garver is designed to evaluate both your technical acumen and your ability to lead high-impact teams. You should expect a rigorous, multi-stage process that begins with a recruiter screen to assess your background and interest, followed by one or more rounds with hiring managers and senior leadership. The process is highly collaborative, reflecting the firm's own internal culture.

The pace is professional and deliberate. While the initial stages focus on your qualifications and professional history, later rounds often involve case-based discussions or situational analysis, where you will be asked to walk through your decision-making process on actual project challenges.

This timeline illustrates the progression from initial screening to deeper, role-specific evaluations. Use this to pace your study; earlier stages are your opportunity to build a strong narrative, while later stages require you to demonstrate depth in technical and leadership scenarios.

Client & Stakeholder Management

Your ability to manage client expectations is a core metric of success at Garver. You must show that you can balance the client’s vision with the technical and financial realities of the project.

Be ready to go over:

• Building and maintaining long-term client relationships.
• Managing expectations regarding scope, budget, and timeline changes.
• Communicating project status updates to non-technical stakeholders.

Example scenarios:

• "How do you handle a client who changes their requirements after the design phase has been completed?"
• "Describe a time you successfully negotiated a contract scope adjustment."

As a Project Manager, your primary objective is the successful delivery of engineering projects. You will be expected to oversee the full project lifecycle, which includes managing project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation. You will act as the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring that communication is transparent, consistent, and proactive.

Collaboration is essential; you will work closely with lead engineers, design teams, and administrative support to ensure that every project phase meets Garver’s quality standards. You will be responsible for identifying project risks early and implementing mitigation strategies before they impact the project’s bottom line or timeline.

A competitive candidate for this position brings a blend of technical engineering experience and proven management capabilities.

• Must-have skills:
• Professional Engineering (PE) license or equivalent.
• Significant experience in civil engineering or aviation infrastructure.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera, or similar).
• Strong track record of managing project budgets and schedules.
• Nice-to-have skills:
• Advanced certification in project management (e.g., PMP).
• Experience with business development or proposal writing.
• Direct experience with FAA regulatory standards for aviation projects.

Q: How long should I expect the interview process to take? The timeline can vary, but generally, you can expect a process spanning 3–5 weeks from the initial screen to a final decision.

Q: What differentiates successful candidates? Successful candidates are those who balance technical expertise with a strong "ownership" mindset. You must show that you treat the project's success as your own personal responsibility.

Q: Is the interview process mostly technical or behavioral? It is a balanced mix. Expect technical questions regarding your engineering background and behavioral questions that test your leadership, communication, and decision-making under stress.

Q: How should I prepare for the culture fit portion? Research Garver’s focus on community and client-centric service. Be ready to discuss how your personal work values align with a firm that prides itself on long-term, sustainable infrastructure solutions.

• Quantify your impact: When discussing previous projects, always include numbers. Mention the budget size, the number of team members managed, or the specific percentage of time saved through your process improvements.
• Structure your answers: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your behavioral answers concise and impactful.
• Know your projects: Be prepared to dive into the technical details of the projects listed on your resume; interviewers will ask for the "why" behind your engineering decisions.

The Project Manager role at Garver is a unique opportunity to lead critical infrastructure projects that have a lasting impact. By focusing your preparation on the intersection of technical excellence, strategic project management, and effective stakeholder communication, you will be well-positioned to succeed in your interviews.

This compensation data provides a baseline for the role across different locations. Use this to calibrate your expectations and ensure you have a clear understanding of the market value for your experience level and geographic region.

Remember that Garver is looking for a leader who can navigate complex challenges with confidence and integrity. You have the skills and the experience; now, focus on articulating that narrative clearly and persuasively. Good luck with your preparation.