Okay, I've searched for entry-level Assistant Project Manager roles in construction in Dallas, TX, requiring a bachelor's degree and a minimum of 2 years project management experience. I have found 57 suitable positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The role of Assistant Project Manager at Pike Corporation is designed to develop emerging project management talent within the utility construction sector, specifically focused on electric and gas distribution and transmission projects. Fundamentally, this person is hired to ensure that multiple complex projects progress on schedule, within budget, and to client expectations by balancing estimating, scheduling, procurement, and field coordination tasks. The requirement to establish and maintain baseline schedules and provide consistent reporting shows a critical emphasis on rigorous project monitoring and proactive communication. Key responsibilities revolve around managing stakeholder relationships—internally with field teams and subcontractors, and externally with clients—underscoring the importance of diplomacy and customer focus in an operationally demanding environment. The candidate must navigate the nuances of contract types and financial controls, which implies a strategic understanding of risk and cost management within fixed price, time & materials, and other contracting frameworks. Autonomy is expected but under minimal supervision, indicating a structured yet dynamic setting where initiative is valued but aligned with company policies. Success looks like delivering quality projects on time and budget, fostering trusted relationships, and growing into a more independent project leader capable of managing emergency restoration efforts—an indicator of the environment’s unpredictability and the necessity for calm decisiveness. The role demands a blend of technical knowledge, communication skills, and high energy to thrive in a fast-paced and sometimes ambiguous setting, where multi-tasking across diverse projects is routine.

Company Analysis:

Pike Corporation is a long-established leader in the utility construction industry, with deep roots dating back to 1945. Positioned as a reliable, service-driven firm, Pike operates primarily in electric, gas, and telecommunications infrastructure, with strategic growth into renewable energy projects—showing adaptability in a traditionally stable but evolving market. The company’s culture is family-oriented with a strong commitment to safety, collaboration, and innovation, signaling an environment that values employee wellbeing and teamwork alongside operational excellence. This blend suggests a workplace where relationships, both within teams and with clients, are foundational to success. Being non-union and emphasizing equal opportunity introduces a formal, respectful, yet possibly flexible culture. For the Assistant Project Manager, this means working in a structure that encourages compliance with company policies yet rewards engagement and proactive problem solving. The role likely reports into project or operations management, offering growing visibility as one masters the fundamentals and supports larger, more complex projects. Strategically, the position is critical for scaling project delivery capacity, maintaining client satisfaction, and enabling Pike to capitalize on its expanding portfolio—especially as it navigates the challenges of emergency storm restoration and fast-paced utility demands. The company’s emphasis on ‘essential’ work conveys a mission-driven mindset where reliability and responsiveness are prized, providing meaningful purpose for the role.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you managed multiple stakeholders with conflicting priorities on a project. How did you ensure alignment and maintain positive relationships?
• Behavioral: Describe an instance where you had to adapt to a rapidly changing or ambiguous work situation. How did you approach decision-making?
• Behavioral: Give an example of when you identified a project risk early and took proactive steps to mitigate it. What was the outcome?
• Behavioral: How have you handled delivering difficult news or updates to a client or team member? What was your approach to maintain trust?
• Technical: How would you go about creating and maintaining a project baseline schedule for a utility construction project?
• Technical: Can you explain your experience with different contract types such as Fixed Price, Time & Materials, and Cost Plus, and how you manage risk and budgeting under each?
• Technical: Describe your process for managing procurement and subcontractor coordination on a complex project.
• Technical: What tools and methods do you use for tracking project costs and progress, and how do you ensure accuracy in reporting?
• Situational: Imagine you are managing a project and a key subcontractor falls behind schedule, threatening the project deadline. What steps would you take to address this issue?
• Situational: You receive conflicting information from the field operations team and the client about project status. How do you resolve this and align all parties?
• Situational: Emergency restoration work has just been assigned to your team during severe weather conditions. How do you prioritize tasks and ensure team safety while meeting urgent deadlines?
• Company Fit/Motivation: What attracts you to Pike Corporation and this Assistant Project Manager role specifically?
• Company Fit/Motivation: Pike emphasizes safety, collaboration, and innovation. How do your personal values and work style align with these pillars?
• Company Fit/Motivation: Given Pike’s focus on serving critical infrastructure projects, how do you see your contribution impacting the company’s mission?
• Questions to Ask Interviewer: Can you describe the typical career progression for an Assistant Project Manager at Pike?
• Questions to Ask Interviewer: How does Pike support continuous learning and development in project management skills for this role?
• Questions to Ask Interviewer: What are the current biggest challenges your project teams face, and how would this new hire help address them?