After identifying candidates with relevant building program experience, which criterion is used next to narrow the pool?

• A. Highest hourly rate
• B. Lowest utilization rate
• C. Most certifications
• D. Most years with the firm

Answer: (B)

When narrowing candidates who already have the right building program experience, the next important factor is availability to take on new work. Utilization rate reflects how much of a person’s time is already committed to billable projects versus their total available hours. A lower utilization rate means they have more capacity to start a new assignment without overloading them, so they’re the best fit to advance in the pool. If two candidates share similar building program experience, the one with the lower utilization rate can be staffed sooner and with less risk to current commitments. Other factors like hourly rate, extra certifications, or tenure with the firm are relevant for different reasons, but they don’t directly indicate immediate staffing availability.