Maintenance Technicians play an essential role. They’re responsible for repairing damaged machinery and equipment. Some maintenance technicians are also in charge of building repairs.
Maintenance Mechanics are a similar role, but tend to be more specialized. As a mechanic, you’ll only be focused on machines and mechanical equipment. Technicians are more general; you could be tasked with patching walls or other building jobs.
If you’re interested in becoming a Maintenance Mechanic or Technician, there are plenty of opportunities. According to the Department of Labor, nearly 400,000 new maintenance and repair jobs will be created by 2030. The median salary for these positions is slightly higher than the national average.
However, before you can get hired, you’ll need to ace the interview. Here are 16 interview questions for Maintenance Technicians and Mechanics to help you prepare, along with sample answers to the most important questions.
Interview Questions for Maintenance Technicians and Mechanics:
- Why do you want to become a maintenance technician?
- What skills do you think a maintenance technician should have?
- How do you manage your time when juggling multiple maintenance projects at once?
- How do you troubleshoot maintenance issues?
- Do you think it’s important to follow safety guidelines while on the job?
- What are some preventive measures that maintenance workers should perform?
- Discuss your three most recent repairs
- What was the most complex technical problem you have ever encountered?
- What are some of the challenging conditions that maintenance technicians need to deal with?
- Why is it important to keep accurate maintenance records?
- What do you think about monthly maintenance inspections?
- Have you ever worked with a difficult colleague? How did you handle the situation?
- Have you ever worked as part of a team?
- Describe your perfect boss.
- How did you find out about our company?
Interview Answers for Maintenance Technicians and Mechanics
What skills do you think a maintenance technician should have?
Companies want to know why they should hire you. They also want to know how familiar you are with the field, and that you can put yourself in their shoes. Answering this question gives you an excellent opportunity to highlight your strengths. Remember to research the position before your interview so you can mention specific skills that the company is looking for.
Sample answer: “A maintenance technician at Bradley Water Co. needs excellent plumbing and electrical skills to thrive. The technician also needs to be a self-starter, as the role doesn’t have a direct supervisor. I’m confident that I possess these skills, and I’m very comfortable with the machinery used by Bradley Water Co.”
How do you manage your time when juggling multiple maintenance projects at once?
Although it’s rewarding, maintenance work can also be very hectic. Multiple machines may break at once, or you might need to take care of a significant problem with your regular tasks. Interviewers who ask this question want to know that you can handle the stress.
Sample answer: “Being organized helps me stay on top of my work. I use a daily planner to schedule my tasks, and I make sure my manager agrees with my deadlines. If one project takes longer than I expected, I immediately report the problem and make adjustments.”
Do you think it’s important to follow safety guidelines while on the job?
Maintenance and repair work can be dangerous. A technician/mechanic who doesn’t care about safety guidelines is a liability because they’ll hurt themselves or somebody else. Even if no one is injured, unsafe behavior could lead to severe consequences for the company.
When you encounter this question, emphasize how serious you are about following safety guidelines.
Sample answer: “Nothing is more important than our safety. As a Maintenance Technician/Mechanic, I believe it’s my responsibility to protect the safety of myself, my coworkers, and my clients. I always make sure to follow every safety regulation and protocol when I’m working.”
What are some of the challenging conditions that maintenance professionals need to deal with?
Your interviewer wants to know if you have a realistic idea of the job conditions. A simple, direct answer will reassure them.
Answer: “Being a Maintenance Technician/Mechanic is a physical job. I’m used to working long hours in tough weather conditions. I have also worked with risky equipment.”
Describe your perfect boss
Your soft skills are just as critical as your technical abilities. Companies want to hire people who will work well with the team. When describing your perfect boss, try to show that you’ll be easy to work with.
Sample answer: “I can work with anyone, but my perfect boss would be someone who cared about the job and could give me guidance. I feel better in inclusive environments where questions are welcome. I know that Midland Factories has a strong reputation for worker satisfaction, which is one reason I’m eager to work here.”
Head over to FactoryFix and schedule an appointment with a career coach if you want a deep dive on finding a Maintenance Technician or Mechanic job. You can also check out our job board to see if any postings catch your eye.
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