Maintenance Technician Interview Questions and Perfect Example Answers

In this post article you will learn how to pass a maintenance technician interview. If you have a maintenance technician interview coming up for any organization whatsoever, make sure you read this article very well, because it will help you to succeed and to achieve that goal this is what this article will cover.

• List of common maintenance technician job interview questions, strongly recommend you prepare for.
• Brilliant example answers to difficult maintenance technician interview questions.
• Important tips on how you can stand out during your maintenance technician interview.

Maintenance Technician Interview Questions and Perfect Example Answers

So the first question you need to prepare for is ‘tell me about yourself’.

Question #1: Tell me about yourself?

Tip – This is going to be the first maintenance technician interview question that you will need to answer.

In your response, talk about:

The skills and the qualities you have;

How you will always work to strict safety regulations; Safety should be a main feature of your answers to all of the maintenance technician interview questions.

How you will ensure their business has as much up-time as possible through effective maintenance.

So below is a perfect example answer to that first maintenance technician interview question, “Tell me about yourself”

“Over the years, I have built up extensive experience that ensures the work I do is safe, to exacting standards and it is completed in a timely manner. Now, whilst the work I carry out as a maintenance technician will always be to the highest standards possible, I understand your organization needs to stay operational, and on that basis I will always work quickly and diligently.

I have excellent fault finding capabilities; I am strong physically, and I have robust coordination and manual dexterity skills. Now, another one of my core strengths is my Problem-Solving capabilities. For example, in a previous role, I was often praised by my supervisors for not only solving difficult maintenance issues quickly, but for also taking the time to prevent them from happening again, which resulted in more operational uptime for the company.

Now, if you hire me as your maintenance technician, I will always work safely both on my own and as part of a team, and I will ensure my competency levels are always at the highest standards achievable.”

So that is a really good answer to that first question, tell me about yourself. It is positive in nature and it sets you up for the rest of your maintenance technician interview with confidence, and that’s what we are trying to achieve. Let move on to the next question.

Question #2: Why do you want to work for our organization as a maintenance technician?

Tip – Now, it is important to show that you have conducted some research into their organization and that you plan to stay working with them for a long period of time. The role of a maintenance technician is not one that an employer wants to keep changing periodically. They want someone to stay in the role for a long period of time. Below is a perfect example answer to help you.

“I want to work for your organization primarily because you insist on high standards. I always work diligently and within strict safety guidelines as a maintenance technician. So from that perspective, the organization I work for must have the same standards as I do.

The second reason is, you are clearly a progressive organization. I am looking for long-term employment as a maintenance technician and from what I have gathered during my research, you will be around for many more years to come. This means, providing I do a good job for you, which I guarantee I will do. I will always have secure employment.

Finally, other people I’ve spoken to about the way your organization is run, have said nothing but good things about the management team. Now, this means you will support me in my work, which again is really important to me.”

So that’s a really good answer because you are giving three reasons why you want to work for their organization. The rest of the candidates will probably just give one reason. So this helps you to stand out now.

Question #3: How would you deal with a machinery breakdown?

Tip – Now when answering this maintenance technician interview question, show you can use a systematic fault finding process that is guaranteed to achieve results.

Remember, working methodically and safely are two really important aspects of being a competent maintenance technician. So below is a perfect example answer to help you.

“With any breakdown or issue i will always follow a six step fault analysis process whilst maintaining rigorous safety standards throughout.

Step one is where I will collect evidence to ascertain what has happened. I will speak to the last known operator to find out what occurred, and if safe to do so, I will operate the machinery and use my senses to detect any problems. Vibration, smells, temperature, unusual operation and sounds can sometimes lead you to the issue quickly.

Step two is where I will assess the evidence I have gathered and referred to the operating manual or the instructions.

Step three is where I will locate the fault by using a process of elimination. I will then run tests to see what is working until I eventually whittle things down to the exact cause.

Step four is where I will repair the fault and at this stage, I will be able to inform my supervisor or manager how long the machinery will be non-operational for. This will then allow them to plan accordingly.

Step five is where I will run some tests to make sure the machinery is safe, serviceable and fully operational.

Finally, step six is where I will inform management that the machinery is safe to operate again, and I will spend time explaining how the same issue can be avoided again in the future. Now, this might mean having to retrain the operator or perhaps even putting systems in place to prevent a recurrence.”

That is an in-depth answer, because you are using a six step process to deal with a machinery breakdown. It’s a really good process and you are also explaining all of the different steps in detail, so it shows you are a competent maintenance technician. Here is the next question.

Question #4: What are preventative maintenance regulations?

Tip – Your knowledge of safety regulations that encompass your work as a maintenance technician is likely to be assessed during your maintenance technician interview.

Now, here’s another perfect example answer to help you to this common question, “What are preventative maintenance regulations?”

“Preventative maintenance regulations are designed to be a set of hazard controls in the workplace that collectively help to prevent incidents and injury. The creation, dissemination and updating of the regulations are the responsibility of the employer, and all employees must adhere to them.

Now, the regulations will include guidelines and instructions that ensure all equipment maintains its operational status. It is operated correctly, and steps are taken to ensure it is regularly serviced to identify defects and potential safety issues.

The preventative maintenance regulations are governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, and this regulatory body provides employees with guidance on how to maintain compliance.”

That is a brilliant answer. It shows you fully understand what those regulations are and how they are implemented within the workplace. Don’t forget, safety is a really important aspect of your maintenance technician interview.

Question #5: What are your strengths?

Here’s another question guaranteed to come up.

Tip – This question is guaranteed to feature at some stage during your maintenance technician interview. Now, when you answer the question, give four or five strengths that are a match for the job description. That is really important.

Below is a perfect example answer to help you.

“My strengths include my ability to operate quickly but within strict operational safety standards. I will never put your organization or your workers at risk by poor working practices or repairs. I’m a strong problem solver, and I have lots of experience to draw upon, which means your business will be operational most of the time because I can identify the cause of a problem quickly.

Other strengths include the fact I am commercially aware. Now, what I mean by this is, I understand your business needs to be fully up and running as much as possible, and I will work the hours needed to ensure that happens.

Finally, I work well with others, I am an excellent organizer of my work and I have strong attention to detail skills and I can turn my hand to almost anything that is technical related.”

That’s another great answer. You’re giving lots of strengths there that are clearly a match for the maintenance technician job description that you are applying for.

Question #6: What’s your biggest weakness?

Tip – This question is guaranteed to come up during your maintenance Technician interview. Be careful not to give a weakness that is a match for any aspect of the role you are being interviewed for.

Below is a perfect way to answer this difficult question.

“If I am being honest, I would say my weakness is my frustration when I have dealt with some people in the past who do not understand how important safety is when operating machinery and carrying out their work in general.

Whilst I am someone who understands businesses have tight budgets, I have a responsibility to my employer to make sure the work we all do around machinery is safe. I need to learn to be calmer about people who have this attitude, and whilst I will always insist they work to be the relevant safety standards, I need to not let it frustrate me so much.

Having said that, another one of my strengths is my ability to take onboard feedback and constructive criticism, so if you see something I am doing that you are not happy with, just tell me and I will improve on it straight away.”

That’s a really good answer. It’s not a match for the job description and it shows that you are highly safety conscious.