17 General Maintenance Technician Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various general maintenance technician interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common General Maintenance Technician Interview Questions
- What experience do you have with general maintenance?
- What types of maintenance tasks are you familiar with?
- How would you approach resolving a maintenance issue?
- What have you found to be the most challenging aspect of maintenance work?
- What motivates you to do your best work?
- How do you stay organized and keep track of maintenance tasks?
- What do you do when you encounter a problem with a piece of equipment?
- How do you prevent equipment problems from occurring in the first place?
- What is your experience with preventative maintenance?
- What do you think is the most important aspect of preventative maintenance?
- How do you troubleshoot equipment problems?
- What is your experience with repairing equipment?
- What are some of the most common repair issues you have seen in your experience?
- How do you handle customer complaints or requests?
- What is your experience with record keeping for maintenance purposes?
- What computer skills do you have that would help you with maintenance work?
- Do you have any questions for us about the position or our company?
What experience do you have with general maintenance?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's experience in performing general maintenance tasks. This is important because it helps to determine if the candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the job.
General maintenance technicians are responsible for a wide range of tasks, from simple repairs to more complex projects. They need to be able to troubleshoot problems and identify the root cause of issues. In addition, they must be able to follow instructions and work independently.
Example: “I have experience with general maintenance tasks such as repairing and troubleshooting equipment, performing preventative maintenance, and cleaning and organizing work areas. I am also familiar with a variety of tools and materials used in general maintenance. In addition, I have good problem-solving skills and am able to work independently.”
What types of maintenance tasks are you familiar with?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the candidate's experience and knowledge in the field of maintenance. It is important to ask this question because it can help the interviewer determine if the candidate is qualified for the position.
Example: “I am familiar with a variety of maintenance tasks, including but not limited to:
-Cleaning and maintaining HVAC systems
-Performing routine maintenance on plumbing systems
-Inspecting and repairing electrical systems
-Servicing and repairing machinery and equipment
-Maintaining landscaping and grounds”
How would you approach resolving a maintenance issue?
Some possible reasons an interviewer might ask this question to a general maintenance technician are to gauge the technician's problem-solving skills, ability to take initiative, and knowledge of company policies. It is important for the interviewer to know how the technician would handle a maintenance issue because it can give insight into how the technician would handle other situations that may arise on the job.
Example: “If I were faced with a maintenance issue, the first thing I would do is try to identify the root cause of the problem. Once the root cause has been identified, I would then develop a plan to resolve the issue. This plan would involve taking corrective action to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again in the future. I would also implement a monitoring plan to ensure that the problem does not recur.”
What have you found to be the most challenging aspect of maintenance work?
The most challenging aspect of maintenance work is keeping up with the demands of the job. There is always something that needs to be fixed or updated, and it can be difficult to keep up with the pace. It is important for a general maintenance technician to be able to stay organized and efficient in order to keep up with the demands of the job.
Example: “The most challenging aspect of maintenance work is keeping up with the constantly changing technology. With new equipment and systems being introduced all the time, it can be difficult to stay current on the latest advancements. Additionally, as equipment and systems get more complex, it can be challenging to troubleshoot and repair them when something goes wrong.”
What motivates you to do your best work?
The interviewer is trying to determine if the candidate is likely to be a high performer in the role. It is important to understand what motivates a candidate so that you can ensure they are motivated in the role.
Example: “I am motivated to do my best work because I want to be able to contribute to the success of the company and I take pride in my work. I also enjoy working with people and helping them to achieve their goals.”
How do you stay organized and keep track of maintenance tasks?
An interviewer would ask this question to a general maintenance technician to gauge their organizational skills and ability to keep track of maintenance tasks. This is important because it shows whether or not the technician is able to effectively manage their time and workload. If a technician is unable to stay organized and keep track of their tasks, it can lead to missed deadlines, incomplete work, and unhappy customers.
Example: “I typically use a combination of a physical planner and a digital to-do list to stay organized and keep track of maintenance tasks. I find that having both a physical and digital record helps me to keep on top of things and not miss anything important. In my physical planner, I write down upcoming tasks and deadlines, as well as any appointments or meetings related to maintenance. I also keep a running list of tasks that need to be completed in the near future, as well as a longer-term list of projects that need to be tackled. My digital to-do list is more for day-to-day task management; I add items to it as they come up and check them off as I complete them. This helps me to stay on top of smaller tasks and make sure that nothing falls through the cracks.”
What do you do when you encounter a problem with a piece of equipment?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the technician's problem-solving abilities. This is important because maintenance technicians must be able to quickly and efficiently solve problems that arise with equipment.
Example: “If I encounter a problem with a piece of equipment, the first thing I do is try to determine the root cause of the problem. Once I have determined the root cause, I will take steps to fix the problem. If I am unable to fix the problem, I will escalate the issue to my supervisor.”
How do you prevent equipment problems from occurring in the first place?
One of the main responsibilities of a general maintenance technician is to prevent equipment problems from occurring in the first place. This is important because it can save the company time and money by avoiding potential downtime and repairs. Additionally, it can help improve the overall efficiency of the workplace.
Example: “The best way to prevent equipment problems from occurring in the first place is to perform regular maintenance and inspections on all equipment. This will help to identify any potential issues before they become major problems. Additionally, keeping a clean and organized work area will also help to prevent equipment problems.”
What is your experience with preventative maintenance?
An interviewer would ask "What is your experience with preventative maintenance?" to a/an General Maintenance Technician in order to gauge what kind of experience the candidate has with maintaining and repairing equipment. It is important for the interviewer to know this because it will help them determine if the candidate is qualified for the job.
Example: “I have experience with preventative maintenance from my previous job as a general maintenance technician. I would regularly check and replace filters, clean equipment, and perform other tasks to keep the equipment running smoothly. I am familiar with various types of preventative maintenance schedules and can develop a schedule that meets the needs of the equipment and the company.”
What do you think is the most important aspect of preventative maintenance?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the General Maintenance Technician's understanding of preventative maintenance and its importance. Preventative maintenance is important because it helps to identify potential problems early on, before they have a chance to cause major damage or disruption. By catching problems early, preventative maintenance can save a lot of time, money, and hassle in the long run.
Example: “The most important aspect of preventative maintenance is to identify and correct potential problems before they occur. This can be done through regular inspections, testing, and servicing of equipment. By doing this, it can help to avoid costly repairs or replacements, and keep equipment running smoothly.”
How do you troubleshoot equipment problems?
The interviewer is asking this question to assess the candidate's technical skills and knowledge. As a general maintenance technician, it is important to be able to troubleshoot equipment problems in order to keep the equipment running smoothly. This question will help the interviewer determine if the candidate has the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job.
Example: “There are a few steps that can be taken when troubleshooting equipment problems:
1. First, try to identify the problem by looking at the equipment and observing any abnormal behavior.
2. If the problem cannot be identified by visual inspection, try to find out if there are any error codes or messages being displayed on the equipment.
3. Once the problem has been identified, try to find a solution in the equipment manual or online.
4. If a solution cannot be found, contact the manufacturer or a qualified technician for assistance.”
What is your experience with repairing equipment?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the maintenance technician's experience and knowledge in repairing equipment. This is important because it will give the interviewer an indication of whether or not the maintenance technician is able to effectively carry out their duties. If the maintenance technician does not have much experience in repairing equipment, they may not be able to effectively carry out their duties, which could lead to problems down the line.
Example: “I have experience repairing a wide variety of equipment, from small appliances to large industrial machinery. I have experience troubleshooting and repairing electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems. I am familiar with a variety of tools and techniques for repairing equipment, and I have the ability to quickly learn new methods as needed.”
What are some of the most common repair issues you have seen in your experience?
This question is important because it allows the interviewer to gauge the applicant's level of experience and knowledge. By asking about the most common repair issues, the interviewer can get a sense of what the applicant has seen and dealt with in their previous roles. This question also allows the interviewer to see how the applicant would handle a situation if they were faced with a similar issue in their current role.
Example: “The most common repair issues I have seen are related to electrical and plumbing systems. Other common issues include HVAC repairs, appliance repairs, and general carpentry work.”
How do you handle customer complaints or requests?
An interviewer might ask this question to a general maintenance technician to gauge their customer service skills. It is important for a general maintenance technician to have good customer service skills because they will be working with customers on a regular basis and need to be able to handle complaints or requests in a professional and efficient manner.
Example: “When a customer complaint or request comes in, the first thing I do is try to understand the issue from the customer's perspective. I then work with the team to come up with a resolution that is satisfactory to both the customer and the company. In some cases, this may mean going above and beyond what is originally requested.”
What is your experience with record keeping for maintenance purposes?
The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the level of experience the technician has in keeping track of maintenance records. This is important because it helps the interviewer understand how organized and detail-oriented the technician is, and whether they will be able to keep track of the maintenance work that needs to be done on a regular basis.
Example: “I have experience keeping records for maintenance purposes in both paper and electronic formats. I am familiar with work order systems and asset management software, and I am able to keep track of maintenance activities and schedules using these tools. I am also experienced in performing audits of maintenance records to ensure accuracy and completeness.”
What computer skills do you have that would help you with maintenance work?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the applicant's technical abilities and whether they have the skills necessary to perform maintenance work. It is important to know if the applicant has the ability to troubleshoot and repair various types of equipment.
Example: “I am proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. I also have experience using various computer-aided design (CAD) software programs. My CAD skills would be particularly helpful in creating detailed diagrams or drawings of equipment or facilities. In addition, I have basic knowledge of HTML coding, which could be used to create web-based maintenance manuals or other documentation.”
Do you have any questions for us about the position or our company?
There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask if the candidate has any questions. First, it allows the interviewer to gauge the level of interest the candidate has in the position or company. It also gives the candidate an opportunity to learn more about the company and what it would be like to work there. Finally, it shows that the candidate is willing to take the time to ask questions and is not just interested in getting a job.
Example: “1. What can you tell me about the company?
2. What are the main responsibilities of the position?
3. What qualifications are required for the position?
4. What is the company culture like?
5. What are the potential career paths for someone in this position?
6. What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
7. What is the company's policy on overtime and working weekends?
8. Are there opportunities for training and development?
9. What are the expectations for travel?”