Chapter 1 Careers in Industrial Maintenance 13 Common Interview Questions and Responses Question Response What can you tell me about yourself? Briefl y summarize your abilities as they relate to the job qualifi cations or your career goals. Do not provide a general life history. Why do you want to work for this company? Tell what you know about the company. Explain how your abilities match the company’s needs. Why do you think you would like this kind of work? Relate the job requirements to your successful past experiences. What are some of the projects you worked on in school? Briefl y summarize a project or coursework relevant to the job qualifi cations. What other jobs have you had? Focus on jobs with skills that relate to the jobs you are seeking. Why did you leave your last job? Be honest. However, avoid saying anything negative about your previous employer. Have you ever been fi red from a job? If so, why? Answer honestly. If you have been fi red, share what you learned from the experience. Avoid trying to blame others. What are your major strengths and weaknesses? Select a strength that relates to the job qualifi cations. Be honest when selecting a weakness, but give an example of how you have worked to improve on it. Have you ever had a confl ict with a coworker? How did you handle it? Briefl y describe the situation and how you handled it. Avoid placing all the blame on the other person. Explain what you learned from the experience. What do you expect to be paid? If possible, determine the salary range before the interview. Say that you are willing to discuss the salary or state a range you feel comfort- able with. What are your future plans? Describe how the need to learn and grow is important to you. Confi ne your answer to the company with which you are interviewing. Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Figure 1-11. Sample job interview questions. Prepare answers for these and other questions you might expect during your interview. While your coworkers will be watching what you do, they will also pay attention to how you work. How to behave in the workplace is an important lesson all employees should learn. Making an eff ort to do your best will help you succeed. 1.5.1 Dress and Appearance Some companies may provide work uniforms, laundry service, and a locker room. Other companies may provide nothing. Your job responsibilities dictate your work dress. If working in a lab setting, slacks and a collared shirt are appropriate (the company may provide lab coats). Working on a factory fl oor can include environments that range from dusty grinding and welding areas to a sterile clean room. Dress appropriately for your job requirements. If working near machinery, never wear anything that could get caught in a machine and result in injury—your workplace may have guidance on this. If your work requires safety shoes (such as steel-toed work boots), the company may either purchase them for you or reimburse you after your pur- chase. Clothing requirements are something to ask about during an interview. While some employers may not have rules concern- ing hygiene, others will. Th is is dictated by the environ- ment you work in and the responsibilities of the position. If you work in a food manufacturing plant, you may be required to be clean-shaven, have short hair, and use hair- nets. You may also be required to be clean-shaven if you use a respirator or SCBA (self-contained breathing appa- ratus). In most companies, neatly trimmed facial hair and well-kept hair are the norm. T E C H T I P Dress for Success Even if wearing company-issued work uniforms, dress neatly. Showing up in a dirty or wrinkled uniform does not improve your image at the company. 1.5.2 Tools of the Trade Companies will tell you whether you must supply your own tools or they will supply everything or, most frequently, Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.