4 Common Questions to Expect During a Manufacturing Interview
Posted April 28, 2014 & filed under Uncategorized
It always helps to be prepared for a manufacturing interview, and the last thing you want to do is sit down with a hiring manager without knowing what common interview questions will be asked. Thankfully, most of them are not unique snowflakes.
If you have a manufacturing interview on the horizon, make sure you are ready to answer these common interview questions.
What was the least successful project? How did you respond?
During the interview, you should always be prepared to talk about your failures and weaknesses. This question is designed to show hiring managers how you react to the best of times as well as the worst of times.
It’s best to pick a particular failure that occurred early on in your career. Newbie mistakes are always easy to forgive. Plus, it will set you up perfectly to talk about what you learned and how you came away from the situation a better person.
How would you deal with a difficult supplier?
In other words, “how good are your communication skills?” As an essential step in product lifecycles, manufacturers have dealings with all sorts of professionals. Unfortunately, not everyone is all sunshine and rainbows.
The best way to approach this interview question is twofold. First, you want to convey that you are an understanding and empathetic person. Dealing with conflict is a fact of life, and no one wants to hire a person with a stone heart. Second, you want to show that you can be assertive when push comes to shove. Show that you can act in the best interests of the manufacturing firm while maintaining healthy industry relationships.
What is the most important factor in running a factory?
This is a rather common interview question that most manufacturing engineers will face. Here, the hiring manager is looking to gauge how much you know about manufacturing operations.
You want to do as much research on the company beforehand to ascertain how they operate. Then, when you answer this question, you can match your skills to their style of manufacturing and prove that you are the best fit for the job.
Where do you think the manufacturing industry is headed?
It is best to maintain a positive outlook when tackling this interview question. You can be realistic when it comes to the challenges that the industry is facing, but always look towards the future with excitement. Most importantly, tell the hiring manager how you feel this company, along with you, fit into the overall future.
Although these are some of the most common interview questions manufacturers will face during the interview, they are not the only ones that will be asked. Recruiters have insights on the culture and operations of many companies and can help prepare you for the interview process. Contact one to get your job search started today.
By Kevin Withers
