In an interview to be a machine operator, you will be askedabout the experience you gained during your apprenticeship, your knowledge of how to operate various machines and adhere to their safety requirements, and your ability to perform tasks that require intense focus for long stretches of time. You may be asked technical questions that will depend on the machine or machines you will operate on the job. Machine operators must have completed apprenticeship programs and received certification to operate the required machinery.
Here are three top machine operator interview questions and how to answer them.
How to answer: Discuss your work history. While the quantity of machines you have experience with may impress the interviewer, the quality of your experience is also important. To display mastery, be sure to speak in detail about a few. Consider sharing a challenge you faced with a particular machine and how you overcame it to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
How to answer: Discuss in detail how you performed routine quality checks on machines in past roles. This affords you a chance to demonstrate how intimately you knew past machines, so the interviewers can feel confident that you will treat their machines with the same care and attention to detail. Machine operators are responsible for handling dangerous equipment, so a successful answer would also emphasize the importance of safety.
How to answer: While you may have discussed your experience operating complex machinery, interviewers will also want to know that you are organized and thorough. Describe how you have kept logs in the past, highlighting specific information you include in each report, including dates, model numbers, and serial numbers. This not only shows that you are meticulous, but also that you value the equipment and do your part to prevent expensive repairs.