Interviews for maintenance engineer roles are more than just a formality. It’s your chance to prove that you’re right for the role, showcase your skills, and figure out if the job is truly right for you. It’s a two-way process, and a crucial step in your career journey.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to give yourself the best possible chance of success.
From what to do before the interview, to how you follow up afterwards, we’ll cover every stage of the process.
You can jump to the part you need help with the most:
INTERVIEW PREPARATION
Do Your Research
Research is one of the most important parts of your maintenance engineer interview preparation. There are 3 things you need to focus on:
Research the Company
At the very least, find out:
- What they do
- What products they manufacture
- Their values
Tailoring you answers to the specifics of the role and company will:
- Create a good first impression
- Display enthusiasm
- Avoid being put on the spot
You can never know too much.
Review the Job
If you can’t find the answer to these beforehand, ask them in the interview:
- What’s the day to day split of mech to elec work?
- How old are the machines?
- How big is the existing team? Longevity?
- What’s the environment like?
There’s no such thing as ‘overprepared’.
Understand the Interview
Maintenance engineer interviews vary. Be prepared for a:
- Technical test
- Site tour
- Conversation with senior team
Steps you can take to prepare for these types:
- Brush up on your technical skills
- Bring your PPE
- Draft some responses
Make sure to chase up these details!
Dress Appropriately
First impressions count! How you present yourself sets the tone for the interview.
You should always aim to look professional, but keep the role and environment in mind.
While turning up in joggers won’t go down well, wearing a full suit can sometimes feel out of place – especially in engineering.
Your recruiter can advise you exactly on what the client prefers – whether that’s fully suited and booted or more smart casual.
Top Tips?
- Wear trousers that you’re comfortable wearing safety boots with (remember, if you’re a promising candidate the hiring manager will give you a site tour)
Be Aware of Common Interview Mistakes and Challenges
Complacency is a common mistake at the minute. With so many options out there, you may think you have it in the bag before you even interview – avoid this!
Don’t be complacent and then underprepared!
Nerves are a real challenge for many engineers – especially those with good longevity. We’ve had a few engineers in the past 6 months with this challenge. They look brilliant on paper but haven’t interviewed in years.
If interviewing doesn’t come naturally to you, preparation is your friend!
Another common mistake is your punctuality. So…
- Know exactly where you’re going in advance.
- Factor in traffic to your journey time.
- Arrive in plenty of time, it shows you’re reliable and manage time well.
- If there are any issues, communicate them ASAP.
It’s better to be early than late!
And by knowing how to prepare for an interview, you can avoid these common issues and perform better during the interview…
DURING THE INTERVIEW
How to Present Yourself in the Interview
Introducing Yourself
Coming across as keen is the best thing you can do.
The best engineers will work for it from the minute they get there to the minute they leave.
Even if they are almost certain the job is theirs!
Attitude
It is key to maintain a positive attitude throughout.
BE:
Calm, Collected, Professional, and Polite.
NOT:
Cocky, Pessimistic, or Desperate.
Remember to listen! There will be a lot to find out once you’re there.
Body Language
Body language will convey who you are before you even speak. Remember to:
- Smile
- Maintain eye contact
The right body language can help support your answers and sell yourself even more.
Questions to Expect
There are some key topics of interest for hiring managers. So, you can expect certain types of interview questions:
Scenario Based Questions
- Share an example of when you had to deal with a difficult breakdown and what were the steps you had to take?
- Have you had to work with a difficult team member and how did you work together?
- How do you logically get to the bottom of a fault?
- How would you approach a breakdown from point A to point B?
- If there was a health and safety incident on site, how would you approach dealing with this?
Questions on Qualifications and Skill Set
- What engineering qualifications do you have?
- What skills do you have relevant to the position?
- Tell me about a time when you overcame a problem you faced.
- What skills do you have that will help you to stand out as a maintenance engineer?
Questions on Specific Experience
- What has your experience looked like in maintenance?
- Do you have any specific heavy plant or manufacturing experience?
- Have you worked in a similar environment to the role?
How to Answer Questions
Most engineering managers will know within minutes whether you’re a good fit. But there are ways to give yourself the best shot and leave a strong impression.
Here are some tips to boost your performance:
- Use the STAR approach (Situation, Task, Action, Result – we have a whole article on how to use this)
- Be confident but not arrogant in your answer (even if you’re nervous).
- Take your time.
- Have a conversation with them, a bit of back and forth.
- Throw in some questions for yourself.
- Refer to their processes and bits of machinery they have on their site.
- Turn any missing skills into a positive (e.g., you’ve not worked with a particular machine, but you’ve worked with similar and learn quickly)
Often, interviews between engineers feel more like a chat than a formal Q&A. That’s a good thing, a natural, free-flowing chat usually means you’re doing well.
Skills to Show Off
The hiring manager will be looking out for certain skills. Here are some you should show off in your maintenance engineer interview…
Your understanding of their equipment and systems; Knowledge of different maintenance techniques, software, and tools; Attention to detail; Understanding of, and abidance with, safety regulations; Communication skills; Time management; Task Prioritisation; Analytical thinking; Adaptability and Flexibility; Troubleshooting skills.
Questions You Should Ask
Asking questions in your interview isn’t just encouraged. It’s expected. It shows you’re engaged, curious, and serious about the role.
Ask anything that naturally comes up, but also prepare a few in advance that demonstrate your research and long-term interest. Here are some great examples:
- Where do you find major issues on site, and could I remedy that?
- Planned maintenance procedure vs. reactive?
- Where do you want the business to go?
- What are your future plans for the next 3-5 years?
The latter is a particularly strong one to ask. But why?
- Shows you’re not treating the job as a now, stop-gap sort of role.
- Shows you have a long-term vision and mindset to stay for several years.
- These engineers generally get lots of investment in them.
- You’ll stand out to the hiring manager as they don’t like job hoppiness.
Concluding the Maintenance Engineer Interview
When the interview feels like it’s coming to a close. Make sure you’ve got across what you had prepared.
Sufficiently proved your suitability for the role; showed off your skills; highlighted your long-term commitment to their company; displayed your knowledge of the role and their company; displayed confidence and a positive attitude?
You could finish off your interview by asking some closing questions like:
- What else do you want to know from me?
- Is there anything else I can further prove to you to show my suitability for the role?
This will show that inquisitive element which I know engineering managers like.
Once the interview is finished you will have a feel for how it went. But also if you still want the job. Remember, interviews also allow you to make sure you want to work with them and in that role.
NEXT STEPS
After your maintenance engineer interview, you should reflect on several things. You need to be sure this is the right role for you and know how to follow up and seek feedback
Green and Red Flags to Look Out For…
I advise you to chew on a few aspects of your interview. And you don’t want to just punt for the first one you see as soon as you get offered it. There are several green AND red flags to consider:
GREEN
- An in-depth discussion of what you can offer, but also what you can’t do
- Hiring manager passionate about new people joining and adding to the team
- If the rest of the team has been there for a while
- A prompt but considered response
- When the paperwork comes quickly/alongside the job offer
RED
- A really short interview process.
- If they seem over-keen
- Getting offered the job 30 minutes after leaving – they’re probably desperate
- When the paperwork doesn’t closely follow the offer
- High staff turnover
- Hiring manager not enthused about new starters
Following Up and Getting Feedback
You should communicate your thoughts and any further questions with your recruiter.
Your recruiter will be in touch when they have information to share with you.
And will be chasing the client on your behalf – be patient!
SUMMARY
The maintenance engineer interview process can feel lengthy. But with the right preparation, you’ll stay in control and give yourself the best shot.
Use this guide to get the most out of every stage, and ideally, you won’t need to refer back to it again anytime soon.
Working with a recruiter can make the process even smoother.
We’ll help you prepare, explain what to expect in the interview, and give you insight you won’t find online. Our advice is based on first-hand knowledge of the role, the hiring manager, and the company culture. This makes it one of your biggest assets, alongside your own skills and experience.
What Next?
Want to put this new knowledge to good use? Now all you need is an interview. Browse our jobs to see what’s available right now.
