Tell about a time when you spoke up about something you felt wasn't right. What was the situation?

"One specific instance was where I was asked to climb up the scaffolding and do a small welding repair at the top. The scaffolding looked high enough that I should be wearing a harness, but my boss just told me to climb up and do the repair without it. Since we were in a group of people, I pulled him to the side and asked specifically about the height of the scaffolding and whether or not I should be wearing a harness. He actually agreed that the height of the scaffolding probably did require a harness and told me to wear one. He told me that he appreciated my initiative in speaking up, but also in doing it just the two of us and not in front of everyone."

Think about a time when you've had to take the initiative to speak up. It might be when you were asked to do something you had not been trained for or a time when you were asked to do something a certain way even though you knew that it wasn't the best way. Don't give an extreme example where you were asked to blatantly do something against policy or procedure, as this just opens you up to answering questions about judgment on the job.

Tell us about a time when someone pointed out something you did wrong. How did you feel about it? What was the situation? What did you say or do?

"I remember when I was first learning how to weld, I thought that I could just grab a welding helmet. I didn't realize at the time that we had both types of welding helmets on hand. A coworker quickly pointed out that I was wearing the wrong helmet for the job. At first, I wasn't sure what he meant because I was wearing a helmet. I stopped welding immediately and gave him a chance to explain that I was just wearing the wrong type. I immediately corrected my mistake and made sure that in the future I always chose the correct helmet for the job. I also made a point to thank him because he could have saved me from an injury."

This scenario is designed to gauge your maturity level at work. We've all done something wrong at one time or another, and how you handle correction and feedback says a lot about you. Try to think of a time when you were corrected for a small mistake, and how you overcame the fact that someone pointed out something you did wrong.

In general, do you think policies and procedures help our work or make it harder? Why do you feel that way?

"I definitely think that policies and procedures help my work. I know that they have been created out of necessity, and unfortunately, sometimes due to safety reasons. I've seen several procedures change over the years because someone was following it exactly and still got hurt."

Policies and procedures can be found at every job and are always there for a reason. Whether it makes the tasks quicker, easier, longer, or safer, those policies and procedures have likely been born out of the experience of others. It is certainly ok to question why a particular policy or procedure exists and to ask questions if you don't understand.

Tell me about a job you had that involved a lot of repetition. How did you handle that?

"When I worked at XYZ company, we did the same routine every morning before we had our team safety meetings. We followed a checklist, and it was the same every day. It might seem boring to do those same tasks over and over each day, but you also have to remember to be alert and do them safely. Sometimes I'll read the task out loud and then say the steps as I complete them to make sure I stay focused. That way, I know I am doing the routine safely and effectively every day."

It seems like every job can have repetition whether we like it or not. This question is related to your conscientiousness and work habits. How you handle the same, sometimes boring, repetitive task can say a lot about you as an employee. Try to relate the things you do to keep yourself alert on the job so that mistakes don't occur.

Describe an emergency situation where you had to take action. What was the situation? What did you do?

"At one of my previous jobs, it was mandatory that every new hire was on the fire brigade. I actually really enjoyed it, but it was a bit nerve-wracking when we were really involved in emergency situations. One time, there was a small fire in the shop that got out of control pretty quickly. Someone activated the emergency alert system, which meant everyone had to evacuate the area. The fire brigade assembled in a certain part of the plant and immediately got to work in putting the fire out. I was part of the fire brigade that was sent since I was already working in that part of the shop. I was nervous, but at the same time I also knew that I had been fully trained to handle this type of situation, and I leaned on that training to guide me. The fire was out in no time, and we were all relieved that more damage didn't happen."

Technical judgment during an emergency situation can really say a lot about your overall ability. Try to think of an emergency situation in which you were directly involved and describe what it was, why you were involved, and how it was resolved. If you have never personally been in an emergency situation where you had to take action, give an example of an emergency situation that you witnessed and how it was handled.

Tell me about a time when you did something that was not safe. Why did you do it that way and what happened?

"Well it might be hard to admit that I've done things on the job that weren't safe, but I also like to think I've learned from them and have never repeated those mistakes. One time, there was yellow tape and cones around a certain spot in the shop, indicating it was not safe to walk in that area. However, it was there for over a week and there just didn't seem to be anything unsafe going on in that area. I was tempted to cut through the tape because it was a lot faster route to the office, but instead, I found myself cutting the corner just a little too close each time I went past. None of my coworkers seemed to know what was going on, but I finally asked a night shift supervisor who said he just assumed the day shift had put it there. Turned out that the situation had been safely resolved a long time ago, and no one felt it was their job to remove the safety cones and tape."

Safety awareness is a key factor for any job. In this question, you are specifically being asked to give an example of something that was not safe. We've all done it, so don't fret about how you'll be judged based on your answer. Try to think of something that wasn't a blatant disregard for policies or procedures or in direct conflict with something a supervisor told you to do.

Describe your experience with Gas alarms.

"I've worked with all sorts of analyzer instruments, and every time a gas alarm happens, people tend to panic. If you don't know how to troubleshoot the problem, you definitely should be scared in a healthy way. Whenever I get called for a gas alarm, I go through a set of troubleshooting steps to identify the problem. Once all safety protocols have been followed, such as evacuating the area, I can use a gas leak detector to help identify the source of the problem. If the system has a really good gas alarm, I can often work on it wirelessly to detect the issue and fix it immediately."

Since gas alarms are basically used to detect gas leaks, the interviewer is looking at your technical capability and experience working with analyzer instruments. If you have never had this type of experience, be sure to be honest with your answer. Try to think of a specific example where you worked with a gas alarm to troubleshoot and solve a problem.

What are some disappointments that you have experienced in your previous jobs? Why?

"Probably some of my biggest disappointments have involved coworkers who have retired or moved to a different job site. After spending so much time with certain people, you really get used to working with them and enjoy their company. I really think we spend more time with our coworkers than we do our own family, so when one of them moves on, it can be a tough transition. In my last job, several of our supervisors retired at the same time. It was great in that it opened up advancement opportunities for the rest of us, but it was also pretty disappointing that we no longer had their knowledge and friendship on the job."

For this question, try to think of a small but impactful disappointment you've had along the way. Try to stay away from giving examples of mistakes that you've made in the past, as this question is looking at your general ability to learn, grow, and do better in the future.

Describe a time a new person came to work with you. How did you respond to the person?

"I have had a lot of experience with new people. One of my previous jobs had a pretty high turnover rate, so it seemed like people were always coming and going. My philosophy with new hires is to make them feel welcome and part of the team as soon as possible. It doesn't matter if they make it a week or 10 years, I want them to know that I value teamwork and that they are valued as an employee."

How you handle other people, especially new team members, is a sign of your teamwork and interpersonal skills. If you've ever had the opportunity to train someone that was new, be sure to relate that experience. If not, try to give an example of a time when you warmly welcomed a new hire and how you immediately made them feel like they were a part of the team.

Tell us about a situation when a coworker asked you for help, but you were too busy working on your own assigned tasks. How did you handle the situation? What happened?

"My company hired a new apprentice to work under one of the senior employees. The apprentice asked me if I could guide him through a process, but I was on a tight deadline for my own work. I told him about my timeline situation and that as soon as I had a break to help him, I would. He was happy that I was even willing to help him, and I remember very clearly all of the people who took time to help me along the way when I was learning my craft."

This scenario is specifically asked to observe your teamwork and interpersonal skills. In your answer, focus on how you handled the situation, how you talked to the coworker, and how you intended to follow up with the coworker after you were finished with your own task or during breaks.

What type of coworker are you the most comfortable working with? Why?

"I prefer to work with people who are different than me, but have the same work ethic. I appreciate a coworker who is on time, safe, and gets things done, but I also enjoy hearing the different viewpoints of people with different backgrounds. Maybe they've worked in a different industry than me and can bring some understanding to a job that I don't have. It's always good to learn from others."

You might be tempted to answer that you are the most comfortable working with someone who keeps safety at the forefront of their mind, but try to work that into the example instead of making it your primary example. The interviewer is looking to gauge your teamwork and interpersonal skills in this question.

Tell us about a time when you found it hard to control your temper. What was the situation? What did you do or say?

"There have definitely been a few times on the job where I felt it was difficult to control my temper. I don't get mad easily because I tend to let things roll off my back. One time, in particular, I had a coworker who was always late to relieve me. It's one thing to be late once or twice, but when they are consistently late to relieve you, it can become a big problem. I talked to him about it many times and he always just blew me off. He even seemed mad at me for bringing it up. I finally went and talked to my supervisor and explained the situation. He agreed that it was something that needed to be addressed, but he also said I had to be the one to solve it. I went back and talked to my coworker several more times and explained how he really created a hardship for me when I've already been working 12 hours and he shows up 30 minutes late. He ended up quitting soon after, so the problem was naturally resolved. If that hadn't happened, I would have gone back to my boss to explain that I needed him to intervene at that point."

Be cautious with your answer here. You might be tempted to talk about a coworker you went off on or a boss who was super annoying. The interviewer is specifically looking at your maturity level and how you interact with others on the job. Notice that the question asks about a time you felt it hard to control your temper and not an example of when you were unable to control your temper.

Have you ever had to make a decision when no policy existed to cover it? What was the situation?

"One time we were asked to do a job at a new site that we had never been to before. We had our safety debriefing that morning and everything seemed fine. However, when we got there, the setup was nothing like we had planned. Even the schematics we had been given were wrong for what we were looking at. We stopped to discuss as a team how to proceed, and we all decided we needed to stop the job and go back to our supervisor with the information. All of the procedures we had been given to follow at the job site didn't apply, so we stopped the job and reconvened with the new information. This wasn't something that I decided all by myself, but our entire team made the decision together."

Policies and procedures have been put in place to help make a job safer and/or easier. Sometimes, however, a situation arises that does not follow the textbook policies, and decisions have to be made. It is entirely possible that this has never happened to you before, so just be honest with your answer. However, if it has happened to you, be sure to fully explain the situation, why there was no policy in place, and how you went about solving it.

Tell me about a time when you had to make an important decision without your boss. What was the situation? What happened?

"I was working in a different part of the plant one day and I knew the job I had to do, but there really wasn't anyone around to be my safety lookout. Whenever we do a job that is high up on the line, someone is supposed to be at the bottom for safety reasons. I looked everywhere and couldn't find anyone to help me out, and my boss wasn't answering his radio. I knew it wasn't safe to do the job without the safety person, so I used my stop work authority to pause the job. I found my boss later that day and explained the situation and why I decided to not go forward with the job. He totally understood why I made that decision and appreciated that I kept safety at the forefront of my mind, even though we were on a tight schedule to get things done."

Try to think of a time where you had to take the initiative to solve a problem without being able to consult your boss for whatever reason. Be sure to explain what the situation was, why your boss wasn't around to help with the decision, and the steps you took to solve the problem yourself.

Thinking back to your last job, what was your favorite part? Least favorite part?

"At my last job, I really enjoyed working as part of a team. There were plenty of times that I worked by myself, and I was perfectly fine with that. But I also enjoyed interacting with others and troubleshooting technical issues that might arise. I always enjoyed learning from the experience of others. As far as the least favorite part of my former job, I'd have to say that I felt that supervisors and other managers were unwilling to listen to ideas and suggestions for improvement. Honestly, I didn't have a lot of ideas for improvement because we ran pretty smoothly, but every now and then I did see room for improvement, and I was disappointed that it felt like our ideas weren't being considered."

This question might seem like it is meant to trick you, but the interviewer is really looking for what types of things interest you the most as well as your willingness to be honest. Try to think about what it is that you have liked the most about your former jobs and decide what category they fall into. Topics for your favorite part of your job might be hands-on work, flexible schedule, working as part of a team, ability to affect change as far as policies and procedures, you felt your ideas were listened to, etc. As far as your least favorite part of your former job, try not to be too specific. Don't mention a specific supervisor or coworker by name. Topics for your least favorite part of your job might include strict overtime policy or unable to voice ideas and suggestions for updating policies and procedures.

Describe a time a supervisor, or someone with authority over you, requested that you perform a task you did not want to do.

"I can think of one time that my supervisor asked me to sweep the shop floor. It wasn't something I was particularly excited about doing, but I also figured he must have a reason for asking me to do it since that was not generally something we did. I swept the floor, but I did ask him later if there had been an issue or some reason that he had asked me to do that task. He said that he had noticed some trip hazards and didn't want to wait until the end of the day for someone else to sweep it up. I was happy that he had noticed the safety issue and that we got it taken care of immediately."

How you handle this type of situation at work tells a lot about your conscientiousness and work habits. When a supervisor asks you to do something, he/she expects that you'll do it. It is certainly ok to ask questions or explain why you aren't able to do it, but blatantly telling a supervisor that you just don't want to do something is never a good idea without solid reasoning. Try to think of a time when you didn't particularly want to do a task, but you did it anyway because you had been asked.

When do you consider a job to be finished?

"I consider a job to be finished when I am certain that all safety precautions have been taken, all instructions have been followed, and the machine is working properly."

This question is not only asking about your work habits but also about how conscientious you are on the job. Think about all of the things you do in order to make sure a job is complete. For example, you might consider a job to be finished if you've followed all policies and procedures, checked in with a supervisor, had another team member check your work, were certain all safety precautions have been taken, or you wrote down in a journal that the job was complete and what was done.

Describe a time when you made a technical mistake that illustrated your need for improvement in some area of your craft.

"As an apprentice, I made my fair share of technical mistakes. However, that's one of the reasons why I worked with a skilled technician, so that I could learn and grow in my craft. One time I was working on a circuit, and I thought I had connected everything properly. As an apprentice, you want to be confident in your work, but you always want a more skilled technician to check your work. He quickly realized I had tangled several wires which meant they were also connected to the wrong part of the breaker. Now, I always go back and follow every line to make sure the connections are correct."

Technical judgment is a key aspect of any technician's job. How you react to past mistakes and how you take that into future work says a lot about you as an employee. It's ok to admit a technical mistake, but be sure to discuss how you solved it and how you took that knowledge into similar future jobs.

Tell us about a time when you were not sure you were qualified to do a job but went ahead and did it anyway. What was the situation? What made you decide to act?

"I try my best to make sound technical judgments, but sometimes you are in a situation where you might not be as qualified to do a job as you should be. For example, many years ago my brother and I were working on his car, and he asked me to help him. I had never worked on a car before, so I figured I'd follow his lead and just be his helper. However, he left me alone with several tasks to complete, and I just wasn't sure I was as qualified as I could be to finish. I looked up a few YouTube videos and did some internet searches to make sure I was able to complete the tasks safely and properly. I decided to do the tasks because he was going to be away for several hours, and I didn't want us to get behind on the job. I also knew, based on my research, that I could complete the job safely."

This may seem like a trick question, but the interviewer is trying to assess your technical judgment. We've all had to make decisions about doing a job when we felt that we were less than qualified. Your example should show that you still made a sound technical judgment, even though you might not have been fully qualified to do the work you were doing. Be sure to answer all of the questions within this one larger question.

Tell me about a time when you had to take a shortcut to get something done.

"On the job, I really make every effort to not take shortcuts. I've seen coworkers get hurt that way. Outside of work though, I can give you an example of when I was driving my family to my cousin's wedding. We put in the address and the app told me to go this long way that I knew would take forever. I took a few shortcuts on the way to that wedding because I knew it was safe and that we would get there quicker."

This question is targeting your safety awareness and how likely you might be to make mistakes on the job. Although your first instinct is to say that you never take shortcuts, that's just not humanly possible! Try to think of a shortcut that had no negative consequences and that wasn't a big deal, but would still be considered a shortcut.

What types of things do you do to be safe on the job?

"There are some basic things that I do every day on the job to be safe, like wearing basic PPE such as a hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, flame resistant clothing, and steel toe boots. Other than clothing, probably the most important thing I do to be safe on the job is to be alert at all times. You always have to be watching and looking for dangerous situations and consider how you would react."

For this question, don't forget to list some of the basic safety aspects of your job (hard hat, safety glasses, gloves, etc). Try to also think of the things you do on the job that keep you safe, such as being alert, following policies and procedures, watching for fatigue, and knowledge of safety programs.

When you are planning a job, what is the most important thing on your mind?

"When planning a job, there are a lot of things I think of, like the timeline and who might be involved. However, the top priority when planning any job is always safety. I will review the risks associated with the job as well as possible solutions. In order to do any job well, safety has to be the top priority."

Although this question may seem general about planning a job and the steps you might take, it is really asking whether or not you are always thinking about safety. Be careful with your answer - don't just say safety. Try to mention one or two things that are on your mind when planning a job, but be quick to say that safety is always your number one priority.

Tell us about a time you encountered a problem working on Pneumatic and Electronic Relays.

"Working on pneumatic relays can actually be difficult if you don't know the proper procedures. At my job, we used pneumatic relays to switch air signals from one source to another. Because of this, it is a top priority to always keep safety in mind because of the high pressures you are dealing with. When I work on a pneumatic relay, I visually inspect first to spot any obvious issues. If I don't see anything, I'll review the schematics before I start troubleshooting so that I can understand how everything is related. On one particular job I did all of that and still couldn't figure out what the issue was. Sometimes you can go through all the steps and it still isn't obvious what the problem is. I checked for any erratic functioning components, loose manual operations, and excessive air leakage. In the end, the problem was some unidentified pressure levels, but it took a lot of going back and forth to figure out that this was the cause of the problems. It helps to have previous experience with pneumatic relays so that you know the types of things to look for."

Since this question specifically mentions two types of relays, the interviewer is looking at your technical capability. If you have never worked on either type of relay, be sure and be honest with your answer. Otherwise, try to be specific since you may not know the technical background of the interviewer. Try to explain the process without assuming the interviewer has no prior knowledge of relays. Be sure to explain which type you were working on, why you were working on it, and the problem or problems that arose while working on them.

What types of Control Valves have you worked on, and what work did you do?

"I have experience working with a Honeywell control valve on a water heater. I like to do my own technical work at home as much as possible. When our water heater wasn't working, I did some troubleshooting online and figured out it was the water heater control valve. I followed the steps in the online manual and replaced it myself. It helps to have a technical background where I've used control valves before to work on tasks at home."

This question is designed to gauge your technical capability. Be specific with the types of control valves you've worked on (Fisher, Valtek, Honeywell, or other). Think about a specific example where you used a control valve and what work you were doing.

Describe an experience where you worked with Transmitters. What specific type of transmitters were involved, and were they Pneumatic or Electronic?

"I have the most experience using an electronic Rosemount transmitter to measure mass flow, differential pressure, temperature, and absolute pressure while working with water transport systems."

This question is specifically designed to gauge your technical capability. Be specific with the type of transmitters you have worked on (Foxboro, Rosemount, Honeywell, Motorola, Yokogawa, or other). Try to think of a specific example in which you used the transmitter on the job.

Describe a problematic situation you've encountered involving Alarm or Trip Circuits.

"I have had to troubleshoot tripped circuits before, both on the job and at home. There were times where it wasn't obvious why the trip had occurred, even though it's usually a pretty straightforward fix. After going down the line and checking each connection, I found out it was a short circuit and that I would need some time to repair it. Sometimes it can be an easy and quick solution, and other times it really tests my technical capability as far as figuring out the source of the issue."

This question is specifically looking at your technical capability and your ability to think on your feet to resolve issues. Try to think of a specific example where you had to troubleshoot an alarm or trip circuit and explain the steps you took to solve the problem.

Why are you considering changing jobs?

"That's a great question. At this point in my life, I am looking to settle down with a career and not just a job. I'm looking to make a long-term commitment so that I can forge relationships and grow in my craft."

It's best to be as honest as possible with this answer because if you are leaving your current job under less than favorable conditions, your future employer will likely find that out when they call for a reference (whether you listed them as a reference or not). One of the best answers you can give here involves the fact that you are looking for a career and not a job and a place to settle down until you retire.

Analyzer Technician Interview Questions

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1. Tell about a time when you spoke up about something you felt wasn't right. What was the situation?
2. Tell us about a time when someone pointed out something you did wrong. How did you feel about it? What was the situation? What did you say or do?
3. In general, do you think policies and procedures help our work or make it harder? Why do you feel that way?
4. Tell me about a job you had that involved a lot of repetition. How did you handle that?
5. Describe an emergency situation where you had to take action. What was the situation? What did you do?
6. Tell me about a time when you did something that was not safe. Why did you do it that way and what happened?
7. Describe your experience with Gas alarms.
8. What are some disappointments that you have experienced in your previous jobs? Why?
9. Describe a time a new person came to work with you. How did you respond to the person?
10. Tell us about a situation when a coworker asked you for help, but you were too busy working on your own assigned tasks. How did you handle the situation? What happened?
11. What type of coworker are you the most comfortable working with? Why?
12. Tell us about a time when you found it hard to control your temper. What was the situation? What did you do or say?
13. Have you ever had to make a decision when no policy existed to cover it? What was the situation?
14. Tell me about a time when you had to make an important decision without your boss. What was the situation? What happened?
15. Thinking back to your last job, what was your favorite part? Least favorite part?
16. Describe a time a supervisor, or someone with authority over you, requested that you perform a task you did not want to do.
17. When do you consider a job to be finished?
18. Describe a time when you made a technical mistake that illustrated your need for improvement in some area of your craft.
19. Tell us about a time when you were not sure you were qualified to do a job but went ahead and did it anyway. What was the situation? What made you decide to act?
20. Tell me about a time when you had to take a shortcut to get something done.
21. What types of things do you do to be safe on the job?
22. When you are planning a job, what is the most important thing on your mind?
23. Tell us about a time you encountered a problem working on Pneumatic and Electronic Relays.
24. What types of Control Valves have you worked on, and what work did you do?
25. Describe an experience where you worked with Transmitters. What specific type of transmitters were involved, and were they Pneumatic or Electronic?
26. Describe a problematic situation you've encountered involving Alarm or Trip Circuits.
27. Why are you considering changing jobs?

Analyzer Technician Interview Questions

1. Tell about a time when you spoke up about something you felt wasn't right. What was the situation?

2. Tell us about a time when someone pointed out something you did wrong. How did you feel about it? What was the situation? What did you say or do?

3. In general, do you think policies and procedures help our work or make it harder? Why do you feel that way?

4. Tell me about a job you had that involved a lot of repetition. How did you handle that?

5. Describe an emergency situation where you had to take action. What was the situation? What did you do?

6. Tell me about a time when you did something that was not safe. Why did you do it that way and what happened?

7. Describe your experience with Gas alarms.

8. What are some disappointments that you have experienced in your previous jobs? Why?

9. Describe a time a new person came to work with you. How did you respond to the person?

10. Tell us about a situation when a coworker asked you for help, but you were too busy working on your own assigned tasks. How did you handle the situation? What happened?

11. What type of coworker are you the most comfortable working with? Why?

12. Tell us about a time when you found it hard to control your temper. What was the situation? What did you do or say?

13. Have you ever had to make a decision when no policy existed to cover it? What was the situation?

14. Tell me about a time when you had to make an important decision without your boss. What was the situation? What happened?

15. Thinking back to your last job, what was your favorite part? Least favorite part?

16. Describe a time a supervisor, or someone with authority over you, requested that you perform a task you did not want to do.

17. When do you consider a job to be finished?

18. Describe a time when you made a technical mistake that illustrated your need for improvement in some area of your craft.

19. Tell us about a time when you were not sure you were qualified to do a job but went ahead and did it anyway. What was the situation? What made you decide to act?

20. Tell me about a time when you had to take a shortcut to get something done.

21. What types of things do you do to be safe on the job?

22. When you are planning a job, what is the most important thing on your mind?

23. Tell us about a time you encountered a problem working on Pneumatic and Electronic Relays.

24. What types of Control Valves have you worked on, and what work did you do?

25. Describe an experience where you worked with Transmitters. What specific type of transmitters were involved, and were they Pneumatic or Electronic?

26. Describe a problematic situation you've encountered involving Alarm or Trip Circuits.

27. Why are you considering changing jobs?