How to Answer: What was the most alarming issue you have seen as an Electrical Inspector?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for an Electrical Inspector job interview.
32. What was the most alarming issue you have seen as an Electrical Inspector?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
There are many electrical hazards that you will see as an Electrical Inspector, and the interviewer wants to hear what you view as the most alarming. They want to hear about your experiences and assess your knowledge in identifying electrical issues. Describe your most frightening experience and what you did to rectify the situation.
Written by Krista Wenz on December 26th, 2021
What to Avoid
If your most alarming issue was due to an Electrician's lousy work, avoid speaking poorly about the person or naming them. Speaking negatively of others shows the interviewer that you lack integrity. Instead, be general in your response. Avoid saying that the electrician did not know what they were doing and had overloaded a circuit. Instead, say that a circuit was extremely overloaded, and a fire could have started.
Written by Krista Wenz on December 26th, 2021
Answer Example
"The most alarming issue I have seen as an Electrical Inspector was a device called a suicide shower. The client whose home I was inspecting had installed a showerhead in each of his three showers hooked up to electricity to provide hot water without a water heater. The wires were exposed above the showerhead, so if the person taking a shower reached up to adjust it, they risked being electrocuted. I told my client that these showerheads were not legal and would have to be removed immediately. My client said he brought them from South America where they were popular, but he agreed to remove them immediately when I explained the danger."
Written by Krista Wenz on December 26th, 2021