How do you handle stressful situations?

"I handle stressful situations very well. I grew up on a ranch, and it seemed like my father and I were constantly under stress keeping the farm going and dealing with emergencies. When I have a stressful situation while operating a backhoe, I stop, focus on what is causing the situation to be stressful, and come up with a solution to make the situation less stressful."

Working on any heavy machinery can be stressful for the operator. The interviewer wants to hear how you handle stressful situations while at work to ensure you will be the right candidate for their company. It is best to remain calm and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills when confronted with stressful situations. Describe how you deal with the stressors of running an excavator.

It is best to avoid saying you do not handle stress well or lose your cool in stressful situations. The interviewer wants to hire an operator that is level-headed and calm under pressure.

What is your greatest strength?

"My greatest strength is my ability to work well on diverse teams. I have been in this industry for ten years and have worked with people who speak different languages and come from different cultures. I am fascinated to learn from others when working in dynamic situations and circumstances, and enjoy being part of a team."

When you are asked by an interviewer what your greatest strength is, they want to hear a strength related to the position you applied for. If you review the job description and requirements before your interview, you will see qualities the company is looking for in an excavator operator. Choose one of those qualities that you feel is your greatest strength and use that in your response, with the reason why.

As with any interview question, you want to be prepared with an answer when this question is asked and not say you do not know what your greatest strength is. Avoid answering with multiple strengths, or ones that are not relevant to the position of an excavator operator. Your greatest strength might be public speaking in front of large groups of people, but that is not relevant to this position.

Why should we hire you?

"I am sure you have many qualified candidates applying to this position. However, you should hire me because I have the qualities you are looking for in an ideal candidate and meet your requirements. I have over six years of experience as an Excavator Operator and am dependable, a team player, and I have excellent problem-solving and communication skills. I provide exceptional customer service to all clients and require very little supervision. For those reasons, I believe I am the best person for the job."

The interviewer wants to know what makes you unique and why you would be a better candidate than others. This is your time to sell yourself and describe your experience, work ethic, and other attributes that make you a candidate that would benefit their company. Before your interview, it is a good idea to review the job announcement and look for keywords the company used to describe its ideal candidate. Suppose the announcement says they are looking for an excavation operator that is dependable, follows direction, works successfully with a team, can quickly problem solve, and has excellent customer service and communication skills. You would then use some of those keywords to describe why they should hire you.

You want to sound confident but not arrogant or cocky when responding to this question. You also must not speak poorly of the other candidates. Be enthusiastic in your response while keeping your answer concise.

Our company performs random drug testing as part of our safety protocols. Will you have an issue with random testing if hired?

"No, I do not have an issue with random drug testing. I do not use drugs, so I have nothing to worry about when tested."

Depending on the state where you work and the company's policy, pre-employment drug testing may be performed as well as scheduled and random drug testing. The interviewer is being transparent and letting you know that random testing can be done for the safety of their employees. If you do not have a problem with their policy, let them know it will not be an issue for you.

You want to avoid answering that you have an issue with their policy. If you do not agree to random drug testing, the interviewer may feel you have something to hide, and they will pass you over for another candidate who agrees to their policy.

What is your ideal company to work for?

"My ideal company to work for is yours. I have wanted to work for your company for the past three years because of your reputation, safety record, and how well you maintain your equipment. I have a friend who works for your company, and he constantly talks about how well you take care of your employees and how you offer on-the-job training for those that want to advance their careers. Your company culture and mission statement would be a perfect fit for me, and I was excited to see this position open up."

Before applying to any job, you should research the company to see if it is a company you want to work for. Hopefully, your ideal company is the one you are interviewing with, and you can describe the company's attributes that make you want to work for them. Focus on describing the work culture, room for advancement, the company's mission statement, and leadership style in your response. The interviewer wants to hear that you describe their company as the ideal place to work.

You want to avoid naming a competitor that is your ideal company to work for or mentioning your perfect company is one that pays the most. You want the interviewer to feel that their company is the ideal company, and that is why you applied for the position.

How important is safety to you on a construction site?

"Safety is my number one priority on any construction site. It is not difficult to follow the company's safety policies to ensure that my crew and I make it home safely at the end of the shift. I have seen too many friends become injured or die because of unsafe practices."

Safety should be a top priority on any construction site, and the interviewer wants to hear that safety is also a high priority for you. Workplace injuries and death can cost the company a lot of money, and they want to ensure that you will follow all safety protocols if hired. Explain how your safety and others are very important to you and how you follow safety procedures on every project.

You do not want to answer that safety is not a priority. Suppose the interviewer feels that you will be a danger or liability to the company. In that case, they will pass you over for a candidate who believes in and follows the company's safety protocols and procedures.

What three words would your former supervisor use to describe you?

"In my letter of recommendation from my former supervisor, he described me as dependable, hard-working, and liked by everyone on the team. He said I was always early to work and would stay late when needed, that I worked hard at keeping my equipment maintained, and that I was able to get along with everyone on the crew."

The interviewer wants to hear if the three words your former supervisor would use to describe you are traits they are looking for in their ideal candidate. You can use a past performance review or letter of recommendation to see how your supervisor described you and relay that information in your response. If you want to ensure the three words you mention are traits the company is looking for in an Excavator Operator, you can review the job announcement before your interview, looking for keywords in the job requirements.

You want to avoid using words that make you appear as an undesirable candidate. For example, words like lazy, jokester, unreliable, and hot-tempered are not words that would make you an appealing candidate. If you and your former supervisor did not get along and they used words like these, explain to the interviewer that you and your former supervisor had differences, and they did not speak very kindly of you. Be sure you do not talk poorly of your supervisor, and be prepared if the interviewer asks you to elaborate on the differences.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"One reason I applied to this position is that you offer and encourage your employees to advance their careers. I see myself in a leadership role with your company in five years. I will have the experience to work as a superintendent on your projects and have signed up for leadership courses at the community college to help me develop leadership skills."

The interviewer will ask where you see yourself in five years to see if you have professional goals and if you see yourself with their company. Companies pay a lot of money interviewing, hiring, and training employees, and they like to hear that a potential employee plans on staying with the company over the next five years. If you have goals to advance within the company or further your education, be sure to include those in your response. If you are content with your current position, describe how you see yourself with five years more experience with their company.

If you do not have goals or look into the future, the interviewer may feel that you are unmotivated. You want to avoid saying that you have not thought that far ahead or see yourself working for a different company. If you describe working for a competitor, the interviewer will see you as a short-term employee and pass you over for another candidate.

If I called your previous supervisor, how would they describe your punctuality and work attendance last year?

"If you call my previous supervisor, they would tell you that I was always at least half an hour early to work, and I did not miss one day of work other than scheduled vacation days."

The interviewer wants to know how dependable you would be if hired. They want an employee who shows up to work on time and does not call in sick often. Describe your attendance and punctuality and explain why you were late or missed work. If you were sick or injured and had a doctor's note, be sure to include that in your response.

As with any interview question, you want to be honest in your response. The interviewer will typically call your previous employer for a reference and ask about your attendance and punctuality. If you were late or sick often, avoid blaming others for your attendance or punctuality and avoid minimizing the situation. The interviewer wants to hire someone who takes their job seriously and who will be reliable.

Tell me something about you that is not on your resume.

"Something that is not on my resume is how I spent two years volunteering with an NGO after a devastating earthquake in a South American country. I worked in a small town operating heavy machinery and assisting with demolition crews. The town suffered major damage to 80% of the town, and the homes, bridges, and roads needed to be demolished before they could rebuild."

The interviewer is interested in learning more about you than what they can read on your resume. They want to hear about an achievement, skill, award, or an interest you have that you are proud of and would like to share. It is best to respond with a specific strength not noted on your resume but is related to the position.

You want to avoid talking about many things that are not on your resume. The interviewer asked you to mention something about you not on your resume, which typically means they want to hear one skill or strength. It is best to note a strength, achievement, activity, or skill that relates to the qualities the company is looking for in its ideal candidate.

What do you feel is the most important skill for an excavator operator to possess?

"I feel excavator operators need to possess many skills, but the most important is attention to detail. This type of work is dynamic, and the operator needs to pay attention to every detail. It starts with checking the equipment every shift, maintaining the equipment, and watching for hazards while operating the machinery."

When you are asked by an interviewer what you feel is the most important skill for an excavator operator to possess, they want to see if the important skill you choose is one they are looking for in a candidate. If you review the job description and requirements before your interview, you will see the skills the company is looking for in an excavator operator. Some skills might be excellent communication skills, attention to detail, critical thinking skills, ability to operate all types of equipment, and exceptional customer service skills. Choose one of those skills you feel is essential for an excavator operator to possess and your reason why.

You want to avoid naming a skill that is not relevant to the position of the excavator operator role. If you choose a skill that the company outlined in their job announcement, the interviewer will feel that you have the same values as the company and will make you look favorable to the interviewer.

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?

"In my free time, I enjoy working in my metal shop, riding dirt bikes, and fishing. I also enjoy having barbecues with family and friends and trying out new recipes."

You will be asked this question so the interviewer can gain insight into your personality and interests outside of work. They want to see that you have ways to decompress from the pressures of the job and have fun on your days off. Describe three or four activities or hobbies that you enjoy doing in your free time.

You want to avoid naming any activities or hobbies that the interviewer might deem inappropriate or unprofessional. You will represent their company, and they do not want you participating in anything that could tarnish their image. For example, you might enjoy growing medicinal marijuana and making tinctures for an ill family member. Still, if you were to get in trouble for that, it could become public and harm the company's reputation (even if it is legal in your area).

Why did you leave your last place of employment?

"I left my last place of employment because the owner of the company passed away, and his wife decided to liquidate the company instead of selling it. I offered to take over the operations to keep the company running, but his wife opted to sell the equipment instead."

The interviewer wants to hear why you left your previous job to see if you were fired, let go, or if you chose to leave. As with any interview question, you want to be honest with your reason, as the interviewer can call your previous employer for a reference. If you were fired, explain why you were fired and let them know what you learned from that experience. If you left for another reason, describe the circumstances why.

You want to avoid speaking negatively of the company, coworkers, or supervisor when responding. When you speak poorly of others, it shows your character in a negative light, and the interviewer may not hire you based on your actions. If you were fired, you do not want to blame others and must take responsibility for your actions.

As an excavator operator, what do you like least about your job?

"It is hard to say what I like least about this job because I love what I do. If I had to choose one thing, it would be when I am called off work due to bad weather. When that happens, I turn it into a positive because I get to spend more time at home with my family."

The interviewer wants to hear what you like least about your job to see if what you dislike will interfere with your performance if hired. For example, if you state that you dislike working with people, you might not get chosen as a candidate since your job entails working with other individuals. A better answer is to say that you dislike it when the weather prevents you from working, you do not like it when other operators do not take care of their equipment, or you do not like the instability of your job due to the climate or economy. Describe what you like least about your career and explain how you overcome it and perform your job successfully.

Avoid naming something you dislike if it is one of the job requirements on the job announcement. If the company is looking for an excavator operator that is a team player and works well with others, you do not want to say that what you like least about your job is working on a team.

How did you hear about this position?

"I heard about this position from the website Glassdoor. I set up an alert when new jobs are posted for excavator operators and received an email the day your company posted the job."

It costs companies a lot of money to advertise their job openings, and they want to hear where most candidates heard about the position to see what works the best. Also, some companies offer their employees a referral fee if they recruit new candidates who are then hired. Describe how you heard about the position, and be sure to name the employee who referred you, if applicable.

You want to avoid saying you cannot remember where you heard about the job opening. If you cannot remember, it shows that you do not pay attention to detail or are forgetful, which are not good qualities to possess as an excavator operator.

What do you like most about operating an excavator?

"What I like most about operating excavators is the versatility of the machine. I can move larger amounts of materials than with other machines, and I like how many attachments and bucket replacement options there are. I feel I can tackle any job, big or small, with an excavator."

The interviewer wants to hear what you like most about operating an excavator to see if you have the qualities and motivation they are looking for in an excavator operator. Describe your reasons for choosing to work on excavators versus other heavy machinery.

You want to avoid saying you do not particularly enjoy working on excavators or that you prefer other machinery. If the interviewer hires an excavator operator, they want someone who enjoys what they do for a living.

What do you know about our company?

"I know your company is the 10th largest contractor in the United States, with plans to expand into Canada. Founded in 1897, your company is a fifth-generation, family-owned operation with James Buckley currently overseeing operations. Mr. Buckley believes in delivering exceptional customer service while upholding the highest safety, quality, and ethics standards. Your company has received numerous awards for its commitment to providing green construction and sustainability through economically viable and socially responsible practices. For these reasons, I am excited to be interviewing for this position, and I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of your award-winning team."

Before your interview, you want to learn as much as you can about the company. You can read their website, visit the company, talk to staff, review online customer reviews, and follow their social media platforms. You want to learn its mission and vision, the types of projects they work on, the CEO, when the company was founded, and the company culture. When responding, try to add something unique about the company that shows you did thorough research and did not just skim over their website. The interviewer wants to see that you have done your homework and will be impressed with your in-depth knowledge of their company.

You want to avoid answering that you do not know much about the company, showing you did not do your research. If you do not know much about the company, the interviewer will see that you lack interest in learning about the company and will most likely pass you over for someone with more enthusiasm for learning.

Do you have previous excavation experience?

"Yes, I have three years of experience operating an excavator during my apprenticeship. I have worked on small and large excavation projects and feel very confident in my skills as an excavator operator."

If the company requires previous experience as an excavator operator, it should have been noted in the job requirements. The interviewer can look at your resume to see your experience, but they want to hear from you what your excavation experience entails. Describe how many years of experience you have as an excavator operator and how you gained your knowledge.

If you do not have prior excavation experience, you want to avoid saying you do. The company may have you perform a test operating their machinery, and you do not want to show you were dishonest. Even if you do not have much experience, be honest in your response and let the interviewer know you are eager to gain more knowledge by working for their company.

What is your greatest personal achievement?

"My greatest personal achievement was receiving my GED after dropping out of high school when I was in 10th grade. When I was 15-years-old, my single mom was diagnosed with cancer, and I was her only child. I left high school to take care of her, who passed when I was 18. While I was taking care of my mom, I studied at home and received my GED shortly after her death. It was important to my mom and me to receive an education, which I was able to do. That was my greatest personal achievement to date."

During an interview, you might be asked about your greatest personal or professional achievement to see what you consider an accomplishment and what you value. Your achievement also shows the interviewer what sets you apart from the other candidates and gives insight into how hard you worked to achieve what you have. Your most outstanding personal achievement could be winning a competition, receiving an award or recognition, or graduating top of your class. Describe what you consider your greatest personal achievement and why.

Since the interviewer asked for your greatest personal achievement, try to keep your answer on a personal rather than professional level. Suppose you cannot think of a personal achievement. In that case, you could respond with an accomplishment related to work, such as being accepted into an apprenticeship program or receiving a scholarship to a heavy machinery operating school.

Why did you choose this career?

"I chose this career because I grew up around heavy machinery and have always been fascinated by how they work. I started tinkering with broken machinery at my grandfather's house when I was ten years old. After I fixed an old tractor, my grandfather taught me how to operate it, and I was hooked. Since then, I knew I wanted to pursue a profession as an excavator operator."

The interviewer wants to understand what motivated and inspired you to choose this career. It might be that you grew up around heavy machinery, you were encouraged by a guidance counselor or mentor, or you have always been fascinated with machinery and how it operates. Describe your reasons for choosing a career as an excavator operator.

When responding, you want to avoid saying you chose this career for the money, because someone forced you into this career, or because you did not want to attend college. All of those answers do not make you sound inspired to work as an operator, and the interviewer may choose someone else who has more passion and enthusiasm for the job.

Tell me about your education and training.

"I have been operating heavy machinery since I was 12 years old. My father taught me to run a backhoe, tractor, and dozer on our family farm. After graduating high school, I was accepted into a state apprenticeship program and earned my license to operate heavy machinery after four years as an apprentice."

If you have made it to the interview, you must have the education and training the company requires. The interviewer wants to hear about your educational background and training to assess if you meet their qualifications. Describe what education and training you have completed that makes you eligible to work as an excavator operator.

You want to avoid talking about education and training unrelated to operating an excavator. The interviewer wants to hear that you meet the minimum requirements for the position. Review the job announcement before your interview to ensure you meet their conditions for employment.

Do you have any questions for me?

"Yes, I do, and thank you for asking. If hired, what would be my first project, and what is the work schedule?"

Often, interviewers will ask this question at the end of the interview to see if you have questions about the company or position. It is best to ask a question or two, showing you are eager to learn all you can about the job and the company. Some examples might be asking when they will fill the position, how they will notify you, the company culture, or what the interviewer likes most about working for the company.

Be sure the questions cannot be answered by reading the company website or job announcement, making you look like you did not do your research. You also want to avoid asking about salary or benefits since that will be covered by Human Resources when offered the job and typically will be posted on the job description.

What control pattern are you used to running?

"I am used to running an ISO control pattern, but am also proficient in running the SAE pattern. I am ambidextrous and find it easy for me to make the switch in my brain without really thinking about it."

The interviewer asks this question to see which controls you commonly use and if you can use both the ISO and SAE. While some machines can switch from one control to the other, other machines only operate with one or the other. The interviewer wants to see if you will have trouble operating their equipment if hired.

You want to avoid answering that you can only operate a specific control pattern and are unwilling to learn another. The interviewer wants to hire an excavator operator that is flexible and willing to learn new things.

How would you describe your work style?

"My work style is a combination of working independently and working on a team. As an excavator operator, I often work alone in the excavator and enjoy the independence of my work. However, I also enjoy training apprentices, teaching them how to operate heavy machinery, and working with my crew to complete a project."

The interviewer asks this question to see if your work style fits the company culture. Most companies want to hire employees who are a good fit on the team and demonstrate a strong work ethic and desire to see the company succeed. While there are many different work styles, the interviewer wants to determine if you prefer working on a team or independently. As an excavator operator, you will do both, and your response needs to reflect that you are comfortable with both.

You want to avoid describing your work style as one that would be questionable to the interviewer. If you describe your work style as strictly working on a team or working solo, you show that you do not have the flexibility to do both. You can emphasize that your work style is where you prefer working alone, but highlight how you value working on a team to achieve a common goal or receive feedback from your coworkers.

How do you ensure there are no underground utilities before you dig?

"At my previous job, the project manager called 811 a few days before the project started, and all underground utilities were flagged and marked. If I am working at my home or another person's project, I call 811 to have the utility companies come out and mark underground utilities."

Before starting a project, any underground utilities need to be marked. Some companies will have that taken care of before starting a job, while others may require you to call 811. 811 is the national 'call before you dig' phone number that is called at least two days before any dig. The interviewer wants to know if you are aware of the national number to call before you dig.

You want to avoid saying that you do not know who to call. All heavy equipment operators must know who to call to ensure a safe dig. You also want to avoid taking someone's word that there are no underground utilities without 811 being called first.

If hired, part of your responsibility will be performing light maintenance on your equipment. How often do you like to grease your excavator?

"I like to maintain my equipment and apply grease depending on the work I am doing. I always apply grease at the end of my shift after cleaning the equipment. If I am performing heavy work, I will apply grease every four to six hours, and for lighter work, every 8 hours or as needed."

The interviewer asks this question to see how serious you are about taking care of and maintaining your equipment. The company wants to hire an excavator operator that takes their job seriously and will keep the company's equipment running properly. Describe how often you grease your equipment depending on the work you are performing. For example, if you are doing light work, you may only grease your excavator once a shift. For heavier work, you might grease the equipment every four hours.

You want to avoid saying you do not believe in performing maintenance or do not grease your equipment very often. If you do not take care of your equipment, the interviewer will think you are unreliable and not want to hire you. They are looking for an excavator operator that will take care of the company's equipment and investment.

Our company only buys Komatsu equipment. How familiar are you with operating a Komatsu excavator?

"I am very familiar with operating Komatsu excavators. My first piece of equipment was a Komatsu, and that is what the company mainly used where I did my apprenticeship. I have six years of experience operating all types of excavators, and I would have to say Komatsu is my favorite."

If a company only uses a specific brand of equipment, they will often put that experience with that brand is preferred in the job description. If you have experience operating a Komatsu, describe how many years of experience you have. If you are not familiar with Komatsu, explain how you pick up operating new equipment very quickly and how you are willing and eager to learn.

You want to avoid saying you have no desire to familiarize yourself with a Komatsu and only operate other brands of equipment. If you act as if you are unwilling to learn new things, you will not be a strong candidate and may be passed over for another candidate who is more flexible and open to learning.

You are working on a project and have a client that is angry with you. How would you handle this situation?

"If I had an angry client, I would stop what I was doing and ask them what is wrong. I would calmly listen to what they have to say, let them know I understand why they are mad and offer a solution to their problem. I would not leave the situation or get back to work until the issue was resolved."

The interviewer asks this question to gain insight into your conflict resolution and customer service skills. The interviewer wants to hear that you remain calm when faced with an angry client and take appropriate measures to resolve the conflict. They want to hear that you listen to the client and do everything possible to provide exceptional customer service while remaining professional. If hired, you will represent the company, and the interviewer wants to see that your values match theirs.

You want to avoid responding in a way that shows you have a temper or do not care if a client is angry. You also want to avoid saying you would ignore the client or have them speak with someone else. The interviewer wants to see that you can diffuse situations with an angry client.

You notice the bucket has a cracked or missing tooth at the start of your shift. What would you do?

"If I found a cracked or missing tooth on my bucket, I would notify my supervisor and place the equipment out of service. Depending on the situation and what my supervisor wanted me to do, I would replace the bucket or have a mechanic come and fix the tooth. I never operate equipment that is damaged or not functioning correctly."

The interviewer asks this question to see how conscientious you are with the company's equipment. If you operate a piece of equipment with a cracked or missing tooth, it will put more stress on the excavator and can cause more expensive repairs down the road. The interviewer wants to hear how you would put the equipment out of service until the tooth can be repaired or the bucket replaced.

You want to avoid responding that you would run the equipment with a cracked or missing tooth. If you do not take pride in your equipment, it shows the interviewer that you may not take your job seriously and might be an irresponsible or unreliable employee.

All utilities have been marked prior to digging on a new project. While you are digging a trench, you nick a gas line. What would you do in this situation?

"If I nicked a gas line while digging, I would immediately turn off the equipment to reduce an ignition source, clear the area of any people, call 911, and notify my supervisor of the situation."

If you accidentally nick a gas line while digging, the interviewer wants to hear that safety is a top priority for you. The interviewer wants to hear that you take this situation seriously and see how you handle it. They want to hear that you would turn the machine off, call 911, ensure there are no ignition sources while clearing the area and notify your supervisor of the situation. Describe how you would handle nicking an underground gas line.

When responding, you want to avoid acting like this is not a serious situation. You do not want to answer that you would keep running the machine, which could cause a spark and ignition source. You also want to avoid saying that you would try stopping the leak yourself or with the assistance of others.

You show up to a jobsite that was vandalized overnight, and your supervisor says law enforcement is on their way to take a report. When inspecting your equipment, you notice granulated white powder near the fuel tank. What would you do?

"If I found an unknown substance near the fuel tank during an inspection of my equipment, I would place the equipment out of service and notify my supervisor. I would not start the equipment until a mechanic had inspected it and cleared it for operation."

The interviewer is looking to see how aware you are of your surroundings while assessing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. If there is granulated white powder near the fuel tank, that indicates someone may have put that substance in the tank. If you start the equipment and there is sugar or another type of substance in the fuel tank, it could cause damage to the machine. The interviewer wants to hear that you would place the equipment out of service while notifying your supervisor and mechanic.

You want to avoid saying that you would dismiss the powder as a joke and wipe it clean. You also want to avoid responding that you would start the equipment to see if it would run, as that could cause damage to the machine if something were put into the fuel tank. The interviewer wants to hear that you respect their equipment and will treat this situation seriously.

You are working a pipe job and are responsible for placing a precast pipe into a trench. You have two people on the ground giving different hand signals. What would you do in this situation?

"If I were in a situation where multiple people were giving me different hand signals, I would stop the machine and ask for a quick meeting. I would ask whose hand signals I should follow and then follow those signals and no one else's. I would not want to have to redo my work, and I want to get it right the first time."

When operating a piece of equipment, you will have signal personnel to communicate to you using universal hand signals. It is best to communicate with the team before operating the machine to know whose signals to follow. If multiple people use different hand signals, you want to stop the machine and clarify whose signals to follow. The interviewer wants to hear that you would be proactive and clarify which signals to follow to ensure you place the pipe correctly.

You want to avoid saying you would choose which signals to follow without speaking to your crew first. If you follow the wrong signals, you could place the pipe incorrectly and have to redo your work, costing the company time and money.

You are working on a project and the excavator needs to be moved a few miles down the road. The equipment is loaded onto the trailer, and the driver is going to move the equipment without securing it to the trailer. What would you do?

"If I were in this situation, I would tell the driver that it is unsafe to transport the equipment without being secured to the trailer. I would let the driver know that this equipment is my responsibility, and I cannot allow the trailer to be moved without securing the machine first. If the driver refused to secure the equipment and would not allow me to do so, I would call my supervisor and explain the situation and ask for advice."

This question is asked to see how you would handle specific situations in the workplace. It is not the best safety practice to move a piece of equipment without it being properly secured, even if it is only being moved a short distance. The interviewer wants to hear how you would approach the driver, how you would handle conflict if there were one, and how you would call your supervisor if there were a question about this practice. The interviewer wants to hear how you follow safety protocols and take action when needed.

You want to avoid responding that you would leave it up to the driver to do what they feel is most appropriate. If hired, you will be representing the company, and they want to ensure that you will not let unsafe practices happen in the workplace. If the equipment slid off the trailer during transport, it would cause significant damage to the machine and injury or death to bystanders.

Are you familiar with the acronym ITCS?

"Yes, I am familiar with the acronym ITCS. ITCS stands for Intelligent Total Control System, which is a computerized system that controls the functions of the equipment. During my apprenticeship, I was introduced to the system when I worked on a Kobelco excavator."

ITCS stands for Intelligent Total Control System, an advanced, computerized system that provides comprehensive control of the machine's functions. If you are familiar with the ITCS, describe what it is. If you are unfamiliar with the term, explain to the interviewer that you do not know the acronym, but you would like to learn what it means. The interviewer might ask specific questions about the equipment you will be operating to see how up-to-date you are with standard terms in the industry.

If you are familiar or unfamiliar with ITCS, you want to avoid simply answering yes or no. You want to reply that you know the system and describe what it means and how you are familiar with it. If you do not know the acronym, respond by saying you do not understand what it means, but you will look it up after the interview.

What is the purpose of a lockout tagout?

"The purpose of a lockout tagout is to show operators that a piece of equipment is unable to be started due to repairs or maintenance issues being addressed. A lockout tagout is a safety measure to ensure the machine is not started, which could damage the equipment or harm a mechanic who is working on it."

The interviewer will ask questions about specific terminology used in heavy equipment operations to see that you understand common terms. A lockout tagout is a safety procedure used in the industry to ensure equipment is properly shut off, and it cannot be started before maintenance or repair work has been completed. The interviewer wants to hear that you understand this safety procedure and the importance of having a lockout tagout in place.

You want to avoid responding that you do not know the purpose of a lockout tagout. As an excavation operator, you must know safety protocols and abide by them. The interviewer wants to ensure that you understand the importance of a lockout tagout and that you will not be a liability to the company if hired.

Excavator Interview Questions

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1. How do you handle stressful situations?
2. What is your greatest strength?
3. Why should we hire you?
4. Our company performs random drug testing as part of our safety protocols. Will you have an issue with random testing if hired?
5. What is your ideal company to work for?
6. How important is safety to you on a construction site?
7. What three words would your former supervisor use to describe you?
8. Where do you see yourself in five years?
9. If I called your previous supervisor, how would they describe your punctuality and work attendance last year?
10. Tell me something about you that is not on your resume.
11. What do you feel is the most important skill for an excavator operator to possess?
12. What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?
13. Why did you leave your last place of employment?
14. As an excavator operator, what do you like least about your job?
15. How did you hear about this position?
16. What do you like most about operating an excavator?
17. What do you know about our company?
18. Do you have previous excavation experience?
19. What is your greatest personal achievement?
20. Why did you choose this career?
21. Tell me about your education and training.
22. Do you have any questions for me?
23. What control pattern are you used to running?
24. How would you describe your work style?
25. How do you ensure there are no underground utilities before you dig?
26. If hired, part of your responsibility will be performing light maintenance on your equipment. How often do you like to grease your excavator?
27. Our company only buys Komatsu equipment. How familiar are you with operating a Komatsu excavator?
28. You are working on a project and have a client that is angry with you. How would you handle this situation?
29. You notice the bucket has a cracked or missing tooth at the start of your shift. What would you do?
30. All utilities have been marked prior to digging on a new project. While you are digging a trench, you nick a gas line. What would you do in this situation?
31. You show up to a jobsite that was vandalized overnight, and your supervisor says law enforcement is on their way to take a report. When inspecting your equipment, you notice granulated white powder near the fuel tank. What would you do?
32. You are working a pipe job and are responsible for placing a precast pipe into a trench. You have two people on the ground giving different hand signals. What would you do in this situation?
33. You are working on a project and the excavator needs to be moved a few miles down the road. The equipment is loaded onto the trailer, and the driver is going to move the equipment without securing it to the trailer. What would you do?
34. Are you familiar with the acronym ITCS?
35. What is the purpose of a lockout tagout?

Excavator Interview Questions

1. How do you handle stressful situations?

2. What is your greatest strength?

3. Why should we hire you?

4. Our company performs random drug testing as part of our safety protocols. Will you have an issue with random testing if hired?

5. What is your ideal company to work for?

6. How important is safety to you on a construction site?

7. What three words would your former supervisor use to describe you?

8. Where do you see yourself in five years?

9. If I called your previous supervisor, how would they describe your punctuality and work attendance last year?

10. Tell me something about you that is not on your resume.

11. What do you feel is the most important skill for an excavator operator to possess?

12. What hobbies or activities do you enjoy doing in your free time?

13. Why did you leave your last place of employment?

14. As an excavator operator, what do you like least about your job?

15. How did you hear about this position?

16. What do you like most about operating an excavator?

17. What do you know about our company?

18. Do you have previous excavation experience?

19. What is your greatest personal achievement?

20. Why did you choose this career?

21. Tell me about your education and training.

22. Do you have any questions for me?

23. What control pattern are you used to running?

24. How would you describe your work style?

25. How do you ensure there are no underground utilities before you dig?

26. If hired, part of your responsibility will be performing light maintenance on your equipment. How often do you like to grease your excavator?

27. Our company only buys Komatsu equipment. How familiar are you with operating a Komatsu excavator?

28. You are working on a project and have a client that is angry with you. How would you handle this situation?

29. You notice the bucket has a cracked or missing tooth at the start of your shift. What would you do?

30. All utilities have been marked prior to digging on a new project. While you are digging a trench, you nick a gas line. What would you do in this situation?

31. You show up to a jobsite that was vandalized overnight, and your supervisor says law enforcement is on their way to take a report. When inspecting your equipment, you notice granulated white powder near the fuel tank. What would you do?

32. You are working a pipe job and are responsible for placing a precast pipe into a trench. You have two people on the ground giving different hand signals. What would you do in this situation?

33. You are working on a project and the excavator needs to be moved a few miles down the road. The equipment is loaded onto the trailer, and the driver is going to move the equipment without securing it to the trailer. What would you do?

34. Are you familiar with the acronym ITCS?

35. What is the purpose of a lockout tagout?