List of 25 Occupational Health and Safety Technician Interview Questions & Answers
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1.
Have you ever been overloaded with work?
How to Answer
It is common to be overloaded with work at times. Describe how you organize your workload to keep from becoming overwhelmed and how you would delegate or ask for help if needed. The interviewer wants to see how you manage a heavy workload and how you prioritize the work that needs to be done.
Krista's Answer
"There are a few times I have been overloaded with work. When that happens, I take a moment to make a list and prioritize what needs to be done first and what can wait for later. If my workload is heavy and needs to be completed the same day, I would ask for any available help or stay late to complete my projects."
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2.
Describe what you have done to achieve a personal goal.
How to Answer
Interviewers want to hear that future employees have set and achieved goals, demonstrating a good work ethic and follow-through. Try to answer with a goal relevant to occupational health and safety, such as achieving your certification or a college degree. Describe any hardships you had to endure to achieve your goal, which shows perseverance.
Krista's Answer
"I had a personal goal of achieving my associate's degree while still in high school. I wanted to graduate from high school and college simultaneously, so I could fast track my career. I was fortunate enough to be living with my parents, who supported me and allowed me to pursue my studies without having to work. With the heavy workload at school, I had to give up sports and most social events for those two years. But, I achieved my goal of graduating from high school and college a week apart. And, I was able to maintain a 3.9 GPA in high school and a 3.5 GPA in college."
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3.
How do you handle stress and pressure?
How to Answer
Working as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician can be a stressful and high-pressure career. The interviewer wants to hear how you positively handle stress, which can help prevent job burnout. Also, the pressures from employers while performing inspections and testing for hazards can be taxing, especially if the employer is operating unsafely. Explain how you maintain a calm demeanor while handling the stressors and pressure of the job.
Krista's Answer
"I handle stress and pressure very well. I served in the Army for four years and was trained from the first day not to let the pressure get to me. The Army instilled useful tactics for stress relief and for maintaining a calm composure in a high-pressure situation. I always remember that I know how to do my job well, and I am confident in my abilities as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician. On my days off, I enjoy being outdoors and spending time with my family. To me, those are great ways to relieve stress."
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4.
How do you handle conflict with a coworker?
How to Answer
Excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills are important traits to have in any profession. The interviewer wants to see that you can calmly handle conflict and keep a situation from escalating. Describe how you would communicate to your coworker in private and the importance of resolving the conflict.
Krista's Answer
"I handle conflict with a coworker the same way that I do with anyone. I believe in communicating with the person in a calm and non-accusatory way in a private setting. I would first address the issue and ask what we can do to resolve the problem. If I were at fault for something I did, I would apologize and let the person know I did not mean to make them upset. If the other person were doing something that made me upset, I would identify the problem with them and ask how we can fix the issue."
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5.
What motivates you to succeed?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking to see what motivates and drives you and what you are passionate about. They want to see whether your motivating factors are aligned with the company's goals and culture. Providing insight into your work ethic and personality will help the interviewer understand what type of person you are and if you would be a good employee.
Krista's Answer
"What motivates me to succeed is the satisfaction I get from providing excellent customer service. I like spending time with my customers and explaining why I am doing the job I am doing. I like for them to understand that I am concerned about the health and safety of their employees and the public, and that I am not there to fine them or harass them in any way. When I make that clear, and they see that I am honest and truthful, it creates a much better work environment."
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6.
How important is workplace safety to you?
How to Answer
Working as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician means you are concerned with workplace safety. The interviewer wants to hear that you find workplace safety important, or you are in the wrong line of work and would not be an asset to the company. Describe why workplace safety is important to you.
Krista's Answer
"Workplace safety is extremely important, and that is why I chose this profession. I worked at a restaurant for several years and saw many of my coworkers become injured due to an unsafe work environment. Some of my coworkers had injuries so severe that they could no longer work. I want to help keep workplaces safe so fewer workers will become injured and be unable to perform their jobs."
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7.
How do you plan to achieve your career goals?
How to Answer
First, give a brief explanation of your career goals and then describe how you plan to achieve those goals. Having a plan shows the interviewer that you are motivated, organized, and have time-management skills. Be sure your goals will not interfere with your work if you are hired for this position.
Krista's Answer
"I want to advance in my career by obtaining my bachelor's degree and becoming certified as an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist. I am already working towards achieving that goal and have been taking online classes for the past six months. I have another eighteen months until I achieve that goal. My classes are flexible, and I can schedule my schoolwork around my job, so my classes do not interfere with my work."
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8.
Why do you want to work for this organization?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear that you have put in the time to do your homework on their organization. It shows interest and dedication to find out everything you can about them. Describe some key points that made you decide to apply to their organization without bringing money or benefits into the equation. You want to come across as sincerely interested in their company, not just the benefits package.
Krista's Answer
"There are many reasons that I chose to apply to your organization. I admire that you use all green materials in your buildings and that your company promotes recycling and carpooling. I love that you provide on-site daycare to help out working families and that you do annual fundraisers to help those less fortunate in the community. I also appreciate that you promote professional growth and advancement opportunities within the organization."
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9.
Do you enjoy training others?
How to Answer
The job duties of an Occupational Health and Safety Technician include educating employers and workers about workplace safety while demonstrating the correct use of safety equipment. The interviewer wants to see if you enjoy training others to show if you are a good fit for their company. If you do not enjoy training others, do not say that in your interview; it could hurt your chance of being offered the job. Ensure the interviewer that you would do whatever is asked of you in terms of training others.
Krista's Answer
"I do enjoy training others, and that is a major reason I became an Occupational Health and Safety Technician. I had a previous job working as a CPR and First Aid instructor, and I enjoyed teaching others skills that could save a life. I decided to go to school to become certified in occupational health and safety so that I could train others on a larger scale about workplace safety."
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10.
What makes you uncomfortable?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear that you are humble and are not afraid to admit a weakness. It is understandable to have something that makes you uncomfortable, and the interviewer wants to see if you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone and tackle your fear head-on. Describe something that makes you uncomfortable, and then turn it into a positive experience and explain how you are able to turn an uncomfortable situation into one where you are comfortable.
Krista's Answer
"What makes me uncomfortable is if I am given a task or assignment that I am not familiar with or have not been trained on. I like feeling confident in my work and abilities, and when given an unknown task, it makes me uncomfortable. However, I have excellent research skills and can find the answer I need on the internet. If I am given an unfamiliar assignment, I get my answers on the internet and teach myself how to do what was given to me to complete."
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11.
Where do you see yourself professionally in 5 years?
How to Answer
The interviewer is looking to see what your career and educational goals are. If you plan to advance in your career, describe your goals and what it will take for you to achieve those goals. If you are happy in your position, describe how you want to gain experience as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician and what types of continuing education classes you plan on taking.
Krista's Answer
"I want to work as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician for at least two years to gain experience. I have enrolled in a bachelor's program to receive my occupational health and safety degree, and I will complete the program in two years. After receiving my degree, I would like to advance to an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist and see myself working in that position in five years."
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12.
What individual has had the greatest influence on you?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear who is important to you and how they positively impacted your life. Your answer could be a family member, coach, mentor, pastor, supervisor, or teacher. Explain how that person influenced you to be the person you are today. Try to avoid using examples that could bias the interviewer, such as political or religious figures.
Krista's Answer
"My grandfather, or Pops as I called him, had the greatest influence on me. Since I was two years old, he raised me and taught me that I could be anything I wanted to be. Anything I wanted to pursue, he was right there supporting me. I learned what work ethic, morals, and values looked like from following his example. He was the hardest working, happiest, and most humble man I have ever met, and I am trying really hard to follow in his footsteps."
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13.
What was the last book you read for fun?
How to Answer
The interviewer is trying to get a sense of your personality and if you like to read. There is a lot of reading as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician, and the interviewer wants to see if you are the type of person who enjoys reading. The interviewer is also looking to see if you are an effective communicator. People who like to read are often better at using spoken and written words to successfully communicate their point. When choosing a book, think of a book that positively reflects you and highlights your intelligence and communication skills. Explain why you chose the book you did.
Krista's Answer
"I love to read and am always looking for new books. The last book I read for fun was '4 Essential Keys to Effective Communication in Love, Life, and Work'. I chose that book because I feel that I always have room to grow and strive to improve my communication skills. I feel that I have excellent communication skills, but I encounter so many different types of personalities. I want to make sure I have the tools I need to communicate effectively with everyone I come into contact with."
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14.
What made you choose a career as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear what made you choose a career as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician. If you have a personal experience with a workplace hazard or injury that motivated you into this career, describe what happened. Or, you may want to help the community by measuring hazards and taking steps to prevent harm to civilians, the environment, and property.
Krista's Answer
"I am pursuing a career as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician because my grandfather was seriously injured in an industrial accident at work. After an investigation, it was found that the manufacturing plant was not safely operating its equipment, and my grandfather lost his arm because of those unsafe practices. I want to be able to identify workplace hazards and help prevent anyone else from being injured while at work."
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15.
What degrees or certifications do you have to work as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician?
How to Answer
Different agencies have varying requirements for their Occupational Health and Safety Technicians. Make sure you have read the job description and have the qualifications for the position. Describe any certifications or degrees you have obtained relevant to the job and any volunteer experience you have in this field.
Krista's Answer
"I recently completed my associate's degree in occupational health and safety. I am enrolled in an online program with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and will receive a Certified Safety Professional certification once I have completed their requirements. I also volunteered for the past two years doing the annual workstation inspections for my previous employer to gain experience."
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16.
What personal weakness has caused you the greatest difficulty in school or at work?
How to Answer
This is a common interview question where the interviewer wants to see that you can admit you have a weakness. Most people have weaknesses, and the key is to acknowledge there is a weakness and take steps to make it a strength. Describe what you consider a weakness and explain how you overcame and turned it into a positive trait.
Krista's Answer
"I would say a weakness that caused me the greatest difficulty in school was public speaking because I have always been shy. I had a teacher who understood that my shyness was causing me to freeze up every time I got before a class, and they suggested I join the debate team or a public speaking group to get over my fear. I found a Toastmasters group in my town, and it completely transformed the way I felt about public speaking. I ended up joining the debate team after that, and our team won first place in a debate. I have no problem with shyness or public speaking anymore."
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17.
By providing examples, convince me that you can adapt to a wide variety of people, situations, and environments.
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to hear that you can work in a unique profession with all the various personalities and situations you will encounter. They want to know that you can adapt to different environments and change your approach as needed. Think of a situation where you were able to adapt to a wide variety of people and the surrounding environment.
Krista's Answer
"When I graduated from high school, I took a year off to volunteer in South America with an NGO who raised money and built homes for families who were impacted by a devastating earthquake the year before. I had seen an advertisement asking for volunteers and spontaneously decided to go. I went to a Spanish-speaking country only knowing a handful of Spanish words. I traveled by bus from town to town, hitchhiked with some other volunteers, and slept on the dirt under tarps with the families we were building houses for. I had never even picked up a hammer before I started my volunteer work. After 1 year, I spoke Spanish almost fluently, helped build 50 homes, and made many friends with whom I still keep in touch. It was the best year of my life and made me grow so much as a person."
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18.
What are the steps you follow to study a problem before making a decision?
How to Answer
This question is asked so the interviewer can see what type of problem-solving skills you have and if you can think on your feet. It is good to be methodical when deciding how to solve a problem, but it is better to quickly make decisions based on logic and experience. Explain the steps you take to study a problem before solving it and give an example of a time you had to solve a problem.
Krista's Answer
"I tend to think on my feet pretty quickly and do not spend a lot of time studying problems before making decisions. I first analyze the situation, determine the problem, and then provide a solution based on logic and my past experiences. For example, a recent inspection found that an employer had the incorrect type of respiratory protection for their employees. They had not opened the factory for business yet, so I advised the employer to purchase the correct type of respirators so the employees would not be harmed by the fumes and the business would not be fined. I suggested the employer call his supplier to see if the other respiratory equipment could be exchanged since it had not been used, and I gave him a copy of my report. He called me the next day and said the supplier was willing to exchange the equipment, so he was not out any more money. He was extremely grateful for the suggestion."
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19.
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to see how you will describe yourself and what you consider important traits. Use traits relevant to the position you are interviewing for, such as honest, punctual, and meticulous in your work. Give examples for each word you use to describe yourself. You might describe yourself as funny or a person who is always playing pranks, but those are not traits the interviewer is looking for in an Occupational Health and Safety Technician. Be sure to select relevant adjectives that align with the job description.
Krista's Answer
"I would describe myself as hard-working, meticulous, and honest. I enjoy working hard and do not mind working seven days a week if needed. I do enjoy my downtime, but I enjoy work just as much. I am meticulous about every aspect of my job, from keeping up with the policies and procedures to writing detailed reports. I am honest and do what I say I am going to do and will be the first to ask for help if I do not understand something."
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20.
What made you decide to enter a career involved with individuals' safety?
How to Answer
The interviewer is interested in what motivated you to choose a career involved with keeping people safe. They want to see what your personality is like and what made you decide to choose this career path. Share your story about a person or situation that inspired you to become an Occupational Health and Safety Technician or another reason you are interested in this work.
Krista's Answer
"My father has worked as an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist for the past 15 years, and he loves what he does. I grew up hearing about his job and shadowed him on a few occasions to see if I would also love this type of work. I discovered that I really enjoy working with employers to keep their employees and the public safe. I worked as an EMT for two years before switching careers, and I saw how debilitating workplace injuries could be. I want to help prevent people from having to go through the experience of being injured at work."
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21.
What is your greatest strength?
How to Answer
This is a common question during interviews. This is an excellent time to showcase what you feel is your greatest strength and why. Answer with a strength that applies to the position you are interviewing for and will be of value to the company.
Krista's Answer
"I feel that my greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am extremely detail-oriented and meticulous when it comes to my work. I believe this is a great strength to have as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician since a minor oversight could end up being a workplace hazard that could injure someone."
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22.
What do you like to do in your free time?
How to Answer
The interviewer wants to get a glimpse into your personality and what types of things you enjoy. They are also looking at how you manage stress, since most activities you do in your free time are stress-relievers. When answering, make sure the things you like to do will not be construed as unethical or immoral, such as going to bars or nightclubs. Not everyone will think those types of events are unethical, but there are some interviewers who might think that way.
Krista's Answer
"I like to be outdoors, so in my free time I like to go hiking, kayaking, or mountain biking. I also recently took a pottery class and really enjoyed it. I just bought a potter's wheel and have a friend who has a kiln, so I have been making pottery a few times a week, too."
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23.
Why are you leaving your current job?
How to Answer
When answering this question, be sure to keep your answer positive and do not speak negatively about your employer or coworkers. Your answer might be that you are just starting your career, or if you are already working as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician, you may want to advance your career or have a shorter commute. Whatever answer you give, express your enthusiasm about working for this particular organization.
Krista's Answer
"My current job is working as a server at a restaurant. I am leaving that position because I recently finished my associate's degree in occupational health and safety. I am looking to start my career as an Occupational Health and Safety Technician, and your organization is at the top of my list of places I would like to work."
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24.
If hired for this position, when could you start?
How to Answer
Answering this question will depend on your current situation. If you are unemployed and can start immediately, tell the interviewer that. If you are currently employed, it is best to give your employer two weeks' notice. Explain to the interviewer that you need to give notice, and you could start after that. This will show the interviewer that you are respectful and dependable.
Krista's Answer
"Since I am currently employed, I will need to give my employer two weeks' notice, and I would be able to start after that. If my employer finds a replacement sooner than two weeks and doesn't need me, I could start earlier."
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25.
Do you have any questions about the position?
How to Answer
When answering this question, you should always answer by asking the interviewer a question. It shows the interviewer you are serious about this position and that you have a genuine interest in their organization. You could ask what is the next step in the interview process, or if they could tell you more about the job duties that were not in the job description.
Krista's Answer
"Yes, I do have a question. What is the next step in the interview and hiring process? Do you hope to hire someone by a certain date?"