25 Painter Interview Questions & Answers
Below is a list of our Painter interview questions. Click on any interview question to view our answer advice and answer examples. You may view 5 answer examples before our paywall loads. Afterwards, you'll be asked to upgrade to view the rest of our answers.
1. For an airless paint sprayer, what size tip do you typically use to spray a closet?
How to Answer
Show the hiring manager that you are familiar with airless paint sprayers by offering some of your expertise.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"When spraying a closet, I will typically use a 513 or 515. It's important to choose the right size for such a small and closed in space."
Written by Rachelle Enns
2. Do you prefer edging with tape, or without?
How to Answer
Some painters prefer to edge with tape while others will paint freehand. Talk about your preference and back your logic.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"When I first began painting, I much preferred to edge with tape. Now that I have more years' experience I do prefer to go freehand. I am very skilled which is why I can do it that way. It saves time and I'm still very accurate."
Written by Rachelle Enns
3. As a painter, do you have any experience being your own boss? Handling customers and employees?
How to Answer
Being a boss or handling a team of painters could be a natural progression in your career. Talk to the hiring manager about your ability and interest in doing so.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"In my previous role, I led a team of 3 painters. I am comfortable managing a project, and others. Being in a customer facing role is no problem at all for me. I am very experienced and comfortable taking on a role like that."
Written by Rachelle Enns
4. Do you have any problems climbing tall ladders?
How to Answer
Being able to handle heights and climb tall ladders is an important factor in being a painter. Tell the hiring manager about your abilities with heights.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I do not have any troubles with heights or climbing ladders. There hasn't been a job so far that I am unable to complete, due to heights."
Written by Rachelle Enns
5. How familiar are you with this market? Any experience painting here?
How to Answer
Knowing your market and having a clientele base can be a big bonus to a hiring manager. Talk about the experience that you bring in the area.
If you are familiar with the market: "I have been painting in this region for 4 years now and would come with a strong network of clients that I would be happy to bring with me, should I be given the opportunity."
If you are not familiar with the market: "I am new to the area but know that I could quickly learn the market and make a positive impact on your business, should I be given the opportunity."
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I have been painting in this region for 4 years now and would come with a strong network of clients that I would be happy to bring with me, should I be given the opportunity."
Written by Rachelle Enns
6. Do you have your own hand tools?
How to Answer
Having your own tools is a really big bonus to a hiring manager. Briefly describe what you would bring to the job.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I have a wide selection of my own hand tools and can come to any job site, well prepared. I have collected a range over the years and am able to purchase any additional tools I may need along the way."
Written by Rachelle Enns
7. Do you have your own car to get to and from work?
How to Answer
Being a painter, you will have a lot of equipment and tools to take along with you to each job. The hiring manager will need to know that you have a reliable and suitable way of getting to each job site.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Yes, I have my own reliable vehicle with all of the required tools and supplies that I need to do a job well. I am able to get to work on my own, and always on time."
Written by Rachelle Enns
8. Have you removed wall paper before? What is your easiest and most effective method?
How to Answer
Removing wall paper can be a tedious and messy job. Tell the interviewer how you would go about a job such as this.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Whenever I am faced with a situation where I have to remove wall paper, I create a water and soap solution. Applying it to the wallpaper with a sponge, I let it soak in for 20 minutes, then scrape the paper from the wall. If the wallpaper has a water-resistant coating I will score it with a wire-bristle brush before treating with the solution."
Written by Rachelle Enns
9. What is more important, the money or the job?
How to Answer
Is it more important for you to do a good job or to collect a paycheck? Tell the hiring manager more about what drives you to do a good job.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Although I feel that both are important, my primary focus is to take jobs that I know I will be good at. My service and quality of work are what gives me the good reputation that I have. That is most important."
Written by Rachelle Enns
10. When you arrive for a single room repaint, what is the order of operations?
How to Answer
Take the hiring manager through the steps that you would take for a single room paint job.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I would take the same steps for a single room paint job as I would for a full home. My customers always received the same level of service, no matter how big the job. I would start with sanding, washing the walls, priming and then painting."
Written by Rachelle Enns
11. The job specs are for prime and paint and you come across some wood rot. What is your next move?
How to Answer
Providing great customer service and being able to successfully manage challenging situations are all important parts of being a painter. Tell the hiring manager what you would do in this situation. Better yet - talk about a time that this has happened to you, if applicable.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"If I came across wood rot during a job, I would immediately let the client know before I continued with the job. I would price out the changes and formally quote for the job again. After that, once the client approves, I would begin the job. This has happened to me twice in my painting career and this method of managing the unexpected has always worked out well in the end."
Written by Rachelle Enns
12. Do you have experience patching holes? If a hole is roughly 4-6 inches in diameter, what do you do?
How to Answer
Being able to properly prep for larger jobs is very important in painting. Display that you have knowledge when it comes to prepping a damaged area before painting. Tell the hiring manager how you would go about patching a larger hole.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"If I came across a large hole, I would run a strip of fiberglass drywall tape around the patch, then spread drywall joint compound across the patch and tape to create a smooth, flat surface. A couple coats of that should do. Once it's dry, I would paint over it."
Written by Rachelle Enns
13. Do you have experience using an airless paint sprayer?
How to Answer
Talk to the hiring manager about your experience using an airless paint sprayer.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I do have experience using an airless paint sprayer. I have used one on many different jobs as small as closets and as large as commercial spaces."
Written by Rachelle Enns
14. How long have you been a painter?
How to Answer
Expand your answer past what is included on your resume. Be brief in your answer and be sure to build confidence with the hiring manager that you have enough experience for the job.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I have been in the painting business for 10 years. I started as an apprentice and have been working independently as a painter for 7 years now."
Written by Rachelle Enns
15. How important is quality to you? Give an example of something where the quality of your paint job turned out really well.
How to Answer
The pride that you take in your work is really important. Express this to the hiring manager. Give an example.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Quality is the most important factor to me, along with the client feeling that I gave them value in their service. I had a client last week who had hired another painter who had done quite a terrible job painting the main level of her home. I was able to come in, fix the previous contractors' error and do a really good job for her. She was thrilled by the end of it and I was happy to have done a great job for her."
Written by Rachelle Enns
16. Tell me about a painting project which you are very proud of.
How to Answer
Take note of the versatility in your painting portfolio. Which project gave you the most satisfaction? Why were you so proud of it at the end?
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"The project that I am most proud of was the interior painting of the whole heritage building on 17th and Waterfront. It was a huge job and a very challenging one. In the end, my client, who was the developer, was very happy with the rejuvenation of the space."
Written by Rachelle Enns
17. Do you have experience using a lift or a boom?
How to Answer
Many larger, often commercial, jobs will require you to use a lift or a boom. Tell the hiring manager more about your experience using heavier duty equipment on the job.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I do have experience using a lift on the job. My current employer has a lot of commercial contracts which requires more use of heavy equipment. Although I will spend some time briefly on the lift, I could still use additional exposure to these types of equipment."
Written by Rachelle Enns
18. What would you do if you could not be a painter?
How to Answer
Aside from being a painter, have you had any other career goals or dreams? Talk to the hiring manager a little bit about what other career or life goals you may have.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"If I was not a painter, I would probably look into a career within culinary. Being a chef is also a very creative job that uses skill, concentration and is still physical in nature. I spend my spare time learning new skills in the kitchen. It's fun for me."
Written by Rachelle Enns
19. How do you stay focused and committed to a room while painting?
How to Answer
Talk to the hiring manager a little bit about the techniques you use to stay on task and focused during a painting job.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Sometimes painting can become a little mundane after some time so I will stay focused by setting small milestones and goals for myself. An example may be that I will commit to finishing a particular area before breaking for lunch."
Written by Rachelle Enns
20. Typically how many coats of paint do you prefer applying to any job for perfection?
How to Answer
Give an example of the average amount of coats that you typically apply and explain your answer.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"Typically, I apply 2 coats before I feel the job has been completed to perfection. Certain colors or brands will require 3 coats but I am very careful to do each coat perfectly so that additional coverage is not required."
Written by Rachelle Enns
21. Where do you see yourself as a painter in five years?
How to Answer
What are your long term goals as a painter? Talk to the hiring manager a bit about what you hope to see in your future.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I really enjoy the trades and I hope to be even more skilled in painting than I am now. In 5 years I would like the idea of leading a team, training new painters or even being the owner of a successful painting business."
Written by Rachelle Enns
22. Do you use a roll on brush or a paint sprayer? In what situations do you use the other?
How to Answer
Have you used both a roll on brush and a paint sprayer? Which do you prefer out of the two, and why? Discuss your preference with the hiring manager.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I use both a roll on brush and a paint sprayer, depending on the application type. For larger, commercial jobs I will often choose the paint sprayer application. The spaces are generally more open, and the ceilings higher. A roll on brush is generally my choice for residential applications."
Written by Rachelle Enns
23. What was the most difficult room you have painted before?
How to Answer
What has been your biggest challenge as a painter? Talk to the hiring manager about your most difficult painting job. What made it so challenging and how did you overcome that challenge?
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"The most challenging room I can recall painting was in an old heritage home. It was a 150 year old home with many cracks and imperfections in the walls. Being a perfectionist it was a delicate balance for me to make the room look great while maintaining the originality of the room. I was able to match a great color that was appropriate to the style and age of the home. At the end of the job, the client was very happy with the look. It was a challenge but a success, overall!"
Written by Rachelle Enns
24. When did you decide you wanted to become a painter?
How to Answer
When did you decide that you wanted to be a painter for a living? Talk to the hiring manager about the path that brought you here.
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"I have always been a creative individual. Growing up, my mom was an interior designer and my father was a tradesperson in the construction industry. I feel that I took both of those worlds and chose a career that allowed me to work with my hands while still feeling like my creative side was being nurtured."
Written by Rachelle Enns
25. What is your most challenging piece of work you have completed?
How to Answer
What has been your biggest challenge as a painter? Talk to the hiring manager about your most difficult painting job. What made it so challenging and how did you overcome that challenge?
Written by Rachelle Enns
Answer Example
"The most challenging room I can recall painting was in an old heritage home. It was a 150 year old home with many cracks and imperfections in the walls. Being a perfectionist it was a delicate balance for me to make the room look great while maintaining the originality of the room. I was able to match a great color that was appropriate to the style and age of the home. At the end of the job, the client was very happy with the look. It was a challenge but a success, overall!"
Written by Rachelle Enns