Do you have any volunteer experience?

"Yes, I have over ten years of experience volunteering. I started volunteering in high school during my sophomore year. My shop teacher was involved in a program building homes for veterans, and he had our class build a home for our final exam. I continued volunteering until I graduated high school. Then I joined the Peace Corps, where I volunteered for 27 months. I was sent to Ecuador, where I lived with my host family and built homes for the community after much of it was destroyed by a large earthquake. I continue to volunteer twice a month helping veterans."

The interviewer asks this question because some companies count volunteer experience in construction as work experience, which is required for most woodworking jobs. The interviewer also wants to see if you would be a good fit for the team if hired. Many companies volunteer their services to the community, and the interviewer wants to know if you would be on board as an employee. Describe any volunteer experience you have, starting with construction-related and other types of community service.

Avoid saying you have volunteer experience if you don't. If you do not have volunteer experience, tell the interviewer that you have not had time in your schedule before now, but you are interested in volunteering for the community. Some interviewers may ask for a letter of recommendation from the volunteer coordinator, and you do not want to be caught being dishonest.

As advertised in our job announcement, some of our projects require out of town travel for up to three weeks at a time. If hired, will traveling for that length of time be an issue for you?

"No, traveling for extended periods will not be an issue for me if hired. That is one of the aspects of the job that appeals to me, as I love to travel and experience new places. The only obligation I have is my dog, but my neighbor takes care of him when I travel."

The interviewer is transparent and explains that traveling is a requirement of the job. They want to make sure you know that travel is a requirement and that it will not be an issue for you if hired. The interviewer does not want to hire a woodworker who says they cannot travel because of outside obligations, such as school, family, or another job. Explain that you are aware of the travel requirement and that traveling for up to three weeks at a time will not be an issue for you.

If traveling for three weeks at a time will be a problem for you, avoid simply saying that you cannot travel without giving a reason why. If you have an outside obligation that interferes with extended travel, be honest with the interviewer and explain your conflict. The interviewer will decide if they can work around your external commitment if hired.

Do you have reliable transportation?

"Yes, I have reliable transportation. I own a vehicle that is two years old and have never had any mechanical issues with it. However, I prefer to use the public bus system since it is cheaper and better for the environment. There is a bus stop one block from my house, and it drops me right in front of your office. If hired, you will not have to worry about me showing up to work on time. I generally arrive to work half an hour before my shift to finish my coffee and go over what I have planned for the day."

Legally, the interviewer cannot ask if you own a reliable vehicle, as that is discriminatory since not everyone can afford a car. However, they can ask you if you have reliable transportation if it is a job requirement. Reliable transportation can be public transit, a taxi, carpool, private vehicle, bicycle, walking, or motorcycle. Describe what mode of transportation you will use if hired to assure the interviewer that showing up to work on time will not be an issue.

Avoid telling the interviewer that you do not have reliable transportation or have not figured out how you would get to work if hired. If you have not planned how to get to work, the interviewer will think you are unprepared and not a dependable employee.

Our company provides a work vehicle if hired. Have you ever had any violations or infractions on your driving record?

"No, I do not have any violations or infractions on my driving record. I have been driving for ten years and have never been pulled over or had an accident. I consider myself a safe and conscientious driver."

If the company provides a work vehicle, they have the right to ask about your driving record. Most companies will ask for a copy of your driving record before hiring you, but the interviewer wants to know if they should be concerned about anything before requesting that. If you have a serious violation on your record, the interviewer may feel that you are a liability. However, if you had an infraction or violation that has been expunged from your record, you do not need to divulge that information. If you have something on your record, describe it and assure the interviewer that you have learned from the experience.

When responding to this question, avoid being dishonest about violations or infractions. If you are not honest, the interviewer will find out when they receive a copy of your driving record, and they will not offer you the position. You should also avoid blaming someone else for a violation you received. That would show that you cannot admit a mistake and accept responsibility.

What do you know about our company?

"I know that your company was founded 40 years ago by the CEO's grandfather, who was a well-respected woodworker. Your company has won Awards of Excellence over the last ten years by the Chamber of Commerce and has a 5-star review from customer testimonials and online reviews. Your company specializes in custom cabinetry for high-end homes and has a mission to 'beautify homes one cabinet at a time.' Most of your portfolio showcases exotic hardwoods, which are my favorite types of woods to work with."

You should research all you can about the company before applying to the position and before your interview. You can gather information from the company website, social media, the job announcement, online customer reviews, and by visiting the company and talking to staff. Learn about the company's mission and vision statement, the CEO, when the company was founded, what type of clientele the company serves, and the company culture. When responding, incorporate some unique facts about the company, showing you have done in-depth research.

Avoid saying you do not know anything or know very little about the company. If you do not research the company before your interview, the interviewer will assume you are not interested in the job. If you want to win over the interviewer, you must learn all you can about the organization you hope to work for.

Tell me about your education. How has it prepared you for a career as a woodworker?

"I am a high school graduate and received my diploma three months ago. While in high school, I took two years of shop classes where I learned how to work with wood, and that is when I became interested in a career as a woodworker. I am enrolled at the community college and am taking advanced woodworking classes. I will receive my associate's degree in fine woodworking in less than two years. My education has prepared me for a career as a woodworker by providing me with the knowledge and skills needed to perform this work."

The interviewer will ask this question to see if you meet the company's educational requirements and gauge if you have the training needed to work in this profession. Many companies require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, while some companies require more advanced education. If you made it to the interview, you must meet the company's educational requirements. Describe your education and explain how it prepared you for a career as a woodworker.

Describe your education, listing any diplomas or degrees received, and highlight courses or an apprenticeship that prepared you to work as a woodworker. Avoid embellishing your education and saying you are more educated than you are. The interviewer can ask for school transcripts to verify your claims, and you do not want to appear dishonest.

Tell me about the wood products you have created and mass-produced.

"My first woodworking job where I created mass production was building birdhouses for my grandfather's business, which I did for two years while in high school. After I graduated, I started working for a cabinet maker and created custom cabinets that were mass-produced for a General Contractor building tract homes. I worked that job for five years."

When the interviewer asks this question, they want to see how well you do with production work. If the interviewer asks this question, it most likely is part of the job description, and you will be aware that this is a requirement. Some Woodworkers do not like production work, and the interviewer wants to see if you fall into that category or if you will be a good fit for the team. Describe the products you have created in mass production. If you have not made products in this manner before, be honest in your response and describe any wood projects you have worked on.

When responding to this question, avoid telling the interviewer that you do not enjoy mass production. If that is a job requirement, your response tells the interviewer that you may not be a good fit for the team, and they might pass you over for someone more enthusiastic about mass production.

Do you know how to read blueprints?

"Yes, I know how to read blueprints very well. I learned how to in an architectural drawing class I took in high school. My teacher taught me to read blueprints. My final project was to draw blueprints for my dream house. Drawing blueprints and understanding all of the nuances of reading them was an incredible experience."

Woodworkers need to have the ability to read blueprints, as they are used daily in the profession. You need to read blueprints when building a house, making furniture, and building cabinets. The interviewer wants to see that you can read blueprints and will not have issues reading blueprints if hired. Describe your experience reading blueprints, and explain how you gained your knowledge.

Avoid saying you have experience reading blueprints if you do not. Reading blueprints can be tricky, and errors will occur if you do not understand how to read them. If you do not understand blueprints, tell the interviewer that you are not experienced reading them, but you are excited to learn. If you are not honest, the interviewer will find out when you make mistakes on the job if hired.

Do you have any other construction skills besides woodworking?

"Yes, I do have other construction skills besides woodworking. I am a competent welder and have enjoyed working in metal fabrication for five years. I also have one year of experience in plumbing and electrical and can assist with the plumbing and electrical installation if needed."

Describe any other skills you have in the construction industry and the experience you have using those skills. If the company has other positions open, they might ask if you have different construction skills to see how versatile an employee you would be. For example, they might have a project that requires woodworking and metal fabrication. If you can do both tasks, you may rank higher than other candidates who do not have both skills.

If you do not have additional skills besides woodworking, avoid saying that you do. If hired, it will be apparent to the interviewer that you were dishonest in your interview. If you do not have additional skills, tell the interviewer that you do not but express an interest in another craft you would like to learn. It may be that the company is willing to train you in the skills you are interested in learning.

Do you have experience maintaining and repairing tools?

"Yes, I have experience maintaining and repairing tools. If my tools don't work properly, I cannot complete my work, so I need to keep my tools in optimal working condition. At the end of the workday, I clean all of my tools. If something is not working properly, I take the tool apart and figure out what is wrong. I have experience repairing all types of woodworking tools and have had success troubleshooting and repairing what is broken."

Woodworkers need to clean, repair, and maintain their tools so they stay in optimal working conditions. If one of the job duties is maintaining and repairing tools, the interviewer will want to know if you have experience and can fulfill this part of the job requirement. Describe your experience maintaining and repairing tools and which tools you are most familiar with. If you do not have experience with this task, explain that you are unfamiliar with repairing and maintaining tools but are willing and eager to learn.

Avoid saying that you do not have experience repairing and maintaining tools or that you believe that should be someone else's job. If you do not take pride in your tools, the interviewer may think that you will not take care of the company's tools and will be hesitant to hire you.

Have you done this kind of work before?

"No, I have not done this type of work before. My woodworking experience has been building custom furniture, but I am a quick learner and think I will rapidly pick up building custom cabinets. Furniture and cabinetry seem very similar, as they both require precise measurements and a vision of what the finished product will look like when completed."

The interviewer will ask this question if the woodworking position is in a particular niche. For example, the job you are interviewing for might be building custom cabinets, and the interviewer wants to see if you have experience building cabinets. Be honest and describe your experience doing the kind of work they advertised in the job description and how many years of experience you have if any.

If you do not have experience with the work described in the job announcement, avoid saying you have experience. It will be obvious you were dishonest once hired. Instead, say you do not have experience performing this type of work, but you learn quickly and are interested in developing your skills.

Do you have any questions for me?

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

Interviewers will often ask this question at the end of the interviewer to ensure that all of your questions are answered. You might have questions about the position or the company that were not answered during your research or the interview. It is always best to ask a question or two to show your interest in the company. You may ask about the company culture, the work schedule, what the interviewer likes most about their job, or your first project if hired.

It is best to avoid saying you do not have any questions, which might show the interviewer you are not very interested in learning all you can about the company. It is recommended to ask one or two questions that were not answered during your research or in the job announcement.

What type of woodworking tools are you most comfortable working with?

"I started woodworking when I was 15 years old and am familiar with most woodworking tools. I am most comfortable using a wood lathe, planer, circular saw, jigsaw, and compound miter saws."

The interviewer asks this question to see if you are comfortable working with the company's tools. They want to assess your experience with various tools and see where your expertise lies. Describe what woodworking tools you are most comfortable with and your experience using them.

When responding to this question, avoid saying you have experience with tools that you don't. If you are hired, it will be evident to the interviewer that you were not honest when you are faced with using unfamiliar tools. If you do not have experience and are just starting in this field, be honest and tell the interviewer you do not have experience with the tools, but you are excited to learn.

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

"In my free time, I enjoy being outside as much as possible. I enjoy riding my dirt bike, playing golf with my friends, barbecuing, and restoring old vehicles. I am also taking bass lessons as my grandfather played the stand-up bass and gave me one for my birthday, so I practice playing when I can."

The interviewer asks this question to gain insight into your personality and interests and ensure you take time to destress from the pressures of the job. The interviewer also wants to hear about your outside interests to determine if you have similar hobbies as others on the team. When coworkers have similar interests, they typically work well with other team members. Describe three or four activities you enjoy doing in your free time.

Avoid describing activities or hobbies that might be offensive to the interviewer or give them cause for concern. For example, you might enjoy going to a political rally or marching as an activist on the weekends. However, if the interviewer has different political beliefs, they might think you would be a difficult employee to work around. It is best to describe physical activities you enjoy or activities that stimulate your mind, such as an art project or playing a musical instrument.

Describe a time you took the initiative as a woodworker.

"I worked as a woodworker in my previous job, and I took the initiative and developed a training manual for new employees. The company was hiring Woodworkers fresh out of high school, and most of them had little to no experience. The company did not have much of a training program other than showing the new hires a video about operating the machinery. I noticed many of the employees seemed uncomfortable operating the saws, planers, and lathes, and I was worried they would hurt themselves. I developed a training manual for each piece of machinery with a step-by-step guide for operating it. After I presented the training manual to my supervisor, she asked if I would be interested in working as the Training and Safety Coordinator for the company, and I was promoted for my efforts."

Taking the initiative shows the interviewer that you do not need to be closely supervised and will do things without being told. When you take the initiative at work, it shows the interviewer that you will be a good employee and role model to others. Give a recent example of a time you took the initiative as a woodworker and describe the result.

Avoid telling the interviewer that you do not know what taking the initiative means or that you do not take the initiative at work and wait to be told what to do. Most companies are looking for employees who will act without being told and step up to the plate when they see something that needs to be done. Taking the initiative shows the interviewer that you have a strong work ethic without asking about your work ethic.

What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

"My greatest weakness is my ability to find a work/life balance. I enjoy my work so much that I often do woodworking in my garage on my days off. I have found that not balancing my work and personal life can harm my marriage. To improve this, I started keeping a calendar and making time to do something with my wife every day I am not working. Taking the time away from working in my garage has improved our relationship and given us more quality time together."

The interviewer asks this question to see if you are self-aware of any weaknesses and take steps to improve yourself. Everyone has a fault, but not all will be humble enough to identify and correct it. Describe a weakness pertaining to your job as a woodworker and explain how you are trying to turn that weakness into a strength.

Avoid describing a weakness that is not relevant to the position or might prohibit the interviewer from hiring you. For example, if your weakness is taking precise measurements or working well on a team, the interviewer may view your weakness as one that will prohibit you from being a successful woodworker for their company.

What has been your biggest challenge in this profession?

"My greatest challenge in this profession is finding an abundance of exotic woods at a reasonable price. When I started working as a woodworker, specialty woods were abundant at good prices. Now, they are in short supply, and what I can find is much more expensive. I had to change my designs somewhat and started incorporating local woods in my projects to make up for the lack of exotic woods."

The interviewer asks this question to see what aspect of this profession you find challenging and how you overcome adversity. You might find a particular tool challenging to use, struggle to find adequate space to work on projects, or have difficulty finding acceptable wood at a reasonable price. Describe your greatest challenge and how you deal with it while not letting it interfere with your work.

Avoid mentioning a challenge that would keep you from adequately performing your job. For example, you might feel that working with customers is the most challenging part of your profession. However, if you mention that as your most significant challenge, the interviewer might think that you will be a problematic employee if their woodworkers are in direct contact with the customers.

Why are you the best candidate for us?

"I believe I am the best candidate for your company because I meet all your requirements. I have been a woodworker for seven years and have a record of being dependable, honest, and detail-oriented. I provide exceptional customer service to all of my clients. I work well independently and on a team and genuinely love my work. I feel my values align with your company's, and I would be honored to be a part of your team."

The interviewer wants to know what unique qualities you will bring to the company if hired. They want to ensure you have the expertise they require and that you will be a good fit for their team. Review the job announcement before your interview, and highlight the traits and experience you have that align with their job requirements. For example, if the job announcement says the company is looking for a woodworker with 5+ years of experience who is detail-oriented, organized, dependable, honest, and has excellent customer service skills, you should use those keywords in your response.

When responding, you should avoid not having a concise answer prepared. This is the time to sell yourself in the interview by being self-assured but not arrogant or cocky. Be confident in your skills, and highlight the qualities you will bring to the table if hired.

What is your favorite thing you have made with wood?

"My favorite woodworking project was a bunk bed that I built for my two children. It was an elaborate piece of furniture and took me three months to build. I included drawers, a built-in desk, a ladder, and a slide. It was exciting watching my kid's reaction when I completed the project."

The interviewer wants to know your favorite thing you have made with wood to gain insight into what kind of projects you enjoy building. Try to match your interests with the company you are interviewing with, so they can see that you are the right candidate for the job. For example, if the company specializes in custom furniture, choose a piece of furniture you have made that was one of your favorite projects to create.

When responding to this question, avoid responding with something that is not related to the company's products. For example, your favorite project might have been building a sailboat. However, if the company specializes in custom furniture, the interviewer might think you would not be interested in their work and may hire someone else who loves building furniture.

Why did you choose to pursue a career as a woodworker?

"I chose to pursue a career as a Woodworker after taking a woodworking class as an elective in high school. I found that I enjoyed being creative and had a talent for building beautiful projects out of wood. My shop teacher encouraged me to take more advanced woodworking classes at the community college, where I discovered my passion and talent as a woodworker."

The interviewer wants to know what motivated and inspired you to choose this profession. It might be that a family member or friend inspired you, or you had a shop teacher in high school who encouraged you to pursue this career. Describe your reason for pursuing a career as a woodworker so the interviewer can gain insight into your motivation.

Avoid telling the interviewer that you were forced into this line of work or that you are working as a woodworker until something different comes along. The interviewer wants to hire someone who is passionate about their work and takes their career seriously.

What are your career goals as a woodworker?

"My career goals as a woodworker are to be offered a position with your company and advance to a Lead Carpenter position in the next three years. By then, I will have seven years of experience and feel qualified for that position. I like that your company offers and encourages professional advancement within the organization, and that is the main reason I applied to this job."

The interviewer asks this question to understand the goals you have set for yourself and how you plan to achieve them. Interviewers want to hire employees who see themselves with the company for the long term because it is expensive and time-consuming to interview, hire, and train employees. Describe your short-term and long-term career goals with the company in your response.

Avoid mentioning career goals that include working with another company or starting your own business. If the interviewer sees that your career goals do not align with the company, they may choose someone else to fill the position. Even if you plan to move on to another company or go into business for yourself, you should not tell the interviewer during the interview, or it will decrease your chance of being hired. Instead, describe your short-term goals, including being employed and gaining experience with the company.

What do you like most about woodworking?

"What I like most about woodworking is having an idea in my head and then seeing that idea come to life. I love how creative I can be in this profession while turning my dreams into a tangible product."

The interviewer asks this question to understand what motivates and inspires you to work with wood every day. Your favorite aspect of woodworking might be working with your hands, being creative, working with exotic woods, or seeing a project come to life. Describe your favorite part of woodworking and why.

When responding, avoid saying that your favorite part of working with wood is something that contradicts what the company is looking for in a candidate. For example, suppose the company is looking for a woodworker to join and contribute to their team. In that case, you should not say the thing you like most about woodworking is working independently. Think of another reason you love woodworking that aligns with the company's needs.

What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as a woodworker?

"My greatest strength is my interpersonal skills. I work well with diverse groups of people, I am an active listener, and I communicate well in written and verbal form. I am responsible, dependable, and have strong leadership and customer service skills. These skills help me as a woodworker because I work with clients and my crew daily. It is important to communicate with others and be a team player to achieve a common goal. When a customer has a concern or question, it is essential to listen and address their concerns, so they are satisfied with my work."

The interviewer asks this question to determine if your most significant strength will benefit the company if they hire you. Describe a strength that makes you a better woodworker and aligns with the company's job requirements. Suppose the company is looking for an honest, reliable, and creative woodworker with strong leadership and interpersonal skills. In that case, use one of those keywords when describing your greatest strength to show the interviewer you are an ideal candidate.

Avoid describing a strength that is unrelated to the position. For example, your greatest strength might be public speaking or giving presentations. However, that is not necessarily a strength that applies to woodworking, and the interviewer may not see that strength as one that will benefit their company.

Why do you want to work for our company?

"I want to work for your company because you are recognized as the top-rated custom furniture company in the area and have a stellar reputation. I like that your company encourages its employees to be creative and that you let your woodworkers be involved in the design process. I am excited to have this interview with you and hope to be chosen as part of your team."

The interviewer asks this question to see if you have researched their company. They want to hear specific reasons their company stands out from others and why you applied to their job. When performing your research, find unique aspects of the company that makes you want to work for them and include those in your response. Possible answers include having values that align with yours, being the top-rated company in the area, having high employee satisfaction and a low turnover rate, or offering room for professional advancement.

Avoid giving a generic answer or one that shows you did not research the company before your interview. The interviewer wants to see that you have done your homework and have a genuine interest in their organization. You should also avoid telling the interviewer that you want to work for them because of the salary or benefits package they offer, which shows you are only interested in money.

Tell me about your leadership skills.

"I feel my leadership skills are fair, but I am taking a leadership course right now to improve my skills. I have not had much experience leading a group of people in the past and would like to be promoted to superintendent in the next five years. For that reason, I enrolled in this course to gain experience so I can effectively move into a leadership position."

Even if the position you are interviewing for does not require leadership skills, the interviewer wants to hear that you can take the lead and work well on a team. The interviewer might also be looking for a candidate with strong leadership skills to promote in the future. People with strong leadership skills tend to be more productive and reliable, so the interviewer can gauge what type of employee you will be based on your response. Describe your leadership skills using a workplace example in your response.

In your response to this question, avoid saying you do not have strong leadership skills. If you feel that you could improve on these skills, explain that you have fair leadership skills and are working to improve. If you are trying to improve your leadership skills, explain how.

How are your math skills?

"I have above average math skills. Math comes easily to me, and I have always done well in geometry, algebra, and calculus. I also understand the metric system and can take and calculate measurements in English and metric systems. I feel it is essential in this profession to have above-average math skills since math is used daily in the workplace."

Good math skills are an essential quality for woodworkers to have since math is used every day in this profession. Good math skills are needed when reading blueprints, calculating dimensions to order supplies, accurately measuring materials, planning projects, and calculating costs to ensure the project comes in under budget. Describe your math skills while explaining the importance of using these skills in the workplace. The interviewer wants to know that your math skills are sufficient to perform your job if hired.

Avoid telling the interviewer that you hate math or have below-average math skills. If the interviewer thinks you do not have sufficient math skills to perform your job well, they may hire someone else with better math skills. Even if your math skills could use improvement, describe your skills in a way that assures the interviewer you have decent enough math skills to perform your job.

Do you enjoy working with your hands and mind?

"Yes, I love working with my hands and mind, and that is why I chose this profession. I enjoy coming up with an idea, taking a piece of wood, and building something beautiful. I love that I have the skill and artistic ability to turn my ideas into reality."

As a woodworker, you are constantly working with your hands and mind. The interviewer wants to determine if you enjoy using your brain and hands to ensure you will be a good fit for the company. Describe your love of working with wood while being creative.

Avoid saying you do not enjoy working with your hands and mind. If you respond this way, the interviewer will question how much you enjoy your profession and may think you are not a good fit for the team. If you do not enjoy working with your hands and mind, it might be a good idea to look for a different career.

How detail-oriented are you?

"I am extremely detail-oriented. I take great pride in making precise cuts and measurements, so I do not have to redo anything I work on. When I first started woodworking, I had a mentor who said, 'always measure twice, cut once.' That mantra has stuck in my head ever since."

Working as a woodworker requires attention to detail. Explain that paying attention to detail while producing quality work is essential, giving an example of a recent project you have completed. The interviewer wants to ensure that you will meet the project specifications and industry standards and determine if you have the qualities they are looking for in a woodworker, including attention to detail.

Avoid saying that you do not feel being detail-oriented is a trait that woodworkers should possess or that paying attention to detail is not a strength you have. If the interviewer hears that you do not pay attention to detail, they may think you do sloppy work and will pass you over for another candidate who takes pride in their work.

Do you work well under pressure?

"Yes, I work very well under pressure. I worked in a factory for the past four years, mass-producing furniture. I was under constant pressure to meet the company's quota, and I found that remaining laser-focused on the task at hand allowed me to handle the pressure put upon me."

As a woodworker, there will be times you must work under pressure. The interviewer wants to determine that you can handle the pressures of the job, remain calm and productive, and meet critical deadlines. Describe how you work well under pressure using a recent project as an example.

Avoid saying that you do not work well under pressure or that you leave the job when things get tough. The interviewer does not want to hire someone who cannot handle the pressure of the job or retreats when pressure is put upon them.

What causes you stress on the job? How do you handle that stress?

"I feel stressed on the job when a deadline is moved up. It is stressful to be told I have two weeks to complete a project, but the deadline is moved to one week. To handle the stress, I rearrange my schedule, prioritize the most important tasks first, and delegate assignments when possible. I do not let the stress of the job interfere with my work; I just have to get creative and come up with a new plan."

The interviewer wants to hear what you find stressful in the workplace and what measures you take to handle that stress to determine if you are level-headed and can remain calm under pressure. There is stress in all professions, and the interviewer wants to ensure that you will not let stress impact your performance. Describe what causes you the most stress at work, and explain how you cope with it.

The interviewer asked you to describe what causes you stress on the job, not in your personal life. Avoid answering with something unrelated to your profession. You should also avoid forgetting to mention how you handle the workplace stressors since the interviewer asked a two-part question.

Are you efficient with your time?

"Yes, I am extremely efficient with my time, and I pride myself on being organized and meeting or beating every deadline. I use project management software to keep every project on track and prioritize what needs to be completed each day. The last project I worked on was completed three days ahead of schedule because of how efficient I was with my time."

The interviewer asks this question to see if you will be efficient with your time if hired. Employers do not want employees who cannot meet deadlines and will cost the company money. Describe how you are efficient with your time by giving an example of your organizational skills on a recent project.

Avoid saying that you are not efficient with your time. If the interviewer feels that you are disorganized and inefficient, they will choose a candidate who will not cost the company time and money.

How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple projects to complete?

"I use an online scheduling program to organize my projects. I input each project deadline and the tasks that need to be accomplished each day, and the program prioritizes the order they need to be completed. Every morning, I look at my schedule to see what needs to be worked on that day. It has been a great tool for keeping me organized and on task, and I have never missed a deadline."

The interviewer wants to hear how you prioritize your work to determine if you can handle multiple projects. The company will have deadlines to meet, and they want to ensure you can complete numerous projects on time. Describe how you prioritize and keep track of your work and project deadlines.

When responding to this question, avoid saying you 'wing it' or do not have a system in place to prioritize your work. If the interviewer feels you may be disorganized and cannot meet project deadlines, they may pass you over for another candidate who appears more organized.

How do you practice safety on the job?

"The safety measures I take depend on the type of work I am doing. When working with power tools, I use eye and hearing protection and gloves, if warranted. If I am working above ground, I wear a hard hat and safety harness. I believe workplace safety is essential in this profession, and I always take proper safety precautions."

The interviewer asks this question because they want to know you take workplace safety seriously. Woodworking can be dangerous, and the interviewer wants to know you take proper safety measures. Companies are held liable if an accident or injury happens on the job, and the interviewer wants to know that you follow proper safety protocols. Describe how you stay safe on the job by wearing eye and hearing protection, wearing safety harnesses and hard hats when needed, and using safety features on the machines you operate.

Avoid telling the interviewer that you do not think safety is important. If the interviewer feels you will be a liability if hired, they will choose a more safety-conscious candidate.

What was the most complex wood project you have worked on?

"Last year, my crew and I were assigned to build a guest house made out of bamboo, douglas fir, and pine. The homeowner had lived in South America and wanted to incorporate bamboo into the design. We had never worked with bamboo and found the project complex because we had to join square edges to the round edges of the bamboo. I came up with an idea to make a bamboo template and used a jigsaw to cut rounded notches in the wood planks that would slide into the bamboo posts. It was a challenging job, but enjoyable because I had to use problem-solving skills to come up with a solution and the project turned out beautiful."

The interviewer wants to hear about your experience with complex projects to see if you have the patience, stamina, and expertise to tackle complex projects. If the company works on challenging projects, the interviewer wants to determine if you will be a good fit for the team. Describe your most complex project. If you are new to the field and have not encountered a challenging project, describe how you would work through one using your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Avoid describing a complex project that you could not complete because of the difficulties you encountered. If you do not stick with demanding projects until their completion, the interviewer will view that as an undesirable trait and may pass you over for another candidate.

How do you handle conflict in the workplace?

"I handle conflict in the workplace by addressing the issue and working towards a resolution. When there is conflict in the workplace that goes unresolved, it affects all employees and decreases morale. A month ago, I heard that one of my coworkers was upset with me, and I did not know why. I approached my coworker and asked if we could speak in private. I calmly told him I heard a rumor that he was mad with me and asked why. My coworker said that I took one of his chisels, and he was upset that I did not ask or return the chisel when I was done. I explained that I had my own set of chisels, and I never borrowed or took his. I asked if he would like to look in my toolbag to ensure I did not have his chisel, which he did. I offered to help him look for the chisel, and we found it underneath the backseat of his truck. The chisel fell out of his toolbag and slid under the seat. He apologized for blaming me, and we agreed to talk to each other in the future if we had questions or concerns and not to spread false rumors."

There will always be conflict in the workplace, whether with a coworker, supervisor, or customer. The interviewer wants to hear that you remain calm, listen to the person you have a dispute with, and try to resolve the conflict in such a way that both parties are satisfied. The interviewer asks this question to understand what type of conflict resolution and problem-solving skills you have. Describe a time you had conflict in the workplace, and explain how you handled the situation.

Avoid saying that you handle conflict by becoming angry, ignoring the situation, or walking away. The interviewer will feel that you avoid issues and cannot manage conflict effectively. You should also avoid naming the person you had a dispute with, speaking poorly of that person, or blaming others for the conflict.

Woodworkers Interview Questions

Go Back

1. Do you have any volunteer experience?
2. As advertised in our job announcement, some of our projects require out of town travel for up to three weeks at a time. If hired, will traveling for that length of time be an issue for you?
3. Do you have reliable transportation?
4. Our company provides a work vehicle if hired. Have you ever had any violations or infractions on your driving record?
5. What do you know about our company?
6. Tell me about your education. How has it prepared you for a career as a woodworker?
7. Tell me about the wood products you have created and mass-produced.
8. Do you know how to read blueprints?
9. Do you have any other construction skills besides woodworking?
10. Do you have experience maintaining and repairing tools?
11. Have you done this kind of work before?
12. Do you have any questions for me?
13. What type of woodworking tools are you most comfortable working with?
14. What activities or hobbies do you enjoy doing in your free time?
15. Describe a time you took the initiative as a woodworker.
16. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?
17. What has been your biggest challenge in this profession?
18. Why are you the best candidate for us?
19. What is your favorite thing you have made with wood?
20. Why did you choose to pursue a career as a woodworker?
21. What are your career goals as a woodworker?
22. What do you like most about woodworking?
23. What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as a woodworker?
24. Why do you want to work for our company?
25. Tell me about your leadership skills.
26. How are your math skills?
27. Do you enjoy working with your hands and mind?
28. How detail-oriented are you?
29. Do you work well under pressure?
30. What causes you stress on the job? How do you handle that stress?
31. Are you efficient with your time?
32. How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple projects to complete?
33. How do you practice safety on the job?
34. What was the most complex wood project you have worked on?
35. How do you handle conflict in the workplace?

Woodworkers Interview Questions

1. Do you have any volunteer experience?

2. As advertised in our job announcement, some of our projects require out of town travel for up to three weeks at a time. If hired, will traveling for that length of time be an issue for you?

3. Do you have reliable transportation?

4. Our company provides a work vehicle if hired. Have you ever had any violations or infractions on your driving record?

5. What do you know about our company?

6. Tell me about your education. How has it prepared you for a career as a woodworker?

7. Tell me about the wood products you have created and mass-produced.

8. Do you know how to read blueprints?

9. Do you have any other construction skills besides woodworking?

10. Do you have experience maintaining and repairing tools?

11. Have you done this kind of work before?

12. Do you have any questions for me?

13. What type of woodworking tools are you most comfortable working with?

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

15. Describe a time you took the initiative as a woodworker.

16. What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

17. What has been your biggest challenge in this profession?

18. Why are you the best candidate for us?

19. What is your favorite thing you have made with wood?

20. Why did you choose to pursue a career as a woodworker?

21. What are your career goals as a woodworker?

22. What do you like most about woodworking?

23. What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as a woodworker?

24. Why do you want to work for our company?

25. Tell me about your leadership skills.

26. How are your math skills?

27. Do you enjoy working with your hands and mind?

28. How detail-oriented are you?

29. Do you work well under pressure?

30. What causes you stress on the job? How do you handle that stress?

31. Are you efficient with your time?

32. How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple projects to complete?

33. How do you practice safety on the job?

34. What was the most complex wood project you have worked on?

35. How do you handle conflict in the workplace?