Interview and test preperation
Our clients are committed to hiring and retaining the best employees, and to that end, they utilize a Skills Assessment test to ensure that candidates possess the technical skills required to perform job tasks at each level.
In order to prepare you for success, we have put together this brief study guide, which contains study recommendations and sample questions.
Please revise the topics for the role you’re applying for. This will give you a huge advantage when you sit down to complete the test and we HIGHLY recommend completing this in advance of the interview.
Assessment Categories & Topics
Material Handling Technician
- Hydraulics and pneumatics
- Power transmission
- Lubrication & pumps
- Instrumentation and sensors
- Prints, schematics, and logic reading
- Motors
- Process control, networking and automation
- Electrical theory
- Computers, PLCs, and DCs
- Power distribution
Controls Technician
- Basic AC/DC theory
- Automation
- Power distribution
- Motors
- Schematics and print reading
- Test instruments
- Networking
- Computers and PLCs
Robotics Technician
- Mechanical
- Pneumatics
- Drives and controls
- Sensors & feedback
- Test instruments
- Computers
- Robotics
- Electrical theory
- Prints and schematics
CMMS Admin
- Planning and Organization
- Reporting
- Purchasing and Materials Management
- Computer and CMMS
- Leadership
- Technical Skills
Study Recommendations: Material Handling Technician
- Reading Drawings (electrical, ladder logic, architectural, etc.)
- https://www.edrawsoft.com/basic-electrical-symbols.php
- https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/digital/chpt-6/motor-control-circuits/
- http://pof2010.org/electric-motor-starter-circuit-diagram/electric-motor-starter-circuit-diagram-tm-5-4310-385-13-30-1-wiring/
- http://web.aeromech.usyd.edu.au/ENGG1960/Documents/Week11/Engineering%20Drawings%20Lecture%20Assembly%20Drawings%202014.pdf
- Power Transmission
- http://cybra.lodz.pl/Content/3714/DesignBasicInd.pdf
- Tools and Equipment
- https://www.miniphysics.com/how-to-read-a-vernier-caliper.html
- Pneumatics and Hydraulics
- http://www.rignitc.com/pneumatics-tutorial-1/
- http://www.smcpneumatics.com/pdfs/smc/basic_pneumatics.pdf
- Electrical Theory and Control Circuits
- https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Total-Current
- http://electrical-engineering-portal.com/three-phase-power-measurement
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlMx9arjxXA
- Test Instruments
- https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/how-to-use-a-multimeter
- Electronics and PLCs
- http://www.plcdev.com/book/export/html/9
Study Recommendations: Controls Technician
- Schematics, Electrical Print and Logic Reading
- Basic Blueprint Reading, switch symbols, wire reference numbers
- Process Control and Networking
- Network topology, acronyms
- Industrial Networking
- Electrical theory
- Wire diagram troubleshooting, electronic schematics
- Mechanical (Solenoid, cylinder, motor valves)
- Basic blueprint reading, pneumatic symbols
- Computers, PLCs, and DCS
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw1MgwbolJY
- PLC component troubleshooting, I/O cards, power supply etc..
- Windows command line tools for networking.
- Power Distribution
- Basic electricity, circuit breakers
- Motors
- Motor control circuits, 3-phase, overloads
- Automation/Robotics
- Frame types, teach pendant
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5Q7t44i5MrAsQ1WAQc8sVWKs1YulGsja
Study Recommendations: Robotics Technician
- Electrical theory
- Wire diagram troubleshooting, electronic schematics
- Schematics, electrical print and logic reading
- Basic blueprint reading, switch symbols, wire reference numbers
- Mechanical (solenoid, cylinder, motor valves)
- Basic blueprint reading, pneumatic symbols
- Pneumatics
- http://www.rignitc.com/pneumatics-tutorial-1/
- http://www.smcpneumatics.com/pdfs/smc/basic_pneumatics.pdf
Before attending your interview:
- Find out as much as possible about the vacancy from your consultant / agency
- Research the company fully via company website and search engine results.
- Find out as much as possible about:
Company History
Size and turnover
Locations
Products / Services
Customers / Clients / Stakeholders
Markets / Industry Sector
Competitors
- Plan your journey in advance and arrive at the interview with plenty of time to spare
- Dress appropriately, smart /casual is suitable.
- If you have any queries please contact your consultant prior to the interview
When you arrive for the interview:
- Be confident, smile and maintain eye contact – remember people make a decision usually within the first 5 minutes of meeting you
- Always be factual and concise
- Stay positive
Things to remember during the interview:
- Let the interviewer lead the conversation early on, then try to establish the role and responsibilities, so you can apply your previous skills to the position.
- Answer questions thoroughly and to the point. Insure you answer the exact question they asked you instead of changing the subject or discussing something different.
- If you are discussing experiences you have had whilst working in a team insure you mention not only what the ‘team’ achieved but also your involvement and what you achieved personally.
- If you are using an example to answer a question or explaining your level of competence please insure you use a recent example. (i.e. last 18 months if possible)
- Ask questions about the vacancy:
Typical day
Why the vacancy exists
What responsibilities you will have
What makes them a good company to work for
What training/development they offer
Ask to see where you will be working
Ask if you have done enough to prove you can do the job
Ask when they will be making their decision
- If you can help it try to not discuss salary, holidays, pension etc at the first interview – leave this for a second interview.
- Do not speak in derogatory terms about your current / Previous employer/s
Questions They May Ask You:
As the saying goes, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail". So here is a valuable insight into the world of interview questions and the techniques best used to answer them.
There are some questions that are asked frequently in interviews and you should prepare your answers before-hand. The key things to remember when responding to interview questions are to keep your answers relevant, brief and to the point. If you are faced with a difficult question, make sure you stay calm, don't get defensive, and take a moment to think about your response before you answer.
Remember, these responses are only suggestions. Try to personalise your response as much as possible.
Q. Tell me about yourself.
A. Identify some of your main attributes and memorise them. Describe your qualifications, career history and range of skills, emphasising those skills relevant to the job on offer.
Q. What have your achievements been to date?
A. Select an achievement that is work-related and fairly recent. Identify the skills you used in the achievement and quantify the benefit it had to the company. For example, 'my greatest achievement has been to improve part of a high-speed packaging line by re-designing the flow, which ironed out some waste problems and also increased the productivity; this increases the machine efficiency by 10%'.
Q. Are you happy with your career-to-date?
A. This question is really about your self-esteem, confidence and career aspirations. The answer must be 'yes', followed by a brief explanation as to what it is about your career so far that's made you happy. If you have hit a career plateau, or you feel you are moving too slowly, then you must qualify your answer.
Q. What is the most difficult situation you have had to face and how did you tackle it?
A. The purpose of this question is to find out what your definition of difficult is and whether you can show a logical approach to problem solving. In order to show yourself in a positive light, select a difficult work situation which was not caused by you and which can be quickly explained in a few sentences. Explain how you defined the problem, what the options were, why you selected the one you did and what the outcome was. Always end on a positive note.
Q. What do you like about your present job?
A. This is a straightforward question. All you have to do is make sure that your 'likes' correspond to the skills etc. required in the job on offer. Be enthusiastic; describe your job as interesting and diverse but do not overdo it - after all, you are looking to leave.
Q. What do you dislike about your present job?
A. Be cautious with this answer. Do not be too specific as you may draw attention to weaknesses that will leave you open to further problems. One approach is to choose a characteristic of your present company, such as its size or slow decision-making processes etc. Give your answer with the air of someone who takes problems and frustrations in your stride as part of the job.
Q. What are your strengths?
A. This is one question that you know you are going to get so there is no excuse for being unprepared. Concentrate on discussing your main strengths. List three or four proficiencies e.g. your ability to learn quickly, determination to succeed, positive attitude, your ability to relate to people and achieve a common goal. You may be asked to give examples of the above so be prepared.
Q. What is your greatest weakness?
A. Do not say you have none - this will lead to further problems. You have two options - use a professed weakness such as a lack of experience (not ability) on your part in an area that is not vital for the job. The second option is to describe a personal or professional weakness that could also be considered to be a strength, and the steps you have taken to combat it. An example would be, 'I know my team think I'm too demanding at times - I tend to drive them pretty hard but I'm getting much better at using the carrot and not the stick'.
Q. Why do you want to leave your current employer?
A. State how you are looking for a new challenge, more responsibility, experience and a change of environment. Do not be negative in your reasons for leaving. It is rarely appropriate to cite salary as your primary motivator.
Other questions to consider:
- How does your job fit in to your department and company?
- What do you enjoy about this industry?
- Give an example of when you have worked under pressure.
- What kinds of people do you like working with?
- Give me an example of when your work was criticised.
- Give me an example of when you have felt anger at work. How did you cope and did you still perform a good job?
- What kind of people do you find it difficult to work with?
- Give me an example of when you have had to face a conflict of interest at work.
- Tell me about the last time you disagreed with your boss.
- Give me an example of when you haven't got on with others.
- Do you prefer to work alone or in a group? Why?
- This organisation is very different to your current employer - how do you think you are going to fit in?
- What are you looking for in a company?
- How do you measure your own performance?
- What kind of pressures have you encountered at work?
- Are you a self-starter? Give me examples to demonstrate this?
- What changes in the workplace have caused you difficulty and why?
- How do you feel about working long hours and/or weekends?
- Give me an example of when you have been out of your depth.
- What have you failed to achieve to date?
- What can you bring to this organisation?
At the End of the Interview:
Closing the interview is the most important part of the interview
- Let them know you are interested in the position
- Ask if you have done enough to prove you can do the job
- Ask when they will be making their decision
- Ask them what the next stage will be i.e. 2nd interview?
Once your interview is finished please contact your consultant regarding any queries or feedback.
