Interview Tips

1. Understand the Role and the Company

Before your interview, take time to research both the company and the specific role you're applying for. Review the job description in detail and think about how your skills align with what's being asked.

Look into:

The company’s products, processes, or services
Their industry sector (e.g. food & beverage, automotive, FMCG, etc.)
Any recent news, investment, or growth
Their maintenance strategy – are they reactive, preventative, or moving towards predictive?

Having this knowledge not only helps you tailor your answers but shows genuine interest and initiative.

2. Review the Fundamentals – And Be Ready for Technical Questions

Engineering interviews frequently include technical questions, especially for roles in maintenance, reliability, or service engineering. You may be asked about fault-finding techniques, interpreting schematics, or safety procedures.

Make sure you can confidently talk about:

Electrical or mechanical systems you’ve worked on
PLC fault finding or programming (if relevant)
CMMS systems you’ve used
Health & safety and compliance knowledge

If you’re rusty on any key areas, a quick refresher ahead of the interview can make all the difference.

3. Use the STAR Method for Competency Questions

You’ll likely be asked about past situations to demonstrate how you’ve handled challenges, teamwork, or deadlines. Using the STAR method helps keep your answers structured and focused:

Situation – Set the context
Task – Explain what needed to be done
Action – Describe what you did
Result – Share the outcome

Example:

"Tell me about a time you diagnosed a difficult fault."

“In my previous role, a production line kept stopping unexpectedly (Situation). The task was to find the root cause quickly to minimise downtime (Task). I worked through the schematics, tested input signals, and traced the fault back to a faulty sensor misfiring intermittently (Action). Replacing the sensor resolved the issue, and I added it to our preventative checks to avoid repeat failures (Result).”

4. Be Clear and Confident – But Avoid Jargon

Many engineers fall into the trap of using too much technical jargon or rushing through explanations. Speak clearly and with confidence, but tailor your language to the interviewer.

If you're speaking with HR or a general manager, explain concepts in a way that non-specialists can follow. If you’re meeting a maintenance manager or engineering director, you can speak more technically.

Practise answering questions out loud to improve your clarity and flow.

5. Show Enthusiasm and Initiative

Skills and experience are important, but attitude counts too. Employers want people who are proactive, safety-conscious, and take pride in their work.

Demonstrate:

A willingness to learn or upskill
Interest in improving maintenance processes
Examples of times you’ve gone above and beyond
Good communication with colleagues and production staff

Enthusiasm doesn’t mean being overly confident—it means showing that you care about your work and are motivated to contribute.

6. Prepare Smart Questions to Ask

Always have a few thoughtful questions ready at the end of the interview. This reinforces your interest and helps you assess if the role is the right fit.

Good questions include:

What are the biggest challenges facing the engineering team?
What training or progression opportunities are available?
How is success measured in this role?
What does a typical day or week look like?

Avoid asking about salary or time off too early—these are best saved for later discussions unless the interviewer brings them up.

7. Follow Up Professionally

After the interview, it’s a good idea to send a brief thank-you message—either via email or through your recruitment consultant. Reaffirm your interest and thank them for their time. It leaves a positive impression and can help you stay front of mind during the decision-making process.