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How to answer these common industrial interview questions

Would you be able to answer these common interview questions? A three minute read.

Questions frequently asked in an industrial interview.

Got an interview coming up for some labour/warehouse work? Don’t be nervous, just read our guide explaining the ‘model answer’ for these frequently asked interview questions. 

Tell me about yourself...

  • Begin by giving a brief overview of your professional background, highlighting relevant experiences and qualifications.

  • Discuss your passion for the industrial field and your interest in the specific role or industry.

  • Mention any notable achievements or projects that demonstrate your skills and abilities.

What interests you about this industry/company?

  • Conduct thorough research on the company and industry before the interview.

  • Highlight specific aspects of the industry that intrigue you, such as technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, or market growth potential.

  • Mention the company's reputation, values, and mission, and explain how they align with your career goals and personal values.

What previous experience do you have, can you talk about your work history?

Talk through CV- take a copy with you. Share some past experiences from workplaces; any examples (images) of your work and/or testimonials from previous employers and colleagues are great to share, demonstrating your ability and giving the interviewer confidence in your skills.  

  • Emphasise your previous industrial experience and how it relates to the position you're applying for.

  • Provide specific examples of projects or tasks you have undertaken, highlighting your contributions and achievements.

  • Discuss any relevant certifications, training programs, or specialised skills that set you apart.

    "What relevant experience do you have?"

    • Emphasise your previous industrial experience and how it relates to the position you're applying for.

    • Provide specific examples of projects or tasks you have undertaken, highlighting your contributions and achievements.

    • Discuss any relevant certifications, training programs, or specialised skills that set you apart.

How do you handle working under pressure?

  • Describe your approach to managing pressure and deadlines, emphasising your ability to stay calm and focused.

  • Discuss any strategies you use to prioritise tasks and maintain productivity during high-pressure situations.

  • Share a specific example from your past experience where you successfully handled pressure and achieved positive results.

Tell me about a challenging situation you faced at work and how you resolved it...

  • Choose a challenging situation that is relevant to the industrial field and highlights your problem-solving abilities.

  • Clearly describe the problem or obstacle you encountered and explain the steps you took to address it.

  • Highlight the successful outcome of your actions and any lessons you learned from the experience.

How do you ensure safety in the workplace?

  • Emphasise the importance of safety in the industrial sector and your commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.

  • Mention your familiarity with relevant safety protocols, regulations, and best practices.

  • Share examples of how you have actively promoted and implemented safety measures in your previous roles.

​How do you collaborate in a team?

  • Emphasise your ability to work effectively in a team environment, as collaboration is crucial in the industrial sector.

  • Discuss your experience working in cross-functional teams, your communication skills, and your ability to adapt to different team dynamics.

  • Provide examples of successful team projects you have been involved in and how you contributed to their overall success.

What specific skills & experience can you bring to this particular role?

Research the role to find out what skills you may need. For example, some picking and packing roles require use of hand scanners- if you have used hand scanners talk about this.

 

Name one strength & weakness.

This questions often tough for people to answer, but it needn’t be! A strength is easy to say; good team player, conscientious, hardworking, accurate, adaptability. Try to turn a negative into a positive- so for example a weakness could be, “I have a little direct experience, however I am fresh and open to new ideas, so can be mouldable to the role and business”.

 

What notice period do you have- when can you start if you were offered the role?

If you're currently out of work, it's often possible for you to start straight away, demonstrating your interest and enthusiasm. If you are in a role, you may need to check your current contract to see what notice is required.

 

How did you hear about our company?

Have you any friends who work there? Did you see a job advert? Are you aware of the company’s positive reputation? It’s good to talk about this if you have heard good things about working for the company.

 

What do you know about our company?

Please research the company online prior to the interview so you have some key points to discuss.

 

Can you work at a fast pace? Have you ever worked to targets?

Discuss your previous roles demonstrating how you've work to targets & deadlines. Again, share some examples of when you’ve achieved such deadlines– especially regarding incidents when you've exceeded expectations.

 

What machines have you used or worked on before?

So for engineering roles in particular, name specific machines you have worked on such as CNC, grinding or milling for example.

 

Can you work overtime, have flexibility with hours?

Try to remain open minded. If for any reason you aren’t available for specific hours, just explain this. It’ll portray you as a reliable and dedicated individual.

However, please don’t disregard working Friday evenings for instance, just because you’d rather be at the pub – it doesn’t sound great!

 

How do you cope with working within a repetitive role?

Some people like routine and knowing what they need to do each day- others challenge themselves to beat their own personal target day to day.

 

Can you provide an example of working within a team?

Refer back to a moment, preferably in a professional capacity (although not essential), you’ve succeeded within a team environment, offering some brief context, the outcome and how you contributed.

 

Do you have any questions?

Please prepare some questions for the employer- it shows you are engaged. An interview is just as much an opportunity for the candidate to see whether it’s a place they want to work, as much as it is for the employer to see if the candidate is suitable for the role and business.

For example: “When will you make a decision on the interviews?” or “How many roles are available?”

 

Top Interview Tips to take Away:

  • Dress to impress

  • Firm hand shake

  • Look engaged and enthusiastic

  • When the interview ends, thank the interviewee for their time and if you want the job let them know you would very much like the opportunity to work for them.

Looking for a Warehouse / Labour job? Browse our Industrial roles here.

Contact our Industrial team on 01562 69090 or pop in to the office for further advice and/or guidance.