Sample Job Interview Questions for Engineering and Manufacturing Jobs
By Annette Lewis
This article contains a sample of the types of questions you will encounter in Manufacturing and Engineering jobs and for positions such as Civil, Structural, Buildings, Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineers of all levels, up to Engineering Manager, Projects Manager and Head of Engineering.
Most interviews in this sector will follow a standard structure which includes: - Introduction - Setting the Scene - Exploration - Selling - Closure.
The Exploration Stage is all about the questions and these will vary depending on the employer, the level of job you are applying for, the amount of experience you have, the recommended recruiting policy and the personal preference of the interviewer.
Most employers are now using Competency Based Interviewing techniques so you should expect both Competency Based and Behavioural Questions. These will typically exploring the core competencies regarded as essential in this sector.
- Excellent Technical Skills
- Strong Understanding of Principles and Processes
- Able to use initiative
- Problem Solving
- Analytical Thinking
- Excellent Computer Skills especially in design programs such as CAD
- Your ability to build and motivate a team
- Your ability to deliver and manage projects
- Strong commercial and sector awareness
- Your ability to manage a large department
- Your experience with developing effective strategies
For each of the above you should expect 3-4 questions along with standard questions exploring your Training and Qualifications, Skills and Experience, and Personality and Motivation
Sample Interview Questions For Engineering and Manufacturing Jobs
How would you answer these questions?
Interview Question 2: 'Tell me about a product you have designed which has gone into production, what was the inspiration and what process did you follow?'
Interview Question 3: 'Describe for me a situation where you were required to gather a large amount of data, to analyse it objectively and to make a decision or a recommendation based on the results.'
Interview Question 4: 'Part of the role will involve setting challenging and measurable goals and targets for your team. What steps would you take in doing so.'
Interview Question 5: 'Give me an example of the different approaches you have used when persuading your team, colleagues or manager to agree with your views.'
Interview Question 6: 'Describe a time when you had to build a collaborative relationship either within your department or outside in order to achieve a particular goal. What steps did you take to ensure this was a success.'
* Questions taken from the InterviewGOLD™ Interview System. Click here for more.
How to Succeed in your Engineering and Manufacturing Interview
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Annette Lewis is an accredited interviewer and has recruited for many organisations
within Healthcare, Education, Customer Services and Banking.
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To help you succeed in Engineering and Manufacturing Interviews, I recommend the Online InterviewGOLD™ Interview System.
- Arrive Fully Prepared, calm and confident
- Know Exactly What to Expect
- Communicate Easily and Fluidly
- Answer Tough Questions Easily
- Avoid Common Mistakes
- Sell Yourself Effectively and Win


