Why this matters:
An effective way to prevent infrastructure damage is to be proactive. In order to protect a building, maintenance technicians must know how to facilitate routine inspections, identify repair needs, and take immediate action. Whether it’s landscaping, painting, or replacing building parts, it’s important for candidates to stick to best practices that maximize efficiency and durability.
What to listen for:
- Strong understanding of effective maintenance procedures
- Willingness to execute preventative tasks before a problem arises
- Ability to perform thorough inspections
Why this matters:
While some building issues are visible, others are less noticeable. To reduce serious accidents and long-term damage, it’s crucial that maintenance technicians are able to detect broken systems quickly. They must have in-depth knowledge of a wide variety of machines and systems so they can clearly identify the details that indicate a problem.
What to listen for:
- Keen attention to detail when performing quality checks
- Clear knowledge of a building’s wiring, plumbing, and HVAC systems
- Ability to successfully repair a wide range of machines
Why this matters:
Maintenance technicians face some risk when maintaining and repairing a building. From fires and electrocution to equipment-related injuries, there is the possibility that accidents may occur. Therefore, candidates must know how to maximize their safety while fixing serious infrastructural issues, whether it’s through consistent communication with other employees or a carefully prepared risk-prevention plan.
What to listen for:
- Ability to adhere to relevant health and safety regulations
- Expertise in developing effective risk-prevention plans
- Strong verbal communication skills
Why this matters:
Occasionally, a repair job can become stressful. When faced with conflict, a strong candidate will remain calm and professional, lead with empathy, and search for a solution. When receiving constructive feedback, a maintenance technician must know how to listen intentionally and take responsibility for their actions.
What to listen for:
- Collaborative mindset
- Ability to receive constructive feedback with professionalism
- Solution-oriented approach to handling conflict
Why this matters:
A strong candidate will be able to demonstrate a proactive mindset and recall instances where their actions led to positive outcomes. Whether the candidate applied sealant to cracked walls, cleaned and restructured wires, or secured old water pipes, they should exhibit clear knowledge of the many techniques that lessen the consequences of a damaged or outdated system.
What to listen for:
- Ability to describe the value they bring to a project
- Demonstrated experience in performing different fixes
- Ability to change certain preventative actions to meet the needs of a building
Why this matters:
Maintenance technicians perform careful inspections on a regular basis. However, there may be times when they don’t immediately notice a hazard and fail to maintain the building’s infrastructure. When it comes to preventing safety-related accidents, time is of the essence. It’s essential that candidates take responsibility for mistakes, and know how to address and resolve their errors quickly.
What to listen for:
- Ability to respond to safety-related issues quickly and promptly
- Accountability when it comes to personal errors
- Excellent problem-solving skills
Why this matters:
While some maintenance procedures are direct and straightforward, others can require additional time and resources. When maintenance technicians recognize that their budget is not sufficient to cover for a repair, they must know how to voice their concerns to their supervisor — and successfully advocate for their needs.
What to listen for:
- Ability to oversee and manage a budget
- Precise time management skills
- Clear negotiation skills
Why this matters:
Having to tackle multiple responsibilities at once can easily be overwhelming, and requires an efficient strategy. This question assesses a candidate’s ability to prioritize each of their tasks according to its level of importance — and how effectively they can map out a timeline of their repairs to present to clients when needed.
What to listen for:
- Exceptional project management skills
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to quickly learn about a building’s history
Why this matters:
Depending on the size of a building, the candidate may work with several technicians in different roles. To ensure a positive, collaborative work environment, they must be able to partner well with others and establish positive rapport, while also know how to communicate their rationale for certain repairs.
What to listen for:
- Willingness to compromise
- Strong collaborative skills
- Ability to maintain clear, consistent communication
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