Heavy Truck Mechanics: Preparing for the Interview

Once you have applied for a new job as a heavy truck mechanic, the next stage is preparing for the interview. It’s a good idea to think about the questions you will likely be asked during this interview and have your answers already prepared. This will give you time to consider the best possible responses you can give in order to increase your chances of landing the job. Think not only about general interview questions you will be asked but also ones specific to the heavy truck mechanic vacancy you have applied for. Below are some of the questions you might be asked with advice on how to answer.

Typical Interview Questions for Mechanics  

During the interview, you will also be asked questions relating specifically to the heavy truck mechanic job you have applied for and these may include the following:

1. Describe the mechanical tasks you carry out each day in your current post.
2. As a heavy truck mechanic, what training have you been given with brake, transmission or engine diagnostic equipment? This can include classroom based or on the job training and you should detail whether it was software or computer based.
3. Have you used the diagnostic equipment described above in your current job? What was your actual involvement?
4. Describe your skills, knowledge and experience of air brake systems. How much do you know about heavy truck and anti-lock suspensions?
5. Give your skills and experience in working with the bodies of heavy-duty trucks, vans, school buses and pick-up trucks.
6. Describe the necessary sills and experience you have in working with medium or heavy-duty gas or diesel powered engines and van or pick-up engines.
7. How much computer experience do you have? Are you very literate, meaning you use computers regularly both at home and at work; are you somewhat computer literate, meaning you only use them at home or are you not computer literate, meaning you never use a computer, either at home or at work.
8. Do you have experience or skills relating to parting out vehicles? This includes recycling chassis, body, transmission and engine parts taken from off-line vehicles and placed in on-line ones. Describe your involvement in these tasks.
9. Give your professional opinion on whether it is operationally and cost effective to use a part-recycling program in a quality maintenance plan.
10. Give an example of a social or work situation you have been in, involving a group of people, where you came up with a solution to a difficult task. Explain how you convinced the rest of the group to proceed with your idea. Would this ability be useful when working with other heavy truck mechanics?
11. If a colleague were disagreeable on the best way to accomplish a task, how would you deal with it, particularly if it is important that you work as a team on finding a solution?

General Interview Questions and Answers

Q. Tell me something about yourself.

A. Here you can describe some of your best characteristics. Tell the interviewer of your qualifications, your career as a heavy truck mechanic and the skills you have acquired. Emphasize anything that is particularly relevant to the job you are being interviewed for.

Q. What are your achievements to date?

A. Here you can choose a recent achievement that is related to your current employment as a heavy truck mechanic.  Pinpoint the skills used in this accomplishment and how it benefited your employer.

Q. How happy are you with your career?
A. The answer to this should be extremely positive and include information on what it is about your career that makes you happy. If you feel your career is not moving on as much as you would like, state this and explain why you feel this is so. Interviewers use this type of question to judge your confidence and career goals.

Q. Explain a difficulty you have faced career-wise and how you dealt with it.
A. This question is asked in order to find out what you define as difficult, to discover your problem solving abilities and whether you use a logical approach when faced with a challenge. Choose a work situation that wasn’t your fault and that you can describe quickly. Show yourself in a positive light by stating how you realized there was a problem, what options were available to you, why you chose the solution you did and how it ended. You should always finish up positively.

Q. Is there anything you particularly like about your current job?
A. Ensure your answer to this relates to the required skills for the job you are being interviewed for. Show some enthusiasm and express interest in your current duties but don’t go overboard - you are looking for a new job, after all.

Q. Is there anything you particularly dislike about your current job?
A. Think carefully before answering this one. Don’t go into too much detail or focus on any weaknesses you may have as this may affect your chances. You might like to describe a feature of your current employer such as the size of the business or their failure to act quickly when making decisions. Always answer as though you don’t take any irritations and problems to heart and can act efficiently to resolve them.

Q. Describe your strengths.
A. This is one question that you’re almost certain to be asked in any interview, so have your answer well prepared. Focus on three or four characteristics you consider to be your main strengths such as your drive to succeed, your positive attitude, your people skills or your ability to overcome problems. The interviewer may ask you to give some examples so have these ready.

Q. Describe your weaknesses.
A. Its vital here that you don’t say you haven’t got any as this may lead to problems in the future. There are two ways of answering this question, the first by stating you lack experience in an area of mechanics that isn’t crucial to the job. The second way is to give a professional or personal weakness that may also be considered a strength, such as your heavy truck mechanic colleagues regarding you as too demanding. You can say that you do tend to push your staff but you’re improving at using the carrot rather than the stick. 

Q. What are your reasons for leaving your present employer?
A: You may like to state here that you are seeking a new challenge, looking to gain more experience, want more responsibility and welcome a change in working environment. Never give any negative reasons for wanting to leave and it isn’t appropriate to mention money as the main reason for changing jobs.

Q. Why did you apply for this heavy truck mechanic vacancy?
It’s vital you show you understand exactly what this mechanic job entails and how your role fits in with the company. You should also demonstrate a good knowledge of the business and the particular interest you have in working for them. The interviewer will want to find out if you are suited to this particular vacancy, that your skills are suitable and that you will actually enjoy doing the job and working for the organization. He will also want to ensure that this vacancy enables you to continue with your long-term career goals.

1. What part do you play within the company?
2. What do you particularly like about the mechanic industry?
3. Describe a situation where you worked under severe pressure.
4. What type of people do you enjoy working with?
5. Has your work ever been criticized and how did you react?
6. Describe a work situation when you felt angry. How did you deal with it and did it affect your ability to perform well?
7. Are there any types of people you find difficult to work alongside.
8. Have you ever had to deal with a conflict of interest during your career?
9. Have you ever disagreed with your supervisor and how did you deal with it?
10. Describe a situation where you were in disagreement with colleagues.
11. Do you prefer working in a team or alone? Why?
12. Do you think you will fit in with this company, particularly as it differs greatly to your present employer?
13. What do you look for in an employer?
14. Do you measure your personal performance? If so how?
15. Describe what type of pressure you have faced at work?
16. Would you describe yourself as a self-starter? If so, give examples.
17. Have changes within your workplace caused you any difficulties? If so, why?
18. Are you agreeable with working overtime, long hours and weekends if necessary?
19. Have you ever felt out of your depth at work? Give examples.
20. Do you regard yourself as having failed at anything?
21. What do you have to offer this company?