Heavy Equipment Operator Interview Questions and Tips

So you have your heavy equipment operator training under your belt, your certification diploma now hangs on your wall, and the phone calls are coming in requesting an interview.  You are ready to work on site and take on some of the monster toys you have been working so hard to play with.  Next comes the moment of truth – the heavy equipment operator job interview.  A job interview can be intimidating and can determine the difference between a great job and mundane one.  However it does not have to be that bad. 

Many companies will hire on the spot since the demand is so great for heavy equipment operators.  None the less, this is a chance for you to meet the team/company and a chance for the prospective employer to meet you.  Being well-prepared for the interview and its questions can arm you with getting the best offer you are worth.  Below are some tips and sample questions that have accumulated specifically to heavy equipment operators.  The day of the interview, wear nice dress slacks with a nice shirt, tie optional.

5 General Tips to Always Remember During the Interview:

1. Never Lie.  Always tell the truth.  Make sure your resume does not include lies either.  They want to know why they should hire you and how you can benefit their operations. 
2. Be Confident and Positive.  The interviewer will not be confident in you unless you exhibit confidence in yourself.  They want to see positive can-do attitudes.
3. Sit up and Stand Straight.  Don’t slouch or seem unnaturally stiff.  Just sit straight up with good posture.
4. Smile.  Smiling will relieve some of the stress and allow you to be more personable with the interviewer.
5. Be Respectful and Courteous.  The interviewer may be viewing your every move as generally they are signs of your behavior and attitude.  Since you have already gained an interview opportunity, they have already expressed interest in your capabilities and experiences/education.

They are not allowed to ask personal privacy rights questions.  Most interviewers are aware of this.  They can not discriminate or ask about age, gender, or race.  Do not get too personal, and remember to be positive.

Questions that Seem to Come Up during a Heavy Equipment Operator Interview

Common in the construction industry, interviewers will ask behavioral type questions such as the following:

What is your greatest personal achievement?

Where do you see yourself in five/ten years?

What is your favorite color?

What is your worst quality?

What are your strengths/weaknesses?

Do you have any questions for us?  Always answer this.  Do not say you don’t have any questions.  Ask about the company history, the size of the company, who you are replacing, anything about the position.  Basically you want to show them that you are equally interested.

Remember you want to show that you are positive and will be a great asset to their operations.  Always lead back to this and you should do fine.  Be confident and well-prepared and you will soon be part of a team.  Have fun with the monster toys!