This question helps you assess the candidate’s overall knowledge and whether they have the necessary skills for this particular position. You’ll be able to quickly gauge whether the applicant is new to this line of work or whether they are a seasoned electrician. You’ll also learn whether the candidate’s safety training is up to date and how familiar they are with recent changes in safety protocols. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of necessary safety precautions in varied situations
• Understanding of recent changes to safety recommendations
• Evidence of recent safety training

This question allows you to test whether the candidate has the necessary knowledge to work at your company. It’s a quick way to weed out anyone who would not be suited to this line of work. You’ll learn whether the prospective electrician is competent and whether they are familiar with the latest types of electrical equipment. You’ll also learn which work environments they would be particularly qualified for. What to look for in an aanswer:

• Ability to clearly explain differences between common electrical items
• Appropriate knowledge of equipment variations
• Familiarity with working with fuses and breakers

This question helps you learn more about an applicant’s education and experience. You’ll learn whether the candidate has any extra certifications, and you’ll also discover whether they have sufficient experience with the types of equipment and job sites that your workplace uses. For example, some applicants may have a lot of experience working in homes and very little commercial experience. This information can help you decide between candidates. What to look for in an answer:

• Experience that matches your company’s needs
• Extra certifications or training that would improve your team
• Enthusiasm for particular aspects of the job role

Electrical work can be a high-risk profession that frequently involves working as a team to maintain safety and meet deadlines. This question helps you evaluate whether the candidate has an attitude that will enable them to work well with your existing team. You’ll discover how independent they may be and whether they know when to ask for help. You’ll learn whether their conflict resolution strategies align with your values. What to look for in an answer:

• Evidence of ability to work with existing team
• Understanding of effective conflict resolution strategies
• Ability to resolve conflicts independently

This question enables you to discreetly assess whether the candidate has done enough recent work to be a valuable addition to your workplace. You’ll learn which team this candidate may be most suited for, and you’ll discover whether their recent projects are similar to your team’s current or upcoming projects. You’ll discover more about the applicant’s working style and how quickly and reliably they are able to complete projects. What to look for in an answer:

• Evidence of sufficient recent work experience
• Ability to complete projects on time
• Evidence of experience that could diversify and balance your team

While the average layman might not know the difference between a fuse and a breaker, an electrician absolutely should. Asking potential candidates this question will help you determine who has the basic knowledge to perform the job and who doesn't, which will help you make an informed hiring decision. Look for an answer that includes the following information:

• A clear definition of both a fuse and a breaker
• An explanation of when to use fuses and when to use breakers
• An understanding of the importance of basic electrical knowledge