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Maintenance Manager Interview Questions

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  1. As a maintenance manager, what is your method for determining whether a machine needs repairs or replacement? See answer
  2. How would you ensure productivity remains high on days when multiple people call out of work? See answer
  3. As a maintenance manager, how would you resolve an issue between two of your employees? See answer
  4. Can you tell me about a time you identified a maintenance problem before it became urgent?
  5. What is your process for planning preventative maintenance schedules?
  6. You receive three calls from tenants at once. The first caller complains of a hornet’s nest near their front entrance. The second caller asks if you can send someone to unclog a drain, and the third caller reports a water leak in the ceiling. How do you prioritize them and why?
  7. What qualities do you look for when hiring maintenance employees? What is your training process like?
  8. What types of facilities have you had to oversee maintenance for and what were their specific maintenance needs?
  9. One of your facility’s tenants complains of plumbing issues in their office suite. You contact the plumbing service, but they can’t schedule an appointment until next week. What do you do?
  10. In your opinion, what are some examples of seasonal maintenance that every property should consider in this geographic area?
  11. What previous trade skills can you contribute as the maintenance manager at our facility?
  12. How do you structure work schedules to ensure you have enough team members to oversee daily maintenance?
  13. Have you ever had to choose one maintenance project over another due to budget limitations?
  14. How often should you replace smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors?
  15. What’s your process for evaluating and updating maintenance procedures?
  16. What’s the largest facility you’ve been in charge of as a maintenance manager?
  17. Which interpersonal skills do you think are important for maintenance managers to have?
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6 Maintenance Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Q:

As a maintenance manager, what is your method for determining whether a machine needs repairs or replacement?

A:

An effective maintenance manager will have experience and previous training in all types of maintenance work. The applicant should be able to determine whether a machine needs to be fixed or replaced based upon an employee’s review of the machine along with the manager’s own checklist. Focus on how the candidate goes about scheduling repairs and ordering new equipment.

What to look for in an answer:

  • Level of expertise as a maintenance manager
  • Methods of carrying out assessments for maintenance
  • Experience scheduling repairs and ordering new equipment

Example:

“In my last job, I carried around a checklist and performed audits on all machines twice a day. I determined whether a machine needed to be repaired or replaced based on how severe the damage was and its current condition.”

Q:

Tell me about a time you identified a maintenance problem before it became urgent.

A:

In the maintenance industry, small problems can quickly escalate and become quite costly to fix. The applicant’s response to this question allows you to gauge how well they pay attention to details and their ability to problem solve. The ideal candidate will have experience identifying maintenance issues before it is brought to their attention by other staff.

What to look for in an answer:

  • Attention to detail
  • Experience identifying problems without the help of others
  • Problem-solving skills

Example:

“In my last maintenance manager position, I noticed that a pipe was leaking and that it was causing other issues in the building. I was able to fix all of the problems without needing to alert anyone.”

Q:

How would you ensure productivity remains high on days when multiple people call out of work?

A:

There are days when multiple maintenance team members do not show up to work. The ideal candidate is prepared for these situations and has methods in place to ensure that their team remains productive despite the lack of workers. Focus on how confident the applicant is, and determine if their response aligns with your company’s ways of improving staff efficiency.

What to look for in an answer:

  • Influential personality
  • Confidence in oneself
  • Decision-making skills

Example:

“On days when multiple employees call out, I provide lunch for the staff that showed up to work. This tactic helps boost productivity because those who showed up feel valued and appreciated.”

Q:

As a maintenance manager, how would you resolve an issue between two of your employees?

A:

It is not uncommon for there to be issues between employees both during and after work hours. An effective maintenance manager shows initiative and works with employees to create a positive environment. Focus on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate leadership skills while also being able to problem-solve personnel issues. Does the candidate allow staff to go to lunch together to allow for a healthy workspace? What to look for in an answer:

  • Leadership qualities
  • Conflict-resolution skills
  • Interpersonal skills

Example:

“In this type of situation, I would determine the root cause of the issue with the co-workers and the ideal solution for both parties. Depending on the issue, I might even place the individuals on separate shifts.”

Q:

As a maintenance manager, how do you plan preventive maintenance?

A:

Maintenance managers must be aware of OSHA laws and preventive maintenance regulations. It is essential to have a program in place for employees to inspect equipment safely and effectively. These types of strategies allow managers to correct any potential issues before a more severe problem arises. Focus on what types of methods the applicant uses to plan for any complications. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of the importance of preventive maintenance regulations
  • Knowledge of OSHA laws and regulations regarding maintenance
  • Demonstration of safe techniques regarding employees

Example:

“In my previous position, I required all employees take a test on OSHA laws and regulations twice a year. All employees had to follow strict guidelines when inspecting equipment.”

Q:

You receive three calls from tenants at once. The first caller complains of a hornet's nest near their front entrance. The second caller asks if you can send someone to unclog a drain, and the third caller reports a water leak in the ceiling. How do you prioritize them and why?

A:

Depending on the size of their facility, maintenance managers may receive calls to respond to multiple incidents at the same time. This question helps interviewers get a better understanding of a candidate's experiences and how they would use their resources in a situation like this.

A candidate's answer should emphasize:

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Task delegation
  • Excellent verbal communication

Here is one example of a quality candidate answer:

Example:

"My first priority would be to contact an exterminator to remove the hornet nest. As I do this, I would instruct a team member to block off the area and monitor the situation. Then I would attend to the water leak because this could affect the electrical system, ruin personal property or lead to widespread mold that requires additional maintenance. During this time, I'd delegate the clogged drain task to one of my employees."

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