The homeowner who just won’t let you work for fear of something being ruined more than it already is can be a difficult but strangely common thing for maintenance technicians. A good candidate should be able to work despite these issues while being able to assuage the fears of a client.

What to look for in an answer:

• Consideration for the feelings of others
• High level of focus on tasks at hand
• Good communication and customer service skills

Staying current on new developments is important in any industry but especially in the maintenance field where new technology and techniques can save a lot of time and money. While not as explosive as the tech industry, maintenance technicians should still be on the lookout for ways to improve through training and education. What to look for in an answer:

• Up-to-date knowledge of the industry
• Proactive attitude toward work
• Examples of continued learning activities within the last year

Safety is no laughing matter, especially for maintenance personnel. One wrong move could grievously injure someone or destroy a property. Obviously, any candidate worth hiring should feel strongly about safety and be committed to following the guidelines set forth by both government bodies and the people they work for. What to look for in an answer:

• Commitment to following safety protocol
• Ethical and honest behavior
• Good common sense

Figuring out what’s causing a problem is about half the work of a maintenance technician. Candidates should preferably employ a varied means of diagnosing issues ranging from drawing on past knowledge to talking to the people involved to get a clear idea of what’s wrong. This avoids wasting time and money making repairs that don’t solve the problem at hand. What to look for in an answer:

• Good communication and listening skills
• Willingness to look for new solutions and unexpected causes
• Adaptable and varied maintenance techniques

Failure tells you a lot about a person. Being able to gauge a candidate’s ability to deal with a problem they can’t solve will give you an idea as to how efficiently they’re actually able to work. After a certain point, it becomes clear that help is needed. Finding someone who can admit that is key. What to look for in an answer:

• Humility and the ability to admit mistakes
• Willingness to collaborate with others
• Concern for a customer’s issues

Maintenance technicians rely on past data and records about various pieces of equipment to help diagnose issues, set maintenance schedules and recommend repair or replacement options. Successful maintenance technicians understand how to keep accurate, organized records that they can share with their team to provide consistent service, even if the initial maintenance technician was not available to help a client for any follow-up. Interviewers can use this question to determine if candidates are organized enough to manage customer accounts.

These elements of a good answer address the main reasons for keeping accurate documents:

• Attention to detail
• Routine updates
• Maintaining customer relationships

This sample response successfully represents the candidate's ability to manage data and commitment to keeping track of each client's maintenance history: