Top 10 Interview Questions for AMT Newbies
Too many questions to prepare for?
The most common mistake people always do when going to a job interview is being unprepared. Although confidence is a remarkable quality, not making the necessary preparations can cost you a job opportunity.
Everybody knows this, yet more and more people are not really finding this advice practical, or even useful.
Why? Because who could possibly prepare for something that is so random, right? Meaning, there are probably thousands of possible questions that an interviewer might ask. Is there really any way to make sure you can practice your interview in advance?
The answer is YES! We at Skilltech will give you a peek at the future.
By collecting all the questions from hundreds of interviews given to Aircraft Mechanics like us, we have managed to narrow it down to a very short list. We did it by picking the most commonly asked questions according to our research results.
After combining our expertise and experiences from countless times of being around these types of interviews, we have perfected the formula for a sure win.
Top 10 Interview Questions for AMT Newbies
1.) Tell me about yourself.
2.) How long have you been working in the aviation industry?
3.) What are your greatest strengths?
4.) What are your greatest weaknesses?
5.) Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
6.) Why do you want to work here?
7.) What is your salary expectation?
8.) If your boss asked you to do “this”, would you do it?
9.) Why did you quit your last job?
10.) The Technical Interview Questions
#1: Tell me about yourself.
Your interviewers will likely begin with a question about yourself and your background. Start by giving them an overview of your most recent position or activities, then provide the most important highlights from your career so far that make you the most qualified for the role.
Always remember: Do not include any irrelevant working experience because it will only make you sound naïve and overselling. If you’re applying for an aircraft mechanic role, then keep your responses within that category.
Sample Answer:
“I am Tony Stark, a graduate of BS in Aircraft Maintenance Technology at Marvel University Batch 2020. My most current activity is working as an Aircraft Helper Mechanic at Wakanda Airlines, where I developed my hands-on skills in maintaining aircrafts like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 747.
Additionally, I got my Structural Repair Training Program at Skilltech Aviation Training Center, which made me capable of doing basic airframe structural repairs."
Related Questions:
“Walk me through your resume.” | “Briefly describe yourself.” | “Introduce yourself.” | “Give me a little bit of your background.”
Important Keywords:
school | current | skill | training | hands-on
#2: How long have you been working in aviation industry?
As a recent graduate, there’s nothing much you can do to impress the interviewer with numbers. Alternatively, you can choose to include some of your experiences in training and any involvement in aviation activities. Be direct and don’t try to hide your current status. They will still consider it as a good answer if you’ll pattern it correctly.
Sample Answer:
“Despite my status as a recent graduate, I have been involved in aviation activities for 2 years now. In my college years, I worked as an intern in our school’s mock-up aircraft repair shop. This is where I gained my basic knowledge on tool identification and usage, aircraft parts storage, and standard maintenance processes.”
(If with technical training…)
“After graduation, I attended an Aircraft Structural Repair Training Program at Skilltech ATC where I acquired skills in sheet metal works, blueprint reading, and more. I’ve been working there as a Structural Technician apprentice for 2 years now, and have been continuously learning different repairs guided by instructors with broad aircraft maintenance experiences in their previous careers.”
Related Questions:
“Tell me more about your experience.” | “Why do you think you’re qualified/suited for this role?” | “Tell me about your previous job.” | “What is the nature of your work?”
Important Keywords:
years | gained | experienced | acquired | familiarized
#3: What are your greatest strengths?
This question gives you an opportunity to talk about both your technical and soft skills. To answer this, share qualities and personal attributes, and then connect them to the role you are applying for.
Sample Answer:
“I’m a natural problem-solver. I find it rewarding to dig deep and uncover solutions to challenges. It’s something I’ve always excelled at, and something I enjoy. Aircraft maintenance tasks involves identifying, inspecting, and solving problems. And these are the top reasons why I chose this career path in the first place.”
Related Questions:
“What are your greatest assets?” | “Why did you choose aviation?” | “What are your greatest qualities?” | “What motivates you in pursuing this role?” | “Why should we hire you?”
Important Keywords:
problem-solver | teamwork | initiative | strong-willed | motivated
#4: What are your greatest weaknesses?
Sharing your weaknesses can show that you are self-aware, and want to continuously get better at your job. These are traits that are extremely attractive to many employers. Remember to start with your weakness, and then discuss the measures you’ve taken to improve. This way, you’re finishing your answer on a positive note.
Sample Answer:
“Sometimes, I noticed that I tend to finish my job without asking for any help. I always try to act independently because I find it easier and more comfortable. But sometimes, maintenance tasks require teamwork, and not being good at working with others affected me a lot.
So to address this problem, I started doing things differently. I tried to involve myself more in group tasks and began asking my teammates for help in double-checking my work. Eventually, I learned to collaborate my ideas with them which resulted in faster completion of different workloads.”
Related Questions:
“Give me an example of how you solved a problem before.” | “How do you overcome your weaknesses?” | “What would you change about yourself if you could?”
Important Keywords:
overcome | improved | developed | changed | realized
#5: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Telling how you imagine your life in the future can help employers understand if the role you’re applying for fits in with your personal goals. Provide general ideas about the skills you want to develop, the types of roles you would like to be in, and things you would like to have accomplished.
Sample Answer:
“I’d like to be in a leading position. I envision myself to become an expert in my industry. I’ll pave a better way for new aircraft mechanics by setting a higher bar for safety and quality standards. This will then attract many young and skilled AMTs that will lead us in the years to come, making our company even stronger.”
Related Questions:
“Would you still stay in the company after 10 years?” | “What are your long-term goals?” | “Will you work abroad and leave our company?” | “Tell me about your future interests.”
Important Keywords:
accomplish | establish | lead | expert | company’s growth
#6: Why do you want to work here?
Interviewers ask this question to determine whether or not you took the time to research the company, and to learn why you see yourself as a good fit. So do your homework. Note the aspects of the company that appeals to you, and align them with your career goals.
Sample Answer:
“Besides the reputation for excellence and healthy working environment, I’ve learned that your company sends employees to technical training and different off-site projects. This appeals to me a lot. It coincides with my long-term plans of growing more in my career and experiencing new things outside my regular routine.
Finding a company that focuses on the improvement and well-being of their employees is my main criteria throughout my job search, and this company ranks the best on my list.”
Related Questions:
“Why made us different from other hiring companies?” | “Why did you choose our company?” | “What will make you stay in our company?”
Important Keywords:
excellence | stability | job security | well-being | outstanding
#7: What is your salary expectation?
Recruiters want to make sure your expectations are in line with the amount they’ve budgeted for the role. Avoid saying things like “Anything will do” or “Whatever you think is right for me.” These are rookie mistakes. Instead, give them a realistic range. This gives them the impression that you have done your homework before the interview.
Sample Answer:
“My salary expectation is between XX,XXX and XX,XXX, which is the average salary range for a candidate with my level of experience in this location. However, I am certainly flexible. Is this in line with your thoughts?”
Related Questions:
“What is your expected remuneration?” | “What is the range of compensation you think is fair for you?”
Important Keywords:
flexible | range | level of experience | negotiable
#8: If your boss asked you to do “this”, would you do it?
In an industry that is dominated by time and peer pressure, it is common to encounter questions like this. This is to measure if you’ll stick to the standards even under pressure.
The interviewer will give you sample scenarios in where you are being pressured by a boss or a senior to do the wrong thing, in exchange for their favor and approval. The secret is simple: Do not give in. Always choose what’s right and then explain.
Sample Answer:
“If my boss will ask me to do something that violates the company safety procedures, my answer will always be no. I am aware that this may cause some friction in our relationship, but it’s still much better than risking my own safety and the safety of other people.
This is not simply a matter of following the rules, but also protecting the company as a whole by keeping its standards intact.”
Related Questions:
“If your colleagues are doing it, will you do it too?” | “How would you respond to a wrong instruction?” | “How would you say no to your boss?”
Important Keywords:
safety | quality | assertive | will not sacrifice/compromise
#9: Why did you quit your last job?
For an entry-level candidate, this may not be a common question to come up in your interview. But you might have included some experiences in your resume that talk about your recent activities. Because of this, they might ask why you stopped and chose to pursuit this new job.
Avoid saying negative stuff about your former employer, managers, or colleagues. Make this answer about your career growth and your enthusiasm for joining their organization.
Sample Answer:
“While I enjoyed my time learning and growing in my last job, there was a lack of opportunity in the way I wanted to progress in my career. I deeply enjoy being challenged and getting better at what I do, which I heard is a top priority at your organization.”
Related Questions:
“Why are you leaving your current job?” | “What did you not like about your last company?”
Important Keywords:
new challenge | room for growth | career progress | looking forward
#10: The Technical Interview Questions
Known to plague candidates for Aircraft Mechanic roles, technical interviews are one of the most challenging parts of the whole job-seeking experience. Due to the technical nature of the jobs involved in aircraft maintenance, these interviews are pretty common.
Unlike the previous examples, this set of interview questions have limitless variations. This is what we call “the specifics” in which your knowledge will be tested for the particular role you are applying for. The only way to approach this is through extensive research and preparation especially with the role you are trying to apply for.
When answering these questions, always be straightforward, and don’t elaborate if not being asked. Those who are already experienced in this kind of interview follow one golden rule – “The lesser you say, the fewer the mistakes.”
Sample Question:
“What technical publication are you going to use when determining the specific procedures for an aluminum skin doubler repair?”
Correct Answer:
“The Structural Repair Manual.”
NOTE: Limiting your answers to the minimum is an advantage in technical interviews. Interviewers tend to add unnecessary follow-up questions if you keep giving them extended answers. Remember, they are experts in that specific field. They can easily spot even the smallest of errors so always keep it short.
TIP: If you’re looking for a clue on where the interviewers might base their questions, the perfect place to start is in the Job Description (JD). Recruiters write this down in their job posts and are usually accompanied by the job requirements and qualifications.
Ready for the big day?
Remember, no matter how good you are at being an aircraft mechanic, recruiters will not hire you entirely for that reason alone. They will more likely consider you because you fit and match their needs. So pay attention to that rather than telling your achievements too much. Overselling oneself always looks bad in interviews.
This may all sound like regular interview questions at first, but we have gone an extra mile by tailoring all the answers to match the expectations of recruiters in aviation today – making it easier for you to practice and prepare yourself in the most effective way.
So focus in polishing your answers for now, and gradually build up that confidence inside you. And before you even know it, you’ll receive the most awaited reply from these companies saying –
You’re hired!
