With the main goal to ensure the quality standards are being met in any company, the quality inspector inspects all raw materials and production processes and in the end finished products too. If you believe that you can act in this space then Quality Inspector is the right choice for your job! The job involves a lot of knowledge of rules and law as per the federal or state law where the company is functioning. In this article, we will be sharing some of the questions with answers that you might be asked in your interview as a Quality Inspector.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
The main reason to apply for this role here was to be able to perform this duty at a multinational organization. I haven’t been able to work with the international market so far. I believe that this role will give me prominent growth in my career and polish my skills as per the requirement. I am very keen to learn new methods and technologies that are being used in an international market standard.
2. What Are The Roles Of A Quality Inspector?
The role may vary as per the organization an inspector is working for. Primarily, the role includes:
- Knowledge about the technology that is being used in the overall process,
- Informing the Engineer and Manager about any sort of irregularities
- Knowledge about the standards is needed to be followed in the process.
- And being always focused on every product that is happening in the organization.
3. What Are The Qualities That A Quality Inspector Needs To Be Successful?
To ensure success in this role, an inspector should be well familiar with the inspection of various records like:
- Deviation Records
- Training Records
- Construction Testing Records,
- Storage and Receipt Inspection Records and
- Installation Records.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
I once had to ensure that the employees working on a certain product line were performing well. Throughout the process, I was seeing the defective issue in a few team members’ work. I managed this by creating simple step documentation for the team to follow that highlighted the problem I was seeing. I simply engaged the department manager and informed them about the issue. It was taken care of in a few days and the rest is just history now.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As A Quality Inspector?
My daily routine involves monitoring and inspection of operations for certain product lines. I am also responsible for recording changes or test processes for the products. Majorly, I have to make sure that all products that are under my hat are as per state or federal laws of quality.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience?
I graduated back in 2016 with an associate degree in quality control. My coursework includes Material Review, Quality Management systems, Statistical Process Control and Calibration Technology. I joined XYZ Company as a quality inspector where I monitored production standards and product output. I also had the responsibility of accepting and rejecting samples after inspection. If rejected, it was my duty to remove the sample and document all process and result in the logbook. I got a promotion in the same company where my new responsibilities were reviewing production records for compliance purposes. I was also the lead to perform routine inspections on all commercial items.
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Are Required For This Role?
I believe that attention to detail is the key to performing in this role. If any candidate is focused and alert as well as organized, the targets can be achieved easily. In my experience, I ensure quality by making a task list and taking regular breaks to avoid any sort of mishaps.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge You Foresee In This Job?
As per my understanding, I think one of the biggest challenges I will come across is production inspection. I am sure that I can overcome this issue by adding a few potential steps that can reduce the chances of defects in the production at this place.
Team building is going to be another challenge but I am sure that I can easily tackle such situations. We all are reluctant to change especially when someone new points it out. With my public speaking skill and interpersonal communication, I will be able to tackle the challenge internally which will surely translate into a good quality product line here.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated At Work?
I am a very goal-oriented person. To stay motivated, I always give myself weekly and monthly goals to achieve so that I am clear in every process. The accomplishment of achieving the goal keeps me motivated throughout the week at work. Apart from work, I spend my free time during leisure activities that do not allow my mind to get foggy at work. Due to the stress level of this work, I make sure that I am balancing my work and personal life well.
10. Describe A Time You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned?
In my previous role, I came across a different quality standard that was different from mine. I spoke to the team directly before talking to my line manager about quality measures being too relaxed on a certain product line. It created a lot of discouragement in my team and it started reflecting on the end product. I was immediately called by my supervisor about this. He taught me that I should always take line manager in confidence before speaking to the team. About the error I found, He also told me that I am rejecting products even though it falls under the margin of error. From then onwards, I always follow the same protocol to avoid any sort of misunderstanding.
11. Why Do You Feel You Are Qualified For This Role?
I believe that I had the skills and knowledge that helps in achieving the results of quality. I do not compromise on the quality at any given time as I am sincere towards the responsibilities of this role. I make sure that I inspect with a result-oriented approach without demotivating the teams involved. I also can portray the knowledge that can convince the management about any sort of decision making.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement
In my previous role, I launched automated inspection control that was not only time-saving but also provided great precision. I was able to set the standard with real-time tracking through sensors and other devices like vision cameras.
I also created a database, tracked and worked with the firm to certify more than 100 devices as per OSHA requirements. I have also experienced working in a quality control circle that involved a few key members from teams who assist each other in identifying and analyzing quality-related issues. Together, we solved several issues and more than 90% of the issues that the company was facing were solved by using QC tools. Few effective tools were cause and effect diagrams, scatter diagrams, histograms, Pareto diagrams, check sheets and control charts. To continue working in a QC Circle, the management of the organization was informed and approval was granted. A few key roles were set up including Team Leader, Secretary and Facilitator. With the help of the Quality Control Circle, many issues were identified during the training and possible solutions were also provided with mutual consent.
13. What Are The Steps Involved In The Installation Inspection In Your Role?
To carry out the inspection, the following is required and essential:
- Datasheet of instruments that are being used
- Certification of Instrument tests
- Instruction Manual of Vendor
- Testing of the manual as per protocol.
14. What Colour Coding Is Used In Document Marking?
4 to 5 colours are used in the process. Red is used for any additional requirement in the document the checker. Green is used for deletion purposes from the existing document by the checker and Blue or Pink is used for comment purposes. Yellow is used to highlight items or verification updates related to information. Blue and Pink can be used by drafter, updater, reviewer or all as per requirements. All items checked should receive an appropriate colour as per Quality Rules i.e. yellow, red, green, blue or pink.
15. How Do You Define Inspection, Hold Point And Witness?
- In inspection, the process can be continued without any inspection from the client’s end.
- In Witness, the work can be inspected at the end i.e. completion of the project. The process will be carried out without any delay.
- In Hold Point, the client inspection is the basic and essential requirement before any execution.
16. In Manufacturing, How Is Quality Control Implied?
For the whole process, the quality mechanism needs to be conducted in the manufacturing. It carries out the following procedures:
- Quality standards to set for all manufactured products,
- Number of products that will pass through the inspection,
- Quality methods to be developed,
- Training of all employees,
- Establishing a channel of communication for data and
- The process to handle the rejected products.
17. How Important Is AQL In Quality Control?
With the help of the Acceptable Quality Level Chart, systems are defined and regulated. Most of the time, mass production drops the quality level and a system is required to ensure the standard. Since it’s very hard to go through every product, sample tests are used. To inspect, Special levels are allotted as S1, S2, S3 and S4. This procedure is defined by the ISO 2859-1 under International Organization for Standardization. In each report of quality issues, the scoring of the supplier is affected and provides the organization to keep their work up to the mark. To send a report, make sure that it has information relevant to Evidence of defect, the Total number of units that have been affected, the Type of defect as per quality policy and Order Number. AQL is not all 100% proof for zero defects in any order. It is flexible and gives a chance to set the quality standard high for any brand. 3 types of defects can be determined with the help of AQL.
- Critical defects are actual product failures because they failed to meet mandatory regulations or can be a danger to the consumer. This is mostly used for pharmaceutical products or aerospace.
- Major defect: This leads to product failure and can reduce the chances of sale of a specific product in the market as per marketed claims. The sale volume will be comparatively very low as forecasted.
- Minor Defect: This is a sign that the quality procedure was not met during the manufacturing but it can be used for sale purposes in the market. Most fashion items that are discarded or sold in factory outlets are an example of this.
18. How Do You Perform Random Inspections?
This is one of the most common tasks in my job and it surely does come as a surprise to all. When I am informed that the product has been packed in the warehouse and is ready for shipment, I make a surprise visit to the area. I start by selecting random boxes from the area. In my experience, I believe that it is one of the easiest and most effective ways of quality management. Obviously when you are dealing with a new supplier, one cannot rely entirely on random inspections. It can only be done when you have been working for quite some time with the said supplier.
19. What Is Your Working Style During The Inspection?
I make sure that I do not rush into decision making and take my time to avoid all sorts of errors. Due to stressful and monotonous jobs, I always focus on one at a time tasks to ensure the results are up to the mark. For team communication, I make sure that I put my best behaviour in front of them in terms of punctuality and being organized in my daily tasks.
20. What Do You Know About Six Sigma?
It is one of the popular control techniques that is being used since the 1970s. It was introduced in the market under the umbrella of Motorola. The technique works for processes, services and products and how quality can be increased.
21. Which Tool Are You, Familiar, With For Quality Control?
I am well versed with the MasterControl application since my university days. I also used it in my previous role. It surely does make a lot of day to day tasks easy to manage and its features keep me up to date with technology in this field. I also have basic knowledge about a few more software like Qualityze and TrackWise.
22. How Do You Stay Updated In Terms Of Technological Advancements?
I am always fond of learning new things and exploring more technologies every day. To stay up to date, I am already part of a few groups on LinkedIn and Facebook where people from the same field share their recommendations and reviews on the new advancements. I have also subscribed to XYZ label’s newsletter which gives me a lot of information.
23. What Sort Of Quality Control Tests Will Do For A New Product Line?
As per my knowledge about your company, you are often introducing new product lines and ranges from time to time. For every new launch, I will establish quality bounds like size and shape and even colour. Once instructed, I will be taking samples from each set to analyze the stats and share relevant feedback with the team members and departmental head.
24. At What Point In Time, Will You Call A Shutdown Of The Production Line?
Once I know about the problem in the system, I will make sure to check the next products in the line. If the problem persists as before, I will be able to make the call for shutdown immediately. I know that it’s going to be a fast and big decision but I will follow the process first.
25. What Is The Difference Between Quality Assurance And Quality Control?
Most people believe that it’s the same task but in reality, it has few differences. As per ISO9000, Quality Control is a management task to ensure quality requirements. On the other hand, ISO 9000 defines Quality Assurance as assuring quality requirements. In short, Quality Assurance is majorly process-oriented while Quality Control focuses on the product orientation side.
With Quality Assurance, an inspector ensures that the process is being carried out in the right approved way while Quality Control ensures that the product that is being produced is as per the required quality expectations. Both have the same goal but the approaches are entirely different.
Conclusion
Take your updated resume for your interview and make sure that you are well dressed too. The first impression is surely going to matter a lot. Speak with confidence and don’t forget to smile as your speak! These 25 questions are surely going to help in acing the first round of interviews as a Quality Inspector. Good luck!
