If you are fond of technology and have an eye for details then this career choice is the right deal for you! The career starts right after your high school diploma and primarily you will be working at a plant where you will be performing testing and maintenance duties. In this article, we will be sharing some of the questions with answers that you might be asked in your interview as an Instrument Technician.
1. Why Are You Interested In This Role?
For this role, I am sure that my skills and knowledge will be a great addition to your company. I have technical knowledge and experience in this field and can inspect machinery for any issues. If I get a chance to work at your organization, it would help me polish my skills further and learn from the international market as well. I have researched about your company as it is already a market leader and it would be a great chance for me to learn more about this field.
2. What Are The Roles Of An Instrument Technician?
For this role, there are basic responsibilities involved and may vary from plant to plant. Below are a few:
- Working in sync with the operations team,
- Maintaining all the plant’s equipment instead of repairing the heavy equipment,
- Working closely with process instruments like vibration monitors and valves,
- Participate in the maintenance tasks including repairing or replacing, troubleshooting,ing and calibrating the instruments,
- Following the official plant policies and procedures and
- Wearing safety gear throughout the day to ensure safety.
3. What Are The Qualities That An instrument Technician Needs To Be Successful?
Apart from the technical knowledge, a few important skills are required to ace this role. The skills include:
- Knowledge to operate machinery,
- Knowledge to maintain the machinery,
- Command over all sorts of mechanical tools, systems, and equipment,
- Understanding all regulatory requirements of a plant,
- Equipment inspection and its maintenance,
- Understanding of technical visual knowledge and interpretation of drawings and
- Installation and Uninstallation of mechanical equipment.
4. What Major Challenges Did You Face During Your Last Role? How Did You Manage Them?
In my previous role, we had a maintenance task of the complete plant scheduled. It was a complicated task as most of the machinery was old and our team had to put in extra effort to keep the plant running at its best. I was leading my team of technicians and one of the technicians was having some issue with a co-worker and it was affecting his work. As we were already on a tight schedule, I requested a meeting with everyone on board for the maintenance task to sort out the issue. The behavior of the technician wasn’t professional and I had to decide to move him to another project alone. The burden on the remaining technicians increased so I took a few extra tasks to offload some burden from their shoulders. This incident taught me that I should keep an eye on the ongoing activities of all the staff so that there are no surprises in the end for anyone. As I monitor the progress, I can highlight the errors there and then before wasting any time.
5. Describe Your Daily Routine As An Instrument Technician?
My day starts with my technical team as I oversee the current jobs and provide them with feedback. Once I have aligned the tasks for the day for anyone, I move to the floor and start my inspection and maintenance check around the plant. I ensure that all jobs are running smoothly and everyone can finish their work on time and go to their homes. I update my line manager about the current progress before everyone goes home so that I can take feedback from them and they can begin their work the next day without any delay.
6. Describe Briefly About Your Experience?
I did my graduation from ABC University and started working part-time as an office boy in a home appliance manufacturing company. With my interest in the machinery and all technical stuff, I started visiting the factory after hours and watching the plant operations. The plant manager was amazed by my interest and offered to teach me in his free time. On his push, I did my technical diploma and got a great offer from the plant to join them. Due to several product lines in the Home appliance sector, I got a chance to work on different units and locations. This helped in knowing more about industrial machines and polished my skill.
7. What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Are Required For This Role?
It is important to have problem-solving skills and a can-do attitude as your responsibilities are varied. As a technician, you have to keep an eye on possible areas of problem and maintain the machinery because replacing it would cost you a lot of money and time. One should have good decision-making skills without doubting their judgment and knowledge. While maintenance, one has to evaluate the whole machinery and solve the issue timely because a project might get delayed due to this problem in the machine.
8. What Is The Biggest Challenge You Foresee In This Job?
I don’t see a major challenge working in this setup. My technical skill set is up to date and does not make me think twice about my ability. The only thing I am worried about is communicating with Chinese Engineers on board from the region. The language would be a bit of a problem but I am willing to learn it from basic because I am eager to learn from them directly. I also do not want good learning opportunities to be let go due to a foreign language. To blend in with them and make the most out of this opportunity, I will be taking a language class after work.
9. How Do You Stay Motivated At Work?
I enjoy my work and I do not think I need another reason to perform well in this role. If there are any stressful days, I take a quick walk outside in the fresh air as this helps in regaining my focus at work. Apart from this, I keep my professional and personal life balanced so I spend good quality time with my friends and family. This keeps me fresh on working days after spending a good time on the weekend.
10. Describe A Time You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned?
In my last role, I was offered a piece of new machinery to add to the cycle to ensure a quicker process. I was new in my role so I refused to add it without reading its manual. I felt that I should know complete details about the machinery before adding it up to the system. My supervisor came to know about my decision and discussed it with me. He understood my point but taught me to review the machinery before saying no bluntly. I researched about the machine and its efficiency from different market leaders. It was the machinery that our plant required to meet the deadline.
11. Why Do You Feel You Are Qualified For This Role?
I come with a certain skill set and experience in this field. I have worked with a variety of machines and recently I have done a few certifications during COVID Pandemic. I am a fast learner and always eager to learn new things at work. I am applying to polish my skills further for the international market and do wonders in this field. This is why I believe I am the right candidate for this position.
12. Share With Us Your Greatest Achievement
In my previous role, We had to meet a tight deadline and suddenly the main machinery broke down. The items were due in a few hours and the whole team panicked. I had already done maintenance work earlier last week to avoid such issues on the main day. I immediately informed my supervisor about the issue. He contacted a few engineers on board. Meanwhile, this was happening, I started inspecting the machinery. I think it took me an hour maximum to fix the broken part from the machine and turned it on. The machine was smooth and started its work. My supervisor acknowledged my effort and thanked me for taking care of the machinery without losing my mind.
13. Are You, Familiar, With Manufacturing Execution systems?
Yes, I have gotten a chance to work on the software. This software gives complete information regarding processing and even controls the process from starting point to the end product. In my opinion, MES is a great tool to improve team efficiency as it gives real-time information regarding the complete process.
The software might be different here as you are an international brand but modules are somehow similar in all. If there are any new additions or changes, I can learn and start my work within a few days.
14. In Your Role, How Do You Ensure Quality?
At any plant, quality is ensured with the help Quality Management System. The software gives complete information regarding the performance and reports the issues and gives a chance to improve the service too. With the help of a Quality management system, it is ensured that all machinery is working up to the mark and a quality product that is consistent as well is being produced at the end of every cycle.
I also do schedule maintenance of the machinery and like giving surprises to them as well. With time to time assurance of the work, I have been able to promote quality from my work.
15. Do You Also Follow 5S During Inspection And Maintenance? What Is The 5S?
Yes, I do as it is an efficient way to complete the tasks in the hand. 5S includes:
- Sorting- This refers to removing extra parts and hindrances from the way,
- Organization- All equipment and tools should be properly labeled and put into their right location,
- Sweeping-Creating a proper structure environment for everyone to work efficiently,
- Standardization- Everything should in a proper uniform format to keep it right,
- Self-Discipline- For efficiency, discipline should be maintained on the floor and everyone should follow it.
16. What Does The Term Feedback And Accuracy Refer To In The Process?
Feedback: It means using output as input back into the control system as a part of the chain of cause and to check the effect.
Accuracy is how close the result of a measurement is to show the correct known value, it means how close an instrument reading is to the standard measurement.
17. Explain The Steps Involved In Performing Control Valve Calibration.
To perform, make sure that there is no hindrance in the movement of vale and it is mechanically free. Once done, apply a zero set point and ensure that the valve is closed. If the valve is not closed then adjust zero simply. Later, apply a 100% set point and check if the valve is now open. If the valve is not open then adjust the span to 20!
18. In Your Experience, What Are The Common Faults In A Control Valve?
- Excess friction on the valve actuator or the body itself,
- Over or undersized actuator,
- Loosening mechanical linkages and
- Faulty accessories.
19. Does Manipulate Variable Change Position Of Final Control Equipment?
Yes, with the help of manipulated variable i.e. output signal of controllers to Financial Control Equipment, also known as FCE. One should have the technical knowledge about this role and the type of machinery that is involved today.
20. You Are Requested To Suggest Ways To Increase The Production Process. What Will You Do?
First of all, I would check all the equipment involved in the manufacturing cycle. With proper check and maintenance of the machinery, Efficiency can be doubled. On the other hand, before opening any machine for maintenance, I will make sure that I have all supplies in the inventory otherwise I will book the parts on-call or online.
21. In Control Valve, What Are Cavitation And Flashing?
Cavitation takes place when vapor bubbles are formed due to a drop in internal pressure as compared to vapor pressure. When the pressure rises above the vapor pressure, the bubbles collapse in the recovery, and cavitation takes place.
In simple words, flashing is the first process of cavitation! It takes place when the pressure drops lower than the vapor pressure and remains below. It has 2 phases i.e. liquid and vapor as no collapsing of bubble happens.
22. Your Resume Mentions That You Shifted To This Field After Working As An Office Boy. Why Such Change?
I was working as an office boy at a home appliance manufacturing company. During my free time, I got a chance to visit the assembly line and manufacturing unit and I started taking interest in those machines. After seeing my interest in the field, the factory manager asked if I wanted to learn it as well in the evening. While learning, he told me that I should get a professional diploma in this field as it is a basic requirement. Once I got done with the diploma, I got a job at the same company as a technician.
23. What Is Your Strength For This Role?
I take responsibility for my work and I do not hesitate from learning new things as technology keeps on changing. The pieces of machinery and equipment have improved and I enjoy learning new things. I am also good at managing teams and can lead projects and meet timelines as well. At work, I am always training the younger staff to keep them interested in this career because the younger generation has such a small attention span that they get bored easily. I believe that if I keep them motivated and educated regarding the field, the younger workforce can do wonders for all manufacturing units.
24. What Is A Set Point And A Dead Band?
- A setpoint is a specific point or value where a process variable is maintained in a process.
- Dead band: It is also called the dead zone. It is the band where input change does not affect the output in a control system. In simple words, it is the difference between the setpoint and process value that is acceptable.
25. What Are The Three Types Of Actuators And What Types Of Sensors Are Used For Measuring Different Parameters In Instrumentation?
The three types are:
- Hydraulic Actuator,
- Motorized Actuator and
- Pneumatic Actuator.
There are different types of sensors that are used currently and are available in the market easily too. These include:
- Pressure Sensor,
- Density Meter,
- Flow Sensor,
- Temperature Sensor,
- Pitot Tube and Venturi Tube,
Conclusion
As we have listed the top 25 questions for your interview as an Instrument Technician, don’t forget to take your professional resume on the day of the interview. Shake hands with the interviewer with confidence and a smile. Good luck with Project Practical.
