Interview Tips for a Utilities Technician (Food & Beverage)
Utilities Technician interviews focus on maintaining plant-wide systems that support food and beverage production.
- System Knowledge: Highlight boilers, compressors, chillers, and water systems.
- Preventive Maintenance: Stress inspections, lubrication, and calibration.
- Diagnostic Skills: Mention troubleshooting pumps, valves, and controls.
- Food Safety Compliance: Emphasize GMP and HACCP.
- Safety Awareness: Highlight OSHA and lockout/tagout procedures.
- Problem-Solving: Share how you’ve resolved utility system failures quickly.
- Documentation: Stress accurate logs and inspection reports.
- Teamwork: Show collaboration with production and maintenance teams.
Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions:
Employers may test how you keep utilities running smoothly during production.
Q1. A compressor fails during production. What’s your response?
Sample Answer: Diagnose quickly, provide backup if possible, and repair or replace immediately.
Q2. How do you ensure utilities remain compliant with food plant standards?
Sample Answer: I perform routine inspections, sanitize equipment, and log maintenance per GMP.
Q3. How do you balance preventive utility work with production needs?
Sample Answer: I schedule during low demand and communicate with production staff.
Q4. A system uses excessive energy. What do you do?
Sample Answer: I analyze usage, optimize controls, and recommend upgrades.
Source: ChatGPT