Asking the right interview questions is key to finding a new electrical contractor who has the right skills, experience, and attitude to make a positive impact on your team. It is also the best way of expanding your team with qualified contractors, growing your electrical business, and taking on more work
General interview questions for electricians
Start your interview with these general questions to get a feel for the electrical candidate, their experience, and what skills they’ll bring to your team.
- Why are you interested in the position?
- Why did you choose to become an electrician?
- What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
- Do you have any additional certifications or licenses?
- What is the most important skill an electrical contractor should have?
- What kind of electrical jobs do you work on in your current position?
- What’s the biggest electrical challenge you encountered in your last role?
- What types of electrical systems have you worked with in the past?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- Why should we hire you?
Technical questions for electricians
Test your electrical applicant’s skills and knowledge with these technical interview questions for electricians:
- What is the difference between a breaker and a fuse?
- How would you go about troubleshooting an existing electrical system?
- What types of wiring might be used for a residential electrical job?
- What are the most common defects of a PLC?
- What are the differences between wiring a high-voltage and low-voltage system?
- Tell me about the most complicated electrical problem you have faced and how you solved it.
- Have you used electrical contractor software in the past?
- What tools, equipment, or machines do you use on the job site?
- Tell me about any energy-efficient upgrades you’ve recommended for a customer.
Behavioural interview questions for electricians
Behavioural or scenario-based questions can give you a better insight into how your candidate will respond in certain situations. Here are some scenario-based interview questions you should ask:
- What would you do if you noticed another electrician doing something unsafe on the job?
- How do you deal with an unhappy customer?
- How do you stay safe on dangerous job sites?
- How do you make sure all electrical systems and equipment are working properly?
- What do you do if you have incomplete instructions on the job?
- Have you ever made a mistake on the job? How did you handle the situation?
- How would you handle a customer who disagrees with the best way to fix an electrical issue?
- How do you go about identifying the cause of an electrical problem?
- Tell me about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.
Electrical apprenticeship interview questions
Offering an electrician apprenticeship is a great way to attract aspiring electricians to your small business. Here are some questions to ask when interviewing an electrician apprentice:
- Why do you want to become an electrical contractor?
- Have you ever worked in the electrical industry before?
- Tell me about a time you had to overcome a challenge in your last position.
- What is your three-year plan?
- Have you received any electrical training yet? If so, tell me about it.
- What would you consider to be the most important safety precaution for an electrical contractor?
- Do you prefer to work alone or in a team?
- What types of electrical problems have you worked on in the past?
Compensation and next-steps questions
End your interview with questions about their salary expectations and potential start dates. Here are a few questions you can ask:
- What are your salary expectations for this role?
- Can you provide a list of references?
- When would you be available to start?
- Do you have a valid driver’s license?
- Do you have any questions for me?
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