Interview Questions for Manufacturing

Job Seekers » Graduate Job Advice » Graduate Interview Tips & Techniques » Example Graduate Interview Questions & Answers

This question is testing your contemporary industry knowledge. If you have prepared before the interview then you should be able to make some good points here. Try to keep a positive spin but be realistic about the prospects for manufacturing in the UK. Try and find some information of a government or EU grant that has been used to subsidize the manufacturing industry, but acknowledge the difficulties faced by the manufacturing industry caused by cheap labour abroad.  Perhaps highlight a possible niche in artisan and high quality manufacturing in Britain.

This question is seeking to find out what you know about operations. Applicants who have experience should be able to come up with a good response to this one, if not a well prepped graduate should be able to adapt to this question. Typical answers to this question may include, good communication, clear objective, appropriate targets, good suppliers, skilled workforce. Try and tailor your response to fit in with the company you are applying with.

This question is set up to test your communication skills. A good approach would be to first give an example of when a supplier might be difficult before saying how you will deal with it. Then give an example of when you have done this in the past to confirm the point, even if not with a supplier but an instance of conflict in the workplace which you resolved. Key aspects of good communication skills when in a difficult situation are to be firm, honest and empathetic but remain assertive.