When you’re looking for employment as a certified HVAC technician, it’s important to prepare yourself for job interviews.
To fully show your skills to potential employers, you need to be able to communicate about them.
HVAC companies want to make sure that they are hiring the right people for the kinds of jobs and customers they have. They’re looking for technical training as well as “soft skills” like customer service, time management, clear communication, and more.
That’s why it’s important to prepare yourself to be able to confidently answer questions about yourself, potential clients, your work process, and the company you’re interviewing for.
It can be a lot to keep track of, but we don’t want you to overthink it.
Here are 10 baseline questions you should prepare for during an HVAC job interview to set you up for success in your new job.
General Questions
Most job interviews begin with general questions, becoming more specific and technical as the process moves forward.
There might not necessarily be any right or wrong answers to the more general questions, but the way you answer them could make or break the interview. Essentially, they want to know if your personality and work ethic are a good fit for their organization.
Some general questions you should be ready to answer are:
- Why do you want to work in HVAC?
- What do you know/how did you hear about our company?
- What types of repair and maintenance projects have you worked on?
- What are some skills you’ve gained from other jobs that have helped prepare you for this position?
- How do you define success at work and in general?
The way you answer these questions shows your interest and attitude towards your career.
Employers often care more about your willingness to learn and develop as a professional rather than the experience you might have.
This is especially important to keep in mind if you recently graduated from HVAC school. Make sure your employer knows how passionate you are about what you do and how much growth you will bring to the company.
In-Depth and Technical Questions
Even though your personality and professionalism help set you apart, you still need to communicate your mastery over what you do.
It’s important to be honest about what you know, what you’re capable of, and what you feel confident to execute.
Remember, you can always learn more on the job. If you show you’re a good fit for the team and that you’re committed to learning, companies will invest in you even if you have less experience.
Keeping that in mind, here are some technical questions you’ll likely be asked:
1. How do you stay informed regarding the latest developments in the HVAC field?
Employers want to know if you’re ready to take care of customers and provide them with expert service.
Being able to answer questions like this demonstrates you’re committed to learning and shows how you’re going to help bring new ideas and perspectives to the team.
Once again, honesty takes precedence over everything else. If you could do more to further your education, ask them for some good resources they’ve heard of. This will show even more of your desire to learn and grow.
2. Can you tell me how the acronyms BTU/CAV/AHU apply to HVAC work?
In the HVAC field, there are lots of acronyms. During your training and education, you’ll learn about these and know them like the back of your hand.
Employers will ask about technical terms like these to see if you’re able to talk about HVAC as someone who’s committed to the industry knowledge, not just someone who does the work.
3. Tell me about a dispute between you and another employee/supervisor in a previous job. How did you handle it and keep the job moving forward?
These questions may make you feel a bit on edge, but it’s important that you demonstrate your commitment to professionalism.
Employers don’t ask about disputes to put you on the spot; they just want to know how you can address team issues while still getting the work done and maintaining good levels of service.
So, be honest and show that you can do just that.
4. Tell me about a challenging technical situation you had during HVAC work or training. How did you overcome it?
Employers ask questions like these to learn more about your technical knowledge, but also about your process for solving problems.
They want to know if how you operate will make you a good fit for the team. Employers are looking for teamwork and leadership skills, on-the-spot thinking, resourcefulness, and other traits that go beyond your job description.
5. Customer scenario questions: what would you do if________?
There’s no definitive way to prepare for all scenario questions. The most important thing you can do is answer how you would on the job site—as a professional.
Employers are looking for how you’ll react when customers ask about environmental concerns, repair times, pricing, safety, and many other things.
They want to see how you can provide information, address problems, and communicate with team members to keep things moving forward safely and professionally.
The Training Center of Air Conditioning & Heating
As we’ve discussed, having technical confidence and the ability to communicate and apply your skills helps you land a job in HVAC.
If you’re a Texan looking for training that truly prepares you for a job in HVAC, The Training Center of Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help you rise to the occasion.
In 10 weeks, you’ll have everything you need to start your first job. You’ll be fully trained and certified, and will have completed your first installation.
You’ll be trained by industry expert Chris Walters, who has the technical mastery and industry connections to help you hit the ground running when you graduate.
Don’t wait, start training for a rewarding, high-paying career in HVAC! Gain the skills and confidence you need to nail job interviews and start working.
Take a look at our upcoming classes or contact us to learn how you can get started!