17 Drilling Supervisor Interview Questions and Answers

Oil and gas drilling is a complex and time-sensitive operation that requires careful planning and execution. Drilling supervisors are responsible for overseeing the drilling process and ensuring that all safety and production standards are met.

Drilling supervisors must have a thorough understanding of the drilling process and be able to effectively communicate with and manage a team of workers. If you’re interested in becoming a drilling supervisor, you’ll need to ace an interview.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with some sample questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working in a high-pressure environment?

High-pressure environments are common in the drilling industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re prepared for working in a fast-paced environment where you need to make quick decisions and solve problems quickly. In your answer, explain that you enjoy high-pressure situations because it allows you to use all of your skills and experience. Explain that you feel pressure is an opportunity to prove yourself as a capable employee.

Example: “I am definitely comfortable working in a high-pressure environment. I actually thrive in these types of situations. When there’s a lot at stake, I find that I’m able to use all of my skills and knowledge to come up with solutions more effectively. I think that pressure can be an opportunity to show how valuable I am as a drilling supervisor.”

What are some of the most important skills for a drilling supervisor to have?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value in a drilling supervisor. They may also use your answer to decide whether you have the skills they’re looking for in an employee. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the most important skills that are listed on the job description. This can show that you’ve done your research and know what’s expected of you as an employee.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a drilling supervisor is communication. A drilling supervisor needs to be able to communicate with their team members about any issues or concerns they might have. It’s also important to be able to communicate effectively with other employees who work in different departments. For example, I would need to talk with geologists and engineers to make sure we were drilling in the right locations.”

How do you handle conflict within a team?

When working with a team, it’s likely that you’ll encounter conflict at some point. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary to resolve conflicts in a productive way. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic and use problem-solving skills to help everyone come to an agreement.

Example: “I believe that conflict is inevitable when working with a team. However, I also think that conflict can be beneficial because it allows us to address issues before they become larger problems. When someone has an issue with another member of the drilling crew, I encourage them to talk about their concerns with me privately. This gives me the opportunity to understand both sides of the story and find a solution that works for everyone.”

What is your experience with using computers?

Computers are an essential tool for drilling supervisors. They use computers to monitor the progress of their team, communicate with other members of the drilling crew and keep track of important documents. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your computer skills and how you might fit into their company’s current technology system. In your answer, try to show that you have a basic understanding of using computers and can adapt to new systems quickly.

Example: “I’ve been working in the oil industry for five years now, so I’m quite familiar with many different computer programs. However, I also know it’s important to be able to adapt to new systems as they come out. For example, when I first started working at my previous job, we used paper forms to record our data. After a few months, we switched to digital forms on tablets. I learned how to use these new tools quickly and efficiently.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client.

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you handle conflict and whether or not you can resolve it quickly. In your answer, try to focus on the steps you took to solve the problem and what the outcome was.

Example: “In my previous role as a drilling supervisor, I had a client who would call me several times a day with questions about their project. This made it difficult for me to get other work done because I always had to take his calls. Eventually, I sat down with him to discuss the issue. He understood that he was making it hard for me to do my job and apologized. From then on, he only called me once a week.”

If hired, what would be your approach to training new employees?

This question can help interviewers understand how you might approach training employees in the field. Use examples from your experience to explain what you would do and why it’s effective.

Example: “I believe that drilling is a complex process, so I would want to make sure new employees have time to practice their skills before working on their own. In my last position as a drilling supervisor, I hired two new employees who had no prior drilling experience. To train them, I first gave them an overview of the entire drilling process, including safety procedures and equipment use. Then, they practiced each step with me until they were comfortable performing the task independently.”

What would you do if you noticed one of your employees was not following safety protocols?

An interviewer may ask this question to understand how you handle disciplinary situations. In your answer, try to show that you value safety and are willing to take action when needed. You can also use this opportunity to explain what steps you would take to ensure the employee’s safety while they’re on the job.

Example: “If I noticed one of my employees was not following safety protocols, I would first speak with them about it privately. If they continued to disregard safety measures, I would hold a formal meeting with them and their manager to discuss the issue. Depending on the severity of the situation, I might even consider terminating the employee if they were putting themselves or others in danger.”

How well do you understand geology?

Geology is the study of rocks, minerals and other materials that make up the earth’s crust. It also includes how these elements interact with each other to create different types of rock formations. Geologists use this information to determine where they can find certain resources or minerals.

This question helps employers understand your knowledge of geology and whether you have any experience working in a drilling environment. If you don’t have much experience, you should explain what you know about geology and how it relates to drilling operations.

Example: “I studied geology in college, but I haven’t had many opportunities to apply my knowledge since then. However, I am still passionate about learning more about the subject. I would love to learn more about the geological makeup of the areas we drill in so I can better understand the challenges our team may face.”

Do you have any experience with oilfield equipment?

This question can help interviewers learn about your experience with the oilfield equipment used in their company. If you have no experience, consider talking about how you would approach learning about it and what steps you would take to become familiar with it.

Example: “I’ve worked on drilling rigs for over 10 years now, so I’m very familiar with all of the equipment used on a rig. However, if I were hired by this company, I would want to make sure that I was able to operate any new equipment they purchased or installed. I would ask my coworkers who work on these rigs regularly to teach me about the equipment and answer any questions I had.”

When is the earliest time you have to start work and when is the latest time you can finish work?

This question can help the interviewer understand your availability and how you plan your day. Your answer should include a time range for when you start work and when you finish, as well as any other details that may be important to mention.

Example: “I usually arrive at work 30 minutes before my shift starts so I have enough time to get ready and check in with my team. My last task of the day is always checking in with my supervisor or manager to let them know what we accomplished during our shift. If there are any issues or concerns, I like to address them right away.”

We want to improve our efficiency. What strategies would you use to help us do this?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of drilling processes and how you can help improve efficiency. You can answer this question by describing a time when you helped increase efficiency in the workplace, or you can describe what strategies you would use to do so.

Example: “I have experience with several methods for increasing efficiency on the job site. One method I’ve used in the past is creating a schedule that allows my team members to work together more efficiently. For example, if one crew member needs something from another, they can ask them directly instead of waiting for me to delegate it. This helps reduce wasted time and improves communication between my team.”

Describe your experience with using drilling software.

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with using software that helps you complete drilling projects. Use examples from previous jobs to explain how you used the software and what benefits it provided for your team.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for overseeing a drilling project where we had to use specialized software to monitor our progress. The software helped me keep track of all the data related to the drilling process, including the depth of each hole, the time it took to drill each one and other important information. This allowed me to make adjustments as needed to ensure we met the project’s goals.”

What makes you the best candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and why you are the best person for the job. Before your interview, make a list of all of your skills and experiences that relate to the drilling supervisor position. Think about what makes you unique from other candidates and how those skills can benefit the company.

Example: “I am the most qualified candidate because I have extensive experience working as a drilling supervisor. In my last role, I managed a team of five drillers and was responsible for making sure they were completing their work on time. I also had to ensure that our equipment was in good condition and ready to use before each day of drilling. My communication skills helped me keep everyone informed about any changes or updates.”

Which oil and gas industries do you have the most experience in?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it relates to their company. It’s important to show that you have relevant experience, but also that you’re open to learning new things.

Example: “I’ve worked in both onshore and offshore drilling for most of my career. I started out working as a driller on an onshore rig, then moved into offshore work where I learned about deep-water drilling. I’m comfortable with all types of drilling, so I think I could be a good fit for this position.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a drilling supervisor?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what it takes to be a drilling supervisor. Use this question as an opportunity to highlight your leadership skills and how they can benefit the company if you are hired.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of being a drilling supervisor is having excellent communication skills. As a drilling supervisor, I would need to communicate with my team members about their assignments, safety procedures and any other information they may need to complete their tasks. Communication is also essential for maintaining open lines of communication between myself and the rest of the drilling crew.”

How often have you been a drilling supervisor for new teams?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience as a drilling supervisor. If you have never been a drilling supervisor, you can talk about how you would approach the role if it was your first time. You can also discuss any previous experiences working with new teams to show that you are prepared for this role.

Example: “I’ve worked on several different drilling crews throughout my career, and I find that each team has its own unique challenges. When I start working with a new crew, I like to get to know them before we begin our work. This helps me learn what they’re good at and where they need improvement. I try to be patient when teaching new employees so that they feel comfortable asking questions.”

There is a problem with the drilling equipment. How would you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take to solve the issue and how you would communicate with your team members during the process.

Example: “If there was a problem with the drilling equipment, I would first make sure that everyone was safe before addressing the issue. Then, I would assess what type of problem we were having and determine if it could wait until later or if it needed to be addressed immediately. If it was something that could wait, I would let my crew know so they could continue working on other tasks while we waited for the equipment to be fixed. If it couldn’t wait, I would call in additional support from our company’s maintenance department to fix the equipment.”