17 Maintenance Planner Interview Questions and Answers

Maintenance planners are responsible for creating and managing work schedules for the maintenance and repair of machines, equipment, and buildings. They work with engineers, supervisors, and technicians to make sure that all necessary repairs are made in a timely and effective manner.

If you’re looking for a job in this field, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. One of the best ways to prepare for this interview is to familiarize yourself with the most common maintenance planner interview questions. This guide will help you do just that. You’ll also find tips on how to answer these questions, as well as examples of questions that may be asked.

Are you familiar with the various types of equipment used in this industry?

Maintenance planners need to be familiar with the various types of equipment used in their industry. This question helps employers determine if you have experience working with different types of machinery and tools. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or knowledge that may help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I’ve worked as a maintenance planner for five years now, so I’m quite familiar with the various types of equipment used in this industry. For example, I know how to use both large-scale and small-scale machinery. I also understand the importance of using safety equipment when working on certain projects. In my previous position, I helped develop a new policy regarding the use of personal protective equipment.”

What are some of the most important skills for a maintenance planner to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.

Example: “The most important skill for a maintenance planner is communication. This role requires me to communicate with many different people, including other maintenance professionals, facility managers and building occupants. I find that my strong communication skills allow me to clearly explain ideas and answer questions from others. Another important skill is organization. As a maintenance planner, I need to organize all of the information about facilities so that I can create effective plans for repairs and upgrades.”

How do you prioritize maintenance tasks when there is not enough time or resources to complete everything?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you plan your work and manage time. Use examples from previous experience to explain how you prioritize tasks, set deadlines and meet goals.

Example: “In my last role as a maintenance planner, I had to prioritize many different projects at once. When there was not enough time or resources to complete all of the maintenance tasks, I would first look at which areas needed repairs most urgently. For example, if an elevator was out of order, I would make that my top priority. Then, I would move on to other urgent repairs like broken water fountains or leaking pipes. After completing these urgent repairs, I would then focus on non-urgent repairs like replacing light bulbs.”

What is your process for developing a long-term maintenance plan for a facility or system?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience developing maintenance plans and can apply your knowledge of industry standards to create effective long-term plans. Use examples from previous projects or experiences to describe how you developed a plan for a facility or system, including what steps you took to ensure the plan was successful.

Example: “I start by researching the facility or system I’m working with to understand its current state and identify any issues that need to be addressed. Then, I develop a timeline for when certain repairs should take place based on the age of the facility or system and other factors like weather conditions. Finally, I meet with my team to discuss the plan and make sure everyone understands their role in implementing it.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot a problem with a piece of equipment.

Maintenance planners often have to troubleshoot problems with equipment. This question allows the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in a work environment. In your answer, describe the steps you took to solve the issue and highlight any specific skills or knowledge that helped you resolve it.

Example: “In my previous role as maintenance planner, I had to troubleshoot an issue with one of our air conditioning units. The unit was not cooling the entire building, so I first inspected the unit for any visible damage. After finding no visible damage, I checked the temperature sensors on the unit. They were all working properly, so I then checked the thermostat settings. It turned out that the thermostat was set too low, which caused the unit to run longer than necessary.”

If you had to choose one piece of equipment that is essential to maintaining a functional workplace, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the maintenance industry and how you would apply it in your role as a planner. When answering this question, try to choose an item that is relevant to the position and explain why it’s important for maintaining a functional workplace.

Example: “If I had to choose one piece of equipment that is essential to maintaining a functional workplace, I would have to say elevators. Elevators are crucial for transporting employees from floor to floor and ensuring they can get to their workstations safely and on time. In my last position, we were able to save money by repairing our existing elevators instead of purchasing new ones.”

What would you do if you noticed a recurring issue with a piece of equipment but the problem couldn’t be identified?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you handle challenges in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

Example: “If I noticed a recurring issue with a piece of equipment but couldn’t identify what was causing it, I would first try to narrow down the cause by checking for any changes that may have occurred around the same time as the issue. If there were no changes, I would then check if anyone else had reported similar issues. If not, I would continue to monitor the equipment until I could find a pattern or reason for the issue.”

How well do you work with others?

Maintenance planners often work with other maintenance professionals, such as electricians and plumbers. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate well with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you worked with someone else in the past.

Example: “I have always been able to work well with others. In my current role, I work closely with several different departments. For instance, I regularly meet with the facilities manager to discuss our plans for upcoming projects. I also work with many different tradespeople on a daily basis. I enjoy collaborating with them to find solutions to problems we encounter during our work.”

Do you have any experience working with a team of technicians to complete maintenance tasks?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you collaborate with others. Give examples of how you managed a team of technicians, or describe the experience you had working alongside other maintenance professionals.

Example: “In my previous role as a maintenance planner, I worked with a team of five technicians who completed tasks such as repairing broken equipment, fixing leaks in pipes and installing new appliances. We met once a week to discuss our progress on each task and any challenges we faced. Each technician reported their progress at these meetings so that I could ensure they were completing all of their assigned tasks.”

When is it appropriate to call a repairman for a maintenance issue?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your decision-making skills and ability to prioritize tasks. In your answer, explain how you would decide whether or not to call a repairman for an issue. You can also mention that it’s important to consider the cost of hiring a repairman versus the cost of buying new equipment.

Example: “If I’m unsure about what repairs need to be made, I will always call a repairman because it’s better to spend money on a professional than to buy new equipment prematurely. If I know exactly what needs to be repaired, then I’ll weigh the costs of calling a repairman against the cost of replacing the item.”

We want to reduce the frequency of maintenance tasks. What would you do to make this happen?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions. You can use examples from previous experience or explain how you would approach this situation if it were new for you.

Example: “I would first analyze the frequency of maintenance tasks by looking at the data we have on each task, including when they occur, what caused them and how often they happen. Then I would look at our current budget and decide which tasks are most important to reduce the frequency of. For example, if a task happens every six months but could be reduced to once per year with no negative impact, then that’s something I would consider.”

Describe your process for documenting completed maintenance tasks.

This question can help interviewers understand how you organize your work and the steps you take to complete it. Your answer should show that you have a system for organizing your tasks, whether they’re in a physical or digital format.

Example: “I use an online project management software called Basecamp to keep track of my maintenance projects. I find this tool helpful because it allows me to create separate lists for each building I’m working on, which helps me stay organized. Within each list, I create individual tasks for each maintenance task I need to complete. This way, I can easily see what needs to be done at each property and check off completed tasks as I go.”

What makes you stand out from other maintenance planners?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and abilities as a maintenance planner. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates applying for the same position. When answering this question, think of two or three things that make you stand out. These can be related to your experience, education or personality traits.

Example: “I have over 10 years of experience in construction planning. I also hold an associate’s degree in construction management. In my previous role, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once. This helped me develop excellent time-management skills. Another thing that makes me stand out is my attention to detail. I am always sure to double-check all of my work before submitting it.”

Which maintenance tools are you most comfortable using?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your comfort level with the tools they use in their company. If you have experience using the same tools, it can show that you’re a good fit for the job. When answering this question, list the tools you’ve used and explain why you feel comfortable using them.

Example: “I’m most comfortable using computer-based maintenance planning software because I’ve been using it for years. In my last position, I helped implement a new system at our facility, so I learned how to use it well. The program we implemented was easy to learn and use, which made it easier for me to train others on its use.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of planning maintenance tasks?

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities and how you plan maintenance tasks. Your answer should show that you understand what’s important when planning maintenance projects, such as budgeting time and resources to ensure they’re used effectively.

Example: “I think it’s most important to consider all aspects of a building before starting any maintenance project. This includes identifying any safety concerns or issues with equipment so I can make sure those are addressed first. It also means making sure we have enough staff members to complete the work in a timely manner while still maintaining quality. Finally, I like to make sure we have the necessary supplies on hand for each task.”

How often should maintenance tasks be completed?

Maintenance planners need to understand the frequency of maintenance tasks. This question helps interviewers assess your knowledge and experience with this process. In your answer, explain how you determine when maintenance needs to be completed. Consider including a specific example from your previous job that shows how often you scheduled maintenance.

Example: “I typically schedule maintenance for my clients based on their budget and the frequency they want me to complete these tasks. For instance, I had one client who wanted to perform all maintenance every six months. However, after talking with them about their budget, we decided it would be best to do some maintenance every three months. This allowed us to save money while still performing necessary repairs.”

There is a piece of equipment that is essential to the function of the workplace, but it is starting to show signs of wear and tear. What would you do?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you would take to ensure that the workplace continues operating smoothly while also ensuring the safety of employees.

Example: “If there was one piece of equipment that I knew was essential for the function of the workplace, I would immediately schedule time with my supervisor to discuss how we could replace or repair the item as soon as possible. If the equipment was vital to the day-to-day operations of the company, I would make sure that all other projects were put on hold until the damaged equipment was fixed.”