An ideal Production Operator should have experience and knowledge of working in a similar position. They should have the right attitude towards the job and have other reasons for wanting the job other than money. What to look for in an answer: 

• The right attitude towards the job
• Knowledge and experience
• A clear vision for their role as a Production Operative

You should ask this question to see if the applicant knows what the job entails and if they have the skills to perform the job. They should be able to work under pressure, be attentive to details and know how to work with a limited budget and time. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of what the role entails
• Attention to detail
• Confidence in their ability

One of the roles of a Production Operative is to oversee machinery. With this question, you can test the potential hire's ability to identify and solve problems. You can check to see if they're quick to act when problems arise and if they're responsible enough to do due diligence on why the machines are failing. 

• Ability to prioritise tasks
• Sense of Responsibility
• General knowledge of machine maintenance

Production Operatives are responsible for performing quality checks on equipment before use. Failure to check on the safety of a machine can result in accidents and production failures. You can ask this question to gauge if the potential candidate knows safety guidelines and procedures. What to look for in an answer:

• Knowledge of safety procedures and guidelines
• Ability to perform quality checks
• Understanding of your company's quality control guidelines

Candidates may need to deal with colleagues that aren't doing their part. An ideal Production Operative should be able to deal with colleagues of all levels and not tolerate misconduct. What to look for in an answer:

• Willingness to resolve conflicts
• Ability to talk and motivate colleagues
• Confidence and willingness to report any misconduct of colleagues

You can ask the potential hire this question to gauge their understanding of the manufacturing process. A Process Operator should know what impacts production and how to ensure everything works smoothly. What to look for in an answer:

• Understanding of the manufacturing process
• Ability to work as a team
• Management skills

 An ideal candidate should have basic computer skills to maintain and track production inventory. You can ask the applicants to give you an example of software they have used in the past. What to look for in an answer:

• Willingness to learn
• Organisation skills 
• Experience using different software

As the business grows, so does production. Ask this question to get some insight into how the potential candidate approaches and handles difficult situations. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to prioritise tasks
• Ability to handle difficult situations 
• Decision-making skills

For most production work to be completed effectively, all employees have to work as a team. However, conflicts do arise from time to time, and it's the goal of a Process Operator to ensure all things run smoothly. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to solve conflicts
• Negotiation and communication skills
• Interpersonal skills

The work of a Process Operator is to oversee machinery and perform essential maintenance and repairs on production equipment. However, they may not have the technical engineering skills to handle complex machine failures. This question helps you to see if the candidate is willing to seek help. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to seek help
• Commitment to quality work, even if it means seeking help
• Ability to work in a team