In order to hire the best candidate for a mold maker position, it is important that the interview process goes really well.
As an applicant for this job, you should prepare for the process with great care.
Looking through possible interview questions will help. A mold maker will be asked several questions to determine what their skills in choosing and using mold-making materials are.
If you are about to appear for a mold maker interview, the following set of interview questions and answers will help you prepare:
Mold Maker Interview Questions and Answers
1. Why did you choose to work as a mold maker?
I love working with my hands. I took up a ceramics class while I was in high school. It was then that I realized how well I could work in related capacities. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was working as a mold maker.
2. What are some of the important duties that you have performed in the role of a mold maker?
I have been working as a mold maker for 5 years, during which I have performed many duties. Some important ones include looking through work orders and blueprints to determine processes and setting up equipment and tools to perform mold-making work. Furthermore, my work includes operating special-purpose machines to fabricate tooling components, and fitting and assembling components onto production tooling. Moreover, I have been busy repairing damaged molds, designing and building jigs and gauges, and performing mold setup procedures.
3. What type of work environment do you prefer to work in?
I like working in an environment that is conducive to learning since I thrive when I am learning new things.
4. How do you feel about working in a team environment?
I feel that 2 heads are better than 1. I love working in a team environment, as I feel that the work gets done better when one works with people.
5. How do you feel about working in a physically challenging environment?
I am a physically agile individual and have no issues working in a physically challenging environment.
6. What are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about every single aspect of my work. I get a special kind of satisfaction when I do my work well, and it stands out.
7. What are your main strengths?
The ability to understand information and instruction is my main strength. In addition to this, I am a highly organized individual, who can work diligently on a continuous basis.
8. Tell me a little about your weaknesses.
I feel that I sometimes take on too much responsibility. This makes it difficult for me to focus on my work.
9. Are you doing anything to overcome this issue?
As a matter of fact, I am working hard to take on only what I can do responsibly. On a scale of 1 to 10, I have already reached 7.
10. Tell me of a time when a coworker got angry with you. What happened?
I was working alongside another mold maker and noticed that he was using the wrong methodology to pour materials. It was an unsafe method and could have harmed him. I mentioned as much, and unfortunately, he took it personally. He told me off quite badly, saying that I needed to concentrate on my own work, and not find fault in others’ work. I tried to reason with him, but it was no good. So, I had no choice but to report the issue to the supervisor to ensure the quality of work and reduced the chances of an accident.
11. How is your relationship with that coworker now?
Quite amiable. Once he was called out by the supervisor, he understood that his method could have been fatal for him, and I was only trying to help. He apologized, and we are on good terms now.
12. What motivates you?
I am motivated by several factors, including challenging situations, and praise for work well done. I even get motivated when I am given constructive feedback.
13. How do you like to be managed?
I like being given work, and then trusted to do it. I feel that micromanagement does not work well in most situations. I do not mind a manager asking me for constant updates, but technically, I would like to be left alone to do it.
14. How would you feel if you were micromanaged?
As I mentioned just now, micromanaging doesn’t work for me. It demotivates me as I feel that I am not being trusted.
15. What do you like least about your current job?
To be perfectly honest, I love my present job. There is nothing that I dislike about it.
16. Why do you want to leave your present job?
The only thing that is making me move toward a mold maker position in another company is the fact that I have reached my highest in my present place of work. And I cannot grow anymore.
17. Tell me about a time you failed.
I was working in an apprenticeship role some years ago and was given a task by my trainer. I was excited at the fact that I was being trusted to do it, and did it to the best of my abilities. However, my trainer thought that I had done a shoddy job, and gave me a bit of a dressing down. I was quite demotivated until my trainer explained that it was okay and that I should try harder, instead of focusing on my failure.
18. What is your greatest professional achievement?
My greatest professional achievement is the time when I handled a complex mold-making project all by myself since 3 of my coworkers were down with the flu.
19. How did you learn about this opening?
I was skimming through the Sunday newspaper when your advertisement popped up. After reading it carefully, I realized that it was exactly what I was looking for.
20. Tell me about the toughest decision that you had to make?
Whether to report a customer who was asking for a higher quality mold than he was willing to pay for, or let it go was the toughest decision that I have had to take.
21. How did that end up?
The customer was offering me a “little on the side” to do this for him. I refused, and after a little thought, decided that it was in the best interest of everyone to report him.
22. Tell me how you think other people will describe you.
I am sure that my colleagues, friends, and supervisors will describe me as hardworking, diligent, ethical, and deadline-oriented.
23. What can we expect from you during the first three months at work?
I expect to contribute to your work in exactly the way you want me to. I hope to streamline the machine calibration system, and preventative maintenance work specifically.
24. What do you like to do outside of work?
I am an avid chess player. I am a member of 2 chess clubs and love taking part in championships.
25. In your opinion, what really drives results in this job?
I feel that hard work, and conscientiousness drives work in this job.
26. How do you define success?
To me, success means customer satisfaction. If customers like my work, then I feel that I have been successful in doing my job well.
27. What commonly accepted view do you disagree with?
I disagree with the fact that good quality work cannot be done quickly. I feel that if you have the right skill set, you can do quality work in little time.
28. Describe a time when you went above and beyond the call of duty to do something.
I was once working on a project that required 6 people to handle. Due to the lack of mold makers, it was just me and one more person who ended up making hundreds of molds a week. Both of us spent extra hours and weekends to finish this project.
29. Are you more of a leader or a follower?
I can be both. When the work requires me to be a follower, I do what is expected of me. And when I need to be a leader, I work alongside other people to help and mentor them.
30. How long do you expect to work for our company?
I do not plan on when I need to stop working for an organization. If it is up to me, I would like to work for many years to come.
31. Are you interviewing with any other company?
I have had 2 other interviews in the recent past.
32. What would you do if you were offered a job by more than one company?
I would choose the one where I can make the most contribution, given my background and expertise.
33. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself at the top of a mold-making agency, calling the shots, training mold makers, and providing excellent mentorship.
34. Do you have any questions for me?
I would love to know more about your organization and its goals. I would also like to know what specific materials and methods you use for mold-making purposes, and how you maintain your standing in the market.