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Factory Worker Interview Questions

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 21 October 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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7 min read

Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Factory Worker interview questions and answers.

  1. What are the top three traits that you consider to be valuable for a factory worker to hold? See answer
  2. How do you ensure the quality of your work? See answer
  3. What experience do you have of working in a team? See answer
  4. Do you hold a licence to operate the required machinery? See answer
  5. What types of machinery have you formerly worked with? See answer
  6. If there was a problem with equipment you are using, how would you handle that situation? See answer
  7. What experience do you have in following safety procedures? See answer
  8. If you observed a co-worker incorrectly following safety procedures, how would you handle that situation? See answer
  9. Can you tell me about a time when you were placed in a high-pressure situation and had to overcome that challenge? See answer
  10. What is it about our factory that interests you as somewhere that you would like to work? See answer
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Hire your next Factory Worker today.

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Hire your next Factory Worker today.

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

10 Factory Worker Interview Questions and Answers

What are the top three traits that you consider to be valuable for a factory worker to hold?

This question can reveal a candidate’s understanding of the role for which they are applying. As factory work can be an entry-level position, you may prefer applicants to have relevant traits over technical skills or experience. What to look for in an answer:

  • traits that apply to the role that you have available
  • traits that you consider beneficial, if not directly applicable
  • confidence in answering the question.
Example:

"I believe factory workers need to be able to follow instructions and procedures, be reliable, and work well in a team. I think this helps ensure that the factory’s operations run smoothly and can also prevent problems from occurring, such as safety breaches."

How do you ensure the quality of your work?

Quality control is an important part of a manufacturing or processing operation. Asking this question will reveal whether a candidate understands this importance and the steps they will take to ensure it. What to look for in an answer:

  • examples of relevant prior experience
  • a commitment to producing quality work
  • references to quality control techniques.
Example:

"At my previous workplace, I found using a checklist was useful to help me keep my work on track and ensure that I had completed all tasks, as well as performed them to the standard that was required."

What experience do you have of working in a team?

This question will reveal the types of team environments in which the candidate has successfully operated. They may be able to discuss prior work experience or provide other relevant experience, such as being a member of a sporting team. What to look for in an answer:

  • understanding of what teamwork entails
  • their attitude towards working in a team, or whether they prefer to work independently
  • examples of being in a team.
Example:

"I have not worked in a factory team before, but I have other experience working in a team that, I feel, is relevant to this role. During high school, I worked as a shelf stacker at a supermarket, so I understand how my role can affect other people at work and what it takes to be reliable."

Do you hold a licence to operate the required machinery?

Your role may not require applicants to operate machinery, such as a forklift. However, it may help you decide between two good candidates if one already holds additional skills that may be useful in future. If you do require your factory worker to operate machinery that requires a licence, you may want to ask this question to ensure they are qualified for the role. What to look for in an answer:

  • a licence to operate the machinery and a willingness to provide evidence of attainment
  • willingness to obtain the licence if not already held
  • interest and ability to operate the machinery.
Example:

"I do not currently hold a licence to operate a forklift. However, I am always willing to learn new skills, so I am prepared to obtain this licence in my own time and at my own expense if you require your employees to have one."

What types of machinery have you formerly worked with?

Asking this question will not only reveal if they have experience with the particular machinery used at your factory, but also using machinery in general. Therefore, they will understand the nature and type of work that you will require them to undertake. What to look for in an answer:

  • ability to name the machinery they have used
  • experience using machinery relevant to your factory
  • enthusiasm to learn how to operate other machinery.
Example:

"In my previous role, I mainly used packaging machinery. I did not have experience using that kind of equipment before that job, but I was a fast learner. So, if you require me to use other machinery, I believe I can pick it up quickly."

If there was a problem with equipment you are using, how would you handle that situation?

This question is intended to be less informative as to how the worker would actually repair the equipment but reveal how they tackle challenging situations and respond to pressure. What to look for in an answer:

  • an example of previous experience in a similar situation
  • understanding of the following appropriate processes or procedures
  • problem-solving and adaptability skills.
Example:

"I presume that you would have a procedure that I would need to follow, depending on the equipment, whether that is shutting down the machine, informing my team leader of the problem, or repairing it myself if I had been given the authority to. I think communication is key to solving any problem, so if in doubt, I would immediately raise this with my supervisor and follow their advice."

What experience do you have in following safety procedures?

Asking this question can identify a candidate’s knowledge of occupational health and safety as well as their commitment to it. You may also want to request an example of how they have tackled a safety challenge. What to look for in an answer:

  • examples of following safety procedures
  • basic knowledge of safety procedures as they apply to your industry
  • enthusiasm to use safety measures.
Example:

"I haven’t worked in a factory environment before, but I do have experience and training that I received at my previous employer. For example, at my previous workplace, we were required to complete the manual handling course every two years, and I always made this a priority because I understand the importance of safe work procedures and how they benefit everyone."

If you observed a co-worker incorrectly following safety procedures, how would you handle that situation?

This question can reveal a candidate’s ability to deal with challenges such as workplace conflict, as well as their commitment to meeting their safety obligations. It can also identify if they are a cultural fit for your organisation. What to look for in an answer:

  • conflict management and communication skills
  • understanding of and attitude towards work health and safety requirements
  • examples of prior relevant experience.
Example:

"I would have no hesitation in raising this with the employee directly, as it may be inadvertent. However, if they ignored my assistance or continued not to follow the correct procedures, I would then raise this issue with my supervisor. If their actions are putting other workers in immediate danger, I would follow the emergency procedures outlined to me during my onboarding experience".

Can you tell me about a time when you were placed in a high-pressure situation and had to overcome that challenge?

By asking this question, you can identify how the candidate will respond in challenging situations. If these are common work conditions in your factory, it may indicate their ability and willingness to work for you. What to look for in an answer:

  • problem-solving skills
  • attitude towards working in high-pressure conditions
  • examples of previous experience in these situations.
Example:

"In my previous role, the equipment malfunctioned as we were trying to meet a tight deadline. Once the equipment was working again, I remained calm and communicated my progress to my team leader regularly so that they could update other business leaders on our progress. While we didn’t meet the deadline, I think keeping a cool head and communicating created less stress for other people, too, and helped us to finish more quickly."

What is it about our factory that interests you as somewhere that you would like to work?

Questions about the business will reveal whether the candidate is aware of its activities and understands the type and nature of the work that they will be required to undertake. What to look for in an answer:

  • knowledge of the factory’s operations and/or products
  • enthusiasm for your industry
  • their motivation to apply for the role.
Example:

"I am looking for a job that provides stable shifts and a good workplace culture, and your factory has a reputation for being a good employer in this community. I enjoy consuming the products that are made at this food manufacturing factory, so I thought it would be a great place to work."

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