HVAC Interview Questions & Interview Preparation Tips

First of all, congrats on landing a job interview for an HVAC apprentice position! It’s natural to be a little nervous, especially when you are entering a new field. The best way to combat the nerves is to be as prepared as possible.

In this article, we’ll go over:

• What you should do before the HVAC interview to get ready to shine
• Common HVAC interview questions you should be prepared to answer
• Tips for what to do during & after the interview to increase your chance of getting hired

Understand the job requirements

Obviously every employer is a little different. However, you want to go into your HVAC interview with at least a general idea of what an HVAC service technician actually does and what the training process is like. 

We can help you with that part. If you haven’t already done so, watch our training videos to learn more about the HVAC industry and working as a service tech.

Match your skills to the requirements

When you’re applying for an entry-level HVAC apprentice or “helper” position, the employer is not looking for prior experience in the field. So what requirements are they looking for? Employers in the HVAC and Refrigeration industry want to see evidence of certain skills and personal qualities, such as reliability, a strong work ethic, and a customer service mindset. (Read more about those qualities here.)

So, to prepare for your interview, think about ways you can demonstrate those skills and qualities during the interview. 

For example, to highlight your customer service abilities, you can describe a situation when you went the extra mile to make a customer happy in a previous job. Think about examples you can use in advance, so on interview day you’re ready to tell your story and present yourself in the best possible way.

One more thing: chances are you will be asked about your driving record. So if you have any issues, be ready to explain what you’re doing to fix the problem.

And, be sure to demonstrate reliability by being on time for the interview!

Want to find out if you’re a good fit for a career in HVAC and Refrigeration? Take our quiz.

Research the company

Employers want to hire candidates who care enough to put in the effort to learn about their company even before the interview. So, find out as much as you can about the company in advance. You can learn a lot about an employer from their website and their social media posts:

• Do they service commercial or residential accounts? 
• How large is the company? 
• What locations do they service?
• What equipment brands and types do they install and/or service? 
• What is the company’s professional appearance like (trucks, uniforms, branding)?

During your HVAC interview, you can drop clues to the fact that you’ve researched the company. And, doing that research will naturally reveal questions for your to ask the employer during the interview. (However, it’s best not to lead with questions about pay or benefits). Remember, a job interview is a two-way conversation. This is your chance to find out if the company and the position are right for you. 

Practice answers to potential HVAC interview questions

You’re smart to want to be prepared for your interview by trying to guess at the questions you might be asked. In this case, it’s not easy to predict because you’re getting into a new field. For a higher-level HVAC position, you would be asked a lot of technical questions. But you’re obviously not ready for that yet.

Instead, the employer is more likely to ask you questions about your motivation for wanting to get into the field, as well as questions that reveal your relevant personal qualities and skills. What they really want to know is, are you a good fit for this type of work, and can I count on you to work hard and be reliable? Also, they need to know you are ready and willing to learn (and keep learning for the long term). The employer is going to invest their time and money in training you, so they want to make sure you’re up to the task. And, they want to be sure you’ll fit in with their company culture.

Common HVAC interview questions

The following are a few examples of the type of questions you’re likely to hear:

• Why do you want to become an HVAC service tech?
• Why do you want to join our company?
• What skills have you learned in your previous jobs that have prepared you well for a career in HVAC service?
• Tell me about a time when you solved a difficult problem.
• Tell me about your mechanical aptitude and experience with tools.
• Tell me about something new you learned recently at your previous job (or in school).

Career path questions

You might be asked about your future goals and career development, with questions like these:

• What kind of goals would you have in mind if you got this job?
• If I were to ask your last supervisor to provide you additional training or exposure, what would she suggest?

Problem solving questions

You might be tested on your reasoning and problem solving abilities with questions like these:

• How many times do a clock’s hands overlap in a day?
• How might you weigh an airplane without scales?
• Tell me 10 ways to use a pencil other than writing.

More questions about you

You might even get some questions that help them learn more about who you are as a person, such as:

• What 3 adjectives would your friends/family use to describe you?
• What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?
• Who are your heroes?
• What’s the most difficult decision you’ve made in the last two years and how did you come to that decision?
• What irritates you about other people, and how do you deal with it?

Of course, it’s always good to be prepared to answer “tell me about yourself” with a concise and relevant description about what you’ve done and why you’re a good fit for the position. And, be ready to talk about your strengths (be honest!) and any weaknesses that you’re working on.

Dress and grooming

For an HVAC interview, should you wear a suit or work clothes or something in between? 

There’s no right or wrong answer to this question. The important thing is to be neat, clean, and well groomed. 

The truth is, you can’t really over-dress for an interview. So a suit is great, even if the person interviewing you is wearing work clothes. However, if you feel so uncomfortable in a suit that you’ll be awkward in the interview, then it’s fine to wear a nice dress shirt and pants, or clean and pressed work clothes.

Here’s another tip: try on your outfit in advance (including shoes). The last thing you want is to put on your suit before the interview and discover it doesn’t fit or there’s a big stain on your jacket.

How are you getting there?

If you’re driving, map out the route ahead of time. GPS is great but not foolproof, so it’s smart to know where you’re going to avoid delays that can make you late. And don’t forget to check out the parking situation.

If you’re taking mass transit, plan your route and figure out how early you need to leave to be sure of getting there on time.

What to bring to your HVAC interview

Bring a neat folder with some extra copies of your resume. You should also have a list of personal and professional references for the employer to contact. You may also want to bring a list of the questions you plan to ask the interviewer, to make sure you don’t forget in the moment.

It’s also a good idea to have your driver’s license (which may be required for the position) and social security card. Also, if you happen to have any industry certifications (which are not required but might be a plus), definitely bring copies along for the interviewer.

More interviewing tips

Here’s some general advice that can help you make a good impression at your HVAC interview.

Be on time!  I mentioned this already, but it bears repeating. You send a very poor message if you’re late.

Turn off your phone.  This is about showing professional courtesy and your level of interest in the job. You must give the interviewer your undivided attention.

Be aware of body language.  When you greet the interviewer, smile and use a firm handshake. Remember to make eye contact, which helps to establish a personal connection. Sit straight, don’t fidget and avoid crossing your arms and legs, which can make you look defensive.

Follow up with a thank you note. After your interview, send a note (by email or post) to thank the interviewer for his or her time, make it clear that you are very interested in the position, and remind them why you are a great fit.

Best of luck!

HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.