Interview preparation for trade & service job seekers

Read the job ad carefully

• Highlight must‑have tickets (e.g., White Card, EWP, Working at Heights, Confined Spaces, HR/HC/MC licence, Gasfitting, Restricted Electrical, HVAC ARCtick).
• Note core tasks (service/maintenance vs projects/fit‑outs), locations, hours, overtime/call‑outs.

Research the company (15 mins)

• Recent projects, typical clients, safety culture, tools/software used (e.g., SimPRO, AroFlo, Fergus), values.

Assemble your Proof Pack (digital + printed)

• Portfolio: 6–10 job photos with 1–2 lines each (scope, your role, result).
• Tickets & licences: copies + expiry dates.
• Referees: 2–3 supervisors/clients with roles, phone, email.
• Resume: 1 page, skills first; list gear you can competently use.
• Quality & safety evidence: JSA/SWMS example (sanitised), QA checklist, commissioning sheet, NCR you resolved.

Practice stories (STAR method)

Prepare 5 short examples

1. Safety: hazard you identified & controlled.
2. Quality: how you prevented a call‑back.
3. Deadline: meeting a tight timeframe.
4. Customer: de‑escalating a tricky situation.
5. Teamwork/leadership: supporting a junior or coordinating trades.

Logistics & presentation

• Plan travel/parking; aim to arrive 10 mins early.
• Wear clean workwear/boots or smart casual; bring PPE if a trade test is possible.
• Print spare copies of resume, tickets, and portfolio summary.

First 60 seconds

• Firm handshake, smile, eye contact. Phone on silent. Offer your Proof Pack.

Answering questions (use STAR: Situation, Task, Action, Result)

• Keep answers 2–3 minutes. Name the result (time saved, defects reduced, happy client, zero harm).
• If you don’t know, explain how you’d find out safely.

Common trade interview questions

• “Walk us through a recent job you’re proud of.”
• “How do you manage safety on a live site?”
• “What do you do if a job will run over?”
• “Tell us about a time you fixed someone else’s mistake.”
• “Which tools/meters/software are you most confident with?”
• “How do you prioritise multiple jobs in a day?”

Good questions to ask them (shows you’re switched on)

• “What does success look like in the first 90 days?”
• “Team structure and who I report to?”
• “Roster: start times, RDOs, overtime, on‑call allowances?”
• “Training pathways: tickets you can fund/support?”
• “Tools/vehicle/fuel card/phone — what’s supplied vs BYO?”
• “Quality & safety: how are jobs QA’d and recorded?”

Talking pay & conditions

• Share a range based on role/experience and market norms. Focus on value: safety, first‑time‑right quality, client feedback, productivity.
• Be ready to discuss allowances (site, travel, tool, on‑call) and overtime rates.

Send a short thank‑you (email/SMS)

• Thanks for today. I enjoyed learning about the [team/project]. I can add value quickly with [specific skill]. Happy to supply any further refs or do a paid trial if helpful.

Reflect & record

• What went well? Any gaps to close (ticket, tool, code knowledge)?
• Update your BluFutur profile/portfolio with any new examples they liked.

Follow‑up

• If no response by the date given, check in once: “Any update I can assist with?

Apprentices & juniors

• Emphasise reliability, attitude, and what you’ve learned (TAFE modules, site exposure, tool care, safety wins).

Career‑changers

• Map previous experience to the trade: customer service, scheduling, hand tools, fault‑finding, compliance mindset.

Drivers (HR/HC/MC)

• Safe load restraint examples, fatigue management, defect checks, incident‑free km.

HVAC/Electrical/Plumbing

• Commissioning sheets, readings, compliance certificates, Code/AS references you work to.

Bring

• Photo ID
• Resume (1 page)
• Tickets/licences (copies)
• Portfolio (photos + 1‑liners)
• Referee list (2–3)
• Basic PPE (boots, glasses, gloves)

Prep

• Research the company (projects, clients)
• 5 STAR stories practised
• Travel/parking planned

During

• Arrive 10 mins early
• Offer Proof Pack
• Ask 2–3 smart questions

After

• Thank‑you note sent
• Notes recorded
• Follow‑up date set

30‑60‑90 day outline

• 30 days: learn sites, systems, safety procedures; shadow, deliver simple jobs on time.
• 60 days: own a run/scope; zero rework; positive client feedback.
• 90 days: train a junior; improve a process; hit productivity/safety targets.

Referee sheet

• Name — Role — Company — Relationship — Phone — Email — Project(s) together.

STAR story frame

• S: context | T: your responsibility | A: what you did | R: measurable outcome.

Bring proof, speak in results, and show you’re safe, reliable, and easy to deploy. That’s what gets you hired.