Preventive Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance is a planned approach to keeping equipment and systems in good working order by regularly checking and fixing things before they break down. It's like getting regular oil changes for your car, but for industrial and commercial equipment. This practice helps avoid unexpected breakdowns, saves money on major repairs, and keeps operations running smoothly. Some people also call it "preventative maintenance" or "scheduled maintenance." This type of work is essential in factories, buildings, and facilities where equipment needs to run reliably.
Examples in Resumes
Developed and implemented Preventive Maintenance schedules for electrical systems in a manufacturing plant
Reduced equipment downtime by 30% through structured Preventative Maintenance programs
Led a team of 5 technicians in performing Preventive Maintenance inspections and repairs
Typical job title: "Maintenance Technicians"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Maintenance Technicians
Professional Organizations
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop and implement a preventive maintenance program for a large facility?
Expected Answer: Should discuss creating maintenance schedules, tracking system implementation, resource allocation, training staff, and using maintenance software to manage the program. Should mention experience with budgeting and team leadership.
Q: How do you prioritize maintenance tasks when managing multiple systems?
Expected Answer: Should explain how to assess equipment criticality, balance routine maintenance with emergency repairs, and coordinate with production schedules. Should mention experience with decision-making and problem-solving.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What documentation do you maintain for preventive maintenance work?
Expected Answer: Should discuss maintenance logs, inspection reports, repair records, and equipment history tracking. Should mention experience with maintenance software or tracking systems.
Q: How do you determine when equipment needs replacement versus repair?
Expected Answer: Should explain cost analysis, equipment age consideration, repair history evaluation, and understanding of equipment lifecycle. Should mention experience with making maintenance decisions.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic tools and equipment do you use for preventive maintenance?
Expected Answer: Should list common maintenance tools, testing equipment, and safety gear. Should demonstrate basic knowledge of maintenance procedures and safety protocols.
Q: What steps do you take when performing a routine maintenance check?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic inspection procedures, following checklists, identifying common issues, and proper documentation of work performed.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic equipment inspection
- Following maintenance checklists
- Simple repairs and parts replacement
- Safety procedures
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex equipment troubleshooting
- Maintenance scheduling
- Equipment history tracking
- Team coordination
Senior (5+ years)
- Program development and management
- Budget planning
- Team supervision
- Project management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No understanding of basic safety procedures
- Inability to read maintenance manuals or technical documents
- No experience with maintenance documentation
- Poor communication skills for reporting issues
