Preventive Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance is a planned approach to keeping buildings, equipment, and systems in good working condition. Instead of waiting for things to break down, maintenance teams regularly check and fix potential issues before they become problems. Think of it like regular health check-ups for buildings and machinery. This approach helps avoid unexpected breakdowns, saves money in the long run, and makes equipment last longer. It's different from reactive maintenance, where you only fix things after they break. Companies value workers with preventive maintenance experience because it shows they can help avoid costly emergencies and keep operations running smoothly.
Examples in Resumes
Developed and implemented Preventive Maintenance schedules for a 50,000 sq ft facility
Reduced equipment downtime by 40% through systematic Preventive Maintenance programs
Managed a team of 10 technicians performing Preventive Maintenance and PM tasks
Created digital Planned Maintenance tracking systems for building operations
Typical job title: "Maintenance Technicians"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Maintenance Technicians
Professional Organizations
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you develop and implement a preventive maintenance program for a large facility?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain how they would assess equipment needs, create maintenance schedules, allocate resources, train staff, and use maintenance management software. They should also discuss how they measure success and adjust programs based on results.
Q: Tell me about a time you reduced maintenance costs while improving equipment reliability.
Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in analyzing maintenance data, making strategic decisions, and implementing changes that led to measurable improvements in both cost savings and equipment performance.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when scheduling preventive maintenance tasks?
Expected Answer: Candidate should mention equipment manufacturer recommendations, usage patterns, facility operations schedule, available staff, and past maintenance history as key factors in planning maintenance timing.
Q: How do you track and document maintenance activities?
Expected Answer: Should discuss experience with maintenance management software, work order systems, maintenance logs, and how they use this documentation to make maintenance program improvements.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What basic tools and equipment do you use for preventive maintenance tasks?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list common maintenance tools and basic diagnostic equipment, explaining their proper use in routine maintenance tasks.
Q: What safety procedures do you follow when performing maintenance work?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of basic safety protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE), and proper lockout/tagout procedures.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic equipment maintenance procedures
- Following maintenance checklists
- Using hand tools and basic testing equipment
- Recording maintenance activities
Mid (2-5 years)
- Planning maintenance schedules
- Using maintenance management software
- Troubleshooting complex equipment issues
- Training junior staff
Senior (5+ years)
- Developing maintenance programs
- Budget management
- Team supervision
- Program effectiveness analysis
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with maintenance documentation or record-keeping
- Lack of safety awareness or certification
- Poor understanding of preventive vs. reactive maintenance
- No experience with maintenance scheduling or planning
