Depending on the nature of the hardware that the applicant will be expected to handle, common hardware interview questions can cover a wide range of subjects and topics. Tools and construction equipment are examples of hardware that can be quite specialized, and an applicant for a job that deals with such hardware should expect to be quizzed on various tools and their applications. Common computer hardware interview questions, on the other hand, will usually focus on specific pieces of equipment and may also include any software that is commonly used with the hardware.
Hardware interview questions are typically asked of a job candidate who wishes to work in an environment that requires them to be knowledgeable about hardware. This can refer to a variety of things, and the type of hardware a person will be working with will usually determine what kinds of hardware interview questions they will be asked. Hardware can refer to a wide range of construction tools and implements, including everything from hammers and screwdrivers to safety equipment and reciprocating saws. Electronic and computer equipment and devices, which are used in a variety of workplaces, are examples of other types of hardware.
Someone who will be working with hardware and tools, such as in a retail or construction environment, should expect to be asked about various tools during their hardware interview. Identifying different tools and what they might be used for, as well as demonstrating knowledge of how to properly care for them, are common examples. The nature of such questions will often vary, but someone selling hardware and tools should anticipate questions that describe a project and then ask for a recommendation on which tool to use. Someone who is going to work in construction may be asked what tools he or she has used before, as well as which tool to use in a specific situation.
Computer hardware and technology interview questions will frequently touch on various aspects of the hardware in question. These questions will usually vary depending on the type of hardware being used; for example, someone interviewing for a job building computers should expect questions about motherboards and hard drives, whereas someone interviewing for a job as an X-ray technician should expect questions about operating an X-ray machine. Because computer hardware frequently relies on software and firmware to function properly, questions about appropriate software should be expected.