Common interview questions for agriculture jobs in Australia (with answers!)

Common interview questions for agriculture jobs in Australia (with answers!)

 

If you want to ace your upcoming interview for an agriculture job, preparation is key.

A simple and effective way to prepare is to familiarise yourself with common interview questions asked by hiring managers, and planning the best ways to respond.

Once you have thought through these common interview questions – and practised them in the mirror or in front of a friend – you’ll find it easier to structure your answers and impress your interviewer.

Here are three sample questions that you might be asked in your interview, with tips to help structure your answer and example answers:

 

1. “Why do you want to work in this role?”

This question is designed to gauge your interest in the job and your enthusiasm for working in the field. Farm work can often be challenging– both physically and mentally – so hiring managers want to know that you have a genuine passion for the role.

Tips for structuring your answer:

• Speak honestly about what inspires you to work in agriculture.
• Talk about the unique qualities of the company or farm you are applying for, and how they align with your skills and talents.
• Mention any farming-related career goals that you have.

Example answer:

“I have always had a keen interest in agriculture. Growing up I’d often help out on my friends’ farms whenever I had the chance, and over the years I’ve loved working in the livestock industry. I enjoy working with my body, taking care of livestock and spending most of my days out in the sun. Given that you run a large commercial farm that specialises in sheep breeding, I thought it was the perfect chance to use my experience in livestock farming to help improve your operations. Through this role I hope to take on more responsibility in livestock management and get a better understanding of the trade overall.”

 

2. “Can you tell us about a challenging experience you’ve had at work and how you responded?”

This question is probing for clues about how you handle adversity and pressure, and gives your interviewer insight into how you might respond when difficult situations arise on their farm.

Tips for structuring your answer:

• Do not jump straight into an example! Instead, tell the interviewer how, in general, you calmy and effectively respond to challenging situations.
• Next, bring up an example of a challenge you encountered in farm work and how you responded
• Talk about what the experience taught you and how you used this lesson in your career

Example answer:

“I take pride in my ability to handle stressful and challenging situations. When other workers are stressed out or panicked, I stay calm and can help them to come back down to reality and take things one step at a time. For instance, I was working on a cattle farm during flood season. It was a difficult spot to be in – some of our livestock were getting swept away and our safety was in danger. I stayed calm in this situation and helped our owner rescue the cattle where it was safe to do so. This experience helped me to think about what to do in emergency situations in the future, and now I have a better understanding of how to manage livestock if things go wrong.”

 

3. “What type of farm work do you have experience with?”

This is a chance for you to highlight your specific skills and techniques. Given the range of different agricultural industries, you should target your answer towards the position you are applying for.

Tips for structuring your answer:

• Demonstrate that you have done your research and know what the work will involve.
• Don’t get bogged down in small details. Stay focused on the most relevant information.
• Show your interviewer that you are adaptable and open to learning new skills.

Example answer:

“I have experience in a wide range of agricultural practices. Growing up on a wheat farm, I helped my family out with harvesting and maintaining and operating heavy machinery. Through working on small commercial farms, I learned about all aspects of crop management – planting, fertilising, cultivating, spraying, irrigation, and harvesting. Your large-scale commercial farm will be a great chance for me to put these skills to use, and I’m excited to learn from the other experienced workers on your farm.”

 

Questions you might encounter for your next agriculture job

Now it’s your turn. Keeping in mind our advice for structuring your answer, try and come up with answers to these common farm work questions.

 

Questions about your character

1. What are your short-term and long-term career goals?
2. What are some of your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
3. How do you stay motivated while working?
4. What is the hardest part of working on a farm?
5. How well do you work under pressure?

Questions about your experience

1. Can you briefly tell us about your experience working in agriculture?
2. What types of farms have you worked on and what tasks did you perform?
3. What were your responsibilities in your last role?
4. Do you have experience controlling weeds and pests in your previous roles?
5. What measures do you take to practise safety at work?

Questions about farm work and agribusiness generally

1. What are some strategies to stop the build-up of pests?
2. Which environmentally sustainable farming techniques do you think are useful?
3. How can safety be improved when working with livestock and farm machinery?
4. What are the most important qualities for a farm worker to have?
5. How can ethical animal practices be incorporated into farming?

 

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