Online Soft Skill Test for Instrumentation Professionals

Best Ways Companies Test — and How to Improve — Soft Skills for Instrumentation Professionals

Key non-technical capabilities hiring managers look for: problem-solving, teamwork & leadership, attention to detail, adaptability to new tech, effective communication, and project management/documentation.

Technical expertise gets your CV noticed, but soft skills win interviews and promotions. Below you’ll find how employers typically test each skill and practical exercises you can use to improve them — tailored specifically for instrumentation & control engineers working in oil & gas, petrochemical, and industrial automation environments.

Problem-Solving

How companies test it

• Behavioral questions: “Describe a time you debugged a transmitter failure under time pressure.”
• Practical exercise: troubleshooting fault tree or loop check scenario.
• Case study: analyze given symptoms and propose prioritised actions.

How to improve

1. Practice root-cause analysis (5 Whys, fishbone diagrams) on real incidents.
2. Simulate field faults in a lab or with software (e.g., simulate 4–20 mA failures).
3. Keep a troubleshooting log: problem → hypothesis → tests → fix → lesson.

Teamwork & Leadership

How companies test it

• Behavioral: “Tell us about a time you led a shift handover or supervised commissioning.”
• Group exercise / panel interviews to observe collaboration and conflict handling.
• Reference checks asking about team fit and reliability.

How to improve

1. Volunteer for small lead responsibilities (e.g., instrument loop checks, site coordination).
2. Run mock handover meetings: create concise handover notes and present to peers.
3. Study basic leadership models (situational leadership, delegation techniques).

Attention to Detail

How companies test it

• Practical tests: wiring diagrams, loop diagrams with intentional errors to spot.
• Ask for documented work samples: calibration sheets, test reports, inspection checklists.

How to improve

1. Use checklists for routine tasks (calibration, pre-commissioning, safety checks).
2. Practice double-check habits: cross-verify labels, tags, and wiring before energizing.
3. Peer review: exchange reports with colleagues and spot mistakes together.

Adaptability to New Tech

How companies test it

• Questions about learning new systems: “Which modern tools have you recently learned?”
• Technical test involving unfamiliar software/hardware to observe learning speed.

How to improve

1. Hands-on micro-projects: integrate a new sensor, connect to MQTT broker, or script a calibration routine.
2. Subscribe to short courses (PLC, SCADA plugins, MQTT, Python for engineers).
3. Document your learning steps — quick “how I made it work” notes show capability.

Effective Communication

How companies test it

• Behavioral: how you explain complex instrument faults to non-technical staff.
• Written test: prepare a short calibration report or handover note.

How to improve

1. Practice writing concise reports: objective, findings, actions, and follow-ups.
2. Teach juniors or record short explainer videos — teaching reinforces clarity.
3. Use templates for common communications (shift handovers, permit requests, NCRs).

Project Management & Documentation

How companies test it

• Ask about planning: work breakdown, scheduling, contractor coordination, and document control.
• Request examples: FAT/PAT checklists, instrument index, punch lists.

How to improve

1. Use basic project tools: MS Project, Excel Gantt, Trello for small projects.
2. Prepare and maintain standardized templates (I&C datasheets, loop diagrams, test forms).
3. Practice closing loops: from RFI to resolution and evidence archiving.

Interview Prompts & Mini Self-Test

Use these prompts in mock interviews or as quick self-tests.

1. Problem Solving: Describe one complex instrument failure you debugged — walk through your diagnosis steps and why you chose that solution.
2. Teamwork: Give an example of a time you mediated a disagreement on a commissioning approach and how you reached consensus.
3. Attention to Detail: Review a short sample loop diagram and list three potential errors (use a real drawing if available).
4. Adaptability: Explain how you learned and implemented a new PLC function or vendor tool in the last 12 months.
5. Communication: Write a concise handover note (3–4 bullets) for an instrument left in alarm state for next shift.
6. Project Documentation: Show a one-page FAT/PAT checklist you would use for a pressure transmitter.

Printable Checklist: Soft Skills for Instrumentation Professionals

• Problem-Solving: keeps troubleshooting log; practices RCA weekly.
• Teamwork & Leadership: volunteers for handovers; leads a small task.
• Attention to Detail: uses checklists for calibration and loop checks.
• Adaptability: completes one micro-project every quarter (new tech).
• Communication: writes concise reports and practices shift handovers.
• Project Management: uses templates for FAT/PAT and maintains document control.

Resources & Next Steps

Start small: pick one skill this week and apply a 15-minute daily exercise. Track improvements in a simple log. Recommended resources:

• Books: “The Phoenix Project” (for teamwork & DevOps mindset), and short guides on Root Cause Analysis.
• Courses: short PLC/SCADA, soft-skills courses on Coursera/Udemy (filter to engineering audiences).
• Templates: create a standard FAT/PAT checklist and a 3-bullet handover template — keep them in Google Drive and update regularly.

Written by Syed Irfan Ali • Instrumentation Engineer. Adapt, practice, and document — the path to becoming a dependable instrument professional.

Best Testing and Improving Soft Skills Companies Look for in Instrumentation Professionals

🧠 Problem-Solving

Employers value engineers who can analyze problems quickly, apply logical reasoning, and suggest effective solutions during real-time challenges in plants or projects.

🤝 Teamwork & Leadership

Being a strong team player and showing leadership when required helps professionals collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams in EPC and O&M projects.

🔎 Attention to Detail

Instrumentation jobs often demand precision in documentation, drawings, and calibration. Attention to detail ensures safety and efficiency.

⚙ Adaptability to New Tech

Employers expect professionals to adopt new tools like smart sensors, IIoT, and advanced PLC/DCS technologies quickly and effectively.

💬 Effective Communication

Clear technical communication with managers, operators, and clients is critical for successful project execution and troubleshooting.

📑 Project Management & Documentation

Handling schedules, deliverables, and documentation with structured project management skills boosts reliability and professionalism.

Soft Skills Test for Instrumentation Professionals

1. You discover a transmitter is giving fluctuating readings during commissioning. What do you do first?

Analyze systematically and check loop integrity step by step Replace the transmitter immediately without analysis Ignore the issue until production starts

2. During a shutdown, your team is divided on the best method of completing a task. What’s your approach?

Facilitate discussion, encourage inputs, and align on a safe, practical solution Push your own method without listening Avoid involvement and let others decide

3. A new DCS upgrade is being introduced, and you have never used it before. How do you adapt?

Take training, explore manuals, and practice on simulations Avoid it and stick to old systems Depend on others to handle the upgrade

4. A client asks for a drawing revision urgently while you are handling another priority. What do you do?

Communicate clearly, prioritize tasks, and set realistic deadlines Say yes to everything and risk missing both tasks Refuse without explanation

5. During project documentation, you notice a mismatch between datasheet and P&ID. What’s your step?

Escalate discrepancy, clarify with design team, and correct before approval Approve without checking Ignore as it’s not your responsibility

6. A junior engineer makes a mistake in loop checking. What’s the best response?

Guide them patiently, explain the right approach, and encourage learning Criticize harshly in front of others Fix it silently without feedback

7. In a cross-discipline meeting, you need to explain a complex instrumentation issue to mechanical engineers. How do you proceed?

Use simple terms, diagrams, and analogies to make it clear Use technical jargon only Avoid explanation and let them guess