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Sunday, December 11, 2011

Interview questions related to ISO .


How many times have you faced interview when interviewer end up asking only questions related to ISO standard. And very often we feel embarrassed because of unable to answer some simple questions.


Here I have tried to compile some common questions that are most likely to be asked by the interviewer:


 1. What is ISO, EMS & OHSAS or difference between them?

You may Google the terms and there is plenty of information available.


Learn the basic purpose of each Standard. If you can arrange all the three standards then it is much better.

     2. What is the difference between ISO 9000, ISO 9001 & ISO 9004?
   
 
     ISO 9000 is a family of standards that describe a Quality Management System. ISO 9001 is the document that contains the requirements. Companies register to ISO 9001. The other documents are very important and helpful in developing and improving quality management systems. The family of documents include:
    
     ISO 9000: Quality Management Systems-Vocabulary
     ISO 9001: Quality Management Systems-Requirements
     ISO 9004: Quality Management Systems-Guidelines for Improvements


     3. How many clauses are there in ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & ISO 18001?

ISO 9001:2008              8 Clauses
ISO 14001:2004            4 Clauses
OHSAS 18001: 2007       4 Clauses

Here is a Map I have created for the same. I hope It will help you.
         
     4. What is XYZ Clause of ABC Standard?

You must try to memorize the important clauses of each standard. Remembering all the sub clauses may be difficult for you if you are a novice or new to the quality field but at least Main Clauses must be known to you.

     5. Explain CAPA?

CAPA refers to Corrective Action – Preventive Action.

These are 8.5.2 & 8.5.3 Clause of ISO 9001:2008 Standard. A very good explanation is given here Understanding Correction, Corrective Action and Preventive Action


      6. What are the changes done in ISO 9001:2008 from its previous version ISO 9001:2000?
      
     This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition (ISO 9001:2000), which has been amended to clarify points in the text and to enhance compatibility with ISO 14001:2004.  
     Details of the changes between the third edition and this fourth edition are given in Annex B of ISO 9000:2008.

     7.  Explain Internal Audit?
      
     Audit: ‘Systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled’.

     Internal audit, (or 1st party audit), is the term used when the auditor works for
the organization being audited.

Internal QMS audits may be used to fulfil any of the following objectives:

Audit objectives -
1st
Party
verify conformance to planned arrangements
determine the effectiveness of a quality management system
identify opportunities for improvement
determine conformity with ISO 9001 requirements


Internal auditing promotes improvement by:

a. determining the effectiveness of the QMS in meeting policy and objectives
b. determining the effectiveness of the QMS in fulfilling and enhancing customer requirements
c. involving the interviewee through seeking their input as regards improvement opportunities.


     8. What are the 6 mandatory procedures required by ISO 9001:2008?

4.2.3 Procedure for control of Documents
4.2.4 Procedure for control of Records
8.2.2 Procedure for control of Internal Audit
8.3    Procedure for control of Non-Conformance.
8.5.2 Procedure for (K) corrective Action
8.5.3 Procedure for Preventive Action

There is an easy way of remembering the same as mentioned Tips to Remember 6 Mandatory Procedures


10 comments :

  1. Thank you so much for this reminder.

    Abdeslam Koubaa

    ReplyDelete
  2. Frankly, does it matter if the candidate knows how many clauses are in the various ISO standards? If you work to the standard, that information should be available. Memorising is simply asking for trouble as sometimes we can forget.

    That's why ISO demands documentation at all points, so that you can refer to it at any time you need it. As memory doesn't come into the equation, you can't forget what to do.

    Similarly, why do we need to know the historic differences between the ISO 900X standards, other than when changing from one to another? Even then, we should be looking at the standard.

    It is much more important to understand the basics - and how to apply them properly - than simply to remember clauses.

    The whole point of writing a Quality Manual for a plant or process is to take away the need to remember everything!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Interesting, some details are there but not comprehensive enough to base on.
    Could be misleading for some

    ReplyDelete
  4. These questions may seems to be irrelevant to someone having 10-15 years of experience. But mentioning this questions was meant to be for the people relatively new to Quality field.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ISO 9004-2009 has a different title:
    Managing for the sustained success of an organization — A quality management approach

    ReplyDelete
  6. YOU SHOULD SAY

    OHSAS 18001

    AND NOT

    ISO 18001

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'd be worried about having to know this stuff at an interview! If anyone was giving me this kind of question, I wouldn't want to work for them!

    ReplyDelete
  8. good information on iso standards and clause.. thank you

    ReplyDelete
  9. We are supposed to be ISO experts hence clauses should be remembered. At least the total count and the total count of controls...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I felt it is relevant as ISO experts we should be able to answer about the clauses

    ReplyDelete

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