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
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
Thank you so much for this reminder.
ReplyDeleteAbdeslam Koubaa
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.
ReplyDeleteThat'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!
Interesting, some details are there but not comprehensive enough to base on.
ReplyDeleteCould be misleading for some
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.
ReplyDeleteISO 9004-2009 has a different title:
ReplyDeleteManaging for the sustained success of an organization — A quality management approach
YOU SHOULD SAY
ReplyDeleteOHSAS 18001
AND NOT
ISO 18001
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!
ReplyDeletegood information on iso standards and clause.. thank you
ReplyDeleteWe are supposed to be ISO experts hence clauses should be remembered. At least the total count and the total count of controls...
ReplyDeleteI felt it is relevant as ISO experts we should be able to answer about the clauses
ReplyDelete