So I have an interview on Friday for an engineering job and I could use some pointers. I know the whole firm handshake, dress nice, etc. But any pointers would be helpful.
So I have an interview on Friday for an engineering job and I could use some pointers. I know the whole firm handshake, dress nice, etc. But any pointers would be helpful.
I kind of have the "gift of gab," hence getting a PR degree, and I am able to go "off-the-cuff" for most things.
Don't stress yourself out about it. Do some research on the company, come up with a story or two that demonstrates how you handle/solved problems, lead a group, etc. And why you WILL BE a valuable addition to the company.
Turn off your phone before you go in for the interview.
Dont do this... 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT-j_LSWM_A
stuart in mn wrote: Turn off your phone before you go in for the interview.
Werd.
Do not complain about anything, do not ask about time off
Tell them why you want to work for them and what you bring to the team, not how much your current/last job sucks.
I have interviewed a lot of salespeople and I sometimes think I should write a book about "Getting a JOB Basics".
Explain your skills and career passions. Be firm about what your career goals are and what your plans are and what you "really" want to do. I have too many people that have no problem traveling until 3 months later when they all of a sudden realize they never wanted to travel. But you said in the interview you had no problem with........(fill in blank)
Consider yourself a cost center and explain what you can do for this employer. Everyone must be profitable and bring a boatload of experience, energy, and ideas to this job.
I agree about past crappy jobs. One guy told me his current boss was a total jerk and he hated his guts and was looking for a new job. My thought was he would feel the same about me in two months. Next.
Don't expect the entire package to be outstanding. Employers like to start you at a salary and allow room for you to grow. We never hire the top paid sales guys because we have no room to grow their salary. Most employers like people willing to jump in and work up the ladder.
Attitude determines altitude.
Engineers love pictures. If you've worked on some neat stuff that you can show and is relevant (senior project, fsae, ect) then bring in a pic. If you work it into the conversation, great, if not, oh well.
Interviewing for my first job out of school, I brought in some pics of the models of parts, analyses, and pics of the final parts u designed and build for fsae and my locost. It turns out my future boss used to race professionally, and this was just something that helped me stand out. Other than that, be ready for the situational questions about working in teams, failure, ethics, and such.
I am a pretty good people person at least for an engineer. I was thinking about taking some design reports I have done with me. Do you think this is a good idea or not? And also should I tell them that I probably wouldn't be there longer then 2-3 years.
93EXCivic wrote: I tell them that I probably wouldn't be there longer then 2-3 years.
"Next"
Unless they are specifically looking for something short term. Do not bring that up. Hiring anyone is a large investment for a company.
If I know ahead of time that in 2 years I'm going to have to go through the justification/advertising/interviewing/hiring/training again, you are losing my interest for the rest of the interview.
93EXCivic wrote: And also should I tell them that I probably wouldn't be there longer then 2-3 years.
No.
Why would they hire you, if they know you're looking to leave before you start?
Would you hire you with that bit of information?
93EXCivic wrote: I am a pretty good people person at least for an engineer. I was thinking about taking some design reports I have done with me. Do you think this is a good idea or not? And also should I tell them that I probably wouldn't be there longer then 2-3 years.
Wouldn't bring it up. Lots can change in a year or two.
Think about some questions they might ask you, and then come up with little stories you can relate to show that you have what they are looking for. If they open with a "so tell me about yourself" type question that is great. Don't mistake what they are asking. They do not care about your hobbies or what you enjoy on the weekends, or where you were born. They want to know how you can help the company. This is the best question to get, because if you are ready for it it is essentially a free pass to talk about whatever you want to talk about. Try not to get too stressed out over the whole thing and remember it is essentially a sales call and you are the product.
pilotbraden wrote: do not ask about time off
Disagree. Every single job I have had since 18 I politely explained to the company I was being interviewed by that I had specific dates throughout the year due to my racing (usually at this point, ears perk up). And that I was more than willing to make up said missed time if it did not/could not come out of vacation, time off, whatever. But, I had the list with me, and said, "If you want me to work for you, I MUST have these days off". Wasn't open for discussion. Time off is a lot easier (IMO) than a higher salary, so if it can be negotiated it usually works out well for a happy new employee and an employer who got a good deal.
I have been hired at every interview I've been at. It also might help that I can speak english fluently, know how to dress myself, and have a firm respect for the people that hire me. Of course, I also make them aware that I am not afraid to speak my mind and can be stubborn at times (but do listen to the issues I am being stubborn with). They always seem to love it!
Should I bring my design reports or just pictures? I have a 90 page report on the braking system and 50 page report on the suspension geometry of our formula car and also a 55 page report on the design of the UAH NASA great moonbuggy race vehicles suspension system.
In reply to HiTempguy:
Negotiations during the offer phase are very different from negotiating during an interview. I think trying to negotiate anything before they offer you the job borders on hubris.
93EXCivic wrote: Should I bring my design reports or just pictures? I have a 90 page report on the braking system and 50 page report on the suspension geometry of our formula car and also a 55 page report on the design of the UAH NASA great moonbuggy race vehicles suspension system.
Bring em - good, hard evidence of what you are capable of. Just don't drag the interviewer through them page by page. You may want to sticky a page or two if there is something that particularly shows off your capabilities - really handy on the tell me about yourself question - pull out the stickied page.."here's something I'm particularly proud of...."
Brett_Murphy wrote: In reply to HiTempguy: Negotiations during the offer phase are very different from negotiating during an interview. I think trying to negotiate anything before they offer you the job borders on hubris.
Fair enough! For myself personally, it seems that the employer to be has always brought it up, so I have answered truthfully. If it is a case of where you are not offered the job at the interview, I absolutely agree. But all I am saying is if I have to beat around the bush to get hired (or worse, lie) probably not where I want to be anyways.
Pee before you go in. The only interview I ever did poorly on was when I had to pee very badly. You don't wanna show the interviewer your version of the pee pee dance.
Ok. So I will take the reports with me but just as reference. I figured I could also do a page or two of pictures to show them. What kind of questions should I ask them? I figure ask about starting salary, if it is a hands on job or desk job, what exactly I will be doing. I am planning on doing some research tomorrow on the company.
if you are unable to find out through your research about recent business contracts the company has won, and if they haven't bragged about it in the general conversation about the company, then you must ask them (1) so what new business do you have coming down the pike and (2) how does this position support that growth?
don't take the reports with you. just be sure you could draw a free body diagram and do some quick equations for summing forces and moments. yes i interview people and yes i make them draw FBDs for me.
there's a technique called "mirroring" in which you adopt the seating position of the person to whom you are speaking. not immediately and not in a panic, but with a bit of subtlety. if he leans forward when asking a question, you should lean forward when you answer. there's another technique called "pacing" in which you adopt some of the interviewers speech patterns, speed, hand gestures, etc.
absolutely do not ask about money if this is your first in-person interview for this position. you're getting a feel for the position, and they're getting a feel for you as another gear in their transmission. If they ask you about your salary expectations in the first interview, tell them you'd rather concentrate on the scope of the responsibilities and how you will fit into their business goals, and you can always talk about money some other time.
HiTempguy wrote: I have been hired at every interview I've been at. It also might help that I can speak english fluently,
yeah, other than ending that first sentence with a preposition.
AngryCorvair wrote:HiTempguy wrote: I have been hired at every interview I've been at. It also might help that I can speak english fluently,yeah, other than ending that first sentence with a preposition.
Internetz my friend, internetz.
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