Interview help

A few more pieces of advice:

1) Research the company. Know who they are, their audience, and their position in the market. If it's not obvious and they don't give you an overview, then ask.

2) Ask about your interviewer's experience with the company. How long have they been there? Where did they start and where do they think they're going with this company?

3) Ask why the job is open. If it's a new position because they're expanding, or the last person was promoted within the company, or they feel that one person was simply overburdened, that's great news. If it's because someone left the company, listen to what they do and don't say. If they say, "Bob was great, you'll have big shoes to fill, but he's moved on to bigger and better things," great.

If they say something like, "We had to lay off folks due to the recession, but now we're recovering," that could be exactly what it is, or it could be that the company is cheap and used the recession as a way to lighten some of their more experienced/expensive engineers; now they're trying to bring in some poor unsuspecting college student for a fraction of the cost. There are pluses and minuses to that if you're the college student - for example, you won't feel bad leaving it in 2-3 years.

All good advice. It can't be stressed enough, research the company and know it. Be prepared to ask a question or 2 that just show you know the company. The fact that you took enough interest to learn about the company will make you stand out.

Dont discuss salary or benefits at an initial interview unless they bring it up and even then try to remain flexible and vague. A looooong time ago I was told the first person to mention salary looses and oddly its true. My current postion I never mentioned salary, they threw the first number out which was 20% above what I made and I countered with the fact that I had a higher offer (partially true but with a company I wouldnt have worked for no matter what the offer) ended up with a 25% salary bump, an extra week of vaca and a rediculous bonus package when I would have happily taken the job at my current compensation.

Dont mention leaving. The biggest struggle I have in interviews is that I generally have a 3-5 year history with any company I've been with. This is not positive for hiring managers and the only positive answer I can give them, and it's true, is that if I've done my job right you won't need me in 3-5 years. My current employer impressed my by countering with "will you be willing to retrain to someplace we need you at that point?" Im still with them and hope to retire here.

Oh, and my personal pet peve when interviewing folks and something I try to impress on anyone who asks me. You MUST go in there knowing you are the best person for the job and project that. No answer should be "I think..." or "I feel..." It's only "I KNOW...." Know you are the best candidate and project that. Dont be cocky but dont be wishy washy either.

Best of luck!!!

Something I forgot to mention.

Whomever is at the front desk/receptionist/etc, be very nice/polite/gentlemanly/respectful. Be charming, but don't flirt or make any joke/comment that could be misconstrued.

It is basically assured, that they will be asked "What did you think of the guy we just interviewed?"

Crappy interview questions

Nothing to add that hasn't already, but good luck. I've got my first (phone) interview on Thursday (eek, thats tomorrow!) with a company that I hope to have an internship with this summer.

Best advice I ever got: let the interviewer know what company problem you will solve.

93EXCivic wrote: 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.

My advice is to not ask about salary at all during the interview. When it comes to salary negotiations as far as I see it, whoever brings it up first loses. Save any talk of salary for when they actually offer you a job. If they ask you about what salary you expect just politely ask them if that is a job offer.

Ask questions like, "What traits do the people who are successful at this position usually demonstrate?"

Then, after they tell you a few, you tell them how you have those same traits by using actual examples. Describe a problem and what you did to fix it and how that relates to the position. Is your interview in HSV?

dollraves wrote: 3) Ask why the job is open.

I once started at a job and when I sat down at my new desk I noticed there were a lot of personal effects in the drawers from some previous person. I asked my boss about it, and he said, "Oh yeah, the last guy got hit by a bus a couple weeks ago."

Outside of that rude start, it ended up being a great job.

I have actually been asked all the stupid questions in Ditchdiggers post. That post made me laugh so hard I cried. Be prepared, because these questions may come up.

I have been asked my salary requirements in all of my first interviews. Its one of their weeding out tools. It seems to me interviewers don't want to hire you and look for reasons not to.

My best advise has been mentioned. Do not complain about a previous job, company or boss.

I've interviewed hundreds of people -- and the best information I can give you is that the interview team is probably:

1. bored

2. thinking about all the work they COULD be doing

3. desperate to hear something interesting, engaging, and original.

Rob

a while back we had a few people in interviewing for a position we had open. while i wasn't doing the actual interviewing, i did meet one of the potential hires. my manager leaves him with me to answer any questions had while he goes to talk with the GM. literally one of the first questions he asks is "so how ya think i'm doin?"

i told him i didn't see anything bad so far (even though i had), he left and we didn't call him again afaik.

spitfirebill wrote: I have been asked my salary requirements in all of my first interviews. Its one of their weeding out tools.

We ask this up front too. If we are thinking $50k for starters and they are thinking $100k in three years.............we part ways otherwise we are wasting everyone's time.

We also use monster.com and they have a slot for salary requirements. Sometimes we see somebody listed $50k and we call them and they tell us they need $75k. Then I ask about the monster.com listing............more time wasting here.

pete240z wrote:

spitfirebill wrote: I have been asked my salary requirements in all of my first interviews. Its one of their weeding out tools.

We ask this up front too. If we are thinking $50k for starters and they are thinking $100k in three years.............we part ways otherwise we are wasting everyone's time. We also use monster.com and they have a slot for salary requirements. Sometimes we see somebody listed $50k and we call them and they tell us they need $75k. Then I ask about the monster.com listing............more time wasting here.

Well that goes both ways. I have seen jobs advertised at $75K and then offer at $60K.

In reply to T.J.:

Yup. It is with Sierra Lobo.

Google yourself and see what comes up. Also check you social networks and make sure you don't shoot yourself in the foot!

Look right into the camera and thank your sponsors and Mom and Dad

Well, my phone interview went well as far as I'm concerned. Waiting til Monday to find out if I get a follow up.

Good luck, Mr. Civic.

Ok, my stomach hurts from laughing so hard at those comics, but pretty much all good points here, all that i've learned in high school about the matter good luck man!! Don't quote any Top Gear either....

FWIW, i sit pretty close to my VP of Engineering and get to hear some pretty interesting conversations. 2 days ago he was commenting on a resume he had received for a fresh-out college grad. not exactly verbatim, but here's what he said:

• wow, an RX-7 that runs elevens?!
• restored a big-block '68 chevelle while in high school?!
• Talon AWD that broke too many transmissions for a poor college student?!
• This kid is awesome! Get him in here for an interview!

yeah, the VP is a huge gearhead, but this just goes to show that everything is experience in one way or another. if you can put a hint of passion in an otherwise antiseptic document, it will get noticed. then it's up to you to carry that passion into the interview. oh, and know how to draw a free-body diagram.

In reply to AngryCorvair:

It seems like I have drawn enough of the damn things between statics, dynamics, kenmatics, machine design, systems of engineering and Formula that I should be able to get this.

Thanks for all the help. I think the interview went well. I fumbled one question about the composite A-arms on the UAH Moonbuggy.

yaay!! good job man! and don't down yourself on that moonbuggy question haha

Make sure to follow-up on Monday and express your interest in the position and thank the interviewer/s for their time.

ditchdigger wrote:

This one cracks me up.....