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Interview Advice

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OK here are a couple you may try. My background has only been on the sales side, but I think the most impressive thing you can do in an interview is be knowledgeable about their company and the business they are in. Ask questions about where the company is going, growth plans, etc. try to look them up online and find out if they have any new products or projects that they are working on.

What are some of the common attributes of your best people.

Ask about what their expectations for you would be.

Growth potential.

Try to get them to do most of the talking, answer questions with as few words as possible. and always try to respond with a question in return.
 
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When can I expect to become President of the Company?

But on a serious note:

Does your company own a luxury suite at the 'Shoe? And, if so, who do I have to kill/blow to get hooked up?
 
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Buck Nasty said:
OK here are a couple you may try. My background has only been on the sales side, but I think the most impressive thing you can do in an interview is be knowledgeable about their company and the business they are in. Ask questions about where the company is going, growth plans, etc. try to look them up online and find out if they have any new products or projects that they are working on.

What are some of the common attributes of your best people.

Ask about what their expectations for you would be.

Growth potential.

Try to get them to do most of the talking, answer questions with as few words as possible. and always try to respond with a question in return.
Click to expand...

Great info, thanks Nasty
 
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I've never had to hire an engineer, thank God:wink2: , but have done lots of hiring. Here are some things I look for:

*Has the person done any research on the position or the organization? Know something about the place you are walking into.
*Do they have any questions to ask of us, besides what are the benefits? Go ahead and ask that, but don't let that be your only question.
* The growth potential/what do you expect out of this position are good questions. I actually had an interview where they had the world's longest job description (16 pages) and when I asked what they wanted out of the position they told me they did not know!
* You may want to inquire about the growth potential not only from a position of advancing but also of them providing the training and experience you need as a new grad to ensure you are successful, which benefits them as well.

Other random tips.
*Always be a few minutes early to the interview.
*Wear your best suit.
*Make good eye contact with everyone on the panel, even if some never say a word. I've done interviews before where the person making the decision purposely just listens.
* Sit up straight and have good body language! It is amazing how many people slouch in their seats and cross their arms in interviews.
*Immediately send thank you notes to everyone there.
*Bring along a list of professional references with phone numbers. You may even want some transcripts.
*Relax as much as possible, be yourself, and provide complete answers to the questions asked.

Most people on both sides of the tables do not like interviews. You will not be the only one uncomfortable. After six interviews you probably have a sense of some of the questions being asked of you. Go ahead and make a list of these questions and think about what you want to say in response to them. Also, you should be able to come up with another question or two to ask them based on the questions they ask you.

Good luck and just remember to be yourself! That is what really comes through in an interview.
 
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BuckinMichigan said:
I've never had to hire an engineer, thank God:wink2: , but have done lots of hiring. Here are some things I look for:

*Has the person done any research on the position or the organization? Know something about the place you are walking into.
*Do they have any questions to ask of us, besides what are the benefits? Go ahead and ask that, but don't let that be your only question.
* The growth potential/what do you expect out of this position are good questions. I actually had an interview where they had the world's longest job description (16 pages) and when I asked what they wanted out of the position they told me they did not know!
* You may want to inquire about the growth potential not only from a position of advancing but also of them providing the training and experience you need as a new grad to ensure you are successful, which benefits them as well.

Other random tips.
*Always be a few minutes early to the interview.
*Wear your best suit.
*Make good eye contact with everyone on the panel, even if some never say a word. I've done interviews before where the person making the decision purposely just listens.
* Sit up straight and have good body language! It is amazing how many people slouch in their seats and cross their arms in interviews.
*Immediately send thank you notes to everyone there.
*Bring along a list of professional references with phone numbers. You may even want some transcripts.
*Relax as much as possible, be yourself, and provide complete answers to the questions asked.

Most people on both sides of the tables do not like interviews. You will not be the only one uncomfortable. After six interviews you probably have a sense of some of the questions being asked of you. Go ahead and make a list of these questions and think about what you want to say in response to them. Also, you should be able to come up with another question or two to ask them based on the questions they ask you.

Good luck and just remember to be yourself! That is what really comes through in an interview.
Click to expand...
More great advice BinMich, thanks!
 
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What type of engineer are you?
What type of companies are you applying to?
What position do you seek?

It is always good to know about the company, their products and their customers. You can ask what has happened to the people recently hired in a similar position and the ones that have moved up. Ask about continuing training, especially for engineers. Ask about a typical day or assignment you might get. Ask about how they work in teams and as much about the culture as you can can.

Sounds like you are going through the graduation cattle calls. If you know someone a network will get a job faster than this process. Good Luck!
 
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always, always, and always be very courteous with the secretary.

here's one that an interviewer will appreciate: "what are the downsides/problems that i'll likely face working as an x at your company?" blowing smoke up the interviewer will be easily recognized. they've had enough of the sycophants; they want honesty. another similar question: "have you ever nearly left this company? why did you stay?"

as has been mentioned before, investigating the company will set you apart from the rest. bring up specifics. talk about a problem/client/project. ask the interviewer how he or she faced the issue. if you really want to gain some brownie points, find out who will interview you and google him/her. find out as much as possible about him or her. make it professionally personal.
 
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Knowing what you know about your company, would you join all over again?

If you were in my position and you wanted to join a leading firm that was going to grow and challenge you, would you join this company again?
 
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Why are you thinking of adding to your staff?

(The research some folks recommend may help in getting to the heart of the answer to this question - I'd ask it early and be ready to amplify the interviewer's responses based on the research you have done).

Oh,yes - I have hired Engineers before, so I expect them to be hard-headed practical people. However - and in light of your nom de board - demonstrating that other side of your life, when the interviewer gets to the part about what besides work do you like, Golf almost always can be a good hit.

(I'd love to be a fly on the wall if CCI honestly answered that question in an interview).
 
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Steve19 said:
Knowing what you know about your company, would you join all over again?
Click to expand...
not sure about this one. sure, it would be helpful to hear the response and the reasons if the interviewer says no; otherwise, it sounds like a veiled putdown. while the interviewee may have reservations about joining the company, the interviewer doesn't want to think that the interviewee has reservations. such a question may plant the seeds of doubt and suspicion.
 
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If you're applying for an engineer's job, then it's vital that you show up in your best bib overalls and engineer hat.
Make sure you can do a really impressive "All aboard!"
Display how much coal you can shovel and also your mastery of the steam engine.

OK, so BIM had some really good advice, too.
If you've worked on any projects, use them to provide SPECIFIC examples of situations which you may be asked about.
Not only have some knowledge of the company, but some knowledge of the industry/business they are in.

Oh yeah, and don't, I repeat don't walk into the room with your penis sticking out - they usually hate that!
 
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Why did you fire the person I'm replacing?

Or, conversely, why did the person I'm replacing quit?

And the follow up questions to each: do you regret it?
or, has the reason he quit been addressed?

And to both: What should have been done differently to prevent the situation.

These sound kind of funny, but they are legitimate concerns. There are probably better ways to ask them, but the answers need outed.

Remember, there is no such thing as a civil engineer:wink2:

In the second interview, ask to meet your team. Find out in a brief group interview what their strengths and weaknesses are. I work with engineers daily, hell, hourly. They need you more than you need them.
 
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I used to hire a lot of SEs. I wouldn't have cared much for the questions that chase how I like the company or if I think I made the right decision. You may have a decision to make but I didn't give you an hour of my time so you could put me on the spot. Do not make me uncomfortable - I own the room and all the power in it.

My favorite question from an interviewee was always about growth potential and career paths. Let me know you are ambitious and thinking ahead.

My other advice is to know something about the company. What do they do? If you don't get a chance to let them know that you know who they are in response to their questions, ask one of your own that get's that point across.

If it is clear the interview is going badly ask the interviewer if they spit or swallow.
 
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