Job Interview - Technical Questions
Job Interview - Technical Questions
(OP)
Hi guys,
I have a second interview for a job in a couple of weeks (having survived an assessment centre). They indicated that they would be asking some technical questions and I just wondered if anyone could shed any light on the sort of things you would ask if you were hiring a graduate mechanical engineer. Incidentally, the company designs and manufactures subsea production systems for oil and gas fields.
I only have experience of one such interview, where they asked me to quote the laws of thermodynamics, describe the flow of air around an object and to draw a stress-strain curve for steel, and answer questions about that. I take it this sort of thing is typical?
Any general suggetions from guy's who have experienced this sort of thing, either as interviewer or interviewee, would be most welcome. Any tips from anyone with experience in this field would be even more welcome.
Thanks guys.
cp
I have a second interview for a job in a couple of weeks (having survived an assessment centre). They indicated that they would be asking some technical questions and I just wondered if anyone could shed any light on the sort of things you would ask if you were hiring a graduate mechanical engineer. Incidentally, the company designs and manufactures subsea production systems for oil and gas fields.
I only have experience of one such interview, where they asked me to quote the laws of thermodynamics, describe the flow of air around an object and to draw a stress-strain curve for steel, and answer questions about that. I take it this sort of thing is typical?
Any general suggetions from guy's who have experienced this sort of thing, either as interviewer or interviewee, would be most welcome. Any tips from anyone with experience in this field would be even more welcome.
Thanks guys.
cp





RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
Also look into what codes they are required to follow; ASME, Hazardous locations, NEC, etc.
Jstephen had the correct answer on the technical information.
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
corus
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
i.e., your logic/thought process, understanding of the principles involved in the problem [strength of materials, corrosion, etc.,] where to find resources.
p.s. get a good night's sleep before the interview day [if you can
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
They have a few recent threads on interview questions (mostly the strawberry vs. banana type), but good info to be had there as well.
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
Hey, got the job offer this morning - and still no mention of strawberries or bananas more's the pity!! For the record I'd opt to be a banana, but that's another story...
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
"Six months ago, I couldn't even spell injunear and now I are one"- sign seen in an office long ago.
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
"Six months ago, I couldn't even spell injunear and now I are one"- sign seen in an office long ago.
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
Just curious.
Bob
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
was a bit stumped at first (not least because it was all in imperial units, having worked in SI all my life - guess i better get used to it in the oil and gas industry though), but got answers to all of the questions. wasnt sure how well i did, but i guess i can't have done too badly... well, maybe i did - but the actual interview part of it went really well. the guys were really cool and put me at ease - a world apart from my previous interview, which felt more like an interrogation.
i start in september...
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
CTopher, the devil, the devil made me do it! LOL
Kenneth J Hueston, PEng
Principal
Sturni-Hueston Engineering Inc
Edmonton, Alberta Canada
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
A thought from an interviewer.
Pat
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
Define "work."
This usually catches the post-grads off guard. If they are in one mind set, they want to describe what their work day would be like. If they are still in an academic mindset, they will say: W = F x D.
I don't hold it against them for either answer. It is just something to keep the interview entertaining....for me ;)
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
Hirers are not only looking for "knowledge" but things that educationalists cant and wont measure:
Integrity, honesty, inventiveness, entrepreneurship, communication skills, a logical thought process....
Knowledge is easy to come by today with so many of the resources at our finger tips. The skills come from applying the knowledge. IF you dont know an equation at least know where it comes from and the significance in applying it. Think what is the interviewer really asking for? IS it knowledge or how to apply that knowledge? Do you have a logical way of getting the knowledge and then applying it? Can you communicate lucidly and clearly on the subject?
eg Question: What is the equation for hoop stress in a pipe? I would not give the equation. Rather "It appears in the pressure piping code, as do the allowable stresses, material properties etc all of which are needed for the design of a pipe system". Knowing the formula off by heart isnt going to help you comply with the Code. SO the smart answer would be " The formaula appears in the Pressure Piping Code and I would use it with ....... to determine the necessary pipe material to use in an application".
This does not directly answer the question but it is the answer the panel will be looking for but they just asked the wrong question. They want to know what you would do with it. Do you know the process of design?
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
What is becoming an all too common answer:
Equations? Derivations? Who needs equations. I'll just make an FE model of the pipe to calculate the stress. Now, that should probably be a 3D model, right? The code I learned to use in school can auto-mesh a solid geometry model - you do have a CAD model of the pipe available, don't you?
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
I boot up Algor's Pipepak and Code compliance is done for me. The art of piping design comes from understanding the loading from wind, earthquake,surge,pitch & roll. What code is applicable to the industry. Not questions one would ask a newbie.
What you want to know is does the applican thave the intelligence and commitment to learn and apply. These are things not taught at uni.
If the interviewers had any sense they would be satisfied with the technical acumen of the student as per the University results and then assess the broader capabilities such as persistence, intellect, application, street smarts, communication skills, will this guy/girl make me money and progress throught the company.. If you want a number crunching roboton get the boring one and some smarter software for him/her to use.
Give me a "doer" over a "knower" any day.
RE: Job Interview - Technical Questions
That answer assumes you have some familiarity with "the" pressure piping code, which essentially assumes you are no longer a student. For example, if you're dealing with DI pipe or PVC pipe, you probably won't find that equation used- you'll just find pressure ratings given. If you're dealing with small fittings, you may not care what the stresses are- they're close to negligble anyway. If you're dealing with heavy wall tubing of some kind, you'll use a different equation than you might for thin walls. If you gave that answer above to an interviewer from GMC, they'd probably just look at you kind of funny.
FYI- I got my BSME and MSME some years back- and don't believe I ever once heard of "the pressure piping code" in college (but did know how to find hoop stresses in cylindrical shells).