Interview Ethics question....
Interview Ethics question....
(OP)
I have an interview next week with a new company. I am a mechanical engineer that deals with design and stress analysis or machine parts. I create a lot of 3-dimensional drawings and designs using Pro/E and ANSYS. I would like to bring some printouts of my work from my current company to show off my specific skills at the interview. I really don't want to have to ask permission from my current employer to bring the drawings to the interview because I don't want them to know that I am doing a job search. The new company is not a competitor of ours. The new job is actually a whole different industry altogether, so it's not like I will be providing a competing company with sensitive information that could be detrimental to my current company.
Is it unethical or possibly even illegal to bring these types of documents to an interview???
What if I bring brochures that are available to our customers that show our product lines and capabilities? They would show components that I would typically work on. Since these brochures are available to the public, would they be considered intellectual property?
Is it unethical or possibly even illegal to bring these types of documents to an interview???
What if I bring brochures that are available to our customers that show our product lines and capabilities? They would show components that I would typically work on. Since these brochures are available to the public, would they be considered intellectual property?





RE: Interview Ethics question....
If you were to create drawings of items similar to what you work on, then you might be ok. Not if you do it on company time or using company equipment (computer, software).
If you really feel the drawings are necessary to showcase your talents, you could create drawings at home on your own computer and on your own time. However, I would be careful to make the reasonably different from the actual product created by your company.
The brochures are questionable in my opinion. Again, they would be items created at your current company and with their equipment that you would be using for personal use. If the brochures, other literature, or pictures are available on the company website, perhaps you could just direct the interviewer to review that and obtain them on their own.
Just my 2 cents,
-- MechEng2005
RE: Interview Ethics question....
RE: Interview Ethics question....
RE: Interview Ethics question....
I'd also hold off on the pamphlets. Your type of products you make, the materials they are made from, and manufacturing processes will be far more interesting.
RE: Interview Ethics question....
I personally have a portfolio of pictures of things that I've worked on. I let my prospective employers look through it, and they stop and ask me about things that interest them. Makes for a good conversation.
Hasn't failed so far.
V
RE: Interview Ethics question....
If you still feel that you must bring an example, delete the title block and any details pertaining to the client etc. and don't leave a copy or let her make a copy.
If I were conducting the interview, I might want to hold onto the drawing while asking the prospective employee to sketch the high points of the design on a pad - at my desk and explain the high point issues.
RE: Interview Ethics question....
David
RE: Interview Ethics question....
Observe the building, parking lot, lobby, how you are greeted, how staff treats you, was the interviewer on time, was the office environment hectic (you may like that or hate it) or quiet and heads down (you may like that or hate it).
Good luck.
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com
RE: Interview Ethics question....
In one case, it was someone who didn't actually have a degree, so he trotted out a bunch of certificates and awards to demonstrate a paper trail of accomplishments.
In another, there were photos of equipment the applicant supposedly designed, but...
TTFN
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RE: Interview Ethics question....
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Interview Ethics question....
TTFN
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RE: Interview Ethics question....
My opinion? The drawings may be over the top, but I also believe that if you pick and choose specific portions of a drawing that show specific design decisions without giving away the product as a whole (even if they don't keep a copy of it), it can be productive to your job search as well as having zero effect on your current employer. You had a hand in creating those designs, so even if you don't own the product itself, I feel those designs showcase your abilities and some reasonable leeway should be shown.
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Interview Ethics question....
I am glad I asked.
I am still considering bringing some public domain pictures or brochures of our equipment just to get some discussion going on my background and abilities. However, I certainly will not bring any sensitive material to the interview. So, I'm not planning on bringing any drawings, models, FEA plots, or anything that might be considered intellectual property.
Thanks again. It's a big help and I really appreciate everyone's input.
RE: Interview Ethics question....
Getting back on my high horse again...
"trainable"? Like a washing machine? Can we use words that aren't so degrading?
How about "your degree demonstrates that you are a quick learner".
Less passive.
- Steve
RE: Interview Ethics question....
I'll have to remember to ask our (super senior)4 about being a "quick" learner one of these days!
TTFN
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RE: Interview Ethics question....
I've come across too many PhD's in power that couldn't find their rear with two hands and a flashlight, and too many highly intelligent high-school dropouts who were held back because they didn't have a few letters in front of their name.
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Interview Ethics question....
1 Lazy boozer who can turn it on when required.
2.1 Successful hard worker.
2.2 Unsuccessful hard worker.
3 Don't care. Getting a job in the city anyway.
Or, Change to PPE/materials. Then city.
- Steve
RE: Interview Ethics question....
Don Phillips
http://worthingtonengineering.com
RE: Interview Ethics question....
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Interview Ethics question....
I had a ~10 page portfolio of products I had worked on that consisted of renderings of products that were on the market. I would use the opportunity to make sure the interviewer know that the most recent stuff was not included due to confidentiality concerns.
-b
RE: Interview Ethics question....
Perhaps the best thing to do is bring yourself, and exhibit your style with a sketch pad and pen. Hardware samples could be a selling point to demonstrate your line of experience. I never had criticism about hardware.
RE: Interview Ethics question....
I normally advise that, for the interview, this should be stuff that will 'illuminate' the discussion, e.g. example photgraphs, diagrams, extracts of reports, of work done and jobs worked. Just like a job interview, it is the candidate, not the paperwork, that is being assessed!
You can continuously maintain such a portfolio by getting "witness statements" (someone who saw you do it
By changing the portfolio's emphasis from being an occasional job hunt task to a full time professional activity (part of career management), you can get a greater benefit.
The web site http://www.pd-how2.org/, while framed for new starts, is equally valid for all stages of one's continuous professional development. e.g. http://www.pd-how2.org/4_2.htm
For those interest in the UK approach to registration http:
Philip