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So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.
6

So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

(OP)
Just graduated with a MS in Mechanical Engineering and interviewed with this japanese company with a small office in the U.S.

The job description listed many things that an ME is qualified for, such as motors, electromechanical, CAD, and failure analysis. Primarily the job was to interact with clients, write proposals and performance assessments.  

The 1st interview consisted of 1 on 1 talks with 4 people. The first guy tells me this is a software engineer position, which briefly caught me off guard. Furthermore, I really don't understand WHY it was not clearly written in the job description. HR literally didn't know much about the position when I was initially contacted. Just gave me like a 2-4 word description. When I was confirmed for the interview weeks later, they sent me the job description.

Anyway, the 1st interviewer quickly told me they just wanted a person with a mechanical background to help write software code for their products.  Well it wasn't a problem, since I've had much programming experience in the past where I needed to learn a new language (basic, matlab, c++ etc). Overall the interview lasted 2 hrs.

I felt that talking to 2 of the 4 interviewers was difficult, because english was their 2nd language (they were japanese). Therefore, they had difficulty understanding my responses, answering my questions, and asking a question. However they were probably the most important people to talk to since they were directors, and senior managers.

A couple of days go by and they wanted me in for a 2nd interview. Overall they liked me and were interested; however, one of the managers felt that I was too serious in the interview and needed to relax. Another thing was difficult to explain in english, but HR gave me an example by saying if we asked you out for a drink, would you go?  I somewhat understand, which might be regarding if I would get along/ be a teamplayer with others. Personally, I thought their overall feedback was ridiculous. But regardless of that, they still wanted me in for a 2nd interview. The interviewer probably felt intimidated by me since he had trouble understanding clear english or maybe I was being too professional. Too professional?  

SO i go in for a 2nd interview expecting to be bombarded with behavioral interview type questions, since they said it would be a chance for them to get to know me better and them as well. This time 2 different people interviewed me at the same time, which was another japanese manager and a  software engineer who had been with the company for 3 years.

The interviewed turned out to be the same as the first. Although it was 2 people, the software engineer seemed to do most of the talking by asking me question about my resume and qualifications. Since the manager was japanese, communication was difficult just as the 1st interview. To me they both looked very inexperienced at interviewing.

After that the initial question about my qualifications, they give me tour of the facility and back to the office for me to ask questions. HR calls me back and tells me the company is going to pass on me. The reason being that it seemed i didn't look too interested in the job, because I asked about moving around to different positions. I remember asking the japanese manager if I would be able to move around within the company to gain more experience from different departments. I've always felt that it is good to put more tools in your toolbox by gaining more experience from different departments. I gave a slightly similar response during the 1st interview, when I was asked," where do you see yourself in 5 years." After thinking about, the manager must have misunderstood. Seriously, I really thought that was a good question to see how the position would evolve.

It still somewhat bothers me on the reason for not being hired. I decided to contact one of japanese friends, who works with a company with a similar history to get an opinion about my interview. He said that my question was bad, because japanese co don't want you to move around. Especially considering that this was a small office 20-30 people and most if not all the managers were japanese. Also I might have been better off not working there since I do not speak japanese. In his experience, I would regularly run into a situation... did that manager understand me at all? He just nodded his head and smiled... which is what a typical asian who immigrated to the U.S. does.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Interacting with folks from different cultures can be problematic, especially if compounded by the language issues that often accompany such situations.

I find dealing with our field service staff from various Asian countries a nightmare.

That said, I think a lesson here might be that you should have been asking these questions after the first interview, or even better before the first if you had any indication some of the interviewers might be from a different cultural background.  Do your research and be prepared, that kind of thing.

Posting guidelines FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm? (probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

jai yen yen . . . relax, calm down . . .

i'll second Greg's response . . .

not too worry . . . effective communications is crucial and when placed in a situation where your patience & communications skills were tested, you may have become uncomfortable . . . if you are interested in working with others from other countries, ya should do some cultural & language learning beforehand.

do not sweat it . . .  meanwhile, good luck!
-pmover

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

I was thinking to myself "dodged a bullet."
 

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

>>>i didn't look too interested in the job, because I asked about moving around to different positions.<<<

It's a perfectly legitimate question.

It may also not be the actual reason you were passed over.  

Some cultures will never come out and say "no" in any direct way; this can lead to a lot of misunderstandings.  

Some cultures might consider it rude for a candidate to just flat ask "Why?".  ... just as they might consider it rude, even insubordinate, for an employee to ask the same question, about _anything_.

You are probably better off anywhere else.


 

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

(OP)
Thanks for the insight. Yea I did my research on the company background etc. I was told early on who I would be interviewing with. The name given had no indication that it was going to be a japanese manager. Only after I got there, it was someone else. The name of the guy that was given to me initially didn't come in until after the 1st interviewer finished. Actually same thing with the 2nd interview. I was told to ask for Mr. X (basically the 1st interviewer, who had some negative feedback about me). However, it turned out to be 2 different people.

Well I did ask that question during the 1st interview. I think the reason i asked that particular question in the 2nd interview is because it felt like a 1st interview.

Yea the language issue bugged me, but I believe communication is important. I've had tons of situations from academic projects where we screwed up big time over a simple miscommunication from not understanding. Also, I recently brought my car into a shop to have the valve stems replaced on all 4 tires. The tech for some reason replaced all my tires instead. It turns out the tech had trouble reading the handwriting on the work order and assumed it said to replace my tires with X brand without asking for clarification.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Your interviews remind me of when I interviewed for the police dept (LAPD) approx 16 years ago. The questions were geared toward how my reactions were toward certain normal circumstances and physical posture. I failed because I responded calm to being yelled at.

Not sure what it may have been, but the company that interviewed may have been trying to fish for something but couldn't legally ask you. They did or did not get what they wanted, so passed.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

(OP)
geez where is the edit button? Was writing my response when 2-4 more people posted.

I've interviewed with other asian based companies before, but this one was unique in that 4 out of 6 of the interviewers were non-native english speakers. I didn't do much language or culture based research, because I'm asian as well, so I thought I was a close enough match and knew enough. This might been why I was contacted in the first place. HR thought I spoke japanese.

"Not sure what it may have been, but the company that interviewed may have been trying to fish for something but couldn't legally ask you. They did or did not get what they wanted, so passed."

You know I got the feeling from one of the questions during the 1st interview. I wasn't expecting it, so it caught me off guard, but I answered it the best I could.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

A lot of words to say "blown interview".  It happens.  Move along.  Find another customer.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

(OP)
"A lot of words to say "blown interview".  It happens.  Move along.  Find another customer."

I don't even consider it anyway near a blown interview. Now the one I had with Northorp Grumman for intern about 2 years ago... that was a blown interview.
 

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Sometimes you just never know what is going to trip a trigger.  You can do everything "right" and still be wrong in someone's book.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

<You can do everything "right" and still be wrong in someone's book>
I agree with TheTick.

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP4.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

You can do everything right, survive the interview and still get bounced.
 Some years ago I interviewed for a job with a maker of unmanned aircraft.
 One of my references told them that I was a great guy , I knew my stuff , but I talked too much.
 This was for a job that required a security clearance.
 Of course after hearing this I did not get the job and I lost a friend.
B.E.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Be glad You don't work for the Japanese,
I've worked for a Jap co. for about 7 months and was glad to leave there.
It' a strange culture, and I before I got there, I thought they were inventive.
It worked out different.
They only like You when they see you.
It meant a lot of overwork.
Some 'worked' for 19 hours a day(they were present because they wanted a brown arm)
And indeed, the non-Japanese didn't understand much of what they were saying.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

My boss always says:


"You can be something to someone some of the time but not everything to everyone all of the time"

Adriaan.
I am an Engineer/part time student (Mechatronics) from South Africa.
Advice from lecturer: "Be warned - when you go into industry your boss will give you a thousand things to do and he wants them done yesterday!" So far he is right...

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Do not read too much in interviews that are too formal. HR or employers who make interview process an "event" and interviewee a lab animal, are usually not worth working for.

Find someone who knows what they really need and what they are talking about.

Rafiq Bulsara
http://www.srengineersct.com

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Do I take it this was an opportunity that didn't come via an agency?

Good agencies usually want to analyse the outcomes so they can put forward a better match the next time or better prepare their candidates.
Not sure how many good agencies there are, but a good deal more go through the same motions as the good agencies and they should then report back to the candidate and some may re-interview the candidate themselves so they can better represent them.

They ought also to prep the candidate for the interview and that would include all sorts of advise on do's and don'ts.
(One don't is wear aftershave/strong perfume, proper attire etc..)
But another is how to ask the sorts of questions likely to create a good impression and avoid asking those that don't.
Some of these questions are asked simply for that reason only and you shouldn't ask questions that do not generate a positive attitude.
There are always other ways to learn what you want to learn if you really want the answer.....

It is often a good idea to ask about future career progression whether you really care about it or not. But it appears this isn't a good question for this employer and the sort of advise you got from your friend after the event would have come from your agency because they already know the answer.
Career progression is your responsibility and your choice of job is a step on that road but it doesn't have to be with that company. Hence this would only be a meaningful question if it created the right impression.

If the situation with working for a Japanese company is that they want people who will work at the same job till they drop, then you have to view the job on the basis that you will get your next step somewhere else.

Researching a company is evidently about more than what they make and what they pay.

On the other hand, if I were interviewing directly and not via an agency, I would have made the same mistake and more. There is sometimes a benefit from agencies and there is a warning if the company you are interviewing with is not using agencies.....
 

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

(OP)
Actually it was through an agency. From your description, it seems this one isn't too good. I hear different opinions towards agencys both positive and negative.

This particular agent did not interview me in person and we just contacted each other through phone calls. I had some when i was initially contacted. Agent found my resume from monster.com and just wanted my permission to submit the resume to the client. I said ok, but do you want to do anything else, like maybe a cover letter? Agent said nothing else and just sent in my resume.

I follow-up a week later and the clients response was that my resume does not seem like I am interested for the type of work that the company does. Well obviously it doesn't! Because it was from monster.com, which was tailored to be as general as possible to reach to numerous type of jobs. So the agent askes me to tailor up my resume to match the companies engineering focus. Then a land an interview a few weeks later. As I said before, the agents job description was incredibly vague even after I asked numerous times for more info.

As for interview prep there was none. I called the agent a few days before to maybe get some ideas on the type of interview that the company would do, but the agents information didn't offer much help. Just told me to read the company's website, which is already an obvious thing to do.

I interviewed with an agent from Aerotek, which was face-to-face. They  would prep me for the actual job interviews and allow me to tailor the resume. However I haven't really found any job posting through Aerotek that I am qualified for.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Ah, sounds like one of those get rich quick agencies.
They just scour the applications vacant and submit a raft of resumes culled from the internet.
A decent agency will often be contracted to a number of major employers and will know exactly the right kind of people to deliver. They are then the ones who are careful to only submit suitably screened and prepared candidates because their success depends on developing a rep for always supplying the right candidate for the job.
Of course, this justifies them in charging either you or the employer or both a hefty fee.

There are some who pretend to be able to find you all sorts of executive positions but you have to pay them up front before they even have a job opening to send you to. It may work but I always figured these guys were scammers too.
 

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

(OP)
Yea I've been contacted by a few staffing agency's ever since I put up my resume on monster.

I think it was just this particular agent that didn't want to do the extra work. A friend worked with a different staffing agenct in the same agency and got the face-to-face interview and some prep work.

Personally, I think the only reason the agent went the extra mile to help me land an interview is because I found out the company's name, which was confidential. This was because I had two friends from college that worked there. I'm pretty sure that pulled some weight to get me the initial interview.

After writing that all that garbage in the first post, the best way to summarize it, was that I was bothered that I got "punished" for asking a valid question. Never has that happened before. You go to school and are constantly encouraged to ask questions. Compared to many schools overseas that don't have that encouragement.

Well as others have stated, it's time to move on. Thanks for all the responses and motivation.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

companies have different ways in searching the right person for the job they are offering

it is also varies with the interviewer
maybe the interviewer sense that you are not interested because you are hurrying to move from other department while they are actually needs an employee for that certain position only

the job is not for you (right now maybe)

i know that Japanese loves hardworking people, they are more on the technical sides and how they will gain knowledge with you. there's a language barrier of course, but from what i know, Japanese appreciate people who tries to learn their language, because they also have a hard time learning english

Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree. engineers creates wonderful buildings, but only God can creates wonderful minds

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

3
OK...this is a true story I'll never forget.

I was interviewed for a job.  It went OK.  They called me back and said that I wasn't really what they were after, but that I deserved a chance for a second interview so that they could get to know me better.

I went to a second interview.  There, they gave me a written psychiatric evaluation type of test to find out what kind of personality category I best fit into.

They called me for a third interview, but this time, they put me on a plane to meet a regional manager for dinner in another city.  They told me to buy a different colour sports jacket for that interview.  I flew up, had the interview, and went home.

About a week later, they called me for a fourth interview and said that they had narrowed it down to two candidates: me and someone else.  During that interview, they told me that they felt I was a strong candidate, but that I had no sense of humour and probably didn't communicate with people less intelligent than me.

My response:

"On the topics of having no sense of humour and not communicating well with people less intelligent than me, well, I am here talking to you now, am I not?"

They gave the job to the other guy.  He lasted four days.  By the time they called me back and made me an offer, I had found something else and was forced to decline.

I never did develop a sense of humour, and I still don't communicate well with people less intelligent than me.  Or, so the legend goes.

Something else will come along...as one of my trusted colleagues often says, "We can laugh about it now.".

Regards,

SNORGY.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Damn, a sense of humour is a job requirement?

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Zero,
It doesn't really even seem like it was a good job for you given your description.  It probably had not much to do with you question so much as it had to do with your background.  If it truly was a software position then you probably were not qualified and if it was just a position overseeing software guys you would probably have been a bit overqualified.  They were probably concerned that the position really didn't match what you went into it wanting, and when you asked about movement within the company it would have confirmed your lack of interest.

Overall it sounds like the job wasn't for you and they knew it, so what is the problem?  Isn't it for the best that you got turned down?
-AAFuni

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

"..This was because I had two friends from college that worked there..." There's a chance to feel the place out right there.

There's also deliberate quasi-informality in japanese business. For instance I was going through business correspondence between americans and japanese customers. The japanese always started off 'how are you joe-san? The weather here is beautiful, the cherry blossoms are out.. then got down to business. I could see where the US side picked up on it and started to echo it back 'Kinishi-san, how are your daughters? Last I knew Sarariman are supposed to go out and pound sapporos or sake w/ the boss pretty frequently.

 

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

I worked for a Japanese company and they more or less told me (thru my manager) that my current position was where I was expected to work forever.  So I can imagine it was a bad question to ask about moving around within the company.  I noticed that they never promoted from within.  Even going so far as to hire management that had no experience with our product.  We lost a lot of people because of it.

But I believe it is a very reasonable question.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

"On the topics of having no sense of humour and not communicating well with people less intelligent than me, well, I am here talking to you now, am I not?"

For the record, I think that's pretty funny!

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

(OP)
@aafuni,
Yes and No. I was interested based on the original description that was given to me asking for a mechanical engineer. After hearing that it was for a software engineer from the 1st interviewer, I got somewhat uninterested and confused for a moment. But all that immediately got dismissed after the interviewer clarified the information. The work is stuff I've done in mechatronics, so it was nothing I hadn't done before. I just had to do alot of explaining about why my resume did not scream out software engineer qualifications. Wonder why it didn't *sarcasm*  Idno why they didn't post software engineer or tell the agent that. Might have done it to see my reaction at the interview.

@moon161
I got a chance to talk both friends before and during the interview. Nothing really showed me that it was bad. Well one looked tired and fatigued, but he was always a workaholic. The other had been there for only about 7 months and he didn't have any negative comments to day. They worked in a different department, so they couldn't really comment on how my department was.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

I understand exactly where you are coming from in this post.  I have worked in Japanese automotive for 7 years now.  But it is interesting that they passed on you because you asked about movement.  Most want employees that are willing to work in different areas and want to learn.  This was the basis for me moving into engineering where I am.  But, do not grade each Japanese company on one experience they are all different, even though they are from the same country.  It is just as different as northern US and southern.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Waidesworld:

I don't follow Big Bang.

Alas, I have no basis to relate re: Sheldon.  Does he have a sense of humour?

I envy people who have senses of humour.  I wonder how much further I might have gone...what I might have become...with a sense of humour.

Perhaps an MBA?  

Regards,

SNORGY.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

...not that I am in any way bitter...

Regards,

SNORGY.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Lots of people with no sense of humour have gone on to greatness.
To be fair, they usually have to be deposed by global warfare or revolution, but still, it does show you don't actually need a sense of humour to get to the top.

JMW
www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

I think if I made it to the top it might be an indication of everyone else's sense of humour.

Regards,

SNORGY.

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Speaking of blowing an interview.  I was interviewing for a position for a company that does blow molding of automobile hoses.  I asked the question "So this seems like a specialized process and do I need to worry about being pigeonholed into this company?

But instead of pigeonholed I said "CORNHOLED".  He looked at me funny for a minute while it sunk in what I had just said.  We kind of laughed awkwardly as I tried to explain what I meant to say and then I went on my merry way.  

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

Gadkinsj did you get the job? If so did you take in and were you -holed?

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services
www.infotechpr.net

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

I interviewed with a place, and my reaction to a question about my willingess to travel to Chinese vendors probably lost any chances I had there. I hesitated, and stumbled on that question. Wasn't ready for it at all. I'd lost a previous job to Chinese competition, so chinese trade was (and still is) a sore subject with me. Probably for the best though.

David

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

zer0c123, was this company in Davis California? I had a very similar experience right out of school. I was offered the job but declined because a different mechanical engineering job also gave me an offer at the same time (and this job was ACTUALLY mechanical, not software).

RE: So I didn't get the job, because a question that I asked.

I believe, HR departments are typically run by people that were saved from dismissal, but couldn't really perform well enough make it to the top.

Low level HR employees have whatever soft skill college classes it took to rise above baby sitting jobs, and that's about it.

No one in an HR department is ever the person with what it takes to start and grow a great company.

No one in an HR department is ever the person that has what it takes to start and grow a great engineering organization.

I believe companies that turn over too much of of their engineering selection and growth processes to HR are not going to be great places for engineers to work and grow.

Generally they want to whip up excitement on a new position so they can low ball the pay offer.

Take one gold star for not being compatible with HR corporate culture, you must be an engineer.

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