Preparing for a interview
Preparing for a interview
(OP)
I have a question in how to prepare for an Senior Mechanical Engineer interview. In past interviews I've brought a portfolio with past projects I've worked on. I've brought product pictures, some detail drawing of sheet metal, machined and wiring drawings plus some product tree drawings. However from past interviews I'm not sure if this helps or hurts in the interview process. I usually find myself talking more about the products I've worked on (almost as a sales engineer) and less about myself. I few times I caught this during the interview but it was to late. However on an interview I'm preparing for this week the potential company want to hear about some of the products I worked on.. can anyone give me a few tips on portfolio presentation and communication??
thanks
thanks





RE: Preparing for a interview
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist
RE: Preparing for a interview
How about if I just brought a picture of a product I worked on as a visual representation. the company I interviewing at designs bio tech instruments, which what I've done many times in the past. Sometimes its hard to describe what you've done without some material to back it up... thoughts on this?
RE: Preparing for a interview
Because mechanical engineering is so broad a subject, an example or a photo helps the respondent understand what sort of thing you are talking about. That helps get the conversation started with technical people. It doesn't help much with nontechnical people.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Preparing for a interview
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Preparing for a interview
RE: Preparing for a interview
One other thing I've noticed when showing a product picture is I paint myself into a corner. For example, when talking to the interviewer about the product, what it does and my responsibilities they asks more and more questions up to the point that it crossed outside of my area of expertise and ventures into the bio/chem world, which leads to frustration with the interviewer. Any suggestions on how to rein that in?
RE: Preparing for a interview
But put yourself in the interviewer's shoes:
We're looking not only for an Engineer, but a possible future Leader. How well can this candidate articulate and communicate his ideas, concepts, vision, and results?
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: Preparing for a interview
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Preparing for a interview
RE: Preparing for a interview
You are marketing YOU. To that degree, you need to convince me to buy your used car carcass and not someone else's, which means that you need to show me you know the work, you can solve problems, and you can specifically solve my problems. You need to show enthusiasm and passion for helping me with my problems.
TTFN
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RE: Preparing for a interview
A lot of great tips
RE: Preparing for a interview
One guy I interviewed just wanted to go through his PhD presentation slide by slide - I nixed that guy (in as much as I have any ability to do so) for that and other reasons.
Some of the others that insisted on going through their prepared samples or presentations didn't do too well either.
However, folks that responded to specific questions I asked with a relevant sample I looked kindly upon.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Preparing for a interview
Anyway, good luck.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Digital Factory
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: Preparing for a interview
Thanks for the grammar tips; usually I don't proof read my posts on websites esp. if its during working or late hours.
RE: Preparing for a interview
In the past this was my method, bring a portfolio of sample drawings, designs, projects, calculations, etc. that you felt were relevant to the job you're interviewing for. Offer them to browse at the end or bring them out to answer specific questions. Don't try to let them speak for you though, they should be there to avoid having to describe something at length that you can quickly show. A engineering portfolio is not there so that you can avoid answering their questions about yourself.
Just my $0.20 (adjusted for inflation).
Maine Professional and Structural Engineer. www.fepc.us
RE: Preparing for a interview
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Preparing for a interview
Nyah, you just kill them afterwards. That might not bode well for getting a job offer, though...
TTFN
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Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
Of course I can. I can do anything. I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
There is a homework forum hosted by engineering.com: http://www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx
RE: Preparing for a interview
Having IP material in a portfolio is like bring Pepsi's secret recipe to a Coke Cola interview. Product broachers, some CAD screen shot and one or two complex detail drawings are all I bring.
RE: Preparing for a interview
I finally decided to call our rep from United (now McAuto) who had sold us our CAD system and asked him what was available (I was thinking that perhaps another local company was considering purchasing a CAD system and so I might not even have to move). Now since we were customers of MDC they technically could NOT approach me with a job offer as there was a 'no poaching' clause in our contract with them, however that did not prevent me from initiating any contacts (however I did have to sign a legal document stating that MDC had NOT made the first contact). Anyway, when I found out that they were hiring, I agreed to talk to them and so I flew down to St. Louis but since they already knew the sort of thing we did and since I also knew some of the people who worked on the software, the interview was not really what you would consider as typical for someone coming in cold. Anyway, I took the job even though we had to sell our house and move from Michigan to SoCal, but it was the best offer by far (although when you consider the cost-of-living difference between Utah and California that might not be a completely accurate statement) and I would be working with people I already knew, and most importantly, I would be working on a system I already knew inside and out, unlike the Utah offer where I would have been working on another, now-long obsolete system. Of interest is that the company in Utah, after many mergers and acquisitions, are now using our software so who knows, maybe I might have simply got them to move quicker if I had taken their offer. And for the record, the people in Ohio, they're now a customer as well.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Digital Factory
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
RE: Preparing for a interview
I was thinking about describing their ECO and PO process. The reason I considering asking these question is where I'm currently working these process are in such a disarray it impact customer deliverables
RE: Preparing for a interview
For example maybe a higher level question about configuration control & data management or some such.
This of course depends a bit on the position you are applying for though, if applying for a CM job then may be entirely appropriate.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Preparing for a interview