Help me Get this Dream Job

[knji]

I will be having an interview with a major player in Control Systems. The position is titled "Software Engineer for Process Control Applications." Although some of the terms stated in the responsibilities sound familiar, there are others I do not know but have been reading upon.

This is one of those opportuniteies that look 'ideal' given my graduate training and passion in this field of business. I'll be relaxed and honest, hopefully eloquent and well prepared but most importantly, I will like the interviewer(s) to know that I always do what it takes to learn the skills required in minimal time.

This is who I am but nerves always get the better part of me. Is there anything else I can do to prepare for this phone interview? Are the any buzz words in the process control industry that I need to know about?

TIA.

Klaus

 

[PSE]

"I will like the interviewer(s) to know that I always do what it takes to learn the skills required in minimal time."

You could try presenting this in a manner of endeavoring to put to use the skills required in a minimal time. Your audience is looking to see how you fit in their structure. It goes beyond technical competence (though it is obviously an important part of the interview). Do not put the interviewer in a mode where they begin thinking about shortcomings. This will be difficult in a phone interview as you won't be able to read body language and will have to rely on vocal inflection.

Good luck

 

[MintJulep]

In any new job, there are always new skills required. A good interviewer should realize this.

However, all buisnesses generally need to do the same sorts of things, just the product and procedures differ. Look for opportunities to point out "Oh, I've done things very similar to that in this past application, I'm sure I'll be able to adapt you your specific proceedures quickly."

 

[epoisses]

Don't use buzz words that somebody else gave you... Just tell them what you told us and make the best of it. Everybody's nervous. Good luck!

 

[knji]

I appreciate all the responses.

 

[ScottyUK]

Echoing epoisses' comment,

I hate buzzwords, not in themselves but for the way that they are cast around like confetti by people who haven't the faintest idea what they mean. So be careful with buzzwords - you might be getting interviewed by me! Be yourself. You should be nervous before an interview; if you aren't then you should be. The trick is not showing your nerves too much, just enough to make it appear that you think the job is really important to you. Don't come across as over-confident - that is worse than a nervous interviewee.



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If we learn from our mistakes,
I'm getting a great education!

 

[automatic2]

Early in our careers, we seek to please our employers. In later years, we tend to work towards personal fullfillment. Somewhere in between we struggle with our identities. It's the basic maturity curve.

Know this, be honest with your capabilities and desires. A job interview is the first step in what might be a continual relationship negotiation. You might consider it a sales call. Bring to your prospects attention the features and benefits that you provide. If you are confident that you can 'learn the skills in minimual time', then you must have a firm grasp of the basics. Constrain your communication to these levels, then you will be in control. Step outside and things can snowball quickly.

When I go out on interviews, I ask the prospect (employer/purchaser. Remember that an employer is a purchaser of your time/skills) questions that seek to investigate thier capacity. What is it that they need, and what is it that they have to offer as compensation (resource). If the two are related, I'll continue. If not, I'll politely close the meeting. The need/resource relationship may be fixed in the employers minds, but many times it is not. You should explore this area to see if there is room to implant your skills, for thier benefit.

Years ago, one of my functions was the hiring of trades men. I always insisted on baseline skills, but above that, I migrated towards those that expressed a desire to learn. It's a good thing.

 

[knji]

"It goes beyond technical competence (though it is obviously an important part of the interview). Do not put the interviewer in a mode where they begin thinking about shortcomings. "

PSE, I am overall a confident individual. Nonetheless, I tend to get nervous when venturing into the unknown. I tend to ramble in response to a question I know very little about. But like automatic2 said, I have to constrain the communication to the level of technicality wherein my comfort lies.



"In any new job, there are always new skills required. A good interviewer should realize this.

Look for opportunities to point out "Oh, I've done things very similar to that in this past application, I'm sure I'll be able to adapt you your specific proceedures quickly.""

MintJulep, I agree that a great deal of learning occurs on the job. I guess the trick is to pretend one does not know this for employers sometimes are not looking to train. This is not an entry level position, so I will probably be shooting myself in the foot if I keep the idea in mind. This is probably what PSE is refering to by not potraying ones shortcomings.

Your point on showing familiarity is well taken. I should be able to highlight similar projects I have worked on during the meeting.



"I hate buzzwords, not in themselves but for the way that they are cast around like confetti by people who haven't the faintest idea what they mean.

The trick is not showing your nerves too much, just enough to make it appear that you think the job is really important to you."

ScottyUK, I concur. It is a silly thing to use words witohout knowledge of its meaning. Thinking about it, the same applies to basic English. I am glad to have asked the question.

Getting this position will be really important to me for I see myself establishing a career in the company. They have been in the business for long and have a formular that works. My daily responsibilities will be centered around things I am passionate about and why I decided to pursue a Masters degree. I'll be closer to my family. There are too many reasons hence the tendency to get nervous. On the otherhand, I do realize that the world will not stop spinning if I do not get selected.

I'll be far from overconfident. That is plain arrogant in my opinion especially in the midst of the experts! My motto is to potray just enough confidence in my abilities and not much more.



" Know this, be honest with your capabilities and desires. A job interview is the first step in what might be a continual relationship negotiation. You might consider it a sales call. Bring to your prospects attention the features and benefits that you provide. If you are confident that you can 'learn the skills in minimual time', then you must have a firm grasp of the basics. Constrain your communication to these levels, then you will be in control. Step outside and things can snowball quickly."

automatic2, amen to that. I must constrain my communication to my level of comfort.


My fellow engineers, your comments were deeply appreciated.

From all the comments, it looks like my goal is to potray five basic components that identify my character: Strength, enthusiasm, learning and team playing capabilities as well as the ability to comunicate effectively. Technical skills too are important but does not sound to be high in the pecking order if one has a firm grasps of the basic.

Again, thanks for all the comments.

 

[DRC1]

Employers look for technical competence, but also look for intelligence, sincerity, and a williningness to work with enthusiasm. I always like to see the word "work" on a resume or application. It shows me the canidate knows what we are talking about.
To help you prepare for the phone interview, I would offer this suggestion. Prepare 2 notepads. Leave one blank. This is for notes during the interview. On the second, write the name and title of the interviewer as well as the company. This may seem pretty basic, but preesure can make us forget simple things for a minute. Next make a list on the pad of the points you want to bring out about yourself in the interview. If you did a great project similar to your work a year ago, make a note so you can mention it. If you really enjoy a paricular part of this work write it down. Make a list of all the points you would kick yourself for not mentioning in the interview. Prepare for the inevitable broad questions: What are your Goals? Where do you see yourself in five years? What are your strength and weaknesses? Jot down some responses. Finally prepare a summary in two or three sentences on why you want this job.
Going back to the second pad,you can jot down notes so you can ask questions after he finishes, and talso have a point or two to refer to in your thank you letter for the interview.
By writing this all down in some logical manner, A.) you will feel (and sound) more confident and less nervous. B.) you will come off as being more organized which is always good.

Good Luck - and letus know how it goes!

 

[HgTX]

I have a dumb question. Why two separate notepads?

Hg

 

[DRC1]

I keep my prewriiten notes for a phone conference on a seperate pad from the notes I take during the call. This is because when I am wrting and talking my notes arenn't terribly organized to say the least ( sort of free form modern art). By keeping my prewritten notes on a seperate pad, I dont clutter up or write over the notes. Those notes are still easy to read so I don't miss anything.
Kind of a personal thing. It is what works for me.

 

[knji]

Guys,

It was a tough interview and a lot of questions were about my Masters work ok. I believe the interviewers were mostly testing my intelligence. This was no behavioural type interview. However, I gave it my all.

Also, the competition is fierce and as a new grad, chances look slim.

It was a good experience and I learnt alot about what they do.