Statics Test for Employment

[Calif]

How many of you have taken a small test for employment? I just finish taking a small statics test in which I think a frame problem but did well on everything else.

Calif

The resisant virtues of the structure that we seek depend on their form; it is through their form that they are stable, not because of an awkward accumulation of material. There is nothing more noble and elegant from an intellectual viewpoint than this: to resist through form. Eladio Dieste

 

[structuralnerd]

I've taken a structural technical test for employment as well as an IQ test and a personality test.

 

[Calif]

Well, you guys are alot smarter than I. It has been awhile since I did frames and missed a simple frame with distributive load question until the manager explained it to me. One side rigid, the other side hinged and all I had to do was see draw a moment for the frame. Hopefully, it will not hold me back too much since I got everything else correct.

The resisant virtues of the structure that we seek depend on their form; it is through their form that they are stable, not because of an awkward accumulation of material. There is nothing more noble and elegant from an intellectual viewpoint than this: to resist through form. Eladio Dieste

 

[271828]

I once had to take something that looked like an IQ test during an interview, but never a structural exam. No clue how I did -- probably slightly above primate LOL.

BTW, I like the idea of having them bring in sample calcs better than a test. Not only would it be possible to see if the person is a slob, but folks that are too far on the other end of the spectrum (too particular so slow and inefficient) would be detected also.

 

[gwynn]

My first job required a 10-15 question test for all engineering applicants. It was mostly conceptual questions that could be answered by anyone who understood structural theory, with a few practical and odd non-engineering ones thrown in for good measure. I'll admit I was surprised and unprepared, but since it was conceptual and not number crunching I had little problem with it.

I personally thought giving a short test of this nature is a great idea.

 

[Kwan]

I had an interview with about 8 stess guys in the aerospace industry. Each one asked be to free body a shear clip (this is a 90 deg angle with two fastenrs per flange). This is a very very basic fbd. I drew out the fbd each time and after a couple people asked me to do this i had to ask why. They said that I would be surprised how many people could not fbd a shear clip. Any respectable aero stress guy could do this in their sleep!

Another quality question was about a floor beam in an aircraft. The beam in question had a large hole right in the middle of the beam that totally removed the shear web. I was asked how to analyze this. I asked why the hole is there. It's there for systems like hydralics, etc. I said, "I'd reroute the hydraulics under the floor beam". Thus, the structure is not degraded. The interviewer wanted me to say split the moment and shear into the caps, but I was insistant on designing the structure correctly. I gained points for my viewpoint I think.

My point is that during an interview, simple questions can tell much about the abilities of a candidate. I welcome technical questions. It gives me hope that the company knows what they are doing.

 

[Dinosaur]

The only time I was given a real technical question was when I came to DOT. They had a two span continuous beam and asked me where I would place a single point load to maximize the moment in the beam. I told them where to place the load to maximize the positive moment. I told them where to place the load to maximize the negative moment. I told them why the maximum positive moment was larger than the maximum negative moment. I told them how to maximize the negative moment using distributed load. I told them how a three span beam problem would be different from the two span problem. ... And I got the job with the highest starting salery they ever offered before.

As an interviewer, I think a quiz of this kind is a good thing. But, I'm not going to make my whole decision on the results of that one question.

 

[csd72]

I have been given a few technical questions on three occasions.

The first time was really basic questions like wl^2/8

The second talked about retrofit of A-frame trusses(one of their main lines of work) including problems and solutions. This was a good questionare.

The last asked about forces e.t.c. in trusses and portal frames.

The first was a waste of time, but the last two I thought were really good questions.

 

[archeng59]

I have never taken a test, or given one. But I like the idea. I have asked to see copies of classwork. That shoes if a person is organized but not always if they are knowledgable. What about showing a copy of your transcript to the interviewer? In my opinion, the transcript will show if a person had to repeat one or more classes, which can indicate a lack of effort and/or ability.

 

[csd72]

archeng,

I was a very poor student, but I am actually quite a good engineer(based on reliable feedback not blind arrogance).

The two can sometimes be completely different things.

I would suggest a test that checks their ability to think their way around a building rather than just focusing on theory. Perhaps give then a faulty design sketch and ask them to spot the problems...

 

[archeng59]

csd, there are alot of reasons why a person has to repeat coursework. Personal issues for instance. I personally know a young person who interviewed well, showed us good examples of his classwork, and appeared to be a good entry level hire. It took about 6 months to realize there was little between the ears. A reference check with a professor said the young man was "hard headed". I didn't realize what that meant until after working with him and then seeing his transcript a few months after he graduated. He repeated ALL of his engineering courses at least once. Several more than once. I understand the "hard headed" comment now. I commented on the number of repeated courses. He seemed surprised, and implied that I was lying, when I said I didn't repeat any courses.

How much emphasis does anyone put on work experience while in college? Not just engineering work, but working to help pay bills or earn spending money? Also, is it a requirement with most firms that you pass the FE before graduating or being accepted for employment?