Interview next week - any tips?

[Pete]

Got an interview next week for a new job as a mechanical engineer, would be interested to hear any hints and tips from either side of the desk!

Do you use a portfolio? What's the format? What's the content? Sketching? CAD? Drafting?

"What sort of salary would you be expecting?" - aim high or be modest?

What do you with your hands?

Any input welcome!

[mvalenti]

If its your first Engineering Job, I might be inclined to bring a portfolio. Most companies my guess wouldnt care if you presented yourself properly. I found honesty is the best policy. If you dont know something or have the knowledge, dont ********. I would recommend getting a book on salary negotiations. I read one called "Get paid what your worth" I believe was the title. Great tips! Quick read also. Gook Luck!


-Mark

[aknotley]

I have always used a portfolio in interviews - nothing too flashy or arty. Just lots of images of the best projects/parts/assys I've worked on or designed over the years: a few pics of CAD models, one or two renderings and a 2D drawing or two. I also throw in some thermal or FEA stuff for good measure. I find that it effectively communicates to the potential employer what you can do (so much easier pointing at a picture) It also helps bring a bit of structure to the interview and you never run out of conversation (or forget to mention something important) when you have a portfolio to talk around!

[Dave_Premier_Rec]

Interview Tips
General tips
· Never be late
· Know the location
· Read the job specification (also take with you)
· Research company - get a brochure, view website
· Know about their products and/or services/markets they target
· Communication skills are ranked higher than qualifications
· An interview is a two way process – ask questions
· Take it seriously - this 30 minutes may determine the course of your life
· Practice with a friend or family member beforehand
· An interviewer is a skilled professional and they know what they are looking for
Attitude
· Act like you are determined to get the job
· Be positive and confident
· Fill out forms carefully and neatly
· Shake hands
· Don’t sit down until asked
· Look interviewer in the eye
· Be factual
· Be sincere
· Tell the truth
· Speak positively about reason to move on from current job
· Be clear and to the point
· Turn phone off
Appearance
· Wear a suit and tie (males) or smart business attire (females)
· Shave (males)
· Polish shoes
· Ties – reflect your personality
· No earrings or jewelry (males)
· No chewing gum
· Take a briefcase to store documents
Good questions to ask
· Reason for vacancy?
· A detailed job description?
· Training?
· Expansion plans?
· For a tour of the office?
· Career progression?
Be prepared to answer
· Why work for us?
· Why leave your current role?
· Where do you want to be in 5 years time?
· Achievements to date?
· What have you learned from your last job?
· How could you benefit us?
· Personal life?
· Strengths?
· Weaknesses?
· How would people describe you?
· How do you cope with pressure?
Don’ts
· Don’t be over-aggressive
· Ask about benefits and holiday
· Waffle too much
· Be nervous
· Be evasive
· Criticise
· Look at the floor
· Have a limp handshake
· Never criticise current/last employer
Close
· Request feedback
· Ask about next stage at end of meeting
· Accept any offer on the spot or be tactful and give a date for a decision
· Shake their hand and thank them for their time
· Call agent immediately after

I would also take a portfolio is possible. Depending on the type of company, tailor the portfolio to suit (i.e more sketches if it's a product design company)

[Pete]

Wow, thanks for the info- particularly the questions to ask the company! Would also love to know how to not be nervous!! :D

I've heard a couple of people mention that you should ask for feedback on the interview - I’ve never been brave enough to do it without sounding a bit odd... Any suggestions?

This will be my third job since leaving Middlesex Uni last summer!

(Not as bad as it sounds!)

After a 6 month placement on my MSc course, I got taken on permanently as a Design Engineer, and had a fantastic time - great company and friendly from top to bottom with a very literal open door policy. Then got made redundant after 6 months along with 25% of the company and 50% of the R&D Dept...

Following that I took up an offer of a 6 month KTP style scheme at Anglia Ruskin University. Here I’m effectively working as a consultant with a company to design a mobile patient hoist from scratch. It’s a bit of an odd set-up, but I have total responsibility for the design and management of the product and project, which is a fantastic (and slightly stressful) experience that I didn't get and probably wouldn’t get in 'industry'.

Anyhow, that's up in Jan, so am looking for job number 3!

[Dana]

Ditto on the portfolio... I keep a looseleaf binder with samples (mostly assembly drawings, but some 2D drawings and renderings) from nearly everywhere I've worked. Started it while working as a consultant, but kept it up after returning to direct employment. I've been told numerous times that that's what got me the job.