|
|
Featured Article
Engineers: Getting Ready for Recruiting Interviews
September 16, 2005
OCR interviews are nearing. Are you ready? Even though the
market has recently improved, employers are still selective, so get yourself
geared-up to successfully navigate recruiting interviews. Employers select applicants
that are goal-directed, know about their organization, and are a good match.
You may wonder how they do this - after all, most OCR interviews are only 25-30
minutes.
Based on an analysis of your resume, recruiters develop an initial impression
of your skills and capabilities. If you pass this initial hurdle, then during
the interview they'll not only assess the content of your statements but also
your delivery style, including communication skills, personality, and other
important factors. In addition, you may be asked technical
questions.
- Learn the lingo - Talk with engineers to learn what it's like
to work as an engineer and to gain knowledge about the differences between
the typical types of engineering jobs, e.g. Research Engineer, Design Engineer,
Applications Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineer,
Project Manager, etc. If you've talked with 3-4 Manufacturing Engineers, you
will be more convincing to recruiters that you are a good "fit" for Manufacturing
Engineering positions. Demonstrate you have a clear understanding of the nature
of the job - doing this communicates to employers that you are highly interested,
goal directed, and serious about your job search. Take advantage of the
@cal Career Network, a database of Cal
alums who have volunteered to talk with students about what they do in their
job.
- Look the part - What you wear is part of that important first impression.
Wear professional attire or at a minimum, business casual. Interview
attire is often considered a reflection of how important you consider
the interview. In addition, it shows the employer that you are capable of
dressing in a professional manner if needed.
- Know your audience - Every article written on interviewing will note
the importance of researching the employer.
They all do so because it remains the most pervasive and serious complaint
voiced by recruiters. Would you want to be responsible for the work of a newly
hired employee who couldn't be bothered to prepare adequately for the job
interview? How responsible are they likely to be in the day-to-day conduct
of their work? When recruiters provide feedback on Cal students' interviewing
skills, their lack of knowledge of the organization is often the most significant
and consequential negative mentioned. If you do your research, you will stand
out from the crowd.
- Know what to expect. Check Article Archives
for a series of great 1-2 page articles on interviewing. They will help you
to develop a strategy for answering technical questions, learn about traditional
interview questions, and give you a good understanding of what behavioral interviews
are all about. Interview questions for engineers are not all technical; you
will be asked both traditional and behavioral-based questions and you need
to be prepared for them.
|
