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