1st real interview
Jay Kickliter
Posts: 446
After years of working jobs that only required no recent felonies, I've finally finished school and have an interview. I'm headed out to Colorado Springs this week for it. Does anyone have advice for a first timer? I know there's plenty of general information out there, but I'm looking for some tips from electrical engineers. This company develops satcom related products. I'm probably not the smartest new-grad they're going to interview, but I have lot going for me.
Thanks
Thanks
Comments
I listen to The Amp Hour with Chris Gammel and Dave Jones and they both have said they like to see someone show up with some projects they've completed. It shows you can actually do something and have practical skills beyond your book learning. It's also a great way to start conversation if you're able to talk about your project and some of the challenges you had to overcome in finishing it.
Good luck! From your posts here, you seem to have a lot more going for you than the typical "new grad".
I would also include your online activity at these (and other?) forums -- trading ideas and info with your peers in a given field of expertise is one sign of a professional. It may not be the same as attending four conferences a year, but the total hours add up...
"Be confident, look them straight in the eyes and shake them firmly by the hand".
Looking back I see that some of my most successful interviews involved a lot of discussion about anything other than the job at hand.
Often it's your attitude, personal skills and such that are as important as your technical know how.
Absolutely. My first real job I was surprised by how much of the interview we discussed music, skiing/snowboarding, design in general, etc. I realized much later that they were trying to get a sense of me as a person, how I might fit into the team, and so forth. Skills can always be enhanced through training and experience; it is harder to remake somebody's personality
Have some idea about what the target company does, and what markets it addresses.
Fit your discussions to their requirements...meaning, being an ace at trimming bycycle wheels may have no relation to the job opening.
If possible, show some activity in a related field (magazines read, conferences/seminars/training attended, hobbies).
As the others have said, be confident, informed, properly attired.
Much success!
As far as what to DO, I'd push ability, flexibility, experience, integrity, understanding deadlines, responsibility, confidence to work solo, and adaptability to be a team player. If you can cite some examples of your ability to get a tough job done on time under adverse conditions without freaking out, that's a huge plus.
AFAIK, being a whiz at trueing bicycle wheels can't hurt your chances.
I've never interviewed for a job ('never had a real career-type job that required one), and I've never interviewed anyone seeking a job, so please take this with a grain of salt. But I think if I were going to hire someone fresh out of school, my first concern would not be, "Why do you want this job?", but "Why do you want any job?" IOW, what motivates you to work besides needing a living wage? Can I count on you to take a real interest in your projects with an eye on growing the company? As with any marketing effort, emphasize the benefits (what's the advantage for my company in hiring you), not just the features (e.g. your degree and past experience).
But still, I've read The Perfect Storm, and if I saw "rescue swimming" on someone's r
Dale Carnegie's classic "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is a great read for anyone in dealing with people in all areas of life. Don't be thrown by the title, it is not sneaky manipulation but genuinely good in it's win-win approach.
Also, aren't you a licensed radio amateur? This demonstrates your passion for the field and shows that your not just in engineering cuz' you thought it'd be a good gig.
Exchanging NYC for Colorado Springs is a fantastic move in the right direction, imho. While you're in the area, drive, hike, or ride to the top of Pikes Peak. It's a whole different world.
¡Buena suerte!
p.s. Zoot's first post nailed it. The guy who hired me for my first professional position later told me that the reason he selected me over the other candidates was because I asked questions about what they were doing and how they were doing it. Nothing staged on my part - I simply wanted to know.
Great point. Better yet, research the company and ask informed questions. Sat com sounds very interesting so feigning interest should not be an issue.
Dress properly.
Not necessarily in a 3 piece suit, but showing a 'plumber's crack' or the top of your underwear(not even if it's Kalvin Klein) is bound to antagonise anyone who cares a bit about looks.
I work in the Norwegian version of the DMV, and I know for a fact that otherwise qualified people have been given the 'I'm sorry, but after consideration, you're not the one we're looking for' message after showing up in torn jeans, punk hairdo, excessive face-iron or similar.
(Yes, I wear jeans at work, and walk around in Army Boots. My "God is Busy, Can I help?" T-shirt, with a drawing of the horned one has caused giggles in the halls... Even more than my "OS X, I've upped my standard, up yours" T-shirt... But everything is whole and clean. And I definitely didn't wear that during my interview... Then it was sailor shoes, black jeans, fleece sweater. Shoes were polished, jeans were new. No stone/acid/cement mixer used in the making.)
So, dress properly, but in a style that you would feel comfortable in.
To continue on what I said above, back in 1981 I did not have a project to show physically and there was no internet to show off project pages back then but in one successfull interview for an electronics position we spent the most time discussing, gues what, a hot air engine I had built and my plans for building a rotary hot air engine.
P.S. At the time I had never heard of a rotary hot air engine and I never did get to build the thing. Once I got the job there was no time anymore:) I notice now there are many rotary hot air engine builders around the net. Mine would have looked like this http://www.emachineshop.com/machine-shop/New-Simplified-Heat-Engine/page150.html
P.P.S. Good luck Jay.