Interview questions 1

[sheiko]

Dear members,

I will have soon an interview for a new job (chemical process engineer in an engineering company) and i would like you to give me some advice.

Could you please mention 3 defaults (vs qualities) that can be considered as acceptable as a chemical process engineer?

"We don't believe things because they are true, things are true because we believe them."

 

[sheiko]

Also,

What would you seriously answer when asked: "why you and not another candidate?"

Thanks

"We don't believe things because they are true, things are true because we believe them."

 

[rotorblade]

why me but not other candidates? I think because, first of all, I would never ask these questions.

sheiko, no offense, but how would our answers regarding OUR qualities and experience end up being the answers for you?

please, for your own good, just concentrate on your strengths. if you're not sure, ask someone who knows you.

cheers,

Murat

 

[sheiko]

rotorblade,

Maybe you misunderstood the point.

The question "why you for the job and not another one" is frequent and i just want to know how you would answer it as a source of inspiration.

"We don't believe things because they are true, things are true because we believe them."

 

[PLukacovic]

Why me?
"Because I'm the right candidate for the position. I'm a hard workerwho enjoys the type of work listed in the position. [Give an example]"

Don't be afraid to be a little cocky, but don't over do it. Confidence is the key.


I've been in many interviewing situations, and all I can really give you for advice is: be confident, show enthusiasm, and good luck.

 

[sheiko]

Thank you PLukacovic!

What about potentials defaults/qualities? i mean what if asked a question like "please tell us 3 defaults and 3 qualities".

I have some ideas but could you please mention your favorites?

Thanks in advance for all contributions.

"We don't believe things because they are true, things are true because we believe them."

 

[KirbyWan]

Heh, Silly interview questions and decent answeres are always a good topic.

"Why you and not another candidate?" Of course you can't answer this question because you don't (normally) know the other candidates. What they are really asking is what you feel you bring that really makes a difference. It's the time to show passion for the job, a non-tecnical skill that really enhances your ability to do the job such as great communication or interpersonal skills, or your motivation such as "If I don't get this job my 14 children will starve".

As to 3 faults (I think default is the wrong word here), I like to use this question to throw a joke in there such as "I'm so attracive I tend to be distracting to the female employees, and I work so quickly that I become a nearly invisible blur which is often mistaken for being absent." Your milage may vary depending on your ability to deliver a joke. For 3 real faults I would tend to say (true) things like I could be better at managing my time/organization of my work space, or I tend to dig too deeply into a problem before looking for an expert who could answer the problem immediately. The best faults are the ones that are qualities when balanced between two less optimal extremes and you are just off to one side without being too far. For example 'Seeking an answer for your self without accepting help <--> Always asking for help.'

Good luck in your job search.

-Kirby



Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[oldfieldguy]

KirbyWan--

You're operating on the supposition that an HR interviewer has a sense of humor. If they do actually laugh, it's usually at things one finds written on the walls of the toilet.

old field guy

 

[KirbyWan]

OFG,

The humor works both ways. If they have no sence of humor then this may be one of those jobs you don't want to get. The soul crushing spirit grinding abysmal jobs where no one is happy and it rubs off. For the humor impaired, this joke will not work if you _are_ actually attractive. I've never missed with it.

-Kirby

Kirby Wilkerson

Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.

 

[PeterStock]

In regards to humor regarding the sexes. Once I was working for a design shop doing work for company X. A checker was talking to a female engineer at company X and the fact that she was working flex time came up. The checker made the remark that where he came from that was called "sex" time. Dead silence at the other end. This was in the morning, he was out by lunch.

Peter Stockhausen
Senior Design Analyst (Checker)
Infotech Aerospace Services

http://www.infotechpr.net

 

[SNORGY]

I was of the opinion that humour had no place in a job interview.

Then came the interview (a 4th interview, in fact) during which I was told that they would be choosing "the other candidate" on the grounds that they did not perceive me as someone who had a sense of humour.

I can laugh about it now.

Rehearse the answers that HR types are bound to ask (because that's what they are trained to ask). Answer everything else honestly, as if it's the first time you ever heard or ever expected to hear the question.

Prepare, but don't mislead or deceive. That's a lose-lose scenario: you'll end up successfully getting something you don't want, and so will they.

Regards,

SNORGY.

 

[sheiko]

Thanks guys for the good time.

Any other "credible" faults?

Any other "why me" suggestions?

"We don't believe things because they are true, things are true because we believe them."

 

[KENAT]

You can always try to be a smart ass and turn what ever weakness you have into a strength of some kind. Of course some of us see straight through that.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[casseopeia]

My suggestion for an answer to the ridiculous question of why you and not the others is, " And all this time I thought you were interviewing to decide that for yourself. But if I get to pick, I pick me. When can I start?"

Or, if you're not feeling particularly jovial during the interview, you could try "I'm sure you and the company management will make the right decision."

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance!"

 

[MikeHalloran]

Not so very long ago, I spent most of a day in a distant city interviewing for a job. It gradually dawned on me that the decision maker was trying to insert his little operation into the management of a factory that seemed to be working just fine without his help. ... and that I was to be the point of his wrecking bar.

( I've done stuff like that before. It's not fun, it's not a long term position, and it doesn't pay well enough to offset the negative factors. )

So when the DM stopped selling the company to me, and asked me to sell myself to him, I gave him a big smile, thanked him for his time, shook his hand, and left immediately without further comment.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[MechEng2005]

When asked about faults, I like to tell them about faults I had that I have completely corrected or improved. For example, I might say "Well, I used to have things scattered all over my desk because I was jumping from one project to the next. I'd know where everything was, but if somebody else needed something and I wasn't around, they'd have a heck of a time finding it. I've gotten a lot better about managing papers and keeping organized. Even when I am very busy and jumping around, I at least keep labeled piles for different projects so others would be able to find what they need."

It doesn't say I don't have any areas for improvement, which is a tempting goal for the answer. However, I think many interviews generally resent dodging questions. They have their list of of questions and need an answer that fills in the blank. Using humor (i.e. I'm so pretty I'm a distraction) can be good on a personal level, but chances are they won't write it down and when they review the interviews later they will have a blank space.

I think the approach I take shows ability and desire to improve. Just use some common sense when answering. I don't think it would work so well if somebody said, "I used get a lot of complaints about sexual harassment, but I've learned who whines to the boss and who doesn't."

-- MechEng2005

 

[ARenko]

What are you guys doing talking to HR people anyway? I haven't been interviewed by one since my co-op position during college.

 

[NomLaser]

Most interviews that I have been on, you at least sit down for a few minutes with an HR representative. If nothing else, than to go over formalities. Even Engineers that I have interviewed with pop out the over-used questions of faults/weaknesses...etc.

 

[GregLocock]

We discussed that particular question extensively in a previous rather long thread. Most of the suggested answers were more accurately described as retorts, and unlikely to enhance a positive atmosphere.



Cheers

Greg Locock

SIGlease see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[IRstuff]

I think you should go with simple, typical, stuff like, "I tend to have trouble delegating, but have gotten better at it over the years," That shows up on my annual review, annually. I think my boss knows it's fluff, but he lets it pass.

TTFN

FAQ731-376