Interview 3

[pithpal]

Hi Everybody,
Most of you people here are either senior electrical consultants and electrical engineers and are involved in hiring new graduates. I just need a word of advise from you as this thing is very crucial for my future. I did my masters from a canadian university in power and just got an interview a big utility. The position is Engineer-in-Training(Electrical). I have some experience but in bits and pieces and at present I am working in a company where I am exposed to some electrical work but would not call my self a complete engineer. Anyways my question, there will be two interview sessions, first will be a telephonic interview and it will be 1 hour 15 min session and then the next one will be a in persion session. Please advise in these kind of interviews possibly what kind of questions can be asked in a telephonic interview. I dont have much experience with this thing so any response with you guys would be highly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[dpc]

I wouldn't worry too much about a lack of practical experience - they know your experience level.

I'd be prepared to discuss your masters coursework and power related classes you took. If you got any low marks, have an explanation for that. If you worked your way through school, make sure you work that into the conversation.

You should also be able to talk about the type of work you'd be interested in doing, long-term goals, etc. The more you can find out about the company and the people there before the interview the better.

At the entry-level, they are trying to figure out:

Are you smart enough to do the work?
Are you too smart to be happy doing the work?
Do you have good work habits?
Writing skills
Verbal communication skills
General personality/behavior traits
Attitude, Attitude, Attitude
Appearance (sorry, but it's true)

If you're smart, they know they can train you. If they think you might have an attitude problem that is a much more serious issue since that's hard to change.

Best of luck.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Suggestions for telephone interview:

Stand up.
Smile.
Speak clearly and distinctly.
Have your resume and other papers on the table already.
Have writing materials ready also.
Have a glass of water nearby. No ice.
Don't make jokes.
Answer exactly the question that's asked.
Don't answer questions that aren't asked.
After answering, shut up. Don't tell stories.
When you are asked an open ended question, be brief.

They are not hiring you to run the company. Don't apologize for what you might perceive as a lack of experience. Don't apologize for anything.

Take very brief notes. Expand on them after the interview. Note the questions asked, and the direction the interview went after that.

Write a thank-you note and get it out the same day.










Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[jraef]

I like the idea of standing during a telephone interview Mike. Keeps you on edge. I really agree with the advice od not answering questions that were not asked. That is a big problem with people I have interviewed.

 

[rmw]

Not only stand, but move around or even pace back and forth as you talk (without, of course, pulling the phone off your desk or table) because it helps work off Adrenalin and/or anxiety.

rmw

 

[mikewilson7]

First of all, you are an engineer. The time and dedication required to obtain your degree bears witness to this. Second, never downplay your abilities, or accentuate your weaknesses. When hiring for entry-level positions, companies are not looking for a know-it-all. Save that for when you have a little experience under your belt. Emphasize your social skills, i.e., ability to communicate and interact among different personalities with diverse backgrounds. Be yourself, by all means do not 'try' to sound too professional; if it's not really you it will be obvious. Lastly, relax...taking in account that you are coming straight out of school, it's almost certain that you have never directly dealt with the equipment used in the utility industry, and they know this. When you do get the job, find a lineman with 20+ years experience and listen to everything he has to offer. Always ask questions. It's a whole different world out in the field.

 

[Sargardani]

If you got to the stage of the phone interview, it means you have 90% of the job.... now it depends on your presentaion and communication skills to make it 100%. Normally in phone interviews the employer wants to know your technical background and also get to know about you. Show interest in the position and do a bit of a home work on the company because you will definately be asked why do you want to join their company?

The second stage is the face to face interview, which should end up in an offer.

Sarg

 

[Electic]

I hire college interns and the number one challenge I have with them is to understand the scope of the work being asked.

Interns will often solve what they THINK the problem SHOULD BE which is usually quite a bit different from an owner's point of reference.

Using the good advice others have given, if you can impress upon them that you will simplify their life by doing as told, save them time and effort, it should go well.

Power companies are also political entities, so they will very much appreciate a team player above an inventor.

 

[pithpal]

Thanks for these suggestions, One last thing, one of the most important things is the normally first question
"Tell me about your self"
It can have many different answers, All of you guys might have come across lot of answers for this, what is your suggestion, how it should be tackled.
Thanks

 

[thebqe]

When they ask you to tell about yourself, you should describe your personality and how it led to your pursuing an engineering degree and career. I know for myself and many of the engineers I've worked with, I grew up with a curiosity and questioning/analytical attitude along with a need to tinker and diligence to get to the root of a problem. The fact that you continued beyond your Bachelors Degree to get a Masters shows you have the diligence part. I think most companies are looking for someone with some technical expertise, a questioning attitude, and someone who shows they will put in the effort to find the answers to problems (as opposed to workers who want everything handed to them).

No one is expected to know everything, but a desirable employee is one who shows a willingness to learn on the job and/or in the classroom. Acknowledge that you don't know everything, are eager to learn, welcome the opportunity to add value to the company, and aren't afraid to ask questions when things don't look right.

One thing I was afraid to do early in my career was to ask questions. As I matured, I was less afraid to "ask the dumb question". To my surprise, I would be supported by those who would say "you know, I was just asking myself the same thing". Those kind of reactions built my confidence.

My guess is the company is looking for someone with learning potential, some technical expertise, a good work ethic, and some courage to speak up when things just don't look right or find ways to improve things. So when you are talking about yourself, see if you can relate your personal background, hobbies and experiences to how the company would benefit by having you around.

Sorry for the length of this message.
Good Luck. You'll do fine

Ben Eng
NY

 

[rmw]

What is the best response when the question is "tell me about your weaknesses (or faults?)

rmw

 

[thebqe]

Assuming these are true statements about oneself, I would give the following self critical answers that demonstrate a strength elsewhere:

"Sometimes I take longer than I expected to get something done (analysis/calculation/report etc.) because I want to make sure I did it thoroughly and correctly"

"There are times I miss an "artificial" deadline because I needed more time to get it done right rather than issue a lower quality product that would impact other departments"

"Sometimes I take on too many assignments and I can't get them all done to my satisfaction"

"During assessment type assignments, my questioning attitude sometimes makes me ask some blunt questions which some departments don't like. But maybe that's why they assign me to the investigative team"

 

[pithpal]

Hi guys
Thanks for your wonderful suggestions. I had my interview today. There were two interviewrs and they asked my question for an hour and 15 min and that was the requirement of the position. They asked for my work experience and then told me that how the interview will shape and then they told me lot of stories they just went to carry on for why did I do masters and then why not from my own country. Just wondering what are the impressions they give if they have to give an impression about the Job. Please advice me.
Thanks

 

[Sargardani]

not sure what you mean by the "impresions they give if they have to give an impression about the job"??

Sarg

 

[pithpal]

Hi Everybody,
Thanks for all the advise you guys gave me for the first interview. I cleared the first part, now the second is in person interview. Which will be a 2 hour interview session. Please advise me, as you guys being an intergral part of selection process being Engineering Managers and consultants try to find in a candidate.
Thanks

 

[MikeHalloran]

What _we_ look for in a candidate is irrelevant.

What _they_ look for is all that matters.

Ask them.

Keep repeating: "By what criteria will you select the best candidate for this position?".

Write down their answers in big block letters with a Sharpie on a yellow legal pad.

As you progress through the interview, mentally prepare your final presentation, on the fly.

When the moment arrives, explain exactly how you are the perfect candidate for the job, by referring to the legal pad and talking about how you meet each and every one of the criteria that they themselves provided.

That's mostly it. For more detail, see "Hire Power", by Irv Zuckerman. Or ask him yourself; he hangs out in Compuserve's Careers Forum.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA