Tips for for interview 1

[MrsLag]

Experts / Senior Engineers -

I am interviewing with a mechanical seal manufacturer next friday. I have been extensively reading all the material I can get from the internet about mechanical seals. I am preparing a list of technical questions

1) What is a pusher / non pusher seal?
2) What parameters are important in selecting a mechanical seal?
3) Explain a tandem seal?
4) How do you size an orifice?
5) What flush plan(s) would you use for a hot temperature application?

Any other questions I should prepare for?

 

[MikeHalloran]

Q: Would you hire someone who asked questions about mechanical seals, in a place set aside for pump questions, when there exists a place set aside for mechanical seal questions?



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[Artisi]

Likewise, would you hire someone to sell your product that has to ask basic questions on the product.
I would recommend a lot more study, all of which is probably on the net somewhere, but good luck anyway, they might well be prepared to give you a start and train you.

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

 

[1gibson]

I see a lot of "what" and no "how/when/why". Most of your questions could probably be answered by spending 15 minutes with a product brochure.

Hopefully I misunderstood - is this is a list of questions you will research and go into the interview knowing the answers to? If that is the case, not a bad start but when the topics come up, the questions you will want to ask are:

How does w affect x
Why is y feature required
When is z selected, when is it optional, when is it a waste of money, and when is it detrimental

 

[DubMac]

MrsLag,

Based upon the questions, and with all due respect, I assume you have very little experience with mechanical seals. The company you are interviewing knows this. While it is helpful to know some basic terms to at least be conversant; you are not going to impress them with anything you can learn in a week or two. I suggest you reposition your strategy.

I was once told that the most important quality a college degree showed was that the candidate took on a commitment, had the ability to be taught, was willing to abide by rules, and completed a task once started.

It wasn't as much what was learned in college; more that they were a quality raw material ready and able to be shaped by the company. This is also one of the reasons military experience is valued.

Whether or not you have a college degree or military experience is not the point. The point is, that although you may be a clean slate when it comes to seals, you are still sharp enough to learn anything they teach you and are willing to work within their system.

In the actual interview it is important as well to exhibit confidence in yourself. You must have the mindset that they would be lucky to have you join their company. In a very respectful manner put them back on their heels a bit with some basic questions:

What is your 5-yr plan for this position?
What other opportunities could this lead to within the company?
Why is this position open?
Why did the last person leave?
Do you have a lot of turnover here?

Sorry to drone on so much, this all may be drivel to you, but I have been lucky over the years to have had good counsel from old farts. Now that I am an old fart myself, I would like to try to pass along some of the things I've found valuable.

Best of luck to you; go kick some ARSE!!

 

[bigTomHanks]

If they had concerns about your technical abilities they wouldn't be asking you to come in to interview or they would ask you some technical questions. Some questions I suggest that you ask are:

What are your expectations for the person you hire for this positions after 90 days?

Can you please explain what a typical day is like for a person in this position?

Managers need someone who can fit well into their team and do the job that helps them complete their goals. You have to ask the right questions so they will let you know what they are looking for and reassure them them that you are the right person to help them accomplish their objectives. I've always found it helpful to ask them about their background because everyone wants to toot their own horn a little bit, especially managers.

 

[electricpete]

...when there exists a place set aside for mechanical seal questions?

Now you've got my curiosity up. What forum would that be?

=====================================
(2B)+(2B)' ?

 

[Pumpsonly]

The first thing you should know about mechanical seal working principal is that all mechanical seals must leak...

http://www.eng-tips.com/threadminder.cfm?pid=819

 

[electricpete]

Aha. Thanks PumpsOnly, I didn't know that forum existed and must have botched my forum search attempt.

=====================================
(2B)+(2B)' ?

 

[PumpSmart]

MrsLag,

Your meeting is based on technical or commercial relationship?
They visited in the past years?
Do you have any goal (personal or company)for this meeting?

Look in you plant, the most difficult mechanical seals problem (bad actors), ask them how to resolve.
Make a list of critical pump services with mechanical seals, and ask them how to reduce MTBF, increase reliability and reduce maintenance cost.

Look how much % of this brand of Mechanical Seal Mfg is installed in your plant, if it is low, ask why? and why are the adventages of these seals with other brands.

If it is high, ask them, how to go up in reability, and/or how made installed seals with more interchangeability parts.
If you look for more information or expertise in your self of staff, you will ask them for a training program available.

But basically, questions go in parallel with your goals and advantages you find in this meeting.

I hope respectfully it helps

 

[racookpe1978]

25 July ... I wonder: how did she do in the interview?