Preparing for Technical Interviews

1. Preparing for Technical Interviews Thursday Sep. 18th 4pm – 5pm EC 2780 Get ready to impress your next employer with your interpersonal skills, technical wit, and good humor.

2. Learning Objectives • Discuss aspects of interviewing • Recognize your needs (job and employer) • Understand importance of research • Poise when answering interpersonal and technical questions

3. Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek 10. Organizational Skills 9. Computer Skills 8. Analytical Skills 7. Flexibility/Adaptability 6. Initiative/Self-Motivation 5. Strong Work Ethic 4. Interpersonal Skills (relates well to others) 3. Teamwork Skills (works well with others) 2. Honesty/Integrity 1. Communication Skills (verbal & written) NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers)

4. Know Yourself Work-related values Interests Skills Strengths and weaknesses

5. Research Potential Employers Initially, basic information: Name, address, phone, and fax Names and titles of key contacts Products and/or services; competition As you start scheduling interviews, more details: Industry rank and size; subsidiaries Sales and profit trends Current plans

6. Informational Interview • Meet with someone in the industry or company • What got them into the business • Their likes and dislikes • Advice they can offer • Potential topics or skills discussed in an interview • Your strengths and weaknesses as a candidate • Practice using industry terminology • Thank them in person and follow up with a note • Promise to follow up on leads and updates about progress • Maintain this relationship as part of your network, which can lead to further information and opportunities

7. First Impressions Make Lasting Impressions Be on time: • Take names and phone numbers in case you need to call • Plan for traffic, getting lost, or unplanned prep time • Arrive at site at least 30 minutes early • Arrive at office 10 minutes early • Bring reading material or something else to keep relaxed Carry portfolio with: • College transcripts • Examples of work • Letters of recommendations • References • Resumes You may not be asked for this information, but if you are, this preparation could make a strong impression

8. Dress for Success Clean, polished shoes Cover visible tattoos Minimal jewelry Minimal cologne or perfume Neat, well-groomed hair and nails Remove visible body piercings Wear a watch Business Casual • Bring lint brush and iron • Don’t smoke before event • No coffee, spaghetti, etc. in interview clothes (spills) • Person next to you in line or at the bar may interview you later

9. Greeting Skills • Eye contact without staring • Smile • Introduce yourself • Firm hand shake • Wait to be invited • Wait to sit down • Confident and friendly

10. Non-Verbal Skills Communication: • Body Language • Tone of voice • Content Be cognizant of: • Attentive posture • Eye contact without staring • Firm handshake • Nervous mannerisms • Cues from interviewer(s)

11. Responding to Questions • Rehearse answers before interview • Understand behavioral-based interviewing • Sell yourself • Tie your background to the position • Focus on your accomplishments • Turn weaknesses into areas for growth • Stress the following in words, tone, and body language: Capability Confidence Dependability Enthusiasm Flexibility Resourcefulness Strong work ethic Easygoing, professional, manner

12. Reach for the STARs (S)ituation (T)ask (A)ction taken (R)esult of your action

13. Behavioral-Based Questions • Ability to handle ambiguity • Reacting to stress • Communication skills • Good decision-making • Honesty/integrity • Initiative • Problem solving/analytical skills • Team work

14. Sample Behavioral Interview Questions • Describe a situation when you performed under pressure • Tell me about your accomplishments • Tell me about yourself • What are your strengths and weaknesses? • What do you know about our organization? • What kind of boss do you like to have? • Why do you want this job? • Why do you want to leave your present position? • Why would you be successful in this job?

15. Sample Technical Interview Questions What is Hooke’s law? What is the equation that relates the bending moment to the normal stress developed in a beam? Explain the significance of the 1st Law of Thermodynamics.

16. Sample Technical Interview Questions Can you create a cyclic power system employing solely gravity as the driving force? If the answer to the previous question is no, can the power system deliver work iteratively? When a fluid flowing in a pipeline passes through a region where the pipe diameter increases, do you expect the flow rate to increase or decrease?

17. Sample Technical Interview Questions Explain the difference between the method of joints and the method of sections. When and how is the method of joints applied? When and how is the method of sections applied? Give an example of the input to and output from Finite Element Modeling package. How would you apply what you learned from a class project to this position?

18. Some Illegal and Legal Questions

19. Questions for Students “Why weren’t your grades better?” • If interviewing, you probably fulfill basic criteria for position • Probably trying to assess how well you handle adversity • Don’t get defensive or place blame • Concentrate on what you learned and the effort you put in “Why didn’t you participate more in extracurricular activities?” • Might be worried about a lack of outside interests (burnout) • Talk about interests that aren’t formal or organized The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, p 164

20. Questions for Employer • Is continuing education encouraged? • Is there a probation period? How long? • How do you evaluate your employees? • How is feedback given concerning job performance? • What are the department's goals for the year? • What are some characteristics of successful employees in your organization? • What staff development programs are available? • What training is provided? How long?

21. 12 Themes with Examples (1-4) Prepare 12 personal themes (with examples) that showcase your skills and qualifications: • Passion for the business • Why you’re interested in the field. What excites you? • Motivation and purpose • Why you want this interview and this job • Skills and experience • How you’ll use specific key skills. Minimize weaknesses • Diligence and professional character • Thoroughness and accountability; see projects through, predict obstacles, etc. The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, page 13

22. 12 Themes with Examples (5-8) • Creativity and leadership • Effectiveness, initiative; how you overcome problems, take advantage of opportunities, and rally support of others • Compatibility with the job • Specific qualifications. What you’re seeking in your next job. (Should match job description) • Personality and cultural compatibility • Fit. How would colleagues, supervisors, or customers react to you? Interact with you? • Management style and interpersonal skills • Skills with peers, leaders, customers, etc. What kind of colleague or boss would you be? The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, page 13

23. 12 Themes and Examples (9-12) • Problem-solving ability • How you’ve resolved difficult issues. Practical and realistic? • Accomplishments • How you’ve delivered more than expected. Action taken and positive results. What can you contribute? • Career aspirations • Reiterate skills and strengths you want to develop further, such as cross-functional experience, budget, supervisory, etc. • Personal interests and hobbies • Balanced lifestyle? Personality reflected in career choice? How would you reflect on the company? The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, page 13

24. Wrap up Skills Wrap up Interview • Notice signs that interview has run its course • Thank interviewer for their time • Ask for business card • Ask about next step • Maintain confident, friendly attitude Follow up Letter • Business thank you letter • Reaffirm interest in position • Reiterate qualifications discussed

25. Prepare for Next Interview • Write down what you learned • Were you prepared? • What were tough questions? • Where can you improve?

26. Salary Negotiation “The prospect of negotiating salary and benefits strikes fear into the hearts of many job seekers young and old. But handling the inevitable money questions doesn’t have to be difficult. And the more you think about them in advance, the easier they’ll be for you to answer” The 250 Job Interview Questions…!, Veruki, page 186

27. Do You Want the Job? • Be enthusiastic; find something you like • Don’t accept solely based on a few thousand • Growth and professional development • Job title and responsibilities • Salary, overtime, bonus structure • Tuition reimbursement • Vacation, sick time, parental leave • Life, medical, vision, and dental insurance • Discounted meals • Travel; relocation • Company culture: Schedule, pace, flexibility • Office environment: Teamwork and dialogue? Independent and isolated?

28. Career Services Tues, 9/23,10am Technical Career Fair @ GC Wed, 9/24, 10 am Non-Technical CF @ GC Thu, 10/30, 6:30 pm Alumni Job Fair @ GC Information Sessions on Monday, 9/22 @ EC Panther Pit: 11am NAVSEA, 3pm Goldman Sachs, 6pm Amtrak, 7:30pm GE Visit http://www.fiu.edu/~careerfor more events

29. ASME Events ASME/SAE BBQThurs. Sept 18th from 11am - 3pm EC Technical Career FairTues. Sept. 23rd in GC Ballrooms Non Technical Career FairWed. Sept. 24th in GC Ballrooms ECTC ConferenceFri. & Sat. Oct. 3rd &4th in EC 2300 Visit http://web.eng.fiu.edu/~asme/ to get connected

30. Questions? Visit http://web.eng.fiu.edu/~asme/ to get connected