A Blueprint for Acing Every Engineering Job Interview

Anthony Fasano posted 2014-01-15

The following is a summary of Session 10 of my podcast, The Engineering Career Coach (TECC) Podcast with Anthony Fasano, PE. I will summarize the main points in this post here; however, you can also listen to the show through the player below or by subscribing on iTunes. I offer a career-changing tip at the end of each podcast session.

Oftentimes the biggest barrier to landing your dream engineering job (or any engineering job) is the interview. My experience has shown me that engineers struggle mightily with this process, frequently because they struggle to find the right things to say or because they’re too nervous to present themselves properly.

This is an important topic, because the interview may determine whether or not you obtain your perfect engineering job—I’d say that’s pretty important.

My guest for Session 10 is Sherry, who is a 25-year-old engineering graduate student. The key points that I outline with Sherry are as follows:

  • Researching a prospective employer prior to the interview can help you to immediately connect with the interviewer in a positive way. They will feel like you know them if you can show that you are aware of current happenings with their firm.
  • Rather than rattling off random strengths when asked to introduce yourself, have a solid two-minute introduction prepared that highlights your strengths and recent projects that you have worked on. Don’t overdo it; the interview is about their needs, not your strengths.
  • After your introduction, ask the interviewer to explain some of the specific responsibilities you would be charged with if hired. Use their answer to present yourself as a perfect match for the job. THIS IS KEY AND ALMOST NEVER DONE.
  • You should prepare for behavioral and “trick” questions prior to the interview. Listen to the podcast for several samples.
  • When asked to discuss your weaknesses, mention that you have already begun to improve them and give examples of how.
  • Bring a list of references to the interview and share it with the interviewer before you leave.
  • To alleviate nervousness, breathe deeply and visualize yourself having a successful interview immediately prior to entering the room.

If you are currently searching for a new engineering job or just want to be prepared for your next search, this podcast session should equip you with strategies to help you stand out among others and ace your engineering job interview.

This is a guest post by Anthony Fasano, PE, author of Engineer Your Own Success. Anthony found success as an engineer at a very early age and now writes and podcasts to help other engineers do the same. Visit Anthony’s website atEngineeringCareerCoach.com and subscribe to the top 3 resources Anthony has used to become a partner in a firm at the age of 27.