Any Exectutive Engineers out there?

[Mogwai]

I am getting to a stage in my degree where I need to start sorting out employment opportunities....Are there any engineers who use this forum that are or have been in charge of recruiting? I would greatly appreciate some Evertonian advice on the matter...

If so, What do you look for in candidates to set them out from the rest....How big a part do high grades count?...What else do you look for on a resume?...what else do you look for at the interview stage?

What I have come to notice is that it is extremely competitive out there, and good old grades do not seem to cut it anymore.

If anyone from other industries has experience with this, please chime in too!

FYI: I am studying Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Honours) with quite good grades. But I am keeping my options open and looking at employment in Mechanical, Material or Structural (Wind) engineering fields.

 

[Dylan]

Good grades and a good resume are only tools to get you an interview. If you can get the interview, you can kill your chances completely or talk yourself into a better job than originally planned and everything inbetween.

Some generic stuff, research the company and know their history, and where they are going in the future. Then you spin yourself into a way that your skills will help the 'team' and company going forward.

However, remember it isn't just them interviewing you. It is a two way street and you should use it as an opportunity to make the final decision if you want to work for them.

And get yourself a copy of this book:

http://www.amazon.com/What-Color-Your-Parachute-2014/dp/1607743620

 

[Dylan]

Oh, and there is always an odd-ball question that is designed to un-nerve you. They want to watch you in a sudden unexpected situation. The goal is to show them that you are competent thinking on your feet, even if you arrive at the wrong answer (my favorite is 'why are man-hole covers round?')

 

[Mogwai]

Thanks Dylan...Great tips...I always try and tailor my resume and cover letter to each individual company which can be a long and laborious task when there are over 50 potential employers....That book looks great, I will order it this week....

Hardest part of it all is getting the interview I suppose.

What was your answer to "why are man-hole covers round?".....I have had "How would you move Mt Fuji?"

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

What I look for (I am an IT Manager)

Effective, articulate communicators
Someone who understand the impact of doing (or not doing) the work expected of them
Ability to think independently, but when they don't have the answers, know who or where to go to get them
Someone who is solution oriented

I'm not a fan of trick questions. All they prove is that you know the trick.

 

[Mogwai]

What I look for (I am an IT Manager)

Effective, articulate communicators
Someone who understand the impact of doing (or not doing) the work expected of them
Ability to think independently, but when they don't have the answers, know who or where to go to get them
Someone who is solution oriented

I'm not a fan of trick questions. All they prove is that you know the trick.

Great! Thanks !....What are the first things that stand out for you on a C.V?

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

(my favorite is 'why are man-hole covers round?')

...the hole they're covering is round?

I have had "How would you move Mt Fuji?"

Does it need to be moved?

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

Great! Thanks !....What are the first things that stand out for you on a C.V?

A cover letter that is not generic.

I know that is not really the C.V., but an insight into why the person is interested in the job and what skills or qualities they have that I can make use of will help me see that they will be a good fit

 

[Dylan]

I got there in the end, and now it seems obvious, but man hole covers are quite heavy. If it is round, there is no WAY you can drop it and it will fall to the bottom of the hole they are covering. With a square or rectangular cover, you can definitely drop it in if you get the angle right.

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

I got there in the end, and now it seems obvious, but man hole covers are quite heavy. If it is round, there is no WAY you can drop it and it will fall to the bottom of the hole they are covering. With a square or rectangular cover, you can definitely drop it in if you get the angle right.

They can also be used by giants for a game of pidgey

 

[Mogwai]

...the hole they're covering is round?



Does it need to be moved?

Apparently they want to dig a man hole there...Possibly a round one too...

 

[Mogwai]

I got there in the end, and now it seems obvious, but man hole covers are quite heavy. If it is round, there is no WAY you can drop it and it will fall to the bottom of the hole they are covering. With a square or rectangular cover, you can definitely drop it in if you get the angle right.

My first thought....from an engineering perspective...was a circle is the most efficient shape to support pressure on a surface without buckling.....

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

My first thought....from an engineering perspective...was a circle is the most efficient shape to support pressure on a surface without buckling.....

Could also be said that you can roll it away though, or that you dont have to turn it because its round

End of the day, what is the question achieving? That you know the motivations behind a design? I suppose that could matter in engineering like. Giving more than one valid reason always sits well in an interview.

 

[Mogwai]

Could also be said that you can roll it away though, or that you dont have to turn it because its round

End of the day, what is the question achieving? That you know the motivations behind a design? I suppose that could matter in engineering like. Giving more than one valid reason always sits well in an interview.

The whole interview process is largely flawed....Numerous studies show that the majority of methods used to gauge if a candidate is suitable for a job are not accurate indicators of good performance....Also, through some studies it can be argued most interviewers will know if they want to hire some one based on the first 30seconds of meeting them.....

 

[McBain]

Are there any engineers who use this forum that are or have been in charge of recruiting?

I recruit for the largest social engineering company in the world, Cheekosmar PLC.

I would greatly appreciate some Evertonian advice on the matter...

Copy that.

If so, What do you look for in candidates to set them out from the rest....How big a part do high grades count?...What else do you look for on a resume?...what else do you look for at the interview stage?

Grades Schmades. Anytime I look at a resume with good 'grades' I chuck it in the bin. Interview stage? An interview will usually consist of who can do the loudest armpit fart followed by who can touch their elbows behind their backs lad.

What I have come to notice is that it is extremely competitive out there, and good old grades do not seem to cut it anymore.

Are you deaf pal? Just said that ffs.

If anyone from other industries has experience with this, please chime in too!

The last thing you wanna do is take advice from this bunch of inbreds mate.

FYI: I am studying Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering (Honours) with quite good grades. But I am keeping my options open and looking at employment in Mechanical, Material or Structural (Wind) engineering fields.

Thats great but are you female? You may be more qualified than me in armpit wind but can you touch your elbows together behind your back?

If so you're hired buddy/Chick. And just remember. White with two.