I got an interview with a structural engineering firm. I've done my previous 2 interviews via telephone since they were all out of state internships. Normally I'm not nervous about this kinda stuff, but my head hasn't been in the right place (is it ever?) in the past few weeks with random things popping up into my life. I know there are quite a few engineers on board here. Any tips?

Phone interviews are always easy since you can slack off and be more comfortable. this is for a job, not an internship (I graduate in 2 weeks with a B.E. and EIT)

I am being interviewed by 3 PEs, i met one of them at an engineering dinner that i MC'ed. Other then that, i dont know much about the people who are interviewing me unless one of thme has a profile on the company website.

Any tips? I have no idea what kind of questions they are going to be asking, my internships were all geotechnical, this one is structural.

Wear a suit that fits.

Learn everything you can about the company... website?  Hoovers?  D&B?  Public?

Bring your res on both CD and paper.  I used to have those 3" CDs that were great for resumes and other work if you have it.  They also have rectangular CDs that fit in a card wallet.. nerdy but effective.

Leave your phone in the car.  Bring a book with you, something you're actually reading that's interesting.  I got the best job ever after a discussion about Asimov.

Don't be late.

Listen and ask questions.

Just one more item to to ad to Tiz' excellent advice: relax.

don't bull sh!t.  if its a technical interview and you don't know an
answer, go as far as you can and then explain how you'd get the
rest of the way.

Quote from: abby normal on May 13, 2013, 07:38:52 AM
don't bull sh!t.  if its a technical interview and you don't know an
answer, go as far as you can and then explain how you'd get the
rest of the way.

Great advice.

ask questions about the company and the work environment you want to give off the aura that you are actually interested in the company/things they make/do

Ducatiz has good advice (except the book part...I'm a management level engineer, and I don't give a shit what a candidate is reading...unless it's about motorcycles, which won't make a difference in the end anyway)

Be yourself, and be honest. Don't try to BS anyone. If you don't know something just admit it, but say you'd be willing to learn (if you are). No one expects you to know everything, and if they do you don't want to work for them. Most likely you won't get many, if any, technical questions anyway. Also, be honest about what interests you if asked. I don't look for people that just want a job, I look for people that are interested in the type of work that we do...no sense for us to hire a brilliant structural engineer who is passionate about bridges or buildings, since we mainly build tunnels & shafts. 

We're looking for a few positions on the East Coast as well...check out our openings, and if any interest you send me a PM. 

http://www.jacobssf.com/careers/openings/

thanks for the advice guys! I was assuming they might throw in some basic engineering questions, nothing too serious.

But ill keep the relax idea in my head as the top one.

I just wonder what their response will be if i say i like to fight and ride bikes. maybe they are anti motorcyclist??? this is NYC after all!


Triple J, i didnt know you worked for them! My main interest is actually in tunnels. I am a big fan of The Moles, thats why most of my internshisp were geotechnical (construction side)! but it seems like all your jobs need MS. Im a BE guy (Part time MS in fall).

Be honest with them. After all they need to fill a position, and you want the job. No sense in wasting each others time otherwise right? Integrity is hard to find so its a good quality to have. I always approach interviews as two parties investigating each other to see if they're a good fit. You're investigating them as much as they are you. Keep this in mind and it helps take the edge off the nerves. I would also echo what others have said. They don't necessarily want to know how much you know, but how honest are you about telling them you don't know everything. A good employer looks for integrity and hard workers, then trains them well.

Be cordial and friendly with anyone you meet - including the receptionist inside the front door. You never know who they might ask for an impression of the "interviewee".

What's important to you in a company and the people who work there (and who manage you)?   You need to interview them as much as they interview you.   

Good luck and keep us posted!

a word of advice on saying you don't know something.

I had an interview recently where they asked if I knew about 'responsive design' or some strange terminology.
Actually I hadn't heard about it. So I was honest and said I hadn't but I am a fast study etc etc.

after the interview they asked for me to send some examples of my work, so I took the time to research the terminology they brought up. It's something that I've been doing my whole web career, but some writer coined a new term on it. 

I emailed them the examples and explained my experience a bit more in reference to the "responsive design" (again can't even remember the term, which in the end wasn't important anyway since they were using a content manager and not designing from the ground up  ).

They thanked me and hired someone else due to them 'knowing' the term.

The lesson, if you don't know a term, find a way to get the meaning out of them before saying no you don't know. You may. but may have been calling it something else.

Quote from: Raux on May 13, 2013, 10:17:56 PM
It's something that I've been doing my whole web career, but some writer coined a new term on it. 

...three years ago. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsive_web_design

Whatever you do absolutely under no circumstances, show up naked.......

Research the company as much as possible, know what projects and contracts they are working on then ask them questions about those projects in the interview.

Sounds like youve been drinking with me a few times.  

ok. the interview is tomorrow.


1) Stay cool....
2) Learn about the company ....they do structural engineering. building skins, LEED buildings, building rehab
3) ask questions about the company
        a) what type of roll do you see your entry level hires fulfilling
        b) are you looking to bring someone up with your company, or is it a temporary position?
        c) my third question will be made up on the spot based on what they tell me so they know im listening
4) do not show up naked
5) know the ins and out of my own resume and don't get caught up trying to make it sound more than what it is, i.e. be honest and literal about your experience and knowledge.
6) relax.

sounds about right?
i picked up my first suit, two of them actually, at mens warehouse the other day. one of them came out terrible after tailoring so ill be trying to get them to take it back on their dime, the other is a CK one with minor adjustments to the sleeve. i feel good in the suit, and i feel comfortable. ive interview for internships before, and they were always a breeze, i just feel like theres a lot more expectation for a real job so its making me a bit nervous.

Thanks a lot for the tips guys.

i got a hair cut, trimed my nails, have my resume on good paper. shined my shoes, and now i have to go and do more research on them. :p