Job Interview, Tips?

[Speeddog]

~~~SNIP~~~

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!

~~~SNIP~~~

Dunno what you mean by 'fight', but if you use a more accurate term like 'kung-fu' or 'krav maga' or whatever, they might be less inclined to think you go out to bars at night to brawl.

[Raux]

...three years ago. 

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

Not that I've read everything on web design as of the last three years
been a video producer for most of that time

figures derby would do the research 

[He Man]

so the interview went pretty good. it wasnt in the direction i thought it would go. it was a few minutes over an hour.

they want some writing samples and theyll let me know next week since they are interview several others. wish me luck!

[Jumptship]

Good Luck He Man!

Sorry for seeing this too late but just recently retired from military but before getting out endured a one week session (actually took it twice) that covered resume' writing and interviews.  Main points below.

- When called for interview ask the following --
   -- What type of interview is it?  (panel, 1-on-1, practical, stress)
   -- Who will interview be with?  (write down names and do google and LinkdIn search on them, may find some info on them that can help in relating to them...school attended, former employers)
   -- What is expected dress?  dress one step up from what is given, if they say business casual wear a tie

- Day before interview do a dry run to interview location so you know how long it will take to get there.
   -- if at the company or business you can even go in and talk to receptionist, tell them you have interview next day and just want to make sure you are in right place BUT under no circumstances do NOT do the interview early if you meet the person that will be doing interview!  Tell them you would rather wait until appointment time.

- A couple others said to study up on possible employer.  Do this.  Know what they do and be ready to discuss.

- Have a 3-5 minute introduction ready and "rehearsed".  Don't go into your family life or anything that can be labeled a risk..."I love to base jump...how tall is this building?"  Also, company don't care about your family and don't really want someone that really leads off by saying they love coaching little Johnnies Little League team...they hear, "I need to be home early to play games."

If the question of $$ comes up try to put ball back into their court.  They may ask, "what sort of salary are you looking for?"  If you are high then you outpriced yourself, if you are low you are cheap labor.  Turn it around with something like, "What is the salary range offered for the position?" or "I would rather discuss salary after I know more about what the job entails."  www.glassdoor.com is a good source to see what the salaries are for jobs.

Guess those are the main points I can come up with without looking at notes, anyway I got a job within 3 months of getting out working on base...LOL

Keep us posted on what happens.

[He Man]

Ive been looking for a job for 3 months and have gotten no where. This week, i managed to land THREE interviews and now I'm faced with a dilemma. The interviews got lined up just by chance. I happened to meet a guy who said he needs some assistant project engineers at a conference i went to. The other was my professor, who really liked my presentation on secant piles.

1) The first interview was with a design consulting company. my job would be to do performance checks on existing buildings. Checking existing structure for possibility for expansion, or figuring out where the leak is coming from, if its a structural problem, or if there is excessive settlement. They are offering a 3 month internship as a trial period leading to a job if it works out. it is design, 9-5 job. Typical design engineering stuff. They do buildings 90% of the time.

2) the second interview is with a excavation contractor, they hardly do design, but they performed the support of excavation work  for the freedom towers, some big stadiums in NYC and more. They dont do design of foundations (which im mostly interested in). My resume fits them exactly, and so does my character. The downside is i will have issues getting my professional engineers license with them (they dont sign off on design hours since they dont do design). This will end up being a job offer ( i know almost for sure i can get it since they are lookign to fill several positions). this is a PURE excavation contractor job.

3) the last one is a big one. My foundation engineering professor is works with a big design/build contractor. Think the most popular name around the globe. However, this is an internship opp ONLY with no possibility to hire (they dont need additional staff but maintains an internship program). However having this name on the resume is a BIG deal. but again, it doesnt lead to a job. If i close the door on the first two, i close a big door. But the chance to intern with this choice 3 is a big deal to me since its the job i want to do. this is a design build job. Its what i want to ultimately do with my life.

So the issue is

a) intern, possible job
b) job
c) intern only, no job

a job on a resume is STRONG. an internship is WEAK. but an internship with company 3 is a STRONG internship. Another thing about an internship is, coming out of college and going into an internship then finding a job is a good move. But going from a job, to an internship makes no sense if i ever want to work with option 3 (they hire a large bulk majority of their entry levels through interns).

I already interviewed for option 1. I have the interview for option 3 setup BEFORE option 2 in a week after finals.

going option 1 is a totally different direction in my life. but its an office job 9-5. but this is can be a very cool job and can lead to a lot of upward movement.
option 2 and 3 is more where i want to go. its construction life. but the chance to move upward isnt there, i would in all likelyness work for myself at one point. Which doesn't mean i make money given the field of work (excavation engienering is a very risky business money wise).

Given the choice, where would you recommend? I am leaning towards the internship only (option 3) and continue looking for jobs over the summer with a start time of end of august.

[somegirl]

Just a quick response, it's great that you have these different opportunities presenting themselves at the same time.

Since you are young and just getting started on your career, my advice is to take the one that provides the most opportunity to develop it in the direction you want it to go.  It sounds from your descriptions that #3 is the one here.

[hbliam]

3) However, this is an internship opp ONLY with no possibility to hire (they dont need additional staff but maintains an internship program). However having this name on the resume is a BIG deal. but again, it doesnt lead to a job.

c) intern only, no job

if i ever want to work with option 3 (they hire a large bulk majority of their entry levels through interns).

Which is it? No possibility of a job or they hire their entry levels through interns?

And I'd take the one that pays you money for your work.

[He Man]

They all pay money. The difference with the actual job is that the job is salary.

Option 3 generally ONLY hires their interns for entry level work, i.e. they will go back on their intern list and call them for employment if they are seeking to fill a position. But the internship program is a fixed 3 MONTHS

Interning does NOT automatically lead to a job.  they clearly stated that it is an internship only and does not provide the possibility of employment at the end. though it certainly does allow it to be easier in the future.

Option 1 is an internship as a means of trying someone out leading to a full time position.

[stopintime]

What is it we tell bike buyers who ask advice for a first/new bike?

Option 3 is what excites you - good for your future.

FWIW, I'm proud of you 

[Triple J]

None of us can say what's better, that's up to you.

My advice is don't weight money too heavily at this point...do whichever interests you. The money will follow, and you'll be happier in the long run.

Also, working for a contractor can be fun...but it is usually long hours without many days off. I know more than a few engineers who got burnt out on it...I also know some that love it and now make a great living.

[1.21GW]

Since you are young and just getting started on your career, my advice is to take the one that provides the most opportunity to develop it in the direction you want it to go.  It sounds from your descriptions that #3 is the one here.

+1

From what I'm hearing, you're not looking for a "job" but a "career", in which case do what is best for the sake of starting a career.  In this case, big name firm doing just what you want to sounds like the best option (#3), especially if you feel it is a good learning opp.

Also, per you comment of what looks better on resume, jobs look better than internships if you're 35 yrs old, but if you're just out of school employers are less inclined to make a distinction.  In my work, a young interviewee with job experience that wasn't challenging or relevant is less attractive than one who interned at a major firm and got exposure to big deals and relevant work, even it was only for 3 months in a summer.

My $0.02.

In any case, congrats on the opportunities!

[He Man]

from the original post, i got the internship offer  with option 1. pretty much it is at will and last from June to August. if it works out, then it will be a permanent position in designing and analyzing expansion of existing buildings.

I need to respond "soon".

I have an interview with option 2 on monday (excavation contractor), and option 3 hopefully next week (design build foundation company)

I am pretty sure I can snag a job with option 2.

I can't say i am excited though. Its not the field i am most happy with but it is a cool job. A job is a job if the other two fall through. though time isnt on my side.

[hbliam]

Realize you may not get your dream job right out of the gate. The other jobs may not be exactly what you want but they will give you the chance to build your resume. You also get the chance to prove that you are dependable, smart, hardworking, and most importantly, can get along with co-workers. If you can get your dream job within ten years consider yourself a success.

[Pedro-bot]

Will option 2 job wait for you to start in August?
You could do option 3 then start option 2 when the internship is done.
Did I get that right?

Congrats on your opportunities.
I agree with TripleJ; dont chase the money, follow your interests and the money will follow.

I am in a totally different field but my first job was my dream job. When I list it in my CV or bio it always surprises and impresses. And the money does in fact follow.   

[Grampa]

do the job that makes you happy.