Interviewing Success for Engineers: Tips for Getting the Job

For many engineers, having a great interview is the last big step toward landing the job you’ve always wanted. You’ve already worked hard to obtain your degrees, your skills, and your industry experience. Now it’s time to demonstrate that work to potential employers.

But the engineering industry is rapidly changing.

Engineers don’t just need to show interviewers they have the necessary technical skills and knowledge. They also need to demonstrate that they’re digitally fluent in Digital Twins, data analytics, and digital design software—and that they have the critical soft skills for communicating and collaborating across disciplines.

Moreover, the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic have further accelerated many shifts in the hiring market—with remote interviewing and remote working now becoming commonplace across the engineering world.

So while you may be feeling the normal interview nerves, you may also be a bit uncertain about what to expect from your engineering job interview.

Interviewing for engineers: the basics

While many of the job expectations for engineers are shifting (we’ll touch on how to prepare for that below), there are still a handful of tried-and-true interview questions you can expect and prepare for.

First and foremost, you’ll want to come prepared to describe yourself, your interest in the position, and your previous experiences as an engineer. Before you sit down for your interview, take some time to consider your most notable accomplishments and why you think you’d be an ideal fit for this employer.

While you’ll likely be asked standard interview questions, such as your work experience, background, and why you’re interested in the position, you should also anticipate engineer-specific questions:

• How would you approach an engineering challenge or issue you’ve never encountered?
• In your mind, what current engineering concepts do you believe can be improved?
• Why is thermodynamics important?
• How do you use a process flow diagram in the field of mechanical engineering?
• What are some of the computer programs you use in your work as a mechanical engineer?

Depending on where you’re interviewing, you may be asked detailed technical questions or even take a mechanical aptitude test. To make this less stressful, brush up on your basic engineering concepts before the interview so you have answers at the ready.

As you think over responses to these potential questions, frame them in the context of your potential employer and the kind of work they do. How does the business fit into their industry or market sector? What engineering challenges—and opportunities—do they face? By understanding your prospective employer’s big issues, you can demonstrate that you’re a candidate that’s engaged and ready to start work.

Changing needs, changing opportunities

Part of the reason employers need to know how you’ll handle new challenges is that the engineering industry is rapidly changing. The rapid pace of technological development and the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic have created a job market where in-demand skills are constantly in flux.

Five years from now, some of the most highly sought engineering skills may involve technologies that haven’t been invented yet. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 50% of engineers will have to learn new skills as the engineering world adapts to rapid digitalization.

And while this may seem like it makes your previous experience less useful, it may just mean that you need to stress different parts of your experience. When considering how to answer common interview questions, look for professional experiences that show your adaptability.

Soft skills are increasingly important

In the past, engineers could expect to be hired based on the strength of their “hard skills” alone. If you were an aerospace engineer, you needed to demonstrate your knowledge and experience with aerospace engineering. Other skills like project management, the ability to coordinate with a team, and knowledge of related disciplines outside your area of specialization were all secondary because they could be completed by other departments.

Unfortunately, budget constraints and changing technologies have now made this kind of compartmentalization impossible for many companies. Engineers who want to stand out from other job candidates need to be able to wear many hats and demonstrate skills outside their specialization.

Before your interview, it might be helpful to think through your relevant “soft skills” (the skills and abilities you have that go beyond typical engineering work). If you have experience with project management, exceptional communication skills, or work experience outside engineering, all of these things may be worth bringing up.

The more well-rounded you are as a job candidate, the more likely you are to stay valuable to employers as the engineering industry changes around you.

Planning for remote interviews

If you’re searching for a job right now, there’s a good chance that some of your interviews may be held remotely. And while remote interviews offer more safety during the pandemic, they also come with their own unique set of challenges.

Here are a few ways to make a great impression, even from a distance.

1. Test out the technology you’re using. Technology can throw a wrench into all of your best-laid plans, especially if you’re not familiar with the platform you’re using. Take a few minutes to carefully test your computer’s audio, your video feed, and the interview link well in advance. Ideally, you want to feel comfortable with the technology and have everything set up at least fifteen minutes before your interview starts.

2. Find the right framing and lighting. Your interviewer will be seeing more than your face throughout the interview, so make sure you have your computer set up in a place where the background will be well lit and professional. You’ll also want to make sure you have enough light for your facial expressions to fully register. Non-verbal communication is key in any interview, and you want to make sure your visual queues are clear to your interviewer.

3. Dress for the part. As tempting as it can be to “dress down” for an at-home interview, it’s still important to make sure you look your professional best. Ideally, you want to be every bit as presentable as you’d be for an interview you were conducting in person.

4. Print your resume, CV, and notes. While it’s possible to pull your CV or notes up on your computer, doing so will force you to break eye contact with your interviewer and may make you seem distracted or disinterested. It’s usually easier to make sure you have the relevant materials printed and at hand.

5. Have your portfolio ready to share. Going over your portfolio of past engineering projects is common for engineering interviews, but for a remote interview, make sure you have your portfolio digitally available. Compile your portfolio into a PDF for easy sharing via video chat.

6. Eliminate possible distractions. One of the disadvantages of interviewing from home is the possibility that your child, pet, spouse, significant other, or roommate might unknowingly wander in on the interview. Even the slightest bit of additional noise can be a distraction, so before you find the perfect place to set up your computer, make sure it’s in a location where there won’t be any unwanted intrusions.

Ready for your interview? ASME can help you find your dream job

At ASME, we take pride in helping our members land the perfect position. If you need more help preparing for job applications, check out the resources posted in our ASME Career Center.

We also have tools to help you find and apply to your ideal positions.

Related:

• Networking in an Engineering Career: How Do You Connect?
• Where Can I Find Mechanical Engineering Resources?
• Top 10 Most Transferable Job Skills for Engineers