Final interview advice *Update got the job

[WraithETC]

So I'm in the hiring process for a test engineer position at a subsidiary of Danaher Corp. This potentially would be my first job after graduating (EE major). I already had two phone interviews with the company. The first interview was a HR screening, which went fine. The second interview was technical and was with the engineering hiring manager. The technical interview consisted of answering some questions about several circuits, which I basically breezed through.

The HR recruiter told me the final interview onsite would be with the Admin executives, a panel of potential peers and the hiring managers. The recruiter also mentioned that there would once again be a technical portion.

From the previous technical interview I believe I have a pretty good idea on what to brush up on in terms of circuits, but I'm worried about the other random things they could ask that are non-technical. I've read several guides to HR interviews and I've basically written and memorized my answers to the provided sample questions, but I don't think thats what they will be asking this time around.

I really just don't want to screw this up by answering a dumb behavioral question wrong. Plus the pressure of securing a job before graduation is slightly getting to me.

 

[PowerEngineer]

I'm guessing that the inclusion of "potential peers" (by which I assume you mean engineers you will be working with if you get the job) means that the company works through concensus building and values good group dynamics. If so, then they might be looking for indications that you enjoy working collaboratively as part of a team, are comfortable communicating with others, and are generally pleasent to be around.

Given that it takes a new engineer roughly a year to really start contributing, they are making quite an investment in a new hire. You need to convince them that you are a good investment. This means that they would like to hear you lay out a plan for your career that parallels the kind of work they will be wanting you to do over the next few years.

Don't actually recite memorized answers. Just remember the key points you want to touch on and ad lib the connecting verbage. Try to weave in things they have said earlier to show that you're paying attention.

I assume you've already researched everything you can about this company. Demonstrating an understanding of their business and its challenges is always a plus.

Good luck!

 

[JJChicken]

I'm guessing that the inclusion of "potential peers" (by which I assume you mean engineers you will be working with if you get the job) means that the company works through concensus building and values good group dynamics. If so, then they might be looking for indications that you enjoy working collaboratively as part of a team, are comfortable communicating with others, and are generally pleasent to be around.

Given that it takes a new engineer roughly a year to really start contributing, they are making quite an investment in a new hire. You need to convince them that you are a good investment. This means that they would like to hear you lay out a plan for your career that parallels the kind of work they will be wanting you to do over the next few years.

Don't actually recite memorized answers. Just remember the key points you want to touch on and ad lib the connecting verbage. Try to weave in things they have said earlier to show that you're paying attention.

I assume you've already researched everything you can about this company. Demonstrating an understanding of their business and its challenges is always a plus.

Good luck!

This is some fantastic advice, particularly the part bolded. My contributions:
- Pace yourself (slow down if you get too excited/anxious/nervous/etc)
- Practice typical questions before hand (see this for a list: http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/Stud...ess/Interview/Sample_Interview_Questions.chpx )

- Don't forget to smile It really will send a good vibe
- Don't focus on memorising answers - you will appear to be a robot. Think carefully who you are, what your ambitions are, what you stand for, and respond to questions accordingly. By doing so, your personality will get through to them and they will be able to connect with you more. I'm guessing getting that connection with interviewers here is critical because they are now testing whether you would be a good fit in the team.

Be confident, best of luck and report back to us how you go

 

[Gibson486]

Be personable.

Don't be afriad to ask questions and do not try to seem you always know the answer. There is nothing worse than an engineer who does not know what he does not know. As a new graduate, that is what you are, but it would be key to show them that you know what you do not know. It goes along way.

Also, be very careful in your answers. Before you answer them, take 15 seconds to gather yout throughts.

 

[gophins72]

to put it in perspective, remember that you are interviewing them too. make sure these are the type of people you want to spend major amounts of your waking moments with for the next few years. i dont tell you this to act like an entitled jerk, but so that you have a plan for yourself and feel more at ease. but i've seen it often, people want a job more than thinking about their overall plan and career.

good luck!

 

[WraithETC]

I'm guessing that the inclusion of "potential peers" (by which I assume you mean engineers you will be working with if you get the job) means that the company works through concensus building and values good group dynamics. If so, then they might be looking for indications that you enjoy working collaboratively as part of a team, are comfortable communicating with others, and are generally pleasent to be around.

Given that it takes a new engineer roughly a year to really start contributing, they are making quite an investment in a new hire. You need to convince them that you are a good investment. This means that they would like to hear you lay out a plan for your career that parallels the kind of work they will be wanting you to do over the next few years.

Don't actually recite memorized answers. Just remember the key points you want to touch on and ad lib the connecting verbage. Try to weave in things they have said earlier to show that you're paying attention.

I assume you've already researched everything you can about this company. Demonstrating an understanding of their business and its challenges is always a plus.

Good luck!

UPDATE 3/11/2011

Power Engineer was 100% dead on about the interview. I got a call back on the Monday following the interview on Friday and the HR person said my interviews were very impressive. Today I got offered the job and I will be signing the papers on Monday.

The salary is ever so slightly higher than the average for an electrical engineer with a BS.

Life is pretty good right now I got done with all my major projects, lost ~60-65 pounds over the last 3-4 months ("skinny" for the first time in my life basically) and now got this job offer.

My embedded systems class's final project was also featured in the Seattle times and on this website:

http://www.geekwire.com/2011/dancing-drones-uw-students-autonomous-aircraft

 

[CRXican]

nerdiest video ever

enjoy your piles of money

 

[Ricemarine]

Congrats on getting the job!

So you were in EE 472 then huh? I bet it was very fun using the AR Drones with Patel. Unfortunately for me, I had a really bad partner for 472 and could not force myself to finish EE 478. I'm a controls concentration now.

 

[ahenkel]

When I see Danaher I think Tektronix

 

[WraithETC]

Congrats on getting the job!

So you were in EE 472 then huh? I bet it was very fun using the AR Drones with Patel. Unfortunately for me, I had a really bad partner for 472 and so I felt I could not take 478 and complete the embedded systems series. I'm a controls concentration now.

Patel is easily the most impressive person I've met in EE. I thought he was the TA on the first day lol... After learning that he was under 30, a multi millionaire and not even a fob I was just awe struck.

Yeah 478 with Peckol is pretty intimidating period. I did biomedical and analog concentrations. I took the capstones for both simultaneously with EE361 last quarter LOL...

A friend of mine did 471, 472, 473 this quarter and had the same schedule as me last quarter. I'm surprised he isn't in some insane asylum.

 

[Kadarin]

Congrats!