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Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / question to the white collar welders?
- - By Metarinka (****) Date 02-26-2009 06:24 Edited 02-26-2009 07:03
I got a question to all of the engineers, production managers and anyone else at a desk job.

Any tips on interviews?
Especially for the welding engineering field? I work as a welding engineer right now, but I didn't interview for the position and I've only ever had interviews/ certification tests for welding or manufacturing jobs. So I'm a little at a loss for what engineering managers will be targeting in an interview. I've been doing research on the specifics of the companies I'll be working with and that's about it at the moment.

Anyways wish me luck, I've already got one interview lined up and a few more in the works, the jobs and companies seem very interesting and I'm excited to start working full-time and stop being a broke college kid
Parent - By jon20013 (*****) Date 02-26-2009 06:46
I've rarely had the typical interview since joining the white collar world.  My best advise is once you know you have one scheduled, study the subject matter of the companies product(s).
Parent - - By Cactusthewelder (*****) Date 02-26-2009 08:58
Take your new boss to the local Strip Club. Buy him a couple of Table Dances. Interveiw finished... Welcome to your new job !
Parent - - By 803056 (*****) Date 02-26-2009 12:30
I'm sure his new "Lady Boss" will enjoy that. :)

Al
Parent - By js55 (*****) Date 02-26-2009 14:02 Edited 02-26-2009 14:05
Al,
You just change to Chippendale's.

Metarinka,
In all seriousness, when interviewing for WE jobs by Engineering Mgrs, or any managers for that matter, keep in mind that few of them know anything at all about welding, code compliance as pertains to welding, WPS's PQR's, metallurgy, etc. Know your subject and exude confidence about it, even if you bull%'"&$t a little. But don't bull&$%t too much just in case the manager does know a little something. Don't get too technical but the use of some technical lanuage to dazzle them don't hurt. Its better to keep the technical talk down on any particular subject yet demonstrate a broad diversity of competency.
Have an understanding of what it is they will be asking you to do and concentrate on that subject matter. If it's WPS's PQR's then concentrate on demonstrating your knowledge of Section IX or Chapters 3 and 4 in D1.1 or whatever.
Never forget, the very reason they are wanting you is probably because you know more about it than they do. Keep this in mind without being cocky. Confidence, confidence, confidence.

PS: I'm still a blue collar guy, just with a bigger butt.
Parent - By Cactusthewelder (*****) Date 02-27-2009 02:05
You never know about these things
Parent - By darren (***) Date 02-27-2009 08:37
he didn't specify the gender of the dancers
depending on the boss could go either way
Parent - - By up-ten (***) Date 02-26-2009 19:25
Cactus-  is that what it would take for you or just breakfast at Denny's?
Parent - By Cactusthewelder (*****) Date 02-27-2009 02:04
No Denny's   Strip clubs work !!
Parent - By bozaktwo1 (***) Date 02-26-2009 18:03
All job interviews:

1. Be ON TIME!!!!  If you are late, you will not get the job.  Period.

2. Dress the part.  Don't come in to interview with me in shorts, tee and flip flops.  Shave.  Shower.  Try to look like you care about how you look.

3. Have resume', references, qualifications and other pertinent documentation in hand.

4. DO NOT INTERRUPT.  Listen, respond if necessary.  Sometimes you need say nothing at all.  Don't get off track with war stories, etc.

5. Before you leave, make sure that you have your interviewer's name and telephone number.
Parent - - By defaced (**) Date 02-26-2009 18:12
Study behavioral interviewing.  These types of interviews seek to uncover how you'll react in pinch situations.  "Tell be about a time when the job was botched and you had no money to fix it.  What did you do?"  Those sorts of questions.  Some are more practical and normal than others, so read around online to see some examples.  I've hit these from higher up managers and HR people in almost every interview I've had since I graduated.

Wear a tie.  I have heard about people being turned away from interviews for not wearing a tie.  If you're going for a more senior position, you should be in a suit. 
Parent - - By Metarinka (****) Date 02-26-2009 18:27
Thank you for all the tips and I welcome any more!

about ties, I plan on wearing one, but I always joked that I got into the welding engineering field so that I did not have to wear a tie. In fact 2 plants I've worked at banned ties on the shop floor (meaning if you had to go out to the plant you would have to take it off).  At my current engineering job I never wear a tie as I often travel out to the shop floor to assist with welding issues.
Parent - - By OBEWAN (***) Date 02-26-2009 18:52
Thats what I like about by job.  Jeans and golf shirts every day.  My first job was in welding sales, and suit and tie were mandatory.  I got dirty often going into places like US steel.  One sales rep was demoing a very hot spray arc process with a white dress shirt and tie on.  He got bad arc burn through the shirt, and you could see the profile on his chest where the tie was!!  It was the only spot that did not get burned!
Parent - - By Metarinka (****) Date 02-26-2009 19:51
which leads me to wonder why how you were able to see his bare chest complete  with tie outline?
although some questions are better left unasked...
Parent - By OBEWAN (***) Date 02-26-2009 20:15
I did not see it firsthand.  It was told to me as a warning.  I did the same thing myself and got a light burn but no outline of a tie.
I guess some shirts are not a tight weave or the light can get through. This was a 500 Amp process.  It almost blistered the back of my hand holding the MIG torch!  I could only go a short while before I had to quit because of the heat!
Parent - By defaced (**) Date 02-26-2009 20:54
My typical day to day dress is steel toes, jeans, and a polo.  I love it.  I don't do alot in the shop (unfortunately) but I'm not interested in being caught without proper attire. 
Parent - - By DaveBoyer (*****) Date 02-27-2009 02:31
If they take You near any moving machinery, stuff that tie INSIDE Your shirt. They are banned in the shop for a reason. Good luck with the interviews.
Parent - By Stringer (***) Date 02-27-2009 03:10
Spray arc is like visiting the sun. I can't believe anyone would attempt 500 amps without serious clothing, etc.
Parent - By darren (***) Date 02-27-2009 08:40
Speak the truth and fear no man.
Parent - By Fredspoppy (**) Date 02-27-2009 17:28
Might be a good point to ask your qualifications.  Where did you get your degree?  What is your specialty, related to WE?  No one seems to be interested in the two most important items.
Up Topic Welding Industry / General Welding Discussion / question to the white collar welders?

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