Everyone knows how scary job interviews can be. Especially in this economic climate, when the competition is very steep. When candidates’ skill sets are similar, the interview could be the key determinate on whom is selected for a position.
EPCglobal, a recruitment and staffing-solutions firm focused solely on the engineering and construction industries, has some advice for those about to be prodded by potential employers:
Phone Interviews:
These are quite popular these days, especially in the contract job market. EPCglobal Operations Manager Tom Tanner says as an interviewee, you should have five questions about the position ready to ask the interviewer. While on the phone, he says, You should stand, not sit, in a room with few distractions. And of course, do your homework - make sure you know the company ahead of time.
The Internet can give you a wealth of information about a company - and don’t just check the corporate website, although this is a great place to start. If you do a Google, AltaVista or Yahoo search on the company, you can sometimes find articles about a company’s recent news and business acquisitions.
In-Person Interviews:
Dress Codes: These of course vary from company to company. For contract jobs in the engineering and construction world, Tanner says, appropriate dress depends on the corporate culture, but business casual is a safe bet. Know the difference between business casual and at-home casual: Jeans and a T-shirt won’t cut it, khakis and a collared shirt will.
If you are going for a professional, permanent position, dress one step up from your normal daily work attire. This means if your normal work attire is business casual, wear a suit. As far as suits are concerned, navy blue and brown are considered appropriate; black can be seen as too formal. But use your best judgment - look in the mirror and also ask the opinion of people you trust. And always look squeaky clean and wrinkle free.
Tanner says, Get a jump on the interviewer. Ask them about the position and the company, and let them tell you the answers. If you are going for an engineering or construction position, Tanner says you should reference your E&C background, and make your knowledge of the company’s competitors, projects and interests known.
Ask yourself why you want the job. If you know exactly why you want it, you should be able to convince the interviewer that you are perfect for the position.
You can also consult the Internet for common interview questions; there are many websites that focus specifically on this subject.
EPCglobal gives clues to acing job interviews
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