8 answers
Alexis
Student
Tampa, Florida
1
Question
Asked
977 views
How can I better prepare myself for the questions that are likely to be asked in my first interview and start building a repertoire of eligibility requirements for the engineering field, especially catering towards robotics/mechanical engineering?
I am a part of an FRC team (we recently went to the World Championship :)
I am a junior in high school
I am a part of a VEX team where we made it to states.
I would love to pursue a career in engineering, especially relating to mechanical or robotics design.
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8 answers
Angella chepchirchir
SEO, MARKETING, ANALYST , psychologist
76
Answers
Nairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Updated
Angella’s Answer
Congratulations on your achievements with your FRC and VEX teams! Pursuing a career in engineering, specifically in robotics and mechanical design, is an exciting path. To better prepare yourself for interviews and build a repertoire of eligibility requirements, here are some steps you can take:
Research the Engineering Field: Start by gaining a solid understanding of the engineering industry, particularly in the areas of robotics and mechanical engineering. Familiarize yourself with the latest trends, emerging technologies, and key concepts. Stay updated with industry news, advancements, and notable projects. This will help you showcase your knowledge and passion during interviews.
Understand Job Descriptions: Review job descriptions for positions in the field of robotics and mechanical engineering. Identify common qualifications, skills, and responsibilities mentioned in these descriptions. This will give you an idea of what employers are typically looking for in candidates.
Strengthen Technical Knowledge: Dedicate time to enhance your technical knowledge in robotics and mechanical engineering. Consider enrolling in relevant courses or workshops, either online or in person, to learn specific skills and gain practical experience. Build a strong foundation in subjects such as physics, mathematics, and computer science, as they are fundamental to engineering.
Develop Hands-on Experience: Participate in projects that allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in practical scenarios. Your involvement in FRC and VEX teams already provides you with valuable experience. Seek additional opportunities to work on independent projects or internships related to robotics and mechanical design. This hands-on experience will make you stand out during interviews.
Practice Problem-Solving: Engineering interviews often include problem-solving exercises. Work on solving challenging engineering problems, either individually or as part of a team. Practice analyzing problems, breaking them down into smaller components, and developing effective solutions. This will help you demonstrate your problem-solving abilities during interviews.
Enhance Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial in the engineering field. Practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely. Improve your technical writing skills and learn to articulate complex concepts in a way that can be easily understood by non-technical audiences. Strong communication skills will benefit you in both interviews and your future engineering career.
Prepare for Behavioral Questions: In addition to technical questions, interviews often include behavioral questions that assess your interpersonal skills, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. Reflect on your experiences in FRC and VEX teams and think about how you can articulate your contributions, challenges you faced, and how you collaborated with others.
Build a Portfolio: Assemble a portfolio of your engineering projects, designs, and any relevant accomplishments. Include documentation, photos, and videos that showcase your skills and the impact of your work. This portfolio can be a valuable visual aid during interviews, demonstrating your abilities and passion.
Stay Curious and Engaged.
Angella's taughts🥰
remember to leave a comment
Research the Engineering Field: Start by gaining a solid understanding of the engineering industry, particularly in the areas of robotics and mechanical engineering. Familiarize yourself with the latest trends, emerging technologies, and key concepts. Stay updated with industry news, advancements, and notable projects. This will help you showcase your knowledge and passion during interviews.
Understand Job Descriptions: Review job descriptions for positions in the field of robotics and mechanical engineering. Identify common qualifications, skills, and responsibilities mentioned in these descriptions. This will give you an idea of what employers are typically looking for in candidates.
Strengthen Technical Knowledge: Dedicate time to enhance your technical knowledge in robotics and mechanical engineering. Consider enrolling in relevant courses or workshops, either online or in person, to learn specific skills and gain practical experience. Build a strong foundation in subjects such as physics, mathematics, and computer science, as they are fundamental to engineering.
Develop Hands-on Experience: Participate in projects that allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in practical scenarios. Your involvement in FRC and VEX teams already provides you with valuable experience. Seek additional opportunities to work on independent projects or internships related to robotics and mechanical design. This hands-on experience will make you stand out during interviews.
Practice Problem-Solving: Engineering interviews often include problem-solving exercises. Work on solving challenging engineering problems, either individually or as part of a team. Practice analyzing problems, breaking them down into smaller components, and developing effective solutions. This will help you demonstrate your problem-solving abilities during interviews.
Enhance Communication Skills: Effective communication is crucial in the engineering field. Practice presenting your ideas clearly and concisely. Improve your technical writing skills and learn to articulate complex concepts in a way that can be easily understood by non-technical audiences. Strong communication skills will benefit you in both interviews and your future engineering career.
Prepare for Behavioral Questions: In addition to technical questions, interviews often include behavioral questions that assess your interpersonal skills, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. Reflect on your experiences in FRC and VEX teams and think about how you can articulate your contributions, challenges you faced, and how you collaborated with others.
Build a Portfolio: Assemble a portfolio of your engineering projects, designs, and any relevant accomplishments. Include documentation, photos, and videos that showcase your skills and the impact of your work. This portfolio can be a valuable visual aid during interviews, demonstrating your abilities and passion.
Stay Curious and Engaged.
Angella's taughts🥰
remember to leave a comment
Wow, thank you very much for these insightful ideas! I'll try implementing the portfolio in my life right now so I have a worthy amount of designs and problem-solving situations for the job. Thank you very much for your response!
Alexis
Thanks, nice to hear, please feel free to come back. I can also help you with your academic life assignments and advices
Angella chepchirchir
Ray Koch
Mechanical Reliability Engineer
29
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Ray’s Answer
Great question!
From my experience, what they call the behavioral style of interviewing is very common today, so I would suggest researching this interview style and understand how your experiences in school and you extra curricular activities can be used to answer those questions. I have been on both sides of the interview table and personally I prefer candidates who have the people skills like ability to work in teams, handle stressful situations and criticism well and can own up to their own mistakes and learn from them, then those who might have the most knowledge and experience.
Additionally I would suggest you research the companies you are interviewing with, it is almost inevitable that you will be asked why you want the position, so having an answer that highlights thing about the company and its culture helps.
Finally, my biggest piece of interview advice is that it is a two way street. They are interviewing you, but you are also interviewing them. Have questions for them that relate to the company, its culture, and those kind of topics. You want to do everything you can to make sure the position and environment is a good fit for you as well as for them.
From my experience, what they call the behavioral style of interviewing is very common today, so I would suggest researching this interview style and understand how your experiences in school and you extra curricular activities can be used to answer those questions. I have been on both sides of the interview table and personally I prefer candidates who have the people skills like ability to work in teams, handle stressful situations and criticism well and can own up to their own mistakes and learn from them, then those who might have the most knowledge and experience.
Additionally I would suggest you research the companies you are interviewing with, it is almost inevitable that you will be asked why you want the position, so having an answer that highlights thing about the company and its culture helps.
Finally, my biggest piece of interview advice is that it is a two way street. They are interviewing you, but you are also interviewing them. Have questions for them that relate to the company, its culture, and those kind of topics. You want to do everything you can to make sure the position and environment is a good fit for you as well as for them.
Thank you for taking the time to help, I will definitely use the advice to ask the interviewer questions as well.
Alexis
Gillian Bergin
Business Transformation/Change Management
15
Answers
Cork
Updated
Gillian’s Answer
Hello Alexis, I appreciate your insightful query.
Well done on your achievements with FRC and VEX, these will serve as excellent discussion points during your interview. There's already some fantastic advice provided in the other responses, so instead of reiterating, I'm going to share with you the two key qualities I seek in potential hires.
(1) Vibrancy and Zeal - If you have a genuine interest in the position, don't hesitate to express it. Let your excitement about the potential contributions you could make in the role and your eagerness to be a part of the company/team shine through. It's quite disheartening to ask someone why they're interested in a job, only to receive a lackluster response that suggests they're merely going through the motions.
(2) Love for Knowledge - In today's rapidly evolving workplace, technology is advancing at an incredible pace, providing fresh, actionable insights and innovative opportunities daily. The ability to think differently is highly valued, and this comes from continuous learning, listening, and reading. If you have a sincere interest in lifelong learning, staying ahead with your skills, and keeping abreast of the latest trends in engineering, make sure to convey this to the interviewer. For instance, when discussing your experiences with FRC and VEX, talk about what you learned in addition to what you accomplished. If you participated in multiple years, discuss how you applied the knowledge gained from one year to enhance the next.
As an interviewer, I find that candidates who display vibrancy and a love for learning are likely to be promising additions to the team.
I hope you find this advice beneficial.
Wishing you the best in your upcoming interviews.
Gill
Well done on your achievements with FRC and VEX, these will serve as excellent discussion points during your interview. There's already some fantastic advice provided in the other responses, so instead of reiterating, I'm going to share with you the two key qualities I seek in potential hires.
(1) Vibrancy and Zeal - If you have a genuine interest in the position, don't hesitate to express it. Let your excitement about the potential contributions you could make in the role and your eagerness to be a part of the company/team shine through. It's quite disheartening to ask someone why they're interested in a job, only to receive a lackluster response that suggests they're merely going through the motions.
(2) Love for Knowledge - In today's rapidly evolving workplace, technology is advancing at an incredible pace, providing fresh, actionable insights and innovative opportunities daily. The ability to think differently is highly valued, and this comes from continuous learning, listening, and reading. If you have a sincere interest in lifelong learning, staying ahead with your skills, and keeping abreast of the latest trends in engineering, make sure to convey this to the interviewer. For instance, when discussing your experiences with FRC and VEX, talk about what you learned in addition to what you accomplished. If you participated in multiple years, discuss how you applied the knowledge gained from one year to enhance the next.
As an interviewer, I find that candidates who display vibrancy and a love for learning are likely to be promising additions to the team.
I hope you find this advice beneficial.
Wishing you the best in your upcoming interviews.
Gill
Tony Pearson
Master Inventor
50
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
Tony’s Answer
Hey Alexis,
Just to build on what Ray mentioned earlier, it's important to note that many interviews these days are more focused on narratives. So, for instance, instead of posing a question like, "Are you capable of handling high-pressure situations with tight deadlines?" they might ask you to share a story about a time when you successfully navigated a stressful situation. Similarly, rather than asking, "What's your leadership style?" they might ask you to recount a time when you guided a team towards achieving a specific goal. If you've never had the chance to lead a team, it's perfectly fine to say, "I haven't had that opportunity yet."
It's a good idea to have a few stories up your sleeve. These narratives won't just highlight your technical proficiency, but they'll also give the interviewer a glimpse of your soft skills, like your ability to work well with others, communicate effectively, and solve problems.
Just to build on what Ray mentioned earlier, it's important to note that many interviews these days are more focused on narratives. So, for instance, instead of posing a question like, "Are you capable of handling high-pressure situations with tight deadlines?" they might ask you to share a story about a time when you successfully navigated a stressful situation. Similarly, rather than asking, "What's your leadership style?" they might ask you to recount a time when you guided a team towards achieving a specific goal. If you've never had the chance to lead a team, it's perfectly fine to say, "I haven't had that opportunity yet."
It's a good idea to have a few stories up your sleeve. These narratives won't just highlight your technical proficiency, but they'll also give the interviewer a glimpse of your soft skills, like your ability to work well with others, communicate effectively, and solve problems.
Olayinka Durojaye
Environmental Engineer
30
Answers
Columbus, Indiana
Updated
Olayinka’s Answer
Hello Alexis,
The key to performing great at interviews is practice, practice and confidence!
Practice answering potential questions you think you would be asked (watch YouTube videos for tips) and speak with clarity and confidence!
The key to performing great at interviews is practice, practice and confidence!
Practice answering potential questions you think you would be asked (watch YouTube videos for tips) and speak with clarity and confidence!
Misha D'Andrea
Learning + Development
37
Answers
New York, NY
Updated
Misha’s Answer
-Be prepared for the position, review job description,
-Google sample questions / common questions / industry questions / HR general questions/ find what others who interviewed for the same position ran into
-Practice with a friend / teacher / trusted person
Courtesy of Cloudera new hires: Jen, Andrew, and Jim
Think about your goals / Get to know yourself before first interview
Have prepared answers for key questions like: Where do you want to be in 5 years, Big successes, Strengths / weakness
Meet with someone who has interviewed for a job you are interested in - do they have guidance / lessons learned
-Google sample questions / common questions / industry questions / HR general questions/ find what others who interviewed for the same position ran into
-Practice with a friend / teacher / trusted person
Courtesy of Cloudera new hires: Jen, Andrew, and Jim
Misha recommends the following next steps:
Ricardo de la Rosa
Digital Marketing Strategist
11
Answers
Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Updated
Ricardo’s Answer
Hi Alexis,
To better prepare yourself for interview questions and build eligibility requirements for a career in robotics/mechanical engineering, follow these steps:
1. Research the Company: Learn about the company you're interviewing with, its mission, projects, and values. Understand how your skills and interests align with their robotics or mechanical engineering focus.
2. Review Job Description: Analyze the job description for the position you're applying for. Identify the key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities mentioned. This will help you anticipate interview questions and tailor your responses accordingly.
3. Understand Core Concepts: Brush up on the core concepts and principles of robotics and mechanical engineering. This includes topics like kinematics, dynamics, control systems, materials, sensors, and programming languages commonly used in the field.
4. Review Technical Knowledge: Revisit your coursework or textbooks related to robotics and mechanical engineering. Familiarize yourself with the field's foundational theories, design principles, and practical applications.
5. Prepare Examples: Recall specific projects, internships, or academic assignments where you demonstrated relevant skills. Prepare examples to showcase your problem-solving abilities, hands-on experience, teamwork, and adaptability.
6. Practice Common Interview Questions: Research and practice common interview questions typically asked in engineering interviews. These may include technical questions about your knowledge of robotics, mechanical engineering principles, or specific tools and software.
7. Be Ready for Behavioral Questions: Behavioral questions assess your soft skills and how you handle different situations. Prepare examples of your accomplishments, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
8. Develop a Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your robotics or mechanical engineering projects, designs, or prototypes. Include detailed descriptions, sketches, photographs, and any outcomes or impact of your work.
9. Stay Updated: Follow industry news, trends, and robotics and mechanical engineering advancements. Stay informed about new technologies, innovations, and their potential impact on the field.
10. Network and Seek Mentorship: Connect with robotics or mechanical engineering professionals through networking events, online communities, or professional organizations. Seek guidance, mentorship, and insights from experienced engineers.
Remember, interview preparation is an ongoing process. Continuously improve your technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities.
Be confident, showcase your passion for the field, and demonstrate your eagerness to learn and contribute to the robotics or mechanical engineering industry.
Good luck with your interviews and future endeavors!
To better prepare yourself for interview questions and build eligibility requirements for a career in robotics/mechanical engineering, follow these steps:
1. Research the Company: Learn about the company you're interviewing with, its mission, projects, and values. Understand how your skills and interests align with their robotics or mechanical engineering focus.
2. Review Job Description: Analyze the job description for the position you're applying for. Identify the key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities mentioned. This will help you anticipate interview questions and tailor your responses accordingly.
3. Understand Core Concepts: Brush up on the core concepts and principles of robotics and mechanical engineering. This includes topics like kinematics, dynamics, control systems, materials, sensors, and programming languages commonly used in the field.
4. Review Technical Knowledge: Revisit your coursework or textbooks related to robotics and mechanical engineering. Familiarize yourself with the field's foundational theories, design principles, and practical applications.
5. Prepare Examples: Recall specific projects, internships, or academic assignments where you demonstrated relevant skills. Prepare examples to showcase your problem-solving abilities, hands-on experience, teamwork, and adaptability.
6. Practice Common Interview Questions: Research and practice common interview questions typically asked in engineering interviews. These may include technical questions about your knowledge of robotics, mechanical engineering principles, or specific tools and software.
7. Be Ready for Behavioral Questions: Behavioral questions assess your soft skills and how you handle different situations. Prepare examples of your accomplishments, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving abilities. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
8. Develop a Portfolio: Create a portfolio showcasing your robotics or mechanical engineering projects, designs, or prototypes. Include detailed descriptions, sketches, photographs, and any outcomes or impact of your work.
9. Stay Updated: Follow industry news, trends, and robotics and mechanical engineering advancements. Stay informed about new technologies, innovations, and their potential impact on the field.
10. Network and Seek Mentorship: Connect with robotics or mechanical engineering professionals through networking events, online communities, or professional organizations. Seek guidance, mentorship, and insights from experienced engineers.
Remember, interview preparation is an ongoing process. Continuously improve your technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities.
Be confident, showcase your passion for the field, and demonstrate your eagerness to learn and contribute to the robotics or mechanical engineering industry.
Good luck with your interviews and future endeavors!
Sam Seldon, P.E.
Mechanical Engineer
69
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Sam’s Answer
Hello Alexis,
For interview questions and answers, I would go to YouTube and do a search for "entry level job interview questions and answers". There are a good number of recruiters on YouTube that provide this content for free. I particularly like channels by "The Companies Expert" and "A Life After Layoff".
For "building a repertoire of eligibility requirements", I'm assuming you mean building a resume that you would use to apply for an entry level job. I would do a Bing, Google, and/or YouTube search for "how to create an entry level resume". You will get many differing opinions about what to include on your resume, so you'll have to pick and choose what applies to you and what does not. My specific advice is this:
Use the "ATS basic HR resume" template from Microsoft Word. Don't get fancy. In my opinion, a basic resume is best.
Create a professional email address. Career Village won't let me post example email address, but here is a link to give you an idea
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/professional-email-address-examples
At the top of the resume, do not put your home address on the resume for security reasons. Only put your city, state, and zip code, phone number, and professional email address.
In the main resume body, keep the Objective, Experience, and Education sections and fill them in with your details. Delete all of the other sections (Communication, Leadership, and References) because they are not needed.
For an entry-level resume, limit the size of your resume to 1 page. Work experience is very important, so that should be the focus of your resume. List meaningful work experience, not "fluff".
I hope this helps,
Sam
For interview questions and answers, I would go to YouTube and do a search for "entry level job interview questions and answers". There are a good number of recruiters on YouTube that provide this content for free. I particularly like channels by "The Companies Expert" and "A Life After Layoff".
For "building a repertoire of eligibility requirements", I'm assuming you mean building a resume that you would use to apply for an entry level job. I would do a Bing, Google, and/or YouTube search for "how to create an entry level resume". You will get many differing opinions about what to include on your resume, so you'll have to pick and choose what applies to you and what does not. My specific advice is this:
Use the "ATS basic HR resume" template from Microsoft Word. Don't get fancy. In my opinion, a basic resume is best.
Create a professional email address. Career Village won't let me post example email address, but here is a link to give you an idea
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/professional-email-address-examples
At the top of the resume, do not put your home address on the resume for security reasons. Only put your city, state, and zip code, phone number, and professional email address.
In the main resume body, keep the Objective, Experience, and Education sections and fill them in with your details. Delete all of the other sections (Communication, Leadership, and References) because they are not needed.
For an entry-level resume, limit the size of your resume to 1 page. Work experience is very important, so that should be the focus of your resume. List meaningful work experience, not "fluff".
I hope this helps,
Sam
Thank you for your great input. I will definitely look into these websites and hopefully build a good resume for the jobs!
Alexis