• Question: What characteristics does your company look for when hiring young engineers? 

    Asked by rattyvlogger to Graham, Luke, Maksim, Ruth on 19 Jun 2014.
    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 19 Jun 2014:

      my company doesnt have a history of hiring young engineers so it would be difficult to answer on their behalf.

      however any company would be looking for someone who is hard working, commited, willing to learn, good communicator and is interested in engineering.

      thanks

      claire

    • Photo: Ruth Gregory

      Ruth Gregory answered on 19 Jun 2014:

      When I do an interview of a potential apprentice, I like to see someone who is keen to learn and has an interest in making a difference. It is always good to have a little work experience behind you so that you can discuss the different aspects of what you enjoy. The things we would ask are about how you go about team working, health and safety, quality of work, how you take constructive critism and solving problems.

      If you are willing to train and learn, make this clear to the employer as they are usually happy to provide you with this opportunity.

    • Photo: Graham Wiggins

      Graham Wiggins answered on 19 Jun 2014:

      rattyvlogger
      Taking on any new employee can be fun 🙂
      For apprentices, we give them the usual interview process, then a series of tests, eg a maths paper ( starts easy, like 1+1… then gets harder as it goes on. there are too many questions for the time allowed, to see how you do under pressure ) an english/reading paper, and some cognitive ability stuff. eg please make this in 5 mins ( it’s easy ) and then another exam paper, where they tell you “read the instrustions” there is only 1, it says do not do anything with this exam paper….

      Personal qualities like attention to detail, willingness to learn, being keen, wanting to be there, wanting to help, and some ability is usefull. As an apprentice you’d have 4 yrs of training ahead of you, so good school grades help get that interview. Something that demonstrates your ability is usefull. eg a technical hobby.
      – word of advice – If you are offered a “tour” of your prospective employers facility, always accept it. Just don’t forget you are being monitored the whole way round. your “guide” will report back….. ( a lot of firms do that ) think of that as part of the interview. ask sensible questions.
      Graham

    • Photo: Luke Fry

      Luke Fry answered on 24 Jun 2014:

      Good answer from Graham there. I have been that Tour guide before and we do indeed report back and have an input into who gets the apprenticeships. For me, the worst thing you could do on that tour would be, being shy and reserved. It can come across as disinterest which is not going to get you anywhere. Be open, enthusiastic and ask lots and lots of questions about things you are being shown. As for the other parts of the interview, just keep calm and do your best! Although some technical ability/knowledge is of course good, don’t feel like you have to know everything! The apprenticeship is there to teach you. Sometimes the interviewers will just want to see what you do when you don’t know something. Tip: DON’T BS!!! If you don’t know something, just say so and show a willingness to learn about it.

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