If you’re interested in pursing a career in engineering, getting an apprenticeship with a reputable company like TTE is a great place to start. To help you to prepare for your engineering interview, we’ve compiled a list of the most common questions you may be asked.
What essential skills and abilities do you think an engineer needs?
This question has been designed to see if you understand and can demonstrate the key skills you’ll need to be a great engineer. You can address this by describing what you consider to be the ‘ideal engineer’, showing how knowledgeable you are on this subject and relating it back to the job description, which you should’ve thoroughly studied prior to your interview. You could also talk about your personal interests in the field and any areas you hope to or already specialise in.
How would you prevent mistakes from occurring on the job?
Engineering employers definitely have an aversion to work that lacks in attention to detail, but that’s not to say that mistakes don’t happen. In your answer, try to highlight how you’ve applied yourself in previous positions, talking about any experience you’ve had in the engineering industry. If you don’t have any experience, focus on the ways in which you have successfully problem solved and managed projects in other jobs. It’s also a good idea to focus on the value of good communication skills, as it will demonstrate that you know how to work in a team to get a project completed to the highest standard possible.
What do you like most about engineering? What do you like least?
Employers might use a question like this to see how interested you are in the role you’re applying for. It’s also a great way for them to judge how you feel about work and how you might apply yourself to the job. If you’re asked a question like this, it’s best to reply with your honest opinion of your strengths and weaknesses. Try to focus on the fact that you are willing to grow, learn and adapt to turn any tasks that you don’t like into work that you can enjoy.