Impress your interviewers

These are tips provided by veterans in the industry themselves, Engr Rocky Wong, Dato Dr Engr Chuah Hean-Teik and Dr Engr Ramlee Karim. They were specifically recommended by the Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) to provide valid views on the sector. Do take note!

Qualities

Ramlee, chairman of Petmel Resources Sdn Bhd, believes preparation for an interview and your career begins not on interview day itself but way back at university.

'To be able to excel at any interview, you need to be prepared but great preparation begins with good grades so try your best to do well at university. If you could, also get involved with more extra-curricular activities as this would prove to your potential employers you have developed enough soft skills,' he said, adding that the affinity for science subjects such as physics and mathematics would be good.

Meanwhile, Wong thinks leadership quality is important to him because engineers would need the ability to lead groups of people in making a project successful. He said it is important to be able to 'motivate, coach and bring the best out of each individual on your team.'

Wong and Chuah also agreed that engineers would need environmental sensitivity because their work involves nature very directly. Chuah said engineers would need to communicate well and develop other skills such as management skills and legal skills as well because it would be important when they deal with contract matters.

Interviews

Here, again Chuah and Wong share the opinion that interview candidates should be honest and truthful always. Chuah said being punctual as well as dressing formally and smartly is also important.

According to him, candidates would also do well to understand questions well before attempting to answer any questions from the interviewer. Replying in clear good English is also a definite plus, especially if the candidate can also express his opinions in an articulate way.

'Needless to say, good manners are a must. Also, try to display an eagerness to learn and show how you can contribute to the company and the team you are working for,' he said.

Chuah said it would always be good to do sufficient research on the company you are applying a position to. Also, update your resume and find ways to see how it could make you stand out among other candidates. He also advised candidates to 'customise' their resumes to make it relevant to the company they are hoping to get a position at.

Finally, he thinks candidates should refresh their memories on first and second years' subjects. You never know when the interviewer decides to trap you on those basics, which are important in engineering career anyway!

© GTI Specialist Publishers. Reproduced with permission.