What are the most important questions to ask in an engineering interview?

1. Can you walk me through a project you worked on and your role in it? 2. Can you give an example of a time when you had to collaborate with a team to complete a project? 3. Can you discuss a challenging problem you faced and how you overcame it?

Do your research before the interview. Find out something about a project or product the company is working on, and ask questions about it. Ask a question about what they see as their biggest challenge, and how the department/position can help. This can be focused on the company, the project or the department. If you can, include a question asking how they see you working with them to help deal with that challenge. If you have experience in that area, or have dealt with a similar kind of challenge, you can quickly point that out here too. These questions show you understand what the company is doing, that you have read more than the website, that this is really where you want to be. They also reinforce why you want to work there.

What are the key objectives for the company/my department/my specific role in the next 6 months? I like this question because it helps you as the interviewee to determine the direction the company is taking and how your role will help achieve those goals.

As a career coach, I recently worked with a client to prepare for his interview for an Engineering Manager position. As he is being interviewed for a department head role, I suggested him to ask openly about the company's current status and their immediate urgency. Doing so allows him to quickly size up current needs to prepare for a successful onboarding. It's important not just to do well for the interview, but to also pave the way for a flying start with the company and you can do that when the objectives are clear.

All these questions are great. I’d be tempted to ask where they feel they sit amongst their competitors too. It helps get a much broader perspective of their own view of their place in the sector. It can also offer more insight into their thinking and ‘how’ they see/acknowledge competitors. Quite telling when asked the right way and in context.

“How long do you envisage it will take for me to get up to speed in this role?” is another good question. It serves two purposes; Firstly, it puts you ‘in the position’ in the end employers visual conscious and lets them know that you’re envisioning that too. Secondly, it gives you an idea of their perspective of timelines and something you can aim towards if successful (and if you achieve this timeline, you could use it as leverage for salary reviews/end of probationary periods).

Ask what they would like to see you accomplish in the first 60 days or first 6 months. Put yourself in the role with the question. Their answer tells you about department goals and priorities, and how the position fits into them. Ask about the biggest challenges or opportunities for the role. This will give you good information for follow-up, including ideas for your thank you note, as well as areas to emphasize in future interviews.

Inquiring about the specifics of the role you're applying for is pivotal during an engineering interview. It demonstrates your keen interest in understanding the position and how you can effectively contribute. These questions not only unveil the day-to-day responsibilities but also reveal the company's expectations and evaluation criteria. This exchange helps in ensuring that you have a clear grasp of the role and allows you to highlight how your skills and experience align seamlessly. It also underscores your proactive approach to stepping into the position well-prepared and ready to make a positive impact.

Inquiring about the team dynamics during an engineering interview is vital. It showcases your interest in seamless collaboration and highlights your team-oriented approach. Understanding the structure, communication protocols, and conflict resolution strategies of the engineering team provides valuable insights. It not only helps you integrate smoothly but also enables you to contribute effectively to the collective goals. Demonstrating a proactive interest in team dynamics underscores your commitment to fostering a positive and productive work environment, where everyone's strengths can be leveraged for maximum impact.

Collaborating with your team is a vital skill for any engineer. To learn more about the team you will be working with, you should ask both factual and exploratory questions. Factual questions are closed-ended and help you gather specific information about the team’s structure, dynamics, culture, and expectations. Exploratory questions are open-ended and help you gain deeper insights and anecdotes from the team members. By combining both types of questions, you can form a clear picture of the team environment and how you can fit in.

Engaging with the details of the project in an engineering interview is a strategic move. It signifies your keen interest in contributing meaningfully. By asking about objectives, challenges, and technical aspects, you demonstrate your grasp of the complexities involved. Inquiring about design choices and testing methods highlights your commitment to quality work. Furthermore, seeking insights into documentation and maintenance showcases your dedication to long-term project success. This line of questioning not only showcases your technical prowess but also underlines your problem-solving abilities, positioning you as a valuable asset to the team.

When interviewing for an engineering role, it's essential to ask industry-related questions to showcase your understanding of the industry's dynamics and your ability to think strategically. Inquire about trends, challenges, innovation, competition, and alignment with broader industry goals. These questions demonstrate your business acumen and your potential to make a valuable impact within the specific sector.

Inquiring about the industry showcases a deeper level of interest in the company's operations. It demonstrates your understanding of the broader context in which the company functions. Questions about industry trends, challenges, and competitive strategies reveal your strategic thinking and forward-looking mindset. Understanding how the company positions itself within the industry landscape helps you envision your potential contributions. This demonstrates not only your technical expertise but also your ability to align your work with the company's broader goals. It's a powerful way to exhibit your business acumen and strategic mindset in an engineering interview.

I'm not a fan of asking your interviewer questions about you. I don't think you will get any real information that you can use for this or future interviews. Instead ask questions about them, such as Tell me about yourself. They asked you, it's okay for you to do the same. Build on their answer. Ask something based on their LinkedIn profile. What brought you to this company, and why do you stay? What keeps you up at night and what gives you hope? Or their challenge or success. By expressing interest in your interviewers and their journey, their concerns, etc., you show interest in them, the team and the company. People like to work with people who have an interest in them as people, rather than just seeing them as occupying a role.

Asking introspective questions about oneself is a testament to self-awareness and a commitment to personal growth. It shows that you value continuous improvement and are open to feedback. These questions reveal a genuine interest in becoming a more effective engineer. By asking about strengths and weaknesses, as well as strategies for managing workload and stress, you're demonstrating a proactive approach to professional development. This not only benefits you but also showcases your potential to contribute positively to the team and the company as a whole. It's a powerful way to convey your dedication to personal and professional growth in an engineering interview.

Do not forget leadership questions. While it is awesome to hire someone with good technical skills, do not forget leadership skills. I once hired an 'awesome' engineer. He was awesome on paper and during all stages of the interview. When the project started and we moved to site, he wasn't a good leader. He couldn't manage the team. Team management and good project management skills is an essential for an engineer. Take this seriously! I'm speaking from experience.

I have two of my favorite questions that can help define the most suitable project for a candidate and also help determine his interests: "Imagine your dream project. What would it entail? Please describe the sphere, technologies, team, other crucial aspects, and your role in this project." "Now, envision the worst possible project for you. What would it be like, and why?"