Interview questions for mechanical engineer

This is an authoritative guide to interview questions for mechanical engineer. These questions can be used for applicants preparing for an interview or for interviewers preparing to interview candidates.

First, look at the job duties

It is absolutely essential to understand the job duties thoroughly be prepared to answer relevant questions. Applicants should read the job ad carefully. Ask for a job description prior to the interview if you are being referred to the job. Job duties are the best clue technical questions will be asked.

Identify technical questions

Applicants and interviewers alike should write out each question, research the question, and write out the best answer. Each answer should 1) explain the situation, 2) detail your actions in first person (say “I did this” and not “we did that” and 3) describe the results and how it helped a person or how it improved your organization. See the list for questions.

Identify behavioral questions

O*NET ranks the importance of following Work Styles for the Mechanical Engineer job on a scale of zero to 100. Interviewers use this to construct behavior-based questions. A good behavior-based interview will have no more than eight to ten questions. They will likely focus on these highest rated qualities.

1. Attention to Detail—89
2. Analytical Thinking—86
3. Dependability — 84
4. Initiative — 78
5. Cooperation — 77
6. Persistence — 77
7. Innovation — 76
8. Adaptability/Flexibility — 75

Practice answering questions

Past behaviors are the best predictor of future behaviors. Therefore, expect to be asked about what you have done in previous jobs, school or other venues. You need to think through very specific accomplishments related to job characteristics. Many questions will take time to think through. Effective interviewers will actually ask you to take time to think about your answers. They will wait in silence until you come up with an answer. It is more important to think through and communicate good examples of whom you are than to show you can answer questions quickly. Quick answers will more likely be the wrong answers.