Interview Advice

[owidjaja]

Hey guys,
I was recently called up for an interview with UTS for Women in Engineering! Problem is, I have no clue what to expect in interviews. Any advice on how to prepare for interviews?

Thanks in advance

[jamonwindeyer]

Amazing! Congratulations!!

Pretty sure I might have sent you this already, but interview tips at the end of this guide could be helpful!

[owidjaja]

Amazing! Congratulations!!

Pretty sure I might have sent you this already, but interview tips at the end of this guide could be helpful!

Ahh yes, I think I've read this article a few times. A few questions:

About attire, could I wear my full winter school uniform instead of a business attire? (I noticed how you mentioned that you wore a suit- guys no matter what age look fine wearing suits, but for females, wearing a suit kinda looks like we're playing dress up with our mum's clothing lol.)

As for research, the email sent said there will be industry sponsors- either I have horrible research skills or that the scholarship advertisement didn't say which industry sponsors will be there. What I do know is that the panel will be 3 relevant staff members and a representative from Women in Engineering Program- should I do some research on their background? (My main concern is that I'll look like I just stalked them or something lmao).

Another concern is what if they ask me if I will put UTS down as my first preference? Because tbh, UNSW is my first preference but UTS is a back up. Should I just mention that or will they be salty and make me disadvantaged?

What kind of questions do they usually ask? Do they usually ask generic questions or will they ask specific questions based on the form you sent?

My career adviser told me that the key to these interviews is to be able to answer questions that aren't just 'yes/no' answers but elaborate on them as well. At what point does should I know when I start rambling?

I'm also concerned if they say 'Do you have any questions' because I usually don't have questions until after the event- it takes me a while to let everything sink in. Any tips on this?

[jamonwindeyer]

Ahh yes, I think I've read this article a few times. A few questions:

About attire, could I wear my full winter school uniform instead of a business attire? (I noticed how you mentioned that you wore a suit- guys no matter what age look fine wearing suits, but for females, wearing a suit kinda looks like we're playing dress up with our mum's clothing lol.)

School uniform could be good! It would be worth sussing out the expectations - Business attire is a reality for the world sometimes so it might be a good time to come to grips with it? But a uniform shows presentation so probably fine

As for research, the email sent said there will be industry sponsors- either I have horrible research skills or that the scholarship advertisement didn't say which industry sponsors will be there. What I do know is that the panel will be 3 relevant staff members and a representative from Women in Engineering Program- should I do some research on their background? (My main concern is that I'll look like I just stalked them or something lmao).

If the panel isn't industry, then yolo, don't research. I always found it creepy too, aha. Good chance for questions (see below)

Another concern is what if they ask me if I will put UTS down as my first preference? Because tbh, UNSW is my first preference but UTS is a back up. Should I just mention that or will they be salty and make me disadvantaged?

They won't ask. But if you want to be safe, move it to 1st before you go in, and if they ask, say, "Yep it is my first preference right now!"

What kind of questions do they usually ask? Do they usually ask generic questions or will they ask specific questions based on the form you sent?

Probably a bit of both!! Be prepared to elaborate on info in the form, or be asked totally different things

My career adviser told me that the key to these interviews is to be able to answer questions that aren't just 'yes/no' answers but elaborate on them as well. At what point does should I know when I start rambling?

Just answer how feels natural! Chances are if you are talking for a while about something it is important to you, so just talk until you feel you've said enough. Gut instincts

I'm also concerned if they say 'Do you have any questions' because I usually don't have questions until after the event- it takes me a while to let everything sink in. Any tips on this?

If you don't have any questions, don't ask any! Or potentially ask one of your panelists a bit more about their line of work/research areas? No need to be super intricate

[owidjaja]

They won't ask. But if you want to be safe, move it to 1st before you go in, and if they ask, say, "Yep it is my first preference right now!"

Good thing UAC preferences isn't open yet!

If you don't have any questions, don't ask any! Or potentially ask one of your panelists a bit more about their line of work/research areas? No need to be super intricate

I'm just trying to figure out where that kind of question of asking them about their research would fit into the interview haha. It's like the interview is filled with engineering and out of the blue I ask 'Hey so can you explain your thesis to me? I'm interested.'

Also, how long do these interviews usually go for?

How many questions do they usually ask?

[jamonwindeyer]

You could always go more general! So what courses do you teach here? What're they about?

Interview length they might tell you at some point - Definitely <30 minutes, maybe 15-20 minutes? Probably 6-10 questions or so would be my guess!

[owidjaja]

So I had a mock interview with my career advisor and two other teachers today and I have more questions:

With the type of questions, are they generic questions or are they engineering-based questions?
By engineering based questions, I mean questions like say if we had to stack 50 cent coins to the height of the Sydney Tower, will these coins fit in a room, or tell me your favourite monument/building/car and how that has impacted the way you view engineering etc.
Or are these questions like why do you wanna do engineering, what are your strengths/weaknesses etc.

Lmao I need examples.

Also, am I allowed to ask for a glass of water?

[jamonwindeyer]

With the type of questions, are they generic questions or are they engineering-based questions?
By engineering based questions, I mean questions like say if we had to stack 50 cent coins to the height of the Sydney Tower, will these coins fit in a room, or tell me your favourite monument/building/car and how that has impacted the way you view engineering etc.
Or are these questions like why do you wanna do engineering, what are your strengths/weaknesses etc.

I can almost guarantee they won't be asking stuff like that first one - Gimmicky stuff like that won't be thrown at you I'm quite sure. The second one, maybe! But I'd think the third one is most likely to be the sort of thing you get

I'd expect a mix of general and engineering-focused questions, though

Also, am I allowed to ask for a glass of water?

Bring a bottle in!

[owidjaja]

I'd expect a mix of general and engineering-focused questions, though

Wait, what do you mean by engineering-focused questions? Can you give an example?

Also, considering that the scholarship is Women in Engineering, what are the chances that the interviewers will ask something along the lines of "Would you consider yourself a feminist?" Sure, I'm a proud feminist, but I'm pretty sure I read in an article on Seek that it's illegal for interviewers to ask our sexual orientation, religion, race or political views.

[jamonwindeyer]

Wait, what do you mean by engineering-focused questions? Can you give an example?

So still personal, but based around engineering, like, "What aspects of the field interest you?" Or even, "What sort of companies do you know about in the field?" More specific than general, "What are your strengths?" style stuff. They aren't going to assess technical knowledge, though

Also, considering that the scholarship is Women in Engineering, what are the chances that the interviewers will ask something along the lines of "Would you consider yourself a feminist?" Sure, I'm a proud feminist, but I'm pretty sure I read in an article on Seek that it's illegal for interviewers to ask our sexual orientation, religion, race or political views.

Guarantee you they won't ask that

[owidjaja]

Hey guys,
So my interview's tomorrow and I can feel my stress levels rising (along with the fact that I'm doing last-minute PIP stuff)- any last minute advice? (apart from 'be yourself' lmao).

[jamonwindeyer]

Hey guys,
So my interview's tomorrow and I can feel my stress levels rising (along with the fact that I'm doing last-minute PIP stuff)- any last minute advice? (apart from 'be yourself' lmao).

Relax. You'll be amazing!

Good luck

[S200]

apart from 'be yourself

Don't try to be someone that you are'nt?

[owidjaja]

Hey guys,
I know this thread hasn't been active for awhile but I have another interview for an Early Admission at UOW. I have no clue how to prepare for this. Unlike the UTS one, I know it's specific to engineering so I have an idea what they could ask, but Early Entry is a different story, and even their eligibility criteria is extremely broad. How should I prepare?

[jamonwindeyer]

Hey guys,
I know this thread hasn't been active for awhile but I have another interview for an Early Admission at UOW. I have no clue how to prepare for this. Unlike the UTS one, I know it's specific to engineering so I have an idea what they could ask, but Early Entry is a different story, and even their eligibility criteria is extremely broad. How should I prepare?

You probably shouldn't! Having done one interview you'll be better prepared than many people, just chill out, maybe read over your application and think of specific situations/examples of things you've done for each of the criteria. Besides that, be confident - Interviews are really just the same process no matter what the criteria