I got an interview...

[TexKettering]

A while back I made a post about gun manufacturers in Texas in hopes of applying for an Engineering Co-op position. A few companies were mentioned, one of them being STI International (www.stiguns.com).

Well, in a few weeks I have an appointment set up to meet with them about a potential position.

Just wanted to thank you guys for letting me know about this company as I had never heard of them until someone here mentioned it.


Any words of wisdom for a nervous young lad?


*EDIT*

UPDATE
Had the interview two weeks ago. I think the interview went well. Spoke with the Director of Operations for a while, then he showed me around the facilities. After the tour, I spent some time in QC and watched the QC Manager do a warranty repair and the process he goes through.

The whole thing was three hours, which was longer than I had expected so I guess that's a good thing. I dropped a thank you letter in the mail and then called them a week after the interview to check up.

Still no word from them. I think the main problem is that there was no job posting, it was me contacting them for the position so they would have to create a position for me. I think they are going to have to figure out whether or not they want to deal with that.

Yes or no, that's fine... I just want to know.

 

[Heavy Metal Hero]

Keep your ears open and your mouth closed (unless you have a relevant question). Good luck, sounds like an awesome opportunity.

 

[Dannavyret]

Any words of wisdom for a nervous young lad?

1. Posture = show of confidence.

2. Never look away when talking or being talked to.

3. Resist fidgeting, excessive hand gestures.

4. Don't interrupt.

5. Don't answer with nods and head shakes.

6. Question them a lot. but keep questions pointed and brief.

Keep your mind and spirit focused on your desire to become a member of this company and you'll have a good shot at being chosen.

 

[kungfuhippie]

Don't talk with your hands. Many people hate that, find it distracting. Good luck, sounds like a dream job...

 

[strat81]

If you're still in school, contact your career services office. They usually offer resume , cover letter, and interview skill building workshops.

Unless you are told otherwise by the interviewer, WEAR A SUIT. Not jeans, not khakis and a polo, not slacks and a sport coat. A suit. And make sure it fits. It doesn't have to be from Brooks Brothers or something, but wearing a terribly-fitting suit is almost as bad as no suit at all. Make sure it is business appropriate: no "clubbing" suits that are red, purple, etc. Preferably it should be navy blue, grey, or black. Wear a pressed white shirt (iron it before you wear it!) and an unobtrusive tie: no Mickey Mouse ties, no NASCAR ties, no American Flag ties, etc. Make sure you have a dress belt and shoes that match and go with the suit. No brown shoes with a black suit. If your shoes are scuffed, buy some shoe polish for a few dollars and shine them up. If you're unsure about the look you're going for, watch a video of a president giving a speech. Regardless of what their saying, Bush 1, Clinton, Bush 2, even the current candidates pretty much always dress the same. It's a classic look that indicates professionalism.

Personally, for interviews I wear:
-a navy blue 2-piece suit
-a white wrinkle-free broadcloth shirt with no pattern and a point collar
-a white crew-neck undershirt (no "wifebeaters" under a light dress shirt, they're too visible)
-black oxford-style shoes
-black nylon dress socks
-a smooth black dress belt
-a polished steel tie clip

Wearing a suit at an interview is a sign of respect for the company and the position. It tells them you care about your appearance. Your appearance is important because if they hire you, you are an ambassador for that company. If you show up looking like a bum, it indicates you're lazy, don't care about yourself, and don't care about the job.

Buy or borrow a nice portfolio. ALWAYS bring extra copies of your resume. I showed up an interview once that turned out to be a panel interview... luckily I had extra copies to give to those people. In the portfolio, stash those extra resumes along with your references. Make sure you have a pad or paper in there along with a TWO writing instruments (I bring a nice pen and a mechanical pencil). Spend the $2 at the drug store on a decent pen that doesn't look like a 10 cent BIC.
Ask questions:
-Why is this position vacant?
-Why did that person leave this position?-Where does the company see itself in five years?
-What growth opportunities exist for this position?
-Who will I be working with?
-What is the corporate culture like?
-What is the policy on overtime?
-Are there any busy seasons?-Is there any travel involved in the position?
-What are the 3 best things about working for the company?
-What are some things you think the company should change about itself?
-When do you plan on making a decision about this position?
If they ask you about salary, ask them "How much has been budgeted for this position?"
-What is the benefit package like?
-Does the company have any "outside the office activities" like a softball team, charity drive, community service program, etc.?

Show up early. Smile at everyone. Don't click your pen. Shake everyone's hand that you are introduced to (no death-grip handshakes either).

And lastly... SEND A THANK-YOU NOTE. Have one pre-written so you only have to make minimal changes. Mail it the same day as your interview.

Good luck!!!!

 

[armedandsafe]

Do the research on what the company does AND what the company is. Talk to people who work there and get a feel for how they view the people they work around and with. If you can answer questions about what you can bring to the company that they will be willing to pay for, it should include not just the mechanical skills you have, but the "people" skills you have. Interviewers are not just looking for machines to do a job, but for people who will make the company grow comfortably, as well as profitably.

I know, that sounds lile a lot of feel-good gobbledy-gook. However, you are going to be interviewed by a human being, and the interviewer's comfort level is important to the decision that he/she will make in hiring you.

Pops

 

[Houston Tom]

Good luck

there is some great advice here I would just add a couple of things.

THink about answers to possible questions you might be asked like

what are your strongest skills; your weakest?
what are you looking for in a job
do as much research on the compnay as possible and the people at the company, may prove useful

if itis a board interview when asked a question, begin your answer looking at the person that asked it but as you answer look at the others as well.

 

[jamie.27203]

One thing that was pointed out to me by a job recruiter, be polite to everyone. He said, and I have witnessed, that alot of times the interveiwer will go back to the receptionist after the interview to see how you were when not in the interview. You are being interviewed from the time you pull into the parking lot until the time you leave it. +1 on the thank you note, I am almost certain that this is what put me above the other candidate in the job I have now.

 

[TexKettering]

Thanks for the input thus far guys, especially strat.

 

[MattB000]

Obvously you are excited to work for this company. MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THAT!! Even if it sounds stupid or cheesy tell them how much you want this. For an entry level position they will be asking themselves these types of questions.

Do I like this person? Would I want to work with them?
Are they willing to learn? Are they easy to teach? Are they capable of learning the skills we plan to teach them?

Also, if an opportunity arises to where you can be helpful during the interview, jump on it! (For instance, if someone drops something, immediately pick it up for them)

 

[Yosemite**Sam]

Don't forget the underwear

Go out and buy some new underwear and wear it the day of the interview. There's something about new underwear that just makes you feel good.

 

[MrBorland]

All great advice. Dress and act professionally, and do your research beforehand. I only have 1 other thing to add: Remove the word "like" from your vocabulary if you're one of the many who seem to use it in every sentence ("this place is like so awesome"). Keep this habit, and you'll always be seen as a pimply teenager rather than a talented potential colleague. It's a tough habit to break - many do it, most don't realize it, and none realize (important) others notice. Sounds petty, but it's part of acting professionally, rather than sounding like a kid.

Good luck!

 

[TX1911fan]

+1 on the secretary/receptionist comments. If you have a female escorting you through the building, still be a gentleman and open doors, allow her to go through first, etc. Basic manners are important. If they take you out to lunch, order something that you will eat with a fork, not with your hands, even if it is just a salad. Don't order something that will be messy or hard to chew, or will be distracting.

Eye contact is key, and if you find something of common interest, develop it. Be engaging, pleasant, upbeat, but don't overdo it. Try not to be too loud and don't be too fake.

 

[StopTheGrays]

Make sure your palms stay warm and dry. Shaking hands with a person with clammy palms is like grabbing a damp rag.

 

[waterhouse]

I the interview at the Geogetown location or are you meeting them somewhere else? If it's at Georgetown they'll probably give you a nice tour. . .pretty neat facility.

Good luck with the interview.

 

[TexKettering]

I the interview at the Geogetown location or are you meeting them somewhere else? If it's at Georgetown they'll probably give you a nice tour. . .pretty neat facility.

Good luck with the interview.

It's at the Georgetown facility... do they have any other facilities(I honestly don't know)?

Thanks again for all the input, guys. Keep it coming!

 

[Thefabulousfink]

The most important thing to bring to an interview is confidence.

Remember: you don't need this job, they need you for this job.

If you can convince yourself of that, then you stand a good chance of convincing them. Good luck with the interview, I love my STI Spartan.

 

[Ithaca37]

Damn you, that is exactly what I want for next summer (had to take classes this summer).

Seriously though, that is awesome. Good luck at the interview.

One question: What is your major? Are you an ME?

 

[TexKettering]

Damn you, that is exactly what I want for next summer (had to take classes this summer).

Seriously though, that is awesome. Good luck at the interview.

One question: What is your major? Are you an ME?

Well, I don't want this to be just a summer job...

And yes, I'm an ME major. I have about 5 months left of school total.

 

[stangfan93]

I use to be in a business class in high school and we had a person come and speak to us about interviews and one the many things that he told my class that has always stuck with me was to keep them talking. The longer they talk the less you talk and the less chances of you making a mistake when you talk. I have a tendency to get tongue tied so that helps me out a lot.

Ask them how they got to the position that they are in how long they have been working for the company and their general history. The person doing the interview then becomes interviewed. Also do not always focus on the person themselves but about the company.

Where i work now i did the same thing and it help me from saying the wrong things or getting tongue tied like i usually do when i get excited or nervous. When I went into the small conference room that I was being interviewed at there were 6 people sitting there with my resume. I was pretty nervous because this has never happened to me.

 

[Ithaca37]

I see. Makes sense if you are almost done.

I assume you go to Kettering?

 

[TexKettering]

I see. Makes sense if you are almost done.

I assume you go to Kettering?

Sure do... almost done and can't wait to be.

 

[RPCVYemen]

Personally, for interviews I wear:
-a navy blue 2-piece suit
-a white wrinkle-free broadcloth shirt with no pattern and a point collar
-a white crew-neck undershirt (no "wifebeaters" under a light dress shirt, they're too visible)
-black oxford-style shoes
-black nylon dress socks
-a smooth black dress belt
-a polished steel tie clip

Man, none of you guys must do software. If I wear socks to to work, my manager assumes I must be interviewing somewhere else!

Seriously, good luck. Where I work, a huge percentage of our permanent employees come from our interns.

Mike

 

[Catsailor]

All very good advise for anyone interviewing for a position. I can only emphasize confidence, professionalism and the interview begins when you arrive on the property and does not end until you are off the property (everything you do there will leave some sort of impression).
Good luck

 

[Fburgtx]

Good luck!!

Most of all, be nice and smile!!! No earrings, tattoos, or funky/spiky/gelled-up hair. No cologne. Don't be a know-it-all, but make sure they know that you know/enjoy firearms. Don't argue and be positive!!! Most folks can be trained to do their job, but they can't be taught/trained to have a good attitude!!

We're all rootin' for you!!

P.S. Good advice from Mustangfan93. Keep THEM talking. Don't make stupid small-talk, but if you find out they have a hobby you know lots about, ask them questions about it if you run out of job questions. People LOVE to talk about themselves. I once had an interview where one guy was a big Bob Wills fan and the other liked to collect old pocket auto pistols and talked it up with them(I nailed that interview and got the position).