Job interview

[miser330]

I have my first welding shop job intervew monday, but I dont know what questions i should ask or what the weld test is like. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated as I am going in blind, beside my equipment, to this interview.

[Ltbadd]

Is this a large or small company, what do you know about their operations or product.

Be honest and enthusiastic about the opportunity, someone who is teachable and able to get along with others is very important
in a shop environment. (or anywhere)

Concerning the weld test, all you can do is do your best, not to sound trivial but it's Sunday and you can't call and ask about the test.
Make a note for future interviews to ask about the weld test.

[MAC702]

... I am going in blind...

And with as much information about the company as you gave us (none) we are supposed to add insight?

[miser330]

The company is Terex. The company fabricates mineral processing systems and construction equipment. GMAW and GTAW processes on stainless and carbon steel.

[Olivero]

Sounds like fun.

All you can do is what you can do, so just take it as it goes. Ain't a whole lot that's gonna happen other than you being good enough or not, just be nice and polite, ace the test and become their #1 welder and off you go.

[H80N]

The company is Terex. The company fabricates mineral processing systems and construction equipment. GMAW and GTAW processes on stainless and carbon steel.

Terex builds BIG mining equip

what do they specialize in at that plant...??

http://www.terex.com/en/

they are famous for scrapers and rock dumps.... but they are now pretty diversified

[miser330]

I am going to the Durand, MI location<br />
http://www.terex.com/minerals-processing-systems/en/<br />
I would assume (from the url) this location makes mineral processing systems.

[H80N]

I am going to the Durand, MI location<br />
http://www.terex.com/minerals-processing-systems/en/<br />
I would assume (from the url) this location makes mineral processing systems.

study the products they produce there

Focus on how your skillset meets their needs

and that you are willing and eager to expand your skills....learn their ways and corporate culture.....being adaptable... joining the "TEAM"

NO ego driven lone wolves in corporate America

[Burnt hands]

miser330,

Just like H80N said, learn as much about their products and processes at this location.

I can melt metal but I am not a welder.

But from my experience in various job interviews,
I believe it helps when you can show you know a bit about their company.

An interview can be a bit scary.

Here is what has helped me in my career.

I would mentally prepare some questions to ask if the interviewer asked,
" Do you have any questions?"

Here are some thoughts on what I might ask the interviewer.


1 - "What welding processes do your welders use here?"

Is it stick, mig, submerged arc or another process?"

3 - What types of steel do you typically use in your products?
AR500, D2 tool steel ?
( Burnt hands comment here: I know little on steel types, so I just put in these choices)

4 - "I am guessing that your products operate in a extremely harsh environment
and hardfacing the contact surfaces is a big part of extending product life and reliability."
"What type of hardfacing products do you favor?"
"Is it ones for severe impact or severe abrasion?"
"Or does the application determine the choice.?"

Add your own questions......................................... !


The idea here is to show the interviewer that you know more than what
the interviewer might get from the interview without sounding too overconfident.

My guess is that they work from a set of questions and if you can stand out from
the other candidates, you might get noticed.

Plus it gives you an opportunity to catch your breath while you listen to the answers.

Good luck !

[H80N]

Dress in clean.... neat casual clothes that you can weld in

speak in clear...polite... well enunciated english......... no ghetto speak or street slang

first impressions matter

[Tinker Joe 2]

Heck with all the advise you got here I would hire all of them and you now know a lot more, like H80N said is super great advise, please don't bring you cell phone in there with you, remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression, a sharp interviewer will size you up in the first thirty seconds, make the count, first off, smile, that makes him or she also fell welcomed, do some research, look at there stock and any news letters, you may be asked what you know about them, see where they have been and where they are headed, you can find a job anywhere you are looking for a carrier, if you see fit to use that when asked us it and sit back in the chair don't learn forward, he is also looking for body language, now with all the with all this information you better get the job, you be the welder and we will be the advisors, when I went for the sales interview 30 years ago they needed to fill a sales spot quick I went for the interview and several other fellow we had all worked together 15 years, I was the last one for to be interviewed after a discussion he leaned back in his chair and said " I want you tell me why you want the sales job " I replied I want to be the new salesman, to my surprise he stood he opened the draw and pulled out a set of car keys, you start in the morning, we were both relaxed at this time and I asked him what made the difference in our interviews he said they rest wanted to get out of hard work that we were doing at well sites, one little comment was the decision one, what percent of your pay we do get, just had to do that, when they say will let you know ask what date will that be, now go it, Joe

[H80N]

How did the interview go....???

[miser330]

I feel the interview went well. If I dont hear back by the 19th I will be calling them back. However they did state that they cannot work around my school schedule. For that reason I feel they will not hire me. The weld test was 2 simple fillet welds using GMAW on carbon steel which was very easy. I did learn a lot from the experience and I picked up a few things that I could improve on! Thank you everyone for all of your advice! I will be posting whether I got the job or not!

[H80N]

I feel the interview went well. If I dont hear back by the 19th I will be calling them back. However they did state that they cannot work around my school schedule. For that reason I feel they will not hire me. The weld test was 2 simple fillet welds using GMAW on carbon steel which was very easy. I did learn a lot from the experience and I picked up a few things that I could improve on! Thank you everyone for all of your advice! I will be posting whether I got the job or not!

School Schedule...???

sounds like you may have been interviewing a little prematurely................

[ryanjones2150]

Why can't you go to school at night? I did. Worked construction all day and went to night classes. Took me five years to finish my four years degree because not all the classes I needed were offered when I needed them. But I had to eat and pay the bills somehow.