Interviews at Western companies test two things: your technical reasoning (how you solve problems) and your cultural fit (how you work in a team).

1. Preparation: The “Before” Interview

• The Documents: Bring copies of your resume and a Project Portfolio (prints of schematics, code, or CAD drawings). This proves your skills are real.

• The Research: Don’t just read the history of the company. Research their current engineering projects and the background of your interviewer on LinkedIn.

• The Look: Dress “Business Professional” or “Smart Casual.” When in doubt, wear a button-down shirt and dress pants.

2. The Conversation: The “During” Interview

• First Impressions: Start with a firm handshake, eye contact, and brief small talk (e.g., “How is your day going?”).

• Technical Questions: If you don’t know an answer, don’t panic.

◦ Western Standard: Think out loud. Say, “I’m not sure of the specific value, but here is the formula I would use to find it…” They want to hear your logic.

• The Tour: If you get a tour, greet everyone you pass. Ask specific questions about the machinery or software they are using.

3. Answering Questions: The STAR Method

When asked behavioral questions (e.g., “Tell me about a time you led a team”), do not give one-sentence answers. Use the STAR structure:

• Situation: What was the problem?

• Task: What did you need to do?

• Action: What did YOU specifically do?

• Result: What was the outcome? (Use numbers/data).

Top 3 Questions to Prepare For:

1 “Tell me about yourself.” (Focus on your engineering passion).

2 “Tell me about a time a project failed.” (Focus on how you fixed it).

3 “Do you have any questions for us?” (Always say yes. Ask: “What does a typical day look like for a junior engineer here?”)

4. The Follow-Up: The “After”

• Closing: Thank them for their time and ask, “What are the next steps?”

• The Email: Send a “Thank You” email within 24 hours. Mention one specific topic you discussed to show you were listening.