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The Metals & Alloys Blog is the place for conversation and discussion about ferrous and nonferrous metals, metalworking processes, and specialty alloys. Here, you'll find everything from application ideas, to news and industry trends, to hot topics and cutting edge innovations. This blog is inspired by the Metals & Alloys newsletter from GlobalSpec, which you can subscribe to here.

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9 comments

Enigmatic Engineers

Posted August 15, 2008 8:00 AM

Our Career and Commentary article in August's Metals & Alloys newsletter talks about the difficulties of picking the right engineer for a job. Often seen as "odd ducks" because of their quirkiness and creativity, getting the best engineer for a position requires determining if the hole is right for the peg. What questions would you ask an engineer if you were in charge of staffing for your organization?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Metals & Alloys, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Metals & Alloys today.


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Guru

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#1

Re: Enigmatic Engineers

08/16/2008 2:42 AM

Hand the engineer a peice of material that your company works with daily and ask what could you make with this. If he in any way describes something you make then he is your kind of man.

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#2

Re: Enigmatic Engineers

08/16/2008 10:29 AM

Questions I would ask include how s/he has previously reacted to change and changing conditions, and what jokes s/he can tell that I haven't heard before. Without the ability to adapt and a good sense of humor, s/he is not likely to fit in MY organizational chart. For what it's worth, engineers are seen as "odd ducks" for a reason, usually...

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#5
In reply to #2

Re: Enigmatic Engineers

08/18/2008 8:06 AM

Yesssss..........doooo go on with that train of thought.............quack quack

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#9
In reply to #5

Re: Enigmatic Engineers

08/18/2008 11:38 AM

Yeah, and some of 'em are odder ducks than others...

CM DUCKS?

MR NOT DUCKS!

OSAR, CM FEET? CM FEATHERS?

LIB, MR DUCKS!

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#3

Re: Enigmatic Engineers

08/17/2008 6:48 AM

What are your interests and hobbies?

Del

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#6
In reply to #3

Re: Enigmatic Engineers

08/18/2008 8:14 AM

Inventing a better cat trap/launch vehicle. Presently mine has a range of a few hundred metres.

I generally stick to crime as a hobby. Have my neighbour convinced his auto is capable of 80mpg by secretly filling it with petrol when he's not looking.

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#4

Re: Enigmatic Engineers

08/17/2008 4:20 PM

Show him/her a piece of kit, and ask how they could/would improve it.....

If they say they couldn't, they are the wrong choice.

GM1964

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#8
In reply to #4

Re: Enigmatic Engineers

08/18/2008 9:54 AM

I disagree. Some things don't need to be improved for the purpose at hand.

The majority of mouse traps sold are the same design my mother used. (build a better mousetrap indeed!)

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#7

Re: Enigmatic Engineers

08/18/2008 8:28 AM

Determine whether he/she knows something about everything or everything about nothing and don't hire them if they do.

If, on the other hand I have somebody who can think on their feet and attempt to solve a problem then I consider them to be on the bean pole.............and I get to pick the beans..............

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