Enigmatic Engineers

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.

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...

What are your interests and hobbies?

Del

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

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!)

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..............