Entry Level Quality Engineer Interview Preparation/Advice?

PeterLe

Involved In Discussions
#1
Hello everyone. This is my first post and I'm glad to have found such a wonderful forum! I am getting ready for a QE interview and had some general questions this great forum maybe able to address. I've already read a couple of threads, including this one: Quality Engineer Job Interview Questions, but I wanted something more specific to my situation.

Just a quick description. This is an entry level QE position for a relatively large medical device company. I've only worked in the start up medical device industry but only has a mechanical engineer, rather than a QE. However, I am making a switch to Mechanical to Quality. The interviewing process will be a "marathon" type of interview. I will be interviewed by the following:

Sr. Quality Manager
Principal Mfg. Engineer
Sr Supplier QE
Team Interview
Sr. Recruiter

What should I expect in this type of an interview? How technical can the interview be? I do have experience with dealing with quality but no actual experience. I want to show to them that I am CAPABLE of doing the job correctly.

Here are some of the responsibilities and qualifications for the job:
-Perform Root Cause analysis and implement corrective and preventative measures to improve product quality.
-Work closely with R&D and QC to produce products that meet specifications and perform as designed.
-Supervisory and motivational skills
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills
-AutoCad/ Solidworks
-Minitab
-QSR and ISO 9000 training
-Recognize problems and take corrective measures

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 
Elsmar Forum Sponsor
G

George Weiss

#2
An interview can depend on who you know.
In each interview, the questions will focus to the strength of the person asking them, or a standard format.
Questions will stay basic, and then off in left field to test depth.
You should be able to answer questions, and or know where to find answers you don’t know.
QMS is the company’s source for answers. You will be supporting the company’s answers.
Knowing about the company, their QMS, and their product will focus you to their questions.
If you have any chance to review their QMS, I would climb all over it!
Driving the discussions into the company's QMS with what you gathered controls the interviews to your advantage. Addressing situations with you skills can then be plugged into your discussions.:agree1:
More better comments to follow by others
A thread just appeared you could view @
http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=25417
 
Last edited by a moderator:
C

Chance

#3
Hi Covers,

How are y'all? It's been a while since my last visit. I was on maternity leave since Nov of last year and currently in transition.

I have a job interview tomorrow for a Quality Assurance Engineer position - not an entry level, it is a managerial career level.
The job description is below:

Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the quality assurance program designed to ensure continuous production of cans consistent with established Plant and Corporate standards.

? Develops and analyzes statistical data and product specifications to determine present standards and establishes proposed quality and reliability expectancy of finished cans.

? Formulates and maintains quality control objectives and coordinates objectives with production procedures to maximize product reliability and minimize costs.

? Directs, through Production Management and Hourly Team Members the inspection and testing activities to ensure continuous control over materials, facilities, and cans.

? Plans, promotes, and organizes training activities related to can quality and reliability.

? Must do analysis to discover and apply remedies for the root or basic causes of quality defects.

? Responsible for all required paperwork and reports of the Quality Assurance function such as: HFI reports, Can-weight reports, axial load reports, QA audit reports, Corporate monthly reports, etc. Other duties, responsibilities, or roles may be assigned by the Plant Manager or the Management Team.
They won't tell me the salary range, currently there is no process related problem that needs immediate attention. This is not a new position, the previous employee for 30 years retired. They want somebody to help them align their processes and help them coordinate Lean Mfg and six sigma methodology per my phone conversation with the HR Manager but it is not mentioned in the job description.
Can someone help me by giving some advice?

Thanks,
Chance
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Wes Bucey

Quite Involved in Discussions
#4
Hi Covers,

How are y'all? It's been a while since my last visit. I was on maternity leave since Nov of last year and currently in transition.

I have a job interview tomorrow for a Quality Assurance Engineer position - not an entry level, it is a managerial career level.
The job description is below:

Plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the quality assurance program designed to ensure continuous production of cans consistent with established Plant and Corporate standards.

? Develops and analyzes statistical data and product specifications to determine present standards and establishes proposed quality and reliability expectancy of finished cans.

? Formulates and maintains quality control objectives and coordinates objectives with production procedures to maximize product reliability and minimize costs.

? Directs, through Production Management and Hourly Team Members the inspection and testing activities to ensure continuous control over materials, facilities, and cans.

? Plans, promotes, and organizes training activities related to can quality and reliability.

? Must do analysis to discover and apply remedies for the root or basic causes of quality defects.

? Responsible for all required paperwork and reports of the Quality Assurance function such as: HFI reports, Can-weight reports, axial load reports, QA audit reports, Corporate monthly reports, etc. Other duties, responsibilities, or roles may be assigned by the Plant Manager or the Management Team.
They won't tell me the salary range, currently there is no process related problem that needs immediate attention. This is not a new position, the previous employee for 30 years retired. They want somebody to help them align their processes and help them coordinate Lean Mfg and six sigma methodology per my phone conversation with the HR Manager but it is not mentioned in the job description.
Can someone help me by giving some advice?

Thanks,
Chance
All my experience tells me the most successful job interviews are those where the candidate makes his/her [potential] value to the organization the primary focus of the interview. Try not to be led off into gossip about past employers, competitors, customers, etc.

One way to create value is by telling stories of personal successes on the job or in life and relating those successes to the attributes listed in the job description.

As far as salary is concerned:
Find a salary survey from a recent issue of Quality Magazine (available online), find a salary range for a position comparable to what the job listing states and THEN create a compelling story of why you are a candidate at the top end of the salary curve, and NOT to be lumped in with the "average" people at the middle of the range.

It is a sad tale, but true: many candidates leave thousands and thousands of dollars at the negotiating table because they agree to the fiction "start in the middle and work your way up."

The truth is a candidate is ALWAYS better off by presenting him/her self as a leader of the pack.

Good luck:cfingers:

Added in edit:
Consider reading through this post about a Skills Assessment Matrix to help you outline the image you want to present at your interview
.
 
Last edited:
C

Chance

#5
Wes,

Thank you so much for sharing this to me. Yes I will try to focus on how I can contribute for the benefit of the organisation.
Yes I will refer to the salary curve in the online magazine.
I will try my best, I hate going to interviews but here I am again looking for a job.
 

Wes Bucey

Quite Involved in Discussions
#6
Wes,

Thank you so much for sharing this to me. Yes I will try to focus on how I can contribute for the benefit of the organisation.
Yes I will refer to the salary curve in the online magazine.
I will try my best, I hate going to interviews but here I am again looking for a job.
Given the timing of your post, you may have missed this addition to my post
Added in edit:
Consider reading through this post about a Skills Assessment Matrix to help you outline the image you want to present at your interview
.
 

Jim Wynne

Staff member
Admin
#7
<snip>
As far as salary is concerned:
Find a salary survey from a recent issue of Quality Magazine (available online), find a salary range for a position comparable to what the job listing states and THEN create a compelling story of why you are a candidate at the top end of the salary curve, and NOT to be lumped in with the "average" people at the middle of the range.

It is a sad tale, but true: many candidates leave thousands and thousands of dollars at the negotiating table because they agree to the fiction "start in the middle and work your way up."

The truth is a candidate is ALWAYS better off by presenting him/her self as a leader of the pack.

Good luck:cfingers:

Added in edit:
Consider reading through this post about a Skills Assessment Matrix to help you outline the image you want to present at your interview.
Wes,

Thank you so much for sharing this to me. Yes I will try to focus on how I can contribute for the benefit of the organisation.
Yes I will refer to the salary curve in the online magazine.
I will try my best, I hate going to interviews but here I am again looking for a job.
An alternate point of view on using salary surveys as ammunition: I think it's rarely a good idea. The ASQ survey data might be helpful in a small way in understanding what the general range might be, but local conditions vary widely, as do the duties and competencies within each general job title. Expecting a hiring authority to be impressed by the data is not likely to have the expected outcome. You should have an idea of what people are being paid for similar work in your geographic area, or the area where the employer is located. Because the employer isn't willing to divulge at least a range up front, you can expect to be lowballed with an initial offer, if it gets that far. Once the interview is done, you'll have a better idea of whether you want the job or not, and you'll know how to handle an offer.
 
C

Chance

#8
I feel so blessed to be a member of this awesome forum! Thanks Big Jim and Wes as always you guys are always there when I needed help. You don't have no idea how much I learned from you guys! Thanks again!:bigwave:
 

Wes Bucey

Quite Involved in Discussions
#10
While browsing the salary.com site, I came across this article on salary negotiation (http://www.salary.com/everything-is-negotiable-learn-the-power-factors/)

It's not bad, in my opinion. Although she never mentions the term "System of Profound Knowledge"(SoPK) by Deming, she comes very close to describing the features of SoPK which are key in negotiating a salary from a position of strength.

It really does come down to RESEARCH!
 
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
K What is the entry level position/job in the field of Quality? Career and Occupation Discussions 14
CalRich How to determine competence of entry level quality personnel in an accredited lab? Training - Internal, External, Online and Distance Learning 11
M Getting your foot in the door? Entry level QA Career and Occupation Discussions 4
E Basic SPC Guide (5-10 pages) for Entry Level Users - Recommendations Please Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 8
J KPI's for AS9100 Cl. 8.2/8.5 - Bids/Contract Review/Order Entry AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 10
J Who can make a Correction of Entry on GMP Records Other Medical Device and Orthopedic Related Topics 1
M Photocopy of Data Entry in Traveler Forms Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 2
T Steel Material Entry into the IMDS system RoHS, REACH, ELV, IMDS and Restricted Substances 5
A TGA - Cancellation of a device entry from ARTG Other Medical Device Regulations World-Wide 9
M Microsoft Excel - Trouble with Auto-Entry of Dates Excel .xls Spreadsheet Templates and Tools 13
R Minitab Fractional Factorial Data Entry Help Using Minitab Software 5
A Speech Recognition to Improve Data Entry Speed and Accuracy Human Factors and Ergonomics in Engineering 9
J AS9100 Rev.C - First OASIS Entry for AS9100 Rev.C Certified Companies AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 21
S Transitional Test Data Records - Scratch Pad to Data Entry Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 2
W CPOEs (Computerized Order Entry Systems)? FDA regulated or not? US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2
I Electrical Medical Device and Entry in US Market EU Medical Device Regulations 5
R Improving Data Entry Accuracy Service Industry Specific Topics 12
T PO (Purchase Order) Clauses - Entry Clause ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 11
D Breaking the Monotony in Data Entry Training - Internal, External, Online and Distance Learning 9
H AS9100 - Right of entry requirement AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 11
J Master List of Records, req 8.2.4 entry ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 3
D Examples of Process Map for a Transactional Process like Order Entry Process Maps, Process Mapping and Turtle Diagrams 3
S Acceptable Error Rates for Order Picking and Order Entry Quality Tools, Improvement and Analysis 8
M Using M-1 Software for Quality - Manual Engineering Change Order Entry Quality Assurance and Compliance Software Tools and Solutions 1
R Retention of records - Original Order Form vs. Computer Entry record - ISO 13485 Records and Data - Quality, Legal and Other Evidence 12
gard2372 Medical Device Industry "Gaining Entry???" Career and Occupation Discussions 4
O Purchasing Procedure for small company/order entry template Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 2
G OASIS Database at a per-entry cost of $500 - SAE Money Grubbers (AS9100) AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 22
J Part submission warrant for Level 1 PPAP APQP and PPAP 1
A Defining a lower ESD test level in IEC 60601 safety test IEC 60601 - Medical Electrical Equipment Safety Standards Series 5
was named killer Onsite Level II N.D.T. Training in Florida Training - Internal, External, Online and Distance Learning 0
D High level understanding of EUDAMED EU Medical Device Regulations 3
D Supplier Quality level category help - high level ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 6
silentmonkey Rationalising the level of effort and depth of software validation based on risk ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 10
Y What are different Special Inspection Level 1-4 and General spesification 1-3 ? AQL - Acceptable Quality Level 0
D Supplier Quality - How to classify a supplier level Medical Device and FDA Regulations and Standards News 10
E Received a Major finding during IATF Surveillance audit for loss of BIQS Level 3 (more than 6 SPPS in 6 months)...how should we address SYSTEMIC CA? IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 11
J Level 3 KPI Excel Template Manufacturing and Related Processes 1
M Informational How to perform a clinical evaluation of medical devices – Part 2 – Level of clinical evidence and what sufficient clinical evidence means Medical Device and FDA Regulations and Standards News 9
R Bottom up approach versus system level ISO 14971 - Medical Device Risk Management 2
C Failure nets - Same level effects FMEA and Control Plans 0
H Graphical analysis of results - Confidence level bands nomenclature Gage R&R (GR&R) and MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) 2
S Level of Clinical Evidence - MDR EU Medical Device Regulations 3
D GM BIQS level 5 requirements Customer and Company Specific Requirements 5
I Sampling processes - Who must define the AQL level? AQL - Acceptable Quality Level 9
R Identifying internal issues.. at what level? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 9
I What level of change in documentation requires re-training? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 5
M Level 3 PPAP submission of intentional defective parts APQP and PPAP 4
eule del ayre List of Level 3 PPAP requirements for automotive suppliers APQP and PPAP 20
I Document levels and approval requirements for lower level documents like work instructions, forms etc. Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 18

Similar threads

Top Bottom