Why did you not choose mechanical engineering? Interview Question

[Cognizant]

HI folks ,

I have interview monday 8:30 am ....why did u choose quality engineering instead mechanical engineering which is my background?

any answers please ???for the interviewer....

 

[Marc]

One thing you might want to say is that you want to broaden your scope of experience and expertise.

 

[Wes Bucey]

I always find it helpful to tell the truth, EXCEPT WHEN IT CAN HURT YOU.

Examples when truth can hurt:

• I was an idiot and couldn't keep the math formulas straight
• I made a lot of mistakes and got fired
• I had a fistfight with my boss in the parking lot
• I got caught en flagrante delicto with a file clerk
• I insulted a customer

Examples when truth can help:

• I realized a lot of the skills and experience in seeing that things work right is a natural background for quality engineering
• I've been frustrated when things with good design are messed up during manufacturing and I wanted to bring my experience in mechanical engineering to bear on eliminating or at least reducing manufacturing problems.
• I like the idea of interacting with other folks instead of being cooped up behind a computer just verifying designs. I want to be able to see the designs get turned into real products without mistakes.

 

[Jim Wynne]

I always find it helpful to tell the truth, EXCEPT WHEN IT CAN HURT YOU.

Examples when truth can hurt:

• I was an idiot and couldn't keep the math formulas straight
• I made a lot of mistakes and got fired
• I had a fistfight with my boss in the parking lot
• I got caught en flagrante delicto with a file clerk
• I insulted a customer

Good advice; I once had a job applicant who gave as the reason for leaving his last position, "Drove forklift through wall." Another one for the "Too Much Information" file.

 

[ralphsulser]

I once interviewed a guy for an inspector who came in wearing a T-shirt that said "Strohs, the breakfast of champions"

 

[Steve Prevette]

I was interviewed by Admiral Rickover for entry into the Navy Nuclear Program. He kicked the interview right off with "You are a civil engineer, right? Why aren't you a nuclear engineer? Why do you want in MY program when you are a civil engineer"

I never did come up with a response he accepted, but I passed the interview. I think it was more to see how I responded to the situation than any actual answer that could be provided.

 

[Ron Rompen]

Is it true that you did ALL those 'hurtful' things, Wes?

I was originally planning on being a MechEng (robotics and automation systems) but it came down to 'no experience? no job....no job?, no experience' scenario.

I was fortunate enough to be hired (on contract) as a replacement shadowgraph operator by my current employer, and have never looked back since.