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Do you have a portfolio?

  • 16-08-2017 2:54pm
    #1
    CatFromHue
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,266 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    This is something I've been asked in a few interviews, I'm a mech eng, but I've never thought before to take or copy drawings/models/info to keep for a portfolio. I'm not sure I'd even have been allowed.

    I have examples of work I can talk about and things like that but no paperwork or pictures of the actual work.

    Do you have a portfolio and if so what does it consist of?


Comments

  • #2
    Shy Ted
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 159 ✭✭Shy Ted


    Its somewhat a double edged sword, but I would. I've always maintained a copy of photos, renderings, drawings, calcs, maybe a test report etc...  A picture is worth a 1000 words as they say. 

    I would keep it somewhat generic though and never show propriety information, especially if you intended to move to a potential competitor. If I was the interviewer, I would also be judging how trust worthy you would be to my company etc. 

    My portfolio is pretty much the same as I used for my CEng interview. If you've been down that road before, perhaps you can use yours too.


  • #3
    Turbulent Bill
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,638 ✭✭✭Turbulent Bill


    I've always maintained an unofficial portfolio. There are obvious IP and confidentiality issues with doing this, but the interviews are never with potential competitors. The portfolio is also generic enough not to reveal usable info, but with enough detail to demonstrate skills.

    It's a great tool to have for interviews, and pretty much the only way to answer "Demonstrate when you did X... " to strangers. You need to make it clear to the interviewers that you understand IP protection and that there isn't a conflict of interest, otherwise you'll just look naive or untrustworthy.


  • #4
    CatFromHue
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 18,266 Mod ✭✭✭✭CatFromHue


    I can understand for more artistic/industrial design/architecture the need for a portfolio but not so much in general mech eng.

    With a good structured interview that includes a practical test I think employers can get a good feel for someones ability.

    As in I've done interviews where you had to go off and do a CAD model and then drawing, and other ones where I've been left alone for 30 mins with some general engineering questions (not theory type but ones to show how you would approach a certain problem).


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