Work sample test and structured interview for {role_name}

After shortlisting, assess candidates' skills with a work sample task, followed by an assessment and thorough evaluation.

How to structure the interview to assess skills and cultural fit for {role_name}

Work sample test (Home assignment)

Recruitment Bullet

Assess the candidate’s practical skills by assigning a real-world task similar to the work they would do if hired.

  • Title: Design and Simulation of an Aircraft Wing
  • Objective: To assess the candidate’s ability to design an aircraft wing that meets specific aerodynamic performance criteria using simulation software.
  • Requirements:
    • Design a wing for a commercial jet that minimizes drag while maximizing lift.
    • Use simulation software (e.g., MATLAB, ANSYS) to analyze the wing’s performance under various flight conditions.
    • Provide a detailed report including design rationale, simulation results, and any assumptions made during the process.
  • Time Frame: 48 hours to complete the task.

Questions based on home assignment : 

Recruitment Bullet

Once done with work sample test evaluate the candidate’s technical proficiency based on the work sample task.

Technical questions

Recruitment Bullet

Duration : 10 minutes/question

  • Question: Explain the design decisions you made for the wing profile and how they affect lift and drag.
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss the choice of airfoil, wing aspect ratio, and angle of attack, explaining how these factors influence lift and drag. They should reference their simulation results to support their decisions.
    • Sample Answer: "I chose a high-aspect-ratio wing to reduce induced drag and used a cambered airfoil to maximize lift. The simulation showed that this configuration provides optimal lift-to-drag ratio at cruise speed, which is crucial for fuel efficiency."
  • Question: How did you validate the accuracy of your simulation results?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should describe methods like mesh refinement, comparison with theoretical calculations, or using benchmark test cases to ensure the reliability of their simulation.
    • Sample Answer: "I performed a mesh independence study to ensure that the simulation results were not sensitive to grid size. Additionally, I compared the lift coefficient results with theoretical values from thin airfoil theory."
  • Question: What challenges did you encounter during the simulation, and how did you overcome them?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should demonstrate problem-solving skills by discussing any technical issues they faced, such as convergence problems or unexpected results, and how they addressed them.
    • Sample Answer: "I encountered convergence issues due to the high Reynolds number. I resolved this by refining the mesh near the leading edge and adjusting the turbulence model parameters to stabilize the simulation."

Behavioral questions

Recruitment Bullet

Duration : 10 minutes/question

  • Question: Describe a time when you had to work under pressure to meet a project deadline. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should highlight their ability to manage stress, prioritize tasks, and maintain quality under tight deadlines.
    • Sample Answer: "During my last project, we faced a tight deadline to deliver a simulation report. I prioritized tasks, coordinated with my team to delegate responsibilities, and worked overtime to ensure we met the deadline without compromising on accuracy. The report was delivered on time and was well-received by the client."
  • Question: How do you approach collaboration in a team environment, especially when working on complex engineering projects?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should demonstrate their teamwork skills, including communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution.
    • Sample Answer: "I believe in clear communication and regular updates to keep everyone on the same page. In a recent project, I organized weekly meetings to discuss progress and address any issues early on. This approach helped us stay aligned and avoid major conflicts, leading to a successful project completion."
  • Question: Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in project requirements? How did you manage the change?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should describe their flexibility and ability to adapt to changes while maintaining project quality.
    • Sample Answer: "In one project, we received new requirements mid-way that required redesigning the wing structure to accommodate additional fuel tanks. I quickly reassessed the design, adjusted the simulations accordingly, and communicated the changes to the team. We managed to incorporate the new requirements without delaying the project."

How to evaluate and compare candidates after interviews?

After interviews, it's important to evaluate and compare candidates based on a set of predefined criteria.Use scorecard to evaluate each candidate.

Recruitment Bullet

Sample scorecard based on pre-defined criteria. Here’s an example:

Criteria Rating (1-5) Comments
Technical Knowledge
Problem-Solving Ability
Communication Skills
Team Collaboration
Adaptability
Cultural Fit
Overall Impression

What criteria should be used to make the final hiring decision?

Final decisions should be based on the candidate's overall evaluation score, with a focus on important qualifications. Prioritize technical skills above everything else for a {role_name}, but do not forget about communication and cultural fit.

Recruitment Bullet

How to communicate the decision to candidates

Sample offer letter for {role_name}

[Your Company Letterhead]

[Date]

[Candidate’s Name]
[Candidate’s Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Candidate’s Name],

We are pleased to offer you the position of Aeronautical Engineer at [Your Company Name]. We were highly impressed with your skills and experience, and we believe you will be a valuable addition to our team.

Your starting salary will be [$X,XXX] per [month/year], and you will be eligible for [benefits, bonuses, etc.]. Your anticipated start date is [Start Date].

Please review the attached employment agreement and let us know if you have any questions. We kindly ask that you sign and return the agreement by [Response Deadline].

We look forward to welcoming you to [Your Company Name].

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Contact Information]

‍

Sample rejection letter for {role_name}

[Your Company Letterhead]

[Date]

[Candidate’s Name]
[Candidate’s Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Candidate’s Name],

Thank you for your interest in the Aeronautical Engineer position at [Your Company Name]. We appreciate the time you invested in the interview process and the effort you put into your application.

After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with another candidate who more closely matches our current needs.

We will keep your resume on file for future opportunities that may align with your skills and experience. We wish you the best of luck in your job search and future career endeavors.

Thank you again for your interest in [Your Company Name].

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Company Name]
[Contact Information]

‍

Hiring guide

About {role_name}

Job description

Source and shortlist candidates

Structured interview

Progression and salary