What do you do if you need to explain your decision-making process in a structural engineering job interview?

The process of decision making in structural engineering must be fact based. The structural design basis must be understood. Parameters such as wind loadings and other environmental loads, design codes, locally available materials (depending on the scale of project) must be carefully considered before decision could be made with respect to structural engineering design projects.

Absolutely, expanding on your explanation by providing a practical demonstration or utilizing relevant software tools can further showcase your skills and expertise. Asking for the opportunity to demonstrate your proficiency in a specific software or conducting analysis on a whiteboard, paper, or computer adds a hands-on element to your interview, allowing you to illustrate your decision-making process in action. This not only reinforces your verbal explanation but also provides tangible evidence of your capabilities, making your interview performance even stronger.

Structure your explanation using scenarios: Define the Problem: Briefly outline the engineering challenge and the project goals. Identify Key Variables: Pinpoint the critical factors that could influence your decision, like material properties, loading conditions, budget constraints, or project timeline. Develop Scenarios: Describe different scenarios that could play out based on variations in these key variables. Example 1: "For instance, if the project budget is significantly reduced, we might explore alternative materials with slightly lower strength but meet safety requirements."

When you are to describe how you arrive at a decision in structural engineering design, there is a need to establish that various scenarios have evaluated. There are project drivers such as safety, aesthetics, cost optimization, schedule etc are already laid out. It is important to ensure that these drivers are met in their order of priority and information available are evaluated bearing in mind project drivers.

In a structural engineering interview, explaining your decision-making process is crucial. Start by outlining the problem, including any constraints or criteria. Then, describe how you analyzed the problem, considering factors like load paths, material properties, and safety codes. Explain the alternatives you considered and why you chose the specific solution, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Finally, discuss how you verified the solution, through calculations, simulations, or tests

Clearly define the problem or challenge you were tasked with solving. Describe the specific issues, considerations, and factors that needed to be taken into account in making your decision.

To demonstrate efficient decision making process, it is important to emphasise on the essence of collaborations. Collaboration may be in form of squad check or design review (interdisciplinary review). Most atimes to deliver a project, there is a need to work with other engineering disciplines. On a plant design project, as a structural engineer you may have to collaborate with process, automation, piping, mechanical - static & rotating, technical safety team for successful delivery. Knowing how to collaborate is key to a successful structural engineering career!

Focus into the point , highlighting the importance of cooperation in work. Draw a scenario and brief the steps to explain your strengths in managing the design problems. Be confident about your statements and ensure the clarity of information.

I think that sketching would help and it would be beneficial to display load path diagrams and perhaps stick to the main points such as robustness, costs, types of loads, foundation systems etc