5 answers
Sam
Student
Everett, Washington
1
Question
Updated
1192 views
What interviewing practice resources are there for non-software positions?
Hi everyone,
I’m a part-time PhD student in Mechanical Engineering, with a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. I previously worked at Boeing as a Systems Engineer and was recently affected by layoffs. I’m now actively seeking new opportunities in systems engineering—particularly in the automotive, healthcare, space, and broader aerospace sectors.
I hold INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering) certification, a Python certification from Nucamp, and bring strong experience in Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Simulink, and MATLAB. My work has always been guided by a systems thinking mindset and a passion for solving complex problems.
As a U.S. Person (though not yet a citizen), I’m currently unable to work in some companies/ roles—but I look forward to the day I can serve in those areas too. I’m counting down the days until I can fully contribute to this country in the ways I know I’m capable of.
My main question is how I can prep for interviews with companies such as SpaceX, Tesla, etc. I know there are websites for hard-core software engineers to get advice from people from Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, etc. But I am not aware of such a thing for the systems engineering world.
If you know of any opportunities or connections that align with my background, I’d truly appreciate your support or advice. Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Login to comment
5 answers
Minghao CHEN
38
Answers
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Updated
Minghao’s Answer
Thanks so much for sharing your story—your background is impressive, and it’s clear you bring a strong systems mindset and technical depth. You’re right that most interview prep platforms cater to software engineers, but there are still some valuable resources out there for systems roles. Glassdoor and Levels.fyi can offer role-specific insights, especially for companies like Tesla and SpaceX, where past candidates sometimes share interview questions related to MBSE, Simulink, and systems architecture. INCOSE’s forums and career resources are also worth exploring—they may not be flashy, but they contain practical tips and real-world scenarios from professionals in the field. Platforms like Exponent or Pathrise, while software-focused, still provide great prep for behavioral and cross-functional interview questions. YouTube can be surprisingly helpful too—try searching for “systems engineering interview prep” or company-specific tips, as some former candidates share detailed experiences. One of the best strategies, though, is practicing mock interviews with peers or mentors in the field. It helps to prepare a few strong STAR-format stories that highlight how you’ve tackled complex problems using systems thinking. That storytelling piece often makes the biggest impression. Happy to brainstorm more or help you practice if you ever want!
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Sam
Monica Barrett
IT Director
5
Answers
Updated
Monica’s Answer
Hello Sam,
As someone who has interviewed many candidates for many types of positions, I will recommend some techniques for preparing yourself best for interviewing.
First, you want to look closely at the job posting and highlight what sound like the most critical business needs are, then consider your skills in comparison. There are many resources online for finding sample interview questions such as, tell me about yourself, tell me about your strengths, tell me about your areas of development, why do you want this job, etc. Prep for an interview by thinking about how your skills will benefit the company you're interviewing with and craft your answers around that. One technique is to write out the question, then write out a full answer which provides the potential employer with the reason as to why you will be an asset to their organization. Too often, candidates focus all of their answers on why a role is good for their own career. By aligning your skills and knowledge with what the company needs, you will stand out as a candidate.
If there are questions you hope the employer does not ask, be sure to focus time on writing out a good answer to these. Do not read answers verbatim from your prep materials. But by spending time creating answers to the questions, you will be able to answer more confidently. If you are asked about weaknesses, provide a serious answer but also include what you do to address that weakness. For example, a true weakness might be that you tend to feel anxious in meetings, but that you overcome that by doing a lot of advance work to be well prepared for the meetings.
If you are asked for examples of your previous work, always remain positive in your answers and remember to preserve confidentiality as it applies to your previous roles. Employers want to hear about your work and gauge how well you would fit into their culture. If you are in a technical interview, be upfront about what skills you possess and those you do not. If you are asked a technical question and don't know the answer, provide the steps that you would take to handle this scenario in the real world. Many employers know that the right person who meets the majority of the requirements can be brought up to speed on areas where they lack experience.
Best wishes in your search and I hope the above general guidance was helpful.
As someone who has interviewed many candidates for many types of positions, I will recommend some techniques for preparing yourself best for interviewing.
First, you want to look closely at the job posting and highlight what sound like the most critical business needs are, then consider your skills in comparison. There are many resources online for finding sample interview questions such as, tell me about yourself, tell me about your strengths, tell me about your areas of development, why do you want this job, etc. Prep for an interview by thinking about how your skills will benefit the company you're interviewing with and craft your answers around that. One technique is to write out the question, then write out a full answer which provides the potential employer with the reason as to why you will be an asset to their organization. Too often, candidates focus all of their answers on why a role is good for their own career. By aligning your skills and knowledge with what the company needs, you will stand out as a candidate.
If there are questions you hope the employer does not ask, be sure to focus time on writing out a good answer to these. Do not read answers verbatim from your prep materials. But by spending time creating answers to the questions, you will be able to answer more confidently. If you are asked about weaknesses, provide a serious answer but also include what you do to address that weakness. For example, a true weakness might be that you tend to feel anxious in meetings, but that you overcome that by doing a lot of advance work to be well prepared for the meetings.
If you are asked for examples of your previous work, always remain positive in your answers and remember to preserve confidentiality as it applies to your previous roles. Employers want to hear about your work and gauge how well you would fit into their culture. If you are in a technical interview, be upfront about what skills you possess and those you do not. If you are asked a technical question and don't know the answer, provide the steps that you would take to handle this scenario in the real world. Many employers know that the right person who meets the majority of the requirements can be brought up to speed on areas where they lack experience.
Best wishes in your search and I hope the above general guidance was helpful.
Hi Monica,
Thank you so much for your guidance. I learned a lot by reading your post. Thank you!
Sam
Dan Mohl
Managing Director
2
Answers
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Thank you for your question and for sharing your background. I fully support the excellent advice already provided. In addition, one effective technique in the age of Generative AI is to leverage tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot as interview coaches and practice partners. By uploading or referencing job postings from relevant roles, you can use these platforms to generate tailored interview questions, practice your responses, and receive constructive feedback on how to improve. Furthermore, these tools can serve as valuable teaching resources, helping you strengthen your knowledge in areas where you may need additional preparation. Integrating Generative AI into your interview preparation can enhance your readiness and boost your confidence.
Candice Cyboski
Product Leader
2
Answers
Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey
Updated
Candice’s Answer
It's awesome that you're getting ready for this process. Start by reaching out to your friends and family. They might have useful experience or know people who can help. Practicing with them is a great way to build confidence and get comfortable speaking about yourself. Also, check out your college's career services center. They have helpful resources like mock interviews, workshops, and connections to alumni who can give you specific feedback. You can also use LinkedIn for informational interviews with professionals in your field. This gives you valuable insights into company culture and the roles you're interested in.
Another key part of preparing for interviews is doing your own research. As you connect with people who can support your career path, use LinkedIn to learn about potential contacts, interviewers, and companies. By combining personal practice with thorough research, you'll feel ready, informed, and confident for your interview.
Another key part of preparing for interviews is doing your own research. As you connect with people who can support your career path, use LinkedIn to learn about potential contacts, interviewers, and companies. By combining personal practice with thorough research, you'll feel ready, informed, and confident for your interview.
Pali Kanungo
Consulting - M&A
3
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Pali’s Answer
An often neglected or overlooked resource is also the interview guide that your interview email or letter or note includes! Most companies share guides, often with specific direction on interview processes for your role, but if not, then for non-technical roles. They will list out all the stages, number of interviews, format of interview, type of questions asked, and also include prep materials if they are primarily case-study and/or technical systems design based. A good resource to keep in forefront as you do research.