Having CAD examples

I have been looking for a CAD position for some time now. One of the most
common questions that comes up is

"Can I see examples of your work ?"

Most employers I have had would frown greatly on me keeping copies for
distribution. And many time you have to sign paperwork saying that you will
not do that.

Ok, any ideas on how to have examples for possible future employers??

K.Murray
Mt.Holly, NC

 

Ask if you can. If you can't keep a copy...

....draw your house on your own time, or if you are looking for a
mechanical drafting position, find some interesting objects and
draw them up.

If you don't live in a house, find an interesting (to you) plan(s)
in a magazine and draw that (them).

 

Try making up an imaginary client, or questioning a friend, and come up with
a concept that you think would best fit their lifestyle. Then after
following up with them, or yourself Create a working drawing set from
site plan to millwork details. If employers are told you have done this on
your own time for this interview specifically I believe they would be highly
impressed. Good luck.

Chris

 

O rmaybe when initially applying for a job, ask the company for a simple
project so you can demonstrate your ability when you have your second
interview. (They have to give you one now !)

 

when I interview young inexperienced people, I like to see someone that is
nervous, it tells me that person cares what I think & wants to do a good job
& make a good impression. Someone that comes across as very confident tells
me they don't really give a shit.

JMO
Rob

 

Or simply ask your current employer nothing, keep samples on CD and
carry it with you for viewing only - by new employer.

 

And what should he tell his prospective employer when they ask, "Did you
have permission to keep copies of your previous employer's drawings?"
___

 

Honesty is the best policy. First of all he should abide by his current
employers wishes. If not, then explain in the interview that he had no
personal projects for which to present and his current employer was less
than enthusiastic about releasing drawings to a potential competitor. I
think that this will cast doubts in the interview but by stating firmly that
you will not leave these drawings after the interview and you still respect
their confidentiality it will show that the interviewee is putting himself
on the line to best represent himself but is still considering the previous
employer.

Chris

 

There is a yes and a no here.

Yes being nervous may indicate that they care. But being not nervous might
also mean that they care also but maybe they have been around a bit longer.

 

I agree with trooper. I have samples of work from previous employers and
clients on my web site and I've showed samples at job interviews. If I'm on
a friendly basis with them, I get an OK and give them a credit. If I'm not
on a friendly basis with them, I just change the title block to "Generic
Architects Inc." (I even have a nice logo for it) and disguise the name of
the project. Nobody's ever commented on it but if they did ask, I'd say
"Sorry, that's proprietary information." Any prospective employer who first
asks to see samples of your work and then zings you with "do you have
permission to show this to me?" is a shmuck anyway.

Marc

 

There's a limit to how much of "you" and your production your employer can lay
claim to. If you did the work, you can show it. Courts (in the US) have
consistently sided with employees who claim 'fair use' rights to their own
intellectual production.

Now if there's something in the CONTENT of the work that could compromise the
former employer's interest, that may be different. If you've been working on
active countermeasures for Raytheon, and you show up at Boeing with detailed
drawings, that's not fair use. But if it's an INVENTOR drawing of an injection
molded hairdryer case, there's no intelligence in the actual product not
already known to the prospective employer.

If you show the prospective employer that you are careful about using the
former employer's material, they will assume you will treat them with the same
respect. Print "SAMPLE" on a drawing - degrade it's quality - use a .bmp
instead of a .dwg - don't leave a CD-R loaded with IGES files on it for them
to look at at their leisure . . .

 

holy shit! common sense.

 

Warning !! There are a lot of schmucks giving CAD interviews. I have had
employers want me to leave CD-R's of example drawings. My opinion is that,
that is the big problem unless you have total permission from previous
employers. (Which never would have happened, in my case, for the companies I
have worked for)

 

just show them prints & take them with you when you leave.

 

one takes the pis I think, the reason they are nervous shows your
inexperience at interviewing and putting prospective employees at ease,
havin bin interviewed many times (bein contract), and know my capabilities
sets the prospective employer at ease that I wont shit me pants at the first
hostile client or consultant and will ineffect safe guard his company
against bidantic and over bearing naive little men like ya,(well ya could b
a woman with that statement)....
Im sure there must b a course ya can take 2 bring ya bak down 2 earth
gently,,,,I would try morphine n weed 2 start wiv......guessin ya about 58 n
still a lowly employee in a big company wiv no prospects watsoeva

best wishes and thanx 4 the laugh,plz dont reply 2 any more queries on here
bubyeeeee
Geo
xoxoxoxoxo