Very Urgent: Interview Questions on AutoCAD

[Pankaj]

Hi Guys,

I am new on AutoCAD but i have to select a candidate who has a good knowledge of 2D AutoCAD.Can anybody helps me what questions shall i ask him/her on AutoCAD so that i know that he has a god knowledge on tool.Any link or website or anything will help me out.
Please guide me in this regard.

[Anonymous]

I use a written and a drawing test, each timed to one hour. One or two
questions in an interview are not enough because AutoCAD is a broad program
with multiple ways to do things. You may happen to stumble on the one or
two questions the applicant may or may not know. The drawing exam may also
test things that cannot be done easily in a written test, like understanding
how to calculate geometry. I have found that in the end, I get pretty
similar results from the written and drawing tests, but glimpses into
different parts of the applicants ability. For the drawing test, I have
them draw a public road approach and give them the Indiana DOT standard
sheets with a table of all of the dimensions and select a specific angle. I
have also found that even if the applicant can talk a good story in the
interview, it really has not had much to do with how they do on the tests.
I have yet to have one ace on part and fail another.

Email me at bwy1959@hotmail.com and I will email you a copy of the written
test.

Brad

wrote in message news:5340755@discussion.autodesk.com...
Hi Guys,

I am new on AutoCAD but i have to select a candidate who has a good
knowledge of 2D AutoCAD.Can anybody helps me what questions shall i ask
him/her on AutoCAD so that i know that he has a god knowledge on tool.Any
link or website or anything will help me out.
Please guide me in this regard.

[longleyje]

Interesting Question. Please don't forget some of the more basic stuff when interviewing the candidate - things that go beyond "Brand A" CAD. If you need someone with good 2D skills, really, regardless of CAD brand, what you do need then is one who knows how to do drafting -period Such fundamentals as layout, section developments, lineweights - Aspects required even if the drafting medium were pencil and paper.

Then ask about CAD skills - not AutoCAD skills - CAD skills.Such basic things as "why draw two short line segments as versus stretching/extending the existing line longer. An Appreciation of the need for layers, colours - Standards of somesort, and adhering to them.

In other, words: First, Drafting Skills (Paper, CAD or otherwise). Second Good CAD Skills - regardless of which brand CAD, and then Third, AutoCAD experience.
Personally (opinion only) if you can nail the first 2 item you will have a good 2D drafting person. If the experience is also on the "system of choice", that's a bonus. On the other hand, if they are experienced in Microstation or any other CAD (including AutoCAD) and are not a "good draftsman", the medium matters not.

Small Opinions from and Oldguy

[Anonymous]

This is an interesting point of view. Many times I specify AutoCAD when
looking for drafters. What I have found is that some of the applicants know
"AutoCAD", but it is only in the drawing test that I find out if they can
draw from scratch. Many applicants don't understand geometry, trig,
algebra, etc. They don't get hired here.

When I get someone that has a good understanding of drafting and the related
mathematics, and I have the time to train, they can be excellent employees.
On the other hand, it depends if the OP needs someone who can be productive
immediately, or is a long term hire. Training is an important part of
employing someone, but deadlines are important part of staying in business.
Sometimes you can train for the long term and sometimes you can't wait.

Don from the Civil 3D group has an appropriate statement under his name.

"The only thing worse than training your staff, and having them leave is not
training your staff, and having them stay." A reminder taken from Graphics
Solution Providers' Calendar page.

Brad

wrote in message news:5341262@discussion.autodesk.com...
Interesting Question. Please don't forget some of the more basic stuff when
interviewing the candidate - things that go beyond "Brand A" CAD. If you
need someone with good 2D skills, really, regardless of CAD brand, what you
do need then is one who knows how to do drafting -period Such fundamentals
as layout, section developments, lineweights - Aspects required even if the
drafting medium were pencil and paper.

Then ask about CAD skills - not AutoCAD skills - CAD skills.Such basic
things as "why draw two short line segments as versus stretching/extending
the existing line longer. An Appreciation of the need for layers, colours -
Standards of somesort, and adhering to them.

In other, words: First, Drafting Skills (Paper, CAD or otherwise). Second
Good CAD Skills - regardless of which brand CAD, and then Third, AutoCAD
experience.
Personally (opinion only) if you can nail the first 2 item you will have a
good 2D drafting person. If the experience is also on the "system of
choice", that's a bonus. On the other hand, if they are experienced in
Microstation or any other CAD (including AutoCAD) and are not a "good
draftsman", the medium matters not.

Small Opinions from and Oldguy

[mohsinshaikh7861]

ask him full form of CAD?

what is purpose of CAD?

what are the file format used in autoCAD design?

size of sheets used in design?

units conversion?

short cut command for trim?

short cut command for offset?

how to extrude design? etc.

[pendean]

Give them a timed drafting test and stand there observing: anyone can pass a test but few can draft accurately on a deadline with you watching.

Then examine it privately: you'll know a good CAD drafted file vs. something created by someone with lesser ability.