How to Answer: The aerospace and defense industry is ever-changing. At Lockheed Martin we seek to hire individuals with a keen interest in this industry. How do you stay up to date on aerospace current events?
Advice and answer examples written specifically for a Lockheed Martin job interview.
4. The aerospace and defense industry is ever-changing. At Lockheed Martin we seek to hire individuals with a keen interest in this industry. How do you stay up to date on aerospace current events?
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Like all companies within industries that rely on technology, things change quickly at Lockheed Martin. The interviewer would like to confirm that you have a genuine interest in the aerospace and defense industry and that you are willing to do the work to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2023
How to Answer
Perhaps you read aerospace-related books, follow particular engineering journals or subscribe to a blog related to this industry. Briefly share with the interviewer how you stay up to date on current events related to Lockheed Martin. Be sure to provide a response in alignment with the role you're interviewing for, and include more than one source in your response.
If you're unsure where to start, check out Lockheed Martin's news page on their website. You'll find a variety of current news stories as well as a helpful archive there.
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2023
1st Answer Example
"I am always interested in learning more about this industry and the changes that are taking place. It's truly fascinating. Most frequently, I read the International Journal of Aerospace Engineering. There are also a couple of blogs that I follow including www.aviationweek.com."
2nd Answer Example
"Staying up to date on aerospace-related events is quite easy with a couple of phone applications I have downloaded, and a few blogs to which I subscribe. I would love some new suggestions as well! Do you have any strong recommendations?"
3rd Answer Example
"I have a news feed in which I subscribe to a number of sources that cover aerospace and defense news regularly. For my role, I also find it important to stay up-to-date on the business aspects of this industry. I regularly follow news stories regarding competitors of Lockheed Martin, the statuses of various contracts, and related financial news. The Lockheed Martin website also has an excellent collection of stories that I read regularly"
Written by Karrie Day on June 20th, 2023
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About the Author
Researching companies is a regular adventure for a career coach. I often work with clients who are currently employed, have personal commitments, and are seeking a new role all at once. Their time is limited, so they hire me to help them get up to speed as quickly as possible in advance of an upcoming interview.
As someone with a background in data analysis, I cannot help but notice patterns within the company cultures, values, and methodologies. While some things are standard, I tend to focus more on the standout or unexpected details I uncover. Those details tend to excite my clients about the possibility of working for their target company, and they help set the stage for a rich interview discussion.
Here are three things I enjoyed learning about Lockheed Martin during my research:
Lockheed Martin invests heavily in helping those who have followed alternative paths find a professional home in an enterprise setting. They have exceptional They also have a program dedicated to assisting talented individuals with gaps in their work history return to work. This is a sign that Lockheed Martin has the vision necessary to support those who have invested in their communities and families.
Lockheed Martin has advanced early career programs that identify talent and retain it. They know how to spot future leaders and innovators and they offer engaging programs for students and entry-level candidates. To me, this is similar to professional sports teams who can develop talent and grow their teams through drafts as opposed to spending the majority of their budget on one or two superstars.
Lockheed Martin has a relatively high eNPS (employee net promoter score). This means that their own employees are generally loyal and willing to promote the company. Achieving and maintaining a high eNPS score is no small feat, and it is a good sign that new hires will ultimately feel the same.
In summary, there are a lot of avenues you can pursue when researching and preparing for an upcoming Lockheed Martin interview. You may uncover an occasional negative comment or product failure story, but I am confident you will be able to find several standout data points as I did that can serve as reasons to be excited about the possibility of working at Lockheed Martin.
Learn more about Karrie Day