What is your experience with APQP?
APQP or Advanced Product Quality Planning is often an integral part of manufacturing engineering. This is a process which allows companies to coordinate changes which may affect product quality. While this activity may or may not be coordinated by a manufacturing engineer, the engineering staff will almost certainly be involved. Even if the candidate has no direct experience, it is important that they demonstrate they have a working knowledge of the concept. It is also important that they show they are cognizant of product quality while executing their functions as a manufacturing engineer.
"My prior company did not have an APQP process, per se. However, whenever we made a change to a process, we would meet as a team, complete a Process Change Request, and make sure that all stakeholders agreed on our change and the associated validation plan."
"While I have attended company APQP meetings, my primary involvement has been in applying process design and development standards. Specifically, I was responsible for developing the paperwork my team of engineers would carry on their clipboards and use to assess the factory operations. This was done on a weekly basis for standard products, but daily for new products."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
My prior company did not have an APQP process. However, whenever we made a change to a process, we would meet as a team, complete a Process Change Request, and make sure that all stakeholders agreed on our change and the associated validation plan."
Cindy's Feedback
Ok, it's a good strategy to focus on the positive. The fact that you discuss a process applicable to the new employer is a good way to confront the fact that you have other experiences just as valuable as APQP.