Just some hints I wish I knew when I first started applying:

• Boeing does NOT have any way of getting around the online application process. You apply online. I have family and friends who work there. I met some of the management at a picnic. All said the same thing: there is no longer a "Good old boys" type of networking. You have to apply for the jobs online.

• One caveat: if you go to a career fair at your university or one open to those in your community, you may be able to get a special requisition number for unadvertised jobs if you qualify. This is still all strictly by the books hiring and HR approved. You can't ask your friends for secret req's.

• Apply to as many jobs as you qualify for. Unlike some other companies that may consider you for relevant positions, and unlike some other companies that will even disqualify you for applying too much, Boeing encourages applicants to apply to as many jobs as you qualify for. You are only considered for those you apply for. That said, it's a numbers game, and some applications take many months to respond. Do not get discouraged. As long as you qualify for them, 50 applications is not unheard of before receiving a response.

• Be completely honest on your background check. They are sticklers for honesty. If anything does not match up—a firing, a missing job, missing education, some criminal record—even if you think it is long ago and forgotten, list it. Disclosure is encouraged, and if anything pops up that you left out, you may not be able to apply again for a set period of time.

• The program you are interviewing for is the program you will be working on. If you are interviewing for the 777, study that program so you can ask some relevant questions. The people you are interviewing with will likely be from your potential team, so don't bother mentioning something about the 747 at a 777 interview. While it's "One Boeing" and you may jump around programs later in your career, you want to stay focused on why you are excited to work on that one program. Be psyched; there are some great programs out there!

S.T.A.R. style questions -- all easy. Just try to think of a ton of relevant anecdotes you can pluck from during the interview. Show your nerdy, technical, interesting, and best side with each story.