Are you or your colleagues feeling overworked? Do you consistently need to fix mistakes? Did you just land a huge new project, but you’re unsure how you’re going to keep up with the workload?
At Austin Nichols, we see many engineering teams that are struggling to keep up with their workload. Some even have to turn down project opportunities because they don’t have enough bandwidth. We want to provide these teams with the warning signs that your team needs to hire a new engineer.
1. Current Members of Your Team Are Feeling Burnt Out
Have you noticed your engineers are constantly clocking in long hours? Are they consistently stressed about their work? If your current team members are feeling burnt out, this is an indicator that it’s time to hire a new engineer to your team.
All engineers must work hard, especially when deadlines are approaching. However, you must notice the difference between hard work and pushing team members past their limits. Be sure to check in with your team members. Having weekly or bi-monthly check-ins will allow you to track how everyone is feeling about their workload.
You may notice that your current employees are beginning to feel burnt out, which you may otherwise not be aware of without a one-on-one discussion. These meetings also allow you to notice when it may be time to hire a new engineer to your team. Remember, when employees feel burnt out, they may start to feel resentment, which can lead them to look for other career opportunities.
2. Managers Feel Stretched Too Thin
Managers and other company leaders can feel the brunt of stress that ensues when there are not enough people to complete tasks or manage assignments. Remember, non-managerial employees are not the only ones who can feel overworked. Managers often need to answer questions or proof work. However, sometimes they even need to step in to complete tasks or projects.
Managers may also need to start taking on duties that are beneath their pay grade. Of course, this is normal from time to time. However, if you notice that your managers or directors are consistently taking on tasks for their team, you may need to talk with them about hiring another engineer.
3. Client Service Is Being Jeopardized
If your current engineering team has too much on its plate, certain things can start to slip through the cracks, including client relations. There may be fewer emails to the client about project updates, or calls may start to go unanswered or unreturned. Unfortunately, client service is something that can quickly become jeopardized when there are not enough engineers on your team to manage the workload. If you notice complaints from clients or emails that are going unanswered, it is probably time to consider hiring new engineering talent.
4. Mistakes Are Becoming Common
Engineering is not a career that allows for frequent mistakes. However, even in engineering fields, mistakes do happen occasionally. This is one reason we have quality control managers or entire QA departments. When errors start to become frequent occurrences, this may indicate that your team is overworked.
Mistakes may also indicate that you have a gap in your team or firm that a new hire can fill. There may be a certain skill or expertise that would be a great addition to your team to prevent mistakes from becoming commonplace.
5. New Opportunities Have Come Up
Have you recently seen an increase in business? Have you won a huge project that could take months or even years? If new opportunities have recently come up, it may be the perfect time to hire a new engineer to expand your team.
Consider where you are likely in need of the most help. Do you need to add someone to your production team? Or could your software team use assistance? You may simply need an entry-level engineer to take on miscellaneous tasks. However, if you have recently acquired new and exciting projects, it may indicate you are also in need of additional team members to help drive success.
6. Your Current Engineering Team Can’t Fill a Need
Whether it is because of a new opportunity or you realize your team is not fulfilling a task, it may be time to hire a new engineer because your current team cannot fill a need. There are many different areas of engineering, and with that comes individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. Therefore, it may be beneficial to find someone with particular experience or skills that can fill in any potential gaps.
Your engineering team will also benefit from having skilled people from diverse backgrounds because it allows everyone to look at a project, proposal, or challenge differently. With everyone’s background being accounted for, you can provide the best service possible.
If you have recently realized that it is time for you to hire a new engineer to your team, our recruiters at Austin Nichols can help you by managing the entire hiring process. Our professional recruiters review resumes, set up interviews, and connect you with highly qualified individuals who may not otherwise be looking for a new opportunity. We can also help you stand out among competitors to land top engineering talent.
Contact us at 816-471-5575, and start working with one of our professional recruiters today!
