Graduation is a special time in life. With that new degree in your hand, you are ready to go out and face the engineering job market. Unfortunately, the knowledge that you gained while earning that degree isn’t enough to be successful in the engineering job market. You need to do more than just get a degree to stand out to potential employers.
The engineering job market is extremely competitive. To truly stick out, you need to have more skills and training than the other applicants. But it isn’t always easy to get what you need as a student. Austin Nichols Technical Search, a recruiting service in Kansas City, has a few tips for recent engineering grads trying to break out in the field.
Be a Future Thinker
While you can’t see the future, you need to think as you can. This may sound impossible to you, but it is critical to put yourself ahead of your competition. Knowing what a potential employer needs before they do can quickly make you the most attractive candidate in the applicant pool. By being willing to learn all kinds of new things and being proactive, you can be a forward thinker that is sure to impress interviewers. To stay ahead of the game, you will need to be able to keep up with the changes in the job market as well as the field. You should constantly be researching new technologies and techniques for your desired work.
Be a Communicator
To be successful in getting a job, you need to be communicative. It is important that you show that you can communicate effectively. A good communicator can write and speak clearly for colleagues and clients, even those who may not be versed in engineering lingo. Being able to establish lasting relationships can be crucial in some positions, so you need to prove that you are capable of doing that during the interview process.
Be a Team Player
Some people prefer to work alone. In some careers, that is just fine. In engineering, however, collaboration can lead to better work. Being a team player can also mean accepting outside ideas on your own projects. The purpose of teamwork is to get a group of people to work together for a common goal, which can easily be derailed by someone who isn’t a good team player and is out to have their own needs met. There will be times when you work alone, but it is always a good thing to be able to work well with others.
Amp Up Your Resume
Think of your resume like a first impression. Are you putting your best foot forward? Make sure that your resume is the best it can be with just a few changes.
First, you need to put your successes into numbers. Just describing what you have done isn’t going to show potential employers what you are capable of doing. Instead of saying that you saved the company considerable money by implementing a new process, include how much you saved the company in your resume. Instead of saying that you managed the production of a product, include the number of products that were completed each day under your watch.
Another way to make your resume stand out is to include references. Not only does it show that there are people willing to vouch for you, but it also shows a potential employer that you were able to build relationships with previous coworkers and employers. References also hint at the fact that you are a good communicator, and they could also show future interviewers that you are good at working in a team setting.
Show off internships in your resume. Internships provide valuable work experience that you can’t get from a classroom environment. If you are still in college, start considering an internship to boost your potential for landing a job after college. If you are looking for a job, make sure that you include internship experience on your resume and explain what you did while in that role.
Consider a Recruiting Firm
When it comes to finding an engineering job, it is always a good idea to consider a recruiting firm. It can be hard to connect with companies that are looking for the skills and experience that you possess. This hassle can be easily avoided with a recruiting firm that specializes in engineering and manufacturing recruiting.
While it is important to build a professional network of your own, a recruiting firm can provide you with connections that you aren’t likely to have access to otherwise. Recruiting firms tend to have a very large network of candidates and companies, which gives them the ability to provide both parties with opportunities that they may not otherwise have.
Austin Nichols is a recruiting firm with expert experience in providing engineering job seekers with exposure to some of the top companies to work for in the Midwest. In fact, some openings that we work to fill are only available through our recruiters. Austin Nichols can work with candidates to prepare a quality resume that is sure to get noticed by employers. Additionally, they can help candidates prepare for interviews. If you are looking for an engineering job in the Midwest, Austin Nichols is here to help. To get started, call us today at 816-471-5575.
