Six Crucial Steps To Getting An Engineering Job
Anyone who has had an engineering job will tell you the same thing: getting there was not a walk in the park! But once you find a rewarding, challenging career, all the hard work and long interviews will have been worth it.
Like any profession, there are certain processes that will help you secure steady employment in the engineering field. Need a little bit of guidance? Follow our six-steps and you will be well on your way to landing the engineering job of your dreams!
1. Fake It ‘Till You Make It
Engineering is a competitive field, there is no doubt about it! However, everybody brings something unique to the table. Focus on what your selling points may be!
Remind yourself how valuable you are to an employer. It all starts with your state of mind: aim for the stars and believe in yourself. Even if you don’t think you have a shot, go for it anyway! The job search is a learning experience, and there is no downside to attending an interview. Even if you don’t get the job, you will still gain invaluable experience.
A lack of confidence is palpable and does not translate well to hiring managers, who are looking for hard-working and ambitious employees. So even if you aren’t feeling very confident, put on a smile and get to work! Eventually, confidence will become your new normal.
2. Write a Job Specific Resume and Cover Letter
Most people know that you’re supposed to bring a copy of your resume to an interview. What is less commonly understood is that you can adjust your resume accordingly! A resume is like your personal sell-sheet. It should be updated, edited, perfected – and tailored to the specific job in question.
Hiring managers will know if you are using a recycled resume, and they can tell whether thought and care has been put into it. Don’t just list your past experience – recall the problems that you solved and the achievements that you accomplished in the field of engineering. Highlight your soft skills and your educational background, as well as any certifications or awards you may have received. This is your chance to sell yourself on paper as an indispensable member of a specific engineering team, before the interviewer even starts asking questions.
The engineering market has become increasingly competitive over the past few years, with more prerequisites being sought out than ever before. You have to do everything you can to stand out, and a little bit of resume tweaking is one of the easiest ways to do so.
3. Explore Different Engineering Job Search Avenues
This may come as a surprise to some people, but not all job postings get posted online! Of those that do, many don’t end up on common job boards. You have to explore multiple avenues in order to get exposed to a wider range of opportunities. Even if the company you want to work for isn’t currently hiring, it’s worthwhile to call or send an email expressing your interest in working with them. This is a great way to get on their radar for the next time an engineering job is posted!
Utilize job boards, scour social media and comb through your personal and professional networks, because tons of jobs are found through non-traditional routes.
Working with a recruiter (from Dunhill, for example!) is another great way to learn about job openings that may not be public knowledge yet, giving you an insider edge. Recruiters will also help update your resume, prep you for the interview and provide advice. When a recruiter submits you for a job, they’re your first and most valuable reference. You’ll have someone in your corner the whole time!
4. Do Some Digging
You will want to go into your interview as prepared as possible. Do your research on anything and everything pertaining to the interview: who is interviewing you, the company, the position itself, the broader field – everything! Treat it like studying for an engineering exam.
Knowing more than the candidate you’re up against about the company and your interviewer will allow for meaningful discussion, perhaps even touching on some commonalities. It never hurts to get some rapport established with your potential future boss!
An engineering job interview will typically entail some technical questions, so make sure you brush up on the basics. You don’t want to be thrown off by any curveballs that could have been avoided with a little bit of research!
5. Don’t Forget the Little Details
In a competitive market, little details can make or break your chances of landing a position. Make a checklist of seemingly small tasks that could slip through the cracks during the job search process, and make sure you tick off all the boxes. For example:
- Print off a copy of your documents to bring to the interview.
- Have a professional, clean outfit and don’t forget to smile.
- After the interview, contact your references to let them know they may be called to give a referral. A bad reference has the power to shut down a job opportunity, so you definitely want to be on their good side – plus they could have some really great things to say about you!
- And lastly, following up with a thank you message after the interview is a great way to stay fresh in your interviewer’s mind.
Show the employer that you’re treating the job search as you would your potential future engineering job! Be organized, detail oriented and prepared.
6. Be Like Rocky Balboa – Never Give-Up!
While it certainly is unpleasant, rejection is a part of the job search process. With the average job posting receiving 250 applications, the reality is that you will have to deal with rejection now and then, but don’t let it get you down!
If the process doesn’t go as planned, take some time to look back and reflect on what could have gone wrong and how it can be avoided next time around. It’s likely something easily fixable! If you feel it is appropriate, you can also reach out to your interviewer to ask if they have any tokens of advice for next time. Who knows, this may even change their mind about you!
The job search consists of a lot of trial and error, so don’t be too hard on yourself. What other crucial steps are involved in landing a great engineering job? Let us know at info@dunhillstaff.com.
