After years of studying engineering and hard work, you finally graduate and get your engineering degree. Your qualifications will expose you to numerous opportunities, but they won’t come easy.
Sitting and waiting to get job notifications after sending multiple applications is a waste of time. You should have a job search plan if you want your efforts to yield fruit. Here are five tips that you can use to help you find and be successful with an engineering job:
1. Customize Your Resume
Engineering is a broad career field, and you most likely majored in a particular type. You may have majored in chemical, computer, electrical, mechanical, civil, telecommunications or medical engineering. Employers want you to be very specific about your qualifications.
Your resume is key to attracting the right job for you. Thus, ensure that your information is up to date.
Many job seekers make the mistake of using the same resume for multiple applications. Others will copy their friend’s resume and change a few details. Don’t do that because employers have seen all kinds of resumes.
Before you send your resume for a specific application, customize it so that it fits with the role you’re applying for. Don’t be afraid to use a creative template for the resume. Employers are more likely to choose a resume that looks unique.
2. Market Yourself Online
We live at a time where information is easily accessible on the internet. As a smart engineer, you need to set up accounts with various online recruitment agencies and professional bodies.
Those professional agencies will offer up-to-date training on the latest trends in your profession. You can do those short courses to improve your marketability. You’ll be more likely to get a job because your skills are up-to-date.
Also, being a member of an engineering professional association helps you network and meet the right people. You can get a referral for a job interview.
3. Get Experience
Most employers want graduates that understand the industry. They want someone who has been in the field and experienced first-hand what the profession is about. They want someone that knows how to interact with colleagues in the field. To get experience, you can apply for voluntary or paid internship programs.
Gaining experience will allow you to learn new skills. You may also acquire problem-solving skills that can come in handy later. If you’re competent, the firm may hire you full-time after your internship.
4. Familiarize Yourself with Interview Questions and Procedures
Job hunting is just the first step in your career path. Once you start getting job offers, you need to prepare for interviews. It can be scary at first because you’re not used to that environment. However, you can prepare by familiarizing yourself with common interview questions.
A mixture of both class and practical knowledge is essential. This is because you may be asked about an unfamiliar experience in your career. You must answer the questions honestly and without hesitation. Be confident and respectful. Pay attention to everything the interviewer says.
5. Resume Quality
Being a fresh graduate from engineering school means that you don’t have much experience. Nonetheless, your main priority should be to focus on quality and not quantity. You can edit your CV by including bullet points and mentioning all your achievements. A good example is an engineering project you completed in college.
Your resume should be honest and straight to the point.
In summary, engineering is a lucrative and competitive career field. If you recently graduated, you need a plan to increase your chances of getting a job. The above tips can be a great start.