We are living in a competitive world. Nowadays, there are many candidates for each position. In such a world, getting a job can seem like an impossible task. Furthermore, the job market is evolving. Employers are no longer concerned with hard skills. Therefore recruiters prefer candidates with a broad skill set. That is not to say that your qualification is unimportant. Indeed, having the right degree in hand is the first prerequisite for an engineer. But there are other qualities engineering firms look for when hiring.
Go through the list to read about the five vital qualities for a job in this sector.
Have the right degree
There are more than 340 accredited universities in America. Engineering students have the option to choose from 2,300 programs in technology and engineering. But, all these degrees are not equal. Some schools are better than others due to the faculty, mode of education, and in-class experience. So, students who have graduated with the best engineering skills are better job candidates than others. Some employers are more academically inclined than others. Suppose you have a degree from a less than prestigious university. In that case, you can still get a master’s level degree from an excellent college.
To find out which are the best electrical engineering degree programs in the region, you can look through online lists. Companies might look at your grades to evaluate your learning ability. Indeed, firms employ individuals with good scores. According to research, with every 1/10 decrease in GPA, job opportunities decline by 10%. Some firms have a lower GPA limit for applicants. Most employers do not even consider resumes of students with a GPA below 3.0. Good grades are also directly related to higher starting salaries. So, students must work hard to get the perfect marks for better jobs. But some students can enroll in short courses if you cannot afford to commit to a master’s level program. Such programs can help you develop your skills with flexible study hours.
Relevant Experience
Having a 4.0 GPA alone is no longer considered enough to land a job. Nowadays, employers are looking for qualified people with relevant skills and experience. Even entry-level jobs require some prior work experience. However, that does not mean that you should work in any sector you like. Engineers should have work experience related to their particular field. For example, a software engineer with prior experience from a software firm is preferable over competitors with work experience unrelated to the degree. Most companies require applicants to have technical knowledge of the industry. For example, software engineers interested in Apple products must be proficient in Swift, which works with iOS products. Prior experience in a firm can be useful in building these skills. Some programming languages are unique to sectors. Therefore individuals with work experience in a particular engineering sector will be familiar with the most popular programs in the area.
Similarly, those who have experience in web development are proficient in Ruby on Rails. Prospective employees can learn new skills through internships and part-time jobs. Some industry leaders allow fresh graduates the chance to learn job skills by shadowing them. In some cases, work experience and internships can transform into long term employment depending on the employee’s performance. Therefore, future graduates should apply for internships and co-ops to develop transferable skills.
Character:
Employers prefer individuals with good character. They are not interested in hiring problem makers. Most recruiters first consider the applicant’s character during the recruitment process to evaluate if they will be a good fit. Engineers must possess interpersonal skills since they often have to work with people from different fields. So, they must be willing to cooperate with fellow team members. So, conflict resolution skills are valuable in the workplace. Since employees reflect companies in their official capacities, most firms look for applicants that reflect their company’s ethos. For example, Google hires people who are young, hip, and innovative. Moreover, recruiters hire engineers with a professional outlook who can solve ethical dilemmas.
Long term potential:
Employers usually hire people with long term potential. Not only is it stressful to look for replacements, but it can also be time-consuming. Furthermore, it takes a lot of time and effort to train new employers. Therefore, companies want to void hiring new candidates at all costs. Managers closely scrutinize the past resume of the applicants and look at the duration spent at previous organizations. So, candidates with many prior experiences in different offices are not preferable over those with experience in one or two firms. To improve employment chances, applicants should focus on long term goals and commitments in the interview process. They must have a clear idea of where they see themselves in the next few years. Potential hires with strong connections to the area are also preferable over others as there is no chance of relocation.
Communication:
Communication is vital for an engineer. Since most engineers have to communicate via different platforms, they must be experts at all communication modes. In the digital age, communication skills are at the top of the list for recruiters. Engineers must be adept at communicating ideas. They must also be able to handle customers and interact with people from every sector. Furthermore, engineers with better communication skills are better leaders since they can easily guide other people. Communication skills can also come in handy when training and managing company personnel.
Conclusion
The five skills mentioned above are highly in demand in the engineering field. However, every employer has their priorities. Some might favor an academically strong candidate over one with leadership qualities. Others might prefer work-experience over good communication. Before applying for a position, go through the company literature to determine the company’s priorities. Then take a moment to evaluate your Cv and alter it accordingly.
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