Areas where an electrical engineer’s role is required are diverse ranging from domestic electrical equipment to the electrical wiring of large scale building projects. Many electrical engineers will often specialize in one particular field for most of their careers but will usually start on a general career path.
Getting started
The first step towards becoming an electrical engineer is to obtain an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. It is also not a bad idea to have a minor that complements your knowledge in electrical engineering. Only do this if you think that you can handle the course work for both your major and the minor. Minors that go well with an electrical engineering major include management, chemistry, physics or a second language. Apart from academic qualification, join the engineering club as this can help you to apply what you have learnt in class. These clubs can also provide useful input to help you put together your resume when you start looking for employment.
Networking
Networking is a vital part of trying to get any job and you can never start too early. Begin networking while still in college by developing a good working relationship with your professors. Your professors will usually have a good number of industry contacts due to their position and the students that have passed through their hands and are not in positions of influence. Join an electrical engineers association. Some groups like the world renowned Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers have student chapters. When you leave university, make time to attend seminars and workshops where you can interact with people in the industry.
Stay up to date with current trends
Electrical engineering just like many other technical careers is an ever evolving field. Always stay up to date with current developments in the industry. If you wish to become a top electrical engineer, you need to know all about the latest advances in electrical engineering. A demonstration of emerging trends is a great way to stand out in the crowd. Have a chat with your college professors as well as practicing electrical engineers to get a feel of what the latest industry buzz is. Pay for industry magazine subscriptions and if you cannot, make sure you read engineering periodicals that your university may have subscribed for.
Finding work
As you start to look for work, begin by making use of the contacts you might have already built in the industry from your time at the university and participation in various clubs. When you start to look for work, do not ignore the small firms in your neighborhood. Send them your resume even if they aren’t advertising since you never fully tell when an opening might occur. Look for online electrical engineering job boards to see vacancies for which you are qualified and go ahead and apply. As a fresh graduate, you can take up temporary positions as a way of building your experience in the industry.
Whether you are a fresh graduate or an experienced engineer seeking for a better job, having an organized approach to your job search is vital. As opposed to applying for every job opportunity available, focus your attention to a few viable options. The tips below will aid you in better organizing your job search.
Type of job you want
Before embarking on a job search, be clear on the type of job you want. You can opt for a temporary role or a permanent position. When you decide on the type of job you want, it becomes easy for you to target your search and reduces the energy you would otherwise use when firing in all directions. If you are a fresh graduate, you may consider focusing on projects and entry level jobs. If you are an experienced engineer, think about the cadre of position you would be interested in. This way, you can customize your job search to the opportunities that fall within where you want to be.
Companies you want to work for
When planning your job search, is a good idea to list the companies you would want to work for. In so doing, you can do more research and prepare better for an opportunity in these organizations. You should find out about each company’s fundamentals including working hours and the overall working environment. See if you are comfortable with their standards before applying for a job. What are the company’s plans for the future? Find out if the company is expanding or whether it is going through tough financial times. There is no need to get hired to a company that is going to wind up a few months later.
Remuneration and other benefits
Another key consideration to keep in mind is expected salary and other benefits. By having an idea of the level of salary and benefits your experience demands and what each company is likely to offer, you can limit the scope of your search. You should also check if the company has a training plan to improve the skills of its engineers. This is an especially important consideration for fresh graduates who need to grow their skill. Do not forget to assess the non-financial benefits when looking at the overall compensation. Medical cover, a car, preferential rates for a mortgage as well as a good pension program, are all key areas you need to factor in.
Embarking on your search
Once you have identified the companies you want to work for, proceed with your search. Use multiple approaches in order to increase the odds of getting a job. Look out for job opportunities on your select companies through the internet job boards, newspapers or any other advertising media. You can also apply directly to the companies. Try and proactively book an appointment with the human resource team there to discuss your resume and demonstrate your interest. Once you have successfully secured an interview slot, ensure that you prepare as well as you can. Demonstrate knowledge and passion while demonstrating level headedness.
Engineering is a white-collar profession. In addition to characteristics of a typical candidate, some of the competences required of an engineer are a strong technical background and management potential. Because engineering companies recruit from several channels, searching for a job in this field requires thinking outside the proverbial box.
Internship
Working as an intern in the organization or an affiliate company gets your foot in the door. At first, you may be given menial tasks but if you remain committed and demonstrate that you are reliable, the experience will be invaluable in the end. This opportunity also allows you to get references and buff up your resume. Companies also tend to lean on candidates with previous experience. If you are still in school, meet with your career counselor for further advisement regarding the right placement for you. Their commendations may just be the stepping-stone you need.
Network
Like most companies, engineering firms rely on references to get an idea about your character. Friends and relatives can be helpful at the beginning of your job search but you need to go one-step further and attend such events like job fairs in your area. Make contact with representatives of these engineering companies. They are better suited to point you in the right direction. Contact the names they have told you about as soon as possible as you may not be the only one directed to fill the vacant position.
Cold call
If you have done everything in the book and you are still coming up short, the next best thing is to call around. Ask to be put through to a person in charge. This conversation will highlight your interest in engineering as a profession and your passion for it. Your assertiveness will also be an advantage and you may stumble upon a job that the company had not yet advertised. Cold calls also cut waiting time for mail applications, allowing you to move on with your search once you are turned down. Reflect on the outcome of each phone call, as this will allow you to improve your responses for the next call.
Strategize
There are numerous ways to search for an engineering job but the trick is to outsmart those who are after the same positions. Being casual about your search is not an option. Your career goal as an engineer should equal your effort. If your first few applications are positive but are not representative of what you want to achieve in the long term then you need to pass these up. If you are using the internet as a search tool, the right key words will narrow down your possibilities as they utilize job leads put out there by firms advertising the job you are after.
Know what you want
You need to know what position you want to hold and even better, what organization you want to work for. This will save you a lot of time and energy. Familiarize yourself with the company you are after. Talk to existing employees to get a feel of what it would be like to work there. The history of the company is also bonus information, as this will help you during the interview process. Knowing what you want also reflects on your behavior during the interview process. You will be able to ace hypothetical scenarios thrown your way and your honesty will be noted. Anticipate a positive phone call after this.