Being an engineer is not easy, and despite the high number of professionals specialized in various fields, companies are looking for something more than just a formal title

Completing a course of study and obtaining the resulting degree is itself a remarkable achievement (it really is!). But the road to enter the world of work is only at the beginning. Here are some tips to start a career as engineers and be sure not to leave anything out to accommodate the ambitions.

Just as it is unthinkable to do the job of an engineer without an engineering degree, it is equally important to leave some details to chance. Being an engineer is not a small thing at all: it requires patience, dedication and a great desire to arrive. The competition can be ruthless, and the skills required are constantly increasing. Companies are increasingly selective to be certain to opt for the best choice.

For this reason we propose below ten points in which are described the qualities that the human resources of the sector look for in the candidates at the beginning of their professional career. And because they are important for an engineer’s career.

Communication

The communication skills are fundamental both in everyday life and in the professional field. Engineers, in particular, must excel in communication having to do with multiple areas: from the specifically technical to the more generic and personal; not only that, it is essential that they have or develop another degree, of these qualities, both written and spoken.

In this so-called second generation digital age, the ways to communicate naturally go beyond the canonical mails or phone calls. Meetings by Skype, sail mail and a whole company of new technologies require constant adaptability and versatility, and it is important to know how to manage according to the medium with which you communicate.

Therefore, having communication skills is practically vital for the engineers. Brainstorming, project meetings, product design and problem solving interventions lead to interaction with the clients, for whom no false steps can be made, with misunderstandings and incomplete information.

Personal relationships

Although this dowry is closely connected with communication skills, relate to customers is the basis of the development of the profession, which begins with the first handshake.

It is important that it is constantly trained and perfected every day. For an engineer, personal relationships are also the way to transmit security and positivity in what you are doing, showing that you have control of any event under any circumstances.

As we said, it is a dowry that is trained daily starting from the workplace, interacting with people with calm, friendly but at the same time authoritative ways, that affirm their role of responsibility.

Engineers in job interviews

Problem solving

Often the attitude to problem solving is an innate gift: critical attitude, speed of execution and incessant attention to operations are skills that are not learned, but that can mature with a constant commitment. Knowing the nature of a problem is not enough, and being ready to imagine a solution is essential. One always has to do with something that has not gone as planned, so the promptness of intervention makes the difference.

Engineers must be able to identify and analyze the true nature of the problem in a short time. Having a firm and decisive attitude is essential. Over time, certain problems will be re-proposed, so it is essential to know how to recognize them in order to act promptly.

As you can guess, therefore not being a dowry that you learn easily, the attitude to problem solving can be developed over time and with experience in the field, not being discouraged by the inevitable errors. These will be the best teachers, more than the years spent on books.

Technical skills

The titles that formed an engineer already give an account of what his technical skills are. Not only that, even previous work experience helps to understand what is its most appropriate role; as well as the perfect knowledge of the markets, of the industrial trends and always be updated.

In this case, it undoubtedly helps to demonstrate and want to add further training to the one already acquired to unveil the aptitude to undertake a constantly evolving pre-professional path.

Possessing all this is practically what is asked in professional figures like engineers.

Companies always look for figures with these characteristics, it is therefore of fundamental importance not to underestimate them.

Reasons

Enthusiasm and commitment. They are the key words to give birth to motivations, without which one cannot think of proceeding. The authenticity of proving them gives companies the guarantee that they are making the right choice among the many options available. If you are looking for a job just for money, it is better to change your mind.

Showing enthusiasm also means taking particular care of your career path, which aims at increasingly higher roles. It is very important to show it also for everything that concerns the company, its performance, the competition.

Industry skills

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics: these are the bases on which an engineer must unquestionably be formed. Having a precise and profound knowledge of these four subjects allows us to support an interview on a par with companies for which we would like to work.

Before an interview, however, it is crucial to be sure that you have done all the research of the sector case, to understand the products and services of the company with which you want to have an opportunity.

It is therefore advisable to carefully consider the recipients of their curriculum.

Analytical mind

While not sufficient, it is a necessary condition for an engineer to possess an analytical mind. Being analytical helps to face the critical situations that will inevitably arise in the performance of one’s work.

It helps to experiment and to always try new roads, and to always propose the best among the available solutions (also with a view – important – of beneficial costs).

Attention to details

Engineers always face complex projects, and attention to detail is important to ensure the successful completion of operations, and that nothing potentially dangerous is left out or forgotten, thus nullifying the whole work (also invalidating the company name).

Team work

Another important component among those required of an engineer is to feel part of a group or team, because there is no job that they can do on their own (except for freelance consultancy).

This is why the ability to manage a group, to drive and to belong to, is of vital importance for completing the projects.

Management and control

Engineers must have a leader personality.

They are called to have very high responsibilities, for this reason their authoritativeness is fundamental.

They must be able to identify the strengths of their collaborators and try to capitalize them to the maximum, so as to obtain a truly efficient work team. But it is not only the guiding task that is required: the ability to create a climate of continuous collaboration and exchange is also of primary importance, to complete any project in the best possible way.

The collaborative spirit is also essential to motivate team members and encourage them to give their best.

The quality of the leader must be continuously trained, without stopping, because it contains all the others mentioned above and gives a guarantee of success in the development of their professional career.