The Ultimate Guide to Entry-Level Engineering Jobs
Engineering is a diverse field that uses technology and scientific principles to design, invent, and build structures, machines, and various advanced systems. It’s a broad subject with different areas of specialization, including civil, mechanical, computer science, electronics, aerospace, and chemical.
You can seek employment in the respective area of studies by acquiring the relevant educational degrees or qualifications. Plus, getting hands-on training and additional credentials in the field is always important to gain in-depth knowledge and experience to find your ideal entry-level engineering jobs.
Throughout your educational journey, you may have come across things like placement opportunities, resume building, network enhancement or industry standards, so here’s a comprehensive guide that decodes all these things to help kickstart your career in engineering.
Taking your first step as an entry-level engineer
The market for engineering services in the United States is expected to rise by 3.3 percent in 2022, making it an over $257 billion industry. Over the coming decade, the number of jobs within the different engineering fields will likely rise by 5 percent.
To secure an entry-level engineering job, set yourself apart from other new graduates or entry-level professionals by working on your skills and experience. Keep the following tips top of mind when beginning your career in engineering.
- Pursue multiple training opportunities, such as an apprenticeship program or internship, to gain industry experience and knowledge.
- Broaden your network by connecting with experienced industry professionals or hiring managers. Use platforms like Design News, Engineering.com, and The Engineering Exchange to connect with engineering professionals and access extensive subject-related libraries and directories.
- Update your resume and cover letter using an applicant tracking system (ATS) to find keywords and format matching the job description and industry standards, respectively.
- Contact an engineering staffing agency like Certis Solutions, which provides unparalleled opportunities to work with some of California’s biggest architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) companies.
What all entry-level engineers need to know before their first interview
Engineering is one of the highest-paid jobs in the United States, with an average salary of $79,000. In the United States, the median annual salary of aerospace engineers is over $122,000, whereas civil engineers can earn more than $88,000 with relevant experience and education qualifications.
With the increasing remuneration rate, the field is becoming highly competitive among new graduates, making it hard to find entry-level engineering jobs in the country. This is precisely why you need to excel in a job interview to secure an opportunity that comes your way. Below are a few things that you should know before your first engineering job interview.
1. Career goals
Setting your career goals is the first step you take to begin your career in the respective field of engineering. Look for entry-level engineering jobs with scope for future development by reading company reviews or connecting with existing and former employees of the company you want to work with.
2. Requirement needed
Carefully read the job description to understand its requirements and to match them with your educational qualifications, area of expertise, credentials, and skills. Avoid applying to jobs that don’t fit your proficiency or background.
3. Strengths and weaknesses
Most employers or interviewers ask questions about your strengths and weaknesses, mainly because they want to know how you self-evaluate yourself and how well you know your personality traits. This means you must strategize beforehand to discuss your strengths and weaknesses to emerge as a strong and confident job aspirant. Remember, recognizing your weaknesses is also one of your strengths. Use it wisely to set yourself apart from others.
4. Preferred work environment
Engineering is a dynamic field that involves a lot of fast-paced work, including team building, design changes, compliance monitoring and maintaining all the set standards. Ensure you understand your job’s physical and mental needs. In an interview, you must tell how comfortable you are dealing with workplace challenges, which shows preparedness and understanding of what the work entails.
5. Salary and benefits preferences
Nobody wants to get underpaid, so make sure you browse through available online portals to find the average salary for entry-level engineering professionals to quote negotiable remuneration numbers in a job interview. It’s best to use the industry standard while filling up your salary expectation.
Interview preparation tips for entry-level engineering jobs
Experiencing anxiety and stress before a job interview is normal, especially when looking for entry-level engineering jobs as a new graduate or inexperienced candidate. To help you overcome your fear, here are a few interview tips to keep in mind to nail your upcoming job interview:
- Check with the recruiter or talent acquisition coordinator about any interview requirements and other information, and who will be interviewing you.
- Research the company to learn about their clients, projects, corporate social responsibility, and other relevant things. Also know the role of your interviewer.
- To create a solid first impression, dress appropriately.
- Show exemplary professionalism through gestures.
- Always quote examples when answering project or subject-based questions to showcase your field knowledge.
- Prepare three to four questions for the employers to showcase your interest in the company and its projects. It also shows you spent time researching the company.
Certis Solutions: work with an experienced engineering staffing agency
When you choose to work with an engineering staffing agency, dedicated and experienced professionals work closely with you to find entry-level engineering jobs in top AEC firms. At Certis Solutions, we understand your personal and professional goals to offer a personalized candidate experience and find a job that matches your requirements.
From resume building to interview preparation, Certis Solutions guides you through every step of the recruitment process to ensure you get your dream job. We also aim to find long-term career opportunities for all our clients with competitive pay rates. Visit our website to learn more about our services or to find an engineering job in California. You can also write to us at info@certisjobboard.com.