Engineering is a dynamic field with various areas of specialization, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and chemical. For the engineering skills you need to add to your resume, read below. In this blog, you can also learn how a staffing agency can help you get your dream engineering job.

Must-have skills for engineering jobs

With growing market competition, it has become important for young engineering graduates to advance their knowledge and skills to stand out among other applicants. Here are a few must-have skills for engineering graduates.

1. Communication skills

Regardless of your job title or field of study, excellent communication is the key to getting your dream job. An engineer has daily dealings with employees and supervisors to discuss the plan, design, technical information, or chemical theories, meaning you need to demonstrate excellent communication skills to convey your thoughts clearly and concisely.

2. Critical thinking

When looking for engineering jobs in California, or the rest of the country, work on upgrading your critical thinking skills as many employers value efficiency and problem-solving abilities. Critical thinking skills demonstrate a rational approach and understanding of any given topic. 

3. Complex problem-solving

Problem-solving is an essential engineering skill all new graduates must acquire to be successful in their respective fields. You must analyze and identify the problem and work mindfully to find a solution. A successful engineer possesses excellent problem-solving skills.

4. Technical skills

Technical skills may vary depending on the area of specialization. For example, a water resources engineer needs to be proficient with different modeling software, whereas a mechanical engineer must know how to design and construct machines. You should have the theoretical and practical knowledge to perform your job duties well.

5. Collaboration and teamwork skills

Team-building and collaboration are traits of a successful engineer. Be a team player; acknowledge everyone’s ideas, encourage participation, ask questions, avoid conflict, and listen to feedback. Teamwork helps increase productivity and motivates everyone to work together to achieve the predetermined goal of a company/organization.

A staffing agency can help you prepare for your first engineering job

In many cases, engineering graduates work hard to attain their degrees and sharpen their engineering skills, but often get lost in the process of finding a job that matches their expertise, requirements, and expectations. As such, a staffing agency can help with staying focused while job hunting.

A staffing and recruiting agency can help in many ways, from recommending jobs and providing resume support, to preparing candidates for interviews and suggesting follow-up interview steps. Below are a few reasons that make a staffing agency the perfect choice if you’re looking for engineering jobs in California or other states.

• Technical recruiters get to know you, they understand your job expectations, requirements, and field of specialization so as to align your skill set and desires with jobs available in the market.
• Before job-hunting, a staffing agency helps you refine your resume and build an engineering portfolio that demonstrates your work competencies and skills for the job you’re targeting. 
• Staffing agencies have a strong network, which means they can recommend you to employers looking to hire engineers at your level.
• Recruiters help you prepare for interviews by boosting your confidence and encouraging you to expand upon your impressive engineering skills.
• After an interview or screening, staffing agencies connect with the employer to collect feedback on your application and interview to help you better prepare for future opportunities.

Looking for your ideal job? Visit Certis Solutions. With more than seventy years of combined industry experience, we’ve helped many engineering graduates find their desired jobs. Start here to find engineering jobs in top companies in the United States. 

Architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) are industries on the cutting edge of technology and innovation. New techniques, technologies, and materials make construction faster, safer, and more efficient every year. However, the technological applications start long before the ground is even broken. 

Computer Assisted Design (CAD) is one of the most important parts of any modern AEC project. However, in an increasingly globalized world, many have suggested design can be done entirely out of the country, and is no longer a priority skill for those looking for jobs in the construction industry. But is this really the case? 

Why CAD is Ubiquitous 

CAD naturally has wide-ranging applications across many fields. Any industry that needs to create digital mock-ups of items before physical ones has a need for CAD. In construction, CAD technology took over the previous manual drafting process, for everything from buildings themselves, to their electrical and plumbing systems. 

Popular CAD software that construction staffing firms might expect a CAD designer to be proficient in include AutoCAD, Microstation, Revit, and SkyCiv. CAD can take the form of 3D or 2D designs as needed. 

It’s not just because of its wide range of applications that CAD has become ubiquitous. CAD designs are incredibly easy to share compared to the old manual versions. A design firm on one continent can easily transfer its designs overseas to another. 

CAD designs can also be quickly edited or copied. When working with CAD, the entire process is more secure and less vulnerable to files beyond destroyed, lost, or spied on. 

However, one of the most important benefits of CAD is that it’s easy, both to pick up and do. This is why it has spread so widely as the method of choice for architectural design. It’s also what has created the idea that CAD is a skill destined to be outsourced. But is this really the future?

The Future of CAD

For the moment, CAD looks to be a highly relevant skill for those interested in the construction industry. Despite the movement of much design overseas, many companies are starting to realize the importance of in-house CAD skills. 

Just because something can be cheaper doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. In fact, the opposite is often true. If CAD work from a secondary source is subpar, that means it will all need to be reviewed and edited in-house.

Outsourced CAD also often has the issue of communication. If the design team members aren’t native speakers (in respect to where the project is being completed), this can create errors in intent between the client and the designers. As well, there’s a greater chance for the design to “drift” from what is intended if it’s all being done remotely. There are benefits from being in the same office as your design team and looking at the designs in process. 

Having CAD designers on staff at a construction, architecture, or engineering company streamlines the process, and provides quality control. In a state that prizes innovation and excellence in architecture, anything less won’t make the cut in a competitive bidding environment in California. 

Put Your CAD Skills to Use with Certis Solutions

Job seekers with CAD skills are in high demand with all construction staffing agencies. However, while CAD has enabled the era of remote work, that same remote work can make applying for CAD jobs more difficult if work is outsourced. 

If you’re  a CAD designer looking for work, Certis Solutions is the AEC staffing agency for you. We have intimate relationships with some of the best and biggest construction and engineering companies in the state of California. Contact us today, and get your CAD career rolling. 

Professional certifications validate a job seeker’s knowledge and expertise and enhance credibility and confidence. Acquiring a certificate in your respective field adds value to your profile and showcases an in-depth understanding of the subject. 

Construction and engineering are among the top industries in the United States that are rapidly growing due to various factors, including natural calamities, technological advancement, and increasing population and infrastructure demands, which gives rise to various employment opportunities across different architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) fields. 

With growing employment opportunities, the competition in these industries is also rising, making acquiring a certification more significant. Moreover, the need for experienced and professionally trained workers has also increased the value of construction and engineering certifications. A study in the United States analyzed 300 job postings to reveal that 16 percent of the time employers prefer a candidate with professional certification. 

The importance of certifications in engineering and construction

Engineering certifications recognize the competency of an AEC professional and acknowledge their expertise in performing different tasks as part of various construction and engineering jobs. Job seekers with professional certifications typically have an edge over other job candidates. 

Apart from establishing professional credibility and increasing marketability, certifications also boost your efficiency through advanced training, coursework, and specialized knowledge. A study showed that 36 percent of individuals with professional accreditation get promoted in their jobs compared to 26 percent without credentials. 

Certifications also help you get higher pay than the average remuneration rate. The twelfth edition of the Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey by the Project Management Institute reported that project managers with the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification earn 26 percent higher than managers without the credential. 

Furthermore, certified AEC professionals make a qualified replacement for professionals with limited or outdated industry knowledge. The need for certified professionals has increased due to rising demands for state-of-the-art commercial, residential, and public infrastructure, making these certifications more relevant in the industry. 

Must-have construction and engineering certifications 

Nowadays, employers are looking for more specialized skills, and professional certifications become tangible proof of that advanced skill set. Following are the top construction and engineering certifications that provide plenty of professional development and educational enhancement options to AEC professionals:

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP)
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Outreach Training Program  
• National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
• Construction Management Certification (CMC)
• American Institute of Constructors (AIC)
• Certified Chemical Engineer (CCE)
• American Institute of Constructor Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) 
• Decision and Risk Management Professional (DRMP)

What benefits do certifications offer AEC professionals?

1. Improved knowledge and upskilling

Certifications offer an opportunity to get versed with industry standards and updates that help you perform your job responsibilities better and gain a broader understanding of the field. They boost your confidence and expertise to work in different projects or environments. 

2. Increased job satisfaction

Additional credentials like an engineering certification pave the way for future development. Professional certifications aren’t limited to college graduates or entry-level professionals. Instead, they can be achieved at any stage of a career to refresh knowledge about the field and to look for advanced opportunities. 

3. Boosted income potential

AEC professionals with construction or engineering certifications earn more than others without one. For example, a project manager with a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification makes 25 percent more than those without the certification. 

4. Improved hiring potential

Nowadays, most employers ask for additional certifications and licenses while hiring an AEC professional. They want to hire a candidate that showcases superior industry knowledge and pivots projects in the right direction. 

5. Ensures compliance

The advanced coursework and training programs of certification enhance your industry knowledge and ability to investigate different construction and engineering projects to ensure compliance with legal, safety, and environmental standards and regulations. 

How our technical staffing agency can improve your career options 

It is not easy to look for engineering and construction jobs in California, especially because of growing market competition and demand for specialized skills, which is why you should work with a technical staffing agency like Certis Solutions. 

At Certis Solutions, we understand that to excel in your respective fields, it is important to broaden your network, which is why we provide plenty of occasions to connect with A-listed industry professionals to get insights about the hiring trends, certification requirements, growth opportunities and upcoming projects. 

We work with our clients to understand their personal and professional goals to find an engineering job that fits their criteria and expectations. Our team of experienced recruiters and consultants provides continuous guidance and tips to help you prepare for every job opening that comes your way. 

Visit Certis Solutions to learn more about our end-to-end staffing services and current job openings across various engineering, architecture, environmental, emergency services and construction firms in California. 

In the United States, The Engineering Services Industry is ranked fourth by market size and is the forty-first largest industry in the country. Moreover, the engineering industry is likely to witness a 3.3 percent growth this year, offering plenty of employment opportunities to professionals aspiring to build a career in engineering.

California has become a hub for engineering jobs across different engineering fields for many reasons, including growing infrastructure demands, technology requirements, and natural calamities. We will discuss what you need to know about engineer jobs in California and will show how a technical staffing agency can help you find your dream job.

The Engineering Industry is Highly Competitive

In 2020, 199,790 degrees were awarded to engineering graduates. The number of engineering graduates in the workforce is increasing by 1.44 percent every year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 140,000 jobs will be added to the industry over the next few years. This makes the country’s engineering industry highly competitive. The most demanding engineering fields in the country include mechanical, civil, chemical, and electrical and electronic engineering.

To find engineering jobs in architecture, construction, and engineering (ACE) firms, you must have soft skills, including judgment and decision-making, critical thinking, complex problem solving, time management, and reading comprehension. Having an engineering degree alone might not be enough for some positions. 

Engineering Jobs in California: Statistics

Engineering is a vast field with different areas of specialization, including mechanical, petroleum, environmental, chemical, civil, industrial, computer hardware, and electrical. You can apply to work in any engineering field based on your educational background, interest, experience, and skills. The California engineering job market breaks down as follows below.

Civil engineering jobs

In California, jobs for Civil Engineers are likely to rise by 4.1 percent in the next ten years with about a forty-eight dollars per hour median wage rate. Professionals looking to build a successful career in civil engineering can opt for different career options within the field, which include:

• Engineering Project Managers
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Architect
• Engineering Inspectors and Regulatory Officers
• Civil Engineering Drafters

Chemical Engineering Jobs

Job opportunities for Chemical Engineers are projected to grow by 21.4 percent in California in the next ten years. With experience and industry-specific experience, entry-level professionals in chemical engineering can get into managerial or top-level roles, such as Chemical Plant Technical Director, Project Manager, and Plant Process Manager. California offers the perfect opportunity for career advancement as it’s home to some top chemical manufacturing companies, including Colorax, Amyris, and Cibus.

Environmental Engineering Jobs

With the deteriorating condition of the natural environment, California has become a hub for professionals looking to build a career in environmental resource management jobs. The employment opportunities for Environmental Engineers is likely to increase by 9 percent in upcoming years in California. Work on acquiring higher educational degrees and skill sets to be able to apply for environmental engineering jobs in the state.

Electrical Engineering Jobs

Electrical Engineer job opportunities will grow by 4.7 percent in the next five years. California is also one of the top-paying states in the United States for Electrical Engineers, so if you’re looking for a job in electrical engineering, there’s no better place than the Golden State.

Industrial Engineering Jobs

California offers an approximately forty-eight dollars per hour wage to industrial Engineers, which is why new graduates and entry-level professionals are looking for California engineering jobs. Moreover, in upcoming years, the jobs for industrial Engineers will likely increase by 2.5 percent in the state. Professionals can opt for different industrial engineering career options, including Manufacturing Technicians, Industrial Mechanics, Supply Chain Analysts, and Quality Assurance Inspectors.

A Technical Staffing Agency Can Bridge the Engineer-Employer Gap

Due to rising competition in the engineering industry, many new graduates fail to find the right opportunity to begin their career. Moreover, getting into the desired ACE firms has become much more challenging in light of rising demand for the profession. This is why you would benefit from the help and support of a technical staffing agency like Certis Solutions.

Signing up with an engineering staffing agency eliminates the hassle of going on LinkedIn or other job portals, updating your profile, and building connections to expand your network. It offers direct access to companies and firms hiring engineering graduates or professionals.

The highly trained recruiting team  at Certis Solutions evaluate and analyze your background, educational credentials, and work competencies to find a job matching your skills and interests. They aim to meet both your professional and personal goals by understanding what you want from an engineering job.

Our recruiters  are dedicated to helping you, and are your primary point of contact. They will assist with interview preparation, enhance your skills via training and certifications, and boost your confidence while helping you search for the ideal California engineering jobs.

Furthermore, a technical staffing agency helps you build a strong network within the industry that you can use for career advancements. You get easy access to unlisted engineering job opportunities rarely advertised and limited to professionals within a network like Certis Solutions.

Certis Solutions also ensures you get a higher wage than average, eliminating the need for salary negotiations. It offers you plenty of opportunities to find continual employment in the architecture, construction, and engineering firm of your choice.

If you have questions related to our top-notch employment services, please contact us now. You can also write to us at info@certisjobboard.com.

If you’re in the business of construction engineering in California, there are countless companies and staffing agencies eager to hear from you. The need for construction workers and engineers in the Golden State is ever increasing as cities, companies, and communities expand. 

However, job seekers in skilled trades will encounter competition. Construction staffing agencies are looking for only the best. This means that if you want to win your engineering job in the construction industry, you’re going to have to wow construction staffing agencies with an excellent resume. 

Exactly what your resume should look like depends heavily on the specific engineering job you’re applying for, and what sort of construction site you expect to work at. This blog will give some tips for job-searching engineers on how to present a resume that staffing services will notice.

Skills

The point of any resume is to highlight skills and talents. However, even the most thorough construction staffing agencies will have limited time to review your resume. This means you need to hyper focus on the skills that are most sought after. Here’s a guide to what to zero in on.

Specific and relevant skills

As mentioned, there are a variety of engineering jobs out there in construction. Don’t make your resume sound generic. You’re a skilled tradesperson with an area of expertise, so be sure to mention that area of expertise. 

Up-to-date skills

Construction engineering is constantly evolving, and even in the short term, many of the requirements for skilled tradesmen will change. This means that it’s key you present the most up-to-date information and skills on your resume. Get specific. List your licenses and certifications. These are just as important, if not more so, than your educational qualifications. 

The soft skills 

When applying to construction recruiting agencies, emphasize soft skills. These can be considered the “icing on the cake” or the extra flair that lets you stand out among the many other qualified candidates. 

But what soft skills are helpful enough to put on your resume without seeming like you’re padding it with non-relevant information? There are generally a few soft skills that most construction businesses will look for. Here’s a good starter list.

Problem solving: When emphasizing your skills in engineering and mathematics, it’s essential to highlight your problem-solving abilities. Give examples of work experience where your problem solving, innovation, and creativity were on display. If you have actual projects you completed, showcase them.

Attention to detail: In construction engineering, details are everything. Try to think of examples where your attention to detail was a lifesaver.

Communication skills: You can be the most brilliant engineer in the world, but that won’t help anyone if you’re unable to communicate your insights and ideas. Emphasize your communication skills with construction staffing agencies.

Leadership: All the other soft skills listed are evidence you’ll work well in an existing team. Placing emphasis on your leadership abilities will show you’re able to excel. 

Beyond skills

Your resume needs to highlight your skill set to any potential construction staffing agency. But is there anything else you should include in a resume for construction engineering?

Licenses, certifications, and education are all good, hard proof of your capabilities. What’s also good to have is a list of contacts who can directly attest to your engineering skills.

Add a personal touch on the resume too. Generally, this comes in the form of a cover letter. A good cover letter will outline not only a concise argument for your competency but a way to express your goals in looking to take on the job in question.

Beyond the resume

Building a great resume is the first step toward developing the career you want. Certis Solutions takes you the rest of the way. Our recruiting team is here to help you take your career in construction engineering to exactly the places you want to go. Contact us today to get started.

Workplace health and safety are a top priority in California. Every project requires some level of industrial hygiene, and as such, the demand for industrial hygienists is ever-increasing. The following are just a few examples of Industrial Hygiene firms operating throughout California today.

M3 Environmental

M3 Environmental LLC is an industrial hygiene firm based out of Monterey. While formed as an LLC in 2005 by Chris Gatward, the M3 team has been providing environmental consulting services in the Monterey area since 1995. M3 serves governmental, industrial, and commercial businesses with their wealth of expertise in environmental and industrial hygiene consultation.

Services

M3 Environmental provides inspection and testing for:

• Arsenic
• Asbestos
• Carcinogens
• Formaldehyde
• Fungus
• Heavy Metals
• Lead Paint
• Mildew
• Mold
• Pesticides
• Silica Dust
• Volatile Organic Compounds

M3 also provides a variety of consulting and training on the above topics and serves as expert witnesses in litigation regarding environmental damages.

Portfolio

M3 has worked for a variety of clients, most notably civic institutions such as the Cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Carmel, and Santa Cruz. It has also worked for a variety of school districts and hospitals in the Monterey area, as well as for commercial businesses such as State Farm Insurance.

Citadel EHS

Citadel EHS is an industrial hygiene company based out of Glendale in the Los Angeles Area. Citadel prides itself on its “Mission First, Profit Second” approach to its work in industrial hygiene. The company is proudly employee-owned and operated. Its CEO, Loren Witkin, has over 30 years of experience in the environmental health and safety industry.

Services

Citadel EHS offers industrial hygiene services in a variety of specializations, including:

• Air Quality
• Building Sciences and Hazardous Materials Management
• Engineering and Environmental Sciences
• Environmental Compliance and Permitting
• Industrial Hygiene
• Moisture Intrusion and Microbial Consulting
• Safety
• ESG & Sustainability
• Green Building Standards

Portfolio

Citadel EHS has provided industrial hygiene services to a variety of industries and governmental agencies. They’ve worked for the Port of Los Angeles and the California Department of Transportation. They’ve also provided consultation at the Rose Bowl Stadium and for major companies like Macy’s and Exxon, among many others.

Benchmark Environmental Engineering

Benchmark Environmental Engineering has provided industrial hygiene training and services in San Jose and across California for over 20 years. When it comes to environmental consulting, they are true experts, having given input on legislative language relating to environmental lawmaking for the California State Legislature.

Services

Benchmark provides environmental testing and inspection targeting a variety of industrial hygiene concerns, including the following:

• Air Quality
• Allergens
• Arsenic
• Asbestos
• Bacteria
• Carcinogens
• Chromium
• Fungus
• Heavy Metals
• Lead
• Meth Lab Contamination
• Mold
• Sewage Contamination
• Soil Testing
• Water Damage
• Water Quality

Portfolio

Benchmark works for a variety of industrial, commercial, governmental, military, rental, retail, healthcare, and educational institutional clients. They also work closely with remediation firms and attorneys. They’ve worked for the City of San Francisco, the San Diego Housing Commission, and the Moffat Field Air Base.

Sterling And Associates

Sterling and Associates are environmental health and safety specialists operating out of Milpitas, near San Jose. They’ve been in the health and safety business for close to thirty years, and have a full staff of professionals including experts in industrial hygiene, environmental engineering, safety engineering, and hazardous materials management.

Services

Sterling and Associates cover many specializations, including industrial hygiene checks for:

• Allergens
• Bacteria
• Corrosives
• Ergonomics of Work Stations
• Fungi
• Heavy Metals
• Noise Pollution
• Pesticides
• Radiation
• Solvents
• Ultraviolet Light

They also offer services checking air quality, advising on OSHA compliance, advising on Green Building and giving safety instruction and training.

Portfolio

Sterling and Associates have provided their services to a variety of industrial and commercial companies. In particular, they’ve done air quality work for major printing and semiconductor manufacturing facilities. They’ve also provided mold investigations for major California real estate developers and law firms.

NES Global

NES is a nationally recognized leader in health, safety, and environmental consulting, based in Folsom. They provide industrial hygiene services for a variety of situations, as well as offer environmental compliance expertise.