How to land a job as an engineering graduate

The job application process for engineering graduates can be a scary prospect, particularly with the ever-increasing use of technologies such as video interviews and artificial intelligence. However, with the right preparation, focus and determination you can easily improve your employability and land your dream job.

The early (and well-prepared) bird catches the worm

In your first years at university get as much work experience as possible, preferably in a relevant industry, and attend networking careers events. Employers value work experience, such as summer internships and year in industry placements, more than final degree grades. In fact, a high proportion of students get graduate job offers from the companies they did work experience with.

Get involved in activities outside of academia and work too, such as sport, music, arts and volunteering, and don’t forget university societies. Recruiters like to see that students have breadth as well as depth.

Check key job websites such as Gradcracker, Indeed, LinkedIn and Bright Network among others, monitor company websites, and look for job opportunities through networking. Corporate organisations advertise their graduate roles in the final academic year from July-August through to December whereas mid-sized companies tend to recruit from January to July. So, get those applications in early. 

It’s also worth mentioning that while most engineering students get jobs in engineering and related sectors, an increasing number apply their transferable skills to other sectors such as teaching, consultancy, accounting and finance. The engineering degree is among the most versatile that you can study, so don’t be afraid to widen the pool of roles that you are looking at. 

One size does not fit all

Just like sport, you need to get “match fit”. First, get your CV up to date and ensure you have a top-notch LinkedIn profile, which needs to be complete with a professional photo, work experience and academic qualifications. Make sure you follow relevant companies and their leaders too.

However, don’t assume that one version of your CV will be suitable for every role you apply for. Tailor it to the company and role and showcase your academic knowledge, work experience, interests and, crucially, how these would all sit within the business you’re applying to.

It can be tempting to simply fire your CV off to a plethora of organisations and sectors to “see what sticks”. However, I would advise you to target a few, key sectors and think strategically about where you will prosper the best – conversations with your career adviser, tutor or mentor can help here.

Delve into the details

Engineering employers want to see specific and measurable achievements in your work experience that relate to the job description. Always ask yourself the question “so what?” when you speak about your achievements, as this is a great way of getting to the end point and showing employers the value you can bring to their organisation. Use action verbs and highlight the key skills you have developed.

Do your research

No two companies are the same, and nor is the application process. Some companies will require you to click a link to apply while others will ask for a cover letter. It is important you conduct extensive research on the company beyond the immediate website so you can write the perfect cover letter.

The cover letter must be captivating, concise, and individually tailored to the company and role – and should be no longer than one page. Put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. They will have received several applications and are looking for something that stands out and makes them feel as though their company is the only one you’ve ever wanted to work for.  Demonstrate how your academic knowledge and key transferable skills make you the perfect candidate for the role and why you’re excited at the prospect of joining the company.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends and fellow alumni for tips on the application process – they’ve been in your shoes after all. 

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Acing the interview

Whether it’s in-person, over the phone or online – every interview should be treated in the same way. Think about your body language, maintain eye contact, speak clearly, and remember that the interviewers want you to do well too.

Interview questions fall predominantly into three areas: competency, motivational and technical.

For competency questions such as “Tell me a time when…” use STARR (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection). Reflection is important and should consider lessons learnt and improvements for the future. Use examples from academia, work experience and extracurricular activities.

Motivational questions, such as “tell me about yourself” and “why should we offer you the job?”, allow the employer to understand your motivation for applying to the company and role. For each motivational question, focus on two or three things that make you an ideal candidate using examples from your personality as well as the other key areas and other interests, and don’t forget to link your answers back to the company, role and its core values.

Finally, for technical questions, make sure you’re up to date on your academic work and any news in the sector that you are applying to. You may get questions covering technical aspects of processes and systems or possibly scenarios that you would experience on the job. The interviewers will often take you beyond your current knowledge so the key is to “think out loud”.  For example, “While it’s not been covered, based on what I do know the answer is…”. You will find that the interviewers will support you once they know your thought process and there may be no perfect answer.

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The final hurdle

Typically, the last stage of the application process is the assessment centre. This may include further interviews and tests, team activities, presentations, in-tray exercises and networking events. What’s key now is to show you are a strong team player with the motivation to progress. 

It’s often said that employers choose candidates they’d find interesting enough to sit next to on a long-haul flight, so bear this in mind as well as assuming that everyone you meet during this process has an influence in the final decision.

For the team activity take on a key role such as chair or time manager. Don’t go silent and remember to bring in the quiet candidates and build on the louder ones. In-tray exercises involve the effective management of several urgent tasks, while presentations focus on your ability to research and convey key information in a timely and interesting style. Don’t forget to email your thanks to the company within 24 hours of the assessment centre.

Whatever the outcome…

Every single interview you undertake will help build your experience, so if you receive a rejection, try not to take it to heart but instead use it as a learning opportunity and ask for feedback. On the other hand, if you’re offered the job, don’t rush into accepting. Ensure you review key areas that are important to you, such as career prospects and company culture, before deciding.