Key Points:
- Tougher Job Market: Engineering job openings are down, despite tech growth.
- Boost Your Presence: To stand out in a saturated job market, it’s crucial to have a polished resume, a compelling portfolio, and an optimized social media presence.
- Network & Consider Contracts Roles: Build valuable connections, gain experience, and open doors to permanent positions.
For engineering job seekers, the current employment landscape presents a mixed picture.
The tech sector demonstrates remarkable resilience, fueling job growth across 49 states. Notably, California and Illinois are at the forefront of this expansion, contributing thousands of new positions. This growth stands out against broader trends, as engineering job openings dropped by 26% and manufacturing saw a 16.9% decline from the previous year.
With fewer opportunities and possible increased competition, engineers must take proactive steps to stand out.
1. Make the resume standout
When applying, a strong resume helps engineers differentiate themselves from other candidates. To capture an employer’s attention, try edit the following:
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- Summary section: Add a strong summary at the top part of your resume by summarizing the level of your engineering experience and your top accomplishments in 1-3 sentences.
- Skills section: Use 8-10 bullets to highlight your technical skills such as software proficiency, training and certifications, proficiency with engineering specific tools and software, industry and safety standards, etc.
- Work experience section: Use bullet points in your work experience section to clearly and concisely articulate your responsibilities and achievements. Keep each description to a maximum of two sentences.
2. Tailor an industry-focused resume
Nearly 99% of Fortune 500 companies and 75% of recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to review applicants. If your resume includes skills that closely match with the job description, ATS will rank it higher above other applicants. Studies also show that 70% of resumes that don’t match ATS criteria are discarded without being seen by hiring teams.
To make your resume ATS-friendly, customize your resume and add relevant skills and keywords to match job descriptions. However, while it’s important for your resume to pass through an ATS, overloading it with keywords or using the “perfect” template can hurt your chances of being selected.
3. Market your portfolio beyond the resume
In today’s digital age, engineers can showcase their skills beyond traditional resumes, through online portfolios and platforms.
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- Portfolio website: Online engineering portfolios provide easy access for hiring managers to view your skills, accomplishments, projects, and certifications. You can also increase your visibility in searches by optimizing your SEO with key technical terms and location. If you need help on how to create an engineering portfolio, CLICK HERE to learn more.
- Social media: Most engineering job seekers use social media platforms when searching for a job: 79% use Linkedin, while 51% use Indeed. You can build your online presence and network with other professionals by sharing insights, projects, and engaging in industry-related topics. Use visual content like infographics and videos to effectively grab attention.
4. Find niche engineering networking events
Attending events hosted by organizations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) offers valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals, hiring managers, and recruiters. For example, conferences like AeroDef, MD&M, and The MedTech Conference bring together industry leaders to showcase products, solve challenges, and foster connections, helping you stay informed on trends and discover potential job opportunities.
Additionally, attending such events helps you build a personal brand and demonstrate initiative, which can set you apart in a competitive job market. Following up with connections made through these events via LinkedIn or email can turn casual conversations into job leads.
5. Consider taking a contract position through a well-connected and specialized staffing firm.
Contract roles can offer an alternative for workers facing job loss or difficulty finding permanent employment, allowing them to maintain a steady income while searching for long-term opportunities. Additionally, these positions provide a chance to gain new skills and experience, which can make workers more attractive to potential employers in the future.
If you’re navigating a challenging job market, know that you’re not alone. Visit our Job Board or speak with a SoloPoint Solutions recruiter today. We’re committed to connecting you with the right opportunities: