It’s your foot in the doorway and your chance to gain the attention of potential employers, so it’s important to take the time to get it right.

However, knowing you need to write a good engineering CV and actually being able to do it are two very different things.

Luckily for you, the team at PurpleCV have put together this comprehensive guide on how to write a successful graduate engineering CV.

The basics

Your contact details

You may have the best engineering CV in the world, but if you don’t get the basics right, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.

When we talk about the basics, we mean exactly that: your name, contact details (both phone and email, if possible) and home address.

Without these neatly placed at the top of your CV, you don’t just make yourself impossible to reach – you come across as amateurish at the same time.

Make sure to check your details, double-check them and then check them once more for luck. That typo you spot might be the difference between getting an interview and not.

Additional links: are they worth it?

When it comes to additional links, such as your LinkedIn profile or a link to your website, you should only include them if they are relevant and add value to your CV.

A LinkedIn profile you last posted on six years ago isn’t going to add much; however, a link to a portfolio of engineering projects you’ve worked on in the past will help demonstrate your experience and expertise.

Experience and employment history

When it comes to creating a standout graduate engineering CV, the more internships and work experience you can list, the better.

If you’re able to write about the work you’ve already done within the engineering industry and the skills you’ve acquired, this will be a huge plus on your CV.

We know that for many graduates, however, relevant experience is hard to come by, especially if you’ve spent your recent years in full-time education – so it’s important to know how to sell yourself on your CV.

Don’t forget soft skills

Fortunately, a lack of experience doesn’t have to be the end of the world. You just need to know how to market your soft skills.

Make sure to show potential employers just how invaluable your verbal communication, teamwork, flexibility and critical thinking skills are.

Tailor your CV to the role

Once you’ve identified your soft skills, you need to showcase how they are relevant to the specific role you’re applying for, and then tailor your CV to the job description accordingly.

Whatever relevant work experience you do have, make sure to format it appropriately – it should be listed in reverse chronological order, with your most recent work experience listed first and older positions listed beneath.

If you lack experience, explain how you plan to gain more

Employers are more understanding than you might think and they’ll be aware of how few opportunities there are for student internships.

But if you can demonstrate a go-getting, proactive attitude towards gaining more experience, it shows your determination and work ethic, which will be highly appealing to potential employers.

Graduate engineering CV length

This is a big one – a concise CV is often a better CV.

We’re not saying that it has to be short, necessarily, but rather that you shouldn’t waffle. Say what you need to say as efficiently as possible.

If you don’t have a lot to say, the worst thing you can do is pad your CV out with additional ‘empty’ words. Typically, your CV should be about two pages in length.

Don’t include irrelevant hobbies, skills or qualifications

If you can justify the relevance of a hobby or qualification to the position to which you’re applying, then great.

If not? It doesn’t need to be there. For example, if you’re applying for a graduate internship at a top engineering firm, then it’s hard to find a reason that your 100m swimming badge might somehow be relevant.

However, some extracurricular activities can be used to display that you’re a more rounded individual, which is something employers are always on the lookout for.

If you played for a football team for five years straight, for example, then you can use this to showcase your value as a team player, as well as your communication skills and commitment to a position.

Language and tone

The engineering industry is known more for its mathematics and schematics than its use of language, but when it comes to your engineering CV, you still need to get the language right.

Firstly, before you sit down to write your engineering CV, get yourself in the right mindset.

If you sit down to write with the confidence that you deserve the jobs that are out there, this will translate into a more assured, confident CV overall.

Similarly, write in a positive, friendly manner, but make sure you remain professional. There’s a difference between self-confidence and arrogance, and between an approachable, friendly tone and one which is too familiar and unprofessional.

Given the highly technical nature of engineering roles, you should try to use industry-specific language where relevant throughout your CV.

However, you must make sure that you’re using any technical language correctly – don’t try to use words you don’t fully understand!

Accuracy

In the world of engineering, precision, accuracy and attention to detail are key skills that any hiring manager will be looking for.

This means it’s critical to exhibit these skills throughout your CV by making sure it’s free from typos, grammar mistakes and inaccuracies.

It’s vital that you proofread every part of your job application several times so you can spot any errors and avoid being rejected due to a careless mistake.

You may find it helpful to ask a friend or family member to check your CV too, as a fresh pair of eyes may spot an error that you overlooked.

Final thoughts: how to write a graduate engineering CV

So, there you have it, our steps to writing a competitive graduate engineering CV.

Every engineering CV should have several key features, but how you fill in the blanks – your personality, experience, soft skills and career goals – is up to you and the specific role you’re applying for.

If you’re struggling to write the perfect CV, you may find it useful to use a professional CV writing service to get a CV tailored to your dream engineering role.

The post How to Write a Graduate Engineering CV appeared first on Career Advice.

Where to start

So this is proof that you need to make sure first impressions count. This means being polite, smiling, keep eye contact, dressed smartly, not fidgeting and speaking clearly – even if your interview is virtual. This is your big chance to sell yourself and land that dream job. Do your research on the company and find out key information about what they do and the role you will be interviewed for. Make sure you answer questions clearly and concisely in your engineering interview and be as enthusiastic as possible throughout.

Asking the right questions

When it comes to that part of the engineering interview where they want to hear from you, make sure you ask the right questions. Many interviewers take note of what kind of questions candidates ask – it gives them an insight into how creative or motivated you might be in the role. So it’s important you are asking the right kind of things, not just ‘how many days holiday do I get?’

Asking the right questions is also a fantastic opportunity for you to get to know a little bit more about the company you might be working for. For example, what kind of culture they have, what development opportunities they offer or what their current employees are like.

Remember, when you apply for a job, you’re also trying to establish whether you want to work there and whether they’re the right fit for what you’re looking for. It’s a two-way process and it’s not just about whether they think you’re the right fit – it needs to work for you as well.

What to ask

Here are a few interview questions for you to consider:

• As a business, what would you say sets you apart from your competitors?
• What would I like about working here?
• What type of culture would you say you have?
• What are your company values?
• What is your company strategy and goals for the next 1-5 years?
• What initial or ongoing training opportunities do you offer?
• How can you develop me as a person?
• Where do you see this role progressing over the next couple of years?
• What performance incentives do you offer?
• Tell me about the team I would be working with?
• When did you last promote an employee promoted and why was that?
• How many employees have resigned in the past 12 months and why?

You probably won’t get time to ask all of these questions. But, if you pick out a couple that you like, then ask away! It’s okay to write these questions down in a notebook so you don’t forget them. This is handy to make note of the interviewer’s answers too. It just shows that you are organised and that you care about their responses.

Additional questions

Another thing you might want to ask is if you can meet the team you will be working with, or see the area you might be working in. It’s a really good opportunity to get a real insight into what it might be like to work there and can help you make a decision on whether it’s the right cultural fit for you. Even better if you can actually meet the people you will be working with. You could even ask them what they enjoy the most about working there.

Final thoughts

So now you know why it’s so important to ask the right questions in an engineering interview – it can give you a real insight into the business and what their main values and work ethics are. It’s really beneficial getting a ‘feel’ for a company and trying to understand their culture a bit more – you wouldn’t buy a house without looking at the rooms first would you!

Remember…try to relax, hold your head up high, smile, be polite and enthusiastic and you’re good to go. But most of all, be yourself. Let your personality shine out so they don’t forget you and ask some GREAT questions – good luck!

For more information, check out our full interview guide.

About the author: Craig Burton is Managing Director of The Works Recruitment, based in Leeds. The company has been connecting great talent with great business for more than 25 years. Recruiting responsibly is what makes The Works unique, with forward thinking and thoughtful recruitment methods and a direct approach to talent sourcing. To find out more get in touch on 0333 3449 444 or visit their website at www.theworksrec.co.uk.

The post What to ask in an engineering interview appeared first on Career Advice.

It’s common to see engineers specialise in hydraulics engineering, as more opportunities exist in this area. A career in fluid power, whether you’re an engineer, technician or in sales, can be extremely rewarding. Perks include, good money, challenging work, and job security.

So if you’re keen to become a Fluid Power Hydraulics Engineer, here’s everything you need to know.

Opportunities in the area

Fluid power is an important technology, with a study conducted in America alone seeing between 2.1% and 3% of all energy generated in the US is through fluid power machines.

Another finding by the Department of Energy in America also saw that fluid power systems are more efficient, with a range that averages at 22%.

The opportunities in hydraulics, pneumatics and fluid power applications can transcend through industries. This includes agriculture, aerospace, construction, automation and entertainment to name a few. Hydraulics is becoming an efficient way to operate, hence why by many industries are using it worldwide.

There’s also many opportunities to relocate to growing markets such as Europe, North America, Australia and Asia. Keep your eyes peeled for engineering opportunities in the construction and chemical sectors for fluid power application roles.

What is the earning potential for a Fluid Power Engineer?

Fluid Power Engineering is a great line of work if you’re looking for great pay, job security and industry growth. Pay varies across the globe:

Australia

With the base pay at $52,500 AUD to the top end at $120,516 AUD

North America

With the base pay at $45,958 USD to the top end at $96,374 USD

UK

With the base pay at £17,734GBP to the top end at £37,719GBP

How do I get started as a Fluid Power Engineer?

At school, your strongholds are science and mathematics. This is especially crucial in final high school years.

At University you’ll be drawn to Mechanical, Mechatronics or Civil Engineering degrees. But, this is not to say that you’ll be limited to these three options.

Unless you’re someone that always knew your clear career path, other areas that can be useful are Biochemistry, Geology, Environmental Engineering, Chemical and Process Engineering.

When studying for your university degree, most engineering courses offer an internship or placement. In a perfect world, one good internship will ensure employment, but that’s not always the case.

But, don’t worry, study shows that numerous internships during or after university study can lead to employment. So a great way to get started as a Fluid Power Engineer is to gain some experience.

Essential skills to acquire outside of the university

Having a university degree is a great place to start, but what about the practical skills no one told you about?

For Fluid Power Engineers it’s vital that you familiarise yourself with the following skills through internships or courses:

• Hydraulic and lubrication system design
• 3D CAD design
• Mechanical and structural engineering
• Electronic control system design
• Problem-solving and consulting
• Project management & documentation

If you can successfully highlight your experience or knowledge in these areas on your engineering CV, you’ll stand out from the competition.

Create an experienced portfolio

At the end of the day, you’re pitching yourself to your potential employer. There’s nothing better than a portfolio which highlights all the work you’ve done with notable brands, companies and projects. Try to keep it concise, strong and straight to the point.

What transferable skills do I need to become a Fluid Power Engineer?

You enjoy starting and finishing projects. You’re a team player who can work on parts of the puzzle that fit into a bigger picture. You are capable of working unsupervised on site, a lab or in an office. You are a natural problem solver with a knack in picking up new skills and methods.

As an engineer, a lot of the analytical, mathematical and problem-solving skills may come naturally to you. Other attributes should include people skills, interpersonal skills and active listening. A key part of the role is understanding client queries and providing solutions.

What’s next?

Start by asking yourself, “how confident do I feel when designing on 3D CAD software?” If your answer is not very, then you need to get better!

If you’ve recently graduated, it’s important to stay proactive by interning, contacting companies you’d like to work for and learning new skills. Gain a competitive edge and always remember there are hundreds of graduates stepping into the same pool as you.

While this may make it harder to stand out, if you can develop your skills and knowledge to be valuable to a firm, you’ll automatically stand out. The fluid power sector is growing, developing and being adopted by many sectors, so why not get started today.

About the author: Ben Howard is an engineering student at the University of Western Australia. His work experience has seen him involved in numerous roles in the mining and engineering sector. He would like to thank the team at Fluid Line for their insight on the hydraulic industry.

The post How to become a Fluid Power Hydraulics Engineer? appeared first on Career Advice.

Engineering apprenticeships in particular provide you with a set of varied skills, which are applicable to many job roles. This enables you to gain valuable hands-on experience and the opportunity to earn while you learn.

And, with mechanical engineering considered as the foundation of the industry, there are plenty of advantages to be had from doing an apprenticeship in this field.

1. It combines practical with classroom teaching

Learning in a classroom can be incredibly useful, but getting out there and giving yourself the opportunity to learn first-hand gives you a great insight into what the job really entails. It’s almost like a preview of the job before you commit to the industry later.

The combination of practical work and classroom teaching lends variety to the learning process and helps you to develop on your understanding, as you see the things you’ve learnt being put into practice.

Learning these skills from an expert rather than a book also makes the process that bit more relatable and enjoyable!

2. There are always jobs in the industry

With mechanical engineering being a very technical and skilful job, there’s consistent demand within the field. This grants you the freedom and opportunities to travel and explore the world, while doing something you love. That’s not something that can be said for all job roles.

Most importantly, because of this demand, there is the scope for great salary packets too, with the average income for a relatively experienced UK mechanical engineer being around £30,000 per annum, according to PayScale.

With the work these job roles require being quite broad, there’s a wide choice of markets you can expand into — from aerospace to robotics — giving you a lot of prospects for the future.

3. You get to be behind the scenes of big developments

Knowing what the plans are for developments before anybody else is a huge bonus for these apprenticeships. The opportunity to be part of a planning process that can be massively influential will enable you a sense of pride on completion.

This can also make for some impressive conversation in future job interviews or industry meetings, where you can discuss your involvement with certain completed — and hopefully, successful! — projects.

Additionally, being put on a variety of projects, big or small, exposes you to all parts of the profession, making for extremely valuable experience. With so many different projects and things to learn, no day in the job is the same.

4. You’ll get qualifications

Many people choose to take on an apprenticeship because of their lack of qualification in the field, or because college or university isn’t for them. This means that requirements to get on a mechanical apprenticeship are relatively minimal: usually 4–5 GCSEs at grades A*–C with compulsory Maths and English.

On the apprenticeship, you’ll be trained to gain a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 and a BTEC level 3 in mechanical engineering. Many apprentices will go on to study for an HNC qualification too — that you may even get funded for by your contracted employer — providing you with the opportunity to develop your skillset and prospects even more while you’re employed.

5. You can establish useful contacts for the future

Spending your working days around trained professionals who are already in a position you want to reach can be a real morale-booster in motivating you to where you want to be.

These people are great to keep in contact with, as they can give you first-hand career advice, invite you to networking events and put you in contact with some of their own industry links to help you secure the position of your dreams.

Apart from these contacts being just that, you can make friends for life with your colleagues, particularly with other apprentices going through the same process as you. And, if you perform well enough, the company you’re an apprentice for may hire you at the end of it!

Ready to do a mechanical engineering apprenticeship?

Being an apprentice is a great opportunity to experience a career in an industry you’ve either never been exposed to or want to learn more about. The benefits are incredibly rewarding. And, with the right training, enthusiasm and passion for the field, you can build towards a very bright future!

About the author: Adam Bytheway is a mechanical technician at Chemoxy, an independent chemical contract manufacturer. Starting as an apprentice with the company in 2014, he was offered a full-time job there in 2016. Here, he discusses the value of having an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering under your belt.

The post 5 benefits of doing a mechanical engineering apprenticeship appeared first on Career Advice.

Patent Attorney

People see the word ‘attorney’ and think that you need a law degree. But, in reality, to be a Patent Attorney, a science or an engineering degree works to your advantage.

A Patent Attorney is a specialist that advises clients on patents and other intellectual property rights. They assist clients in obtaining patents granted by patent offices around the world. They may be employed by companies and work ‘in-house’, or work for an Intellectual Property firm.

So why does an engineer make a good Patent Attorney? Quite simply, your engineering background means that you can understand a client’s invention. As a Patent Attorney, you will draft the description of the product and make the case for the patent office to grant your client the patent. The ability to analyse technical documents and understand why your client’s invention is different to what has been done before is a key element of becoming and being a Patent Attorney.

Some of the areas you may work in as an engineering graduate include:

• Industrial equipment & machinery
• Nuclear engineering
• Transport infrastructure
• Nanotechnology
• Agricultural engineering
• Chemical engineering

As a Patent Attorney, you will utilise your scientific knowledge and analytical reasoning every day.

How do I become a Patent Attorney?

A pre-requisite for becoming a Patent Attorney is a degree, preferably in a STEM subject. You will then have to take two qualifications after you graduate; the Foundation Level and the Final Level. Your employer will have a preferred route that they will support you in undertaking and many Intellectual Property firms will provide in-house training and support.

You may also want to become a member of the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA). CIPA is the representative body for the profession. It establishes, maintains and enforces their standards of professional conduct and compliance. This is done by regulating members’ professional conduct through the Patent Regulation Board, part of the Intellectual Property Board. CIPA also act as the official voice of the profession before the Government and other official bodies.

Members of CIPA include Patent Attorneys who work in small, medium and large private practices and Patent Attorneys that work in industrial departments. You can find out more about CIPA and what they do by going to their website.

You can find out more about a career as a Patent Attorney by taking a look at this Chartered Patent Attorney guide.

Trade Mark Attorney

A sign that is instantly recognisable, the trademark can be anything from a word, a logo or even a taste. A Trade Mark Attorney is a lawyer that is specially qualified to advise clients on a range of trade mark issues and will assist clients in selecting new trademarks and ensuring that said trademark is available for registration.

Managing conflicts is a major part of a Trade Mark Attorney’s role. You may represent your client in legal proceedings to prevent anyone else from registering identical or similar trade mark rights. Alternatively, you may be defending a client accused of infringement.

How do you become a Trade Mark Attorney?

To become a Trade Mark Attorney, you will have to have the necessary work experience and pass qualifying examinations. These examinations are made up of two courses, the first covers the intricacies of trade mark law and the second is a skills-based course where you learn how to apply the law in practice.

You will also have the chance to become chartered and join the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys (CITMA). CITMA set the standard for Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys and maintain these high standards by a strong code of conduct and continuing professional development requirements. To become a Chartered Trade Mark Attorney, you will have to pass an examination and a training programme. To find out more about CITMA and what they do, you can look at their website.

Both careers offer you a chance to use your expertise in engineering, exercise your analytical reasoning and challenge you intellectually every day. You can find career advice and profiles on those in working in both of these professions, from graduates to senior partners, at IPCareers.

About the author: Holly Martin is the Editorial & Marketing Assistant at IP Careers, a jobs board specialising in Intellectual Property Careers. They also publish a printed guide to Chartered Patent Attorneys in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys.

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