Job Hunting Tips for Engineers

Finding the right engineering role takes more than sending your CV to every advert. These tips come from 25 years of recruiting engineers in Scotland, and will help you spend your time on the roles you can win.

Where to look

Most engineering roles in Scotland are filled through specialist recruiters, LinkedIn, the main job boards and employers’ own careers pages. Professional bodies such as the IMechE, the IET and the ICE also carry vacancies, and plenty of roles are filled through contacts before they are ever advertised.

That is why it pays to be known. Keep your LinkedIn profile current, stay in touch with former colleagues and register with a specialist engineering recruiter who covers your sector and area. You can also search our current engineering jobs.

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Register your CV

Posting your CV on job boards means recruiters and employers can find you, but many engineering CVs get missed because job titles vary so much between companies. Use a clear, recognisable job title and list your main technical skills, software and qualifications near the top so you show up in searches.

If you have a strong background in a particular sector, such as food and drink production, energy or fabrication, send us your CV. We keep in touch with experienced engineers so we can call you when the right role comes up, sometimes before it is advertised.

Take a targeted approach

Before you apply for anything, decide what you want to do next and what you can offer. Applying for every engineering job in the hope that something sticks does more harm than good. Recruiters and hiring managers notice when the same CV arrives for unrelated roles, and they stop taking it seriously.

Read the advert properly. If you have most of what the employer is asking for, apply and show how you match. If you are missing the core technical requirement, such as HV authorisation or experience of a particular process, your time is better spent elsewhere.

Think about why you are applying

Many people apply for jobs because of their circumstances at the time. An engineer facing redundancy might apply for roles well below their level simply because they need a job. Employers will want to know why you are taking a step down and whether you will stay.

Apply for the right roles at the right level. If the vacancies are not there, talk to your network and to recruiters who specialise in your field, and think about where your experience adds the most value.

Application do's and don'ts

Do

Keep your CV up to date and send it as a Word document or PDF that anyone can open.
Tailor your CV to the role, with the most relevant experience near the top.
Follow up a few days after applying with a short, polite call or email.
Explain what you would bring to the employer, not just what you want from the job.

Don’t

Write a long covering letter. Two or three short paragraphs on why you fit the role is plenty.
Chase the employer the day after you apply. Give them time to read your application.
Apply for roles where you are missing the core requirements. It damages your credibility.
Let a recruiter send your CV anywhere without telling you first. A good recruiter always asks.

Need to hire an engineer?

Call us or tell us about your vacancy, and we will give you an honest view of how quickly we can help.

Tell us about your vacancy Call 01698 464 099