{"id":188,"date":"2022-11-04T12:12:15","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T16:12:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/adamharris\/?p=188"},"modified":"2023-06-01T17:29:18","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T21:29:18","slug":"engineering-interviewing-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/faculty.wcu.edu\/adamharris\/2022\/11\/04\/engineering-interviewing-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Engineering Interviewing Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

So you\u2019re ready to start the hunt for a job\u2026<\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t have to have your degree before you begin the job search. Many companies in the area will hire you before that point.\u00a0 Of course WCU’s Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD)<\/a> has great resources like resume workshops, 1-on-1 counseling, and other great resources,\u00a0but here are some more tips specific to engineering technology:<\/p>\n

Getting your resume seen:<\/h3>\n

Firstly, you need to write a resume. The simplest way to do this is to sign up for a free account at\u00a0linkedin.com<\/a>\u00a0which is a social network for professionals and companies. This website has many great opportunities for you.<\/p>\n

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  1. Filling out the profile becomes your online resume.<\/li>\n
  2. Companies search for people and post jobs on linkedin.com.<\/li>\n
  3. You can search the jobs<\/li>\n
  4. Follow the WCU School of Engineering + Technology group<\/li>\n
  5. Make a free blog website (use a professional-sounding name) and post some pictures, videos, and a short description of project you have worked on. Employers tell me this is the number 1 thing they want to see!\u00a0Link to these in your linkedin.com profile.\u00a0<\/strong>See an example near the bottom of\u00a0my linkedin profile here<\/a>\u00a0(look for the weather balloon project) More on this below.<\/li>\n
  6. Add all your instructors and classmates on linkedin. The power is in the network. If a former student has a job opening, they often ask us about it before they post it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Job Search:<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. CCPD’s On campus jobs, internship postings, and local employer jobs board.<\/a><\/li>\n
    2. WCU’s Engineering Social media posts about jobs fairs and other events:LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/wcucet\/<\/a>
      \nFacebook:       https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/WCUCET<\/a>
      \nInstagram:       https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/wcuengineering\/<\/a><\/li>\n
    3. indeed.com<\/a><\/li>\n
    4. monster.com<\/a><\/li>\n
    5. ziprecruiter.com<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Some key terms to search:<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Engineering technician, technologist (typically a 4-year degree), electromechanical, electro-mechanical, mechatronics, equipment assembler. Drafter (CAD drawing), industrial engineering technician, robotics technician, electronics installer, electronic repairer. Even if your degree says \u201cmechatronics\u201d you can still apply for many \u201celectrical\u201d jobs and vice versa.<\/p>\n

      You should apply even if it says \u201c2-5 years experience required\u201d.\u00a0<\/strong>Companies put this as a requirement to scare off people who aren\u2019t sure about their skills.\u00a0You should apply anyway.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Once they see your resume and engineering portfolio,\u00a0they\u2019ll<\/em>\u00a0decide whether or not you are right for the job. Don\u2019t automatically disqualify yourself by not applying in the first place. If you don\u2019t apply, you aren\u2019t even giving them a chance to see what you are capable of.<\/p>\n

      Making you stand out from the other 5,000 people who graduated with your degree the same year:<\/h3>\n

      The biggest thing you can do is create a free webpage and post about project you\u2019ve built. Add this link to your resume, cover letter, and linkedin.com account.<\/p>\n

      You don\u2019t have to know web code to make a free website.\u00a0If you can write an email, you can build a website.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

      Here are some great free easy to use services:<\/p>\n