You’ve just finished the educational requirements to become a mechanical engineer. In most cases, you will need a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in the very least before you can begin applying for a job with your desired employer.
Job postings will be the first area that you want to pay attention to when applying for a job. Many of these job postings will include how much experience is expected from an applicant. The goal will be to look for mechanical engineering job postings that require zero experience. Companies are looking for people to fill in entry-level job positions, and they will normally look at colleges in the area to find potential talent. It’s very important that you do the following:
· Revise your resume to highlight your current skills
· Revise your cover letter
· Work on your interview skills
Entry-Level Interviews
When you step foot into an interview for an entry-level position, the employer knows that you do not have a great deal of experience. Entry-level positions are for bright candidates that have just finished college or university. You’ll want to:
· Discuss why the company you’re applying for is a good fit for your skill set
· Demonstrate that you are willing to learn and excel in the field
· Go into the interview with internship and volunteer experience
· Discuss the classes and experience you gained during your studies
The great thing about the individual process is that the interviewer will know that you have little to no experience. If you can demonstrate that you have some experience whether be a certification or a hands-on project at school, you should use this to your advantage during your interview.
Internships Mean a Lot
The issue with the mechanical engineering industry is that there are a lot of great candidates available. You can work for the government, automobile companies, energy companies and dozens of other industries. But experience can go a long way even if it is just six months in the field.
Internships should be sought to help you gain this experience.
You’ll find internship opportunities through:
· Job boards
· Calling companies
· Your school
If you can land an internship, you’ll likely land a paid position that is lower than the entry-level salary that you would get in the field. However, even a short internship will look very good on a resume.
Also, never underestimate the value of education. If you’re having a difficult time getting a job, try to find ways to boost your education. Many recommend that you pursue your master’s degree in mechanical engineering. If you have this degree, you will find that getting your first job even without experience will be much easier.
Many in the field also recommend applying for jobs that have one to two-year experience requirements. The truth is, the interviewer is looking more for competency rather than experience in these cases. You’ll want to apply for jobs that you know you have some knowledge in. Using your skills and education to your advantage, apply for as many different positions as possible. Job search sites will be able to help you with this, and many simply go the route of applying for any job they can until they get their foot in the door at one company to boost their experience.
This is a guest blog post.
Helen Evans, Marketing manager of JobTonic.in, has been in the career development field for 5 years. She likes to share interesting tips to help people find their dream job. Her goal is to share what she has learned about searching job. Your Dream job is closer than you imagine.