An electrical engineering career can be fulfilling, with gratifying work being done daily. But did you know that it is also one of the most booming industries in the job market right now? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 7% growth outlook for electrical engineers for the next ten years, which is higher than the national average of 5%.
The interview process may prove to be somewhat daunting for some candidates. However, with the right tools, it can be a fulfilling and rewarding opportunity to showcase skills and secure their dream position.
Keep reading to learn how to excel in an electrical engineering interview.
Research the Company and Role
Interviewing and accepting a new position is a life-changing decision and should not be taken lightly. That is why it is important for job seekers to research a company before applying. LinkedIn found that 71% of job seekers research the company they are considering before they even apply. This means that 29% of job seekers do not, which can be detrimental to their success in the interview.
By researching the company, job seekers can build their knowledge about the company to relate to the work that they will be performing.
Here are some questions that a candidate could ask to get a better insight into the role:
In addition to the mission statement, products and services, candidates should also research the company’s culture and values to see if they align with their own. This information can be useful in tailoring questions and responses during the interview.
Here are some questions that can be asked during an interview to learn more about the company’s culture:
Asking these types of questions can give a great insight into the culture of the organization and learn more about overall satisfaction which can greatly impact the decision of committing to a position.
Highlight Skills and Qualifications
Having strong skills can make any candidate stand out in the interview process. Many organizations depend on the skills that a job seeker brings to the table. TestGorilla found that 76% of employers use some type of skills-based hiring when conducting interviews and considering different candidates for a role. Employers often seek candidates that possess a solid foundation in electrical engineering-related technical skills when hiring for these types of positions.
Some technical skills that an employer may be looking for include:
While technical skills are very important for electrical engineers to succeed in their positions, soft skills are also necessary. Soft skills are the attributes that allow workers to effectively work with one another and communicate information properly.
Soft skills that would be valuable to an electrical engineer include:
If a candidate does not currently possess these soft skills, they should consider offering their services to different projects to work to improve them. Candidates can also develop these skills through coursework or professional development publications.
Review Technical Concepts and Industry Trends
As an electrical engineer, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest technical concepts and industry trends. This can help candidates demonstrate expertise during interviews and show that they are committed to ongoing learning and development in the specific industry or field of electrical engineering.
A job seeker can stay current by reading industry publications, attending conferences and workshops and participating in online forums and discussion groups. Job seekers should consider discussing any recent innovations or trends in the interview so they can demonstrate their engagement with the industry.
Prepare a Portfolio of Relevant Projects
A portfolio of relevant projects is an excellent way to showcase experiences and skills to potential employers. When selecting projects to include in a portfolio, candidates should focus on those that directly relate to the job description and highlight strengths.
For each project, candidates should be sure to include specific details about the role and their contributions. This can help the interviewer to understand their level of expertise and how the candidate could contribute to their organization.
Here is a list of things to consider adding into a portfolio:
By including a portfolio in their application, job seekers can stand out and showcase their skills and abilities to the employer.
Demonstrate Confidence and Professionalism
To make a strong first impression, it’s important to exude confidence and professionalism throughout the interview. Twin Employment found that a lack of confidence is why 40% of interviewers don’t push a candidate past the first interview in the hiring process.
Here are some ways to demonstrate confidence in an interview:
Another way candidates can demonstrate professionalism is to be mindful of their body language. They should avoid fidgeting, slouching, or crossing their arms, as these can signal discomfort or defensiveness. Instead, candidates should sit up straight, lean forward slightly and use open and friendly gestures.
Having confidence and exerting it can be a struggle.
Here are some methods that candidates can do to improve their confidence as an electrical engineer:
Candidates that implement some of these practices can greatly improve their self-esteem, interviewing skills and overall work ethic.
Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Employers often value problem-solving abilities, so candidates should be sure to showcase their problem-solving skills during interviews. One way to do this is by providing examples of how they have solved problems in the past. Candidates can talk about a difficult project they completed or a complicated coding challenge they overcame. By sharing experiences, a candidate can show the interviewer that they have the skills necessary to tackle complex problems.
Another way candidates can showcase their problem-solving skills is by using the STAR method. This method involves describing a Situation, the Task that was given, the Actions taken and the Results that were achieved. By using this method, job seekers can demonstrate their problem-solving abilities in a clear and concise manner.
Follow-Up After the Interview
After the interview, it’s important to follow up with a thank-you note or email to express appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This not only demonstrates professionalism and continued interest in the position, but can also make a strong impression on the interviewer. Topresume found that 68% of employers say that it makes candidates stand out when they send a thank-you letter after an interview.
If a candidate hasn’t heard back within a week or two, it’s appropriate to follow up with a polite email or phone call to inquire about the status of the application. It is important to know that hiring managers have many other responsibilities and constantly sending them messages about interview statuses can have a bad look on the job seeker.
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In conclusion, acing electrical engineering interviews requires dedicating time and effort to the process. Through thoughtful preparation and successful execution of the interview process, you can showcase your technical knowledge and interpersonal skills and secure your dream electrical engineering job position!
Are you looking for your dream engineering position? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board dedicated to all things STEM.
Having trouble finding a new job, feeling like your career has stalled or lacking connections with other professionals? Consider networking.
No matter where you are in your career, whether you are just entering the job market, or are further along into your profession, networking can help make connections and spark passion within a career interest or industry. Networking can also go a long way when finding a new job. Zippia found that a whopping 85% of jobs are found via networking with personal and professional connections. If you aren’t ready for a new role, don’t count networking out, as it is also a great way to help advance your career. Zippia also found out that 79% of American professionals cite networking as playing a vital role in their career progression.
Read this article to learn more about networking and its best practices.
Utilize LinkedIn
With a reported 930 million members in more than 200 countries, LinkedIn is a great way to find other professionals in the same field and connect with both current and past colleagues.
The first thing a professional can do when using LinkedIn is to make sure that their personal profile is fully built out. This includes adding all work experience, providing public contact information, adding a professional headshot, creating a succinct introduction and adding skills/certifications. By including all this information, users may create an optimized profile. This will allow other people on the platform to know that it is a real profile and help them be confident in sending it a connection request.
Possessing a strong number of connections is also a great way to get the most out of LinkedIn. Connections are “friend requests” in a professional sense, where different types of content can be viewed that other connection share. After connecting, users are also able to reach out to other connections via direct messaging. Consider sending friend requests to co-workers, peers from school, professors, members of local communities and other professionals that share the same career space.
Here are some more tips on how to utilize LinkedIn to its full potential:
LinkedIn is a great tool for modern-day networking no matter where someone is in their career.
Reach Out to Former Colleagues and Managers
Sending connection requests to previous colleagues on LinkedIn is an easy step, but actually taking the time to reach out and engage in a conversation takes some effort. It may be difficult for a professional to figure out the best way to start a conversation with a former co-worker that may have been from many years ago. However, networking often requires someone to make the first move.
The best way to start a message is to be friendly, but also be direct about the intent of the message. Consider reaching out on LinkedIn, connecting via phone or sending a brief email.
Here is an example of a message that can be sent to an old co-worker when looking for a new role:
Hello {Name},
How are you doing? I hope you have been doing well!
As you may know, I have been working at {Company Name} for the past {Number} years. While I have gained new experience, I am now looking for a new position. I was wondering if you had any leads on positions that are hiring at {Name of Their Company}?
Any information would be greatly appreciated, and I look forward to talking soon.
Best,
{Your Name}
{Email}
Reaching out with this type of messaging allows for a personal approach and lets them know directly what the sender is looking for.
While reaching out to an old colleague may be nerve-wracking, reaching out to a former manager might even be more anxiety-inducing for some. Just like reaching out to an old colleague, the sender needs to make sure that the message is welcoming and is direct to the point with what they are trying to achieve with the message.
Here is an example that can be used to reach out to a previous manager for a recommendation:
Hello {Name},
How are you doing? I hope you have been doing well!
It has been great seeing all the work that has been done at {Their Company Name}.
As you may know, I have been working at {Company Name} for the past {Number} years. While I have gained new experience, I am now looking for a new position.
I was wondering if you would be willing to write me a recommendation for a new position that I am interested in. Also, would you be comfortable if I included your name and contact information on my resume?
I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best,
{Your Name}
{Email}
No matter what the goal of reaching out is, keeping connections with former colleagues is very beneficial. Career professionals at all levels should consider reaching out to former teammates to check in.
Attend Professional Development Events
Networking is all about professionals putting themselves out there to make relationships with others in their field, whether it be in-person or virtually. This is all done through effective communication and messaging, which may not be a strong suit for all professionals.
When networking, it is near impossible to control the situation, but there are many ways to prepare beforehand. Here are some quick tips when attending an in-person networking event:
So how does one attend these types of networking events that relate to their profession?
For example, if a mechanical engineer that works in the pre-cast concrete industry is looking for ways to connect and network with fellow professionals face-to-face. A solution to this would be to simply search terms like “mechanical engineer conference”, “pre-cast concrete exhibitions”, and “engineering networking events near me.” One of the many great things about these types of events is that while a lot of them take place at convention centers around the world, many are also hosted virtually which can be extremely beneficial for remote workers and anyone who is unable to make it to a certain physical location.
Many companies also allocate funds to send their employees to these types of events to not only network, but to also improve their overall career development. Consider taking advantage of these programs to meet new people and gain valuable insights about professional industries.
Join a Professional Group
Just like joining clubs in school, there are thousands of professional groups that workers can join no matter where they are in their career.
For professionals at all levels, there are groups specific to industry and profession. A great example is the National Society for Professional Engineers (NSPE). This is a group dedicated to networking and advocating for engineers across the world. They offer discount rates for recent college grads and can be a great resource to meet others in the industry.
There are also professional groups that cater to C-suite executives. Many groups have been formed for executives to meet others in the business to talk about business ventures, experiences, the general state of the industry and more. For example, Chief is a C-suite executive group that was formed to let female CEOs have an open space to talk about their experiences in the space and have an open conversation about the struggles they face as a woman in leadership.
Professionals should consider their areas of interest and explore groups that might be beneficial to advancing their career. Individuals can find both local and national professional groups for any type of role or industry that they are in.
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Networking is a powerful tool and when done right, it can help workers reach any professional goal in no time.
Looking for an all-inclusive job board for all things STEM? Check out STEMHUNTER, a STEM-focused job board.
Studying the environment and its resources can be very interesting and rewarding, which is why so many people obtain environmental science degrees. According to College Factual, over 9,000 environmental science degrees are awarded every single year. Data also shows that students are studying environmental science at higher rates. Environmental science has seen a 24% increase in awarded degrees since 2016.
Despite this large number of degrees being awarded, many in this field can find themselves questioning what roles they can pursue after graduation.
Read this article to learn about the potential job opportunities for individuals with environmental science education.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists are professionals that try to find the best solutions to environmental problems that affect wildlife, humans and culture. These types of scientists can also work in a wide range of environments that include:
This career path can be very rewarding, from not only professional career opportunities but also from personal fulfillment. In this line of work, Environmental Scientists are directly working with efforts to make the world a better place, like helping prevent the harmful effects of climate change.
When thinking about the various scientific careers, many assume that higher levels of education are needed to enter this space of work. While having a master’s or Ph.D. is viewed as a positive qualification, it is not always needed to be an Environmental Scientist. Relevant internships or on-the-job experience can help fill in any educational gaps and prepare you for a job as an Environmental Scientist.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for an Environmental Scientist is $76,530 per year with an expected job outlook growth of 5% over the next ten years.
Ecologist
If a student is interested in the side of environmental science that focuses on the environment and the factors that affect it, having a career as an Ecologist may be an ideal job for them.
Ecologists’ main responsibility is to study the relationship between organisms (plants and animals) and their relationships with each other and the environment. A lot of the work that these professionals do requires hands-on fieldwork in different environments such as deserts, forests, parks and more.
Some of the examples of work that Ecologists conduct include:
While there are many different functions of Ecologists, there is one primary goal of their work: preserving and protecting the environment. This can be a very fulfilling and rewarding career for someone that is passionate about science and the environment.
According to Indeed, the median pay for an Ecologist is $65,406 per year with an expected job outlook increase of 5% over the next ten years.
Marine Biologist
While Ecologists mostly work in environments that are on land, Marine Biologists work in the undersea environments and their respective organisms. This can be a great career for someone that loves science, underwater organisms and conservation efforts.
Most Marine Biologists work for state or federal governments to aid with conservation and preservation efforts, but it is possible for a Marine Biologist to also be hired by a private organization. Some organizations can include:
It is required by most openings that a Marine Biologist should hold a bachelor’s and a master’s degree at minimum. Some job openings even require applicants to hold a Ph.D.
According to the Pay Scale, the median pay for a Marine Biologist is $53,651 per year with an expected job outlook increase of 5% over the next ten years.
Microbiologist
A career as a Microbiologist does not necessarily require a microbiology degree. Having an environmental science degree can be a pathway into this type of career due to the overlap of studies and coursework.
A Microbiologist is someone that studies the microscopic aspect of life. This can include studying bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi and other types of parasites. By studying these organisms, Microbiologists are able to identify how these specimens interact with others and their environments.
Microbiologists also have a wide array of fields in which they can work. Some include:
Over the next 10 years, the need for Microbiologists is going to increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that the growth of Microbiologists Is going to be 9% which equals about 2,000 openings per year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for a Microbiologist is $79,260 per year.
Water Quality Scientist
Even though they do not work specifically with living organisms, Water Quality Scientists have a big role in society. The main responsibility of these scientists is to run tests on water samples from different environments to make sure they are free from toxins and parasites, and to make sure that it is healthy for organisms to consume.
There are many other roles and responsibilities for Water Quality Scientists which include:
Since water is an essential life source for every living thing on the planet, a job as a Water Quality Scientist is a great pathway to a long-term career that can ensure longevity in the role.
According to Glassdoor, the median pay for a Water Quality Scientist is $69,364 per year with an expected job outlook growth of 5% over the next ten years.
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Environmental science has a wide array of professional options that can enable you to not only have a successful career, but also a very personally fulfilling one.
Do any of these jobs pique your interest? Check out STEMHUNTER, a STEM-focused job board made specifically for STEM professionals.
When economic uncertainty hits, job layoffs usually follow. The news has been recently flooded by reports of layoffs, mostly in the technology field. According to Zippia, 15.4 million Americans were laid off from their job in 2022 and in 2023, 138,000 were laid off already.
Layoffs can sometimes appear to come out of nowhere, which can be hard emotionally and financially for employees that are affected by these decisions. Even when there are severance packages associated with terminations, it can still be very nerve-wracking for employees due to uncertainty about their future career and re-entering the job market along with thousands of others.
With all these emotions, it could be difficult for former employees to figure out where to start in a job search, especially if the professional has not looked for a new job for a couple of years.
Read more to learn how to bounce from a layoff and land a new job in no time.
Optimize Resume
The first thing professionals can do when re-entering the job market is to update and optimize their resume. When refreshing a resume, candidates should include all relevant experience and any new skills or achievements. This is essential, as it will give hiring managers a clear and updated look at experience and qualifications.
A resume should include these main parts:
Also, candidates should consider having a former peer, coworker or even a family member read over the resume to make sure that it is grammatically correct and formatted properly. Having a second set of eyes can help catch small mistakes and errors that may cost them a dream position.
For more resume advice, check out this article.
Ask For Recommendations
Being laid off does not necessarily mean that a worker was slacking or doing a poor job, it could just mean that their role was eliminated for financial or restructuring reasons. A professional that loses their job due to layoffs may be one of the hardest workers at the company, but just simply got caught in the crossfire of layoffs.
If an individual is laid off and knows that they did great work at their previous employer, they should consider reaching out to former managers or coworkers for recommendation letters to show a potential employer that they are the right fit for the job.
Also, professionals should consider asking the HR department of their former employer for a “laid-off letter” if one was not already included with the announcement of the layoff. This is an official piece of writing that explains the circumstances of why someone was let go from a company. These letters can be used to prove to future employers that someone was laid-off instead of being terminated for poor performance.
Reach Out to Networks
LinkedIn is not only a great platform to stay in touch with corporate news and keep up with a professional network, but it can also be a great asset to someone that has been recently laid off.
A recently laid-off employee should consider posting an update status on LinkedIn to announce to a network that a layoff has occurred and that they are open to new positions. By doing this, other members of a network may see this post and possibly recommend or suggest a company that is hiring or even hiring within their team.
In this post, the professional should include what type of roles or industries they are open to. Putting just a general open-to-work post may attract recruiters and messages that do not relate to the professional field that they work in and may be a waste of time in job searching.
LinkedIn also offers an “open to work” profile banner for members who are looking for new positions. New job seekers should consider adding this to their profile picture to make their job searching status even more visible to recruiters and hiring managers.
Click here to learn more about how to optimize a job search and be more visible to hiring managers on LinkedIn.
Be Open
When there is an increase in layoffs occurring in the workforce, there are thousands of employees that are looking for jobs. This could mean that there may be more competition for roles in specific industries or professions.
The best way for candidates to combat that problem is to be open to positions and titles that may be different from their previous roles.
For example, if someone is laid off from a mechanical engineering role in HVAC, they should consider looking at other engineering positions, like civil engineering or construction engineering. They could also consider looking at different fields, like an energy or manufacturing company.
By pursuing another type of role, a new passion may emerge from the new types of responsibilities from this position that may have never been discovered if they were not open to this position or industry.
Don’t Burn Out
Being laid off is a stressful time. It is easy to get consumed in job searching and feel discouraged when things aren’t working out. Spending hours and hours on job boards can be helpful in the short term, but in the long term, it can be very damaging to mental health.
According to a survey from Pew Research Center, 56% of adults who are unemployed and are actively job searching, report having feelings of emotional and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Having these thoughts and feelings can be damaging to one’s self-esteem and overall health which can cause even more problems down the road.
Here are some ways to help alleviate stress and reduce burnout:
Looking at job boards online isn’t the only way to land a job. Consider reaching out to recruiters, reaching out to your network or checking internal websites for job postings. This is a good way to stand out instead of being in a sea of candidates that are all applying on an online platform.
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Layoffs can be stressful, but taking these actions may help you land a job faster and re-enter the workforce in no time.
Recently laid off and looking for a new job? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board designed specifically for STEM professionals.
The warmer months are approaching, and spring cleaning will be a top priority for most. Spring cleaning does not have to only affect a home and physical space, but a fresh overhaul can also be done to a resume!
It is recommended by CNBC, that professionals update their resume every six months to a year in case of new opportunities that may arise. Updating a resume regularly helps make sure that the resume is accurate and showcases all recent achievements that may be desirable for a potential future employer. Refreshing a resume can also make it easier on a candidate, who can avoid having to do a massive overhaul for their resume when entering the job searching market.
However, some professionals may be at a point in their career where they are not interested in changing jobs. In any case, it is a good idea to consider keeping it updated in case anything changes. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an employee changes their job every 4.2 years on average.
Read below to learn more about how you can tidy up your resume for future job searching success.
Add Relevant Information
The main goal of a resume is to show an accurate and quick snapshot of an applicant’s professional experience and achievements. CareerBuilder found that 24% of recruiters spend 30 seconds or less looking at a resume. This means a resume needs to be thorough, but get directly to the point.
A resume should be clear and concise, so job seekers should try to highlight the most relevant information in a resume. For example, accurately detailing job responsibilities is a must, but including extra-curricular activities from over ten years ago may not be the best idea to include.
Here are some more examples of relevant information to include in a resume:
It is also important that candidates make sure to take out any information that may not be relevant anymore. For example, a resume may not have been touched since applying for jobs in early college which may include jobs that were had during high school. Once college has been completed, or it has been many years since high school, having those experiences are not necessary to include on a resume. Employers will want to see relevant information and will likely not place as much importance on work that was done many years ago.
Update Contact Info
One of the most important factors of an effective resume is that the contact information is directly next to, or under, the candidate’s name and title. Contact information will likely include the candidate’s valid phone number, email address and location. It is important for recruiters/hiring managers to know where a candidate is located, even when dealing with remote roles, as time zones may be a factor of employment.
In case there has been a recent move, make sure that the location is correct on the resume. Having a full address is not necessary to have a standout resume. All that is needed to be listed is city and state.
Also, candidates should consider having a professional email listed on their resume. A professional email should include some iteration of a name and maybe some numbers. Some examples of emails to avoid using include, “[email protected]” and “[email protected].” Unprofessional emails such as these may convey to the hiring manger that the applicant is not serious or professional when it comes to job searching.
Additionally, it is best to avoid using emails that are associated with colleges/universities as this can convey that you are enrolled and be potentially unavailable for full-time work. Candidate’s will also want to refrain from using a work or company-sponsored email address on their resume when job searching. The best practice is to have a professional, personal email for job searching purposes.
Check All Grammar
Utilizing proper grammar is a necessity when crafting a resume that could result in landing a dream job. According to Zippia, 59% of recruiters will automatically reject a resume if it contains improper grammar and spelling. Candidates should consider following grammar best-practices and asking a trusted colleague to review their resume for spelling and grammar errors.
If there is a job listed on your resume that is being done presently, it is best that the descriptions are written in current tense. For example, it would not make sense if a candidate were currently at an engineering job and described it on their resume as, “helped and recorded measurements.” It should instead read, “helps and records measurements” since it is being done in the present. If the work was being done in the past, the first description would be accurate.
Here is a grammar checklist to review a resume with:
Going over a grammar checklist such as this when reviewing a resume can be the reason that sets an individual apart from other candidates in the screening process.
Keep It Simple
Sometimes it seems that bigger is better, but that is not always the case for resumes.
The best way to format a resume is to make sure it is detailed, but also very simple for the recruiter or hiring manager that will be reading it.
Since a lot of recruiters spend such little time screening resumes, they most likely will want to get right to the skills and experience of a candidate as it relates to an open position. Having a resume that includes a headshot, flashy borders and hard to read fonts may immediately turn a recruiter away.
Additionally, simplicity can help your resume work well with recruiting software. According to Forbes, up to 75% of resume can get rejected from an applicant tracking system (ATS) due to the software not being able to read or parse the resume. This can be due to complex fonts and pictures. If a resume gets rejected from an ATS system, there is a chance that it will not be reviewed by a recruiter, which means the applicant will not get screened for the job at all.
Here are some quick ways to keep a simple resume:
Making these small adjustments can help a hiring manager be able to understand a resume easier and speed up the hiring process overall.
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Cleaning up and simplifying a resume periodically can be the key step in your next job search without the headache of having to completely overhaul a resume in a short amount of time.
Looking for your dream STEM job? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board specifically designed for STEM professionals.
Many workers in the technology space have become weary and uncertain with their positions due to the current state of work in the industry. According to Layoffs.fyi, since 2022, over 300 tech companies have conducted layoffs which have affected nearly 97,000 workers. Amid these massive layoffs and reductions in staff, many job seekers are looking to different industries for their next career move.
The tech industry is not the only space for these aspiring professionals, as there are many other industries that can meet their needs and provide a satisfying career. Read below to learn more about these growing opportunities.
Finance & Accounting
Finance and accounting roles often require gathering, analyzing and reporting numbers and data, which is where tech professionals come into play for this industry.
One of the most sought-out positions for accounting and finance companies to fill are data analysts. Some of the responsibilities of this role include gathering information on mutual funds, stocks, bonds and more. It is estimated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that there is going to be a career outlook increase of 23% from now until 2030.
Another tech job that is in high demand in the account & finance space is cybersecurity roles. Having evolving technology at our fingertips is great, but it can also cause wide-spread security concerns, especially in this sector, with the large amounts of confidential information that is dealt with daily. The estimate of outlook for cybersecurity is 35% by 2030, which is a much greater job outlook compared to most jobs.
Also, with most of the work for data analysts and cybersecurity professionals being done on a computer, many companies are offering fully remote roles all over the U.S.
To learn more about securing a data analyst role, check out this blog here.
Here are some other tech jobs that job seekers can find in the finance and accounting industry:
Consider these tech jobs in finance and accounting to accelerate your career and professional development.
Manufacturing
When thinking of the manufacturing field, many could think of manual jobs that require a lot of physical work. Even though there are many “blue collar” jobs in manufacturing, there are also thousands of tech jobs in this industry.
Manufacturing is one of the biggest assets to the world economy. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the manufacturing industry contributed $2.3 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2021, which accounted for 12% of total U.S. gross domestic product (GDP).
To be able to build and pour these manufactured products, they first need to be designed. To be designed, there needs to be software which is where tech professionals come in. Many manufacturing companies use systems like SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, Siemens and more to design their products and tools. With all these different types of software, tech professionals are needed to ensure these systems are properly working.
Here are some tech jobs that job seekers can find in the manufacturing industry:
These types of careers can help candidates gain knowledge, professional development and a new perspective, for a sometimes-misunderstood industry.
Healthcare
While the needs for tech software and companies often vary with the economy, healthcare is always needed no matter what economic state is present. Typically, doctors, nurses and caregivers support patients directly, but tech workers are needed behind the scenes to ensure that necessary programs and systems are running properly to ensure the proper healthcare of others.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found that IT professional careers will grow over 11% between now and 2028, which is significantly higher than most occupations. The only problem with that statistic is that there is a shortage of healthcare IT professionals. This shortage is to the point where over one third of hospitals report having vacancies and looking to fill these critical roles. Due to this shortage, technology professionals can expect there to be numerous job postings available.
Being an IT professional is not the only tech career available in healthcare. Here are some tech jobs that job seekers can find in this industry:
Having a career in healthcare can be fulfilling for tech workers with these high sought-out positions.
Government
With the sweeping tech layoffs, many government sectors are targeting these affected workers and many others in the tech industry. According to GoGovernment.com, there are over 79,000 IT professionals in the government sector alone. With increasing technology, there are plans to add thousands more jobs to support government programs and protect national security.
These types of jobs are not only for national government. To be considered a government employee, a professional could be working for local, state or federal government. Being a government employee can also provide great benefits. Some of the perks that are offered to government employees include:
These benefits can be provided for not only just the employee, but also can be provided to significant others and children.
Here are some more jobs that tech professionals can get in the government sector:
A career in the government is not only fulfilling but can provide great benefits and experience for any tech professional.
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Tech companies are not the only destination for tech professionals. These industries and many others are hiring more than ever for this type of work.
Looking for your next great STEM career? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board designed specifically for STEM professionals.
Chemistry is an essential part of many innovative and future-focused businesses and is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing career fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is estimated that jobs for chemists will grow 6% over the next 10 years, which totals about 90,600 jobs.
With the right skills and tools, you can land a job as a chemist in no time. Read below to learn more about how to expand your skills and nail your next chemist interview.
Pursue Career Development Opportunities
Whether you are at the beginning of your career or are many years into it, career development is an important method of improving your skills. Career development involves sharpening skills, learning new things and meeting others in your shared industry.
Some ways to increase your career development include:
If you are a college student, consider looking into extracurricular groups or clubs that involve chemistry that would be ideal to put on a resume. Some of these groups could include honor societies, clubs or even studying groups. Being an active and engaged member of groups such as these will not only improve your skillsets, but could also lead you to helpful networking that could benefit you in future when job searching.
Being exposed to these types of professional development methods can also give you the opportunity to talk to other peers in your field which can lead you to dream job positions.
Evaluate Your Soft Skills
When thinking about becoming a chemist, you can assume that you are required to have a deep understanding of chemistry. While that is true, there are many other skills that applicants can have that will enable them to be successful in the chemistry field.
Skills that are not technical are considered soft skills. Soft skills are the common skills that help you interact and work with others. These can include interpersonal and communication skills.
Some of the soft skills, suggested by Scholarship Guidance, to be a successful chemist include:
A great way to show these skills during an interview is bringing them up in natural conversation with situations that demonstrate how you utilized that skill. For example, if the hiring manager is asking about a project you have worked on, you can mention that you utilized time management skills to make the project successful. Also consider including a small list of them on your resume so that the hiring manager can see them before they even interview you.
Consider analyzing the areas in which you excel and noting any opportunities for further development. Develop your soft skills by enrolling in courses, taking on new projects or asking for feedback from trusted colleagues.
Practice Interview Questions
After researching and applying for jobs, you will hopefully enter the interviewing stages for a new job as a chemist. Interviews can be nerve-racking and stressful for some. In fact, JDP found that 93% of job candidates report being nervous before a job interview.
A great way to combat this nervousness and uncertainty is to practice interview questions before the actual interview.
Here are some examples of questions you could be asked at an interview for a chemist:
Consider practicing these questions with a trusted colleague to ease your nerves and enable yourself to answer with no hesitation.
When you are answering the interviewer’s questions, try to tailor your answers to the type of industry that you are applying for. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the industry with the highest amount of chemists is the pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing industry which means there may be a high probability of interviewing with that type of company. If you are asked, “why did pursue chemistry?”, try to weave in your passion for medicine and how it will fulfill you as a chemist. This will show the hiring manager you have a passion for their industry and are very interested in the position.
While it is good to practice interview questions, keep in mind that there may be other parts to your upcoming chemist interview with things such as a technical assessments, background screenings, personality tests and more.
Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviewing for a job not only lets an employer get to know you, but it is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company and their values. Utilizing this time effectively can give you greater insights into the organization and show the interviewer that you are prepared and interested in the role.
Here are some questions to consider asking your interviewer:
Asking these types of questions can give you a better idea of the work dynamic, how others collaborate with each other daily and what the general company culture is.
Remember that you are also interviewing the company to see if they are a good fit for you and your career trajectory. If you ask these questions and your interviewer gives very general answers or tries to avoid the question altogether, this could be red flag. Consider taking a closer look into the company itself and its culture using websites like Glassdoor or directly reach out to current employees to see if it is a good fit for you.
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Landing a job as chemist does not have to be hard. With these tips, you can find yourself landing a chemistry job in no time.
Looking for your next job in chemistry? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board made specifically for STEM professionals.
Many professionals around the world are looking to improve their career development, whether it is for moving into leadership roles, becoming more attractive on their resume, or simply improving their work skills. For example, Lorman reported that 61% of adults in the U.S. are currently seeking career development opportunities when looking at job postings.
A great way to advance in your professional development is to receive a professional certification in a certain skill or field of work. Certifications are not just present in STEM fields, but are also seen in almost every other industry of the professional world.
Even though it is not required, many employers often help or completely cover the cost of certification exams to help improve the professional development of their employees. According to Robert Half, nearly 94% of companies cover all or some of the cost of professional certifications for their employees. This is a great perk that employees should take advantage of if their company offers it.
Gaining certifications will not only make you more qualified for more roles, but it can also lead to an increase in pay, change in position and can show your current employer that you are dedicated to advancing your career. According to Dice, a STEM professional who receives a professional certification will earn $12,000 a year compared to their counterparts who do not receive a certification.
Read below to read about the most in-demand professional certifications by employers in the STEM industry.
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification (CSSC) is a certificate for professionals that have at least three years of work experience that would like to demonstrate their knowledge of the process of Six Sigma which involves statistics and data to reduce errors in workloads.
The Six Sigma certifications do not end at just the “Green Belt”. Professionals are able to expand their knowledge and earn more ‘belts’ that can represent their career development and expertise in this space. Just like karate, the highest level a professional can earn is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
One of the careers that Six Sigma certifications is most in-demand for is project management. This field encompasses a large range of industries which includes healthcare, IT, finance, manufacturing and more. According to Invesis Learning, nearly 52% of job postings for project managers in 2022 require a CSSC. Without a certification in Six Sigma, a job seeker could find themselves outnumbered by more attractive candidates and risk being unsuccessful in a job search.
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification program is estimated to take between two to seven weeks to complete and the Black Belt certification program takes around one to three months to complete. Many universities around the U.S. offer classes and study sessions for professionals to obtain these certifications.
Project management is not the only profession that utilizes and prefers a CSSC. Other roles include data scientists, computer engineers, process engineers and more due to the nature of their work.
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert
Another in-demand certification in STEM is the Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification. This certification involves a series of technical assessments for networking individuals. This certification program allows information technology professionals to demonstrate their skills of designing, building, implementing, troubleshooting and maintaining high-level networks.
Cisco offers a wide range of specifications for this certification to best fit the career path or industry that a professional may be in. Some of the specific certificate tracks include security, enterprise infrastructure, data centers and more. Cisco also offers four levels of certifications to allow professionals to continue their development and further their knowledge in this space.
According to a survey from Indeed, 82% of participants said the CCIE certification helped their career progression and 92% answered that the certification helped them find a better job in their preferred industry.
It is estimated that these types of certifications take around three to six months of studying for successful completion.
The roles that would benefit most from this type of certification would be information technology professionals, computer scientists, network technicians and more.
AWS Certifications
Many computer scientists around the world are completing certification programs through Amazon Web Services (AWS). According to Amazon, more than 400,000 professionals hold an active AWS certification. certification.
AWS certifications heavily focus on cloud computing where companies can design, deploy and manage applications in a cloud setting instead of a physical hard drive or computer. This allows for more work being able to be done across multiple locations without the worry of data being lost through malfunctions of physical equipment.
Like other certification programs, AWS offers a wide range of paths of certifications that professionals can achieve and earn depending on their career level and specialty. Some of these certificates include DevOps engineering, data analytics, machine learning and many more.
It is estimated that a single AWS certification takes 80-120 hours of studying while working a full-time job which equates to about three months before the exam is taken.
Some roles that you can benefit from having an AWS certification are solution architects, cloud account managers, cloud developers, SysOps administrators and many others.
OSHA Lab Safety Certification
A certificate that not only improves your professional development, but also keeps you safe in the laboratory is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Lab Safety Certification. This certification program teaches laboratory professionals how to keep themselves and others safe while working with potentially toxic and harmful elements at work.
Working in a lab setting can be potentially life threatening if you are not aware of the proper regulations and actions to take while working. Nature, a scientific publication, featured a study regarding lab safety issues and the results were astounding. According to the study, only 40% of lab personnel were wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times at work. It also found that 25-38% of lab personnel have been involved in a type of accident or injury that was not reported to their direct manager.
Having this certification not only keeps yourself and others safe, but also allows employers to have a sense of ease for safety when they have an employee that is properly educated in lab safety. An employer is also more likely to hire a job candidate that is aware of safety problems compared to a candidate that is not familiar due to liability and financial reasons.
Consider this certification if you work in biology, chemistry, pharmaceuticals or any other field that works in a laboratory setting to ensure that you do not accidentally hurt yourself or others at work.
Principles and Practice of Engineering
Engineering is a broad term since there are so many different specializations that someone can go into, but there is one certificate that can be obtained by any engineer. The Principles and Practices of Engineering (PE) is a certificate that can be earned after a professional has demonstrated knowledge of engineering and has also completed experience in the professional world of engineering.
According to the National Society of Professional Engineers, this is the exact timeline for someone that wants to complete a PE certification:
Earning a PE can be lengthy process, but it can be very worthwhile in the end. Having a PE could lead to more leadership positions, more complex projects and a possible increase in salary. According to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, engineering professionals with a PE can earn up to 13% more in salary compared to an engineer that does not have that certification.
Having a PE also gives you the ability to be able to official sign and seal documents with a PE symbol. Even though this could mean more liability for your work, it can be very fulfilling and can show employers that you are a trusted employee which could lead to more promotions.
If you are considering a path where you would like to teach engineering classes at a public university, you may be required to have a PE. Some of the states that require a PE for university level teaching are Arkansas, Kentucky and Missouri.
A PE is not required by all engineers, but it can be an official certificate that helps you stand-out in the job market and can help you obtain your dream job in engineering with its value and demonstration of skills.
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Obtaining professional certifications is a great way to improve your skills, demonstrate your talents and keep you safe and secure in the workplace.
Looking for a new job in STEM? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board specifically designed for STEM professionals and their needs.
The current competitive and tight labor market is making many organizations rethink their hiring process, but many are leaving out a key aspect, employee retention.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has estimated that STEM jobs will grow 10.5% between the years 2020-2030. With large numbers of STEM jobs projected to open, this presents a great opportunity for employers to add new talent to their organization. However, with this focus on bringing in new talent, many current employees could be looking for new opportunities if their needs are not being met.
A great way to retain your employees is through conducting stay interviews. Read below to learn how stay interviews can help you retain great STEM talent.
What Exactly is a Stay Interview?
A stay interview is a conversation or meeting with successful employees to learn more about how they feel about their position and the organization as a whole. Some topics can include how they enjoy their position, what the organization can do better to support them, what changes they would like to see and other questions about their overall experience.
The Society of Human Resource Management found that it costs an employer one-third of an employee’s annual salary to replace them when they leave their role. This high cost is due to factors such as recruiting, training, loss in productivity and more. To combat these costs, employers are finding great success in having stay interviews with top performing employees.
The objective of a stay interview is to learn how the organization can change to better help employee experience, while also showing the employee that their opinions and experiences matter to management. This directly correlates to employee retention and keeping outstanding workers at your company.
Preparing For a Stay Interview
A great way to prepare for a stay interview is to take a close look at the performance of your employees and identify which individuals would be the best to conduct this type of conversation with. Consider picking employees that you want to retain at the company long-term, or those with a strong work ethic.
Once you have identified employees that you would like to conduct this conversation with, put time for the meeting on their calendar. When sending out an invitation for a stay interview, it is a great idea to explicitly inform the employee what the meeting will entail. If you are not clear about what the conversation will be, the employee could jump to conclusions like a possible lay-off or a haul of extra work which could hinder the meeting productivity and overshadow the purpose of the stay interview.
It is recommended that stay interviews last at least 30 minutes. This allows employers to ask several important questions, while also not taking away too much time from the workday for everyone involved.
Conducting a Stay Interview
Stay interviews are best conducted by a direct manager, rather than an HR professional. This is because employees will more likely have a sense that their feelings and opinions of the organization are being taken more seriously. If it is only being done by a member of HR, it could come off that the stay interview is only being done for compliance or to meet a quota. However, the results should be shared with HR following the interview.
Another factor to consider when having a stay interview is to make sure the interview is being done at a convenient time for both the manager and the employee. Considering both individuals’ time could make the employee feel more comfortable with the conversation and overall more respected by the organization.
Also, consider keeping performance reviews and stay interviews separate. While both are equally important, they have different purposes. Combining the two could cause the employee to be discouraged or stressed during the review and could make them avoid giving genuine answers to the questions that you are asking. It is best to save a performance review for another meeting.
Assembling What Questions to Ask
Just like an entrance or exit interview, preparing questions beforehand is essential when conducting a stay interview. It is best to include questions that are about the organization as a whole, as well as their specific experience working at your organization. You’ll want to ask questions about what motivates the employee to stay in addition to questions related to why they might leave. This can provide leadership with insights to help make decisions on what the organization can do to help increase and improve retention. Consider these questions below to ask in a stay interview:
Also, consider asking questions that are tailored to the employee’s specific role. By including specific questions, employees could feel that you took the time to consider their specific role within the organization.
These questions can be helpful to understand the needs of your employees and help open the door to what leadership can do to make sure that they, and others, stay at the organization for a long period of time.
Using The Information You Collected
Once you have successfully completed stay interviews, analyze what employees said and look for commonalities between responses. It is a good idea to meet with other leaders and the HR department to discuss findings and conclusions. From there, a plan or initiative should be created to improve employee retention.
Additionally, consider having an introspective look at yourself as a leader in the organization. Compare the answers from the stay interview to your leadership style and see if there is any room for improvement. Having strong leadership will go a long way with employee retention and hiring great talent.
After some time, consider having a follow-up conversation with employees to see if the changes have made a significant impact. It is a good idea to track to see if measurable change has been made overtime.
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Stay interviews can be a great way to retain star employees, but can also shape an organization to be attractive to all job seekers.
Looking for great STEM talent? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board specifically designed for STEM professionals.
When putting together your resume, it is easy to get overwhelmed by making sure that all your technical skills, education and previous work experience are listed properly. Many job seekers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, which traditionally require technical hard skills, often overlook the soft skills section of their resume.
Soft skills are the personal characteristics that help you interact and effectively work with other people. Soft skills can include traits such as being an effective communicator, possessing self-confidence, being analytically minded and more.
While it is important to portray your strong education and excellent technical skills, you may not be able to effectively execute them in the workplace if you do not have a powerful range of soft skills. According to the Stanford Research Center and Harvard University, 85% of job success comes from soft skills alone, while only 15% of work success comes from technical skills.
Consider developing these game-changing soft skills below to improve your resume and help you stand out from the crowd.
Teamwork
One of the most valuable soft skills that a job seeker can have is a strong sense of teamwork. No matter what role or position you work, at some point you will be required to participate in a group setting with your coworkers. Forbes has recently reported that more than 50% of workers in the U.S. rely on collaboration to get their job done.
To develop your teamwork skills, consider embracing yourself more into group work or offer your services to lead projects and help others. Volunteer for team-based activities and push yourself out of your comfort zone to develop your collaboration skills. As a technical professional, evolving these skills will make you a more well-rounded employee and will enable long-term success as you grow in your career.
Organization
Keeping an organized mental, digital and physical space is important when working in STEM industries. Without organization, projects and work can be forgotten about, often directly impacting your work performance.
For example, you may be looking for a job in the IT field. When working in IT, you are likely going to be asked to handle different projects, work with several customers at a time, figure out different solutions and more. Having so many tasks to keep track of requires a strong sense of organization. If you are unable to complete these jobs in an organized and timely manner, this can directly affect the way that your manager views your work ethic and can hinder overall performance.
If you are looking for ways to improve your organization, consider these tips:
Adding these small tasks into your workday, can make a big difference in keeping you organized throughout your workday.
Time Management
Development Academy has recently reported that only 18% or workers have a proper time management routine which means that an astounding 82% of workers function without one. With such a high number of workers not having a proper time management routine, hiring managers are looking for job seekers that hold this very valuable and sometimes rare soft skill.
As an example, working in a lab requires a lot of time management skills. In a role such as a scientist, you may be required to oversee multiple experiments, help others with their projects, report your findings and many other tasks. Juggling all of these responsibilities can be overwhelming, but establishing effective time management skills can help you manage a large amount of tasks.
To develop your time management skills, consider making a list of all your projects, prioritize the ones are the most time sensitive and create a daily plan of how much time you are going to dedicate to each project. Additionally, consider utilizing a planner or keeping your calendar up to date. Block off time in your day to work on projects in advance to prevent your day from getting bogged down by meetings. These practices can lead to a more effective day and improve your time management skills.
Attention to Detail
Crossing items off and getting your work done is important, but making sure that your work is accurate and complete can be even more important. Having attention to detail is a crucial soft skill that many employers look for in STEM roles.
Attention to detail is especially important to those working in industries that require specific technical skills, such as the computer science field. With this type of work, you will be dealing with long lines of code and complex problems. When working on projects such as these, it is easy to make a small mistake. Without a good attention to detail, it may take time to figure out a small problem in a line of code. This can put the rest of your work on the backburner and could possibly cause significant delays for both you and your team.
Here are some effective ways to improve your ability to pay attention to details in your work:
These practices are easy to implement into your daily routine and can significantly improve your work quality when you take attention to detail very seriously.
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Consider adding your top soft skills to your resume to let potential employers know that you are a top-tier candidate for their job opening.
Looking for your next STEM career? Check out STEMHUNTER, a job board specifically designed for STEM professionals.
