There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re stuck in a job role that shows no sign of progression. But as an engineer, you know better than anyone that you need to build those opportunities for yourself. So stop hesitating, and start taking action to take your engineering career to the next stage.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that you’re working on different projects. The variety of work locations doesn’t signify growth or evolution. If you want to reach the next phase, you’ll need to act quickly and effectively. Follow the three tricks below, and you’ll be climbing the career ladder in next to no time.
Learn
You’ve undergone a lot of education to reach this stage of your career. However, you cannot afford to stop learning now. If you want to take on greater responsibilities, developing the necessary skills is vital. Becoming a better skilled worker is one thing. But if you truly want to progress, you should aim to reach the next tier. Studying for a Masters in Engineering Management online can be the perfect outlet to prepare yourself for a career in a more demanding role. Best of all, completing a course in your own time means that you won’t need to sacrifice your earnings in the short-term.
Many universities offer online and extension courses in the latest field of engineering or technology. Even certificate courses and online courses offered by Coursera or Udemy can be helpful in learning the trending coding language of engineering related skills.
Apart from boosting your skills, it shows an enthusiasm that will impress employers. You can further enhance your reputation by taking additional health and safety courses. Or you could develop advanced abilities with modern computer tech.
Find Opportunities
Developing your skills to become a better candidate is only half of the battle, though. Without finding and applying for roles, you’ll never get anywhere. Relying on the prospect of being headhunted isn’t a solution.
Being employed shouldn’t stop you from searching for a job. In many ways, it’s actively easier to find a better role while still actively working. Moreover, you’ll find that you’ll only bother with roles that you actually want. After all, you aren’t going to leave your current one for another that you don’t love.
Meanwhile, you should always be ready for networking. Attending engineering events can see you connect with important business owners. After all, it’s often who you know that really counts. Online networking sites like LinkedIn are helpful in connecting with professionals or your college alumni. Join networking groups online or connect with them one-on-one through ‘meetups’.
Prepare
Many outsiders have misconceptions about engineers, but you know the truth. Looking the part is most definitely an important aspect, and it will give you a far greater sense of confidence.
Aside from dressing to impress, you need to have a knowledge of the company. The internet is a wonderful research tool, and this information shows an enthusiasm and a sense of professionalism. Being organised with these simple planning aspects will help you create a far greater first impression. In many cases, employers will act on gut instincts. A positive impact won’t guarantee recruitment, but it will certainly boost your chances.
If you do these things well on a regular basis, it will inevitably lead to the right job being offered. Even if it takes a little time and patience, those efforts will be vindicated when you’re blessed with a better career and salary.