Moving up in the Engineering Industry

What can my next

engineering move be?
Despite the variety of specialisations within the industry,
there's a familiar career path that engineers to follow The
engineering industry strongly favours those people who are
prepared to undertake further study and training to advance
their careers.

And for some roles, an advanced qualification is your only option if

you want to advance to a better position. Where you begin your
career often dictates how your career will progress with a few
common routes:

Operators
Around 1 in 3 people who work in the industry make their living in
this role and many Operators tend not to step out of their comfort
zone, with only some taking the next step up to Senior Operator or
Crafts person level. For those looking to advance even further, they
can do so by undertaking further study making them eligible to
become an Engineering Technician before moving into a Team
Leader or Project Leader role.

Job Searches
CAD
Electrical Engineering
Energy Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Vehicle Repair & Maintenance
Civil Engineering
Electrician
Industrial Engineering
Surveying & Inspection
 www.monster.co.uk

Graduate Engineers
A significant number of graduates will undertake a four-years
Master’s (MEng) which will qualify them for Chartered status upon
qualification. Thereafter, the world is your oyster. From Engineer, the
next step up is Senior Engineer and from here it’s a direct route into
more roles such as Technical Manager, Principal Engineer or
Programme Manager before ultimately reaching the top of your
profession as a Director.

Engineering Technicians
Technicians can advance into a more senior role as an Incorporated
Engineer before opting to take a side step into a Senior Team or
Project Leader role, or continue up the career ladder into a more
senior position as a Project Manager or General Manager.

Incorporated Engineers
Progression from here typically involves moving into a General
Manager or Project Manager role. Some will then follow the
Engineer-Senior Engineer-Technical Manager/Principal
Engineer/Programme Manager route, before making it to Director
level.

Regardless of what your entry point into the industry was, all routes
can eventually lead to Chartered Engineer status or above.
However, that all depends on how much study you are prepared to
do.

If you know what route is best for you, see what training courses are
available with your employer, online or at your local college so that
you can hit the ground running ready for your next position.

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

Moving up in the Engineering Industry

What achievements should I

add to my CV?
Like most industries, engineering requires people who can
offer a range of abilities to sustain its needs and drive it
forward. And because of the pace of change affecting many
sectors such as renewable energy or defence, engineers
who can demonstrate a track record of achievements will
continue to be in high demand.

However, too many people fall into the trap of simply stating what
their job role is on their CV which does little more than give a
recruiter a synopsis of what your duties entailed and is therefore, a
waste of valuable space. Remember, your CV is a marketing tool
with the sole purpose to sell you as the best candidate for the job.

Employers are looking for evidence of what you have achieved

during your career so far and what makes you stand out from all the
other candidates who are applying for the same position.

To boost your chances of being considered for a more senior post

you need to demonstrate your achievements within your current role
and keep them relevant to the job you are applying for.

You might show evidence of how your aptitude for problem solving
and analysing data that saved a power plant from nuclear meltdown.
A slight exaggeration, but you get the point.
 www.monster.co.uk

Try to include achievements that nobody else can claim. Have you
won any awards? Have you delivered a project on time and on
budget? Have you developed an innovative product that set your
organisation apart from its competitors? Maybe your strong
analytical, financial tracking and budgetary control skills have
identified cost-cutting measures for your employer?

Always try to include facts and figures so the person reading your
CV can relate to the achievement and see how it had an impact on
the business as a whole.

Here are a few examples that you could include on your CV:

"Produced a range of 2D and 3D visualisations that led to the

company winning the contract for a £6m building project."

"Submitted tenders for 170 contracts within 12 months,

resulting in a successful contract with over 80%"

"Awarded ‘Top Achiever’ status above all other employees

who joined through the company graduate scheme."

Think of as many relevant examples of instances when you have

done something beyond your current job remit - something that won
the recognition of your colleagues and had an impact on the
business.

Further Reading
- How should I list my previous jobs on my CV?
- What makes a good CV design and layout?
- How can I make my CV more effective?

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

Moving up in the Engineering Industry

What are the important

skills to develop?
Although there are a number of broad skills that employers
look for in candidates, such as strong communication and
organisational skills or technical knowledge, each individual
field of engineering and job role will have their own specific
skills set.

It’s your job to identify the key skills that are relevant to the job you
already have and, more importantly, for the one you want.

The Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and

Manufacturing Technologies (SEMTA) has a clearly defined
progression map for the engineering industry. There are five Levels
of Key Skills that are designed to teach you new skills that will be
required for your current role and build upon the ones you have
already learned.

For instance, Incorporated Engineers and Graduate Engineers will

be expected to complete Key Skills Level 3 which will focus on the
areas of planning, communication, technical ability, working with
others and problem solving.

If you are gunning to achieve Chartered status your ability to master

the skills described above will be a good start, but you'll be expected
to develop an advanced skills set at Levels 4 & 5.
 www.monster.co.uk

When it comes to problem solving, an Engineer is required to identify

and analyse the problem, whereas Chartered Engineers are
expected to go a step further and manage the entire problem solving
process and implement a system for solving and reviewing
processes.

So think of an instance when you have demonstrated your ability to

go beyond what is expected of you as an Engineer. Employers are
more likely to want to interview you if you already posses some of
the core skills that are normally learned in a more senior role.

Perhaps you're skilled at formulating solutions to complex

engineering problems? Do you have experience introducing new and
more efficient methods of production? Are you able to develop and
apply new technologies? If not, look to put yourself in situations
where you can satisfy these criteria in your current role to add weight
to your CV.

Don’t forget to look at jobs ads – they will reveal the skills that are
required for the position that you are planning to aim for, and don't
just look at your next step. If you know the skills you'll need for the
job you want in five years time, you can start to work out how you
will gain these so you're ready when the time comes.

Ask your employer about their staff development and training

opportunities, or contact the trade association that represents your
sector to find out about various professional development
opportunities.

Take part in a Virtual Job Interview to find out if your

answers are what engineering employers want to hear.

Click here when you’re ready to begin.

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

Moving up in the Engineering Industry

How can I get my boss to

notice my efforts?
Most of us are modest about our achievements at work and
often shy-away from getting praise for a job well done. But if
no-one knows how great you are at your job, you simply
won’t get ahead.

To make sure you get noticed in your workplace and get the
recognition you deserve, there are a few key things you need to do.

Firstly, make sure you're regularly contacting your boss. In addition

to regular meeting and yearly appraisals, let them know of any
notable achievements you have. There are ways of letting them
know what you are doing without looking like you’re bragging. Take
advantage of opportunities when you reach landmarks and always
look for ways of doing other aspects of your job better.

You may also want to acknowledge the part they played in any
successful project. By praising your boss for overseeing the project,
they will be more likely to remember it. There is a fine balancing act
between telling your boss about the great work you're doing, and
making it look like you're pitching for their job.

Too often senior managers lose contact with the very things that
made them succeed in the first place. This is good news for you.
Keep abreast with industry trends and position yourself as the
person who knows what is happening within your field.
 www.monster.co.uk

Time is a precious commodity – especially in the engineering

industry. Yet too many of us bemoan that we don’t have enough
hours in the day to do our jobs. By avoiding distractions and
prioritising your workload, you will complete tasks and be seen by
your boss as someone who gets things done.

Rather than individual pursuits, most projects you get involved with
will be a team effort. If you have been involved in a team project, try
to set yourself in a position where you are seen as a pivotal part of
the group. Be the one to set up the meetings, update others on the
project progress and copy in your boss on all important
communications to show you have managerial qualities.

Engineering is a high pressure, high demand industry. Projects need

to be completed on time and within budget, staff need managing,
goods and services need to be procured – the list is endless. Much
of this responsibility lies with your manager. So offer to take charge
of the tasks that you know you will be capable of doing. This
demonstrates your willingness to help your employer and to increase
your skill set which by default, raises your profile.

As good as internal recognition is, it can't compare with the praise

you get from outside the company. Testimonials from your clients or
suppliers are one of the most effective ways of getting your boss to
recognise your achievements.

So if you have advised a client on how to use the software they

purchased for their business and they are delighted with the results,
ask them write you a quick ‘thank you’ email acknowledging the
service that you provided. If you're a contractor, these will become a
key part of your portfolio when looking for the next role.

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

Moving up in the Engineering Industry

Should I move internally

or externally?
Suppose there are two vacancies being advertised
simultaneously – one with your current employer, the other
with a competitor. How do you choose who to work for?

When you took your first job you were probably more focused on the
basic aspects of work such as receiving a pay cheque each month,
having a good job title and fitting into the organisation. However,
after a few years, our priorities and career drivers change.

You need to understand what motivates you in the here and now,
and decide if your current employer can match your requirements.
Status, recognition, challenging environments, personal
development, variety, ethics, future opportunities, reputation, job
security and earning potential all need to be considered when
evaluating a career move.

Do you feel valued by my current employer?

Does the company allow you to utilise your key skills?
Is your work varied and interesting?
Are there opportunities to learn new skills?
Is there scope to specialise in certain areas?
Are the company’s values in sync with your own?
Will your earnings increase?
Is their progression beyond your next move?
How is the company viewed within the sector?
 www.monster.co.uk

If you answered Yes to most of these questions, then your decision

whether to stay with your current company or not is an obvious one.
Understanding what motivates you is important. Only then can you
make an informed decision about where to go from here.

If you feel that your current employer is not positioned to fulfil the
career aspirations you have identified for yourself, then you need to
find a company that will.

If you want a management position but opportunities are few and far
between, then you should move elsewhere or you will become stuck
in a rut. Staying for too long in the same job may also harm your
future career as your CV will suggest you didn't have the ambition to
move up the ladder.

With employers are clambering over themselves to secure the

services of suitably qualified personnel to fill their vacancies, it can
be very lucrative to keep moving jobs every few months.

Some employers will see this as a negative, so If you are to job hop,
the trick is to effectively market your penchant for short-term success
and your ability to meet an employer’s need.

How much can you earn in the engineering sector?

Salary by Gender Salary by Company Size
Salary by Experience Salary by Location
Salary by Job Role

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

Moving up in the Engineering Industry

What attributes make a

good manager?
Successful managers are able to apply a combination of
supervisory and technical skills to the direction and eventual
conclusion of complex projects. This invariably demands that
they are able to able to work well within teams and have the
strength of character to lead a team or group of engineers
who may come from a range of different disciplines.

For instance, a manager could typically find themselves managing a

team of mechanical, electrical and systems engineers within the
defence sector. To do this effectively requires all-round project
management skills.

And the success or failure of a project will largely rest upon the
manager’s knowledge and understanding of how various disciplines
operate separately, and together.

Managing a diverse team can be challenging and one of the

attributes that a good manager must possess is the ability to
communicate the objective of the project to their team.

Given the complex nature of the industry, managers need to provide

clear and concise instructions to ensure that all team members are
working towards the same goal with the aim of completing it on time
and within budget.
 www.monster.co.uk

You need to be aware that not every type of person absorbs

information in the same way - some like to see graphs, facts and
figures, some need to hear concepts and creative options. It’s up to
you to decide what information to give to which people so they can
understand the required actions and work together to reach an end
goal.

All companies aim to keep costs to a minimum and managers are

charged with the responsibility for maximising the use of resources –
personnel, goods and services – required to meet the expected
outcome of a project. An understanding of the business needs of the
organisation and recognition of the role you play within it are
prerequisites.

Managers will often find themselves overseeing more than one

project at the same time – each with its own demands and
requirements. Therefore, an ability to keep your cool when the going
gets tough, manage your time effectively and prioritise tasks will
stand you in good stead as a manager.

So if you are looking to move into a management role for the first
time and are unfamiliar with what some of your colleagues do in
other areas of the business, or lack some of the basic skills that you
will need, for example, then do some research into other areas of
engineering and find out what training opportunities exists in your
company.

Remember, the more you know of what will be expected of you in

your new role, the stronger candidate you become.

Further Reading
- How can I secure a pay rise?
- What can I do to ensure a promotion?
- How can I improve as a manager?

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

Moving up in the Engineering Industry

How can I make a

long-term career plan?
The engineering sector may not be as proactive in its
recruitment of fresh graduates as some other industries, but
don’t take this to mean that it has an abundance of qualified
and skilled engineers - it doesn’t.

Demand for engineers in the UK is at a premium the need for skilled

engineers continuing to rise year on year.

To meet this increased demand, the Confederation of British Industry

(CBI) states that the UK will need to significantly increase the
number of engineering graduates or be forced to outsource skilled
professionals from overseas. There are many instances where we
have already seen this happen.
However, this demand also creates genuine career opportunities for
those engineers who can demonstrate both technical and ‘soft’ skills
(i.e. communication, leadership, business acumen).

With billions of pounds being invested into a wide range of sectors,

the future career prospects of Britain’s engineers are excellent.

Although we cannot predict the future with certainty, we can at least

get a taster for what is to come. That demand can carve out a long
and rewarding career path for those who have the IT skills that are in
short supply.
 www.monster.co.uk

Rail - the UK Government has ambitious plans to create a 'bigger,

stronger' railway which will carry twice as many passengers as it
does today. This will create demand for a significant number of civil,
electrical and mechanical engineers and related trades

Renewable energy – with increased pressure to reduce the UK’s

carbon emissions and produce a fifth of its energy from renewable
sources, the long term prospects for engineers to develop alternative
energy sources are excellent

Nanotechnology – the increasing trend for medical diagnostic

equipment to be miniaturised, faster and more accurate will ensure
the continued need for various disciplines, including mechanical and
electronic engineers

When making career goals, make sure they are SMART - Specific,
Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. Aim to develop new
skills to stay one step ahead of the game and become a pioneer in
the industry, boldly going where no engineer has gone before.

Improve Your Monster Experience

If you have a Monster Profile, you may have noticed the Career
Goals section on your personalised homepage.

This is a perfect place to put your career aspirations down in

writing, so you can look back in 6 months or 6 years to see how
far you are towards achieving your goals.

If you tell us your dream jobs, we’ll automatically update you on

job opportunities that match so you can take note of the skills
you need to develop, or apply right away.

View or create your Monster Profile now.

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

Moving up in the Engineering Industry

Is engineering
the right industry for me?
British engineers are the envy of the world. From the likes of
Isambard Kingdom Brunel who constructed the Great
Western Railway and the Clifton Suspension Bridge to
Frank Whittle, the inventor of the jet engine, British
engineers have continued to lead the field in pioneering
technology and engineering achievement.

With such an impressive reputation it is hardly surprising that the

number of people opting for a career in the engineering industry has
remained constant for a number of years.

However, perhaps your expectations of what it would be like to work

in the industry may be different from the reality of actually doing the
job on a day-to-day basis. And maybe you are now starting to
question whether you are in the right environment to spend the rest
of your career or not?

Solving this dilemma is a simple matter of motivation:

Does your work give you a sense of accomplishment?

Do you feel suitably challenged?
Is the work varied and stimulating?

If the answer to any of these questions is ‘Yes’, it’s natural for you to
be considering alternative careers.
 www.monster.co.uk

One of the beauties about being an engineer or technician is the

range of skills that you develop that are highly admired across all
industry sectors. You will have developed the ability to diagnose
problems and solve them with an innovative approach, or the
aptitude to manage a series of complex projects simultaneously and
complete them on time and within budget.

These skills are in as much demand in the engineering industry as

they are in many sectors.

So if you are a Mechanical Engineer or a CAD Technician who feels

that you have been there, done that and have the proverbial T-shirt
to prove it within engineering, have a look through Monster to see
what other jobs you might fancy.

Rather than searching by job title, try putting some of your key skills
into the keyword box to see what comes up.

And if you'd prefer not to step into a conventional job, you may wish
to consider ways of passing on your knowledge to the next
generation. Teaching is a career that can bring lots of job
satisfaction, not to mention the outstanding holiday allowances.

What Next?

If you’re still looking for advice on finding the right job, creating a
great CV or tips on job interview, career-advice.monster.co.uk
contains everything you ever wanted to know, and more!

If you’re ready to apply for jobs, upload you CV to Monster and

then take a look through the latest IT and Technology roles.

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

Moving up in the Engineering Industry

Engineering Glossary
Agile Manufacturing - an organisation that has created the
processes and tools to enable it to respond quickly to market
changes, while still controlling costs and quality.

Blueprint - a paper-based reproduction usually of a technical

drawing, documenting an architectural or engineering design.

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) - a unit of measurement of the

flow of a gas or liquid that indicates how much volume in
cubic feet pass by a stationary point in one minute.

Drywall - a common building material typically made of a

layer of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of
paper, then kiln dried.

Echo Box - a resonant cavity device that is used to check the

overall performance of a radar system.

Flash Point - the lowest temperature at which a liquid

releases sufficient vapour that can be ignited by an energy
source

Greenhand – a nickname given to someone who is new to

the offshore oil industry
 www.monster.co.uk

HVAC – a common acronym from the engineering industry

that stands for ‘Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning’.

ISC (Integrated Service Contract) - a contract likely to

include design and project services, maintenance, upgrades
as well as reliability and integrity management.

JV (Joint Venture) - collaboration between two or more

companies in a contract.

Kelvin - a unit increment of temperature and one of the

seven SI base units.

Laser - a device that emits light (electromagnetic radiation)

through a process called stimulated emission. The term is an
acronym for ‘Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation’.

Multiplexer - a switching device that sequentially connects

multiple inputs or outputs in order to process several signal
channels with a single A/D or D/A converter

NPV (Net Present Value) - a method of evaluating a stream

of costs and benefits over time assuming a nominated rate of
interest applying to the value of money.

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

Moving up in the Engineering Industry

OEE – (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) - a hierarchy of

metrics which focus on how effectively a manufacturing
operation is utilised.

Penalty Clause - a provision in a contract that provides for a

reduction in the amount otherwise payable to a contractor as
a penalty for failure to meet deadlines or contract
specifications.

QRA (Quantitative Risk Assessment) - a method for

quantifying major accident hazards and their potential
effects.

Rafter - one of a series of sloped structural members

designed to support a roof deck and its associated loads.

SAT (Site Acceptance Test) - a test of equipment carried out

at site following installation of equipment but prior to
commissioning.

Transducer – a device that receives information in the form

of one quantity and converts it to information in the same or
another quantity or form.

Union - an organisation of workers who have banded

together to achieve common goals in key areas and working
conditions.
 www.monster.co.uk

Voltage - the rate at which energy is drawn from a source

that produces a flow of electricity in a circuit; expressed in
volts.

Watt - the SI derived unit of power, equal to one joule of

energy per second.

Xmas Tree – the collective name given to the valve pipes

and associated fittings assembled at the top of a completed
well used to control the flow of oil or gas.

Yield Point – the load at which a solid material that is being

stretched begins to flow, or change shape permanently,
divided by its original cross-sectional area; or the amount of
stress in a solid at the onset of permanent deformation.

Zero Defects - a standard of performance in manufacturing

which should be the goal of endeavour when speaking of
'quality'.

Think you know engineering?

When going for a job interview it really pays to know about the
issues affecting the industry the company operates in.

We’ve devised a short quiz to help you judge how much you
know about the engineering sector.

Take the quiz now!

‘Grass is Greener’ eBooks

 Moving up in the Engineering Industry

They say that the grass isn’t greener on the other side, but
often it is. Our series of eBooks brings together expert advice
to help you secure the job you want and build a successful
career.

For more career tools, visit career-advice.monster.co.uk.