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7 Skills in High Demand in Today’s Top Engineers

With unemployment rates at an all-time low, engineers can be selective about where they choose to work. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the effort to set yourself apart. Competition will always be tough for the most desirable jobs, so make sure you have these seven skills that today’s top employers look for.

Communication

This is one of the most in-demand abilities for engineers and can be among the toughest to find. Engineers tend to spend a lot of time in their own heads. They understand how things work, but often need to share your ideas with people without the same abilities and mindset. In today’s collaborative environment, it’s essential for engineers to effectively communicate their thoughts with a variety of people and departments.

Creativity

Engineers are natural problem solvers. You may be able to look at a project and almost instantly see the logical solution. But is it the best solution? Employers look for engineers who can approach a problem from many angles and brainstorm several ideas to find the most effective one.

Questioning

There is a famous quote from Jurassic Park…” scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” How does this apply to you as an engineer? When you are asked to solve a problem, don’t just do it. Step back, look at the big picture and ask why. Coming up with the best solution for the wrong problem is worse than not solving it at all.

Adaptability

Today’s workplace is constantly changing. Every project will be different. You may be working with different project teams. If you are a contractor, you may be working for a variety of different employers. You’ll need to be able to roll with the punches and hit the ground running to be the most desirable candidate.

Knowledge-seeking

Chances are, most basic engineering principles have not changed since you earned your engineering degree 10 or 20 years ago, but virtually everything else has. A commitment to continuing education, whether that means attending classes or seminars, or reading books or industry publications can keep you ahead of the competition.

Quick study

When you take on a new project, you’ve got to be able to get up to speed fast. Assess the lay of the land, ask intelligent questions and determine the best way to apply your skills to get the project done on time and within budget.

Team player

As an engineer, more often than not, you’ll be part of a project team. Sometimes that will be a cross-functional team, in which you’ll work with individuals from various departments. It’s essential you are able to adapt to different personalities and work styles as you work toward a common goal.

If you need more advice on setting yourself apart from the competition as a top engineer, contact the expert recruiters at Synerfac. As one of the top IT staffing agencies in the Northeast, we can help you find the ideal job for your skills and experience.

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