Forum - Ask the Hiring Manager

QUESTION:

Buyer's Market - Just what do human resource directors screening engineering candidates want? Some characteristics may be more important to prospective employers than mere experience and other quantitative factors. What pushes their hot buttons or sends up a red flag? (Specifics, such as a particular post-grad degree, crisis role or field of expertise) - Please direct me to any HR officers that handle a lot of engineer recruits.

From: Doug Finch


ANSWER FROM BRIAN KRUEGER:

Hi Doug -

Our company is continually seeking software engineers that are technically proficient (most are) AND are strong communicators (most aren't). Give me an engineer with strong technical and interpersonal skills (plus a sufficiently large lever) and I can move the world.

So focus on improving your communication skills. The first and most evident display of your communication skills will be within the interview. Most employers judge your communication capability based upon how you handle yourself in the interview. You can study hard for 4 years (or more), get good grades, even have good experience, but you won't get the job unless you interview well. It's as simple as that.

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All job search information at this forum is provided by Brian Krueger, author of the book College Grad Job Hunter, the definitive guide for college grad job search. Used by permission of the author.