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Why Technical Skills Alone Won’t Get You That Engineering Job

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Why Technical Skills Alone Won’t Get You That Engineering Job is a guest blog by Andrei Kurtuy

Technical SkillsTechnical skills are the tools of the trade for engineers. But don’t think for a second that the key to landing a great engineering job comes down to how your technical skills stack up against the competition.

Whether you’re a future or recent engineering graduate, or you’re well along in your career, looking for a new job is a situation you’re likely to face. Of course, you’ll want that job to be fulfilling and relevant to all that valuable training you’ve undertaken.

Well if you want to find your perfect job, you can’t let your technical background do all the talking. In today’s hyper-competitive work environment, recruiters are likely to receive hundreds of applications from people who (probably) have similar or better credentials than you.

So, what can you do to make your resume and cover letter grab an employer’s attention and land you a job interview? Redirect your attention. [Read more…] about Why Technical Skills Alone Won’t Get You That Engineering Job

Chief Engineer = Professional Engineer + Manager

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Chief Engineer = Professional Engineer + Manager is a guest blog
by Justin OsborneChief Engineer

Nowadays, the engineering market has become more and more demanding and competitive. It’s not enough to get your degree; you need to constantly learn and develop new skills to stand out from the other engineers and work on exciting projects. Therefore, keep on reading to discover what skills are necessary to become a chief engineer and how to acquire them. [Read more…] about Chief Engineer = Professional Engineer + Manager

Controlling the Good Idea Fairy

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The good idea fairy is insidious.  Sure, he comes on meaning well and espouses great outcomes and high returns.  But he shows up in the eleventh hour just when the moment of execution is about to arrive, just when the moment of truth is upon you.  Right at the wrong time.  And he brings with him a whole list of unnecessary changes and additional work.

As a leader, you must control the good idea fairy and the only way to do so is through courage and preparation.  You will battle him on every major undertaking in which you do not call the shots.  You will battle him when you least expect it.  So plan your response now so you will be ready.

Knowing the Enemy

Not familiar with the Good Idea Fairy?  The origin of the term is in the U.S. military and describes an evil, mythical creature that whispers advice and ideas into the ears of leadership, causing hundreds of unnecessary changes and countless wasted man-hours.  The term may have it’s origin in the military, but sightings of the good idea fairy can happen anywhere faulty ideas enter the brains of leaders and decision makers.  Think you’re immune?  Ever completed a task on which you were inexperienced or confused?  Do you have a hard time listening to advice or input from others?  If so, then you are a likely candidate for a visit by the good idea fairy. [Read more…] about Controlling the Good Idea Fairy