Today’s hiring landscape is competitive. Getting the best people in the business takes time and attention. As engineering headhunters, we talk to candidates all day and know just how to detect the right fit. If you’re hiring mechanical engineers, we have some tips for you and some specifics that you’ll want to see on a resume.
Overall if there is one thing we can tell you as a hiring manager or leader before hand, it’s this: hire someone you want to be around. Think about cultural fit for the company, for the team they will be on, and for you as the manager. These things all matter no matter who you’re hiring. So, with recruiting mechanical engineers it’s no different.
“Here are our five tips for hiring mechanical engineers”, Joe Van Tassel, President of Integress
1. Working in the engineering field while in school.
Any engineer working during school, specifically in the field, whether in an internship or in a part-time job is fantastic. It shows passion, drive, and excitement for the work. That is someone serious about engineering long-term who wants to hone their craft and get to know the business.
2. Spending free time on engineering
Something few people think to ask a candidate is about their free time. For someone coming out of college, ask about clubs and organizations – were they involved in anything relating to the work you want them to do? Were they taking on extra responsibilities like running the American Society for Mechanical Engineers, or even their fraternity? These are all great indicators that you’ve found someone serious.
For someone out of school, do they like to fix up cars at home, or restore houses? Are they always honing their craft, or learning a new skill? These are things to look for in mechanical engineers that love what they do.
3. Interns that go full time
When looking through a candidate’s history, someone that goes from an intern to a full-time employee is a bonus. Interns are a dime a dozen, so when a company really loves the work someone is doing, they’ll bring them on board. Those are the hard working mechanical engineers you want to hire.
4. Progression at one company
People who move up in a company, are something to look for. This means they’re growing their skillset, they’re loyal, and they’re good at what they do. Most great mechanical engineers don’t like to be stagnant in their roles, because they’re passionate about what they do. You want people who are comfortable with change and will take a challenge head on, knowing they’ll grow from it. You don’t want someone set in their ways and not coachable, or too fearful to take on the unknown.
5. They have longevity, but also some variance
While it’s great to see on a resume that someone has spent multiple years at a company, and crucial to indicate dedication and strong work ethic, you also want them to have a little bit of varied experience. If someone has been in their role for fifteen years, it may be tough to adjust them to a new culture or approach.
Recruiting and new hiring doesn’t have to be a pain if you know what to look for. We hope these tips help give you some clarity and confidence in hiring your next great mechanical engineer. If you’re worried about hiring overall, we have this post to help you navigate increasing the success of your hiring rate. Don’t forget, hire for culture and you’ll hire for the long-term. Skills can be taught and tweaked, but enjoying the people you work with is way harder to come by.
Are you also seeking to find a more balanced mix of female mechanical engineers to complement a more male dominant team? Talk to us about your overall engineering team dynamics and we will implement a strategic, nonbiased search on your behalf – no fees upfront! Contact us HERE
Inquire About Our Services
