Just a few months ago you were in a secure engineering position. Or perhaps you were excitedly launching your first job search in the field. Fast forward to Fall 2020, and everything has changed.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many industries are reeling from lockdowns, new rules for PPE, and the need to cutback on staff in order to remain profitable. If you’re caught in the crosshairs of this crisis and dealing with a frustrating job search in engineering, what can you do?
One simple solution is to work with an engineering staffing agency. When you do, you’ll get a single source that offers a direct line to many different engineering jobs. At the same time, you’ll get expert help and support with your resume, interviewing, securing references and more, so you can stand out among other engineering candidates.
The questions is: how do you find the right engineering recruitment firm for you? Not all are created equal, after all, so you’ll need to do your homework to locate one that’s a fit. To help you with the process, here are some questions to ask during your search:
What’s the time frame for finding a job?
A reputable engineering staffing agency should be able to offer you a general sense of how quickly they’re filling positions. Keep in mind, most engineering jobs require degrees and experience. Recruiters therefore might not be as fast to fill positions as with other industries, like retail or manual labor.
For instance, the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that an average time-to-fill for employers is around 42 days. When it comes specifically to the engineering field, however, that time-to-fill increases to about 62 days.
Why do you think I’m right for the position you’re recruiting for?
Beyond learning more about the particular role, this question will give you a sense of just how much experience the recruiter has in engineering. If they’re not able to offer you specifics, then you might want to reconsider and work with an agency who specializes in engineering recruiting. The best recruiters should be able to offer you details about each potential employer and why your background could be a good match for them.
What is the culture like in the company you’re recruiting on behalf of?
This is a critical question to ask when it comes to career satisfaction. Too often, candidates accept positions that sound great on paper. They then walk into them without any sense of what the culture is like. This can often lead to disengagement and dissatisfaction over time due to a cultural mismatch.
Just because you have the technical skills to perform a role doesn’t mean the company itself has a culture that’s a fit for you. It’s why asking about culture is so important and will help you find a position that’s right not only for your career needs, but your personality and lifestyle too.
Is there relocation assistance (if relevant)?
Many times, engineering recruitment firms work with companies in a specific region, such as the Pacific Northwest, or even across the country. In addition, potential employers might have locations in various U.S. cities or even world-wide ones. So if you’re willing to relocate for an opportunity that comes your way, ask first about assistance. This will help offset the costs of making a move to a different part of the globe.
What is the process like if I work with you as my engineering recruitment agency?
The more you know, the fewer surprises and less stress there will be. Most engineering staffing agencies follow a process that includes phone screens, in-person interviews, skills testing, and background and reference checks. Also be sure to ask how long the process will take and how often you’ll be communicated with. You’ll know what to expect and when, ensuring a more positive experience with the recruitment agency.
Put Provisional Recruiting on your list to consider.
At Provisional Recruiting, we offer a specialty division that finds and connects technical talent to opportunities on a contract, contract-to-hire and direct-hire basis. If you’d like to learn more about our process and how we can help you secure your next great engineering job, simply contact our team today.