1. Should I apply for an advertised job even if I don’t have the specified amount of experience or degree grade?
While companies do specify the qualifications and experience that they would like applicants to have, they are often willing to consider applications from individuals who do not necessarily meet the criteria. By working with a recruitment agency, it is always worth discussing your interest in a particular role or organisation, as they will have more of an insight into the company and will have a better idea of what the employer may specifically be looking for. Recruitment consultants also have access to a wider array of vacancies and can tap into the invisible jobs market, providing access to opportunities that might not have been advertised.
2. Do employers favour MEng (undergraduate Masters) or BEng (undergraduate Bachelors) graduates?
The answer to this question differs according to the individual requirements of employers. In NES’ experience, the distinction between MEng and BEng qualifications is minimal. However, once you have gained some experience, the importance of Chartership increases and this affects salaries and employment success to a greater extent than the type of degree you have.
3. What can I expect to do on a daily basis as a Process Engineer?
Day-to-day duties vary widely depending on sectors and employers, and even as a result of differing team sizes; so much so that it is impossible to say what a Chemical Engineer will do on a daily basis. Chemical Engineers face new challenges every day and they themselves will have difficulty in describing a ‘typical day’ as very often, there isn’t such a thing!
4. When is the best time to apply for jobs?
This is dependant upon how you approach your job search. If you are seeking the assistance of a recruitment agency, there is no right or wrong time to register and you will be supported as soon as you sign up. However, if you are conducting a job search by contacting organisations directly, it is important to bear in mind that you will be competing against more candidates for each role during peak times, such as after graduation and after key holiday periods so you might have to prepare for a greater number of rejections before you are able to secure a role.
Keeping in contact with your recruitment consultant will keep you informed about market conditions and ensure that you are made aware of any suitable vacancies, giving you time to conduct your own research simultaneously.
5. A lot of jobs seem to require experience, but I’ve only just graduated - how do I get over this?
With the new age discrimination legislation coming into effect in October, it is no longer legal to specify the number of years experience required for a role, as this will discriminate against individuals who are too young to have gained this. While this can appear to be a good thing for recent graduates, it is still highly recommended that you undertake an industrial placement as part of your degree course, or if this has not been possible, try to secure a voluntary position perhaps during the summer after you have graduated at a company that is willing to provide this type of placement. Ensure that when you accept your first position, you look for companies that encourage training and development and that are committed to supporting you through to Chartership and beyond. Think about your long-term career plan and make sure that the position you accept is the right choice.
6. Do companies favour certain universities for the industrial placements or graduate jobs they offer?
Studying at a reputable university that has established and/or renowned engineering departments can be an advantage to some employers. If you feel that the reputation of the university at which your degree was gained could hinder your success, discuss your concerns with your recruitment consultant and they can work on marketing you to companies by using your skills and attributes. Throughout your career, the importance of where you studied decreases as your experience/chartered status develops, so this should begin to outweigh any discrimination encountered as a result of your place of study once experience has been gained.
7. My first job sounds very specialised - will this be detrimental to my future career prospects in the event I wish to switch to another industry?
Starting out in a specialised position could possibly hinder future career switches to some extent. However, it is possible to develop transferable skills within such roles that can be applied elsewhere if necessary. The most important thing to do in this instance is consider your long-term career goals and avoid entering into a specialised role that will not ultimately help in achieving your aims. Think about whether or not the industry you are working in is likely to remain buoyant in terms of career opportunities in the foreseeable future. Being in a niche industry/sector is not necessarily a bad thing if you have good prospects within your specialist area.
8. How do employers view postgraduate study?
Postgraduate study can often be considered non-essential for a role. It is often down to personal choice whether or not to enrol in post grad study. Having a postgraduate qualification does not necessarily guarantee a higher salary or better chances of success when you are seeking a job, although obviously this differs depending on individual companies, sectors and locations, etc. Chartership is one of the most significant forms of postgraduate study and can greatly affect earning potential. Its appeal to employers is that it illustrates a commitment to continuing professional development and that the status itself acts as a benchmark of excellence within the industry.
9. Where can I find information about graduate jobs in a specific country?
An agency is always a good first port of call to find out about working overseas so you should discuss potential opportunities with your recruitment consultant. However, graduate schemes outside of the developed world aren’t readily abundant so while companies might take on a graduate, they may not offer the same opportunities for training and development that you could expect from a specific graduate training programme.