How engineering companies recruit

Equipped with strong vocational skills, engineers are in a position to take up employment immediately after graduation.

Large companies, such as the big construction firms, multinational manufacturing industries and engineering firms, often approach institutions directly. They may visit campuses as part of the milkround and give presentations on their career opportunities, as well as attending recruitment fairs. They may recruit students directly through a specific engineering department or faculty, or liaise with the college careers services. They may also advertise on national third-level careers websites, on national jobs websites, and in national newspapers. Most graduates will strive to get on to graduate programmes accredited by Engineers Ireland or the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Smaller companies usually have a less structured approach to recruitment. They often recruit on an ‘as needed’ basis. Local authority and government department jobs are advertised in national newspapers and on the Civil Service jobs websites. Recruitment agencies tend to look for a minimum of two years’ experience in addition to an accredited degree. 

The application process

Large companies usually approach institutions directly, visiting campuses as part of the graduate recruitment process and liaising with a specific engineering department or faculty and with the college careers service. They may also attend recruitment fairs on campus. Smaller companies usually have a less structured approach to recruitment, often recruiting on an ‘as needed’ basis.

Most large organisations have application forms and can hold up to three interviews. Following the first interview, successful applicants will then need to attend a technical and an HR interview. Smaller organisations will usually accept a CV and will then hold a first interview and sometimes a second interview. 

Find out about technical interviews

Qualifications and skills needed to work in engineering

Employers look for graduate engineers with a strong technical background, good problem-solving skills, the ability to work well as part of a team, and excellent communication skills. To progress your career it’s also important to have commercial awareness and business acumen, initiative and leadership and management potential.

Career progression patterns are varied, given the enormous range and scope of roles, activities and work environments for engineers. Many graduates with strong initiative, interpersonal and team project management skills move into managerial roles within ten years of qualifying.

Opportunities for professional development

Further study can also give you an edge in your job hunt. A commitment to continuing professional development and education is very important, particularly in the electronics and ICT fields.

Graduate engineers from all core disciplines should aim to achieve accredited chartered engineer status. Students in the Republic graduating in 2013 onwards will need to do a Masters course or equivalent to be eligible for the title ‘Chartered Engineer’. Chartered engineers are seen as professionals who possess a recognised and guaranteed level of skills, competences and standards.  The first step for graduates is to get a position with an employer that runs a graduate programme accredited with Engineers Ireland or the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Use your careers service!

It is vital to stay in touch with your careers service in your final year. Early in your final year, check your CV and application form style with a careers adviser and get some help with practising interviews. Attend the autumn recruitment fair if one is held on your campus, and make a note of crucial milkround visits from organisations that interest you. 

Useful websites

Regularly check your college’s careers website as well as gradireland.com. Use graduate employer directories such as gradireland to research the profiles of all potential employers who run graduate programmes. Check professional body websites, as they usually have a vacancies section. Most large organisations have application forms and can hold up to three interviews.