IEEE-USA Today's Engineer

May 2003

Finding a Job in an Unstable Economy: Coping with the Fears

by Jennifer Hartranft

Recession. Layoff. Reduction in Force. Downsizing. Hiring Freeze. These terms characterize the technical job market in many regions today. But despite the current seesawing economy and dim employment outlook, it's possible to land a great engineering job.

It may seem as though there are more engineers than there are job openings. But if you look at the big picture in staffing, it’s a great time to be an engineer. Your education and skills are both valuable and highly marketable. Even if you are a new engineer, you can find opportunities. In fact, some say not having experience can be an asset in today’s market.

Staffing Reality

The largest population growth in recent history occurred during the “baby boomer” era, from 1946 to 1964. Many of the workers in this age group are now nearing retirement. Long-term labor studies predict a drastic labor shortage by 2010. The logical conclusion seems to be that eventually, the technical work force will have to be replenished. Companies may have the experts now, but they need to maintain their expertise by filling gaps with experienced engineers. They also need to train their next-generation experts with new graduates, to sustain growth and ensure long-term success.

Job-Seeking Skills Are a Must — Do Your Research

Simply knowing the market won’t help you get a job, but if you add a measure of job-seeking skill to the mix, you will likely be working sooner, rather than later.

Research is absolutely critical to the job search process. Learn about the companies hiring, the positions available and the salaries offered. By finding out what you’re facing in the job market, you will be able to match what you can offer with what companies seek, making you a more marketable asset:

Company — When you research a potential employer, don’t just find out what the company's size and revenue are; discover the perfect fit for you. Think about what appeals to you in a work environment and investigate companies that match your personal goals. Talk to people who know the companies that interest you; they can give you valuable insight. This inside information will help you when you interview with or call the company. Invariably, interviewers ask, “Why do you want to work here?” If you can demonstrate that you did your homework and offer compelling reasons why ABC company should hire you, you’ll increase your chance of receiving an offer.

Salary — Today’s job market might not be great, but you don't have to accept an unusually low salary either. Find out what the salary range is in your region and industry, and approach negotiations with a personal salary requirement that matches your experience and expertise. This year, IEEE-USA will launch a new and improved online salary-comparison tool. This next-generation salary estimator will be based on current member compensation data, and a must for high-tech professionals looking to gauge their worth in today's job market.

Unlike past IEEE-USA salary surveys, users will be able to take the new survey at any time, as well as update their user profile. The data collected will serve as the basis for the new IEEE-USA Salary Database, which will help employers to establish fair compensation for their technical professional employees.

Two other Internet sources might also help: www.salary.com shows compensation by industry, field and geographic region; the salary calculator at www.homefair.com provides cost-of-living data by region.

Position — Examine job postings closely and decide whether you are a good match. Are you qualified for the position? Do you have experience, expertise or knowledge that will distinguish you from other applicants? Do the intangible aspects of the position fit your work approach, goals or abilities? Answering these questions before you pursue a position will put you ahead of the pack in the interview process.

Critical Success Factors

Human resource personnel consider several “critical success factors” when they make hiring decisions. These include:

Flexibility — Ask not what the company can do for you, but what you can do for the company. If the company asks you to learn from the ground up, make sure you are willing to do that, even if it doesn’t seem glamorous. For engineers with experience, this might seem like a step backward, unless doing so provides you with an opportunity to learn something new or enter a different discipline, or offers an incentive that will help move you closer to a personal career goal.

Willingness to Learn — Enthusiasm and a positive attitude can be deciding factors during an interview.

Demonstrated Initiative — In your résumé or cover letter, explain how your individual experiences helped you prepare for the position you seek. Highlight examples that will demonstrate that you will positively contribute to the company.

The economy might not be ideal right now, but companies continue to hire and are looking for engineers at all levels. With strong job-search skills, you may be able to find a job more easily than you think. As a technical professional, company leaders value your skills and education — and need them. So fret not; you’ll be employed before you know it.

Jennifer Hartranft, PHR, is the staffing manager at Spectrum Astro, a satellite manufacturer in Gilbert, Ariz.