How many people do you know that have a smartphone or a tablet? Chances are, most everyone you come into contact with has at least one device and that demand is ever increasing. The forecasted growth over the next five to ten years in this industry is astounding and that is definitely great news for mechanical engineers.

What This Means for Engineers

As more and more people become reliant on consumer electronics, this has opened up numerous opportunities for mechanical engineers. Not only will there be more jobs in this industry, but they will also pay better and even entry-level mechanical engineers have the capability of making around $50,000 a year or more. Not many industries offer that kind of salary for entry-level positions. Once you’ve got experience under your belt, you can expect to make even more money, with average salaries coming in at around $70,000 to $75,000 a year for highly qualified mechanical engineers.

High Demand Means Better Opportunity

Not only does this demand translate into higher paying positions, it also translates into better opportunities for mechanical engineers. Instead of having to take a job you sort of like in this field, you’ll have the option to take your pick from a variety of jobs that you will really love and that you’re well qualified to do. Consumer electronics engineering is an exciting field that offers a wide variety and the ability to impact the lives of millions on a daily basis.

Increase Your Chances of Landing a Great Job

This new demand means that companies are beginning to recruit even earlier. If you’re currently majoring in engineering and you have the desire to shape the future of consumer electronics, now is the time to shift your focus to this industry. Start looking for summer internships with companies in your area that specialize in consumer electronics. This will help cement your chances for landing a great job right out of school and help you develop some powerful connections in this industry.

In addition, now is also a great time to start making connections with recruiters in this industry. You’ll have the opportunity to start shaping your career early on, before you even graduate. Even if you’re already in this industry or have mechanical engineering experience, working with a recruiter will increase your chances of landing a higher paying job that is more exciting and more rewarding.

Want to learn more about an exciting career as a mechanical engineer? Ask the experts at SoloPoint for more information today!

Once you land what you think is your dream job, it’s normal to feel a bit overwhelmed at first. We all go through a period when first starting where we don’t feel confident and it takes a little bit to find your stride. However, if after several weeks you aren’t comfortable in your position and it’s taking you longer than normal to complete your work or if you find yourself constantly behind in your schedules, it is possible that you have a skills mismatch.

Ideally, you would only be hired for a job that you’re qualified to do. If you’ve been honest on your resume and the hiring manager or recruiter was aware of your current skills, you should be matched up with a job you have the capability of doing. In many cases however, especially if you’ve changed industries, you may feel like a fish out of water.

The first step is determining exactly where the problem is and what you need to do to fix the problem. Make a list of all of your current duties and target the areas where you are uncomfortable or struggling. Once you have an exact idea of what’s not working, you can take some steps to fix the issue. If you have a more experienced co-worker, ask them if they wouldn’t mind showing you how to efficiently do what you need to do. Ask your manager for help if you feel that you need a little more coaching. If it’s an issue that can be fixed with more training or by taking an online course, take the initiative to improve your skill set.

It is vital to communicate any difficulties you’re having to your manager. This is important for two reasons. First, it lets them know that you are committed to your job and learning how to do it more effectively. Second, it allows them to judge your progress and your performance fairly. If they don’t know you need help, they won’t be able to offer you the advice and extra training you may need.

Another step you can take while you are going through your job duty list is to take a minute and go over the list with your manager. You may be taking on too much, or you may be doing tasks that you don’t need to do. Ask for their advice and find out what you need to do exactly.

Never be afraid to ask for help. It’s much better to be honest and humble enough to ask for some extra coaching. A good manager will be more than happy to assist you and help you become a more skilled and valuable employee.

Do you have a question about fixing a skill mismatch? Ask the experts at SoloPoint for help today!

If you’ve reached an impasse in your job search, or if you simply want to transition your career, there are a few techniques you can try to improve your luck. The first step is getting your name out there and networking with the right people. If you don’t have a networking event or local event coming up, that doesn’t mean you can’t network, it just means you’re going to need to go about it a little differently.

Cold calling is typically associated with sales, but it can be a very powerful tool in your job searching arsenal. Instead of calling prospects however, you’ll be cold calling professionally to help you find the job you really want.

The first step is getting your list of “prospects” together. Gather information on the companies you would be interested in working for and find out who the decision makers are. Confirm all of your information before adding the person to your list. You can do this by speaking with assistants and researching the company online.

Once you’ve got your list together, you’ll need to put together a script. While you don’t want to actually read from the script while you’re talking to these people, it will help you feel more prepared and ensure that you cover all that you need to say during your conversation. Make a list of bullet points and memorize what you want to say to the people you’ll be talking to. Remember, don’t read word for word, just use your script to get comfortable and confident.

Your first cold call will be the most stressful, so pick a smaller company to start with. This will help you build the confidence to tackle the bigger companies later. Start your conversation and remember that it’s a conversation, not a sales pitch. This is about making a good impression and building lasting contacts, not a quick “sale.”

It may take a few tries to get your approach honed, but keep trying. You’ll be building up a powerful list of people who can help you find a job. Even if they don’t have something right now, chances are they know someone who does need your services. Be patient and focus on relationship building and you’ll be able to find a job in much less time than a traditional job search.

If you find that you’re not making much headway, try branching out and getting out of your comfort zone a little. You never know, you may find a better job in a related field that you will really enjoy.

Do you have a question about cold calling professionally? Let the experts at SoloPoint help you today!

Those of us who are just hitting our 40’s or 50’s may be looking at life and our careers and wondering not only what happened, but where are we headed? But rather than looking at this time as a crisis, it’s best to stay positive and look at this as a reason and an opportunity to update both our personal and professional brands and see where we want to steer our futures.

Whether you’re happy in your current line of work or looking to change careers mid-stream, it is important to sit down and review your career to date, as well as your own personal accomplishments. By doing this you can create a map of the past and a roadmap for your future. Let’s take a look at how to put all of this together into a cohesive plan that you can begin implementing immediately.

Review Your Current Skillsets

Go through your past work history and list all of the different skills you have acquired to date. If you happen to have an old resume on hand, it’s useful to go through that and find what’s changed and where you are currently are in your career.

This is also a great opportunity to sit down and think about new skills you would like to learn, or existing skills you would like to improve. Remember, it’s never too late to learn or tackle a new career area you’ve always wanted to explore.

Plan to Broaden Your Horizons

Once you’ve got a good idea of what your existing skill sets are both professionally and personally, it’s time to start planning to broaden your horizons. Put together a learning bucket list and take action to start crossing some items off. Whether it’s attending a class, learning how to do something new, or even reading a book to teach yourself something new or stay on top of current trends, don’t sit and wish you had more skills – get out there and attain your goals!

Find What Motivates You Personally and Professionally

This is also a great time in our lives to take a hard look at what motivates us on a personal as well as a professional level. If you don’t feel fulfilled in your current career, it may be time to make a change, whether it’s asking for a promotion at your current job or looking to switch careers entirely. One of the best things we can ever learn is that we do not have to settle. Once you have a better idea of what motivates you, take action to ensure that you are doing these things and keeping yourself moving forward in all areas of your life.

Do you need some direction for your mid-career choices? Solopoint’s experts can help guide you in the right direction!

If you’re fresh out of school and looking for a job in the engineering industry, one thing you’re going to find is the heavy reliance on CAD tools. This has definitely become a skill that is of extreme importance in this industry and trends indicate that it will continue on this path for many years to come. If you want to land a top job in this industry, broadcasting your CAD knowledge is essential.

First, if you do have experience in this tool, you’re not only going to need to state what you know and what you can do, but you’re also going to need to provide some examples. Think of this like an artist’s portfolio. Your potential employers are going to want to see what you can do. Having a portfolio ready to go that showcases your work is going to give you the edge you need to stand out from the crowd.

Next, it never hurts to show exactly how much training you’ve had on CAD tools. List all of your achievements, particularly if you have had special training. This should figure prominently on your resume and you may also want to mention it in your cover letter as well. The vast majority of employers in this field are going to expect at the very least, entry level experience in CAD applications. If you’ve got more training, this will help you move to the front of the pack.

If your studies weren’t heavily focused on CAD design, or if this is simply not a strong suit, now is the time to get a little extra training. There are numerous courses that can help you get the basics down and learn to branch out a little more. Find CAD-centric networking groups online and you’ll quickly learn some great tips and tricks that will help you fill out your skill set even more. Even if you end up having to pay extra for your training, this is definitely money well spent. Not only will it help you get your foot in the door, but it will also help make your transition to your new job a lot easier.

You don’t have to be a CAD wizard, no one expects this from their new candidates. However, you should at least have the basics down and be ready to show what you can do to ensure that you can land the job you want.

Need advice on landing the engineering job of your dreams? Give the experts at SoloPoint a call today!

While everyone is different, there are definite personality types that you will run into while you’re interviewing for an engineering position. Understanding how these interviewers work will help you develop your own style for handling what they throw at you and will increase your chances of getting through to the next stage. Think of these personality types as the gatekeepers, and you’ve got to know the password to be able to pass through.

The Skeptic

This is the interviewer who has worked for this company since time began (or close to it!) They have literally seen it all and to be honest, they have enough experience to know which candidates are going to work and which ones simply won’t.

You’ll have to break through this interviewer’s wall by being engaging, on your toes and most importantly — know your stuff. Study up on the company and what they do. Be prepared to defend your skills and accomplishments.

This is one of the hardest job interview types you’ll ever go through, but if you’ve got it together, you’ll pass with flying colors.

The Monotone Questioner

This is the interviewer who has probably already seen 20 other candidates today and they’re more than a little bored with the whole process. They’ll fire off a series of questions, usually in a monotone and make notes. You won’t get much interaction out of this type, they simply have too much on their plate and they’re trying to get through to the next person.

Don’t take it personally! Do your best to shine and stand out. If you can get them off of their broken record, they’ll appreciate it too. Don’t feel badly however if the interview ends without any real interaction beyond questioning. If you’ve given them the right answers, and you’ve got a good background, you’ll make it through to the next level.

The Traditionalist

The traditionalist interviewer has done this before — a lot. They will ask the most interesting questions that are more personality based and will want to get to know you a little better. While this is the most intrusive interview style, it’s also one of the most productive.

All you can do is be prepared, look sharp and turn your personality onto full stun.

It’s a known fact that getting a higher education provides you with more earning power throughout your lifetime. What may not be as broadly known is that the type of higher education you choose could have an even larger impact on your earning power.

Obtaining a bachelor’s degree will help you earn an average of 84% more than someone with just a high school diploma, but there’s a lot of wiggle room in those figures. For example, a bachelor’s in a business field can earn you approximately $60,000 per year, while a bachelor’s in a science field such as engineering, can open up opportunities to earn more than $100,000 per year. That’s a significant difference.

Unfortunately, many of our students here in the United States are not paying attention to these facts, even though they have access to some of the best schools in the world. According to the STEM Lab Report, “At the higher end of the educational spectrum, the universities of the United States are the best in the world, with some of the best STEM-learning in the world. However, many of the best students in the hardest courses are foreign students who will take their knowledge back to their home markets and compete against us…Taking the tough subjects is no longer the hallmark of American students. In all, some 60 percent of engineering PhDs in 2007 went to foreign nationals, up from only 40 percent in 2003.”

What does this mean for us here in the United States? Our incoming college freshman need to be aware of the opportunities that are available to them within the engineering fields. High school guidance counselors need to single out potential candidates and provide them with the information and support they need to pursue a higher degree in this field.

If you are currently thinking about a future career in engineering, the prospect of a four-year educational program may be daunting. However, this time spent learning will pay off in the future. It is estimated that lifetime earnings for an employee with a bachelor’s degree can exceed $3 million.

As the current focus shifts more to the tech sector, computer science and engineering jobs will be in high-demand. Now is the time to secure your future. If you have an aptitude for engineering, take the time and go for that bachelor’s degree – it’s worth it.