If you’re a new college graduate or looking to switch your career to engineering, you may be looking for ways to get that new engineering job. Most jobs are “easy” to prepare for, but engineering positions require a bit more preparation. Follow these tips to stand out in your engineering interview.

Be Confident

This one is a tried-and-true way to stand out in an interview. Your resume and experience get you in the door, but you get the job. Self-confidence shows the interviewer your ability to remain calm in an otherwise stressful situation.

Many employers want to see your personality shine, so try not to be nervous during the interview. It may help to view the interview as a normal conversation between two people; because it is!

Show, Don’t Tell

A great way to stand out in your engineering interview is by creating an engineering project to showcase in the discussion. This could include building a portfolio of past projects you’ve worked on or writing a report on the industry.

Bringing a portfolio shows the employer your preparation and initiative. Employers don’t just want to hear how great you are; they want to see it.

Dress Professionally

This is an essential step to doing well in an interview. The first thing an employer sees is your outfit. Make an excellent first impression by dressing in appropriate, professional clothing.

Follow Up

Not following up after an interview is one of the biggest mistakes people make. You can have the best interview you’ve ever had, but you may have lost the job if you don’t follow up with an email.

After your interview, email your interviewer and thank them for taking the time to meet with you and reiterate your interest in the position. It’s a simple action that the employer will appreciate.

Do Your Homework

As an engineer, keeping up with industry trends is vital to your position and can make or break your chances of getting the job. Let your potential employer know that you understand what’s going on in your industry and can follow the changes.

For example, if you’re hoping to apply your knowledge in the industrial field, you’ll need to know the 2021 trends in the oil and gas industry. Researching the company before your interview can be one of your greatest assets because it shows your interest and ability to gather information quickly.

In an engineering interview, the employer will ask many technical questions to ensure you know what you’re doing. Prepare clear and concise answers to possible questions they may ask.

Engineers constantly encounter issues in their daily duties, so make sure you prepare some instances in which you resolved a problem in your previous job.

Additionally, when an interviewer asks you how you solved a problem in the past, they’re asking because they want to know how you can help them solve issues they are facing. Your answer may be indirectly telling them why they should choose you, so prepare thorough answers.

Follow the above tips to stand out in your engineer interview. At the end of the day, if you don’t get the position, remember that companies are looking for new employees every day. Learn from those rejections, so you can prepare to take on the sea of opportunity that lies ahead of you!