General > Work Wanted

Out of work - General Discussion - Advice

(1/2) > >>

ChrisGreece52:
Hello everyone!

I've recently found myself jobless due to joining a company with the most toxic work environment I've ever experienced. Having no other jobs lined up, I decided to leave and find something after escaping this hellhole.

Career-wise, I got a technician repair job after uni (repairing VFDs for elevators and escalators). Wanting to be a layout engineer, it took a year before I decided to move on to another position with an IOT company as an Electronics Engineer. They would outsource the schematic capture and PCB layout of the products, but I would still be involved in the production design and testing phases.

After spending one and a half years with them (I know it's not a long time but I had to travel 3 hours a day and relocation was not an option so it became quite tiring) I got the job I mentioned above where I was responsible for everything from the design, schematic capture, PCB layout, and testing. I lasted for 6 months.

That was back in August. It's been 4 months and I'm still actively looking for another job. I can't say I have a great deal of experience when it comes to designing products on a professional level. I have worked on personal projects some of which are still ongoing but I think the situation of the job market is helping. Most roles that are available ask for Intermediate / Senior engineers and companies I have applied/interviewed with shut me off based on this lack of experience.

I feel completely lost as to how to continue my search or if there is anything more I can do to improve my chances. Most of my projects are simple MCU-based sensing devices that I use at home. I had no need to design something complex for myself, but I think that looks negative when I explain their functionality and way of operation to possible employers.

Forgot to mention that I'm based in London. Since it's quite late at the moment I may have committed other useful information that could provide a better insight in terms of my experience, situation or skills.

Any device would be appreciated, and please lets get the discussion going  ;)

tggzzz:
Don't panic about the difference between "junior" "intermediate" and "senior" engineers. Firstly they mean different things in different companies, secondly they are often "aspirational requirements", thirdly in my first job I was promoted regularly every six months along those lines - but was doing exactly the same job all the time. If you successfully completed design/layout/testing, that would make you an intermediate engineer rather than a beginner.

Do be able to articulate what you demonstrated in your previous job, both technical and non-technical.

Do be able to show that you are using your "down time" productively, whatever that might mean.

Doing a non-required project in your own time always looks good; it demonstrates interest in the subject (nowadays inflated to be "passion", ugh!). You should be able to demonstrate setting realistic and stretch objectives (and non-objectives), the theory and practice of your design, implement it, discuss what worked and what didn't - and what you would do differently next time.

An objective and/or implementation being simple isn't necessarily a problem: KISS is always good. But it is also good to be able to articulate how it could be extended if the objectives change.

As for leaving the previous job, be able to articulate the toxic atmosphere in a way that doesn't led people to believe you were the problem.

ChrisGreece52:
Thank you very much for your answer!

Thank you for the tips as well. I think I'm not bad at articulating my skills and interest in electronics in general to possible employers.

That said, I think I focus on the technical aspects way too much, giving little thought to non-technical qualities.

In addition, I realized the way I present my projects is not clear enough and could use some improvement. Mainly about the process of design, implementation, and testing.

The only point I believe I do a good job at is explaining my departure from my previous company as this was my main concern when I started looking for another role.

Thank you again for taking the time and providing me with some great insight and good tips!

tggzzz:

--- Quote from: ChrisGreece52 on November 14, 2024, 04:08:00 pm ---In addition, I realized the way I present my projects is not clear enough and could use some improvement. Mainly about the process of design, implementation, and testing.

--- End quote ---

You're welcome, and it is a pleasure to have someone that questions, listens, and thinks.

Don't underestimate the importance of requirements gathering/elucidation, setting non-objectives, and the post-mortem :)

A good CV and interview will include "demonstrated X by Y". For non-technical aspects, the demonstration can be from outside work. Thus my daughter was able to state "demonstrated teamwork by launch point and ground activities at the gliding club", leaving something for the interviewer to question her about.

ChrisGreece52:
That's true! A good/ clear CV can get you a long way.

Based on our discussion, I feel like mine could use some tweaks!

Thanks for that too!

Got an interview lined up tomorrow so fingers crossed I can prepare accordingly!

And again thank you for the tips! It's always good getting another person's perspective and listening to their suggestions!

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod