Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
(OP)
Hello Everyone, I want to work for a mechanical engineering firm. I am at the point of sending out resumes. I am a licensed Mechanical Engineer with 3 years experience in light commercial HVAC system design as "volunteer work" for a religious organization. I have another 3 years experience in electrical switchgear/switchboard design. I was thinking about sending out my resume with a proposition because I know that work is slow here where I am at (Central, South Carolina). Please see part of my sample proposition below.
• $36,500 dollars per year salary or the equivalent in wages
• Work (3) 12 hr days for a total of 36 hrs per week
• Or Work (3) 10 hr days for a total of 30 hrs per week
• Will be available to answer questions/calls for the other 2 days for the week
• No health insurance, 401K or Company Stock needed
• Willing to buy proprietary hardware/ software needed to perform job functions (i.e. Trane Trace, AutoCAD, HAP, etc.)provided that I get to keep it ($5,000 limit)
• Willing to discuss other work options as well
My questions are the following...
1) Do you think that it is a good idea to send out the above proposition with my resume?
2) What has helped you or what other advice would you offer to increase my chances of getting a job with a MEP firm?
• $36,500 dollars per year salary or the equivalent in wages
• Work (3) 12 hr days for a total of 36 hrs per week
• Or Work (3) 10 hr days for a total of 30 hrs per week
• Will be available to answer questions/calls for the other 2 days for the week
• No health insurance, 401K or Company Stock needed
• Willing to buy proprietary hardware/ software needed to perform job functions (i.e. Trane Trace, AutoCAD, HAP, etc.)provided that I get to keep it ($5,000 limit)
• Willing to discuss other work options as well
My questions are the following...
1) Do you think that it is a good idea to send out the above proposition with my resume?
2) What has helped you or what other advice would you offer to increase my chances of getting a job with a MEP firm?





RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
you seem to have set the bar a bit low, dont you think? that will not inspire confidence to hire you. Your asking salary is only a fraction of entry level salary once you add in the benefits.
you need to be willing and able to work full time as an employee. you should expect they will provide benefits as well as a computer and any necessary software. they will expect you to show up in person every day i would think.
perhaps you should consider relocation to where there are more opportunities.
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
That proposed salary is about $20,000 a year too low. You will get rejections because of that. That is low even for a new graduate with no experience.
Do some research and find the curent salary rates for your profession.
Make sure your asking figure is at least in the middle of the range, prospective employers will counter offer at the bottom of the range.
If you want to take that , that is up to you.
If you show that proposition to ninety percent of your prospective employers the first question among themselves will be " What is wrong with this guy."
B.E.
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
Here is a link to salary ranges for engineers in South Carolina.
http://www.indeed.com/salary/q-Engineer-l-South-Ca...
B.E.
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
One more question, What advice would you have to "network" with those in the MEP firm industry? I have visited the local ASHRAE, National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). The local ASHRAE chapter is mostly Mechanical contractors although there is a Trane salesmen that knows alot of the engineers that I have made as a contact. The local NSPE is 95% civil/environmental engineers, the only mechanical engineer that was at the meetings is a forensics engineer. And the local ASPE is mainly plumbing contractors.
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
See if you can find a local chapter of SMACNA. If you want to work in aircondioning these are the people to talk to.
B.E.
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
NEVER give up your hand off the bat!!
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
Let them start the negotiations.
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
Be positive. Answer questions honestly, but spin them in your favor. If you don't know something, admit it, but tell them you're a fast learner.
And I definitely would not put salary on your resume. They'll either make you an offer, or you'll discuss salaries if they want you. Don't negotiate with yourself by giving them a low starting salary that they can lower further.
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
In short, most of your list of items should be scratched if you want a good job. These items might be some that you will list when you are about to retire and they can't get along without you. As of now a change of attitude is needed.
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
RE: Getting Hired by an Engineering Firm?
That is the oddest proposition I have ever heard of - who do you plan on working for that can't afford basic technology to perform the work, Jed Clampett?
In Russia building design you!