×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

What qualifications...?
2

What qualifications...?

What qualifications...?

(OP)
In engineering, if you are a hiring manager what qualifications are most impressive? Please explain.

1. Education (Undergraduate, Graduate, etc.)
2. Experience (Entry level, 2yrs., 5yrs., etc.)
3. Skills, Communications (Oral and Written)
4. Skills, Technical (Designs, Codes, Calculations, etc.)
5. Skills, Computer (Hardwares, Softwares, etc.)  
6. Work Authorization (Citizen, immigrant, non-immigrant)
7. Others (References, Residence, Veteran, Gender, etc.)
8. Others (Not mentioned above)

RE: What qualifications...?

If I were hiring an engineering manager, my preferences would be
1) people skills:  a) the ability to communicate openly with people (mangement, employees, customers)  b) manage people: challenge them, bring out their strengths, get rid of the deadwood, develop employees  c) foster teamwork, d)work effectively with customers,

2) planning skills: a) being able to see the big picture (and how it affects the daily grind), b) coordinate assignments, schedules to meet deadlines, assigning the right talent to the right job, c) again, foster teamwork

3) the rest are added bonuses

This comes with experience so education and related job experiences are necessary to have developed these -- the technical part in most respects can reside with the staff (as long as the manager knows the aspects and limitations of the services offered -- and he/she knows the capabilities of that staff)

RE: What qualifications...?

Almost anyone with an engineering degree or P.Eng can do the technical work or at least be taught to do the technical work.

Of course being legally allowed to do the work is a requirement since it would be illegal and unethical to hire someone who is not authorized to work in this country.

What I look for is honesty. Is the person honest enough to say “I don’t know.” and “I made a mistake”?

I look for interpersonal skills. Can the person get along with peers, tradesmen, supervisors and customers etc?

I look for strength of character. Will the person stand up for what he or she believes is right?

I look for the ability to solve problems. Often this involves the ability to see what the problem is and to think outside of traditional boundaries.




Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng

Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
www.kitsonengineering.com

RE: What qualifications...?

Working  today in an engineering environment needs a positive and enterprising attitude on the part of the manager. He should have a child like enthusiasm in performing his tasks. Once these traits are in place all other requirements fall in place. This is something not taught in engineering schools .

I reckon an awareness program should be conducted in engineering schools to the existing global scenario,work atitude and thinking away from the normal and regular path.

RE: What qualifications...?

I would have to look at the nature of the position I am hiring for first before prioritizing the personal traits in a candidate.  Is the position entry level or require experience.  Is it team based or not?  The characteristics you indicate would all change in level of priority accordingly.

Overall though, getting a feel for an individuals honesty or integrity would weigh in first.  Tough to do when meeting someone maybe once or twice before making a hiring decision but it can be expensive if you get it wrong.

Regards

RE: What qualifications...?

I am with RDK 100%. In addition to his statements, one key trait is the ability to get along with others. This means leave your arrogance at the door and admit your mistakes. I have seen good engineering departments ruined because the engineers are entirely too competitive. A LITTLE competition is ok. This, unfortunately, can be hard to gauge.

RE: What qualifications...?

(OP)
Thanks to all for the reply.

RE: What qualifications...?

In addition to the people skills, I would stress the communications skills.  No matter what level the engineer is at, he needs to be able to comfortably and efficiently communicate with peers and subordinates.

A good test is to have the applicant do a 10 or 15 minute impromptu presentation.  

As a technical lead, it's even more important to communicate the plans and goals of the organization to the people who need to do the work.

TTFN

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources