Engineering Search Partners is excited to announce that we will be attending this year’s Structure’s Congress in Boston, Massachusetts April 3-5, 2014. The conference this year will be held at the Sheraton Boston Hotel and Hynes Convention Center, and will be a great opportunity for all kinds of engineers to meet and build relationships.

More About the 2014 Structure’s Conference 

The Structure’s Congress is held by the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and expects more than 1,200 attendees. This year’s Congress has a number of exciting events for engineers, including more than 120 sessions, keynote speakers Ioanni (Yannis) Miaoulis, Ph.D., President and Director of the Boston Museum of Science and Tim Love, AIA, Utile Architecture and Planning, pre-conference seminars to earn additional PDHs, and more.

About the American Society of Civil Engineers

Founded in 1852, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) represents more than 145,000 members worldwide and is America’s oldest national engineering society. Thanks to their active members and staff, the ASCE is the world’s largest publisher of civil engineering content in the world, and is also a leading provider of technical and professional conferences and continuing education.

Having a LinkedIn profile is one of the most helpful things a candidate can do when searching for a new job. If you’re new to LinkedIn, or think that you could use a few pointers on updating your profile, never fear. Focusing on a handful of main fixes can help position you to be at the forefront of hiring managers and recruiters on the Internet. This week on the Engineering Search Partners blog, we’ve compiled some of the best LinkedIn profile suggestions to help any job hunter further their career goals.

Top 5 Ways to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile

• Get a Close-Up. Do you have a professional-looking head shot accompanying your profile? A photo gives recruiters and hiring managers an idea of what to expect if they call you in for an interview, and it’s your first opportunity to make a good impression. Avoid any of the following: using a blurry photo, using a mobile selfie (self-portrait), a photo that’s clearly been cropped, or a photo that seems like it could be inappropriate for business use. Grab a close friend or relative and ask them take a quick photo of you in your best shirt, and this should suffice.
• Master Your Headline. Your headline should not be your job title alone. Many LinkedIn members take advantage of this section use this section for keywords that are highly searchable and that paint an accurate picture of who they are and what they’re capable of.
• Make Sure Your Profile is Complete. This might sound like obvious advice, but making sure that all pieces and parts of your profile are filled out is important. Use the summary area to clearly present who you are, what you have to offer and what your goals are. This is where you shine!
• Take Advantage of Groups. If you’re unfamiliar with LinkedIn Groups, they are a wonderful way to network. Demonstrate your social skills (after all, LinkedIn is a social site) by connecting with like-minded individuals who are interested in the same areas you are. It could be the missing link to making a great connection for a job lead.
• Ask for Recommendations. Having recommendations on your profile allows other to speak on behalf of the caliber of your work. If you’re unsure about asking for recommendations, a general rule is to offer to write one for someone else. Generally, they’ll be more than happy to return the favor. Former supervisors and colleagues make for the best recommendations, but don’t hesitate to reach out to newer connections, too.

Following these basic tips will help make you a more promising candidate and will set you apart from the other profiles on LinkedIn. If you’re an avid user of LinkedIn, what other suggestions would you recommend to someone using it to find their next job? Share with us by leaving a comment below! And while you’re on LinkedIn, we invite you to connect with Pat Batchelor and follow the Engineering Search Partners page!

If you have ever attempted to spearhead a job search solo, you know that in the unforeseen job market, it can be a full-time job in and of itself. Positioning yourself with a recruiter you can trust is advantageous to your job search, because if you build a good relationship, they will be more likely to align you with a perfect fit in your job search.

Here are five ways having a recruiter on your side is helpful: 

1. They are connected and can make a simple introduction.

2. They are connected on LinkedIn and by connecting with a few recruiters, your LinkedIn Network will grow rapidly….making more Hiring Managers “Visible” in your Network.

3. They are specialized and know a Niche Profession in the Market… (Find a Recruiter that specializes in your profession, such as Civil Engineering, IT, Structural Engineering).

4. They can help you manage your Salary Expectations and give you Salary Ranges.

5. They just may be your New Best Friend and encourage you along the way in your job search.

At Engineering Search Partners, we prep both our candidates and hiring managers with the goal of helping them both have the best interview possible. This ensures that the candidate is able to provide an impressive first impression and it helps the hiring manager better evaluate and recruit the candidate.

If you’re interested in partnering with a recruiter for your next engineering job search, don’t hesitate to contact Engineering Search Partners so we can help you take the Next Step in your Career.

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