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Hiring engineering talent can be challenging, especially if you are not a trained engineer. How you evaluate their skills depends on the position you’re hiring for, the types of projects they’ll be working on, and your company culture. With so many different types of engineers, you need different interview techniques to evaluate them properly.

This blog will cover three effective interview techniques that can help you evaluate an engineering candidate’s technical skills, as well as their personality and soft skills.

1. Focus on Content

Before interviewing candidates, you must decide exactly what core skills you are looking for. Look at the purpose of the engineering role and what technical or practical expertise is needed. Consider bringing in one of your senior engineers to consult about exactly what skills you’re looking for. You could also ask your whole engineering team what questions they would like to be asked to test a candidate’s aptitude for the position.

2. Be Consistent

Once you establish what you are looking for, be consistent with each candidate interview. Ask every candidate the same questions; this will allow you to effectively compare candidates and more accurately determine who fits the role.

Consistency in your interview questions helps you avoid being biased toward candidates. Prime talent may not shine on paper. Resumes, specifically educational credits and past work experience, can be impressive. However, just because a candidate looks good on paper does not mean they will be a good fit for your company and the role in question. Asking consistent questions allows you to compare candidates on a level playing field.

3. Be Creative

When it comes to evaluating engineering talent, be creative with your questions. The goal is to evaluate how a candidate will handle a problem or provide a strategy to help them succeed in the role you seek to fill. Your engineering team can be very helpful in formulating questions that determine technical skills and assess the candidate’s soft skills in handling situations.

Conclusion

Preparing an effective engineering interview takes time, patience, and focus. By focusing on the hard and soft skills needed for the role and enlisting your engineering team to help you vet prospective candidates, you can develop practical questions and techniques to interview engineering candidates and find the right fit for the job.

Let us help you hire top engineering talent! Contact ABBTECH today!

The aftereffects of the pandemic and economic upheaval created and unprecedented trend dubbed “the Great Resignation.” This churn in the labor market resulted in nearly half of all U.S. workers quitting their jobs.

In 2022, records numbers of employees continued to leave their jobs. Among the industries most affected by resignation in 2022 were:

• Accommodation and food services
• Leisure and hospitality
• Retail trade
• Trade, transportation, and utilities
• Professional and business services

Now that the stresses of the pandemic have passed, many Great Resignation participants are considering returning to their former jobs. Returning to a work environment where you were formerly employed is a big step that requires serious thought. This blog will discuss a few questions you should ask yourself when considering returning to your former workplace.

Key Questions to Answer

When you’re contemplating a return to your old job, consider these key questions to determine if it is the right move:

1. Why did you initially leave your job? To get away from something or go toward something?

The reasons you left your job in the first place are crucial to making this decision. Did you leave because career growth was stagnant or the workplace culture was toxic? Understanding your reasons for leaving will help you determine if returning is worthwhile.

2. Have the conditions changed if you left because you were unhappy?

Whatever made you unhappy in the job, has it changed? Are working conditions better? Is a toxic situation no longer an issue? Have growth opportunities improved?

3. What do you miss about your old job? How much do you miss it?

Understanding what you miss and why is essential, whether it’s the work itself or the workplace culture you were a part of. List everything you miss about your old job and workplace versus what you don’t. If the positives you miss outweigh the negatives you don’t, then a return to your old position might be wise.

4. Can you see potential growth and a bright future with your new role?

Maybe you have acquired new skills and abilities that open new prospects within your old workplace. Or perhaps you want a chance at a leadership position. Pursuing a new role with your old company should have value and career growth opportunities.

Conclusion

There are many reasons you may decide to return to your former job. You’re off to a good start if you parted on good terms and maintain a good relationship with former coworkers and managers. Take the time to ask and answer the right questions about your motivations and goals for returning and the current company atmosphere. Once you have your answers, you can confidently apply for a new role at your old workplace.

If you ultimately decide a new job is best for you, let our team at ABBTECH lend you a hand!

Are you a recent college graduate? Congratulations! Once the thrill of graduation has passed, it’s time to start the search for your first post-college job. But where to start? Knowing where you should begin with job searching can be overwhelming.

In this blog, we’ll break down a few top tips & tricks to help you start a successful job search post-graduation.

Tip #1: Recent Graduates Should Create a Professional Online Presence

Before you search for a job, the first step is to ensure that your professional portfolios, profiles, resumes, and cover letters are updated and accurate. This includes maintaining a website or another dedicated site where your professional materials can be accessed via a link when needed.

Update your resume to reflect your education, experience, and skills (hard and soft). You likely don’t have a deep resume filled with work experience. So be sure to include internships, volunteer work and any other acquired skills or training you’ve completed. Prepare multiple versions of your resume depending on the type of job you’re looking for, this will help you to submit the most relevant resume for the role.

Tip #2: Recent Graduates Should Grow and Expand Their Network

As a recent graduate you may think your network is small right now, but the connections you’ve made with other recent graduates, students, and professors are very valuable. Try to cultivate and expand your current network. Stay in touch with former professors and classmates. Stay connected to your school alumni, as well as alumni groups related to your major and any honor programs or clubs you participated in. A former pickleball partner could be the key to your dream job.

Tip #3: Recent Graduates Should Consider Using a Recruitment Firm

Searching for a new job is time-consuming and can be overwhelming. While you may want to do it independently, consider skipping the traditional job search and working with a recruitment firm. Recruitment firms are uniquely positioned to get you in front of employers looking for candidates like you.

Working with a recruitment firm also allows you to see a high-quality array of job offers, all pre-vetted and legitimate, so you can safely and confidently submit to them.

Conclusion

As a recent graduate, finding your first job after college can be an intimidating experience. However, if you take time to build your employee brand through a professional online presence, foster a solid network of diverse contacts, and work with a recruitment service like ABBTECH, you’ll be settling into your brand new job in no time.

For help finding your post-grad dream job, let ABBTECH lend you a hand!

The economic downturn has taken its toll on the job market, especially in the tech industry. Since the start of 2023, 127,000 tech sector employees have been laid off worldwide. If the current rate continues, another 900,000 jobs could be lost this year. The fear of recession has forced more than 350 tech companies to layoff workers, including Amazon, Google, Meta (Facebook), Microsoft, Netflix, Salesforce, Spotify, and Twitter.

If you’ve recently been laid off, you’re likely not sure what to do next. Let’s look at some valuable tips that can help you change your mindset, look for new opportunities, and bounce back in no time.

5 Tips to Help You Navigate a Layoff

1. Take Time to Recover, Relax & Reflect

While you don’t want to waste too much time before starting your new job search, it’s also important to mourn the loss of your job. Job loss can be traumatic, and you have to work through the stages of grief before attempting to look for new work.

Even if you knew layoffs were possible, the effect of being laid off can be shocking for your physical and mental wellbeing. Use this time to take care of yourself as you work through grief and recovery. Relax and use the time to heal, maintain a positive mindset, and reflect on what you liked and disliked about your old job.

2. Reach Out to Your Network

Your departure from work may have been sudden, so reach out to friends and colleagues from your former job. Let them know how to get in touch with you. Also, reach out to professional connections who would be willing to provide references for you.

3. Update Your Job Searching Materials

Review all of your job search materials, including your resume, your online portfolios, social media accounts, and cover letters. Highlighting your accomplishments and skills rather than job titles can position you better for interviews. It also lets hiring managers see your layoff wasn’t performance-based.

4. Learn New Skills

The time following your layoff is an ideal time to take skills related classes. Experience and certifications in new skills can help your resume stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. Improving your knowledge and expanding your skills can also improve your outlook and boost your confidence as you move forward.

5. Work with a Recruiter

When you’re ready to start your job search in earnest, consider working with a high-quality recruiter. A good recruiting agency is well connected throughout the business world. Whether you want a full-time job or want to pursue contract or temp work, a recruiter can find the right position for you and recommend you for it.

Conclusion

Being laid off can be an unexpected and scary experience. By focusing on new opportunities and utilizing your network and skills, you can bounce back from your loss in no time.

For help finding your next career move, turn to ABBTECH!

You do your very best at work and you’ve got your eye on a raise or promotion. How do you get your boss to notice what a great job your doing? Getting noticed at work may seem difficult, but there are proactive ways to get yourself out there and get your accomplishments in the spotlight. This blog will break down five tips to get your good work noticed and get you closer to leveling up at work.

1. Show Initiative

Picking up more work may seem counterintuitive, but offering  to help before someone asks you makes you look proactive and willing to stretch. Lend a hand with a new project, especially if you need to learn new skills. Every effort is a chance to build on your experience and increase your value. Plus, your bosses will take note of the initiative you show.

2. Networking

Whether it’s a brief chat with your coworkers or a monthly meeting with the boss, build rapport with those around you and foster valuable networking connections. Building strong bonds could pay off when a mid-level boss moves to corporate or an assistant becomes a manager. Plus, solid, positive connections with others eases individual stress and improves productivity.

3. Become a Positive Presence at Work

Workplace culture played in role in your job choice, so don’t forget to be a part of it. Socialization at work is vital for keeping you in sight of bosses and coworkers. Good leaders stay calm under pressure and help the team be calmer and more positive.

4. Speak Up at Meetings

You may not always have data or specific knowledge in mind, but your willingness to speak up and say something gets attention. Ensure that what you say adds to the conversation instead of being repetitive or distracting. You’ll demonstrate your knowledge and skills, and your attendance at the meeting will be more memorable.

5. Be a Team Player

Remember that you’re part of a team, too. Be prepared to stand out amongst your colleagues and impress your bosses, but never at anyone’s expense. Remember your professional goals as you turn in the best team performance possible.

Conclusion

When you want to get noticed at work, the hardest part is getting started. Remember the above tips to stay focused and on the path to that promotion or raise you deserve.

If you’re ready for a new job altogether, start your search with us at ABBTECH!

Workplace anxiety is very common today, so it is essential to learn how to manage it. If you struggle with anxiety at work, you must find ways to cope and not bring it home at the end of the day.

This blog will discuss practical ways to handle your workplace anxiety. We’ll also share some tips for leaving your worries at work.

What is Workplace Anxiety?

Workplace anxiety may be caused by many things, from a large workload to approaching deadlines to conflict with coworkers. The effects of workplace anxiety can seriously affect your productivity and mindset. Some common effects include:

• Feelings of irritability and tiredness
• Poor job performance
• Lack of confidence
• Avoiding socialization and participation

Managing Anxiety at Work

Anxiety profoundly affects your work, so creating healthy habits that help you cope and decrease your anxiety is vital.

Practice Self-Care

The primary way to cope with anxiety at work is to take care of yourself. Learning proper self-care that helps you stay healthy and feel secure is vital. Find techniques that work for you to manage your mental health and physical wellness at work. Listening to music, using positive affirmations, eating nutritious meals, getting enough sleep, and exercising are all beneficial for anxiety and your health in general.

Take Breaks

Even during a busy day, you can take time to rest. Step away for 10-15 minutes when you feel overwhelmed, get some fresh air, and drink water. Breathe, stretch, take a short walk, or meditate to clear your mind and relax your body’s response to stress.

Communicate

Isolation is a common result of anxiety. We often isolate ourselves out of embarrassment and fear of additional social pressure. Communicating with others, though, reminds us that we aren’t alone. Plus, talking about how we feel helps us relieve tension and give a fresh perspective and new solutions.

Leaving Your Anxiety at Work

Stress from work can be difficult to leave work. One of the best ways to ensure you leave your anxiety there is to make time to transition from work to home. This daily ritual may be part of your commute, such as stopping by a peaceful spot on the way or the commute itself.

This transition time is a good time to shift your mind’s focus. Reflect on your day and identify one thing you’re grateful for from your workday. Gratitude has many benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety. You may also shift your attention to your family and the relaxation of waiting at home.

Conclusion

Anxiety is difficult to avoid completely, especially at work. Remember the tips above to help you manage your stress and gain control of your workplace anxiety.

If you’re still struggling with workplace anxiety, maybe it’s time to look for a new position! Contact ABBTECH to get started!

Education, skills, and experience are all essential entries on your resume, but what about hobbies? Hobbies require learning, skill, and experience as well. For these reasons, it is a great idea to put hobbies on your resume. Hobbies demonstrate hard and soft skills and your ability to handle stress. Additionally, hobbies related to your professional industry can expand your resume and help you stand out. If you work in the engineering industry, there are many related hobbies that you should consider adding to your resume. Let’s take a look at a few:

Woodworking & Metalworking

Many engineers like to stay busy in their spare time, embracing productive hobbies unrelated to their regular work. Woodworking and metalworking are enjoyable and rewarding activities. The smell and texture experienced while working with wood and metal can be soothing and exciting, especially as you create a piece or design something new. Depending on what tools and materials you have on hand, this can be a low-cost hobby, too.

Restoration

Vehicle and home restoration are also great hobbies that have the potential to be profitable. Whether you enjoy restoring classic cars on a rotisserie or finding Italian tile under a venerable carpet, restoring old cars and homes is a rewarding and educational way to ease stress and relax. Plus, the restored product may be sold for a profit.

Tabletop Gaming/ Modeling

The technical skills and precision required to create tabletop games and models are a big draw for engineers. You can create dioramas with hand-painted soldiers, construct a working train set-up, or enjoy constructing collectible models of cars, airplanes, military vessels, etc. The focus, dedication, and enthusiasm these hobbies require demonstrate many hard and soft skills beyond your technical resume.

Outdoor Recreation/ Sports

Some engineers want a completely different experience during their downtime. Outdoor sports and recreation can be ideal. From biking to boating, rock climbing to running, outdoor activities reduce stress and give you fresh air and sun necessary for rejuvenation. Many outdoor sports also demonstrate your ability to work as a team, a valuable soft skill on your resume.

“Recreational” Engineering

You may like to relax by doing what you do best differently. Building gaming computers, inventing helpful machines, and creating crypto codes are appealing and beneficial hobbies for engineers.

Conclusion

Our hobbies are an essential part of our lives. They uniquely demonstrate our hard and soft skills and contribute much to our professional resumes. Even if your hobbies aren’t listed above, consider adding them to your resume to stand out when you apply for your next engineering industry position.

For help finding your next engineering role, turn to ABBTECH today!

Scheduled time off is always something to look forward to. For some of us, though, it can be anxiety-inducing. We worry about the work waiting for us or how people will feel about our absence. Your paid time off (PTO) should be relaxing and restful. With that in mind, here are four tips and tricks to help you improve your time off and make your PTO more enjoyable.

Tip #1: Plan your PTO well in advance.

The first way you can improve your time off is to plan for your time off as early as possible. If you are planning a vacation or want to take a specific holiday off, don’t wait to put in your request. This increases the chances you will get your time off. It also gives you ample time to rearrange your plans if you cannot get the time you want.

Tip #2: Prioritize tasks.

In the weeks before your PTO, take a serious look at the tasks you need to complete. Make a list of what needs to be done before you take time off and what can wait. When you organize your tasks this way, you’ll accomplish more and feel at ease during your time off.

Tip #3: Make a “To-Do” list.

Make a separate “to-do” list for when you return. Review all the tasks you determined can wait, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks when you return. Not only will this jog your memory when you return, but it will help your team be on the same page as you.

Tip #4: Let people know.

Don’t assume that your coworkers and clients know you’re scheduled for time off. Even if you have a courtesy Out of Office (OOO) reply to your correspondence, you may receive last-minute requests that add stress to your PTO. Take the time to let others know you’ll be unavailable and for how long. Also, provide an email contact for support, HR, or another department in case of emergency requests.

Conclusion

Your time off from work should be a period of relaxation and renewal. Don’t allow stress to creep in and ruin an otherwise enjoyable vacation. Taking a few steps to smooth the way, prioritize tasks, and let others know you’ll be away will improve your time off.

Looking for a new role? Start your search with ABBTECH today!

Looking for a new job is exciting. It can also quickly become overwhelming if you haven’t adequately prepared. If you’re considering leaving your current job for something new, you need to know how to get organized as it can maximize your chance of success. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of our top tips to help you prepare for your job search. We’ll also look at what you should do before you quit your current role.

Tips for How To Get Organized

Tip #1: Update your resumes and portfolios.

Your resume usually determines whether you are invited to a job interview. You can improve your chances of getting that invitation by optimizing your resume. Pay close attention to the experience and skill requirements in the job listing. One of the benefits of knowing how to get organized can be the fact that you don’t need to redo your resume for every application. Instead, have a base resume and minor modifications to emphasize your skills matching the job description.

Ensure that your online portfolio of work is up-to-date and applicable as well. Refresh your samples frequently and maintain a diverse portfolio to appeal to a range of potential employers.

Tip #2: Collect your references.

References are another essential part of the application process. Ensure you have a few professional and personal references collected to include with your application. Make sure you talk to each reference and ask their permission before using their name. Also, get up-to-date contact information for them, including their online professional pages such as LinkedIn.

Tip #3: Clean up your online presence.

Speaking of online presence now is a good time to look at your professional and personal profiles and clean them up. Potential employers look at social media profiles, so you must ensure that what you present is how you wish to be seen. Your professional profiles on sites such as LinkedIn should be current and explained well. Have a coworker or manager look at your professional profiles and give you their thoughts and suggestions for improvement.

Tip #4: Plan for your job transition.

Before submitting the first application, you must consider what happens if you get the job. Leaving your current job could mean a lapse in benefits coverage. You’ll also have to plan for transitional funds to get you from your last paycheck there to your first at the new job. Investments and retirement funds may need to be rolled over or completely redone. And if the new job requires relocation, all the financial and organizational issues also. Planning for transition before getting a new job will alleviate much stress and frustration down the road.

If you’re ready to start your search for a new job, consider searching with ABBTECH today!

The job market is more competitive than ever. To stay in a strong position to compete for your dream job, you have to be marketable. Making yourself a more marketable applicant means making yourself so valuable that your current employer wants to keep you, and prospective employers will do anything to get you.

If you’re in the market for a new job in the new year, you must commit to being more marketable. This means expanding your skills and your knowledge to stay current and competitive. Not sure where to start? Use these tips to start improving your marketability.

1. Enrich Your Knowledge

Commit to learning and improving continually. Even if the knowledge isn’t relevant in your current job, you need to be up to date on all the latest developments in your industry. You can gain new knowledge and skills through online courses and seminars, distance learning, continuing education (CE) courses in-house, and even by reading industry publications.

2. Upgrade Your Skills

The first measure of marketability is your skillset. Keep your skills current and relevant by attending workshops, pursuing certificates and CE credits, and attending informational and training conferences and events. Review your skillset and look for gaps that need addressing. Developing your technical and soft skills will help you diversify and advance in your career.

3. Expand Your Network

Your network of professional contacts is among the most useful job search tools you have. Join professional associations or organizations to establish more connections and build on your current ones. Attend events and conferences to interact with your peers. Participate in online discussions and online groups related to your profession and stay up to date on the latest news and developments.

Networking is also the ideal way to connect with professionals in your field that could provide guidance and mentorship along the way.

4. Build Your Personal Brand

When you market yourself to prospective employers, you are essentially selling yourself. You must build a strong, consistent personal brand to present to future employers. Update your resume with your current and relevant skills and training. Update your resume on LinkedIn and any professional sites as well. Have a professional headshot taken for your profiles.

Depending on your industry, having a portfolio of your best work available for review is essential. It’s an easy way to show future employers the quality of your work and the value you place on it. Attach your portfolio to your professional sites as well so future employers see what you can do.

Conclusion

Improving your marketability takes commitment and effort. You must build a solid brand for yourself, learn and acquire new skills, and expand your network. The fruits of that effort, however, are well worth it and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

If you’re ready to find your next job in the new year, consider searching with ABBTECH today!

If you’ve been working toward a promotion at work, you may wonder if you can improve your chances of getting it in 2023. Earning a promotion raises your position in a company, as well as increasing your salary, benefits, and sense of accomplishment. Below are 3 tips to help you earn a promotion this year.

When you’re ready for a promotion, the key is catching your employer’s attention. While your job performance, knowledge, experience, and skills are essential, they may not be enough. If you are ready to earn that promotion you’ve been working towards, follow these helpful tips to increase your chances.

Get Yourself Noticed to Help Earn a Promotion

You know you deserve a promotion, but does your employer? Even if you’ve been working towards a promotion for years, your employer may not know you’re interested. You need to put yourself in a visible position and show your employer why you deserve to be promoted.

Demonstrate your leadership skills and the positive contributions you make to the company. Look for opportunities when you can showcase your knowledge, abilities, and accomplishments. Performance reviews and staff meetings are great opportunities to shine your light.

Continue to learn and broaden your knowledge and skills through educational courses and programs. If your company sponsors opportunities to learn, take advantage of them. Constantly seeking improvement and growth increases your value as an employee and improves your chances of promotion recommendation.

To Help Earn a Promotion – Pay Attention

Look at the promotion history of your company and your team. What achievements, habits, or personality traits helped other employees earn promotions? Understanding the skills and experience that helped others succeed will guide you in your pursuit of advancement.

Talk to Your Employer

Want to know exactly how to get promoted at work? Talk to your employer. They are the best source of information about the promotion process. Plus, they can provide you with valuable feedback on your performance and what you need to do to move forward.

When you talk to your employer or supervisor, make your case for promotion. Be professional and include your current responsibilities and achievements. Show them how your work has benefited the company; include specific examples. Be specific when you let them know you are interested in promotion and follow their suggestions to increase your chances of success.

Conclusion

When you’re ready to go after that promotion at work, having effective strategies and goals keeps you motivated. Focus on professional improvement and get noticed for all the right reasons so you can achieve your career goals in the new year.

If you are ready to advance your career in the new year, consider searching with ABBTECH today!