If you’re a recent chemical engineering graduate who hasn’t found an internship or job offer, you’re undoubtedly giving serious consideration to your professional future. It’s also never too early to start thinking about what kind of career you want to pursue if you’re still in your final year.
Whatever the case may be, it can be hard to know where to begin, which is why you should keep these important tips in mind when applying for a chemical engineering job.
1. Define the area in which you would like to specialise
Assessing the industries, sectors, and employment responsibilities of chemical engineering jobs that most interest you is a good place to begin, as is making a preliminary assessment of the positions that are currently available.
Chemical engineers can be found working in a wide range of industries, including those related to food and beverage production, water treatment, medicines, oil and gas processing, consumer goods, and even power generating.
Learn as much as you can about these fields by consulting the usual sources (the internet, books, journals, careers counsellors, contacts in the field, professors, online discussion boards, career fairs, etc.).
2. Research the companies to which you apply
Once you find chemical engineering jobs that interest you, more research will be required. Learning as much as possible about a prospective employer is always a good idea. Have we heard anything about them recently? Where do their leaders stand on this?
Knowing this can make the job offer more appealing. You might also save yourself time by deciding that it’s not something you’d be interested in.
In your cover letter, emphasize your familiarity with the organization; if you receive an interview, you can expand on this.
3. Be sure to individualise your CV
Application procedures vary greatly from one company to the next. Always make sure your resume and cover letter are a perfect fit for the position you are looking for. Address the required qualifications in a clear and succinct manner that is consistent throughout.
As much as possible, try to include specific instances of your prior work that demonstrate your abilities.
Prepare for online applications by writing them out in a different document and then reviewing them afterwards. Be sure to proofread everything thoroughly and attach the right files if you’re sending your resume and cover letter by email.
4. Be honest in the interview
Never give an employer the answer you think they want to hear. Find good examples of each of your identified skill strengths (two per strength should do) to include in your application and to discuss at interviews.
You’ll need to show how your abilities and expertise have made a difference in the past, and how you’ve applied them to achieve positive results. Do not exaggerate or make anything up. The odds of being exposed by a leading follow-up question are high.
5. Prepare properly for the interview
Prepare yourself for the kinds of questions you might be asked in a job interview. You should expect to be asked about your education, training, and work history. Your non-professional life may also come up for discussion.
If you practice your responses, possibly with a friend acting as the interviewer, you will get more comfortable with what you intend to say and will be able to hone your responses to emphasize the content that is most relevant to the role you are looking for.
