21+ Engineering Skills Employers Look For In Your Resume

How can I make myself stand out as an engineer and find my dream graduate job? This is one question that runs in every graduate engineer’s mind. The answer? Your engineering skills

But what exactly are these skills that employers are after? This is what we will discuss in today’s article. We will explore 22 top engineering skills employers are looking for – both hard and soft skills.

11 soft skills employers value in graduate engineers

Let's explore the 11 soft engineering skills that employers look for and how they can turn you from a good engineer into a great one.

1. Communication skills

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Communication skills are about clearly expressing ideas and understanding others. As an engineer, you must convey complex concepts without confusing your audience. This means being straightforward and avoiding unnecessary patios. 

Being a good listener is part of the deal too. Your brilliant ideas might miss the mark if you can't understand what your team or client is saying.

Written communication is equally important. Reports, emails, and documentation must be to the point and error-free. No beating around the bush. You want your message to be understood the first time. 

Example

You have to show this skill on your CV too. Instead of saying, "led a team project," you can quantify it like: "Managed a cross-functional team of 10 members, cutting project completion time by 20%."

2. Problem-solving skills

As an engineer, you are handed a problem and it is your job to solve it. Employers want to see that you can dissect an issue, analyse it, and suggest practical solutions. There is no room for overcomplicated theories that lead nowhere.

In your coursework, you learn to find solutions to the problems. Employers want to know if you can apply them to real-world challenges. If there is a malfunction in a system, can you identify the root cause and fix it? More than having all the answers, it is about having the skills to find them.

Example

Think about a situation during your studies where you encountered a problem and devised a solution. On your CV, you can phrase it as: "Identified and resolved a critical technical issue, enhancing project efficiency by 15% within a tight deadline."

3. Adaptability

Engineering is a constant evolution. Employers look for graduates who can handle unexpected changes. You might start a project thinking it is A and midway realise it is more like B. Can you adapt easily? That is the question.

Adaptability means being flexible in your approach. If a tool you have mastered becomes outdated or a new regulation changes things, can you recalibrate your strategy without any problems? That is what employers are after - they want to be assured that you won't crumble but thrive in the face of change.

Example

Think of a time when you had to adapt quickly – maybe during an internship or a challenging course. Translate it into CV language like this: "Successfully handled a sudden shift in project requirements and ensured project delivery 3 days before schedule."

4. Teamwork

It is a good thing if you get along with others. But teamwork is efficiently working together to achieve a common goal. In the engineering world, projects are rarely solo missions. You will be part of a team and your ability to collaborate plays a big role.

You should express your ideas clearly and understand others. Employers want to see that when challenges arise, you can contribute constructively without pointing fingers. Being a team player means actively listening, sharing your insights, and respecting the diverse skills within your group.

Example

When detailing this on your CV, consider saying, "Collaborated with a diverse team of engineers, increasing project efficiency by 15% through effective communication and problem-solving."

5. Leadership

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Leadership isn't reserved for the person with the fanciest title. As a graduate engineer, you will find yourself in situations where you must step up – make decisions and inspire others to follow suit.

Leadership is more about being proactive. Can you see what needs to be done and take charge?  Employers value engineers who lead by example and guide their teams through challenges.

Example

On your CV, you can express leadership skills as, "Led a project team of 5 members, demonstrating strong leadership and decision-making. This reduced project completion time by 10%."

6. Time management

Time management is meeting deadlines without sacrificing quality. Employers want to know you can handle multiple tasks without dropping the ball. Why? As a graduate engineer, you will have projects, deadlines, and tight budgets to adhere to. 

In these situations, your time management skills become all the more important. Can you allocate your time wisely and ensure each aspect of a project receives the attention it deserves? Employers appreciate those who can prioritise tasks effectively to keep the wheels turning without losing track of time.

Example

Show your time management skills on your CV by stating, "Effectively managed competing priorities. We met project deadlines consistently and improved overall team productivity by 12%."

7. Attention to detail

In the engineering world, the devil is in the details. Being meticulous is a must. Your ability to spot the small things can prevent big problems. Imagine working on a project where a tiny miscalculation could cause a major malfunction. Attention to detail ensures you catch these potential issues before they become disasters.

Checking and rechecking your work is about ensuring accuracy, not perfectionism. Can you spot errors in calculations, designs, or plans? Employers want to know that you won't let a minor oversight become a major issue.

Example

On your CV, you could state, "Ensured precision in design calculations, reducing errors by 15% and enhancing overall project accuracy."

8. Critical thinking

As a graduate engineer, you should look at challenges from different angles. Only then can you analyse information to make better decisions. Critical thinking powers innovation and efficiency and ensures you don’t blindly follow a set process.

Employers value engineers who can evaluate options, anticipate consequences, and choose the best action. You should understand why you are doing what you are doing and adapt when needed.

Example

For your CV, consider saying, "Analysed complex project requirements and proposed innovative solutions. It improved project efficiency by 10%."

9. Conflict resolution

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In a team-oriented field like engineering, conflicts are bound to happen. But you should know how to handle these situations. Conflict resolution is about addressing them in a way that helps everyone work together and keeps the work environment positive.

Can you step into a dispute and find a solution that makes everyone involved happy? That is what employers are after – someone who won't let disagreements derail a project or create a toxic atmosphere. Being a diplomat in the engineering world means focusing on the work, not the conflict.

Example

Your conflict resolution skills can read like this on your CV: "Successfully mediated team conflicts which increased the overall team productivity by 10%."

10. Professionalism

Professionalism is a mindset. It is about reliability. Can they count on you to meet deadlines? Are you accountable for your mistakes or do you play the blame game? Employers want to see that you take your work seriously. They are looking for someone who can show up on time, every time – someone they can trust to get the job done.

No matter how fancy you dress or how many handshakes you give, being professional is what counts. It is the glue that holds your reputation together. It is the little things – showing up on time, owning up to mistakes, and maintaining a positive attitude – that build your professional identity.

Example

On your CV, you can say, "Maintained consistently high professionalism in interactions with clients and team members. It led to a 20% improvement in client satisfaction ratings.

11. Presentation skills

You have a brilliant idea but if you can't convey it effectively, it is no good. In engineering, how you present your ideas matter. You will often find yourself in the spotlight, presenting findings or proposals. In these situations, you have to get your point across without mumbling. 

Hiring managers want candidates who know how to break down complex engineering terms into plain English, so everyone in the room – whether they are engineers or not – gets what you are saying. You should make them remember what you said and how you made them feel.

Example

Your CV could show your presentation skills with a statement like, "Delivered technical presentations to diverse audiences. Simplified yet effective presentation resulted in a 15% increase in project funding and stakeholder buy-in."

11 most in-demand technical engineering skills to include in your resume

Engineering resumes are more than just a list of your degrees and past internships. You need to showcase the technical skills that make you stand out. Here are the 11 most sought-after engineering skills you should include on your resume.

12. Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

You can't escape the significance of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) in engineering. It is a major skill if you are involved in product design and development. 

If you are an expert in CAD, you can translate conceptual ideas into precise technical drawings – a must-have skill in many engineering fields.

Example

In your CV, you can show it as "Proficient in CAD software, design errors were reduced by 20% and project efficiency increased by 10%."

13. Mathematical modelling

Companies highly value mathematical modelling skills because you predict how a system will behave under different conditions without testing it physically.

Whether you are working on optimising manufacturing processes or designing new products, if you know how to create and interpret mathematical models, you will be a valuable asset to any engineering team. 

But having a basic understanding of mathematical modelling won’t be enough. You must be an expert in it to solve complex engineering problems more efficiently.

Example

Your CV could state, "Applied advanced mathematical modelling techniques to optimise project parameters. It reduced costs by 12% and improved project timelines by 15%."

14. Data analysis & visualisation

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As an engineering graduate, having advanced data analysis skills can help you make sense of complex datasets and identify trends to make better decisions. 

Visualisation goes hand in hand with data analysis as it lets you present your findings clearly and concisely.

When you learn data analysis and visualisation tools, you can easily communicate your findings to colleagues and stakeholders – a highly sought-after skill in today’s market. This ability to extract actionable insights from data can give you a competitive edge in your career.

Example

On your CV, you can say, "Conducted thorough data analysis and created visualisations for better project decision-making. Resource wastage was reduced by 15%."

15. Programming

Programming is the backbone of modern engineering. It has different applications – you will need it to develop software for control systems or write scripts to automate tasks. In short, programming skills are essential for any engineering graduate. This technical expertise also lets you solve complex problems more efficiently.

So if you are studying engineering, pick up programming languages like Python, Java, or C++. Being versatile with these languages can make you more attractive to employers. Many engineering jobs look for candidates who know at least one programming language, so having this skill increases your chances of getting hired.

Example

Your CV can show this as, "Skilled in programming languages, implementing automated solutions that increased project efficiency by 20% and minimised errors by 10%."

16. Experience with simulation software 

Having simulation software experience can set you apart. It is used in many industries – aerospace, automotive, healthcare and manufacturing. For example, in manufacturing, you can simulate the production line to optimise the manufacturing process, identify bottlenecks, and improve efficiency. 

Employers value candidates who can use simulation software to improve processes and solve problems. This makes this skill highly desirable in the engineering field.

Example

You can mention this skill in your CV as “Used simulation software to model project scenarios, optimising processes and improving project performance by 12%."

17. Technical writing

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As an engineering graduate, you will write reports, manuals, and documentation that are understandable to a non-technical audience. This skill is essential for conveying your ideas and presenting your work to your audience. 

Remember, technical writing is about organising information logically with the right technical terms and explaining complex concepts simply. Employers highly value this skill because it shows you can communicate effectively – a major requirement in any engineering role.

Example

Mention this skill in your CV as "Produced comprehensive technical documentation which resulted in a 15% reduction in project misunderstandings"

18. Prototyping

Prototyping is one of the most in-demand skills in the engineering world. Being an expert in prototyping means you can bring your ideas to life quickly and efficiently. You will use tools and techniques to create physical models or simulations that let you test and iterate on your designs before moving to full-scale production. 

Employers value this skill highly because it helps reduce costs, improve product quality, and speed up development.

Example

Your CV can showcase this skill as, "Developed prototypes for product testing. It resulted in a 20% faster design iteration and a 10% improvement in final product reliability."

19. Instrumentation & measurement

As an engineering graduate, you should know how to measure and monitor different parameters in different systems accurately. Employers value this skill because it ensures the efficiency and reliability of the manufacturing and construction process. 

When you are an instrumentation and measurement expert, you can identify deviations or abnormalities quickly. This way, you can timely adjust or intervene to prevent costly errors and failures.

Employers rely on engineers to ensure that products meet specifications and regulatory requirements. If you possess this skill, you become all the more important for maintaining quality standards.

Example

Highlight this skill in your CV as "Applied advanced instrumentation techniques which reduced measurement errors by 12%."

20. Control systems

Control systems are used in many industrial processes. They control how machinery and equipment operate. As an engineering graduate, understanding control systems means you can design, analyse, and optimise automated processes.

Employers look for this skill because it enhances productivity and optimises resource utilisation. With expertise in control systems, you can develop strategies to regulate variables like temperature, pressure, flow rates, and speed.

Control systems also ensure safety and prevent accidents in different environments. Employers value engineers who can implement reliable control mechanisms to minimise risks and protect personnel and assets.

Example

On your CV, you can say, "Designed and implemented a new control system which resulted in a 15% improvement in process efficiency and a 10% reduction in energy consumption."

21. Materials selection

During projects, you will choose the right materials for different projects. So you should understand the properties and applications of different materials with their strengths and weaknesses.

Companies look for candidates with this skill to optimise products and structures performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Also, materials selection directly impacts the sustainability and environmental footprint of engineering projects. 

Example

Highlight this skill as, "Expertly selected materials for project applications which increased product durability by 20%.”

22. Project management

Companies want someone who can handle project planning, scheduling, and coordination from start to finish. With strong project management skills, you can ensure that projects are completed efficiently, on time, and within budget.

To keep projects on budget and profitable, you should also have a strong grip on financial accounting. This helps ensure projects stay on budget and profitable. Plus, it shows that you are responsible and can make informed decisions based on financial data. 

Engineers with strong project management skills can identify potential risks early in a project and develop strategies to mitigate them. So having strong project management skills tells employers that you can handle the details while keeping your focus on the big picture.

Example

Your CV can state this skill as, "Effectively managed a project team of 5, ensuring on-time delivery and a 15% increase in user satisfaction."

Get noticed by top employers: Prosple for graduates

Prosple is an online job board to help you jumpstart your career after graduation. You can find graduate jobs and internships, connect with employers, and take the first step into the professional world. It offers many features to streamline your job search and give you an edge over other applicants. Let’s take a detailed look:

• Australia's top 100 graduate employers recruit through our platform. This means you are directly connecting with the most sought-after companies.
• Prosple goes beyond just job listings. We provide career advice, resume-building strategies, and interview tips. These resources can be helpful during your job search process.
• Prosple's powerful search engine filters jobs by industry, location, and company size. This saves you time and helps you find opportunities that perfectly align with your interests and qualifications.
• With customisable job alerts, Prosple notifies you once a relevant position opens up. This ensures you are among the first to apply, increasing your chances of getting noticed by employers.
• Prosple provides a dashboard that is both powerful and user-friendly. It is a central hub where you can manage your profile, applications, and saved jobs. This simplifies organisation and lets you focus on the most promising opportunities.
• With "Graduate Stories" and a "Day in the Life" series, you get real-life insights from recent graduates about their experiences at different companies. This can be incredibly helpful for visualising your future career path and making informed decisions about potential employers.

Conclusion

While the specific engineering skills employers look for can differ, the ones discussed in this article are highly prized across the board. When listing these skills on your resume, be clear and straightforward. Customise your resume for each job you apply to. Most importantly, don't be afraid to sell yourself as the ideal candidate for the job.

Prosple is your one-stop shop for all your career needs. Thanks to its AI-based algorithms, you can find listings targeted towards your experience level in no time. It provides detailed information about employers, including company culture, values, and employee reviews, to help students find the right fit.

Join Prosple today to land your dream graduate job with confidence.