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Finding the Right Job
You have made the decision that a career in aerospace
engineering is the right path for you. So how do you
go about finding and securing the right job?
Research
Research is always an important starting point with
any job search. It is, however, especially important
in the aerospace industry. It is important to keep up
with the industry: which companies have won the new
contracts and new orders, which companies have unveiled
new products and concepts, and which companies have
lost contracts.
- Industry news: One of the best
methods of research in the aerospace industry is to
follow the new order trail. New contracts and orders
translate into demand for engineering talent. Begin
by scanning your local newspaper’s business
section as well as the Wall Street Journal. Aerospace
attracts a lot of attention and coverage in the media.
Then closely review the industry trade magazines such
as Aviation Week & Space Technology and Flight
International. These magazines report on the business
aspects of the industry as well as the technology.
This information focuses your search and helps you
to target specific companies. More industry news sources
can be found in the Industry
Resources section.
- Company research: Once you know
what's happening in the industry and have selected
some potential employers, the next step is to research
the companies you intend to target. Most companies
today have extensive websites that include not only
information on product lines but also company history.
Know the company! Nothing impresses an interviewer
or recruiter more than an applicant who can talk and
reference current facts concerning the company’s
business or products. It shows your interest extends
beyond just getting a job.
In addition to providing information about the company
itself, most company websites have links for employment
opportunities. Checking these listings gives you a good
idea of the types of job functions available and where
they fit in that companies structure. Networking can
also be an advantage when applying directly through
a company website. If you know someone at that company,
let them know that you applied for a position and see
if they can find out the name of the person who is doing
the hiring. That way you can make direct contact and
stand out from other applicants. For a list of leading
companies in the industry, check out the Industry
Sectors - Where Engineers Work section.
On-campus Recruiting
Many companies visit campus for recruiting purposes.
Your university Career Services Office should be able
to tell you what companies are coming and when. They
might also be able to provide information and contacts
related to internships. For more information on using
these on-campus options, review our Career
Planning module.
Networking
Many people dismiss networking as simply "asking
around" but it's much more than that—it can
be the key to getting in the door and standing out from
the crowd. You might hear of job openings not yet advertised
or about people who plan to leave a job in the near
future. Another advantage is that being able to associate
yourself with someone known to the hiring manager means
you will have an edge in your first interview over an
applicant who is just one of many names on a list. For
tips and suggestions on effective networking, review
our Career
Planning module.
Online Job Listing Sites
Many companies use job-listing sites like Monster.com
to post job openings and more come online each week.
The one disadvantage of these sites is that they are
geared more toward applicants with experience, although
entry-level positions can also be found. Here are several
sites specifically aimed at those looking for positions
in the aerospace industry:
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Aerospace
Industry
