Engineering Graduate Jobs: 7 Practical Ways to Land Your First Role
Graduated, applying everywhere and still waiting? Here are practical ways to land engineering graduate jobs in the UK, from smaller firms to placements and contract roles.
Engineering forums are full of graduates asking the same things: why am I not getting interviews, should I take any job, what do I do with months to wait before a start date? Engineering graduate jobs are competitive, but they are out there. Here are seven practical ways to improve your chances.
1. Look Beyond the Big Graduate Schemes
Large graduate schemes get huge numbers of applications and recruit a year in advance. They are worth applying to, but they are not the only route. Smaller engineering firms, consultancies, manufacturers and contractors often hire graduate engineers directly, without a formal scheme, and many hire throughout the year rather than in one window.
2. Apply to Engineering Graduate Jobs Early
If you are aiming for a graduate scheme, apply as soon as applications open. Many schemes review applications on a rolling basis and close early once they have enough. Keep a simple spreadsheet of deadlines so nothing slips.
3. Make Your Projects Do the Talking
Your final-year project, design competitions, Formula Student, placements and part-time jobs are your evidence. On your CV, say what you designed, built, tested or analysed, which tools you used and what you learned. Employers want to know you can apply theory, not just pass exams.
4. Practise the Tests and Interviews
Many employers use online tests, such as numerical and situational judgement tests, before you get near an interview. Practise them. For interviews, prepare examples of teamwork, problem solving and technical decisions. Our engineering interview questions guide covers the common ones.
5. Consider a Technician or Contract Role First
Starting as a technician, test engineer or junior contract engineer is not a step backwards. It gets you real experience and a reference, and many people move into a graduate engineer role within a year or two. Contract roles in particular can open doors in sectors like energy and rail.
6. Use the Waiting Time Well
If you have an offer with a late start date, or a gap while you apply, use it. Learn a CAD or simulation package you have not used, get a short qualification such as a site safety course, volunteer on a technical project or take temporary work related to your field. It all adds to your CV and gives you something to talk about.
7. Start Thinking About Chartership
Becoming a chartered engineer is a long-term goal, but it helps to know the route from day one. Join the relevant professional institution as a student or graduate member and keep a record of your experience. Employers who support chartership are often a good sign of an employer who invests in people.
Where to Find Engineering Graduate Jobs
Use a mix of graduate job boards, employer websites, LinkedIn and specialist recruiters. You can browse current roles on our vacancies page or our engineering recruitment hub, check your CV with our free CV checker, and use our Job Matcher to search a wide UK job feed against your CV.
Engineering Graduate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an engineering graduate job?
Apply early to graduate schemes, look at smaller firms that hire directly, make your projects clear on your CV and practise online tests and interviews.
Are engineering graduate jobs hard to get?
They are competitive, especially big graduate schemes, but many smaller engineering firms hire graduate engineers throughout the year.
Should I take a technician job as an engineering graduate?
It can be a good move. A technician or test engineer role gives real experience, and many people move into graduate engineer roles within a year or two.
What should I do while waiting to start a graduate job?
Learn new software, take short courses, get relevant temporary work or volunteer on technical projects to build your skills and CV.
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