Qualifications and technical skills tell you whether someone can do the job. They don’t tell you how that person will work with your team, handle pressure or deal with a problem nobody has seen before.
That is where soft skills come in. As technology changes the way engineers work, these skills matter more, not less. Here are the ones worth looking for, and how to find them when you hire.
Communication
Engineers talk to people right across a business, and to customers too: in meetings, on the shop floor, in writing and online. They need to explain a fault, a fix or a design clearly to people who aren’t engineers.
At interview, ask a candidate to explain a technical problem they’ve solved as if you knew nothing about it. Notice how clear they are, and whether they check you’ve understood. Their emails and messages during the process tell you something too.
Teamwork
Very few engineering jobs are done alone. Look for people who are happy to share the work, help others and take advice.
Ask about a project they worked on as part of a team: what they did, how they worked with the others and what they would do differently. Listen for “we” as well as “I”.
Problem solving
Problems come up in every engineering role, from a machine that won’t run to a design that won’t work. A good problem solver weighs up the options, picks the right one and gets things moving again quickly.
Ask them to talk you through a real problem from start to finish. How did they find the cause, what did they consider, and why did they choose the fix they did?
Adaptability
New technology, new processes and changing priorities are part of the job. Engineers who are open to new ways of working, and keen to learn, will grow with your business.
Ask about a time they had to learn a new system or change how they worked. Did they get stuck in, or wait to be told?
Creativity
The best engineers aren’t afraid to try new ways of doing things. They spot improvements and bring fresh ideas to old problems.
Ask whether they’ve ever changed a process or suggested a better way of working, and what happened as a result.
Organisation
Engineers who prioritise well and meet deadlines keep projects on track. Those who take on too much and let work get on top of them can hold everyone up.
Ask how they plan a busy week, or how they handled competing jobs with the same deadline.
Leadership
You don’t need to be a manager to lead. Look for people who take responsibility for their own work, know the strengths of the people around them and set a good example.
Ask about a time they helped a colleague, showed someone new the ropes or took charge when something went wrong.
Look for the balance
Technical skills still matter. The engineers who do best usually have a good balance of both. Build questions about soft skills into every interview, and think about how each person will fit your team.
We can help
Our consultants only recruit for engineering and manufacturing, so they know the skills these roles need. Tell us what you need and we’ll call you back.