Electrical engineers need a good combination of skills to design, test and maintain equipment that people and companies use on a daily basis.
Having these in demand skills is crucial for career success in this field. It’s also not just about having these competencies, showcasing them on your CV is absolutely fundamental to being a successful job hunter.
On this page you will explore the most sought after hard and soft skills that recruiters want in candidates. You’ll also be given advice on how to list them properly in your CV.
By: Iejaz Uddin – 28 October 2024
8 Essential Electrical Engineer skills
Below is a list of must have abilities that will boost you electrical engineer CV by demonstrating to hiring managers that you have the expertise needed to carry out all their required day-to-day duties.
Technical skills
These hard skills give employers a real idea of what you’re capable of doing and are a key part of any job application. Having the specialized knowledge and expertise to analyse, build and repair electronic circuits is key to this role. They can vary depending on the specific area of electrical engineering an individual specializes in and are usually learnt through education, training, or hands-on experience.
Technical skill examples:
- Electrical circuit design
- Power distribution systems
- Control systems and automation
- Renewable energy technologies
- CAD (Computer Aided Design)
- Analog
- Matlab
Problem solving
As an electrical engineer you will often face complex challenges when designing, developing, testing, and maintaining electrical systems and components. These problems can be anything from circuit design faults to signal interference, component failure and compliance issues. Having the ability to define a problem clearly and then solve it, is crucial to overcoming these obstacles.
Tell a recruiter how you deal with them by breaking down large problems into smaller manageable pieces. This way you can identify what needs to be dealt with first. Give examples of how you hold brainstorming sessions to come up with ideas that are practical and feasible.
Circuit knowledge
Circuits are loops through which an electric current flows, allowing it to power highly advanced pieces of small and large hardware. As circuits are one of the most important parts of an electrical system, electrical engineers must have a complete understanding of how they work.
Show recruiters that you have in-depth knowledge of how a circuit is designed, how it operates and how to repair it.
Team work
This is a broad skill that covers the ability to work as part of a group towards a common goal or objective. It is a fundamental part of every electrical engineering workplace and one which every company relies on for success.
For this reason alone, you must show you’re an effective team player who can work with colleagues, managers and stakeholders. Explain how you can get along with different personality types and create a pleasant working environment for all.
Be honest and if possible give examples of how you’ve worked collaboratively with others on successful projects.
Communication skills
This is a team role where you have to work with people from all social and cultural backgrounds through face to face meetings, phone calls and emails.
You have to be able to convey information, ideas, thoughts, and feelings effectively to others in a clear manner. Being a good communicator also means having the ability to write documents that explain how an engineering system or circuit works to none technical people. It’s a crucial verbal and non-verbal skill that can help facilitate understanding, resolve conflicts, build relationships, and achieve goals.
Critical thinking
A skill that can be applied to a wide array of situations in electrical engineering.
On a practical level it means being able to think clearly, rationally, and independently when evaluating information about an electrical product.
It also means being able to assess the practicality of each solution and considering factors like cost, time, and technical constraints. At its core it’s about analysing and assessing various viewpoints, evidence, and ideas in a systematic and objective manner.
Creative thinking
In a field that is constantly developing new and exciting technologies, you must have an open mind and the ability to take a different view of things. A creative thinker is able to look at things from a different perspective. This in turn can lead to alternative solutions, approaches and conclusions. It is a valuable and sought after skill in any field where new solutions or approaches are needed to come up ideas and solve problems.
In addition to all the above, companies in competitive markets know that if they’re not creative and willing to explore new possibilities, then they’ll be left behind by competitors who are.
Mathematics
It’s been said that mathematics is the language of engineering. That’s because mathematical formulations are needed to perform complex calculations when testing and designing electrical products. They are also used to identify potential errors in calculations. For advanced electrical calculations an engineer needs knowledge of logarithms, calculus, statistics, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
How to improve your skills
By increasing your skills, you can boost your job prospects.
To keep yourself relevant in this highly technical field, candidates must continuously update their skills through ongoing education, training, and practical experience. Doing so will help them to get a job, get promoted and make a successful career change. Remember that if you take an accredited course, you’ll also get a certificate or qualification you can put on your CV.
Below are some ways in which you can improve your existing skills and learn new ones;
Training programs
Stay updated with the latest technologies, tools, and industry trends by enrolling on a private training course. A simple online search will reveal both in class and online options you can choose from.
Some skills cannot be self-taught, especially technical ones. For these you must enrol on an in-person class or online training course.
Company training courses
Take advantage of these bespoke training programmes designed to meet your employer’s needs. Many responsible companies pay for training up their staff either in house or by sending them out on courses.
Internships
Enrol on an internship program to get hands-on practical work experience. These are temporary positions within a company that provides practical experience in a particular field of study or career interest. They are a great way to learn the practicalities of a job and get some good references.
Books
Read relevant books and articles to gain theoretical knowledge of a particular subject. This is a cost effective way to learn about a specific skill, with the only drawback being you will not get a certificate of completion.