Civil engineers in the United Kingdom are working in a time where traditional methods of design are being integrated with new technology. Engineers working on new streets, storefronts, or public buildings no longer need to sketch furiously at their desks in order to get their job done. These engineering professionals are now able to utilise drafting and other software that helps them turn concepts into 3-D models that have realistic features. This trend towards a hi-tech workplace for civil engineers is but one way in which the profession is changing in the UK. Graduates and other engineers interested in civil engineering jobs need to understand these various changes in order to appreciate and evaluate the current job market.

The job market for civil engineers in the UK has become a vibrant area of competition for talented engineers from around the world. The rise of the website as a tool for recruitment not only helps graduates in the United Kingdom but professionals from Asia, North America, and elsewhere. Engineering firms are recognising that universities around the world, particularly in Asia, are producing graduates with a growing technological grounding and awareness in technical disciplines, including civil engineering. As such, a UK civil engineer looking for a position with a major firm needs to be able to demonstrate their academic accomplishments and show how they are a better investment than a Chinese or Indian engineer.

Also, the civil engineering job market in the UK has become a place where companies feel it beneficial to adopt new and challenging approaches. Unlike the rigid job requirements of a generation ago, smaller engineering firms are becoming prominent by thinking creatively about their recruiting efforts. Their search for rounded yet innovative personnel means that engineers working on civil projects have to be intelligent and possess exceptional qualifications to even get a foot in the door. However, an applicant with a specific skill or background, be this knowledge of a particular design program or experience overseas assisting developing communities, may spark the interest of weary hiring managers. Young engineers need to highlight the diversity of their experience in order to distinguish themselves.

The final element for success when looking for success when searching for a new position is the ability to present a first-class attitude. Civil engineers are likely to possess an unimpeachable work-ethic if they are to succeed. The job market is filled with young professionals who are talented but lack experience in the civil engineering field. When an applicant lands their first job, they will need to put in long hours and volunteer for various projects to demonstrate their commitment to the firm and to the profession of civil engineering. Applicants who wish to steal a march on the competition before landing a job should consider advanced education, internships, or project positions to bolster their CV.

Stephen Trigg is the CEO of Quanta Consultancy Services, a Resource Management Company specialising in SAP Jobs and Oracle Jobs.