How to Differentiate Yourself from the Crowd of Engineers?

India is the biggest producer of engineers in the world. Engineering colleges are opening in every bylane of our country. Therefore, the supply and demand of engineers into the job market faces a great disparity. The question that arises is how do you stand apart and land the job of your dreams? How do you make an impression that can help you differentiate yourself from the crowd of engineers? Well, worry not, this article will introduce you to the skills and tricks that can help you be your own self and carry an edge over your peers. Read on to find out.

Be a Better Communicator

Good communication skills are a pre-requisite for any individual to reach the top. It's not only about the way one speaks English, but also how he writes and comprehends it. The biggest jet lag that most engineers face today is good communication skills. Being good at what you do and being able to communicate it in an effective and eloquent manner is totally a different story. Suppose, you have a great idea which you must present in a meeting. But the fear of giving a presentation in front of people makes you procrastinate it. Hence, you lose out on all the precious time.

Remember, your confidence can create a great conviction for your skills amongst your peers and boss. So, to differentiate yourself from the crowd of engineers, you better analyze your communication and presentation skills. Start working on them to stand out from the lot. Inculcating good reading habits and reading aloud for that matter can boost your fluency of English. The fear of public speaking becomes the 1st biggest fear of people, giving death the 2nd place in the chart. Which means half the population of engineers would rather die than have to speak in front of an audience. So, overcoming this fear will definitely give your professional journey a big jump.

Teamwork and Collaboration

It is a well-known fact that most engineers are introverts and like to work by themselves in peace with full concentration. Sorry to break the bubble but this is what makes you just like everybody else. Being able to collaborate and work in teams can not only improve your efficiency but also give a platform for discussion and brainstorming to come up with great ideas. So, break free from the barriers and get out of your comfort zone to speak with and listen to people.

You have to stop being shy and ask a lot of questions, give suggestions, and build a culture around you that allows you to speak their mind with people. Being an outgoing and open professional will not only help you differentiate yourself from the crowd of engineers but carry skills which can rocketeer your growth graph. This is because it is the quality of great leaders to collaborate and make the best utilization of resources for attaining organizational goals.

Carry an interdisciplinary mindset

In a world where innovation is giving life to machines through artificial intelligence and IoT, technological trends are changing the face of the whole world. In countries like India where most educational institutes are still following an outdated curriculum, updating oneself with the changing times is the need of the hour. To meet the needs of the global employers and differentiate yourself from the crowd of engineers, you must add to your expertise through blending it with fields making a hybrid specialization that others don’t have.

For example, a software engineer clubs his expertise with interaction design or User experience Design. This makes him a multi-tasker and an engineer who not only creates but creatively creates solutions that are power packed. A mechanical engineer studies ergonomics to develop machines that are user-centric and design driven. Knowledge can be your biggest asset. It can empower you to stand out from the lot by tapping into unexplored areas.

Leadership Skills

Being proficient in your own work and being able to boost other’s proficiency are two very different things. To differentiate yourself from the crowd of engineers, you must work on inculcating leadership skills. This can take you to the next level and be distinctive. A good leader always aims at understanding his subordinates before being understood. He is open to new ideas and perspectives, and mentors others to bring out the best in them. This is one quality which many don’t carry but it’s definitely not one which cannot be inculcated. Great leaders are not born with such qualities, it is their understanding of human nature and observation skills that makes them who they are.

Hence, you can become what you want, you just need to want it that badly, be patient, observe and practice. Having these skills can act as a bonus to your expertise and create faith in your capability to lead and attain organizational and professional goals.

The above-mentioned skills, if inculcated, can do wonders to your career and earn you that extra star on your shoulder. So start today, and practice these skills one by one. And observe how it helps you to grow and set new horizons for yourself.