It’s said, that on average there are approximately eight roles available for every candidate in the Medical Technology/Engineering space at any one given time. With such a candidate deficient market currently at play, what is it that’s motivating candidates to make the switch or, on the other side of the coin, what is it that’s causing them to stay.

In this article, we’re going to look at some of the key motivators around why engineers and scientists who develop medical devices ‘medical engineers’ choose a business and what your business needs to demonstrate to get them to stay.

Being Valued.

To start with, it comes as no surprise that being valued or not being valued is one of the main reasons why these individuals choose to make a change from their existing company. Whilst this could be said for any individual across any business or sector as one of the main causes to move companies, it especially rings true for those within the medical engineering space. A recent survey conducted by Global Web Index sites that 60.2% of professionals in the medical engineering space, cite being valued by their employer for their skillset as one of the most important qualities when looking for a position within a business – Given that these individuals are highly skilled in specific and in some cases unique tasks, it’s easy to understand why this is the case.

Being hands-on.

Most of the individuals that start out in an engineering profession, do so because they enjoy literal problem solving. Taking an issue that needs a solution and using their knowledge and skill set to develop a solution – a solution that companies usually benefit from in the form of a final product to be sent to market, making them one of the most valued assets to a business.

These highly skilled individuals thrive from learning and a challenge, with 41.4% of them claiming that the ability to constantly improve their skillset is one of the main motivators in choosing an employer. An idle engineer is usually an unmotivated engineer, but with the right support and opportunities to be creative and channel their energy to create solutions that benefit both the business and the outside world, the more impactful they will be for your business.

Environmental factors.

Interestingly, in a post-pandemic world, there’s a large portion of society that has become more environmentally aware, both in the choices we make as consumers and when choosing an employer. Engineers are no exception to the rule and results from our recent survey show that 45.1% of engineers in the medical space are looking for companies that can demonstrate sustainability in how they operate.

Having work that matters.

When choosing a career path to go down, there’s a wealth of opportunities which are available to engineers, as we mentioned at the start of this article, on average there are eight roles available for any one engineer at any given time and that expands even further when you consider the number of different industries available – So why the Medical Technology sector?

Well, when asked it’s usually because they want to make a difference, not just in their business but in the lives of the public. Developing innovative solutions is what they do best and there’s no greater reward than taking an idea from initial conception, through to full-scale manufacture, when they know that the work they are doing could dramatically improve a person’s life.

So what’s the takeaway?

If you’re looking for a medical engineer, they don’t want to necessarily hear why they should join your business, that’s for them to figure out. What they really want to know, is why you do what you’re doing and what your values are as a business. So when thinking about your job adverts, think about your story of why you’re in business and how you can communicate that to the talent that you’re wanting to attract.

Thankfully, with a background in engineering and over 20 years in recruitment our founders, Samantha Moore and Jamie are well versed in how these highly skilled individuals tick. With an established contact base, they can not only make sure your business stands out in front of them, but handpick the best candidates for the role you’d like to fill.

If you’re interested in scouting the best talent to join your business for a role you have now, or one you may have in the future, call Medical Engineers on 0161 2600 190 to speak with one of our team. Alternatively, fill out the contact form and someone will get back to you

The Medical Engineers team recently attended the Recruitment Agency Expo 2022 at Olympia London. After having a great day talking to recruitment professionals, software providers, marketing experts and more, we began reflecting on the exhibits which made the biggest impact. We put together some DOs and DON’Ts to help companies stand out from their competitors and make the most of their trade show experiences.

DO grab people’s attention with your stand design

GThink bright colours, big fonts and lots of branding! Attractive signage will catch the attention of potential customers who are passing by and draw them in. Make sure you utilise your prominent brand colours and make your logo stand out to ensure visitors who are looking for you can find you easily.

Green Umbrella certainly grabbed our attention with their giant inflatable giraffe. Simple but unique.

DON’T wait for visitors to come to you

Sitting and waiting for people to come and chat to you is not the best way to make the most of your time at an expo. 85% of consumers said that they were more likely to purchase a product or service after conversing with a brand at a face-to-face event, showing the importance of putting yourself out there and talking to as many people as possible (Event Track, 2018).

Be friendly and approachable and ensure you’re always equipped with business cards, flyers or branded freebies to give out to people who are pushed for time so they can find you later.

DO encourage people to spend time at your stand

The more time people spend at your stand, the greater the impact you can have. Encouraging conversations with people will give you a chance to demonstrate the value you can provide to them as a business.

BroadBean and SourceBreaker were companies that did this exceptionally well. They served beer and cocktails at their stands to attract visitors, giving their team the opportunity to converse with attendees whilst they waited for their drinks.

DO interact with your visitors

Try to go beyond saying a quick hello and giving out the odd freebie. Do something that will spark a conversation and make people remember you. Visitors won’t remember all the stands they walked past on the day, but they will remember the businesses that they interacted with.

Marketing software company Paiger engaged their audience by running a selfie competition where visitors could post a picture on LinkedIn to win a hamper of goodies. Not only does this engage your visitors, it also gets your brand in front of a new audience for free!

DO utilise QR codes

QR codes are so quick and easy to set up and are a great way to share more information with prospects, drive traffic to your website and gather people’s details.

You can even connect with people in seconds via the new QR feature in the LinkedIn app, allowing you to easily build your network.

DO try something creative

In a sea of stress balls, pens and water bottles, the most creative exhibitors are the ones that will stand out from the crowd. Try to think outside of the box in order to capture the attention of people walking by. Whether you’re giving away cool freebies, or wowing people with your stand design, create a talking point that encourages people to stop and chat, take photos and tell others about your business.

Some highlights from Recruitment Agency Expo were Sonovate’s money tree, ZeelSolution’s pick n mix stand and Quay Umbrella’s superhero teddy bears.

DON’T forget to follow up!

Exhibiting at an event can be very costly for a business, especially for start-ups and SMEs hoping to increase brand awareness. To make sure you get the best return on investment, you need to make sure your prospects remember you long after the event is over.

Only 2% of sales are made during the first contact so following up with new connections is crucial (IRC Sales Solutions, 2020). Whether it’s sending a follow-up email, messaging via LinkedIn or picking up the telephone, you should re-engage with your visitors to build long lasting relationships and convert interest into sales. Try to do this shortly after the expo to ensure they remember who you are.

Medical Engineers are proud sponsors of this year’s Medical Technology UK event! On the 16th and 17th of March, Medical Engineers will be exhibiting at Stand 76, so make sure to come and see us!

Click here to register for Medical Technology UK!

Developing new products and technology is time consuming, so allocating an entire day out of your week to attend an industry expo is a big commitment. Planning your day in advance means you will get maximum return on your time invested in the event.

Medical Technology UK 2022 is just around the corner, with 8 days left to sign up to the event. Here are just some of the great reasons a Medical Device Developer should attend:

What’s In It For You?
Learning

Aside from collecting enough stationary to last you the entire year, trade events are a valuable source of learning. Reviewing the list of conferences and learning programmes ahead of the event will help schedule your day and ensure you don’t miss out on the latest industry insights and new technologies which are being showcased.

There will be a wide variety of topics and speakers, so there is something for everyone. With presentations lasting between 15-30 minutes, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the exhibition.

Innovative suppliers

Expos are a great place to see new products and technologies. If you are looking for new suppliers, exhibitions give you a great place to visit a large number of providers at once. This allows you to review and compare quality in the same day, saving you many phone calls and potentially weeks of time. The ability to pick up samples and information to bring back and review with your team is incredibly valuable.

Extending customer and partner networks

We have all become accustomed to online calls and meetings during the pandemic, but meeting in person is still the preferred method to really get to know new customers and service providers. Exhibition organisers set aside specific space for networking and meetings, so take advantage of this and arrange your meetings in advance. A lot of business is secured at exhibitions.

Checking out the competition

Expos offer you a unique opportunity to see how your product matches up to the competition and check out what they’re doing to market themselves. Whilst it may not be considered ‘very British’ we all do this, albeit consciously or not. Knowing where your product or service sits within the marketplace is key to its success. You may find collaboration opportunities and marketing ideas that you hadn’t previously considered.

Catching up with colleagues.

It’s been a while since we could meet up comfortably indoors, and nothing really beats the social aspect of sitting down with old and new colleagues over a drink and a bite to eat. The pandemic has emphasised the importance of good networks and keeping in touch. Trade shows offer a great opportunity for taking the time out to set screens aside and catch up with people in person.

Medical Technology UK takes place next week on March 16th-17th. Situated at the Coventry Building Society Arena, it is the exhibition and learning place for Medical Device Engineers. With over 120 exhibitors, a free 2-day learning programme and the inaugural Women in MedTech Forum, it is an event that cannot be missed.

Click here to register for FREE entry and parking.

Medical Engineers will be offering free refreshments at Stand 78. We hope to see you there!

Our working lives can be all-consuming. How many times have you said to yourself “there are simply not enough hours in the day”? So how can we justify spending an entire day away from the office to visit a trade show? What could make you decide to commit to spending such precious time offline?

The reason is simple… the power of the network. It is the ultimate gift that keeps on giving. You may feel that there is little to gain from attending an exhibition, but it is the place to build relationships that will become invaluable to your business and provide many opportunities in the future.

Why should we network?

Going to an expo might not get you an immediate sale, result or win, but it’s the connections you make that have the potential to become your clients, employees or even employers in the future. Perhaps you meet a friend that knows someone who is offering exactly what you need, or you bump into a family member of a CEO you have been emailing for months… In-person sales pitches are 34 times more successful than those made over email so there really is no better way to connect with people than face to face (source: ZoomInfo).

Without having a personal network, business can be incredibly difficult. Throughout the pandemic, it was our network that supported our business and allowed us to keep going despite our industry taking a huge hit. We worked hard to maintain our relationships and found that they enabled us to keep growing and win contracts, getting us back to where we were pre-pandemic.

The more you network, the greater the potential you have to leverage relationships in order to help you succeed and also to support other businesses. With this in mind, it’s crucial that you know how to make the most of your networking experiences.

How do you network successfully?

The first step to networking successfully is simply putting yourself out there. You are your own personal marketing tool. Thankfully, we are able to attend in-person events once more which are great places to start building your network. Almost 100% of professionals believe that face-to-face meetings build stronger long-term relationships and 41% want to network more often in 2022 (source: Apollo Technical). Speaking with people in real time rather than over Zoom, Skype or Teams helps you to build trust and improve collaboration, fostering quality relationships (source: LinkedIn). It’s much easier to find common ground when you can talk informally rather than via telephone or video.

Planning ahead and setting objectives can also help you to get the most out of your time at events and trade shows. Research who is at the event and schedule your time accordingly to ensure you get to speak to everyone who is relevant to your business. Have some open-ended questions in mind to start conversations and keep meetings on track. Make sure you know exactly what you want to get out of the experience and stick to your goals throughout.

Most importantly, don’t forget to follow up! Make sure you are engaging with the people you meet in the few days that follow the event to keep yourself front of mind. Expos and trade shows can be over in the blink of an eye so it’s important to keep these conversations going long after the event has finished. Bringing business cards along with you is a great way to easily pass on your contact information, enabling people to remember you and get in touch once the event is over. You might think this is an old school tactic, but 90% of business owners in 2019 found that business cards generated new business (source: Tab)!

The importance of networking is clear. It is where the deepest of connections can be made. They can accelerate you and your business forward, help you understand your competitors, amplify your knowledge of your customers and ultimately help you build brand awareness and enter new markets. You and your network can deliver to your business information which cannot be rivalled.

We look forward to meeting you at Medical Technology UK in Coventry on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Come and see us at Stand 78 for a free pint and a chat!
If you haven’t already registered, please click here to sign up for free entry and parking.

With female engineers only making up 14.5% of the UK’s engineering workforce, it is important that we champion women in MedTech and implement practices that encourage them to thrive and remain in the industry.

My Journey

As the second born child in a family of 6 children, I was relentless in my pursuit of answers and constantly asked ‘why?’. My parents were not at all surprised when I went on to pursue a career in engineering.

My journey so far is quite typical for a women engineer of my generation. I had a strong influence from my school which was very engineering focused – Sir Frank Whittle, inventor of the jet engine, was a previous student. During my time at school, I never felt as though engineering was a career that was only open to men. My career began when I became a Junior Aerospace Engineer, working on propulsion systems. I then transitioned into a senior role where I worked in research and development of analytical instrumentation for testing emissions.

Despite loving my career, I left my employer to begin a career break after starting a family. When it came to returning to work, I wanted to remain in the engineering sector but could not find a position that allowed me to work flexibly around my family life. I founded Medical Engineers in 2008 to remain in the sector whilst maintaining a work-life balance.

Engaging

So how can we encourage more women to explore careers in the medical technology sector?

The 2021 Engineering UK survey tells us that there are around 906,000 women in engineering roles in the UK. Schools, colleges and universities are engaging women in engineering from an early age which has led to a 25.7% increase since 2016. However, there is still room for improvement. 14.5% of the UK’s engineering force is made up of women, but this is much lower than 27% across the rest of Europe.

As employers – we must encourage women engineers within our businesses and ask them to visit education establishments to inspire the next generation of engineers.

As parents – we can highlight the benefits of medical technology and normalise women engineers.

As women in MedTech – we can help each other by celebrating our successes and ask our employers to work with their local communities to inspire women to pursue a career in STEM.

Motivating

What do women in MedTech want from their employers?

In a survey of 300 female engineers, 84% said that they were happy with their career choice. Women enjoy having opportunities where they are challenged, and they can grow their knowledge and skills. But the number one reason people (not just women) leave their jobs is because they do not feel valued or appreciated.

As employers – it is important to remove gender bias from both the recruitment process and the organisation itself. Amplify female voices and ideas and promote your female talent. Review your compensation packages across roles and close the wage gap, also ensuring you have fair and flexible working policies.

As women in MedTech – we need to be confident in ourselves and have the courage to take every opportunity that is presented to us. Support each other and share opportunities with your network. Be your authentic self and lead in your own way and style.

Retaining

45% of women engineers will leave their engineering careers between 5-8 years after graduating. This percentage rises to 57% by the time women reach 45 years old which is a staggering statistic. In comparison, this is 17% for men.

I interviewed a number of women who had taken a career break. All felt that they had no option but to move to a role away from engineering so that they had the flexibility needed to return to work. Here are just a few quotes that highlight the issues within the industry:

“I didn’t apply for a management role because they were all advertised as full-time”

“I moved into consultancy because I don’t need to explain to clients why I’m only available 3 days per week. There isn’t the added pressure to do more”

“When I told my manager I needed to resign because I couldn’t manage full-time hours after starting a family, he readily accepted without discussing flexible working or reducing my hours”.

As employers – The pandemic has shown that flexible working across all engineering levels is entirely possible. We need to think more creatively to retain women in the industry. Offering extended career breaks and sabbaticals, job shares and increased flexibility will encourage greater diversity in your business.

As Women in MedTech – Challenge the norm! Ask questions regarding new opportunities – can this workload be compressed into a shorter working week? Could this be a job share? If we don’t challenge these ideals, we will never break the cycle.

If you would like to get in touch with me to chat more about Women in MedTech, or if you would like me to speak on the subject in your workplace, school or university, please email me at samantha@medicalengineers.co.uk.

Thanks for reading.

Deciding to return to work after any career break, whether it be to start a family, care for an elderly or sick relative or travel the world, is one that can be daunting, overwhelming but most of all challenging.

Within the STEM industries (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), the barriers faced by female engineers when returning to work have never been more evident. Women make up just 14.7% of all engineers, equating to just 906,785 employees. Whilst this figure represents a 25.7% increase since 2016, women are still very much a minority within the sector. Despite a continued effort to encourage young girls to study STEM subjects at school, only a small percentage actually pursue a career in engineering.

As the limited number of female engineers progress through their careers, many decide to take a career break after approximately 8 years of postgraduate employment. This is where the problem really unravels, with around 45% of women engineers dropping out of the sector entirely after this career break. This is a shocking percentage that demonstrates almost half of the already tiny percentage of women in STEM industries dropping out entirely, equating to a loss of hundreds of thousands of women engineers from the industry.

What prevents women returning to the engineering sector after a career break?

A common misconception among recruiters and hiring managers alike is that a career break means a deterioration of the individual’s skills, putting returners at a disadvantage during the recruitment process. Research conducted by STEM Returners, a company created in response to the ever-growing skills gap, found that career breaks and CV gaps were associated with unconscious bias at the shortlist stage. With time constraints and a pressure to hire quickly and successfully, decisions often come down to those who had the most recent and relevant experience. This makes securing jobs extremely difficult for those returning to the industry, harming their confidence and desire to return to the sector and explains why many pursue alternative career paths.

A further barrier to women returning to STEM careers is the lack of flexibility offered by companies in the sector. Rigid policies and inflexible working hours deter many women from considering a return to the industry, especially those who have taken time out to start a family. Job shares, flexible hours and hybrid working opportunities are hard to come by in the engineering sector, leading to an increase in dropouts as women are forced to find other work that fits around their personal life. There is also a lack of support available for those who are adjusting back to working life after a prolonged absence.

With an ever-growing skills gap and an overall lack of progress in diversity within engineering, it is essential that the challenges preventing women returning to this sector are addressed. Action must be taken to ensure that the valuable skills and experience of women engineers is not lost.

What can we do?

As an employer:

• Offer work flexibility – since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world of work has changed drastically as we have realised that hybrid or home working is feasible for most roles and industries. Providing women engineers with some flexibility can ensure that they can have a career without compromising on family life – it doesn’t have to be a choice between the two!
• Keep in touch – if your employees do take a career break, ensure them that the door is always open for people coming back to work. Make sure that you check in with them and maintain your relationship.
• Make diversity a priority – tailor your recruitment strategy to encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.

As hiring managers:

• Advertise all roles fairly – ensure that the language used in your job ads engages with returners and encourages their applications.
• Actively search for potential ‘returners’ – reach out to those who are taking a career break about new roles and let them know their skills in the industry are valued.
• Give returners a chance – don’t rule out candidates with gaps in their CV at the shortlist stage. Give them the opportunity to prove that their skills are just as strong after taking time out. The selection process should not automatically discount those who have taken breaks.

As women in engineering:

• Support each other! – celebrate each other’s successes and share them across your socials to amplify female voices.
• Advocate for change – speak to your employers about lack of gender diversity within STEM and begin conversations about open hiring policies. Share research and statistics on the topic with your network to bring attention to the issues faced by women engineers. Bring about change by speaking up and highlighting outdated and inflexible policies that are worsening the skills gap.
• Be bold – don’t be afraid to ask your employers for flexibility in your role. Challenge industry norms.
• Stay up to date – if you’re a woman in STEM who is taking a career break, it is now easier than ever to stay in the loop. Social media is a great way of keeping up to date with your industry. It’s also a great way to engage with companies you may want to work for in the future.

If you would like to discuss how to implement a recruitment strategy that embraces diversity, or if you would like our director Samantha to speak about this topic in your company, school or university, please get in touch with the team at recruitment@medicalengineers.co.uk.

 

Statistics report that there are circa 90,000 STEM graduates per year. Graduate engineering roles are highly competitive and having a degree does not guarantee you your dream job after graduating.

We’ve made a list of top tips that can help you to make a good first impression, stand out from the competition and secure your first job as an engineer.

Social Networking

To shine and be noticed by potential employers it is imperative that you develop your professional presence on social platforms. A LinkedIn profile detailing your skills and experience will make it easier for employers to look at your professional background.

Utilise it to connect and engage with people in the engineering industry. Join groups and communities of other graduates and engineers in your desired sector. Keep up to date with industry changes so that you have lots of interesting things to discuss during interviews and you can show a genuine interest in your field. Comment on social media posts from potential employers – it could be seen by a hiring manager!

LinkedIn is a great place to find out about jobs, as well as other social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. These free tools are available to you to help market yourself in the best possible way. Make sure to sign up to job alerts so that you are the first to hear about new opportunities.

Research

Demonstrating that you have knowledge about the company you are applying to shows you have taken the time to research before applying. If you can reference business updates from their website, or information from news articles, it shows you have a vested interest in who you want to potentially work for.

Research whether any of your academic projects match a field of their research or align with any of their current or future product ranges.

Always read and understand the job specification if there is one so that you can detail your experience in line with the requirements of the role at interview or in your application.

Cover Letter

Always write a cover letter, even if it’s optional!

This will be your chance to grab the attention of the hiring manager, or whoever is recruiting for the role. You can change your cover letter in accordance with each position that you are applying for ensuring that you point out specific skills and experience that match or could be an asset to their business.

As well as detailing your skills and experience you can use this opportunity to highlight the areas of your personality which align with the company’s core values.

Your CV

A mistake many candidates make when writing their CV is to over-complicate it. Make the layout as easy to follow as possible, keeping your CV no more than 1-2 pages long. You want to keep the employer engaged and not bore them with pages of information which isn’t relevant.

Typically, the reader with give your CV 15 seconds to determine if they want to continue reading. Make sure the se 15 seconds are not about your contact information or home address!

98% of Fortune 500 companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Keeping the same CV for every application will not give you the best chance of success. Read the job description carefully and pick out the keywords they use to enhance your CV. Applicant Tracking Systems will be scanning your CV to pick out these keywords before a human has chance to read it. Tailoring your CV to each job application can help to make sure it gets through the initial stage of the process.

Always get someone else to proofread your CV and cover letter, checking for any spelling and grammatical mistakes and most importantly that it makes sense!

Follow Up

After all this hard work don’t forget to follow up with the roles you have applied for!

A follow up email, phone call or LinkedIn message will improve your success in two ways: it reminds the hiring manager of your application and it sets you apart from other candidates by demonstrating your enthusiasm and diligence in your search for a career.

Sign up to job alerts on our website or email us at recruitment@medicalengineers.co.uk if you have any further questions about graduate engineering positions.

Be persistent, promote yourself in a professional way and you will certainly stand out.

Thanks for reading!

We chatted to Sam, our founder and CEO, about being a female engineer.

Why did you become an engineer?

I became an engineer mainly because, being one of 6 children, the only time I got to spend one on one time with my dad was when we were fixing cars and mending things around the house. That really sparked my interest into the intricacies of how different things work, so my mindset was formed from a very early age and really moulded my thinking and drove towards a career in engineering.

What was your most interesting role in engineering?

I worked for a company called Siemens as an Instrumentation Engineer and was involved in the designing and developing of collection probes which were used to collect samples from large industrial chimney sacks. I had to design a probe which was inert, which meant that the material that the probe was made from couldn’t affect or influence the sample that had been taken. These probes would gain samples which could then be tested to give data on the emissions produced from these large gas turbines.

What led you to your current role?

I took the decision to set up and start my own consultancy after I fell pregnant with my son. There was no real option for me to return to work on a part time basis so, in order to get the flexibility I needed to care for for him as well as work, I decided to set up on my own and forge out a career that way.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I love that I get an opportunity to meet with really clever, inspirational engineers and scientists that are developing the next game changing medical technology. That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning. Being involved with product development teams and helping them to grow is very rewarding. I also get to find good people great opportunities within an ever changing technological environment.

How should the engineering sector support women in fulfilling their potential? How would you like to see opportunities improve?

I believe the engineering sector could support women better by helping them have the opportunity to return to work after they have taken some time out. That sabbatical can be for many reasons, but what I have found personally, within my own career and what I am aware of in recruitment, is that there aren’t the opportunities for women to progress to senior levels in a part time or flexible way.

What advice would you offer to young women considering a career in engineering?
I would say go for it! Engineering is a hugely broad spectrum of opportunity. You can work in some of the most advanced engineering sectors out there. From aviation, Formula 1, forensic ballistics, to the next architectural masterpiece. It’s a hugely rewarding career.

Tell us one thing about being an engineer that may surprise people?

Having a degree in engineering gives you so many different career paths. The myths that surround it even now, that you will be there holding a spanner and covered in grease, its just not like that, it is so much more technologically refined. Everything around us is influenced by engineering and science, everything you see, feel, touch. If you don’t really know what you want to do, then my advice would be to look no further than a career in Engineering and really make a difference.

If you would like Sam to speak in your school, university or workplace, please get in touch at recruitment@medicalengineers.co.uk

 

Have you ever considered working abroad? It is something over 334,000 thousand people did last year alone, so what are the key drivers behind this? Is the grass greener across the pond? Why do so many people choose to make the move?

We explore some of the reasons many Brits are choosing to relocate for their next job opportunity.

Cultural Awareness

America is perhaps the most multiculturally diverse country in the world. It is full of people who have travelled from all corners of the globe to make the USA their home and to create a better life for themselves and their families. Working in the USA will give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge of different cultures, work in diverse teams and cultivate a more open and diverse perspective of the world.

Business is not conducted in the same manner throughout the world, so first-hand experience will give you the knowledge required to adapt to different audiences, clients, and employers throughout your career.

Professional Networking

Your professional network is an extremely powerful tool. The saying that “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” will always ring true for a large proportion of people when they are searching for their next career break. Not only can those that know you, and have worked with you, offer a recommendation for you when applying for a new position, but they can also inform you of available vacancies and opportunities.

By expanding your network with international connections, you will gain exposure to more opportunities that can take your career to the next level.

International Experience

International experience is very desirable from an employer’s perspective and will set you apart from other candidates. It demonstrates independence and shows that you are proactive and open to change. Securing a role with a global industry leader and having this experience on your resume can enhance your employability when it’s time to look for a new opportunity.

Accepting a new position abroad, sometimes having to leave your home, family and friends, requires serious commitment, tenacity and drive. Moving outside your comfort zone, and collaborating with people in a professional environment overseas, will give you an experience which will ultimately enrich your professional skill set, elevating you from your counterparts.

Higher Salaries

Searching for, and securing a job on the global market, you immediately multiply the opportunities which are available to you. In turn, this can mean there can be hugely differing salary bandings for the same types of roles. Labour shortages in some industries result in companies offering higher salaries in order to attract the right talent and retain their staff.

Job Benefits

The benefits depend on the business itself, but you can generally expect more perks as an employee who is working abroad.

Also, if you are planning to apply for larger, international companies then generally you will be entitled to more benefits such as sick leave, health insurance, bonus schemes etc.

Job Opportunities

The United States firms are at the forefront of technological advances, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, pharmaceuticals, and medical, aerospace, and military equipment. Searching for work in this market will multiply the career opportunities available to you. If the job market at home is over-saturated with candidates with a similar skill set, expanding your search and looking at job openings abroad could be the key to unlocking a great opportunity.

Standard of Living

The United States has the most technologically powerful and innovative economy in the world. It has political stability, an efficient bureaucratic process, a good education system and an overall extremely high standard of living. This forms a great grounding for anyone wanting to move and work there. This, coupled with the abundance of job openings, presents a good opportunity to secure a higher salary and higher quality of living.

Personal Growth

Working overseas inevitably becomes an opportunity to grow on a more personal level. The experience of living and working in a different country, experiencing a difference culture, and working in an environment with diverse number of colleagues will be make a huge impact on you personally. It will develop your interpersonal skills, your knowledge of differing working practices and what works for you. Ultimately, your goals and aspirations will develop massively from such an experience. The opportunity to travel and explore within the country will enable you to see and experience more, all of which will contribute to you becoming a more well-rounded individual.

To discuss our overseas job opportunities, please email us at recruitment@medicalengineers.co.uk.

Thanks for reading!

As life is finally getting back to normal after the COVID pandemic, the world we knew and experienced before March 2020 is very different to the world we are now living in.

How has this global crisis altered consumer trends, business needs and daily and working life? What trends can we expect to see emerging in the business and technology space?

Life Sciences

This sector has seen rapid growth during the pandemic. There have been many great innovations in life science technologies including the mRNA vaccines developed by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. These vaccines have had a huge impact across the globe, helping to keep cases under control and away from our most vulnerable. COVID drug developments by Merck have also driven this industry forwards.

For anyone interested in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental sciences, biomedicine, nutraceuticals, neuroscience, cell biology and biophysics will certainly have some great opportunities to explore in the coming years as this industry continues to grow. Key areas to watch out for include Advanced Research, Application of Robotics Technology, Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), use of Cloud Technology, the improvement of drug testing speed, integration of genetic information and usage of gene technology.

Networking and Interconnectivity

The pandemic resulted in a huge shift in working patterns for people across the world. As many were forced to stay home, remote working became commonplace and has remained popular even as COVID cases fall. Our reliance on the internet has never been greater. As such, the online industry is booming.

As reported by Cisco’s Visual Networking Index forecast, there were 3.4 billion people using the internet in 2017 with the forecast for this to increase to over 4.8 billion by 2022. This figure equates to almost 60 percent of the global population. This figure is only going to increase going forward and will create huge growth and many opportunities in the technology arena.

Although 5G is still relatively new, there is already a focus on 6G. In 2018, both China and the USA had already started researching this advancement. By the end of 2020, China had launched a satellite to test terahertz signal transmission with both Huawei and ZTE involved, and the U.S. had started a Next G Alliance with companies including Apple, AT&T, and Google all on board.

The Metaverse

During the COVID pandemic and subsequent global lockdowns, people were forced to stay at home, sometimes alone or with only their immediate family. Without the ability to socialise or interact face to face, the internet provided a way for people to connect during this difficult time. It is not surprising that the metaverse, a digital reality that encompasses social media, online gaming, virtual and augmented reality and cryptocurrencies took off.

The growth of the metaverse will without a doubt directly impact the future of many technology sectors including gaming, wearables, VR and AR, collaborative productivity (Canva, Slack), consumer tech products (including AR glasses or smart speakers), social networks, educational technology, health technology, communication technology (Zoom), digital currencies, and convenience mobilization and on-demand consumption (Amazon, Meituan, Alibaba, JD.com, Shopify). This is going to be a huge area of technical growth going forward.

Robotics

The COVID-19 pandemic presented opportunity for growth within robotics as robots and automation provided a safe means for manufacturers to keep employees socially distanced, yet still allowed businesses to continue operating.

The use of Robotics Process Automation (RPA), which automates repetitive activities, is set to grow, becoming a standard technology for businesses. This will free workers from repeated tasks and allow them to focus on more fulfilling work.

We are also seeing a rise in nanorobotics. This involves tiny sensors with limited processing power which provide minimally invasive techniques for early diagnoses and targeted drug delivery.

The increase in the use of robotics as a whole spans the healthcare, agriculture, automotive, warehousing and supply chain management sectors.

Renewable Energy

During the pandemic renewable energy was the only energy sector that saw growth. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), 40 percent more green energy was generated and used in 2020, with experts predicting continued growth in 2022. The ever-rising cost of non-renewable energy and the falling cost of generating sustainable energy are causing more and more people to make the switch.

Advancements in technologies such as nuclear fusion, biofuel and liquid hydrogen, as well as growth in the production and usage of solar and wind technology, are set to continue and are also important areas to consider.

Looking Ahead

There’s little doubt that in 2022 and beyond will see rapid technological growth as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a prime opportunity for start-ups, corporations and investors to capitalise on these emerging areas.

If you would like to discuss this topic further, don’t hesitate to email us at recruitment@medicalengineers.co.uk