Advancing Your NDT Career in the New Normal

By Jill Lutz and Christopher Brenchley

Even before COVID-19 changed the employment landscape for practically everyone, finding a job within the skilled industrial trades has been evolving for quite some time. With the growing use of applicant tracking systems (ATS) in many mid- to large-sized companies, applying for and landing the next best job can be challenging if prospective candidates aren’t using technology to their advantage. According to research conducted by the résumé optimization platform, Jobscan, 98% of Fortune 500 companies use applicant tracking systems. How do nondestructive technicians and industrial inspectors make their capabilities stand out, so they can plan—and position themselves for—their next best career move?

Résumé uploading and online professional profiles are now the “new normal” for industry veterans and new graduates alike. Whether applying for jobs on company websites; through generic job sites like CareerBuilder and Indeed; or creating a detailed profile on skilled trades hiring platforms like Surehand, NDT techs and inspectors need to be mindful that data plays an increasingly important role in the job hunt. And as with all data, the details—most importantly: completeness, accuracy, and whether it’s up to date—matter.

For example, Surehand has a profile wizard that lets industrial inspectors easily create a trade-specific profile that includes work and training experiences; industry certifications and qualifications; and OJT hours associated with individual inspection methods. Along with inspectors’ work (e.g., full-time, call out, turnaround, or contract) and travel preferences, the profile data is used to match inspectors with best-fit employment opportunities on the platform.

Well-known job site Indeed offers two ways to upload your résumé. Prospective candidates can create a résumé using Indeed’s template or upload a professional résumé for prospective employers to review. Uploading a professional résumé is ideal—but employers will still consider a candidate’s skills and experience with the Indeed format. Either way, ensure that the résumé is done in reverse chronological order, includes accurate job titles, dates of employment, and concise job responsibilities. If work experience changes, always update any professional profiles you have on employment sites, job boards, or professional networks like LinkedIn.

Peter Roy, Corporate Recruiter at Acuren Industrial Services, advises that it is “important to control your professional narrative. Inspectors should be selective with where they post their résumé, versus just blanketing the web with it. That allows you to stay on top of whether your information is current and accurate; know who's looking at it; and better understand why you are (or aren't) landing new opportunities.” 

Professional networking in NDT has moved online as well. A staple for white-collar professionals for almost a decade, LinkedIn has become an invaluable resource for industrial employers and workers. It allows inspectors to connect and engage with their peers around the world; stay current on the latest nondestructive trends and technology; and develop their professional brand for prospective employers.

While many nondestructive technicians continue to use word-of-mouth and offline networks to find work, many professional associations and alumni groups use LinkedIn and industry networking sites to stay connected and nurture new or existing relationships. Companies join these groups, too, to promote all that they are doing in the nondestructive field. They prove their value and commitment to excellence through these groups long before advertising job openings; they build their reputation as a top employer.

“Connecting with candidates through social media platforms and building relationships with them online are key to our recruitment efforts,” underscores Leo Pena, Vice President, Human Resources at Versa Integrity Group. “Our corporate LinkedIn and Facebook pages and Surehand’s sourcing platform have played vital roles in finding candidates to meet our hiring needs. Given the obstacles we’ve all faced over the past year, I don’t see this changing anytime soon. Building your network is key to employment in this industry.”

Keep in mind that LinkedIn is a professional networking site. Use it to share relevant professional articles and updates related to the nondestructive field. Any content you share on social media—whether on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter—is generally viewed by prospective employers. In 2017, CareerBuilder reported that over half of employers decided not to hire a candidate based on content posted to social media sites. However, the same article cited that over 40% of employers decided to hire a candidate based on their social media posts, especially if the content was professional, relevant, and showcased the best attributes of the candidate. Roy agrees, “I look at all those things when screening prospective candidates. I don't want to see your political opinions or photos of you with a twelve-point buck. Keep it professional.”

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Though there are many differing perspectives on what makes a résumé stand out, keywords are a trend that is here to stay. What are keywords exactly? They are the words and phrases that are unique to an employer’s job posting. For example, if an employer seeks a Level III UT NDE technician in the Oil & Gas industry, then an applicant’s résumé needs to reflect those words somewhere in the résumé. Even in a tight labor market, résumés containing keywords often land on the top of the recruiting pile. Candidates also need to tailor not only their résumés, but also cover letters, and intro emails when applying for work—emphasizing their work experiences and skill sets relevant to a given job opportunity.

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