Question about non-RF work while looking for an RF job - RF Cafe Forums

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boon
 Post subject: Question about non-RF work while looking for an RF job
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:28 pm 
 
Captain

Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2006 5:19 pm

Posts: 17

hi all...

i have a couple of years of solid RF design experience. if i take up an engineering job that is completely not related to RF because i couldn't find a relevant job, would it hurt my chances in the near future to land an RF engineering job?

some of the guys here who are experienced...what would you think if you have a resume where part of job history is in completely non-RF related work. of course, this work is only so that i'm employed while i look for an RF job.

i am hoping rather than having 'unemployment' on my resume any engineering type work will be better.

thanx!


 
   
 
IR
 Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:40 am 
 
Site Admin
 

Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:02 pm

Posts: 373

Location: Germany

On the contrary!

I have had this experience back in 2002, when the telecommunication market collapsed. I did not have an RF engineering job for 2 years. During that time I was employed in another engineering job but in completely different field: medical devices, where I got to learn and experience in analogue design, EMC, optics etc...

So my suggestion to you: Use this opportunity to expand your professional knowledge and experience with other technologies as well. You will not regret about it and future employers would like it as well. Just keep freshing up your RF knowledge from time to time.


 
   
 
boon
 Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 4:34 pm 
 
Captain

Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2006 5:19 pm

Posts: 17

Thanks IR for a prompt reply!

Another question...as i apply for different jobs, if i make a move from a design engineer to let's say test engineer or applications engineer, how should i tackle the question why are you going from a design eng. to test eng., for example? Usually people make the move the other way around.

do such question even arise or would employers won't concern themselves with the fact that i had a design eng. job and now looking for test eng.

i'm new to the industry (2 year expr.)...hence these question are popping up in my head.

hope others provide feedback too...thanx


 
   
 
IR
 Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 4:46 pm 
 
Site Admin
 

Joined: Mon Jun 27, 2005 2:02 pm

Posts: 373

Location: Germany

You can always say that you want to experience other duties and work in another role to broaden your professional experience. Design is interesting part of our profession but it is not the only part, although it sounds more ''exclusive'' to engineers.

Such questions can arise by companies and even by recruiters. You can always provide different reasons like the one I mentioned above or simply say that you could not find a design engineer role at a given period due to a slow-down of the industry etc...


Posted  11/12/2012