Technical qualifications are an important part of building a career in the energy industry, but they are rarely the only thing an employer will consider.

When we speak to employers about engineering, offshore, nuclear, renewables and other energy-sector vacancies, they are usually looking for evidence that a candidate can apply their technical knowledge safely, communicate effectively and contribute to a wider project team.

Your qualifications may help you to meet the initial requirements for a role. The following qualities can make the difference when employers decide who they want to interview or appoint.

A Strong Approach to Safety

Safety is fundamental across the energy industry, particularly in offshore environments, nuclear facilities, construction projects and other highly regulated workplaces.

Employers want candidates who understand that safety is part of their everyday responsibilities rather than something that simply sits with an HSE department.

During an interview, be prepared to give practical examples of situations where you have identified a risk, challenged an unsafe practice, followed a procedure or helped improve the way a task was carried out.

The strongest examples tend to demonstrate what you actually did, rather than simply stating that you have worked within a strong safety culture.

Clear Communication

Energy projects bring together people from a wide range of technical disciplines, contractors, suppliers and client organisations. Being able to communicate clearly with each of them is an important skill.

Employers may look for evidence that you can:

• Explain technical information to non-specialists
• Produce clear reports and documentation
• Raise concerns when something is wrong
• Communicate effectively across different teams
• Provide useful updates on project progress, risks or delays

You do not need to be the loudest person in the meeting. Good communication is about getting the right information to the right people and make sure it is understood.

Problem-Solving Ability

Technical roles rarely go exactly according to plan.

Equipment can fail, project requirements can change and unexpected problems can emerge during construction, commissioning, maintenance or operations.

Employers therefore want people who can assess a situation, understand the available options and work towards a practical solution.

When discussing previous projects, explain the problem you encountered, how you approached it and what happened as a result. This gives an employer much more useful information than simply describing your routine responsibilities.

Reliability and Accountability

Energy projects often involve tight schedules, significant budgets and work where delays can have consequences elsewhere in the programme.

Being someone who can be trusted to take ownership of their responsibilities carries considerable value.

Recruiters and employers will look for examples of times when you have managed your own workload, met deadlines, taken responsibility for an issue or kept other people informed when something could not be delivered as originally planned.

Trying to hide problems is rarely a good quality. Recognising them early and communicating them properly usually is.

The Ability to Work with Other Disciplines

Few energy projects are delivered by one technical discipline working alone.

An engineer may need to work alongside project managers, planners, HSE professionals, commercial teams, technicians, contractors and clients. Employers therefore place considerable value on candidates who can work effectively with people whose priorities and technical knowledge may be different from their own.

When preparing for an interview, think about projects where collaboration was particularly important and what your contribution was.

Commercial and Project Awareness

You may be applying for a highly technical position, but it helps to understand the wider project.

Employers increasingly value candidates who recognise that technical decisions can affect budgets, schedules, resources and other areas of delivery.

You do not need to be a commercial specialist. Simply demonstrating an awareness of how your role contributes to the overall success of a project can help distinguish you from someone who only focuses on their immediate technical responsibilities.

Show Employers What You Bring to the Team

Qualifications tell an employer what you have been trained to do. Your experience, judgement and approach to work help demonstrate how effectively you can do it.

When updating your CV or preparing for an interview, do not concentrate solely on certificates, technical systems and project responsibilities. Include examples that demonstrate safety awareness, communication, problem-solving, teamwork and accountability.

At People with Energy, we have been recruiting for the energy industry for decades and understand what employers are looking for beyond the job specification. Search our latest energy vacancies, browse our Candidate Resources or send us your CV to start discussing your next move.