ASNT… Creating a Safer World! ™
Your job search is a project in itself, with various stages. Here are some tips to get you started toward your goal of a new job.
Keep Building Your Skills
What Employers Want
Below is a list of skills and characteristics that employers, including NDT, have stated they want to see in an employee. You may be surprised to see what was not mentioned.
Most people would think this means to speak and write well. In reality, employers want an employee that is first willing to listen. Employers become frustrated when an employee "shuts them out," showing disrespect to the boss.
Employers do not want to have to tell you each and everything to do. For example, on your own initiative, clean the equipment, catch up on paperwork or learn a new skill?
An employer must be able to trust you on a job site with customers. There are many times when it is just you and the customer. The employer must know that you will do nothing to harm the customer, the reputation of the company or even the NDT industry.
This does not mean chatting with everyone about your personal problems. Leave your emotional baggage at the door. Only speak professionally with the other staff or customers. Good people skills include showing respect for everyone at all times. For instance, using a person's proper title and last name is important. Never call a customer by their first name unless they make the request.
Obeying all the rules and regulations in NDT is critical to your safety and others. Part of following instructions is also recognizing who is the boss. Do not attempt to "go around" the boss. If you have a problem with the boss, first talk directly to the boss.
NDT professionals, all day long, must be able to recognize and solve problems. Critical thinking means that you are capable and willing to work on a problem until a proper solution is found. It means that you will not give up and look to someone else to solve the problem for you.
Most NDT occupations have a scope of expertise or special certification requirements. These are regulations that outline what any worker within a particular area can legally do. You must know and follow the scope of practice for your field.
There is nothing in any NDT field that even comes close to being a game. Employers want someone who works well with others for the common good of the customer and the company. Egos should be checked at the door.
When there are many experienced applicants for a job, employers are more likely to offer the job to the person who has an outstanding attitude. The applicant’s attitude isn’t measured objectively. Usually it is revealed during the job interview, and the employer weighs it intuitively.
It may have struck you that "competence in the field" was not listed above. Employers expect that you will be qualified to perform the basic duties of the job because you will have demonstrated the appropriate skills during the interview process. Everything else listed above is expected in addition to competence.
Employers value employees who can do the job well, who are committed to the work and the mission of the organization, who have a positive attitude toward the job and toward their co-workers.
Directory of Educational Institutions
This is a directory of educational institutions engaged in teaching nondestructive testing (NDT). The listing is divided into sections according to the type of institution offering instruction: vocational /technical schools generally offer a course of study leading to a diploma or an associate’s degree; junior colleges generally offer a course of study leading to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree; senior colleges generally offer courses of study leading to a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree; industrial/corporate institutions offer professional training, which may or may not include some form of certification or diploma.
PQNDT, Inc.: publishes NDT salary data. PQNDT (Personnel for Quality and Nondestructive Testing) is a commercial job placement company. Registered users can take advantage of a number of job placement features such as posting a resume and searching help wanted postings.
NDT Resource Center (Iowa State CNDE) Sponsored Iowa State University’s Center for Nondestructive Evaluation, the comprehensive site provides information and materials for NDT and NDE technical education. The site was created by NDT professionals and educators from around the world.
https://www.inspectionjobs.com/ Inspection Jobs is an online job board for a variety of inspection jobs including NDT.
http://www.ndt.org/ NDT.org is an on-line job board for NDT professionals.
http://ndtcareers.com/ NDTcareers.com is a worldwide NDT careers search engine.
Choose NDT is an invitation to young people exploring careers to learn about nondestructive testing (NDT) and the variety of jobs available in this dynamic field.