Anyone who has just graduated or is in between jobs will know how tough it is to find someone who can employ you. There are several reasons that play a role in this happening and many of them are not in your control. There are social and political forces at play here, but we do not have to get into that now. What you can do is find ways to equip yourself with the skills needed to stand out from the competition. So, when you are face to face with a recruiter, you will have an advantage over the others. This can be done even in a field that is as competitive as the jobs that civil engineers qualify for. The first step would be to get the necessary qualifications. Next, it is a good idea if you are able to decide on an area that you want to specialise in. Some of the common areas here are structural engineering, anything to do with water, transportation and so on. The real pro of having a speciality is that helps bring some focus to your career. You know what to search for and that makes the job hunt so much easier.
Be Persistent
A good way to rack up some experience is to find internships on job sites. Even if it is outside your area of speciality, go for it. By putting yourself in an unfamiliar position you are only going to be learning a lot more. Any kind of internship will work in your favour when you submit a resume. This little bit of experience is going to help you stand out. And the persistence also comes in the form of attending any and every interview that you can find.
Improving Yourself
In the world that we live in today, companies that hire people are always on the lookout for those who know that little extra. Whether you like it or not, knowing more from outside your subject area will reflect well on you. So, find out what these extra skills that the recruiters are looking for and learn them. Often, they are available for free online so make use of the time available to better yourself. Self-improvement shows that you are committed to a job and that will be seen when you attend the interview. Yes, there is a lot of effort that is going into getting a job, but it will not be hard if you work for it.