INDUSTRY BLOG
Recently Impacted by Space Industry Layoffs? Check out these CV Tips from VAST's Jules Haehn
Jules Haehn is the Principal Technical Recruiter, Executive Engineering & Avionics at VAST
The U.S. space industry is currently facing a wave of layoffs, affecting numerous engineers. Given your extensive experience in recruiting for these positions, what advice would you offer to engineers seeking new job opportunities?
Be intentional about what you’re looking for. If you haven’t clearly defined your target, the job search will feel daunting. Be honest about the type of environment you thrive in, the work you’re best at, and a leveling/compensation range that meets or exceeds your expectations.
Craft a resume that’s tailored to the job and magnifies your top accomplishments. This is usually the hardest part, because it requires considerable self-evaluation and vulnerability. However, if you invest in this upfront, it will improve your interview performance.
Develop your rapid prototype version and iterate until it’s perfect. Put it through “critical design reviews” by getting extra sets of eyes to critique it. The resume should synthesize your best work, not everything. Keep in mind that what you include can determine the questions you’ll be asked; anything on your resume is fair game to test!
Overprepare to win in interviews. Research the companies, refine your pitch, and refresh your engineering fundamentals. Be prepared to walk through your problem-solving process and get comfortable whiteboarding. Great engineers can break down a complex problem to first principles.
What key features do you look for in a CV for a space engineer?
The format and flow of the CV tells me how this person will perform in an interview. Are they a long-winded communicator or are they direct and concise? I look for a candidate’s technical breadth and depth, areas that align with the job requirements, and areas that may supplement gaps on the team.
Let’s discuss the technical aspects of the CV. How many pages should it ideally be, and do you think colours or images should be included?
Imagine you’re the hiring manager and are reviewing loads of resumes; you quickly learn to appreciate brevity. So, think of your resume like prime real estate – be particular about what you put on there and make the content easily digestible. With that said, I prefer resumes to be 1 page unless you have 10+ years of experience or a PhD. Avoid potential bias by keeping it neutral - no colors, no photos, no personal information except phone and email. Absolutely no fluff words or soft skills should be used; this will be evaluated throughout the hiring process.
How should engineers structure their CV?
Headline/Summary, Experience, Education.
The headline should be a short, notable title that captures your experience and ideally matches the job description. For example: Mechanical Design Engineer | Electronics Packaging; Propulsion Engineer | Thermal & Fluids Analysis; Flight Software Engineer | Full-Stack Development. I prefer this over a summary but if you’re inclined to create one, keep it under 3 sentences.
For experience, shorthand the writing - write in 1st person, but leave out “I.” Save yourself space by embedding technical skills and job requirements throughout this section.
For education, include relevant certifications. If you are under two years of experience, education will typically go before experience. Vice versa if you have been in the workforce longer.
Do you have a preference for the number of bullet points included for each position?
Five or less. The first bullet point should summarize the scope of your responsibilities. Then, order your bullet points from most relevant/impressive to least.
Each bullet point should tell its own story! This is your opportunity to lead the interviewer to ask about projects that you’ve excelled at. Follow Laszlo Bock’s formula: Accomplished X, measured by Y, by doing Z. The majority of your bullets should provide a metric [$/%/time saved – quantitative results that tells the reader how you impacted the bottom line of the business]. This is how you maximize impact in the least amount of words.
Why do you think actions verbs should always be used?
The type of action verbs you use convey your ability to influence and effect change. Did you play a leading or supporting role in your projects? Hiring managers are looking for engineers who can come into an ambiguous situation and quickly evaluate the landscape, reduce noise, and creatively problem solve.
And finally, what’s the best way for engineers to convey their story to hiring managers? What aspects of cover letters do you find most intriguing?
The best way for engineers to standout is by providing a portfolio of work! It is supplemental to your resume - where the resume needs to be concise, the portfolio can provide more detail. I recommend 1-2 slides per project that gives an overview of the objective/goals/requirements, your direction contributions, results and lessons learned. Include your side projects!