“The 5 secrets to maximizing Thai engineers’ potential in the workforce”
Over the course of my 15 years as a technical recruiter in Thailand, I have noticed recurring problems among Thai engineers and technical candidates. Thai engineers can boost their marketability and advance in their careers by focusing on these weak spots. In this post, I’ll go through five common mistakes made by Thai engineers and offer advice on how to fix them so that they don’t stunt their careers.
Improving English Skills is Priority No. 1 since many Thai Engineers experience the difficulty of communicating in English. The ability to communicate effectively in English is essential in today’s international workplace. If Thai engineers want to improve their employment chances and ability to work with international clients and colleagues, they should make learning English a top priority. Improving one’s
command of the English language can be accomplished through study, conversational practice, and exposure to English-only settings.
Second, learning to effectively communicate and present information is just as important as having strong technical abilities in today’s competitive work environment. To better explain their ideas, inform their audiences on projects, and participate in professional discussions, Thai engineers should work on honing their presentation and communication skills. Those who make the effort to improve their abilities in public speaking, presenting methods, and corporate communication stand a much better chance of advancing in their careers and landing the jobs of their dreams.
Third, learning by doing. Thai engineering graduates frequently lack actual experience despite having extensive theoretical understanding. Companies want employees who can use their acquired expertise in practical situations. Thai engineers can fill this void by participating in cooperative education programs, internships, or other hands-on projects. Workshops, conferences, and working with seasoned pros all offer great opportunities to learn from experts and hone practical skills.
Forth, striking a Balance Between Humility and Self-Promotion. Thai culture places a high focus on humility, which may get in the way of an engineer’s ability to promote their talents and accomplishments in the job market. Although modesty is admirable, engineers need to master the art of self-promotion. Thai engineers can exhibit their skills and attract companies by developing a strong internet presence, writing an extensive resume, and actively promoting their achievements. If you want to stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive job market, you need to find the sweet spot between modesty and self-promotion.
Lastly, openness to change, Thai engineers sometimes choose to live close to their families over taking advantage of international chances for career growth. Despite the importance of family, an engineer’s career might benefit greatly from working in a variety of businesses. Exposure to new cultures, technology, and international best practices can be gained by looking for work abroad. Thai engineers would do well to embrace mobility and broaden their perspectives by accepting international jobs, traveling abroad for professional conferences or seminars, or studying abroad.
The conclusion is that if these five problems are fixed, Thai engineers will be able to reach their full potential and succeed in the workforce. Thai engineers can set themselves apart by improving their English language skills, honing their communication and presentation abilities, accumulating relevant work experience, striking a healthy balance between modesty and self-promotion, and being open to new opportunities that need them to relocate. Professional development and new prospects in Thailand and abroad await those who make an investment in lifelong learning, actively seek out mentors, and keep abreast of industry trends.
0ver 15 years’ experience in Executive Search and leading recruitment teams, Nina has wide experience servicing clients in different sectors including manufacturing, automotive, electronics, chemical, retail and life science. Nina recently set up a boutique recruitment firm, APlus Career Recruitment Co., Ltd. in 2022, serving clients in recruitment and HR solutions. Contact us for more details.