CAD recruiters and agencies

[ctsturdiv]

As last semester is underway, I am looking towards my job hunt.

In other industries I have worked in be it convention banquets/bartending, nursing assistant work, even plants or warehouse work, you had these staffing agencies.

You went in, took whatever test, showed any paperwork, and if they had something (and you bugged the hell out of them), you had a job.Sometimes Temp to Perm. Some of them were BS. Others gave you pretty decent stuff. Sometimes with little experience and it was MUCH easier than sending resumes into the void or filling out dozens of applications(when they could have just looked at a resume).

When I was working in call centers last 10 years, this was not needed. All I had to do was show up, have a pulse, show I had experience, I could get hired at pretty much any place.

I hear it works differently now in fields like this. It's a lot of Linked In stuff, a lot of word of mouth, quite a bit (at least from cursory probing and listening to students) a lot of nepotism depending on discipline.

There's also not just one job title which adds to the confusion.

What are the major agencies that look for drafters? Anyone ever gotten a job via people like this? Or are there other methods?

Thanks!

[matt]

Not sure what your question is. "People like this" means what? Do you mean recruiters? I don't think there's one central agency you go to for drafters. There are a million agencies. And once you find out who they are, they won't let you forget. A lot of them are from India. You'll find there must be one day of the month where new info is given out, because all of a sudden you'll get 3 or 4 people contacting you at the same time about the same job.

You have to have a resume. You have to understand what you're looking for. You have to keep your eyes open everywhere. Social media, Linked In, facebook groups, get registered with agencies who advertise that sort of thing. Google works for work as well. Monster, your state employment agency, big internet agencies, little local agencies, direct at companies... look everywhere.

Depending on where you live, you might also be open to moving.

Drafting is kind of a broad field. Generally, employers are going to want you to have experience is some specific field, like architecture, machinery, GIS, electrical, plumbing.... Right out of school it might not matter much. Go to a big architectural firm and just apply blind.

[ctsturdiv]

Not sure what your question is. "People like this" means what? Do you mean recruiters? I don't think there's one central agency you go to for drafters. There are a million agencies. And once you find out who they are, they won't let you forget. A lot of them are from India. You'll find there must be one day of the month where new info is given out, because all of a sudden you'll get 3 or 4 people contacting you at the same time about the same job.

You have to have a resume. You have to understand what you're looking for. You have to keep your eyes open everywhere. Social media, Linked In, facebook groups, get registered with agencies who advertise that sort of thing. Google works for work as well. Monster, your state employment agency, big internet agencies, little local agencies, direct at companies... look everywhere.

Depending on where you live, you might also be open to moving.

Drafting is kind of a broad field. Generally, employers are going to want you to have experience is some specific field, like architecture, machinery, GIS, electrical, plumbing.... Right out of school it might not matter much. Go to a big architectural firm and just apply blind.

Thanks for the heads up and clarification.

You answered my question. Thanks!

In some other fields, it was all local agencies and they controlled most of the job market depending on what you wanted.There were like 1-3 big local agencies or maybe a union that you walked into in major cities. Only one that ever asked ever for a resume and if you offered one, they'd say that's nice and ask you to fill out an application and probably throw it away. LOL.

Was just seeing from people in it if there were central places like that.

I have gotten my resume together. I don't have a specialization, but I'd like to think I am familiar with concepts of all the disciplines on a basic level and I can work AutoCAD at least on a proficient level and model 3D objects. I will be happy with anyone that will teach me. Only thing that worries me is I see a lot of stuff like Open Roads, Microstation, Creo, Solidworks, and other programs on job ads that worry me. I am sure there's crossover but there's still worry lack of that might hurt a bit.

Relocation I am open to, but right after I will have limited cash to do extreme moves or hotel stays in other states. And may, worse comes to worse, need to take another call center job for a bit to float me.

Come January, I will be hitting every everywhere within 150 miles.

I feel you on recruiters. Other fields I have been in did not have a such thing as recruiters. You blind applied or went to an agency. Not sure I want to deal with someone from the other side of the globe that is going to bug the heck out of me. LOL. I think I will pass on that.

[Frederick_Law]

Agency get pay from you or employer.
Just look through local job sites (indeed, linkedin, government job site etc) online and company websites (go through Google Map in you area).
Don't be too specific with the search. You'll find the keywords and narrow down later.

[ctsturdiv]

Agency get pay from you or employer.
Just look through local job sites (indeed, linkedin, government job site etc) online and company websites (go through Google Map in you area).
Don't be too specific with the search. You'll find the keywords and narrow down later.

Yeah, that is really the annoying thing about this as opposed to other industry is that there seems to be like a dozen or more titles for what we do.

For instance, if you are a nurse, you can search for "nurse" or put yourself out there as a nurse if you have that credential and there's no confusion. While yes, there are specialties, you have one stop.

You don't have to play with terminology. And some of these things are vastly different.

[AlexLachance]

Yeah, that is really the annoying thing about this as opposed to other industry is that there seems to be like a dozen or more titles for what we do.

For instance, if you are a nurse, you can search for "nurse" or put yourself out there as a nurse if you have that credential and there's no confusion. While yes, there are specialties, you have one stop.

You don't have to play with terminology. And some of these things are vastly different.

Let your interests drive your search for a job. A drafter can be more then just a drafter, I am an example of that. It wasn't easy finding a job for me either but I'm glad I didn't just skip around places and landed in a spot where I was truely interested/inspired.

[Frederick_Law]

Yeah, that is really the annoying thing about this as opposed to other industry is that there seems to be like a dozen or more titles for what we do.

For instance, if you are a nurse, you can search for "nurse" or put yourself out there as a nurse if you have that credential and there's no confusion. While yes, there are specialties, you have one stop.

You don't have to play with terminology. And some of these things are vastly different.

There are different "nurse" in different departments with different qualification.
Same with "driver".
Same with "doctor".
You're starting in a new industry and you already know how it works

[ctsturdiv]

There are different "nurse" in different departments with different qualification.
Same with "driver".
Same with "doctor".
You're starting in a new industry and you already know how it works

Well, sometimes you have to ask the dumb questions. And, like most forum boards (including Reddit), 90 percent of people lurk and never post looking for the answers to the dumb questions.

It was something I noticed.

I remember almost two years ago when I began the degree, I asked somewhere about the job listings. First search only found two. Then I was given a list of about 3-4 terms, came up with much more.

I can cope, but it is kind of annoying as I do initial explorations and researching the names of these companies.

When I mean "messing with the terminology", I mean you can go into a search engine on a job site and it pulls up all specialties under that umbrella.

Like for your example, "nurse".

If you type in "nurse" on Indeed, Linked In, whatever you get ALL the ads for the specialties there. Pediatric nurse? It's there. ICU nurse. There. Psych nurse. There. Nursing administration? Guess what. There. If you don't want to cope with that, there are even agencies that will probably you somewhere if they have it, providing the license is straight, you have the degree, and you don't have an army of former employers talking smack about you or you show up drunk and unbathed to the interview.

Or "driver"

You type in "driver", you get ALL the ads for a driver. Multiple scam apps like Uber/Door Dash, Pizza Hut, Limousine driver, semi truck driver, even hardcore stuff like Hazmat.

But if you do "drafter", you don't get it all.

You might have to do "CAD Tech" or "BIM" or "Engineering Tech" or "Designer" or "modeller" and a laundry list of other terms.

It's just one of those annoying things I noticed.

[Frederick_Law]

"CAD Operator"
"Detailer"

"BIM" is very specific: "Building Information Modeling"

My feed from indeed:
"CAD Drafter"
"Solidworks Drafter"
"Product Designer"
"Mechanical Designer"
"Mechanical CAD Designer"
"Mechanical Technologist"

I usually start search with "Autodesk Inventor" or "Solidworks".

[ctsturdiv]

"CAD Operator"
"Detailer"

"BIM" is very specific: "Building Information Modeling"

My feed from indeed:
"CAD Drafter"
"Solidworks Drafter"
"Product Designer"
"Mechanical Designer"
"Mechanical CAD Designer"
"Mechanical Technologist"

I usually start search with "Autodesk Inventor" or "Solidworks".

Thank you.

That helps tremendously. It was like I was playing the old Family Feud trying to guess the answers that would appear on the survey in that game show.

I know it sounded dumb. But I was like, "Why can't I just type one thing like I did in other careers and get a good overview". LOL.

[AlexLachance]

Well, sometimes you have to ask the dumb questions. And, like most forum boards (including Reddit), 90 percent of people lurk and never post looking for the answers to the dumb questions.

It was something I noticed.

I remember almost two years ago when I began the degree, I asked somewhere about the job listings. First search only found two. Then I was given a list of about 3-4 terms, came up with much more.

I can cope, but it is kind of annoying as I do initial explorations and researching the names of these companies.

When I mean "messing with the terminology", I mean you can go into a search engine on a job site and it pulls up all specialties under that umbrella.

Like for your example, "nurse".

If you type in "nurse" on Indeed, Linked In, whatever you get ALL the ads for the specialties there. Pediatric nurse? It's there. ICU nurse. There. Psych nurse. There. Nursing administration? Guess what. There. If you don't want to cope with that, there are even agencies that will probably you somewhere if they have it, providing the license is straight, you have the degree, and you don't have an army of former employers talking smack about you or you show up drunk and unbathed to the interview.

Or "driver"

You type in "driver", you get ALL the ads for a driver. Multiple scam apps like Uber/Door Dash, Pizza Hut, Limousine driver, semi truck driver, even hardcore stuff like Hazmat.

But if you do "drafter", you don't get it all.

You might have to do "CAD Tech" or "BIM" or "Engineering Tech" or "Designer" or "modeller" and a laundry list of other terms.

It's just one of those annoying things I noticed.

I think you're having the wrong approach for searching a job in this domain. These jobs are often not listed for multiple reasons. For instance the company I work for searched for 3 years for an industrial engineer but never actually posted the job for people to see that we were looking for one. Heck, I got the job that I have right now and they weren't looking for anyone or anything in particular.

[Frederick_Law]

I think OP need to take some entry jobs and get into specific industry.
Drafter for BIM, construction, sheetmetal, medical, plastic injection, rapid prototype, electronic, automotive, aerospace etc require different skills and knowledge. And they'll have different names for those positions.

[ctsturdiv]

I think you're having the wrong approach for searching a job in this domain. These jobs are often not listed for multiple reasons. For instance the company I work for searched for 3 years for an industrial engineer but never actually posted the job for people to see that we were looking for one. Heck, I got the job that I have right now and they weren't looking for anyone or anything in particular.

I am seeing a bit of that.

LOTS of nepotism. It's actually kind of depressing, but I try to dwell on things I can control.

Unfortunately, I am not related to or know on a personal level many engineers or people in the industry. And my previous industry, once you leave, the relationship ends. And those guys all tend to move from call center job to another. My former field has "coworkers", not "colleagues" .

I can not just "call someone up" and get into jobs that the companies themselves don't advertise. But more power to you!

But, I don't think I have enough real world examples to consign myself and I am too far along to reverse course.

I think I will start with applying to the state. The state calls the job "Engineering Tech III or IV" and lists my degree as counting for 3 years experience. It's mostly dealing with roads, plot plans, elevations, lots of civil stuff. Several spots open, and I'd be even for moving to smaller towns in my state if need be because no one wants to live there.

I also plan on going on scouting missions in person to various civil, mechanical, arch, and electrical shop in person. In my immediate area, there are 3-4 places. One of them right across the street from an old employer. In fact, they were my old employers landlord. I have a good relationship with that former employer.

Then sending out resumes to everyone that even remotely sounds like something I can do, regardless of what they call it.

Then expand outwards towards areas outside of state. If by MAY 2025, no takers, I will assume I have a degree that is worthless without knowing someone. That's fine. Good information is hard to come by and of course no one is going to put online or brag if the degree did not help them.

WORST CASE (and not the end of the world necessarily)

I will have a VALID associates degree. It lets me mark YES on an application "Do you have a degree Y/N". It also gives me a few options.

- I can double down. In my state, a valid AA from a community college allows you automatic entry to a 4 year state college (though some programs are more selective than others). I have a solid 3.4. I could go straight BS in engineering or arch. And would be willing to move to any legit state 4 year in the state that would take me. I believe with the courses i have taken, I could draw circles around a typical 2nd or 3rd year Arch or Engineering student. But this would take 3 more years because CAD is votech and they want far more math. And hard math at that that would be life consuming.

- I could spend one more year, get a double associates in a field people actually WANT people for free ride. I have A LOT of the classes for Process Tech. they snap up ALL those guys that come through and EVERYONE that takes that has a job. One of my PTEC instructors actually has a dual associates in Drafting and Design AND Process Technology and did okay for herself. But I think the 80 hours a week around cancer spewing bombs was enough and she decided to teach CC for less money and better QoL. Do 5-6 years, buy a cheap house cash. Get on some good antidepressants if I need them with that good insurance and get regular screenings (LOL) and cope.

- In my state, a valid in-state Associates Degree automatically gives you the ability to become a teacher's aid, barring background check issues like felonies and child/elder abuse convictions. It pays around 15 an hour BUT if you agree to go 4 year Secondary or Elementary Ed will pay off any student loans and is a FOR SURE job. Especially with diversity initiatives because they really, really want men. Teachers poor mouth and have valid points. BUT, they make 45K to 60K with summers off, usually have a union, and summers off (deserves two mentions!). More in some other states. One former graduate with my degree I reached out to is doing exactly this. But, man, that's dealing with jerk kids and jerk parents and violence. I worked in psych wards for a bit as an orderly. Man, I get kicked, punched, doused urine on, etc. But at least if the psych patients did that, we tied their asses down! LOL.

[DanPihlaja]

Unfortunately, I am not related to or know on a personal level many engineers or people in the industry. And my previous industry, once you leave, the relationship ends. And those guys all tend to move from call center job to another. My former field has "coworkers", not "colleagues" .

I can not just "call someone up" and get into jobs that the companies themselves don't advertise. But more power to you!

Actually....you CAN just call someone up. Although it takes a bit of extra effort.
Figure out where you might want to work, and just call them. Be personable and outgoing in your conversation and let them know that you are looking for a job and see if you can speak to someone about that.

There have been a couple of times that I have simply done that and gotten an interview out of it.

But, I will push that knowing someone who can vouch for you is a HUGE foot in the door.

I am not saying that you fit this category, but there are a LOT of young people (and some older) who don't want to have any type of personal relationship with anyone....simply don't want to even physically talk to anyone.....and then wonder why others who DO talk to people get the jobs that they want. They call it nepotism...but it isn't really. It is simply an employer feeling comfortable with someone, which goes a long way toward hiring them.

[AlexLachance]

I am seeing a bit of that.

LOTS of nepotism. It's actually kind of depressing, but I try to dwell on things I can control.

Unfortunately, I am not related to or know on a personal level many engineers or people in the industry. And my previous industry, once you leave, the relationship ends. And those guys all tend to move from call center job to another. My former field has "coworkers", not "colleagues" .

As Dan stated, what I was refering, or trying to, wasn't nepotism, it was simply contacting the employer, showing actual interest into the company you are contacting and making them feel comfortable with you as a person rather then you as an employee. If you're ambitious, they'll pick up on it.