At what point can a person list AutoCAD as a skill on their resume?

[shosh]

I'm trying to learn autoCAD on my own to make wiring diagrams using Infinite skills videos. I learned a few things, but I don't have an assignment or a project to work on to really know where I am in my autocad skills. I never used autocad in my Electrical Eng studies. So what do people expect a entry level EE person to know in regards to autocad? It seems that about 90% of people expect me to know autocad and I'd think that adding autocad on my resume would be a huge boost.

[Tuns]

Could you perhaps say something like "Some knowledge of AutoCAD"? Really, I would say you could put it on your resume if you took drafting in college or if you have some sort of certification. You could also use it if you had a few years of experience with it prior to writing your resume. If it is a decent employer and you are a decent employee, then I'm sure the employer wouldn't mind investing time into teaching you how to use AutoCAD for their business. I wouldn't personally see it as a problem if you were to say "Willing to learn AutoCAD" or something.

[SLW210]

You haven't used any type of CAD in an EE course?

 

We hire for entry level engineers, not CAD experts, but every little bit you know will get you ahead of other applicants.

 

You could try some practice exams to see where you are. AutoCAD Exam Practice Quiz

 

You should be able to find more like that.

 

There should be some schematics, etc. in your text books to simulate what you may see in the workplace.

[shosh]

You haven't used any type of CAD in an EE course?

 

We hire for entry level engineers, not CAD experts, but every little bit you know will get you ahead of other applicants.

 

You could try some practice exams to see where you are. AutoCAD Exam Practice Quiz

 

You should be able to find more like that.

 

There should be some schematics, etc. in your text books to simulate what you may see in the workplace.

 

I used Orcad instead of AutoCAD. I don't know how similar they are to each other, as wires in Orcad had attributes to them. In autocad, they seem to be just lines.

[ReMark]

I'd find out if there is a three-day AutoCAD Electrical course available in your area. If you were to take it you could list it as part of your continuing education.

[dbroada]

Orcad and AutoCAD are completely (in my experience) different animals. Orcad is very specifically an electrical package whereas AutoCAD is a "jack of all trades". It now depends on where you want your career to go. If you don't want to specialise in what Orcad can do for you, AutoCAD is a much better bet.

[JD Mather]

You can list it when you have passed the certification exam.

 

https://autodesk.starttest.com/

 

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=14238655

[Dana W]

You can list it when you have passed the certification exam.

 

https://autodesk.starttest.com/

 

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=14238655

OK, then. I just resigned.

[mikekmx]

location?

 

in the UK, from your description, 'working knowledge of AutoCAD' would be OK i think. 'experienced in AutoCAD' or 'proficient in AutoCAD' may also fit th bill.

 

in my experience, at interviews, under-selling slightly is much better than over-selling:lol:

[shosh]

in the US. I think I've always undersold myself. I'm never comfortable listing skills that I'm not an expert in.

[stevsmith]

in my experience, at interviews, under-selling slightly is much better than over-selling:lol:

 

Agreed, but I would suggest that your cv be kept short (highlight areas with bullet points rather than a long spiel detailing every thing you know about CAD/Engineering)

They are more likely to get you in and ask more in depth questions during the interview at which stage don't oversell it, it can be seen as arrogance.

[Organic]

Put it on your resume. No need to do any certification or course if you can use it already.

[stevsmith]

similar to this. no need to go into depth. If you use it, put it on.

 

[SLW210]

Like I already stated, your future employer will be looking for an Electrical Engineer not an AutoCAD expert.

 

If you feel comfortable using AutoCAD at all, put it on your resume. Being a student you could also work with other Autodesk software for free.

[Tuns]

I agree with SLW here. It shouldn't matter whether you have it or not really. No employer will be impressed that you can use AutoCAD. He may as well take the opportunity to be impressed that you can use a pencil and paper too. They're both just tools that are used to do the job. He is wanting to get a good engineer not someone who is good at AutoCAD.