The defence industry is one of the strongest and most innovative in the world.
The UK defence industry alone employs approximately 146,000 people, and supports a further 260,000 UK jobs; so it’s no wonder there is such an exciting variety of employment opportunities available in this sector.
But how do you know whether or not working in the defence industry is right for you? Read on to discover five signs you were born to work in a defence contract role…
5 signs you were born to work in defence:
1. You long for excitement and variety
As we said above, if it’s an incredible range of opportunities you want, then look no further than the defence industry!
Did you know that one of the most common reasons people search for a new job is because they are bored?
Well, if you work as a defence contractor, every day will be different – so you’ll never be bored! From land to marine and even aviation, the employment opportunities in this sector are unrivalled._
If you work as a vehicle mechanic, for example, you could find yourself working on vehicles such as Humvees, M1 Tanks, or Bradley Fighting Vehicles, whereas aircraft engineers could find themselves working with Chinooks, Black Hawks or even Apache Helicopters.
So, if it’s variety you’re after, working in the defence industry could be the ideal solution for you!
2. You’re financially driven
They say money makes the world go around – and if it’s money that drives you, contracting in the defence industry can be a very lucrative career choice!
Did you know that defence industry pay is higher than the UK average, reflecting the skilled nature of the workforce? Yep, research by BEIS shows that there is a consistent ‘wage premium’ of about 20-25% for working in the defence industry compared to the rest of the economy.
Additionally, when you undertake a defence contract role, your meals and accommodation are sometimes subsidised.
Finally, because a lot of countries where we employ contractors have a much lower cost of living than here in the UK, you could find that your money ends up going further, too!
3. You’re hungry for success
There’s no better way to grow your skills than by working in a contract role. So, if you want to climb the career ladder fast, defence contracting could be the ideal solution!
As a defence contractor, you’ll be able to develop specific skills with each role, and because you’ll be working on industry-leading technology, you’ll get the chance to develop some pretty specific skills, too.
What’s more, if you decide to change jobs at the end of your contract, you can strategically choose which role to undertake next in order to expand your knowledge as quickly as possible._
Lastly, at M&E Global, we are proud to provide our employees with continuous learning opportunities, so you can also boost your skillset on the job.
4. You’re hard working and reliable
It takes a certain type of person to become a successful defence contractor. Whether you are an aircraft mechanic, marine engineer, or work in supply and logistics, one thing’s for sure – in order to succeed, you need to be hard working and reliable._
From strong organisational skills, exceptional communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team, there are a number of ‘soft’ skills that are essential to a successful defence contracting career.
And the good news is that there’s no better way to continue to develop these skills further than by undertaking a defence contract role!
5. You want to travel
If you want to step out of your comfort zone and try something new this year, there’s no better way to do so than to undertake a defence contract role abroad.
From Europe to the Middle East, at M&E Global we employ contractors to work on exciting roles all over the world. So, if you’ve got itchy feet, a defence contract role could be the right choice for you!
As well as giving you the opportunity to experience life in another country, explore different cultures and meet new people, contracting abroad also enables you to continue to enhance your CV. It’s no wonder it’s the dream opportunity for so many!
If you’re thinking about making the move abroad, don’t miss these five signs that you should.
Ready to find your dream defence job?
At M&E Global we have more than 20 years of experience in defence contract recruitment, so if you’re ready to find your dream job and want to learn more about working in the defence industry, we’re here to make that dream a reality!
So, if you are currently searching for a new defence contract role, or are interested in looking for a new position in 2021, contact us today to see how we can help you shake up your career.
Alternatively, check out our top tips to get your defence CV ready to wow here.
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