Career Services Career Services

Julie WayCareer Advisor

CHOOSE to Use Your Career CHOOSE to Use Your Career ServicesServices

Because, research shows…

That students who use their Career Services are more successful at

finding an internship, co-op, or full-time position

and…. are far more successful at landing the job of their dreams

Career Services StaffCareer Services Staff

Jim Turnquist, Director Jeff Kangas, Assistant Director Tina Giachino, Manager of Job

Development Julie Way, Career Advisor Gina Goudge, Coordinator of Career

Center Programs Matt McCormick, Analyst

Programmer Rita Smith, Staff Assistant Renae DesRochers, Office Assistant Laura Givens, Office Assistant

Career Center Career Center ProfessionalsProfessionals Provide one-on-one help with all

your career development needs:

Choosing your optimal career – MyPlanGuidance for co-curricular participationResume and cover letter writing Interview coaching and practicingCareer Fair Preparation Job Search Strategies including our new

on-line recruiting software - NACElinkOn-campus interview schedulingOffer negotiation and benefits

evaluationBusiness etiquette advice

The ResumeThe Resume

Who are you and what do you Who are you and what do you want?want?Do some introspective

brainstorming and ask yourself:◦What do I really want to do? Be as specific and detailed as possible

◦What am I really good at? Identify your hard skills and soft skills

◦What kind of company and job environment do I really desire? Research and evaluate companies

you may want to target for employment

Create an Outstanding and Effective Create an Outstanding and Effective ResumeResume The first and perhaps the most vital step

in preparing yourself for a successful job search is to create a powerful resume that will open doors and generate interviews.

And you’ll want a powerfully effective

and attractive resume because:

 “On average, most recruiters spend about 30 seconds scanning a resume and cover letter before sending it to the “yes” or “no” pile.”

What do employers want What do employers want from me?from me?Employers are looking for people with these Top Employers are looking for people with these Top

10 skills 10 skills and experiences: and experiences:

Co-op/internship experience Communication skills (both written and oral) Strong work ethic Teamwork and interpersonal skills Computer Skills & Technical skills Motivation & Initiative (can you think outside the

box?) Problem solving/Analytical skills Flexibility/adaptability Accomplishments/Achievements Confidence

Your resume should provide evidence that you possess

many of these skills

Design Your ResumeDesign Your ResumeTo clearly communicate who you are,

what you can do, and how well you do it.

Clean: You want to make a strong visual impact on your reader before the first word is read – that means white space and symmetrical spacing, a clean strong font, and consistent formatting

Clear: You want to write who you are in terms of education and experience - what you can do in terms of action - and how well you can do it in terms of accomplishments and achievements

Concise: You want to state your experience in terms of accomplishments/skills/professional behaviors, based on your target job, with detail, but in a short, cohesive way.

Job SearchJob Search

The Job MarketThe Job MarketWhat’s it look like out there?What’s it look like out there? Economic Downturn = Your job search

will be more challenging, but not impossible!

Technical skills are in still in high demand Engineers Computer Science/IT Health Care Accounting Financial Analysts

Computer skills a must

Job SearchJob SearchUse NACElink - Often

NetworkMTU Career Fairs and Info SessionsFamilyFriendsProfessorsMTU Alumni RelationsInformational Interviews

Job SearchJob SearchJoin Professional AssociationsSubscribe to Professional JournalsAttend Professional ConferencesCheck out other school’s Career

Services website to find out who’s recruiting and hiring those students

Identify Target CompaniesWrite cover letter to introduce

yourself and ask for an interviewFollow-up with a phone call

ConnectConnect with companies who with companies who

want YOU…want YOU…with YOUR new recruiting software with YOUR new recruiting software NACElink NACElink

 

This software will help you manage and publish your resume, search job postings, and connect with hundreds of employers from around the world.

Upload your new or updated resume to NACElink soon!

Go to www.career.mtu.edu

Facebook – just not a Facebook – just not a good ideagood idea

Do a careful reading and observation of your web presence.

Ensure your public or social web space is a positive reflection of you.◦What you think is cute and funny, may be interpreted in a completely different way by your audience.

Or…seriously consider removing any personal social networking websites at this time.

The InterviewThe Interview

““So…tell me about So…tell me about yourself”yourself”Is the first question an interviewer asks

in the vast majority of times.

This is where you set the tone for the interview. Make the next half hour a pleasant one for your interviewer.

Develop and MEMORIZE your 60 second info-mercial (elevator speech) Give a mix of your academic, professional, and personal background.

Tell something unique to remember you by.

The Behavioral InterviewThe Behavioral InterviewPast Behavior = Future Behavior

Interviewers want to know: How well you work with others – will you fit on their “team” How well or how tenacious you are at problem solving – do you

think outside the box? Do you take initiative, can you take the lead, will you take

risks, are you competitive What have you done – your accomplishments and

achievements, have you overcome challenges Interviewers will ask questions that can be

answered in short, detailed stories: Introduction - give the W, W, W, W, H Problem – what was the problem or challenge Action – what action did you take to solve the problem or

overcome the challenge The End – what were the results of your actions

Interviewers insist that you know about their company and how you can help them: So…do your research

Your Turn…Your Turn… Be sure to ask intelligent, informed

questions of your interviewer. This shows you know their company and you’re making an educated decision to work for them.

Some Sample Questions: Ask about a specific project you know the company is working

on. What is the company’s biggest challenge at this time. Where would the company like to be in 5 years? Ask your interviewer about his position and work history with

the company. Ask about professional development opportunities Ask about advancement opportunities

Finally – Don’t forget to send an immediate THANK YOU letter. This is appreciated and expected!

Co-op and Internship Co-op and Internship EducationEducationValuable real-world, hands-on

experience for studentsImportant recruiting tool for

employersAbout 85% of Co-op students

usually receive a full-time job offer from the company they co-op with

Campus Career FairsCampus Career Fairs

Come to the FairCome to the FairNo tilt-a whirl or cotton candy, but…exciting none No tilt-a whirl or cotton candy, but…exciting none the less!the less!

The 2011 Spring Career Fair is February 22

Noon – 6:00 p.m. at the SDC Companies also offer casual, informal

pre and post Career Fair informational sessions – all listed in NACElink.

Check out our website to see who’s coming.

Then…

Prepare and PlanPrepare and Plan Identify 5 – 10 companies you’d really like

to talk to.

Do your homework! Research the company in order to determine what they’re doing and how you can be of value to them.

Develop and MEMORIZE your 60 second “infomercial.” Begin your introduction with a thank you.

Let them SEE that you’re serious: Suit Tie Dress shirt Good shoes Impeccably groomed

Visit Career ServicesVisit Career ServicesHarold Meese CenterHarold Meese CenterOffice Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am – 5 pmCall ahead for an appointment 487-2313Check out our website – www.career.mtu.edu