CSCE 481 Lecture 3

« previous | Tuesday, September 4, 2012 | next »

Getting a Job: Round 3

Check available research:

• SEC Website
• Company sites
• professors

Know what the company does

Know what you want to do in that company

• "What brings that sparkle to your eye or fire in your belly?"
• What are 3-5 things you see yourself doing with your degree?
• What in the job description excited you?
• Why are you the best person to fill the job, not just qualified?

Oral and written communication skills are top-priority.

Career Fair

• Decide which companies to visit beforehand
  • Outlook/industry
  • Primary products
  • Hiring majors
  • Current events/projects
• Prioritize companies
• Talk to two "yeah-maybe" companies first to build confidence and routine
  • If something changes your mind about that company, talk to someone else in the booth
• Don't overlook small/mid-size companies
• If booth is crowded, come back later: stand out
  • attend non-peak hours (morning; visit floor first)

Résumé

• Make sure it looks GOOD
• if not able to take paper, business card or flash drive
• if not asked, ask them
• submitting via email:
  • remind employer of conversation and elaborate on positions interested in
  • employer sees writing skills
  • electronic résumé can be moved immediately to hiring managers

Dressing Up

• Bis-Cas (Bis-Pro not necessary, but not frowned upon)
• Look how employers are dressed: "role models" for their company

Composure

• Don't fidget: keep eye contact
• Match handshake firmness
• Be courteous, ask how they're doing (they're humans too)
  • Make small-talk to prevent them from being bored

What to talk about

• Training program for newly hired engineers
• Importance? M.S. / P.E. / MBA
• Positions interviewing for?
• Transferring?
• Encourage higher education after going to work?
• How much travel involved with position?
• Normal career path for position
• Personal skills and expertise with position

Go the extra mile

• Get a business card
• Follow-up
• Volunteer to carry boxes and stuff.

The first impression is a lasting impression.