2. CHOOSE to UseYour Career ServicesCHOOSE to UseYour Career Services
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
3. 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
4. Career Center ProfessionalsCareer Center Professionals
Provide one-on-one help with all your
career development needs:
Choosing your optimal career – MyPlan
Guidance for co-curricular participation
Resume and cover letter writing
Interview coaching and practicing
Career Fair Preparation
Job Search Strategies including our new on-line
recruiting software - NACElink
On-campus interview scheduling
Offer negotiation and benefits evaluation
Business etiquette advice
6. Who are you and what do you want?Who are you and what do you 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
7. Create an Outstanding and Effective ResumeCreate an Outstanding and Effective Resume
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.”
8. What do employers want from me?What do employers want from me?
Employers are looking for people with these Top 10 skillsEmployers are looking for people with these Top 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
9. Design Your ResumeDesign Your Resume
To 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.
11. The Job MarketThe Job Market
What’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
12. Job SearchJob Search
Use NACElink - Often
Network
MTU Career Fairs and Info Sessions
Family
Friends
Professors
MTU Alumni Relations
Informational Interviews
13. Job SearchJob Search
Join Professional Associations
Subscribe to Professional Journals
Attend Professional Conferences
Check out other school’s Career Services
website to find out who’s recruiting and
hiring those students
Identify Target Companies
Write cover letter to introduce yourself
and ask for an interview
Follow-up with a phone call
14. ConnectConnect with companies who want YOU…with companies who want YOU…
with YOUR new recruiting software NACElinkwith YOUR new recruiting software 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
15. Facebook – just not a good ideaFacebook – just not a good 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.
17. ““So…tell me about yourself”So…tell me about 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.
18. The Behavioral InterviewThe Behavioral Interview
Past 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
19. 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!
20. Co-op and Internship EducationCo-op and Internship Education
Valuable real-world, hands-on experience
for students
Important recruiting tool for employers
About 85% of Co-op students usually
receive a full-time job offer from the
company they co-op with
22. Come to the FairCome to the Fair
No tilt-a whirl or cotton candy, but…exciting none the less!No tilt-a whirl or cotton candy, but…exciting none 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…
23. 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
24. Visit Career ServicesVisit Career Services
Harold Meese CenterHarold Meese Center
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Call ahead for an appointment 487-2313
Check out our website – www.career.mtu.edu