Job Search and Networking Skills

Looking for that Job?
Your Job Search Strategy!
What is the condition of the economy?
Where do I get help?
Michigan Tech Career Services

The Economy

The Dow climbed over 10,000
Job losses are slowing down
Corporate profits are starting to climb
Inventory of unsold homes is down
Unemployment is still creeping upward
A push to increase mining

Recruiting Trends for 2009-2010
Industries that are showing increases in hiring.

Healthcare
Federal Government
Defense
Agriculture and food processing
Consulting Services
Utilities
Insurance
Gas & Oil
Green (Renewable energy)/environmental

How do you fit into one of these industries?
Healthcare

Business – Accounting, HR, Management
Liberal Arts – Management, Communications, Training, Research, PR
Engineering – Facility Management, Research, Purchasing

Federal Government

Business – Accounting, Purchasing, Management, HR
Psychology – Management, Training, PR, Teaching
Engineering – Management, Research, Consulting

Recruiting Trends
More popular majors include:

Accounting
Finance
I.T. related (CS, Software, MIS, CNSA, etc.)
Engineering
Supply Chain
Nursing
Health Tech
Agricultural Sciences

Recruiting Trends

Caterpillar and other companies are planning to attend next career fair
GM is recruiting on campus in October
Competition: Baby Boomers and graduates from other schools
Less recruiting on campus
Salaries flat to slightly down
Smaller retirement and medical benefit packages
Expect hiring turn around in 2011

The Job Search Process
Students need to be:

FOCUSED
DIRECTED
CONNECTED

Develop Your Plan

Inventory your skills – MyPlan, O*net, BLS
Tack on additional courses needed in job market
Polish your resume and cover letter
Practice your interviewing skills
Talk with a Career Advisor
Consider various size companies and organizations

Avenues Within Job Market

Companies
Small, Medium & Large
Corporations

Small, Medium & Large

Nonprofit Organizations
Government (Fed, State, & Local)

Your Plan Checklist
Monitor job postings in NACElink
Monitor which companies coming to campus to recruit (NACElink)
Monitor other job posting systems
Attend Spring Career Fair (February 16, 2010)
Attend other job fairs
Virtual job fairs
Company web sites and job fairs
Newspapers

Your Check List
Search engines
Regional job fairs – www.mcjf.org
Take an internship
Volunteer
Start at a lower position and work your way up
Contract agencies
Head Hunters
Temp Agencies
Networking

Networking
Tier 1 – Immediate Family, Friends, and Neighbors
Tier 2 – Their Family, Friends, and Neighbors
Tier3 – Their Family, Friends, and Neighbors
Could reach 148,000 people in Tier 3

Informational Interview
Target a company by:

Location
Business
History of hiring MTU students
Employs an MTU alum

Call to ask for an informational Interview:

Dress as you do for a job interview
Be prepared to ask pointed, informed, intelligent questions about the company
Also, ask your interviewee about his/her career path and what advice they can offer you
Send a thank you note within 24 hours

Internet Resources