1. Job Search Strategies Workshop
Jerry Donahue, Career Counselor
Engineering Career Resource Center
jerryuod@umich.edu
2. Job Search is a Process. . . .
Step One - understand and articulate your value
Assess your skills, interests and achievements
Understand what employers want
Create compelling messaging to attract employer interest
Step Two - create your action plan manage as a project
Broaden your list of target jobs
Research companies and industries
Expand and work your network
Actively pursue positions of interest
Step Three - conduct a reality check
Evaluate how well your tools are working
Adjust your tools and seek assistance as needed
Step Four - maintain a positive, proactive mindset
Step Five - repeat Steps 1-4 until desired result achieved
3. What makes YOU unique?
Tell your story
What are you most proud of?
What are you really good at? How do you know?
When did your extra effort pay off?
What would a boss/instructor say about you? Why?
How did you contribute to a team’s goal?
When did you solve a complex technical problem?
When were you really energized by a project? Why?
Recognize the value in these experiences and
communicate it throughout your search.
5. Tailor your messaging
Resume
Focus on achievements
Clearly demonstrate relevant skills
Elevator Pitch
Name, degree, grad date
Strengths, achievements, goals
Interview Style
Articulate impact
Demonstrate how you will be successful
6. How’s it working for you?
Are you finding jobs that interest you?
What feedback are you getting from recruiters?
Are you getting interviews?
Are you making it to the second interview?
Have you received an offer?
Be honest with yourself. Adjust what you’re doing if
necessary to increase your likelihood of success.
7. Organize your search
Develop your plan- utilize a diverse approach
Identify target companies and research available
career opportunities
Create a job log to track your activity
Set timelines for required actions and follow up
Maintain a list of contacts and record activity
Do something every day – keep up the momentum
Balance your time between Internet job postings and
networking
8. Sources of Job Leads
ENGenius.Jobs
NACELink
Company Websites
Networking ***
Company Events
Alumni Networks
Professional Associations
Chambers of Commerce
Job Boards
9. Campus and Local Job Search Resources
ECRC - career.engin.umich.edu
Career Center Connector – careercenter.umich.edu
UM Library – www.lib.umich.edu
Alumni Association –alumni.umich.edu
Ann Arbor Spark - www.annarborusa.org
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17. Top Online Resources
Vault.com
Wetfeet.com
Collegegrad.com
Engineerjobs.com
Going Global - online.goinglobal.com
USACareerGuides.com – powered by GoingGlobal
Investor Relations Information Network – irin.com
Hoover’s, Inc. – hoovers.com
18. Why Networking?
Networking is a great way to gain valuable insight into
careers
About 40% of high tech jobs available in the market
are in small companies who often do not advertise
openings or recruit on college campuses
Many jobs lie in the hidden job market
References: U.S. Small Business Administration, sba.gov
19. In addition, networking is. . . .
A ticket to the hidden job market
A way to gain insider information about the hiring
practices of specific companies
A means to receive valuable advice about the job
search process
An opportunity to promote yourself and leave others
with a positive lasting impression of you
20. Networking – how to work it
Introduce yourself and communicate with vast audiences
Start with people you already know
Create opportunities to get connected - follow up on leads
Online Network – LinkedIn, ENGenius.Jobs, InCircle
Networking and Association Events
Informational Interviews
20-30 minutes to learn more about a field or industry
Make a positive and lasting impression
Ask for names of others you can contact
Write a thank you and keep them informed of your progress
21. Maintain a positive mindset
Broaden your search
Track milestones and celebrate small successes
Be patient – average length is 4-6 months
Remember turn-downs are not personal
Recognize that each experience is a learning
opportunity and gets you closer to your goal
Focus on the journey – you’ll make it to your
destination.
22. I N D E E D . C O M & S I M P L Y H I R E D . C O M
E M P L O Y E R I N F O R M A T I O N S E S S I O N S
F A C E B O O K C O N T A C T S
L I N K E D I N . C O M ( G R O U P S )
P R O F E S S I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N S , E . G . A S C E
F A C U L T Y & S T A F F M E M B E R S
J O B S E A R C H L I N K S B Y D I S C I P L I N E ( S E E C I V I L E N G R G .
L I S T )
B U S I N E S S J O U R N A L S , E . G . C R A I N ’ S D E T R O I T B U S I N E S S
I N F O R M A T I O N A L I N T E R V I E W S
Sources of Job Search Leads
23. Civil Engineering Job Search Websites
ASCE Jobs(http://careers.asce.org/search.cfm) -
Lists current jobs for Civil Engineers
The Blue Book
(http://www.thebluebook.com/links/ilhead.htm)-
The Blue Book of Building and Construction
CleanTechRecruits.com -
(http://www.cleantechrecruits.com/) From
internships for college students to jobs for Ph.D.s.
Engineering, business and environmental jobs in
sectors including:
Solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy,
biomass, biofuel, clean coal, green construction,
hydropower.
Civil Engineering Jobs
(http://www.civilengineeringjobs.com/)- Find civil
engineering jobs quickly
Civil Engineering
Jobs(http://www.icerecruit.com/civil/jobs.asp)-
Search for civil engineering jobs in the UK and
Europe.
Construction Jobs (http://www.construction-jobs-
search.com/)- Construction and related vacancies
nationwide
E Jobs: Environmental Jobs and Careers
(http://www.ejobs.org/)- Useful information on job
listings nationwide.
Ecojobs.com( - Hundreds of environmental jobs in
various industries (user ID=berk, password=uca)
Engcen(http://www.engcen.com/civil.asp)- Jobs for
civil engineers
Environmental
Jobs(http://environmentalcareer.com/job-board/)-
Environmental Career Center - The leading site
dedicated to environmental employment
The Fulcrum International
(http://www.thefulcrumintl.com/Home/Default.asp
x)- Resources for architectural, engineering, and
construction industry job seekers
Green Careers Guide.com - Information on a wide
variety of careers that have an environmental impact.
Green Dream
Jobs(http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cf
m/go/greendreamjobs.main/?CFID=4455998&CFT
OKEN=30126893)- Lists career and internship
openings, links and resources.
Green Jobs Network (-http://greenjobs.net/)
Searchable database of environmental and social
responsibility positions throughout the US
Greenjobs.com - Job board focused specifically
employment in renewable energy worldwide.
Institute of Transportation Engineers
(http://jobs.ite.org/)- Employment Center Job
Search
24. Civil Engineering Job Search Websites, cont.
Internships with the Environmental Careers Organization
(http://www.eco.org/)
Intern with the Environmental Protection Agency
(http://www.epa.gov/careers/gradopp.html)
Structural Engineering Jobs (http://www.structuralengineerjobsource.com/)-
Jobs for structural engineers
Structural Engineers Association (http://www.seaint.org/)- Connect to
structural engineering employers
Web Directory (http://www.webdirectory.com/) - Directory of links to various
environmental organizations.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(http://www.usace.army.mil/Pages/Default.aspx) - Corps does hire civilian
personnel
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.epa.gov/)
UtilityRecruiter.com
(http://www.utilityrecruiter.com/Candidates_JobSearch.aspx) - View job
listings; no resume posting by candidates.
25. Remain open minded
Be open to opportunities outside of your field
Build skills that will prepare you for your dream job
Consider new geographic areas, industries, and
company profiles
Consider part-time, contract and volunteer positions
that give you desired exposure to your target
26. Get going. . . . .
Do something for your job search every day, but
don’t let it consume you
Job search activities should be part looking at
websites for job postings and part reaching out to
people/networking/informational interviews
Have a back-up plan. Be prepared to accept a
position that could lead to your dream job
27. Questions?
Engineering Career Resource Center
230 Chrysler Center
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
http://career.engin.umich.edu
ecrc-info@umich.edu