This document provides career advice for engineering students attending a career fair. It discusses preparing a resume, developing an elevator pitch, researching companies attending, proper attire, questions to ask employers, follow up strategies, and addressing special issues like limited time with recruiters. Students are encouraged to apply to positions online before the fair, have an introduction speech prepared that highlights their qualifications, research companies attending, ask knowledgeable questions, follow up with recruiters after the event, and utilize Career Services for additional support.

1. Holly Justice,
Engineering Career Counselor
UB Career Services

2. STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
vs. EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE

3. Experience
(internship, projects, etc.)
Data Management
& Analytical skills
GPA Computational skills
Communication skills (oral & written) Problem solving skills
Leadership Creativity
Team skills Time management
Enthusiasm Flexibility
Cultural Competence
HARD SKILLS
SOFT SKILLS

4. Internship posting examples
What is the employer really looking for in a
candidate?
How do you illustrate your skills in your resume?

5. COMPANY: FISHER-PRICE
POSITION: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
INTERN
DESCRIPTION
As an Electrical Engineering intern you'll
have the opportunity to work on a wide
range of products and explore diverse
areas of electronics including:
• Digital and analog hardware design
• Mobile gaming
• Digital audio
• RF
• Embedded programming
Interns are an important part of our
organization making real contributions,
learning as they do. Over one third of the
electrical engineering staff at Fisher-
Price began their careers here as interns.
Primary Duties:
• Build and debug electronic hardware
prototypes.
• Testing and debugging of software.
• Debug and test production prototypes.
• Embedded programming
• Technology R&D projects
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of the fundamentals of digital and
analog transistor circuit design.
• The ability to read schematics and identify
electronic components.
• Hands-on experience building circuits
including soldering and wiring.
• Background in programming. Knowledge of high-
level languages such as C and low level such as
assembly is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to
work in a team environment.
Must be a registered student enrolled in a
Bachelor's or Master's Degree Program that is
technically-based, preferably Electrical Engineering.

7. What is a resume?
• A brief summary of your accomplishments and skills
• Your chance to present your outcomes / impacts
What is the purpose or goal of a resume?
• To get you an interview!
• It should excite interest about you as a potential
employee in the recruiter/hiring manager

8. Identifying data:
Your Name
Address (temporary/permanent, dates)
Phone (professional sounding message)
Email (professional address name)
Example:
Yi (Mark) Wang
ywang2014@buffalo.edu
716-645-2231

9. Social Media – Linkedin, Twitter, etc
Github
Online portfolios

10. Education Summary
Name of College/Univ. GPA (3.0 / 4.0 - if good!)
Degree, Major/Minor Coursework (if maps to keywords)
Date Received or Expected Awards/Honors (if applicable)
Study Abroad (if applicable)
Example:
EDUCATION
University at Buffalo – The State University of New York Buffalo, NY
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, May 2017
Overall GPA 3.3/4.0 Technical GPA 3.6/4.0
Dean’s List, Fall 2012, 2013
Relevant Coursework: Embedded Systems, Communications Systems,
Applied Electromagnetics, Electronics Devices & Circuits, Electronics
Circuits Lab

11. Experience summary
• Includes paid jobs, volunteering, internships & military experience
• Present in reverse chronological order
• Consider your audience and carefully map to posting key words
Example:
EXPERIENCE
Qualcomm, San Diego, CA
System Test Engineer Intern, May – Aug 2016
• Key contributor to the successful establishment of automated
analog system testing and characterization entity.
• Conducted first high-volume system debug and test of QC
single chip product.
• Collected and analyzed data and presented to project leaders.

12. Technical skills (optional)
• Map technical skills to keywords in the posting
• Only include if skills are not evident from the Experience
section
Example:
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Languages: C, C++, Java, Assembly
Software: Maple, Visual Basic, Microsoft Office
(Excel, Word, Powerpoint), Working knowledge of Matlab
Operating Systems: Windows 98/NT, Unix
Other: Soldering

13. 1. Language Skills
2. Computer Skills
3. International
Experience
4. Special Skills
5. Certification/Licenses
6. Additional Experience
7. References Available
Upon Request.
8. Objective
1. Engineering Projects
2. Co-Curricular Activities
3. Community Service
4. Honors and Awards
5. Professional Affiliations
6. Professional
Development
7. Leadership

15. Use separate page(s) for Publications, Patents, &
Presentations (if you have them)
• Use reverse chronological order, AND reverse numbering
• Use citation conventions appropriate for your discipline
• Highlight your name
EXAMPLE:
PUBLICATIONS
2. Akaighe, N.; Depner, S.W.; Banerjee, S.; Sharma, V.K.; Sohn, M.
“The Effects of Monovalent and Divalent Cations on the Stability of
Silver Nanoparticles.” The Science of the Total Environment 2015,
448, 277‐89.
1. Depner, S.W.; Watson, D.F. “Stabilization of Hydrophobically‐Coated
HfO2, ZrO2, and HfxZr1‐xO2 Nanoparticles.” Journal of Hazardous
Materials 2016, 396, 302‐315.

16. Publications
Peer reviewed publications
Conference publications
Other publications
Patents
Presentations
Conference presentations (specify oral or poster)
Other presentations (e.g., at another institution)

18. Use the power of recognized names
on your resume.
Education section
• Include your advisor’s name
Experience section
• Name of company, supervisors, and/or colleagues
References section
• Always provide 2-3 references, on a separate page
• Ask famous / important people!

19. • Add a separate page formatted in the same manner as
your resume with 3 references
• Provide; Name, title, company/organization, phone &
email, rationale / relationship
• Ask first!
EXAMPLE:
REFERENCES
1. Liesl Folks, PhD, MBA
Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
University at Buffalo
lfolks@buffalo.edu / ph: 716-123-4567
Advisor for senior design project

20. So … How many pages
should your resume be?

21. Overall appearance:
• Does your resume make you want to read it at a glance?
• Readability;
• Ensure lots of white space on page – wide margins
• Use a sans serif font & font size in range of 8-12 point
• Use left justified text only
• Don’t use personal pronouns or full sentences
• 15 second rule
• Upper third of 1st page must be impactful
• NO ERRORS!
• No formatting or grammar or spelling errors!!

22. Do KEY points stand out at a glance?
• Industry postings;
• Typically 1 page, no more than 2 pages
• Use category headings to highlight your strengths!
• If 2 pages, put most important information on 1st page
• Academic postings;
• As long as you can manage! Include EVERYTHING!
Make strong statements about your impacts,
accomplishments!
• Craft impact statements using positive, action words

23. Go back to the job posting and make sure you
have the keywords in your resume.
If not, put them in your cover letter!

24. COMPANY: FISHER-PRICE
POSITION: ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
INTERN
DESCRIPTION
As an Electrical Engineering intern you'll
have the opportunity to work on a wide
range of products and explore diverse areas
of electronics including:
• Digital and analog hardware design
• Mobile gaming
• Digital audio
• RF
• Embedded programming
Interns are an important part of our
organization making real contributions,
learning as they do. Over one third of the
electrical engineering staff at Fisher-Price
began their careers here as interns.
Primary Duties:
• Build and debug electronic hardware
prototypes.
• Testing and debugging of software.
• Debug and test production prototypes.
• Embedded programming
• Technology R&D projects
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of the fundamentals of digital
and analog transistor circuit design.
• The ability to read schematics and
identify electronic components.
• Hands-on experience building circuits
including soldering and wiring.
• Background in programming. Knowledge of
high-level languages such as C and low level
such as assembly is a plus.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability
to work in a team environment.
Must be a registered student enrolled in a
Bachelor's or Master's Degree Program that
is technically-based, preferably Electrical
Engineering.

28. Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Alumni Arena Main Gym
12 noon - 5 pm
Professional business attire required.
Bring resumes!

29. Before the Fair
During the Fair
After the Fair
Special issues and Strategies

31. 1. Resume –
a) Polish your Resume
2. Introduction Speech (Elevator Pitch) –
a) craft how you will introduce yourself, what you
will say and what you will highlight about
yourself in your opening statement.
b) summary of your qualifications, background,
achievements, and career interest
c) Practice your speech

32. Introduction Speech (Your 1 minute commercial)
• Brief Summary (30 seconds – 1 minute)
• Introduce yourself
• name, class year and major, and your career interests as
they relate to the target company.
• Highlight any relevant work experience you’ve had such
as an internship, volunteer experience or job and
highlight your strengths/qualifications and skills
• Demonstrate knowledge of the company
• Express enthusiasm and interest
• Relate your background to the company’s needs

33. 3. Research –
a) Review the list of companies registered to attend
the event. Research to learn more about all the
companies.
b) Rank order the companies you are most
interested in meeting at the event.

34. 4. Get the App!
a) Get information on how to prepare.
b) Get a list of all the employers.
a) Star your favorite employers.
b) Filter the list of employers.
c) Find employers at the event using the interactive
map.
d) Download the app – in the App Store or Google
Play

36. 5. Apply –
a) After reviewing the list of companies. Research
the companies you are most interested in
pursuing. If they have open positions listed on
their websites, apply now! Then at the event
discuss your interest, that you have applied for
the position(s) and ask about next steps with the
Company representative.

37. 6. Set your intention for the event –
a) What is your goal for this event?
b) What do you want from attending the event?
c) What do you want to communicate to the
recruiters?
d) How do you want recruiters to remember you?

38. 7. Attire –
a) Make sure you have professional, formal
business attire to wear to the event.
8. Questions –
a) Prepare questions you would like to ask the
company representatives.

39. •What is the natural career progression for an engineer with my
skill set within your company?
•I can work both independently and as a group member. How
much group or teamwork is involved in this position? What will
my responsibilities be as a team member? How do you see me
complementing the existing group?
•What are the major projects I will be working on within the
first six months to a year?
•How are market trends (or recent developments in the
engineering field) affecting the company’s growth?

40. I read in (name of source) that your company has
begun efforts to expand (provide location or
field). What other new endeavors is the company
actively pursuing?
Ask about next steps – What is the next step in
the hiring process? May I have a business card?
Would you mind if I contact you to follow up?
Close your conversation by thanking the employer
for taking the time to speak with you.

41. 9. Social Media –
a) Twitter - Consider following UB Career Services,
the STEM UP event (#STEMUP) and Companies
10. Attend “Meet the Employer” sessions –
a) Great opportunity to meet with employers of
interest
11. Register to meet with an Employer during the
Career Fair Prep Days event –
a) Register.

42. Career Fair Prep Days
“Meet with an Employer!”
Wednesday, September 21
&
Tuesday, September 27
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Career Services office, 259 Capen Hall
Register through BullsEye system

45. Do arrive early and plan to stay late
Do dress in a conservative, professionally tailored, well-pressed suit,
generally navy blue, dark gray, olive or black
Do wear comfortable dress shoes
Do make eye contact, shake hands firmly, smile, and use the rep’s name
when appropriate
Do take the initiative, start the conversation, speak up so they can hear
you over the noise
Do remember to bring a supply of resumes
Do use breath mints.

46. Do turn your cell phone off or put on vibrate or mute
Do ask the recruiters knowledgeable questions that demonstrate you
have done your research on the company. This impresses the recruiters
Do know your resume. Know what items to highlight on your resume
depending upon which company you are speaking with
Do ask for a business card from the recruiter. This provides you the
contact information you need to follow up after the event.
Do bring pen and paper in case you need to take notes

49. 1. Follow up via email, phone or Linkedin with the
company representatives you spoke with at the fair.
a) Shows appreciation and interest!
b) Allows you to include any additional information the
employer was seeking at the fair, while demonstrating
your ability to follow through
c) Share any additional information about you that you did
not have time to discuss at the fair
2. Connect with company representatives on Linkedin
3. Complete any tasks that company representatives
asked you to do after the event.

51. Special Issues & Strategies

52. •So many companies, so little time
•Crowds & lines
•Limited time with recruiters
•“Nice to meet you. Have you been to our
website?”

53. So many companies, so little time
List all the employers you want to visit and put them
in rank order so you can make the most of your time
at the event.*
Crowds & lines
Anticipate lines for brand name companies
While standing in line, practice what you are going
to discuss with the recruiter, review the floor map
and review which employer you are going to next.

54. Limited time with recruiters
Have your 30 second commercial and questions for
employer ready so you can maximize your time with
the recruiter!

55. “Nice to meet you. Have you been to our company’s
website?”
•Many employers have an online application system as
their primary recruiting tool and they want you to go
there first before they really begin talking to you.
•Before the fair, apply online to your top companies.
Then at the fair, tell them you have done so and would
like to further discuss opportunities with their
organization. This enables you to continue the
conversation.

58. Contact us:
259 Capen Hall 8:30am – 5:00pm M-F
Call 716-645-2231
Email us at jobs@buffalo.edu
Website resources
www.buffalo.edu/career
Individualized appointments
Express Career Consult appointments
Hours 10:00am-4:00pm M-F