2 013 -2 014 Career Services Manual A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FINDING EMPLOYMENT Career Services & Employer Relations ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Develop Your Career with Us I’ve been a part of Lutron for 5 years. Jamie McMahon (Electrical Engineering Major) Design and Development Engineer At Lutron, we’ve been designing and manufacturing energy-saving light control solutions since 1961. Our success depends on your success. Join Lutron’s Innovation Leadership Program and you’ll develop the skills and knowledge needed to win in the world of innovation. • • • • • В©2013 Lutron Electronics Co., Inc. | P/N 368-2717 REV G • Immediately join an engineering development team Hone innovation and product design skills Receive formal mentor support Collaborate regularly with business unit managers and directors Acquire real-world experience through field assignments Foster relationships with Lutron’s global customers Key opportunities include: Engineering—Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Software, Manufacturing, Industrial, Architectural Science—Physics, Chemistry, Math Opportunities are also available in sales leadership and field engineering leadership—hiring all majors. Dynamic keypad in Black To learn more about how you can be a part of our future visit www.lutron.com/careers @lutronjobs Table of Contents Career Services & Employer Relations Who We Are, What We Do пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 2 Get F.I.T. for Your Job SearchпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 2 CAREER SERVICES MANUAL How to Get Started пїЅ пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 3 Special Worksheet Section Evaluating Yourself......................................................... 4 Your 60-Second Commercial.............................................. 5 2013-2014 Tapping the Hidden Job Market пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 6 eRecruiting Basics пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 6 Fundamentals The Resume пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 7-12 12 Common Resume MistakesпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 8 Resume Action WordsпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 8 Sample Resumes пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 8-10 Expand Your Resume’s FocusпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 11 The Scannable Resume пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 12 The Cover Letter пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 12-13 Sample Letters пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 13-15 The Thank-You Letter пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 14 The Acceptance Letter пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 14 The Refusal Letter .пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 14 The Letter of Application пїЅ пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 14 Letters of Inquiry пїЅ пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 15 Interviews .пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 16-19 Questions пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 18 The Site Visit/Interview: One Step Closer пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 19 Techniques пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 20-24 Networking пїЅ пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 22-23 Career FairsпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 23-24 Email Correspondence пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 24 Selling Brand “You” in the InterviewпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 25-28 Your Bragging RightsпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 25-28 Qualities Desired in New College GraduatesпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 26-27 Advice From the ExpertsпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 28 International Students and the Job SearchпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 29 Is Graduate School Right for You?пїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 30 Advertiser IndexпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅпїЅ 32 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, Indiana Career Services & Employer Relations Career Services Center Hulman Union 812-877-8212 Career Services & Employer Relations WHO ARE WE? Kevin Hewerdine Director Kathy Kassissieh Associate Director Alison Fell Assistant Director Scott Tieken Assistant Director Dawn Miller Recruitment Coordinator Elaine Lee Corporate Liaison WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU GET F.I.T. FOR YOUR JOB SEARCH The Career Services & Employer Relations office has 6 full-time staff members who are here to help you with every step of the career planning process. Finding a job is not easy. It takes a lot of time, and a tremendous amount of effort. Our offices are located in the upper level of the Hulman Union Building; no appointment necessary — just drop by whenever we are open! In this Manual, you will see a few of the main services and programs that will be vital to your search for a job or graduate school. Some of those services include: 4 I ndividual job search and graduate school guidance as well as career counseling 4 Individual assistance with resume and cover letter writing 4 Individual advice on interview techniques and preparation 4 eRecruiting: our online job posting and campus interview system ✥ L ast year about 90% of Rose-Hulman students found jobs through on-campus recruiting and networking (nationwide only 24% find jobs this way) ✥ L ess than 20% of all jobs are actually listed in a want ad somewhere. The other 80% are found through NETWORKING Don’t despair! If you follow the instructions in this step-by-step Manual, you will be prepared to conduct a comprehensive job search. And that means: 4 F all, Winter and Spring Career Fairs, as well as an annual Graduate School Fair 4 Y ou have the Fundamentals down. You know what kind of job you want and what you have to offer. You can write effective resumes and cover letters. 4 N etworking assistance, including contact information for alumni and company recruiters 4 Y ou know how to perform Interviews. You can sell yourself in person and have practiced interview skills. 4 Free phone and fax services 4 Y ou are using sound Techniques to find and apply for positions. You are uncovering the hidden job market and using our eRecruiting online job search system. All of our services are free, and all of us are committed to helping you succeed, so visit us early and often! 2  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Remember, the average time to find a job is 4-6 MONTHS. So the time to start is RIGHT NOW! How to Get Started The key to maximizing the results of your job search is ORGANIZATION. Here is a 4-Year Plan of career-related activities while you are a student. FRESHMAN YEAR - AWARENESS • Visit the Career Services Office • Establish a profile on eRecruiting • Create a resume, have it reviewed and upload it to eRecruiting • Attend at least the Fall Career Fair • Find a good summer job which will enable you to: в—†Build confidence and skills в—†Gain maturity в—†Develop strong work ethic в—† Earn money! SOPHOMORE YEAR - CAREER EXPLORATION • • • • • • • • • V isit the Career Services office Update your eRecruiting account Update your resume, get it reviewed A ttend employer-sponsored events to network with company representatives Attend all three Career Fairs Become familiar with our website Get involved! Join a club, professional organization or extracurricular activity Start searching for an internship related to your major At the very least, look for a position where you can receive technical skills • P repare and send letters/make phone calls to companies/contacts on “target” list; follow up with employers • Take the GRE, apply to graduate school • Attend Graduate School Fair • Attend all three Career Fairs • Write or call alumni and other contacts • Begin contacting referrals • Prepare for and schedule second interviews if invited by employers • U se Winter break to follow up with previous contacts and continue contacting prospective employers • Discuss progress with Career Services staff member • Continue campus interviewing • Continue networking • Report offers to Career Services • Arrange meetings with prospective employers • Continue follow-up with previous contacts • Discuss job offers with Career Services • Accept offer • Report acceptance to Career Services Office JUNIOR YEAR - THE YEAR OF THE INTERNSHIP • • • • • • • • • • U pdate your eRecruiting profile Have your resume reviewed and upload it to eRecruiting Meet with Career Services to help you create a job search strategy A ttend employer-sponsored events to network with company representatives Attend all three Career Fairs Obtain an internship in your preferred career field Create and/or expand your professional network Stay involved in school organizations to help sharpen your “soft” skills If you are considering graduate school, talk with your faculty advisor and begin exploring possible programs of study Attend the Graduate School Fair if you are considering this path SENIOR YEAR - THE JOB SEARCH AND GRADUATE SCHOOL SEARCH • • • • • • • U pdate profile on eRecruiting Develop Job Search Plan Draft resume; have it critiqued by Career Services staff Make a list of companies/contacts for targeted phone/mail campaign. Meet with Career Services Practice interviews and consider scheduling a mock interview Interview with companies through Career Services Office Infinite Possibilities are within your REACH. www.ipaper.com/careers Imagine working for an innovative organization that will take you from a new grad to a manufacturing management professional. Then make it happen with International Paper’s REACH engineering program. A global leader in paper and packaging products, we touch your life every day with our extensive products used in practically every market. Focused on growth and bold ideas, we’re looking for like-minded engineers with degrees in: Chemical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or Pulp and Paper Science Right from the start, you’ll experience challenging work and learn from industry experts about the skills, processes, equipment and tools you’ll need to succeed. To apply, contact your Career Services Center or email your resume to [email protected]. EOE, M/F/D/V www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   3 В© 2012 NAS (Media: delete copyright notice) ECIAL WORKSHEET SECTION SPECIAL WORKSHEET SECTION SPECIAL WORK ECIAL WORKSHEET SECTION SPECIAL WORKSHEET SECTION SPECIAL WORK Evaluating Yourself AN IMPORTANT PART of deciding what you want to do is first understanding yourself. Selfevaluation will help you analyze what is important in the work you choose and the kind of employer for whom you will work. Answer each question honestly. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers. 1. What do you do best? Are these activities related to people, things, or data? _______ ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Do you communicate better orally or in writing? _________________________________ 3. Do you consider yourself a leader of a team or group? ____________________________ 4. Do you see yourself as an active participant in a group or team? __________________ 5. Do you prefer to work by yourself? ______________________________________________ 6. Do you prefer working under supervision? _______________________________________ 7. Do you work well under pressure? ______________________________________________ 8. Does working under pressure cause you anxiety? ________________________________ 9. Do you like taking responsibility? _______________________________________________ 10. Would you rather follow directions? _____________________________________________ 11. Do you enjoy new projects and activities? _______________________________________ 12. Do you prefer to follow a regular routine? ________________________________________ 13. Rank the following things in order of importance to you when thinking about a job: q  Career Advancement q Prestige of Employer q Location q Salary q  People (Boss and Colleagues) q Type of Work 14.Do you prefer to work a regular 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. schedule or an irregular schedule? _______________________________________________________ 15.Would you like a job with a lot of travel, a moderate amount, or a small amount? _________________________________________ 16. What kind of work environment do you prefer? q  Indoors q  Urban Setting q  Outdoors q  Suburban Setting q  Rural Setting 17. What size of organization would you like to work for? _____________________________ 18. Are you willing to move? _______________________________________________________ 19. Do you prefer to work for a nonprofit or for-profit organization? ___________________ 20. Are there other factors to consider? ______________________________________________ Adapted with permission from the Office of Career Services at Rutgers University, New Brunswick Campus. 4  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology KSHEET SECTION SPECIAL WORKSHEET SECTION SPECIAL WORKSHEET SECT KSHEET SECTION SPECIAL WORKSHEET SECTION SPECIAL WORKSHEET SECT Your 60-Second Commercial USE THE FOLLOWING guidelines to develop an introduction when meeting employers during interviews, career days, and other networking events. Your goal is to create a positive and lasting impression in a brief amount of time. Step 1: Research the Employer 1. Preview the list of organizations participating in the event and plan a strategy for the day. Put together an “A” list and a “B” list of employers you want to target. Contact your career services office to see what employers may be recruiting on campus. 2. Research all the employers on your “A” list. Look for current facts about each employer, including new products, services or acquisitions. 3. Write down some key facts about the employer: (a)  _____________________________________________________________________________________________ (b)  _____________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Review job descriptions pertinent to your major for employer requirements. Note specific knowledge, skills, and abilities they seek. List academic or employment experiences and activities where you demonstrated these skills. The employer is seeking: My qualifications and selling points: (a)  _________________________________________   (a) _______________________________________________ (b)  _________________________________________   (b) _______________________________________________ (c)  _________________________________________   (c) _______________________________________________ 5. Review the employer’s mission statement and look for key words that indicate the personal qualities the organization values in its employees. List 2 or 3 of your personal qualities that closely match. My personal qualities: (a) ________________________  (b) _______________________  (c) ________________________ Step 2: Develop Your Introduction Review the sample below. Using the information above, prepare and practice a brief 60-second commercial or introduction to use when meeting employer representatives. Hello, my name is __________. I am currently a junior, majoring in economics and working part-time as a supervisor at Campus Information Services. This role has enhanced my communication, management, and leadership skills. In addition, I had an internship over the summer with ABC Company where I worked in a team environment on a variety of marketing and website development projects. I recently read an article about your company’s plans for business growth in the Northeast, and I’m interested in learning more. Notes: Practice your introduction with a friend or career counselor so it sounds conversational rather than rehearsed. You may want to break your opening remarks into two or three segments rather than delivering it all at once. Good luck with your all-important first impression! Adapted with permission from the Office of Career Services at Rutgers University, New Brunswick Campus. www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   5 Tapping the Hidden Job Market Your off-campus job search should neither begin nor end with the help wanted ads. Studies have shown that only 15 percent of available jobs are ever advertised. It takes much more than merely perusing the classifieds. By employing a number of methods, you constantly increase your chances of landing a job. Some techniques you might use: Networking. Probably the most effective way to meet potential employers and learn about possible jobs is to tap into your personal network of contacts. You might think it’s too early to have professional contacts, but think about everyone you know—family members and their friends/co-workers, professors, past employers, neighbors and even your dentist. Don’t be afraid to inform them of your career interests and let them know that you are looking for work. They will likely be happy to help you and refer you to any professionals they think can be of assistance. Informational interviewing. This approach allows you to learn more about your field by setting up interviews with professionals. The purpose of these interviews is to meet professionals, gather career information and investigate career options, get advice on job search techniques and get referrals to other professionals. When setting up these interviews, either by phone or letter, make it clear to the employer that you have no job expectations and are seeking information only. Interviewing also familiarizes you to employers, and you may be remembered when a company has a vacant position. Temporary work. As more companies employ the services of temporary or contract workers, new graduates are discovering that such work is a good opportunity to gain experience in their fields. Temporary workers can explore various jobs and get an inside look at different companies without the commitment of a permanent job. Also, if a company decides to make a position permanent, these “temps” already have made good impressions and often are given first consideration. Electronic job search. One source of jobs may be as close as a personal computer. Various online resume services let you input your resume into a database, which then can be accessed by companies searching for applicants who meet their criteria. Companies also post job listings on Web sites to which students can directly respond by sending their resumes and cover letters. Persistence is the key to cracking the hidden job market. Attend meetings of professional associations and become an active member. After you begin the above processes, and your network base expands, your search will be made easier. Employers will appreciate your resourcefulness—and view you as a viable candidate. eRecruiting Basics eRecruiting is the online recruiting system that Rose-Hulman uses to coordinate all on-campus activities with companies and graduate schools. Make sure you know how to use this system, and that your profile information is always kept up to date. Feel free to visit Career Services to learn more about the system, or download the more detailed instructions in the Help Section of your eRecruiting site. You already have an account created for you in the system. Your username is based on your school username followed by “@rhit” (username@rhit). To create a password, click the “forgot your password” link and follow the prompts. Upon completion you may proceed to updating your profile. It is important that you continually review your profile and documents in the system to make sure you are always ready to be seen! Each quarter you should update your GPA, your student status and upload a current resume. If you change your major at any time, you should update that as well. You also have the ability to upload cover letters and writing samples if a company should require those as part of their application process. Be sure that your documents have specific names and that you always designate your most current resume as your Primary Resume. Your Primary Resume is the one that Career Services will send out if a company requests resumes of available candidates. When you search for jobs in the system, be sure to check the box that says to search only jobs from your career center. This will return results for positions posted 6  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology specifically for RHIT students. You will be able to apply for a job based on the criteria in your profile. If your major, GPA or year in school (your student status) do not match the criteria for the job, you will be unable to apply. Therefore it is vital for you to always keep this information up to date. If you see a job that you wish to apply to, but a part of your profile does not allow you to apply, be in contact with Career Services. We can apply any student to any job, regardless of their criteria. In these cases, however, you will need to write a cover letter explaining why you are applying to a job that you do not meet the criteria for. You will also get emails from the eRecruiting system notifying you of application deadlines that you meet the criteria for. This is a service that the Career Services office provides. Be sure to watch your email for these announcements and other system announcements such as acceptance to sign up on company interview schedules. Once you have accepted a full-time position and notified the Career Services office, your account will be inactivated so that you do not get announcement emails and your resume is not sent to companies looking for candidates. If you have questions about the eRecruiting system or would like tips on how to effectively use the system to identify job opportunities, visit the Career Services office for some one-on-one help. No appointment is necessary. Fundamentals GETTING STARTED Think of the job search process as a marketing project with YOU as the product and your resume as your personal advertisement or marketing brochure. Your customer is the employer. And what do employers want to buy on the job m В arket? SKILLS. For example, employers are looking for people who are cВreative and decisive, can adapt to frequent change, are good leaders and team players, demonstrate good work ethic, are good planners and organizers, can cope successfully with difficult situations and have the technical background and interests that make the applicant a good fit for their organization. So, analyze your skills and develop a marketing theme that will show a potential employer how your skills will fill that EMPLOYER’S NEEDS. Once you’ve developed that theme for your resume, you can utilize that theme in other aspects of your job search—to introduce yourself to networking contacts, in your cover letters and in interviews to convince the employer that you are the best product on the Вmarket! Education—Include degree discipline, expected date of graduation, grade point average (IF it is 2.9/4.0 or higher) in bold letters, followed by college or university, and location (city and state only). See example below: Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, May 2013 GPA 3.2/4.0 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN If you attended more than one college, list them in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include high school ONLY if you are a freshman or a sophomore. Under each school list courses that would interest the employer and support your job oВ bjective. It is not necessary to list every course you’ve taken! Skills—List technical skills and other skills that will support your job objective and fit the employer’s needs. For example you might include design or analytical skills, foreign languages, laboratory skills, teamwork or leadership skills. Always include your computer skills. Cite accomplishments and achievements that demonstrate these skills, here and in other sections of your resume. THE RESUME Your resume, like a magazine ad, will be competing with 100s of others for an employer’s attention. Therefore, your resume must be polished, easy to read and let the “buyer” know what’s in it for them. Keep in mind these guidelines/rules when developing your resume: 4 Keep it short and simple 4 Limit resume to one page 4 Use simple, everyday language 4 Be specific—give examples, stress accomplishments and achievements 4 NEVER use complete sentences. Use short phrases (12 words or less) beginning with action verbs, such as “Created publicity campaign for blood drive” 4 DO NOT write in paragraphs 4 U se bullets ( • ) to separate one item from another and to guide the reader’s eye to specific points 4 U se white space, italics and boldface type to guide the reader’s eye to important information instead of using multiple fonts 4 Single space within sections 4 Use white or ivory paper and one inch margins all around (margins may be slightly smaller to keep resume to one page) 4 Be absolutely sure that the resume is error-free (no typos, no misspelled words) and easy to read. 4 If it looks sloppy, redo it And here’s the information you should include on your resume: Heading—Tell employers how to reach you. The first thing on your resume should be your full name, centered at the top of the page, in bold type and in a slightly larger font than the rest of the resume. Follow your name with your Вcomplete mailing address and zip code, telephone number with area code and your email address. Job Objective—In one short phrase tell the employer what kind of work you are looking for (e.g., “An entry level position in mechanical design,” “A Вposition in software development”). DO NOT use phrases that tell the employer what you want them to do for you (e.g., “A position that will help me develop my skills in”). Analyze your skills and develop a marketing theme that will show a potential employer how your skills will fill that employer’s needs. Experience—Include work and co-curricular experiences as well as significant projects in reverse chronological order. On the first line, put name and lВocation (city and state only) of company or organization followed by dates of employment or participation. List job title on the second line, then use the “3-Вbullet” approach to describe your experience. The first bullet should include general duties and a brief description of the company. The second bullet should be more specific about your daily responsibilities. Use the third bullet to describe an accomplishment that you are proud of. See resumes on pages 8-10 or our website for examples. Use short phrases beginning with action verbs to describe your experiences (a list of suggested verbs is included with the sample resume on page 8). Use present tense verbs for current jobs, past tense verbs for previous jobs. Don’t use personal pronouns. Leave out phrases such as “Responsible for...” and “Duties included...” and the headings “position,” “job title,” and “duties.” It is not necessary to describe less significant work experiences such as waiter, file clerk, etc., unless you can describe your significant accomplishments or the title does not aВ dequately describe the position or these were your only jobs. Don’t overlook class projects or significant accomplishments and leadership roles in volunteer or campus organizations. Honors & Activities (optional)—Include all honors, academic and other. If they are not self-explanatory, describe briefly, e.g., “Order of Epsilon (academic honor society).” List activities not shown in the “experience” section. Include the name of the organization and your role (“member,” “finance committee chairman,” “secretary,” etc.). For significant activities, briefly describe your accomplishments. Consider adding dates to provide context. References—Prepare a second page for your references. Provide three or four references; at least one, preferably two, from previous employers, the remainder from faculty, your advisor or department head or others who are familiar with your work habits. Do not use personal references. Include name, title, address and phone number for each reference. Use the same header on the reference page as you used on your resume. www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   7 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE MAJOR-SPECIFIC RESUMES! 8  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology accelerated accomplished achieved activated adapted addressed adjusted administered advertised advised advocated altered analyzed applied appointed appraised arbitrated arranged assembled assessed assigned attained audited awarded balanced broadened budgeted built calculated catalogued clarified collaborated combined compiled completed composed conceived concluded condensed conducted consolidated consulted contracted & Exaggerated & Poorly focused & Poor design & Hard to read contributed controlled converted convinced coordinated corrected created cultivated decentralized decreased defined delivered demonstrated designated designed determined developed devised directed discovered distributed documented doubled edited eliminated emphasized employed enabled encouraged enforced ensured entitled established estimated evaluated examined executed expanded expedited extended extracted facilitated financed focused forecast formed formulated fostered founded fulfilled furthered generated governed guided handled headed heightened hired identified illustrated implemented increased influenced initiated inspected installed instituted instructed integrated interpreted interviewed introduced invented investigated joined judged launched led maintained managed marketed maximized measured minimized mobilized moderated modified monitored motivated multiplied obtained operated orchestrated organized originated overcame participated performed piloted placed planned prepared presented prevented processed produced programmed projected promoted proposed proved provided published realized recommended recruited rectified reduced regulated reinforced renegotiated reorganized reported represented researched reshaped resolved restored restructured RESUME ACTION WORDS & Misleading & Too short & Wordy & Vague & Too long 12 COMMON RESUME MISTAKES reviewed revised revitalized saved scheduled secured selected served set settled shaped sharpened simplified solved spearheaded specified sponsored spurred standardized started stimulated streamlined strengthened structured summarized supervised supported surveyed sustained systematized taught terminated tested translated trimmed troubleshot underscored unified updated upgraded utilized & No “punch” & Misspellings & Poor grammar Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering, May 20xx Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN Status: Freshman Related Courses: Drafting and AutoCad (high school), statics, introduction to design Highland High School, Salt Lake City, UT Graduated May 20xx with honors    3.9/4.0 GPA National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society, Salutatorian • • • • Education: Skills: Highland High School, Salt Lake City, UT 9/xx-4/xx Prom Committee Chair • Organized and motivated committee of 8 classmates to raise $2,000 for the Senior Prom • Planned and executed successful evening with over 400 in attendance Activities: Highland High School, Student body president, raised $5,000 for new scoreboard Chi Omega, finance committee Drama Club, member Habitat for Humanity, member Rose-Hulman Women’s Volleyball Team Honors: Edsel Ford Scholarship for Innovation in Design - awarded by Ford Motor Co. for best science fair project Earl Greef Memorial Scholarship Attended American Youth Leadership Conference Westinghouse Science Talent Search finalist Experience: Granger Lawn Care Service, Granger, UT Summers xx-xx Owner/Operator • Sold lawn care services door-to-door • Hired and supervised three employees in mowing and caring for 15 nВ eighbors’ lawns • Netted $1,500 after costs in three months with 100% return customers the В following summer Windows, Cadkey, Microsoft Word & Excel, HTML, Java Fluent in German Soldering, familiar with operation of lathes and milling machines Communication skills demonstrated through leadership activities Summer internship related to the mechanical engineering field Objective: Jennifer P. Edwards 5500 Wabash Avenue, Box 0001 Terre Haute, IN 47803 (812) 877-8511 [email protected] “Вexperience “ and the “activities” sections of the resume. Note the use of the “accomplishment statement” and “three-bullet” approaches in describing experience. SAMPLE FRESHMAN RESUME— Accomplishments are included in both the www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   9 Co-op or intern position in the field of Chemical Engineering Cultor Food Science, Terre Haute, IN 5/xx-8/xx Engineering Intern •Performed water balance for entire plant which solved the problem of inconsistent meter readings •Proposed ideas to cut wastes by over $350,000 per year (ideas currently being implemented) Work Experience: Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics honorary), member American Institute of Chemical Engineers, member Special Olympics, volunteer Intramural sports: soccer, basketball, softball Honors & Activities: 3/xx-6/xx McDonald’s, Liverpool, NY 11/xx-5/xx Crew Chief • Trained all new employees • Proposed and executed numerous successful ideas to improve restaurant operations •Recognized as “Employee of the Month” four times for success in streamlining restaurant operations Koch Materials, Inc., Terre Haute, IN Lab Technician • Performed quality tests on liquid asphalt samples • Mixed asphalt and binder to yield optimum strength • Tested and recycled asphalt for stability and usability • • • Other Qualifications: Classes in Mass and Energy Balances and Physical Chemistry Consulting Engineering Program Skilled with Windows (2000, XP), Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint Bachelor of Science Chemical Engineering, May 20xx Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN 3.3/4.0 current G.P.A. Education: Summary: Current sophomore at top engineering college nationally, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, with a chemical engineering major. As an energetic intern, would apply strong teamwork, communication, and work ethic to problem solving, as done in the past with previous intern experience, and with various extracurricular clubs and jobs. Specific interests and strengths include mass transfer, chemical process safety, and process optimization. Continually developing skills through Consulting Engineering Program and on-going academic studies. Objective: Current Address:Home Address: 1234 Wallace Avenue 222 Magnolia Street Terre Haute, IN 47802 Liverpool, NY 20202 (812) 234-0000 (315) 555-5555 STEVE SOPHOMORE [email protected] Steve’s resume lists course work and computer skills in the “Other Qualifications” section. Two addresses are provided to ensure that an employer will be able to reach him during school or at home, during breaks. “Honors” and “Activities” are combined into one section. A “summary” is used to present an overall picture of his skills and abilities. Sample Resume##1 Bachelor of Science Computer Engineering, May 20xx GPA 3.0/4.0 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN Education: ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Terre Haute, IN Phone Operator 9/xx - Present Tau Beta Pi (Engineering honorary) Dean’s List 5/6 quarters Presidential Scholarship Honors: Activities: Society of Women Engineers, Vice President Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Treasurer Intramural Basketball Photo editor for Rose Thorn (school newspaper) ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Terre Haute, IN Class Project for Computer Architecture Winter xx-xx • Designed and implemented a 16-bit RISC processor using Logic Works and Verilog • Increased the speed of the processor’s ALU Experience: A. MORONI, INC., Carrollton, TX Ultrasound Data Analysis Technician Summer xx • Designed defect C-scanning standard for Cu Targets • Collected data for quality control gauge study of C-Scanning process • Responsible for handling $8,000 Targets while performing gauge study Computer • Programming experience in Visual C++, HTML, Java, MPS, Skills: Assembly and VHDL • MATLAB, Maple, Cadkey, Working Model, Labview, WonderWare, Logic Works, Verilog, • Excel, Lotus 123 and other spreadsheets, word processors, PowerPoint • Unix environment and Windows 2000/XP operating systems A summer position in hardware design or computer programming Objective: Jennifer Junior 5500 Wabash Avenue, Box 0001 Terre Haute, IN 47803 (812) 877-8511 [email protected] Jennifer has used boldface, italics and ALL CAPS selectively to highlight information and make this resume easier to read. Jennifer has little degree-related experience, so she has used a class project as experience. Since the “phone operator” job title is self-explanatory, no detail is required. Sample Resume #2 SOPHOMORE/JUNIOR RESUMES 10  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Design engineering position that will utilize my hardware and software skills and experience Honors & Activities: Dean’s List 11 quarters Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics honorary), member American Society of Mechanical Engineers, member General Mills, Inc., Toledo, OH 6/xx-8/xx Engineering Intern • Successfully redesigned a cereal packaging line • Provided line sketches, equipment recommendations • Designed equipment interface, configured automated scales, and В recommended line-flow alterations that decreased cycle time by 10% Experience: Digital Audio Disc Corp., Terre Haute, IN 9/19xx-3/20xx Design Project Team Leader • Supervised senior design team in the successful completion of a В precision measurement project for a CD manufacturer • Compiled, drafted and presented a detailed technical report on findings and recommendations AutoMed Inc., Indianapolis, IN 5/xx-8/xx Engineering Intern • Developed software for emerging-growth medical instrumentation firm • Used SEI software development model to outline system specifications, create code, and ensure quality • Produced 6,000 line program 3 weeks ahead of deadline and met В customer requirements on startup Education: Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, minor in Computer Science, May 20xx Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN GPA 3.4/4.0 Related courses: Systems Programming in C, Artificial Intelligence, Theory of Computation Computer Programming skills in the following languages: ADA, C, C++, Fortran, Skills: SQL, Pascal, Windows 2000/XP, VAX Assembly, HTML Objective: Current Address: After May 30, 20xx 2901 Franklin Street 2125 So. 1800 East Terre Haute, IN 47803 Salt Lake City, UT 84107 (812) 877-1511(801) 277-5944 Permanent Address: 2160 Greentree Road Pittsburgh, PA 15212 (412) 256-5688 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, May 20xx GPA 3.33/4.00 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN Kauffman Foundation Entrepreneurial Internship Program, Summer 19xx & 19xx International Science & Engineering Fair: four years participation, 2nd place senior year in high school Keystone Science/Engineering Fair: four years participation, 1st place physical division senior year First Place, American Society of Computing Machinery Programming Contest Field Robotics Center, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA REU Intern Summer, 19xx • Assisted in the development of a prototype robot, Houdini • Developed and tested the mechanical systems and hydraulic assemblies Honors: • • • • Software Testing Intern Summer, 20xx • Designed, executed, and documented a testing scheme for a robotic welding platform • Wrote robotic control code, debugged electrical/electronic systems • Test results are now being used to upgrade and further develop current systems Experience: CYBO Robots, Indianapolis, IN Software Development Intern Summer, 20xx • Researched, designed, and implemented a new robot move database which was “generic, expandable, and flexible” • Used MAPLE for circular interpolation, representation, and translation prototyping • Code currently being used in new controller to be shipped to Caterpillar October 1999 Robotics • Custom circuit board fabrication, computer interfacing, 8052 single board computers • Robotic gantry cranes, remote exploration vehicles, all home-built • Voice and screen menu driven control, robot control program APIs • 2-D ultrasonic area mapping and robotic vehicle location through wireless data links • 3-D computer simulation/virtual reality with a Nintendo Power Glove Skills: Computers • C,Visual/Turbo C++, Maple, Matlab, Glut, OpenGL, Ada, BASIC, LISP, CadKey, AutoCAD, Pro/Engineer, and LogicWorks • Wrote programs now in use at Inland Steel Bar Company for metallurgical В calculations Education: Objective: Full-time position in the field of computer science with emphasis on both hardware and software School Address: 5500 Wabash Avenue, Box 19887 Terre Haute, IN 47803 (812) 877-1511 [email protected] http://www.rose-hulman.edu/~bizeln Leo N. Bize Leo has used a skill summary to present his extensive skills and experience, especially in the robotics field, that may not be captured in his work experience. This resume uses the “3 bullet” approach on the AutoMed and General Mills experiences. Paul used his senior project as experience, too. PAUL A. EMORY [email protected] Sample Resume #2 Sample Resume #1 SENIOR RESUMES Expand Your Resume’s Focus The traditional sections of resume writing—heading, objective, education and experience—are without question the foundation of your resume. As you focus on them, however, it is possible to get tunnel vision and think only about the skills you have developed through your day-to-day work.   • Have you studied abroad or traveled extensively? Your actual experience has been much broader, and this list will help you explore your extended skills and experiences. Article adapted by Nancy J. Mellem from “Brainstorming for the Resume”, written by Veronica Rahim, Career Services Consultant, Center for Career Opportunities, for Purdue University’s 2011-2012 Career Planning Handbook.   • Have you conducted undergraduate research?   • Are you a mentor or tutor?   • Have you started an organization?   • Are you a member or officer in a professional association?   • Have you made a presentation at a conference?   • Have you been a panelist in a conference break out session?   • Are you a published author in your field?   • Have you served as a military officer, noncommissioned officer, or within an ROTC program?   • Do you hold any career-related certifications? How about any certifications with transferable skills?   • Have you won any competitions related to your field?   • Were you, or are you still, a Resident Assistant?   • Have you earned a promotion?      - Did you complete a specific project to achieve the promotion?      - Was it based on attaining a specific skill set? Thinking about grad school? Move your career forward with Washington University’s Olin Business School. T oday’s complex business economy requires specialized skills of graduates from an internationally recognized and highly ranked institution like Washington University’s Olin Business School. We offer master’s degree programs in the field of accounting, finance and supply chain management that prepare you for a career– track position with cutting–edge knowledge in one of these areas.     -  Was it goal based? A s a student of Washington University’s Olin Business School, you’ll have access to engaged faculty, industry leaders and the Westin Career Center to help prepare you for your job search and identify roles that are best suited for you. And as an Olin graduate, you will be part of our strong alumni network and the many opportunities the Olin network creates. Take the next step and pursue a Specialized Masters Program: -Master of Science in Supply Chain Management: www.olin.wustl.edu/msscm -Master of Accounting: www.olin.wustl.edu/macc -Master of Science in Finance: www.olin.wustl.edu/macc www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   11 THE SCANNABLE RESUME THE COVER LETTER More companies are now requesting “scannable” resumes. Instead of being read by a human, the resume is scanned with an OCR (optical character recognition) scanner and stored as a text image. Your cover letter may well be the first contact that you make with a potential employer. If it is well written it will lead the employer to the second part of your application, your resume. If the cover letter is not well written, your resume may end up in a discard heap without ever being read. Think of your cover letter as an advertisement emphasizing your most attractive features. Since your cover letter is likely to be one of several received for a particular position (some large companies receive 1,000,000 or more resumes each year!), it is essential that it be well written and to the point. Don’t include the details of your entire work and school history. The best way to set yourself apart is to highlight one or two of your accomplishments or abilities that show you are a better-than-average candidate. When a position becomes available, a keyword search is done to identify candidates with the skills defined in the job description. Keywords are nouns or noun-based phrases that describe your skills and accomplishments. Keywords for a computer programmer might include C++, Pascal, Ada, DOS, Windows, HTML, online applications, information systems management. Resumes with the most matches are the ones likely to win the interview sweepstakes. If you want your resume to be selected, it is essential that you understand the requirements of the job for which you wish to be considered and that the keywords (or buzzwords or skill words) that apply to that position appear frequently on your resume. They can appear in your objective, course descriptions, skills listings, and in descriptions of your projects and work experiences. You might also include a “keyword summary” section on your resume. It should follow your objective and include keywords (and their synonyms) that apply to the type of work that you are seeking. The format for your scannable resume may be slightly different than the resume you have prepared for the human reader. Many of the elements that you used to draw the human reader’s attention will have to be eliminated from the scannable resume. OCR scanners aren’t very bright. They can’t read the bullets, italics and underlined words you used to emphasize your accomplishments. And bold, shading and fancy fonts are likely to create confusion. Use the following tips when formatting your resume: If using the postal service, your cover letter should be no more than four short paragraphs on one page. Use 81вЃ„ 2 x 11 inch white or ivory paper, 1-inch margins and block style paragraphs. You don’t need expensive stationery. Standard, inexpensive office paper (20 lb. bond) is acceptable. Again, avoid mottled or granite papers, as they do not copy or fax clearly. Send your cover letter in a business mailing envelope. Unless your handwriting is EXTREMELY neat and legible, either type your envelope or print it from your computer (no dot matrix printers, please). Address your envelope using the full name and title of the contact person to whom you addressed your cover letter. If using email, type the letter in the body of the message beginning with the salutation. Then, attach your resume to the email. 4 Use capital letters to emphasize important points. 4 If you must use horizontal or vertical lines on your resume, be sure that there is at least 1вЃ„ 4 ” space between the line and text. 4 Use lots of white space. 4 Use standard, easy-to-read fonts like Times New Roman, Courier, Arial or Universal. 4 Use 10 to 14 point font size. Don’t use compressed fonts or compressed spacing. 4 Avoid punctuation as much as possible. 4 Don’t worry if your resume is two or even three pages long. The computer doesn’t care as long as the text is easily scanned. 4 Use plain white or light colored paper— mottled or granite papers will Вconfuse the scanner. Most scanner programs will use “artificial intelligence” to extract important Вinformation and store it in a database. To avoid confusion, the first text on your resume should be your name, followed by your address, phone number and email address, with each element appearing on a separate line. When you mail your resume, you should avoid stapling and mail it flat in a large envelope. If you are faxing a resume that will be scanned, be sure to set the fax machine on “fine” mode instead of “standard” mode. It will take longer to fax your resume, but you will increase the likelihood that the faxed resume will be scannable when it reaches its destination. Play it safe, though, and send a hard copy of your resume as well. 12  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Follow these basic guidelines when developing the content of your cover letter: Return address—Your return address should be printed in the upper righthand corner approximately 4 inches from the right edge. Date—The date should be on the line below the last line of your address and should be written out, e.g., September 29, 2013. Addressee—ALWAYS use the full name and the proper title of the addressee in your cover letter. Two lines below the date list the full name of the addressee. The next line should contain the addressee’s full formal business title. Write out the full name of the company on the third line. This should be followed by the address of the company, which generally takes two lines. Salutation—The salutation should be typed two lines below the address. Begin with Dear Mr. or Dear Ms. followed by the last name of the addressee and a colon, e.g., “Dear Mr. Jones:”. NEVER use the first name of the addressee in your salutation. In cases where you must use a general salutation, “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Good Morning” are stronger than “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” DO NOT use the old standards “Gentlemen” or “Dear Sirs.” 1st Paragraph— State clearly and concisely what position you wish to be considered for and state your academic status. If responding to an ad, say where and when the ad appeared. Example:I am a senior in mechanical engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and I am interested in the manufacturing engineering position that was advertised in the Serendipity Times on April 25. 2nd Paragraph—Describe what you could contribute to this company and show how your qualifications would benefit this firm. If you’re responding to a classified ad, discuss specifically how your background relates to the position requirements. Remember to keep it short and be careful not to simply restate what’s in your resume. Example:Having majored in mechanical engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where I also did extensive design on the solar powered vehicle project, I am confident that I can make an immediate contribution as an automotive engineer. Example:In addition to my degree in computer science, I have experience in development of C and C++ programs for embedded systems using both Motorola and Intel processors. 3rd Paragraph—Describe your interest in this company. Subtly emphasize your knowledge about them (results of your research) and your familiarity with the industry. Be sure to present yourself as eager to work for this cВ ompany. Example:I am confident that with my initiative and strong technical background, I can contribute to your company’s success in making the transition to infrared technology. Final Paragraph—Request an interview. Include your phone number and the hours you can be reached, or mention that you will follow up with a phone call within the next several days to arrange an interview at a mutually convenient time. Example:I would like to interview with you at your earliest convenience. I can be reached at (123) 456-7890 between 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Cover Letter Layout Address City, State, ZIP Date Name of Contact Title of Contact Company Name Company Address Dear Ms./Mr.______________ : Immediately explain why you are writing this letter. State your academic status. Describe what you can do for this company, how hiring you would be of benefit to the firm. Don’t elaborate on what you hope to gain from this experience—the hiring manager is interested in what you can do for the company, not what you would like them to do for you. Describe your interest in this company. Emphasize your knowledge of the company and the industry using the information you have gained from your research. Be subtle but be sure to let the company know how eager you are to work for them. Refer the reader to your enclosed resume. Indicate your desire for an interview. Close the letter with a statement that encourages further action. Sincerely, Your Signature Enc. Resume Your Name Sample Cover Letter Address City, State, ZIP Date Name of Contact Title of Contact Company Name Company Address Dear Ms./Mr.______________ : I am a junior electrical engineering student at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. I will be completing my current coursework at the end of May and am writing to inquire about summer employment opportunities at Miffco Electronics. Closing—The closing should be two lines below the final paragraph and aligned with the date. Don’t get fancy—a simple “Sincerely” will suffice. Four lines below, type your full name as it appears on your resume. Sign your name in black ink above your typed name. I have completed several courses in computer applications and programming which have provided me with the qualifications necessary to produce electronic controls for automotive applications. I am familiar with C, C++ and Motorola HC11 controllers as well as their application in embedded systems. I am extremely interested in the automotive industry, and would like to learn more about Miffco Electronic’s operation. Enclosure Line—If you are enclosing a resume or other materials, add an enclosure line two spaces below your name, flush left. In addition to the knowledge and skills that I have developed from my coursework, I would also bring other valuable skills to the table such as creativity, the ability to work alone or as a productive member of a team, and the desire to make a positive contribution to your company. Example: Enc. resume When do you send a cover letter? Anytime you are sending a resume to a company. You may have situations where you are sending a letter without a resume, but a resume should always be accompanied by a cover letter. See sample cover letters on this page or on our website. I have attached my resume for your review. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my qualification for employment at Miffco. If you need additional information or have questions, I can be reached at 812-123-4567 or by email at [email protected], and I will also follow up by phone later this week. Sincerely, Your Signature Your Name Enc. Resume www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   13 THE THANK-YOU LETTER A well-written and professional thank-you letter is one of the most important steps in a comprehensive job search. Send a thank-you letter as a follow-up to any communication (interview, phone conversation, written reply, etc.) with an employer or networking contact. This is the time to express your appreciation, re-emphasize your strong qualifications, reiterate your interest in the position and the company, or provide additional information that will convince an employer that you are the best candidate for the job. Never use form letters—make sure the letter contains some reference to your experience with the individual who will receive the letter. If you interview with more than one person, send appropriate, original thank-you letters to each interviewer. See sample thank-you letter to the right. THE ACCEPTANCE LETTER At the end of your job search, when you have accepted a position, send an acceptance letter. This letter confirms your acceptance of the position as well as specific details about salary, starting date, and other arrangements. An acceptance letter generally follows a telephone or personal conversation in which the details of the offer and terms of employment are discussed. See sample acceptance letter to the right. THE REFUSAL LETTER You’ve ended your job search. You’ve analyzed all your options, you’ve made a choice and accepted a position. You’ve called and accepted the offer, written your acceptance letter and gotten a confirmation from your chosen company. You’re done—right? WRONG! Now it’s time to write refusal letters to all the other companies who have made an offer of employment. Let the companies whose offers you are refusing know as early as possible. Remember, finding the right candidate takes time. If you don’t accept their offer, they will need to continue the search process with the alternates. Give them time to continue their candidate search early, while other qualified candidates are still available. Your refusal letter should: 4Courteously thank the employer for their time, the interview, the offer and any special accommodations or considerations 4Let them know that you have accepted another offer and are no longer available 4Include hopes of working with them in the future See the sample refusal letter on the next page. Some companies may send out surveys to candidates that refuse their offers. This is an attempt to assess the effectiveness of their recruiting practices and the Вcompetitiveness of their offers. If you don’t think it’s any of their business, don’t fill out the survey or, if there are things you think they need to know, but feel uncomfortable telling them, fill it out but don’t identify yourself. LETTER OF APPLICATION Use a letter of application when applying for a specific employment opportunity. Be sure you mention the specific position and where you saw it advertised. Briefly summarize your qualifications as they relate to the position. Telegraph your eagerness to work for this firm. Promote yourself in a way that the reader will want to turn the page and read your resume! See sample on next page. 14  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Thank-You Letter Street Address City, State ZIP Date Mr. George Thompson Human Resource Manager WOW Chemical U.S.A. P.O. Box 1776 Hurrah, MI 48707 Dear Mr. Thompson: I enjoyed meeting with you on March 12 to discuss opportunities for chemical engineers at WOW Chemical. I was very impressed by the project team work demonstrated by your engineering staff as well as WOW’s commitment to environmental and safety issues. I also appreciated the opportunity to learn more about new research and technology in which WOW is involved. I would like to reiterate my strong interest in the production engineering position and in working with you and the others in the Saran Films Technology Center. As I mentioned in my interview, my internship experience provided me an excellent foundation in polymers research and design and environmental affairs. Thank you again for your time. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Sincerely, Jane Doe Jane Doe Acceptance Letter Street Address City, State ZIP Date Ms. Opal Slate Director of Engineering Operations Bedrock International Corp. P. O. Box YYY Flintstone, CA 01010 Dear Ms. Slate: I am pleased to accept your offer for the position of Avionics Systems Engineering Intern at Bedrock International at a starting salary of $XX,XXX. I am looking forward to starting work on June 1. I understand that this is contingent upon my passing a routine physical exam. I am proceeding with the necessary arrangements. Please let me know if you need additional information. I sincerely appreciate the personal time and attention you have given me throughout the process. Sincerely, John Smith John Smith Letter of Application Refusal Letter Street Address City, State ZIP Date Mr. B. D. Luck Human Resource Manager Chance Electronics 1000 Winner Ave. Las Vegas, NV 77777 I would like to thank you for offering me the position of Digital Signal Processing Engineer at Chance Electronics. I especially appreciate the time you took to answer all of my questions and the effort you and your staff made to accommodate my schedule in the interview process. I was impressed by you and your staff and the work that Chance Electronics is doing in the electronic communications field. However, I have accepted another position that more closely fits my present needs. Thank you again for your time and the opportunity to learn more about the technology and business outlook at Chance Electronics. I wish you success in your future endeavors and am sorry that I cannot join your team at this time. Street Address City, State, ZIP Date Ms. Elaine Collins Employment Manager American Aircraft, Inc. 32 Airline Drive Airport, MO 00747 Dear Ms. Collins: Dear Mr. Luck: Sincerely, John Doe John Doe I am writing to apply for the Structural Dynamics Engineering position recently advertised in the Rose-Hulman Career Services Office. I will be completing my Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering at Rose-Hulman in May 20xx. During my co-op assignment at Patriot Electric’s Aircraft Division, I was involved in the design of a new airfoil for an Air Force jet. As an outcome of the research I completed for my senior project, I presented a technical paper and co-authored a publication on flight path dynamics. I am also experienced at writing specifications and reviewing contractor proposals. I found these experiences to be extremely valuable and interesting and am committed to continuing my career in the aircraft industry. I am especially interested in working for a company like American Aircraft, whose innovative designs have had such a dramatic impact on the industry. My resume is enclosed for your review. I will contact you in two weeks to follow up. In the meantime, I can be reached at 987-555-6543 if you need additional information. I look forward to discussing my qualifications with you in person and am available for an interview at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Your Signature Your Name Enc. Resume Letter of Inquiry #1 Letter of Inquiry #2 Use a letter of inquiry when you have an interest in a particular company or organization and would like to inquire into available employment opportunities. Be sure to state that you are a student at Rose-Hulman, your status and the type of employment you are seeking (permanent, summer, co-op, etc.) in the first paragraph. This letter is designed to convince the smaller companies around your home town that hiring a summer intern (you) is a good idea even if they don’t have a full-blown Summer Internship Program. Notice the applicant takes responsibility for follow-up in this letter. Be sure to call at least two weeks in advance to set up an appointment. Street Address City, State, ZIP Date Street Address City, State, ZIP Date Mr. Art Broady Human Resources Manager Miffco Electronics Corporation One Corporate Center Bunky, Louisiana 12345 Mr. Werlin G. Dervish Vice President, Engineering Pivotal Systems 535 Middlebury Parkway Central Valley, CA 94000 Dear Mr. Broady: Dear Mr. Dervish, I am a senior electrical engineering student at Rose-Hulman. I will be graduating in May and am inquiring about summer employment opportunities at Miffco Electronics. I am a sophomore mechanical Engineering major at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana. I plan to be living at home in Northern California this summer and I believe I could be of assistance to you. It seems that most busy engineers have a list of “back burner” projects, which they just do not have time to complete. I would be happy to take care of some of those projects for you this summer! I have completed several courses in computer applications and programming, which have provided me with the qualifications necessary to produce electronic controls for automotive applications. I am familiar with C, C++ and Motorola HC11 controllers as well as their application in embedded systems. I am extremely interested in the automotive industry and would like to learn more about Miffco Electronics’ operation. I have enclosed my resume for your review. I would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my qualification for employment at Miffco. I understand that you will be attending Rose-Hulman’s annual career fair in October. I look forward to discussing employment opportunities with you at that time. If you need additional information, I can be reached at 812-123-4567. Enc. Resume Sincerely, Your Signature Your Name The curriculum at Rose-Hulman is rigorous. It teaches problem-solving, teamwork skills, and the value of hard work. I am skilled in AutoCAD v13 and able to learn new software packages quickly. I can help you with your design and development or production problems but will accept any other assignment that needs attention. And I can arrive equipped with my own laptop computer if it is needed to successfully complete my work at Pivotal Systems. I look forward to exploring potential summer employment with Pivotal Systems. I will be in town during the week of March 1 and would be available for an interview. I will contact you before my arrival to arrange a time when we can meet. Thank you for your consideration. Enc. Resume Sincerely, Your Signature Your Name www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   15 Interviews Here we go! This is it — the big event! A little nervous? It might help to think of your first interview as an audition. And if you want to be Вsuccessful, you will need to prepare for the part, just as an actor prepares for a role. You must look the part, know your lines and, like an actor, if you want to win the role, rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. LOOK THE PART You must dress for your interview role. This generally means looking and acting businesslike. Many companies will indicate the preferred attire for an interview, but if they do not, you should assume that the dress is Business. Here are some definitions: • Business: this might also be called “church clothes”. It is the most formal and conservative of dress. For men, a conservative suit, dress shirt and tie are appropriate. A nice pair of dark pants and a sport coat and tie might also work well. Women should consider a fashionable pant or dress suit, or a conservative dress and neutral stockings. • Business-Casual: this is a more relaxed look, but is still somewhat “dressy” in nature. Men might wear a nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt with or without a tie (no jacket needed), while women may opt for nice slacks or a skirt and a conservative blouse. • Casual: even though the name implies casual attire, you should still err on the side of being conservative. Either gender may opt for a nice pair of khakis or pants and a nice shirt. Men do not need to wear a tie. Jeans and tennis shoes should not be worn. Hair should be neatly combed. Don’t use cologne or perfume and go easy on the jewelry! Women, don’t overdo your makeup and, if you wear nail polish, use a neutral shade. Don’t smoke, chew gum or eat during your interview. Remember, you want to look BUSINESSLIKE and CONSERVATIVE. KNOW YOUR LINES The purpose of the interview is for the interviewer to obtain knowledge about your skills, qualifications and “fitness” as an employee and for you to obtain information about the company, the specific job and the company’s “fitness” as an employer. The interviewer, in addition to assessing your technical skills, will want to assess personal skills and behaviors such as: 4Communication 4 Planning & organizing abilities 4Impact 4Initiative/motivation 4Listening 4Leadership/teamwork 4Interpersonal skills 4Adaptability/flexibility TEN RULES OF INTERVIEWING Before stepping into an interview, be sure to practice, practice, practice. A jobseeker going to a job interview without preparing is like an actor pВ erforming on Вopening night without rehearsing. To help with the interview process, keep the following ten rules in mind: 16  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 1.  Keep your answers brief and concise. Unless asked to give more detail, limit your answers to two to three minutes per question. Tape yourself and see how long it takes you to fully answer a question. 2.  Include concrete, quantifiable data. Interviewees tend to talk in generalities. UnforВtunately, generalities often fail to Вconvince ВinterВviewers that the applicant has assets. Include measurable Вinformation and provide details about specific Вaccomplishments when discussing your strengths. 3.  Repeat your key strengths three times. It’s essential that you comfortably and confidently articulate your strengths. Explain how the strengths relate to the company’s or department’s goals and how they might benefit the Вpotential employer. If you repeat your strengths then they will be remembered and—if supported with quantifiable accomplishments—they will more likely be believed. 4.  Prepare five or more success stories. In preparing for interviews, make a list of your skills and key assets. Then reflect on past jobs and pick out one or two instances when you used those skills Вsuccessfully. 5.  Put yourself on their team. Ally yourself with the prospective employer by using the employer’s name and products or Вservices. For example, “As a member of __________, I would carefully analyze the __________ and __________.” Show that you are thinking like a member of the team and will fit in with the Вexisting environment. Be careful though not to say anything that would offend or be taken negatively. Your research will help you in this area. 6.  Image is often as important as content. What you look like and how you say something are just as important as what you say. Studies have shown that 65 percent of the conveyed m В essage is nonverbal; gestures, physical aВ ppearance and attire are highly influential dВ uring job interviews. 7.  Ask questions. The types of questions you ask and the way you ask them can make a tВ remendous impression on the interviewer. Good questions require advance preparation. Just as you plan how you would answer an interviewer’s questions, write out sВpecific questions you want to ask. Then look for opportunities to ask them during the interview. Don’t ask about benefits or salary. The iВnterview process is a two-way street whereby you and the interviewer assess each other to dВ etermine if there is an appropriate match. 8.  Maintain a conversational flow. By consciously maintaining a conversational flow—a dialogue instead of a monologue—you will be perceived more positively. Use feedback Вquestions at the end of your answers and use body language and voice intonation to create a conversational interchange between you and the iВ nterviewer. 9.  Research the company, product lines and competitors. Research will provide information to help you decide whether you’re interested in the company and important data to refer to dВ uring the interview. 10.  Keep an interview journal. As soon as possible, write a brief summary of what happened. Note any Вfollow-up action you should take and put it in your calendar. Review your Вpresentation. Keep a journal of your Вattitude and the way you answered the questions. Did you ask questions to get the information you needed? What might you do dВ ifferently next time? Prepare and send a brief thank-you letter. Restate your skills and stress what you can do for the company. “Ten Rules of Interviewing” written by Roseanne R. Bensley, Career Services, New Mexico State University. BE A “STAR” It is never a good idea to think you can “wing it” when it comes to answering Вq uestions about your experiences and yourself. It’s a good idea to sit down and think of some “war stories” that will effectively demonstrate your strong personal skills and characteristics. This is where you’ll become a S.T.A.R. The best answers will tell an interviewer about your skills and abilities by describing times when you’ve demonstrated those skills and abilities in the past. The answer should include three parts: a description of the Situation or Task (the reason you took a particular course of action), the Action (be sure it’s something specific that you actually did) and the Result. Results, of course, should always reflect success. Here’s an example of a “S.T.A.R.” response to an employer’s question about a student’s less-than-impressive GPA: Situation/Task—“I entered my sophomore year with a low GPA. I had always done well in school, but I didn’t handle the transition to college well. I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I had to develop better study habits and manage my time better.” Action—“I created a calendar and marked the due dates for all of my assignments and tests. Then I set aside certain hours each day for studying, Вallowing more for peak times like midterms and finals. I made up my mind not to change the plan until after the first quarter grades so I could give it a chance to work.” Situation or Task O Result—“My grades improved immediAction   Result ately; I used this system for the whole year and earned a 3.1 while still having time for other activities. My GPA has been strong ever since.” Answering your interviewer’s questions with a S.T.A.R. will help you avoid long rambling answers that tell nothing about your skills, abilities and strengths as they relate to the position. Your interviewer will be positively impressed and will have the kind of information that is needed to more objectively assess your Вfitness for the position. Think you need help? Want to practice your S.T.A.R.’s? Schedule a practice interview at the Career Services office. Details on how to sign up are on our website. PHONE/SKYPE/VIDEO INTERVIEWS Occasionally during your interview process, a company may ask to conduct a distance interview with you. You should prepare for these interviews in the same way that you would prepare for an in-person interview. If you need a private place to conduct a phone interview, contact Career Services to reserve one of our interview rooms. Career Services can also help you set up interviews using Skype or video conferencing in our offices. www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   17 Questions QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED BY INTERVIEWERS 1. Tell me about yourself. This question, simple as it sounds, causes more interview grief than just about any other. This question is NOT an invitation to talk about your hometown, your family or your love for cats and dogs. Use this as an opportunity to present your qualifications, skills, strengths as they relate to the position, thus leading to the conclusion that you are, indeed, the right person for the job. 2. Why did you choose Rose-Hulman? 3. Which courses and professors have you enjoyed the most? Why? 4. What are your short-term and long-term career goals? 5. Tell me about a time when you faced a difficult problem that you initially failed to solve. How did you approach the problem the second time? What did you do differently? Sometimes interviewers will ask questions about negative experiences. Be sure to emphasize lessons learned from the experience and how those lessons enabled you to handle similar situations successfully. 6. What percentage of your college expenses have you financed yourself? 7. Give me an example of a crisis situation and how you dealt with it. 8. Give me an example of a time you used your leadership skills. What was the outcome? 9. What has been your greatest challenge thus far? How have you attempted to meet that challenge? 10. Give me an example of a time when you failed. What did you learn from the experience? 11. What are your strengths? This is strictly a job-related question. Describe your strengths relative to the job you are seeking. 12. Your weaknesses? This is one of those trick questions you hear so much about. Your weaknesses should be a strength in disguise. An example: “I tend to be a real perfectionist. I really want every little thing to be just right. And I usually want to add a few extras, even though they’re not required. I don’t let that stop me from getting my class projects done on time though, but it does take a few more late nights to do it.” 13. Why are you interested in my organization? Why this position? This is where your research pays off. Give an answer that shows you were interested enough to find current information about the company. 14. What do you know about my organization? Ditto to question 13. 15. Give me an example of a situation in which you had to manage time effectively (or set priorities). 16. How do you handle rejection? Criticism? 17. Tell me about a situation when you had to be a good team player. Explain your role on the team. 18. Which organizations have you participated in? What have you learned from your involvement? 19. What have you learned from some of the jobs you’ve had? Under which type of supervisor do you work best? 20. What are your plans for graduate study? Be careful how you answer this question. Employers are looking for people who will stay in the job. Hearing that you plan to work for a year or two and then leave to go to graduate school can be a turn off. You might say something like “Well, John, my plans are to continue my studies part-time while I work. What are your company’s policies regarding continued education?” 21. What are your geographic preferences or limitations? Are you willing to travel? 22. What two or three things are most important to you to have in your job? 18  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 23. What are your long-term goals? Where do you see yourself five years from now? The answer is five years further along the career path that leads from this position. As a serious candidate for the position, you should know what that career path is. Have you done your research on the company and the position? You might want to put the question back to the interviewer. “Let me ask you, Joan, starting in this position, if I do really well, where could I expect to be with XYZ company in five years?” 24. How would your friends describe you? This is a variation on the “strengths and weaknesses” questions. 25. What salary do you expect to receive? Avoid answering this question with a specific figure. Be vague. Say you are looking for a competitive salary. If you must use numbers, say something like “Oh, somewhere in the mid 30s.” 26. Why have you chosen this particular career field? 27. With which other organizations are you interviewing? 28. What questions do you have for me to answer? See question 13 and the list below. Ask questions that show your interest in the company and the position. 29. Tell me about a difficult goal you have set for yourself. 30. Tell me about a tough group you had to get cooperation from. What was the issue and how did you go about it? 31. What was the most difficult decision you’ve made in the last six months? Explain how you went about making this decision. 32. What unpopular decision have you made recently? How did others respond? 33. Describe a time when you exceeded expectations (on a job, in a class). What did you do to make this possible? 34. Why should I hire you for this position? Another variation on the “strengths“ question. Describe your strengths, abilities and qualifications as they relate to the position. QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWER 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. What kind of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job? Would you describe a typical work day and the things I’d be doing? Who are the people I’d be working with and what do they do? What are the company’s policies on continued education? If I am hired for this job, and perform well for a number of years, what opportunities might this lead to? How would I get feedback on my job performance, if hired? What skills are considered most useful for success in the position I am applying for? I have noticed in the trade press that your firm has a terrific reputation in marketing. What major insights about the marketing process might I gain from this position? I would really like to work for your firm. I think it’s a great company and I am confident that I can do this job well. What’s the next step in the process? Is there anything else you need to know about me that we haven’t had a chance to discuss? QUESTIONS NOT TO ASK Never, never, never ask any questions about salary, vacations, holidays with pay, sick days or benefits until you have the offer. The Site Visit/Interview: One Step Closer While on-campus screening interviews are important, on-site visits are where jobs are won or lost. After an on-campus interview, strong candidates are usually invited to visit the employer’s facility. Work with the employer to schedule the on-site visit at a mutually convenient time. Sometimes employers will try to arrange site visits for several candidates to take place at the same time, so there may not be much flexibility…but you’ll never know if the employer is flexible unless you ask. 1. An invitation to an on-site interview, often referred to as the “plant trip,” is NOT a guarantee of a job offer. It is a chance to examine whether or not you will be a good match for the job and for the organization. 2. If invited to a plant trip, respond promptly if you are sincerely interested in this employer. Decline politely if you are not. Never go on a plant trip for the sake of the trip. Document the name and phone number of the person coordinating your trip. Verify who will be handling trip expenses. Most medium- and large-size companies (as well as many smaller ones) will pay your expenses, but others will not. This is very important, because expenses are handled in various ways: 1) the employer may handle all expenses and travel arrangeВments; 2) you handle your expenses and arrangeВments (the employer may assist with this), and the employer will reimburse you later; 3) the employer may offer an on-site interview, but will not pay for your interview. Take note of how the employees interact, and also assess the physical work environment. 3. Know yourself and the type of job you are seeking with this employer. Don’t say, “I am willing to consider Вanything you have.” 4. Thoroughly research the potential employer. Read annual reports, newspaper articles, trade journals, etc. Many companies have Web sites, where you can read mission statements, find out about long-term goals, read recent press releases, and view corporate photos. Don’t limit your research only to company-controlled information. The Internet can be a valuable investigative tool. You may uncover key information that may influence— positively or negatively—your decision to pursue employment with a given organization. 6. Bring extra money and a change of clothes. Also, have the names and phone numbers of those who may be meeting you in case your plans change unexpectedly. Anything can happen and you need to be ready for emergencies. 7. Your role at the interview is to respond to questions, to ask your own questions and to observe. Be ready to meet people who are not part of your formal agenda. Be courteous to everyone regardless of his or her position; you never know who might be watching you and your actions once you arrive in town. 8. Don’t forget your table manners. Plant trips may include several meals or attendance at a reception the night before your “big day.” When ordering food at a restaurant, Вfollow the lead of the employer host. For example, don’t order the three-pound lobster if everyone else is having a more moderately priced entree. If you have the “dining jitters,” some authorities suggest ordering food that is easy to handle, such as a boneless fish fillet or chicken breast. 9. Many employers have a set salary range for entry-level positions and others are more negotiable. Though salary should not be brought up until an offer is extended, it is wise to know your worth in advance. In as much as you are a potential employee, you also represent a valuable skills-set product. You should know what kind of product you have created, its value and what the company is willing to buy. Contact your Вcampus career center to obtain more information on salaries. 10. Soon after the site visit, record your impressions of your performance. Review the business cards of those you met or write the information in your notebook before leaving the facility. You should have the names, titles, addresses and phone numbers of everyone who was involved in your interview so you can determine which individuals you may want to contact with Вadditional questions or follow-up information. A thank-you letter should be written to the person(s) who will be making the hiring decision. Stay in touch with the employer if you want to pursue a career with them. A site visit is a two-way street. You are there to evaluate the employer and to determine if your expectations are met for job content, company culture and values, organizational structure, and lifestyles (both at work and leisure). Take note of how the employees interact, and also assess the physical work environment. Just as any good salesperson would never leave a Вcustomer without attempting to close the sale, you should never leave an interview without some sort of closure. If you decide that the job is right for you, don’t be afraid to tell the employer that you feel that there is a good fit and you are eager to join their team. The employer is interested in hiring people who want to be associated with them and they will never know of your interest if you don’t voice your opinion. Keep in mind that although the employer has the final power to offer a job, your demeanor during the entire iВnterviewing process—both on and off campus—also gives you a great deal of power. Written by Roseanne R. Bensley, Placement and Career Services, New Mexico State University. 5. Bring extra copies of your resume; copies of any paperwork you may have forwarded to the employer; names, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of your references; an updated college transcript; a copy of your best paper as a writing sample; a notebook; a black and/or blue pen for filling out forms and applications; and names and addresses of past employers. www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   19 Techniques JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES: PROS AND CONS There are many ways to look for a job, some of which are better than others. Presented below are some of the most popular ways, as well as helpful hints and pros and cons of each. STRATEGY TOOLS PROS CONS HELPFUL HINTS WANT ADS Scan want ads. Mail resume with cover letter tailored to specific job qualifications. • Newspapers • Journals • Newsletters • Trade magazines • Cover letters • Resumes Involves minimal investment of time in identifying companies. Resume and cover letter are sent for actual job opening. Resume and cover letter will compete with large number of others. Ads follow job market; least effective in times of economic downturn. • Use as a meter on the job market in a certain career field. EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES • Resumes Respond to employment agency ads • Business attire in newspapers; check phone book for names of agencies to contact. Fee-paid jobs for graduates in technical fields or those with marketable experience. May be less help to non-technical/ inexperienced graduates. Be wary if you, instead of the employer, have to pay a fee. • Identify agencies that Вspecialize in your field. INTERNET Search online job banks and company websites. Submit resume online/post on job boards. • Access to the Web Actual job openings. Many employers use a wide variety of job listing services. Many listings have free to low-cost access. Worldwide geographic reach. Competition is growing as use of the • Use the Web frequently as information Internet increases. Pay attention to and sites change quickly. multiple listings—one position posted on • May need to conduct your search at a few sites—to avoid applying multiple off-peak times (early morning or late times. at night). TARGETED MAILING Develop a good cover lВ etter tailored to a specific type of job and the needs of the company. Send letter with resume to selected Вcompanies. • List of well-researched companies Better approach than the mass-mailing method. Investment of time and effort should merit stronger response from employers. Requires a significant investment of time • Try to find out who is in charge of the in researching companies and writing area in which you want to work; send cover letters as well as following up with your materials to that pВ erson. Great contacts. method when used in conjunction with networking. IN-PERSON VISIT Visit many companies. Ask to see person in sВ pecific department. Submit resume and application, if possible. • Business attire Resume and application are on file with the company. Requires a great deal of time to make a relatively small number of contacts. NETWORKING Talk to everyone you know to develop a list of possible cВ ontacts; ask for information on job/companies and to cВ irculate your resume. • List of contacts ON-CAMPUS RECRUITING Follow specific proВcedures to secure on-campus Вinterviews. • Scheduling interviews • Electronic resume • Tailored cover letters • Resumes • Company address list • Try to get your materials in as early as possible. • Make frequent contact with your counselor to obtain better service. • Research the companies prior to your visit. Ask for a specific person or ask about a specific type of job. • Resumes • Resumes • Business attire • Employer literature May learn of unadvertised openings. A contact in itself is not enough to get you • Follow through on all leads. May result in a courtesy interview. Often a job. You may exhaust all leads without • Keep broadening your network of results in a closer match of your interests landing a job. Quite time-consuming. contacts. to a job. One of the primary ways in which compa- May be less effective for nontechnical/ nies recruit for technical and business nonbusiness candidates. positions. • Use the interview schedule as a way to identify pВ ossible employers, even if you don’t get to iВ nterview on campus with those employers. Another way to monitor the job market and get your qualifications to the attention of employers. • Use only in conjunction with other job search strategies. • Resumes • Business attire RESUME REFERRAL • Registration form Register with one of the many national supplied by service referral sВ ervices. As jobs are listed by employers, the data bank of registrants is searched for matches. If your materials match, they are sent to the employers. 20  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology May involve a fee. Often more helpful to those in technical or specialized fields. May not learn of the status of your Вmaterials. Adapted and reprinted with permission from Career Services, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. NETWORKING WITH PERSONAL CONTACTS AND RHIT ALUMNI Networking is one of the most effective techniques of job searching. It is also the most misunderstood and least comfortable. If you feel hesitant about networking, you’re not alone. It may help to remember that networking is not a manipulative tool, nor is it begging friends, family, acquaintances and strangers for a job! Networking is letting people you know — personally and professionally — that you are looking for a job. It simply means asking them to keep you in mind if they know of or hear of any openings that might fit your background. It is also the best way to access the “hidden job market” — those jobs that are available now or will be in the near future, but are never posted or advertised. How do I get started? The first step in networking is to make a list of contacts. Include family, friends, high school teachers, Rose professors, professional contacts from summer jobs, co-op experiences, or Career Fairs, and RHIT alumni. Your goal is not to get a job from these cВ ontacts but to gather information, advice, and referrals from people they know who might provide additional help or who may have a job. Make a list of 20 networking targets. knows of anyone who might have a need for someone with your skills and qualifications. Keep going — ask if the contact knows anyone who knows anyone who might have a need for someone with your qualifications. If the conversation is going well, ask the contact if he/she has a few minutes to meet with you or if you could schedule a time for an informational interview by phone. The conversation might go something like this: “ John Bridges? My name is Eleanor DeRosa and I’m a senior at RoseHulman. I got your name from Rose-Hulman Career Services. I’m interested in a career in chemical engineering, and I’m working on identifying professionals in my field who can help me develop an inside perspective on the job market. I’m not looking for a job from you but thought you would be a good source of advice, and I would really appreciate your assistance. Could I come in to meet with you, or phone you for 10-15 minutes, sometime during the next two weeks?” When you call to request an informational interview, you should be prepared to conduct the interview immediately. Have a script in your hand when you dial the phone! Always use a relaxed, conversational tone but ask specific questions. Here are some you can use: 4How did you get into this field? Where did you work before? The next step is to call or write to request an informational interview. Make it clear that you are not asking for a job but are seeking help on a personal level. 4What advice would you give someone just getting out of school who wants to be successful in your field? What do I say? You might write a letter — see the sample below: Many networking contacts are made by phone. When you call your networking contact, introduce yourself with a 60-second pitch. At some point ask if the contact 4I have a copy of my resume. Could you look at it and let me know what you think? 4What can I expect a typical career path to be like in this field? INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW REQUEST LETTER Street Address City, State ZIP Date Ms. Jane Adams Director, Power Systems Central Energy Corporation 100 Concentric Avenue Median City, IA 54321 Dear Ms. Adams: I am a senior at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Kevin Hewerdine, Director of Career Services, suggested that I contact you. I am interested in a career in the power industry and would appreciate your advice on the job market in this field. I would very much like the opportunity to meet with you. I will call you next week to see if we might arrange an appointment that is convenient for you. Thank you for your assistance. To learn more,В visit healthcare.goarmy.com/t617 22  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Sincerely, John Smith John Smith 4From the research I’ve done so far, I’ve developed a list of companies in our field that I am interested in. Can you tell me anything about them? GETTING THE MOST OUT OF A CAREER FAIR 4Can you recommend anyone else for me to talk to? Many employers use career fairs—both on and off campus—to promote their opportunities and to pre-screen applicants. Career fairs come in all shapes and sizes, from small community-sponsored events to giant regional career expositions held at major convention centers. 4What are the names of a few companies in your area? 4What companies in your city are the growing companies I should contact? How do I follow up? Always follow up immediately with a thank-you letter or email. If you haven’t already sent a resume, send one with your thank-you letter requesting that they keep you in mind if they hear of anything. INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW THANK-YOU LETTER Most career fairs consist of booths and/or tables manned by recruiters and other representatives from each organization. For on-campus events, some employers also send alumni Вrepresentatives. Large corporations and some gВ overnment agencies have staffs who work the career fair “circuit” nationwide. An employer’s display area is also subject to wide variance. It could be a simple table with a stack of brochures and business cards and a lone representative or an elaborate multiВmedia extravaganza with interactive Вdisplays, videos, posters and a team of recruiters. Street Address City, State ZIP Date Mr. John Adams Marketing Manager Red Baron Utilities 1234 Snoopy Avenue Lucy, MN 09876 Dear Mr. Adams: I thank you for the time you spent with me last week. Your willingness to share information with me is most appreciated. Your perspective on the public utilities field was very helpful. I now have a better idea of how to approach this market. I plan to follow up this week on your suggestion to contact Peanuts Power Corporation. It sounds like an interesting company. Again, thank you for your assistance. Sincerely, John Smith John Smith Send another letter a month or so later. Let your contact know that you followed up on their advice and inform them of any new developments in your job search. Keep a separate notebook or file for all your networking contacts. Include everyone’s name, address, phone, title and organization as well as dates and details of all conversations and correspondence. When you have found employment, notify everyone on your networking list, thanking them again. Remember, you may soon be in a position to help them. How do I identify Rose-Hulman alumni for networking? Alumni database searches are available through the Career Services Office. Career Services can provide you alumni lists based on geography, major, company title and even extra-curricular involvement, such as Greek affiliations, athletics, clubs and organizations. The results will be returned to you in an Excel Spreadsheet via email. Fashions and Accessories Generally, the appropriate attire for career fair attendees is more relaxed than what you’d wear to an actual job interview. In most cases, “business casual” is the norm. If you’re unsure of the dress code В( particularly for off-campus events), it would be wise to err on the overdressed side—you’ll make a better impression if you appear professional. Think of it as a dress rehearsal for your real interviews! Remember to bring copies of your resume (or resumes, if you have several versions tailored to different career choices), a few pens and pencils (have backups—they have a way of disappearing), a folder or portfolio and some sort of note-taking device (paper or electronic pad). Keep track of the recruiters with whom you speak and send follow-up notes to the ones who interest you. Don’t bring your backpack; it’s cumbersome for you, it gets in the way of others and it screams “student!” instead of “candidate!” Stop, Look and Listen Keep your eyes and ears open—there’s nothing wrong with subtly eavesdropping on the questions asked and answers received by your fellow career fair attendees. You might pick up some valuable information, in addition to witnessing some reallife career search “dos and don’ts.” www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   23 In order to maximize your career fair experience, you must be an active participant and not just a browser. If all you do is stroll around, take company literature and load up on the ubiquitous freebies, you really haven’t accomplished anything worthwhile (unless you’re a collector of key chains, mousepads and pocket flashlights). It is essential to chat with the company representatives and ask meaningful questions. A Few Words About Career Fair Etiquette Here’s a great bit of career fair advice from Stanford University’s Career Fair guide: 2. If you have a real interest in an employer, find out the procedures required to secure an interview. At some career fairs, initial screening interviews may be done on the spot. Other times, the career fair is used to pre-screen applicants for interviews to be Вconducted later (either on campus or at the employer’s site).  “Create a one-minute вЂ�commercial’ as a way to sell Вyourself to an employer. This is a great way to introduce yourself. The goal is to connect your background to the organization’s need. In one minute or less, you need to introduce yourself, demonstrate your knowledge of the company, express enthusiasm and interest and relate your background to the company’s need.” You’re a Prospector—Start Digging The questions you ask at a career fair depend upon your goals. Are you interested in finding out about a particular career field? Then ask generalized questions about working within the industry. If you’re seeking career opportunities with a specific employer, focus your questions on the aВ pplication and interview process, and ask for specific information about that employer. Fair Thee Well By all means, try to attend at least one career fair before beginning your formal job interviewing process. For new entrants into the professional career marketplace, this is a good way to make the transition into “self-marketing mode” without the formality and possible intimidation of a one-on-one job interview. It’s an opportunity that’s too valuable to miss. 1. Don’t interrupt the employer reps or your fellow job-seekers. If someone else is monopolizing the employer’s time, try to make eye contact with the rep to let him or her know that you’re interested in speaking. You may be doing a favor by giving the recruiter an out. If all else fails, move to the next exhibit and plan to come back later. 3. Sincerity always wins. Don’t lay it on too thick, but don’t be too blasГ© either. Virtually all employers are looking for candidates with good Вcommunication skills. 4. Don’t just drop your resume on employers’ display tables. Try to get it into a person’s hands and at least say a few words. If the scene is too busy and you can’t get a word in edgewise, jot a note on your resume to the effect of, “You were so busy that we didn’t get a chance to meet. I’m very interested in talking to you.” Look around the display for the recruiter’s business card (or at the very least, write down his or her name and get some literature with the company’s address) and send a follow-up note and another copy of your resume. 5. If you know ahead of time that one of your “dream companies” is a career fair participant, do some prior research (at minimum, visit their website and, if available, view their company DVD). A little advance preparation goes a long way and can make you stand out among the masses of other attendees. Email Correspondence Making contact with companies and sending cover letters and resumes via email is becoming more common place. As a job hunter, it is your responsibility to make sure that your email correspondence is as polished as everything else! Here are some tips to help you prepare well-written email correspondence: Often, email is used in an informal fashion — such as when we write home to mom and dad, or we send a quick note to a friend about our plans for the weekend. When using email to correspond with companies however, you need to make sure that your tone is not too relaxed and that you are not leaving anything open to interpretation. Using a conversational style in email that is too informal will not only make you appear unprofessional, but may also make you seem immature as well. • Do not use slang or inappropriate wording in your email. When sending cover letters via email, make sure the letter is well written and follows the same style as the examples in this manual and on our website. You should type the cover letter right into the body of your message, omitting the date and address blocks. Simply start with your salutation and begin writing. If you are sending your resume, you will add that as the attachment to your email. When sending thank-you letters via email, craft it in much the same way, but be sure to be specific so that the person receiving the email knows who you are. Thank-you letters should be brief and succinct. 24  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology • Pay attention to your subject line. You want the subject to get their attention, but it should be appropriate. • Be careful not to use “leet speak” or emoticons either. This is business correspondence, not a chat session. • Use a standard font for your email such as Times New Roman or Arial. The font should be between 10 and 12 point in size. • Avoid backgrounds or embedding graphics into the email. • Be brief and succinct with your letter. It should be no longer than a letter that would be printed out and mailed via the post office. • Always proofread and spell check your email before you send it. Often your cover letter is a company’s first impression of you. If you are ever uncertain about whether you have written an appropriate email or not, feel free to contact Career Services and let a staff member review your correspondence first. Selling Brand “You” in the Interview By Chris Enstrom FOR THE MOST PART, modesty is an admirable trait. But it’s of little use during a job interview. The purpose of an interview is to find the best candidate for a p В articular job. Employers want to know about the knowledge, skills, attributes, and experience that distinguish you from other job candidates, and they won’t know what makes you sВ pecial unless you tell them. However, most employers won’t go out of their way to hire someone who comes across as cocky or arrogant. So how do you balance the two? How do you put your best foot forward without seeming conceited and egotistical? Your Bragging Rights Photo В© Lasse Kristensen - Fotolia.com www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   25 Qualities Desired in New College Graduates By Businesses, Industries and Government Agencies Choose What to Talk About   Start with the job posting and make a list of all the preferences and requirements. Then try to match them with your own knowledge, skills, and experience. Make sure that you have examples ready for as many of the preferences listed as possible. If leadership experience is preferred, scrutinize your past for examples of it. If the job requires good teamwork skills, be prepared with examples from your past. But also be prepared to talk about things not listed specifically in the job posting. Find out all you can about the Вcompany and the job you are interviewing for. If you have certain experience or knowledge that you think would make you do the job better, don’t hesitate to talk about it. The employer is looking for the best candidate for the job. Looking beyond the job posting could help separate you from other applicants. Make sure that everything you discuss is relevant to the job. Energy, Drive, Enthusiasm aВ nd Initiative   •  Hard-working, disciplined and dependable   •  Eager, professional and positive Вattitude   •  Strong self-motivation and high ВВ self-esteem   •  Confident and assertive, yet Вdiplomatic and flexible   •  Sincere and preserves integrity   •  Ambitious and takes risks   •  Uses common sense Adapts Textbook Learning tВ o the Working World   •  Quick learner   •  Asks questions   •  Analytical; independent thinker   •  Willing to continue education and growth   •  Committed to excellence   •  Open-minded, willing to try new things 26  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology   It’s not easy to do, but you may have to leave out some of your most impressive skills and achievements. Talking about skills, accomplishments, or experience with no rВ elevance to the job does not help the interviewer identify you as a strong job candidate, and could easily be interpreted as bragging.   Many recent college graduates make the mistake of Вlimiting their discussion to their college coursework, or jobs they had that are directly related to the one they are applying for. But this is a mistake. “Students should be willing to talk about any type of knowledge or skills that they have acquired that are relevant to the job they are interviewing for,” says Micael Kemp, Director of Career Services at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Volunteer experience, leadership positions in a sorority or a fraternity, extracurricular activities, and even work Вexperience at retail or fast-food jobs can be sources of Вinformation. “Many students underplay work experience gained at places like grocery stores or fast-food restaurants,” she continues. “But employers deeply appreciate people who have gotten their hands dirty and aren’t afraid to work hard.” Story Time   Reading off a list of knowledge, experience, and accomplishВ ments makes for a short and boring interview. Your job during the interview is to keep the interviewer interested in what you are saying. Many career advisors suggest that job candidates prepare a reservoir of stories that they can pull from during the interview. People are naturally drawn to stories. It’s why we read novels and why we watch movies. Also, Вstories allow job candidates to Qualities Desired... continued With proper preparation you may not receive an ovation—even better, you may receive a job offer! Knowledge of Computers   •  Established word processing, spreadsheet, database and Вpresentation software skills   •  Excellent computer literacy Communications Skills   •  Good writing skills   •  Excellent oral communication skills Photo В© Kaarsten - Fotolia.com   •  Listens well; compassionate and empathetic   •  Excellent problem-solving and Вanalytical skills   •  Creative and innovative Leadership Skills   •  Organizational skills and attention to detail   •  Accepts and handles responsibilities   •  Action-oriented and results-driven   •  Loyal to employers   •  Customer-focused   •  Team-spirited; understands group dynamics   •  Always willing to help others show interviewers their skills and knowledge instead of just telling them. “Interviewers need more than just your word that you have a particular skill or attribute. They need specific examples, and stories are a good way of providing that,” says Cynthia Redwine, former Director of the Engineering Career Resource Center at the University of Michigan, College of Engineering.   Stories have the added benefit of being easy to remember—for you, as you use a particular story to demonstrate your qualifications during the interview—and for the interviewer who must access your skills and attributes after the interview is completed. Demonstrating a particular job attribute through a story has the added benefit of sounding less boastful than stating the qualification directly. Saying that you are a good leader sounds boastful; explaining how you led a team of volunteers during a record food drive is admirable.   Once you have created a list of job skills and requirements from the job posting and your own research of the company and the position, sit down and try to come up with stories to demonstrate each. Of course, certain things cannot be demonstrated through a story (a high GPA, or a certain degree or academic specialty), but that information is already apparent to the interviewer from continued on page 28   •  Mature, poised and personable   •  Diversity aware; treats others with respect and dignity Oriented to Growth   •  Acceptance of an entry-level Вposition; doesn’t view required tasks as “menial”   •  Academic excellence in field of study   •  Views the organization’s total Вpicture, not just one area of Вspecialization   •  Willing to accomplish more than required Source: Recruiting Trends by L. Patrick Scheetz, Ph.D., Collegiate Employment Research Institute. В©Michigan State University. www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   27 Advice From the Experts Interviewing Tips From On-Campus Recruiters Research organizations in advance of interviews—Since most on-campus interviews are relatively short, it is Вimportant that you use this time to sell yourself to an employer. Don’t waste this opportunity by spending too much time on issues that could have been answered by surfing the company’s website and/or viewing its DVD. Displaying your knowledge about a potential employer will greatly enhance your chances of interview success. Define your career goals and the opportunities you want—One of the keys to making a successful sale is Вproduct knowledge. In the case of job interviews, that product is you. You need to perform a thorough self-В evaluation well in advance of your interviews. Know what your strengths, weaknesses, skills and Вabilities are and be Вprepared to Вdiscuss them during the interview. Be enthusiastic and sincere during your interviews—It is important for you to convey a genuine sense of interest during the interview. You must appear eager and flexible, but not too rehearsed. Don’t fixate on being nervous. Even seasoned pros can have the “interview jitters.” Above all, never be late for an interview appointment. Be honest—Don’t claim interest in an employer if you really do not intend to work for that organization. Don’t lie on your resume or during the interview. While you should never draw attention to your weaknesses, don’t attempt to hide a shortcoming by being untruthful. Learn how to deal with perceived (or real) weaknesses before your interviews by talking to a campus career services professional and/or reading books on job interviewing techniques. Be realistic—Carefully evaluate what an employer has to offer you…and what you have to offer the employer. Don’t accept a position that isn’t suited to you “just because you need a job.” Although most entry-level salaries have been on the rise, do not set your starting salary expectations too high. If a starting salary seems inordinately low, but is for a position that you really want, you might be able to arrange for an early salary review. Some of this material is adapted from Recruiting Trends by L. Patrick Scheetz, Ph.D., Collegiate Employment Research Institute. В© Michigan State University. continued from page 27 your resume. However, stories can be used in situations that at first might not be apparent. For example, instead of simply stating that you are proficient with a particular piece of software, you can tell the interviewer how you applied the software to accomplish a particular task. Keep your stories short and to the point. An interview is not a creative writing class. There is no need to supply vivid descriptions or unrelated background information. In fact, many career advisors suggest that students keep their stories limited to one minute. Final Advice   Take time to prepare for the interview. Never walk into an interview with the intention of “winging it” no matter how qualified you think you are for the position. If you are having trouble coming up with stories or examples for the interview, make sure you talk to friends, family members, coworkers, professors, and career advisors. Often those around us can see skills and attributes that we do not. 28  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology   Students sometimes make the mistake of telling employers about job-related knowledge or experience that they don’t have. While candor is an admirable trait, such frankness is out of place in a job interview. Employers don’t want to know why you can’t do the job, but why you can do it.   Employers want to hire people who are excited and proud of the work that they have done. They want to know that you will bring that same type of proficiency and Вenthusiasm to their company. “You have a responsibility during the interview—not to brag, but to give the employer the best picture you can of what they will get if they hire you,” says Kemp. “It’s your responsibility to make sure they get that information, whether or not they ask good questions.” Written by Chris Enstrom, a freelance writer in Nashville, Ind. International Students and the Job Search Looking for a job is seldom easy for any student. For you, the international student, the job search process can be especially confusing. You may lack an understanding of U.S. employment regulations, or perhaps you are unaware of the impact your career choice has on your job search. You may also be unsure about your role as the job-seeker and the resources used by American employers to find candidates. Are you accessible to employers through at least some of the above strategies? If not, develop a plan to make sure your Вcredentials are widely circulated. Notify as many people as possible in your field about your job search. The following is an overview of the issues most relevant to international students in developing a job search strategy. Additional information about the employment process and related topics can be found through your career center and on the Internet. You can help the employer make an informed hiring decision if you: BUREAU OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES (USCIS) REGULATIONS As an international student, you should only obtain employment-related information from an experienced immigration attorney or your campus USCIS representative. Advice from any other resource may be inaccurate. Once you have decided to remain in the United States to work, contact the international student services office or the office of human resources on your campus and make an appointment with your USCIS representative. In addition to helping you fill out necessary forms, the USCIS representative will inform you of the costs associated with working in the United States. IMPORTANCE OF SKILLS AND CAREER FIELD Find out if your degree and skills-set are currently in demand in the U.S. job market. An advanced degree, highly marketable skills or extensive experience will all make your job search eВ asier. Find out what region of the United States holds the majority of the jobs in your field; you may need to relocate in order to find the job you want. Learn all you can about your targeted career field by talking to professors, reading industry publications and attending professional meetings and regional conferences. ROLE OF EMPLOYERS It is the employer’s responsibility to find the right people for his or her company— not to help you find a job. The interview is successful when both of you see a match between the employer’s needs and your interest and ability to do the job. The employer (through hiring managers, human resources staff or employment agencies) will most likely use several resources to find workers, including: • College recruiting • Campus or community job fairs • Posting jobs on the company website or on national job posting sites on the Internet • Posting jobs in major newspapers or trade publications • Posting jobs with professional associations STRONG COMMUNICATION SKILLS • Provide a well-prepared resume that includes desirable skills and relevant employment experiences. • Clearly convey your interests and ability to do the job in an interview. • Understand English when spoken to you and can effectively express your thoughts in English. It’s important to be able to positively promote yourself and talk with confidence about your education, relevant skills and related experiences. Self-promotion is rarely easy for anyone. But, it can be especially difficult for individuals from Вcultures where talking about yourself is considered Вinappropriate. When interviewing in the United States, however, you are expected to be able to explain your Вcredentials and why you are suitable for the position. Be sensitive to the interviewer’s verbal and nonverbal cues. Some international students may not realize when their accent is causing them to be misunderstood. Interviewers are sometimes too embarrassed or impatient to ask for clarification, so be on the lookout for nonverbal clues, such as follow-up questions that don’t match your responses or sudden disinterest on the part of the interviewer. Also, make sure you express proper nonverbal Вc ommunication; always look directly at the employer in order to portray confidence and honesty. If your English language skills need some work, get involved with campus and community activities. These events will allow you to practice speaking English. The more you use the language, the more proficient you will become. These activities are also a great way to make nВ etworking contacts. CAREER CENTER The career center can be a valuable resource in your job search. Be aware, however, that some employers using the career Вcenter won’t interview students who are not U.S. Вcitizens. Though this may limit your ability to participate in some campus interviews, there are numerous ways to Вbenefit from the campus career center: • Attend sessions on job search strategies and related Вtopics. • Work with the career services staff to develop your job search strategy. • Attend campus career fairs and company information sessions to inquire about employment opportunities and to practice your networking skills. • Regional and national conferences It’s a good idea to get advice from other international students who have successfully found employment in this country and to start your job search early. Create and follow a detailed plan of action that will lead you to a great job you can write home about. • Employment agencies (“headhunters”) Written by Rosita Smith. • Resume searches on national online services • Employee referrals www.rose-hulman.edu/offices-services/career-services.aspx   29 Is Graduate School Right for You? At some point in your college career, you must decide what you would like to do after graduation—and that includes whether or not to attend graduate school. If you’re trying to determine whether graduate school is right for you, here are some pointers to help you make an enlightened decision. 1.Should I consider going to graduate school? Going to graduate school might be a good idea if you… • want to be a professor, lawyer, doctor, investment banker or work in any profession that requires a post-secondary education. • w ish to develop additional expertise in a particular subject or field to maximize your future earning potential and opportunities for career advancement. • are deeply interested in a particular subject and wish to study it in-depth— AND have the time and financial resources to devote to further education. • Fellowships/Scholarships: A free education is always the best option. The catch is you need a high GPA, good GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT scores and the commitment to search out every possible source of funding. • T eaching/Research Assistantships: Many assistantships include tuition waivers plus a monthly stipend. It’s a great way to get paid for earning an education. • Employer Sponsorship: Did you know that some companies actually pay for you to continue your education? The catch is they usually expect you to continue working for them after you complete your degree so they can recoup their investment. 4.What are the pros and cons of going to graduate school full-time vs. part-time? Benefits of attending graduate school full-time: Going to graduate school might not be a good idea if you… • you’ll be able to complete your degree sooner. • are trying to delay your entry into the “real world” with real responsibilities and real bills. • you can totally commit your intellectual, physical and emotional energy to your education. • are clueless about your career goals. • ideal if you want to make a dramatic career change. • aren’t prepared to devote the time and hard work needed to succeed. Benefits of attending graduate school part-time: • want to stay in school longer to avoid a poor job market. • work income helps pay for your education. 2.Is it better to work first or attend graduate school immediately after I complete my undergraduate degree? Work first if… • you would like to get some real-world work experience before investing thousands of dollars in a graduate degree. • the graduate school of your choice prefers work experience (most MBA and some Ph.D. programs require this). • you cannot afford to go to graduate school now, and you haven’t applied for any scholarships, grants, fellowships and assistantships, which could pay for a great deal of your education. Go to graduate school now if… • you are absolutely sure you want to be a college professor, doctor, lawyer, etc., and need a graduate degree to pursue your dream job. • you have been awarded grants, fellowships, scholarships or assistantships that will help pay for your education. • you can take a very manageable course load. • you can juggle family responsibilities while completing your degree. • allows you to work in the function/industry/career of your choice while continuing your education. • employer will often pay for part (or all) of your graduate degree. 5.Assuming I want to go to graduate school in the near future, what should I do now? a.Identify your true strengths, interests and values to help you discover what is right for YOU—not your friends or parents. b.Keep your grades up and sign up (and prepare) to take the required standardized tests. c.Talk to faculty, friends and family who have gone to graduate school to get their perspective about the differences between being an undergraduate and a graduate student. • you’re concerned that once you start earning real money, you won’t be able to return to the lifestyle of a “poor” student. d.Talk to faculty, friends and family who are in your targeted profession to get a realistic sense of the career path and the challenges associated with the work they do. • your study habits and mental abilities are at their peak, and you worry whether you’ll have the discipline (or motivation) to write papers and study for exams in a few years. e.Investigate creative ways to finance your education—by planning ahead you may reduce your debt. 3.I am broke. How will I pay for tuition, books, fees and living expenses? g.Investigate the admissions process and the current student body profile of your targeted schools to evaluate your probability for admission. • Family: You’ve likely borrowed from them in the past; maybe you’re lucky enough for it to still be a viable option. • Student Loans: Even if you’ve taken out loans in the past, another $50,000 $75,000 may be a sound “investment” in your future. 30  Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology f.Research graduate schools to help you find a good match. h.Have faith and APPLY! Remember, you can’t get in unless you apply. Written by Roslyn J. Bradford. A Prestigious Graduate Fellowship for Those Driven to Succeed The Madison and Lila Self Graduate Fellowship offers a special opportunity for U.S. citizens seeking a doctorate at the University of Kansas. This selective four-year fellowship offers generous support ($29,500 for 2014-2015), full tuition, and a unique professional development program. The fellowship value exceeds $165,000. We seek students with attributes we believe will put them on track to make a difference in the world and in their professions. Fellows are selected for their entrepreneurial vision, career goals, achievements, leadership potential, motivation, and work ethic. 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