1. Career ServicesCareer Services
Julie Way
Career Advisor

2. Never Too Early…Never Too Early…
For YOUR Career Development
Why? Because hands-on corporate and
industry experience is one of the most
important things you can do NOW that will
help you get the job of your dreams later.

3. Research Shows…Research Shows…
That students who use their Career
Services are more successful at finding an
internship, co-op, or full-time position
and…. are far more successful at landing
the job of their dreams

4. Career Services StaffCareer Services Staff
 Jim Turnquist, Director
 Jeff Kangas,Assistant Director
 Tina Giachino, Manager of Job Development
 Julie Way, Career Advisor
 Gina Goudge, Coordinator of Career Center
Programs
 Matt McCormick,Analyst Programmer
 Rita Smith, Staff Assistant
 Renae DesRochers, Office Assistant
 Laura Givens, Office Assistant

5. Career Center ProfessionalsCareer Center Professionals
 Provide one-on-one help with all your
career development needs:
Choosing your optimal career – MyPlan
Guidance for co-curricular participation
Resume and cover letter writing
Interview coaching and practicing
Career Fair Preparation
Job Search Strategies including our new on-line
recruiting software - NACElink
On-campus interview scheduling
Offer negotiation and benefits evaluation
Business etiquette advice

6. Your First YearYour First Year
Keep your grades up, manage time well
Learn about yourself: interests, skills,
abilities, experiences, try new things!
Determine what you need to personally
and professionally develop: education
hands-on skills, life & work experiences,
training, professional image, credibility

7. Your First YearYour First Year
Complete the career assessments in
MyPlan found on the Career Services
website and meet with a Career Advisor to
discuss the results
Write a professional looking resume and
upload it to NACElink
Get interview skill coaching at the Career
Center
Forget that summer job flipping burgers - get
help at Career Services to find an internship in
your field of study

8. Your First YearYour First Year
Visit Career Services, physically or
electronically, and attend all our seminars
to
learn about how we can help you with your
career development needs…
Our services include:
◦ Career Advising, MyPlan
◦ Job search guidance, including NACElink
◦ Resume writing assistance
◦ Interview Coaching and Practice
◦ Fall and Winter Career Fairs

9. The ResumeThe Resume

10. Who are you and what do you want?Who are you and what do you want?
Do some introspective brainstorming and
ask yourself:
◦ What do I really want to do?
 Be as specific and detailed as possible
◦ What am I really good at?
 Identify your hard skills and soft skills
◦ What kind of company and job
environment do I really desire?
 Research and evaluate companies you may
want to target for employment

11. Create an Outstanding and Effective ResumeCreate an Outstanding and Effective Resume
 The first and perhaps the most vital step in
preparing yourself for a successful job search is to
create a powerful resume that will open doors and
generate interviews.
 And you’ll want a powerfully effective and
attractive resume because:
“On average, most recruiters spend
about 30 seconds scanning a
resume and cover letter before
sending it to the “yes” or “no”
pile.”

12. What do employers want from me?What do employers want from me?
Employers are looking for people with these Top 10 skillsEmployers are looking for people with these Top 10 skills
and experiences:and experiences:
 Co-op/internship experience
 Communication skills (both written and oral)
 Strong work ethic
 Teamwork and interpersonal skills
 Computer Skills & Technical skills
 Motivation & Initiative (can you think outside the box?)
 Problem solving/Analytical skills
 Flexibility/adaptability
 Accomplishments/Achievements
 Confidence
Your resume should provide evidence that you possess
many of these skills

13. Design Your ResumeDesign Your Resume
To clearly communicate who you are, what
you can do, and how well you do it.
 Clean: You want to make a strong visual impact on
your reader before the first word is read – that means
white space and symmetrical spacing, a clean strong
font, and consistent formatting
 Clear: You want to write who you are in terms of
education and experience - what you can do in terms of
action - and how well you can do it in terms of
accomplishments and achievements
 Concise: You want to state your experience in terms
of accomplishments/skills/professional behaviors, based
on your target job, with detail, but in a short, cohesive
way.

14. Job SearchJob Search

15. Job SearchJob Search
Use NACElink - Often
Network
MTU Career Fairs and Info Sessions
Family
Friends
Professors
MTU Alumni Relations
Informational Interviews
Other Colleges and Universities

16. Job SearchJob Search
Join Professional Associations
Subscribe to Professional Journals
Attend Professional Conferences
Check out other school’s Career Services
website to find out who’s recruiting and
hiring those students
Identify Target Companies
Write cover letter to introduce yourself
and ask for an interview
Follow-up with a phone call

17. ConnectConnect with companies who want YOU…with companies who want YOU…
with YOUR new recruiting software NACElinkwith YOUR new recruiting software NACElink
This software will help you manage and publish your
resume, search job postings, and connect with hundreds
of employers from around the world.
Upload your new or updated resume to NACElink soon!
Go to www.career.mtu.edu

18. Facebook – just not a good ideaFacebook – just not a good idea
Do a careful reading and observation of your
web presence.
Ensure your public or social web space is a
positive reflection of you.
◦ What you think is cute and funny, may be
interpreted in a completely different way by
your audience.
Or…seriously consider removing any
personal social networking websites at this
time.

19. The InterviewThe Interview

20. ““So…tell me about yourself”So…tell me about yourself”
Is the first question an interviewer asks in
the vast majority of times.
This is where you set the tone for the
interview. Make the next half hour a
pleasant one for your interviewer.
Develop and MEMORIZE your 60 second
info-mercial (elevator speech) Give a mix of
your academic, professional, and personal
background.
Tell something unique to remember you by.
Be funny if you can.

21. The Behavioral InterviewThe Behavioral Interview
Past Behavior = Future Behavior
 Interviewers want to know:
 How well you work with others – will you fit on their “team”
 How well or how tenacious you are at problem solving – do you think
outside the box?
 Do you take initiative, can you take the lead, will you take risks, are you
competitive
 What have you done – your accomplishments and achievements, have you
overcome challenges
 Interviewers will ask questions that can be answered in short,
detailed stories:
 Introduction - give the W, W, W, W, H
 Problem – what was the problem or challenge
 Action – what action did you take to solve the problem or overcome the
challenge
 The End – what were the results of your actions
 Interviewers insist that you know about their company and
how you can help them:
 So…do your research

22. Your Turn…Your Turn…
 Be sure to ask intelligent, informed questions of
your interviewer. This shows you know their
company and you’re making an educated
decision to work for them.
 Some Sample Questions:
 Ask about a specific project you know the company is working on.
 What is the company’s biggest challenge at this time.
 Where would the company like to be in 5 years?
 Ask your interviewer about his position and work history with the
company.
 Ask about professional development opportunities
 Ask about advancement opportunities
 Finally – Don’t forget to send an immediate THANK YOU
letter. This is appreciated and expected!

23. Co-op and Internship EducationCo-op and Internship Education
Valuable real-world, hands-on experience
for students
Important recruiting tool for employers
About 85% of Co-op students usually
receive a full-time job offer from the
company they co-op with

24. Campus Career FairsCampus Career Fairs

25. Come to the FairCome to the Fair
No tilt-a whirl or cotton candy, but…exciting none the less!No tilt-a whirl or cotton candy, but…exciting none the less!
The 2011 Spring Career Fair is February 22
Noon – 6:00 p.m. at the SDC
Companies also offer casual, informal pre
and post Career Fair informational sessions
– all listed in NACElink.
Check out our website to see who’s
coming.
Then…

26. Prepare and PlanPrepare and Plan
 Identify 5 – 10 companies you’d really like to talk to.
 Do your homework! Research the company in order
to determine what they’re doing and how you can be
of value to them.
 Develop and MEMORIZE your 60 second
“infomercial.” Begin your introduction with a thank
you.
 Let them SEE that you’re serious:
 Suit
 Tie
 Dress shirt
 Good shoes
 Impeccably groomed

27. Company Research WebsitesCompany Research Websites
LexisNexis.com
Hoovers.com
Dun & Bradstreet
Wall Street Journal
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Business Weekly & Forbes
Weddles Assoc. Directory
Fortune 500

28. A lot to think about…A lot to think about…
It’s never too early to start thinking about
and planning for your future.
You’re not alone…we’re here to help you.
Choose to use your Career Center
Resources.

29. We invite you to come and meetWe invite you to come and meet
us. We’re friendly and here tous. We’re friendly and here to
help you. You’ll be glad you did!help you. You’ll be glad you did!
We’re located across the highway, on
Houghton Avenue, just two blocks west
of campus…
Across the street from Jim’s Foodmart
Kitty Corner from Subway and Dominos

30. Visit Career ServicesVisit Career Services
Harold Meese CenterHarold Meese Center
Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am – 5 pm
Call ahead for an appointment - 487-2313
Check out our website – www.career.mtu.edu