Before spending time preparing a resume or searching for a job, it is important to understand a little about the engineering needs of employers and the college recruiting process.  The needs of employers vary significantly, but there are some general characteristics that a large majority of employers look for when reviewing resumes and interviewing to fill engineering positions.  Once you understand what employers are seeking, it is important to understand how they conduct their search.  The college recruiting process brings employers to campus specifically to network with students that will soon be entering the job market.  Your job search process needs to take place throughout your college career to take advantage of the special advantages that the college recruiting provides to students.

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Look for in Engineers

The Employment Process Menu

Step 1: Understanding Employers and the College Recruiting Process

-Understanding What Employers Look for in Engineers

-The College Recruiting Process

-Maintain a Positive Attitude

Step 2: Determine Career Goals and Skillset

Step 3: Identify Preliminary Target Employers and Industries

Step 4: Develop Effective Marketing Materials

-Resume Building for Engineering Students

--Preparing to Write the Resume

--Resume General Tips

--Resume Section Tips

--Skills-Based Work Impact Statements

--Keywords and Action Verbs

--Example Resumes

-Cover Letter Development

--Preparing Effective Cover Letters

-The Pitch (Elevator Speech)

Step 5: Search for Specific Employment and Research Target Companies

-Applying for Positions

Step 6: Network and Attend Career Fairs

-Don't Present a Faceless Resume

--Why Networking is More Effective than Sending Generic Resumes

-Career Fair Advice

--Look Your Best

-Using LinkedIn to Network & Search for Jobs

--LinkedIn Profile Best Practices

--How to Communicate & Network on LinkedIn

--Tracking Companies & Searching for Jobs Using LinkedIn

Step 7: Interview and Follow up

-Interviewing Goals

-Types, Methods, and Styles

-Answering Interview Questions Effectively

-Preparing for an Interview

-Best Practices for the Interview

-Thank-You Notes

-Learn and Improve from Each Interview

Step 8: Evaluate Offers

-Asking for Additional Time or An Accelerated Offer Timeline

-Negotiating Offers

-Accepting or Declining an Offer

Step 9: Sign Contract and Celebrate

Step 10: Inform ECS and Discontinue Your Job Search

Appendix A: Additional Information for Graduate Students & Advanced Degree Holders

Appendix B: Tips for Transitioning to the Workplace
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