How to get hired
Networking Methods
- Career Fair / Interview Sessions
- Internship/Co-op Programs
- Employee Referrals
- Faculty Contacts
- Student Organizations
- Internet Resources
- Company Web-sites
- Resume Databases
- monster.com
- hotjobs.com
- campuscareercenter.com
- iowasmartcareermove.com
- brassring.com
- National Organizations
Attributes employers look for
- Confidence
- Communication Skills
- Motivation
- Teamwork Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Academic Achievement
- Flexibility
- Technical Skills
- Work Experience
- Work Ethic
- Goal Mind
- Drive to advance
- Multi-tasking
- Good Attitude
What is Attitude?
-
Can - Do Approach
- Positiveness
- Emotional Intelligence
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Goal Setting
Being prepared for an interview
- Research the company
- Understand the Industry
- Web-site, annual report, company literature, alumni
- Develop a sense of the company’s needs and how you could fit in.
- Know what your interests are
- Hardware, Software, Systems, Controls
Practice your interviews
Integrate a variety of specific examples of your skills:
- Problem-Solving
- Leadership & Team building
- Communication
- Multi-tasking
- Ability to adapt to change
Past Performance is the best predictor of Future Behavior.
Behavioral Interviewing
- Job Fit Motivation
- Why do you feel you’re a good fit for Engineering?
- Teamwork / Collaboration
- Interacting with others can be challenging at times: Give me an example of when this has happened to you. Why was this person difficult? How did you handle that person?
- Work Standards
- Describe the things you do to control error in your work. Tell me about the last time those methods helped you. What did you do?
- Influence / Team Leadership
- Tell me about a time when you were elected or appointed to a committee. What role did you play in the committee?
Interview Day
- Dress for Success
- Bring copies of your resume, transcript and references
- Be relaxed
- Think through questions and provide specific examples
- Bring your own questions from research conducted about company
Your Questions
- What will I be expected to produce?
- What will typical assignments include?
- What are some of the challenges in this position?
- What is an average day like in your company?
- What are the growth opportunities this position will provide?
- What training will be available?
Current hiring statistics
- Offers extended to 37% of those interviewed and of these 60% accept.
- 44.5 candidates interviewed per hire
- 49.6% college hires leave their jobs within 1 year / 24.5% within 5 years
Degrees most in demand
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Information sciences & systems
- Accounting
- MIS
- Master’s Degree
- M.B.A
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
During an economic downturn
- Employers will:
- Focus on Top-Notch Talent
- Emphasize academic performance and Internship/Co-op experience
- Consider advanced degrees
- Students should
- Focus on long-term benefits
- Be open to location
Decision Factors
- Immediate
- Job Responsibilities
- Starting Salary / Sign-on Bonus / Incentives
- Location
- Opportunity for Advancement
- Education Reimbursement
- On-site Recreation Center
- Down the Road
- 401K Contributions
- Retirement Benefits
- Medical Benefits
- On-site Daycare
Advancing Vertically
- Education
- Experience
- Performance
- Demonstrated Capability
- Attitude
Understand and act on Strengths & Opportunity for Improvement
SWOT
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
- Opportunity
- Threats
Threats = Change = Opportunity
- Become involved in change initiatives
- Keep skills current
- Be prepared to take on new responsibilities
Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.
Will Rogers
-
Tricks to keeping on track
- Be on time
- Don't be too aggressive
- Deliver everything promised
- Do what you say
- Finish what you start
- Admit mistakes
- Say "Please" and "Thank You"”
