Conference Preparation

for Engineers

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Mission Statement • Prepare Watson students

for competitive job market by providing strategic career development throughout college

• Develop and retain relationships with alumni and industry who recruit our students for internships, research, and full time positions

Watson Career and Alumni Connections

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THE VALUE OF NETWORKING

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OBJECTIVE OF NETWORKING• Get more information about people and

organizations that might hire you• Refine your thoughts about where you belong

and what you do best• Let the world know you are job hunting• Develop your energy, skill, and comfort level in

job searching and selling yourself

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HOW TO APPROACH AN EMPLOER• Based on your research conducted before the

event on all the representatives attending…• Identify which companies you would like to

talk to for potential opportunities• You may have to wait on a line, take the time

to think about that company, what you want to say to/ask them, how you will show them that you are interested in working for them• Be confident, produce a strong and good

handshake while introducing yourself• The handshake is KEY!

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THE ELEVATOR PITCH• Make a strong first impression, this is your “commercial” to sell

yourself!• What to include?

• NAME, YEAR, MAJOR• Short description of your experience• What you are interested in or your objectives• Ask if they have any opportunities or positions

available/ Ask a specific question about the company/State why you are interested in working for the company

• Always end your pitch with a question for the representative!• PRACTICE!!!• Prepare follow-up questions for that employer

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RESUME

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Pay attention to Content and Form Content

• Concise: phrases not sentences; choose words carefully • Think in terms of the reader

• Gear your resume to the skills, experiences and qualities employers seek

• Action and results oriented • Promote relevant background • Factual: do not misrepresent

Form• Organize into categories that are easy to read and identify

by employers (visually appealing layout)• Most relevant information first, chronologically listed within

resume sections• Consistent presentation

Resume Basics

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The Components of a Bullet

•What exactly did you do? General•Start off with a STRONG action verb•NO “Responsible for” or “Worked with”What•What was your methodology or process?•Did you use any relevant software programs?•What technical or interpersonal skills did you demonstrate? How

•What was the purpose/outcome? Value provided?•How did you contribute to the bigger picture?•Quantify results if possible.•How successful was this experience?Results

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Strong Content

Stronger , more compelling, and consistent

content increases the chance for an interview

Strong action verbs convey and support your brand

NO “laundry

lists”

Quantify where

feasible

Search the job

description for clues

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• Identifying Information• Education• Technical/Relevant Skills• Professional Experience• Project/Lab Experience• Leadership Experience• Research Experience• Volunteer/Extracurricular Experience• Study Abroad Experience• Work Experience

Typical Categories

Dependent on Experience/Job Description

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Identifying InformationINCLUDE• Name• Permanent Address (local for Study Abroad

Students) • Phone Number• Email Address

Dia Rigong 1234 Resume Lane, Engineer NY, 123456

(111) 111-1111 | student1@binghamton.edu

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Education

Should Include:Institution name (Binghamton University, State University of New York, Watson School of Engineering)

Degree/Major, Date Expectedminor or concentrationGPA (overall and/or major)Honors, Dean’s List, Honor Societies

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Education

Samples

EDUCATION Binghamton University, State University of New York - Watson School of Engineering Expected May 2014 Bachelors of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering 3.X/4.0 GPA, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society, Alpha Pi Mu Industrial Honors Society

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Technical Skills / Courses• For example: Software Packages, Languages,

Operating Systems

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Relevant/Professional Experiences

Which Experiences Do I Write About?• Create a list of all positions and

activities in which you have been involved (paid/unpaid)

• Review the list to identify those that relate most to your objective

• These are the positions that you will focus on in the Experience section

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Experience NOT limited to paid employment Consider what relates:• Internships/Jobs• Volunteer work• Campus involvement• Employment• Independent study• Special projects• Field work/Research• Academic Projects

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For Each Entry…Include:• Organization name/Title of Project• Location, City, State, Country (if not US)• Dates of activity (month/year to month/year)

– right justified• Position held • Bullet Points (at least 2) –describing the skills

you demonstrated in the position, what, how & why/results BE CONSISTENT!

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Experiences

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Project / Lab Experience• Projects

• For example: Senior Project, Junior Project, Environmental Issues Project, Reverse Engineering Project, Freshman Projects

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• Involvement shows another dimension of you as a candidate• Campus activities, volunteer positions, committees,

athletics• Include position, organization name, location, and

dates of involvement (month/year – month/year)• Include descriptive statements to highlight skills

developed or accomplishments

Leadership Experience / Activities

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Leadership Examples

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Logistics of a Resume

Type in Word, send as PDF to

retain formatting

Set all margins to .5”

Point size: name at 14 – 16, text at 10 – 12

Font type: Times New

Roman or Arial

Keep it to ONE page!

Avoid using fancy fonts and colors

List position, organization, location, and

dates

Match verb tense to dates

Stay consistent and 100% error

free!

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Resume ReviewWatson Career and Alumni Connections

Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10:00-4:00

Send your resume/cover letter to wtsncar@binghamton.edu

Fleishman Center for Career and Professional Development

Hours vary, check website at http://www.binghamton.edu/ccpd/

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• Get enough sleep• Eat something before• Sit up straight• Take a deep breath• Smile• Eye Contact• Dress for success

The Time is Now!

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Dress Business Professional

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• Resume/supporting documents• Padfolio / briefcase • Pen and paper• Notes / Questions you have for

represented organizations

What to Have on Hand

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GOOD LUCK AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, PREPARE!

Summary