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The Job - The Offer, Tips & Professional Conduct

ENGT-2000

Professional Development

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You Got an Offer!! Now what?•An initial contact (verbal offer) may be made by phone informing you that an offer will be extended to you.

•Some details such as wages, benefits, start date and location may be discussed.

•Written offers may either be in the form of a letter in the mail/Fedex or an email attachment.

•Additional paperwork may also be included (drug testing, background checks, right to work, etc.)

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Considerations• What should you consider when

deciding upon an offer.

– Salary, benefits, relocation assistance, other “perks”

– Office location (Cost of living, traffic, etc.)

– Position duties

– Ability to move up in company

• Make a plus/minus listing of everything!!!

• Seek other opinions about the offer.

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Negotiations • Co-ops don’t have

much leverage

• Entry-level grads have a bit more

• Can’t get what you want unless you ask

• Larger companies may say take it or leave it!

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Negotiations • Never assume rules

can’t be bent:

– Relocation costs

– Right fit for position

– Can’t start exactly when needed

• If company bends over backwards to address your concerns, be ready to accept the offer!!!

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Turning Down an Offer • If you have more than one you can’t

accept them all!!

• Be diplomatic!

• Don’t burn bridges when saying no.

• Don’t be too specific in your reason.

– The position didn’t seem like a good fit.

– I need to delay my co-op for a term.

– I’ve made another commitment.

– I need to take courses only offered next term.

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Accepting an Offer • Contact the company to alert them you

have accepted and are returning the signed letter and other required info.

• Contact other firms who may have extended or shown interest in you to inform them that you are off the market.

• Get to work on any required testing, training, information items ASAP!!!

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On the Job – What Companies Want• Companies aren’t going to give you the keys

to a new project and say “Here you go!”

• Companies don’t expect a lot from co-ops

• Companies however do expect:

-Positive Attitude -Confidence

-Proficiency in Field of Study -Flexibility

-Communication Skills (oral & written)

-Interpersonal Skills -Teamwork

-Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

-Self-motivation -Leadership

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While on the Job• Maintain a good attendance record

• Be on time and work required hours

• Orient yourself to the new environment as quickly as you can

• Learn how the “system” works and follow it

• Adapt to written and verbal communication styles

• Speak proper English – avoid slang, etc.

• Learn safety rules and obey them

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While on the Job• Be able to take suggestions and criticism

from people

• Establish good work habits

• Keep records of assignments given

• Pay special attention to detail

• A job well done is evidence of your ability and readiness for more complex tasks

• Excellence and enthusiasm balanced with the ability to learn through constructive criticism, usually result in assignments with increased responsibility

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What NOT TO DO!• DO NOT: Make personal phone calls while

at work. Don’t be a text-aholic.

• DO NOT: Search the internet - unless it is part of your job – No obscene sites!

• DO NOT: Fall asleep at your desk

• DO NOT: Conduct yourself like a party animal during off hours.

• NEVER: Come to work intoxicated!

• DO NOT: Give the hint of being dishonest -it could ruin your career!

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Expected Behavior

• BE RELIABLE – Be to work on time, don’t miss work

– If you are forced to miss work for some reason out of your control, call work ASAP

• BE WILLING TO WORK– Do your job - go above and beyond what is

asked of you

– Volunteer to do extra things to help everyone around you get the job done

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Expected Behavior

• BE RESPECTFUL

– Show respect for company, boss and fellow employees

• KEEP JOB SEPARATE FROM SOCIAL AND PERSONAL LIFE

– Don’t make dates in the office or take up your boss’s or co-workers time with discussions of your personal life

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Safety in the Workplace

• Follow company policies regarding safety in the workplace

• Wear safety glasses, hearing protection, protective clothing, gloves, hats, lab coats, etc.

• Stay clear distance from dangerous equipment and machinery

• Do not put hands where they shouldn’t be!– Not even as a joke!

• If there is a safety violation, you must bring to supervisor’s attention ASAP!

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Safety in the Workplace

• Safety is very important for a number of reasons:

– Your health and well-being are the most important!

– Violations could result in fines to your company.

• Every day there are thousands of lawsuits filed by individuals and companies regarding safety - or lack of safety in the workplace.

• We need you to be very cognizant of this important issue. Be Safe!!!!!

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Expected Behavior and Co-op

• Violation of any of the co-op guidelines may result in a no credit grade for your co-op experience if the violation is serious

• If the infraction is severe, you may not be allowed to co-op again until remedial action is taken

• The student will be expected to write a letter of apology to the company if the infraction involved inappropriate behavior

• University conduct policies apply to students out on co-op

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Expected Behavior & Full-time Work

• When you take a full-time position things are more serious.

• Violation of any of these guidelines could result in:– Discipline

– Loss of work/pay

– Termination

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Become an Outstanding Employee -Start Early

• After you accept an offer, contact your future boss before your start date: – Ask if there are any skills or tools you can

learn prior to your arrival

– Ask if there is a project you can prepare for by reading plans, specs or manuals

• It shows initiative

• Allows you to hit the ground running

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Become an Outstanding Employee –Aim to be better than regular employees

• Don’t act like an assistant, co-op or entry-level employee.

• As far as you feel comfortable try to act like a full-time employee.

• Make every effort to “stand on your own” as you complete your assignments

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Become an Outstanding Employee –Look Organized & Professional

• Show up on time

• Stay groomed and professionally dressed

• Keep your work area organized & clean

• Document your work efforts – keep a work diary/time log of what you have accomplished on a daily basis.

• Be productive by getting things done!!

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Become an Outstanding Employee –Remember Names

• You can greet people as you walk around

• Use names immediately that you learn

• It helps expand your circle of colleagues beyond your immediate work connections

• The more people you know, the better chance you have to get your next co-op or entry-level job.

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Become an Outstanding Employee –Take Responsibility

• Engineers manage their time by ignoring requests.

• If you are looking for help, don’t wait for it to come to you.

• After a contact for help, follow up!– Get your contact to help you, delegate it or

say they can’t help. Don’t get strung along.

– Try different communication modes.

– You can’t use someone else’s excuses for your excuse to not get your work completed.

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Co-op: The Exit Interview

• Both you and your supervisor will fill out an evaluation form based on your co-op experience

• The forms are available online at the UT ECDC website

• Make copies for yourself for reference

• This must be done in the weeks before you complete your co-op assignment

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Co-op: The Exit Interview

• Be professional in any writing:– Student quote from evaluation, “I can’t wait

to get the heck away from this dumb company, these stupid people, and this awful town.”

• In a professional environment, one ‘dumb’ sentence could ruin it for you

• It could also be a violation of the Co-op Behavior Policy

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Things to Remember

• You are representing YOURSELF as well as the UNIVERSITY of TOLEDO!

• YOUR REPUTATION as well as the University of Toledo's REPUTATION will be on the line if you do not succeed!

• People read what you write and it is important that you be professional in all communications and circumstances

• Make yourself proud! Be a great representative for UT! Do a good job! Learn a lot!

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Cell Phone Break

One minute text message break