Resume Cover Letters Interviews for Engineers

Landing Your First JobLanding Your First Jobas an Engineeras an Engineer

Sherrie MyersSherrie Myers

UBC Engineering Co-UBC Engineering Co-opop

February 23, 2006February 23, 2006

OverviewOverview

Searching for Job Searching for Job OpportunitiesOpportunities

Writing an effective ResumeWriting an effective ResumeCreating targeted Cover Creating targeted Cover

LettersLettersTips for successful Job Tips for successful Job

InterviewsInterviews

Job SearchJob Search


Step 1: Know yourself to sell yourselfStep 1: Know yourself to sell yourselfKnow your:Know your:

Skills, abilities, & achievementsSkills, abilities, & achievementsValues & interestsValues & interests

Step 2: PlanStep 2: PlanSet goals & milestones Set goals & milestones Invest time in creating a strong resumeInvest time in creating a strong resume


Step 3: Know the IndustryStep 3: Know the Industry Identify employers that match your Identify employers that match your

skills, abilities, interests & valuesskills, abilities, interests & valuesUse many resources Use many resources

Step 4: NetworkStep 4: NetworkLet everyone know you are job Let everyone know you are job

hunting! hunting! Get involved in industry associationsGet involved in industry associations


Step 5: Apply for jobsStep 5: Apply for jobsRespond to postings Respond to postings Contact potential employers (“warm & Contact potential employers (“warm &

cold”)cold”)Step 6: Keep GoingStep 6: Keep Going

Keep recordsKeep recordsSend “thank you”Send “thank you”Think positive!Think positive!

Resume WritingResume Writing


Purposes of your resume:Purposes of your resume:

To demonstrate that you have the To demonstrate that you have the qualities that an employer is seekingqualities that an employer is seeking

To highlight your skills and experience To highlight your skills and experience in a way that makes a prospective in a way that makes a prospective employer want to interview youemployer want to interview you


Developing Resume ContentDeveloping Resume ContentFor each Work Experience or Project:For each Work Experience or Project:

What did you do? Use numbers and be What did you do? Use numbers and be specific!specific!

What did the organization do?What did the organization do?What type of environment did you work in?What type of environment did you work in?Did you receive any special training?Did you receive any special training?Who did you interact with on the job? Who did you interact with on the job?


Using Accomplishment StatementsUsing Accomplishment Statements““Planned fundraising events for Planned fundraising events for

fraternity”fraternity”

……becomes…becomes…““Utilized strong project management Utilized strong project management

skills to plan and execute fundraising skills to plan and execute fundraising events for fraternity which raised events for fraternity which raised more than $10,000 over a two year more than $10,000 over a two year period”period”

Resume WritingResume WritingTips for Resumes:Tips for Resumes:• Use “Action” verbsUse “Action” verbs• Do not use words “I” or “me”Do not use words “I” or “me”• Use numbers and technical terms Use numbers and technical terms • Write in past tense except for current Write in past tense except for current

jobsjobs• Check for spelling & grammatical Check for spelling & grammatical

errors!errors!• Provide a good level of detail Provide a good level of detail


Tips for Resume format:Tips for Resume format:

1.1. 2 pages maximum2 pages maximum

2.2. 10 – 12 pt standard fonts10 – 12 pt standard fonts

3.3. 1 inch margins1 inch margins

4.4. Avoid fancy fonts, and graphicsAvoid fancy fonts, and graphics

Cover Letter WritingCover Letter Writing


Review and dissect the Job DescriptionReview and dissect the Job DescriptionMatch your skills to the job requirementsMatch your skills to the job requirementsDevelop examples that demonstrate your Develop examples that demonstrate your

skillsskills


Tips for Creating letters with impact:Tips for Creating letters with impact:1.1. Write an interesting and original Write an interesting and original

opening – Why interested in job?opening – Why interested in job?2.2. Make reference to employer’s industry, Make reference to employer’s industry,

product or serviceproduct or service3.3. Provide examples of your technical & Provide examples of your technical &

transferable skills - tie these to job transferable skills - tie these to job requirementsrequirements

4.4. Be reader centered, not writer Be reader centered, not writer centeredcentered


Tips for formatting:Tips for formatting:1.1. Check that company name, contact Check that company name, contact

name & date are correct name & date are correct 2.2. Check grammar & spelling! Check grammar & spelling! 3.3. Keep it to one page, 10-12 pt fontKeep it to one page, 10-12 pt font4.4. Leave space between paragraphs Leave space between paragraphs 5.5. Use varied sentence lengths and Use varied sentence lengths and

structuresstructures


Cover Letter DON’Ts:Cover Letter DON’Ts:1.1. Do not write form letters!Do not write form letters!2.2. Do not use words such as “love” and Do not use words such as “love” and

“dream” “dream” 3.3. Do not use arrogant expressions (“I have Do not use arrogant expressions (“I have

such vast experience that I am the only such vast experience that I am the only candidate for you”)candidate for you”)

4.4. Do not include information that doesn’t Do not include information that doesn’t relate directly to the positionrelate directly to the position

Interview SkillsInterview Skills


Behavioural-based Interviewing:Behavioural-based Interviewing:

Your actions in the past are theYour actions in the past are the

best indicator of future behaviourbest indicator of future behaviour


A good answer:A good answer:Describes a specific past Describes a specific past

event which relates to the event which relates to the skill being asked aboutskill being asked about

Has enough detail to Has enough detail to demonstrate that the event demonstrate that the event actually occurred.actually occurred.

Puts you in a positive light.Puts you in a positive light.


Tips for a Great Interview:Tips for a Great Interview:

1.1. Be punctualBe punctual

2.2. Make a good first impressionMake a good first impression

3.3. Dress appropriatelyDress appropriately

4.4. Speak clearlySpeak clearly

5.5. Be friendly and enthusiasticBe friendly and enthusiastic

6.6. Convey positive body languageConvey positive body language

7.7. Avoid nervous habits such as playing Avoid nervous habits such as playing with penwith pen


PredictPredictPreparePreparePracticePractice

SummarySummary

Begin your job search now and Begin your job search now and network!network!

Spend time on your resumeSpend time on your resumeWrite personalized cover lettersWrite personalized cover lettersPrepare extensively for interviewsPrepare extensively for interviews

Most importantlyMost importantly - Stay positive - Stay positive and persistent, it will pay off!and persistent, it will pay off!

GOOD LUCK!GOOD LUCK!

Documents

Resume Cover Letters Interviews for Engineers