1. Julie Way
Career Advisor

2. Michigan Tech Career Services…
◦ We’re on your team
◦ We talk to companies and recruiters
◦ We educate ourselves
◦ We educate, mentor, and guide students
◦ We plan and organize 2 valuable career fairs
◦ We host numerous recruiters for interviews almost daily
◦ We strive to help as many students as possible attain
their dream job during and after their education
experience

3.  Provides numerous campus-wide services:
 Educational Seminars
 Job Search
 Resumes
 Interviews
 Plant trip visits
 Career Fair Prep
 Networking
 Business and Dining Etiquette Dinners
 Interview Skills Week
 Resume Blitz
 MUB - Fall and Spring Semester
 Residence Halls - Spring Semester
 Interview Skills Week

4.  Provides one on one help with all your career
development needs:
 “My Plan” A personal assessment tool
 Resume and cover letter writing
 Interview coaching and practicing
 Job Search Strategies including our on-line recruiting software –
NACElink
 Career Fair Prep
 On-campus interview scheduling
 Offer negotiation and benefits evaluation
 Business etiquette advice
 Networking Skills

5.  The first and perhaps the most vital step in
preparing yourself for a successful job search is
to create a powerful resume that will open doors
and generate interviews.
 And you’ll want a powerfully effective and
attractive resume because:
“On average, most recruiters
spend about 30 seconds
scanning a resume and cover
letter before sending it to the
“yes” or “no” pile.”

6. Employers are looking for people with these Top 10Employers are looking for people with these Top 10
skillsskills
and experiences:and experiences:
 Co-op and/or Internship Experience
 Teamwork and interpersonal skills
 Communication skills (both written and oral)
 Leadership experience
 Strong work ethic
 Computer Skills & Technical skills
 Motivation & Initiative (can you think outside the box?)
 Problem solving/Analytical skills
 Flexibility/adaptability
 Accomplishments/Achievements
 Confidence
Your resume must provide EVIDENCE that you possess
many of these skills

7.  Use your resume to provide evidence of the
skills companies are looking for.
 Provide detailed examples.
 If you don’t have many of those skills, start
developing them NOW!

8.  Make it easy for recruiter to find you
 Include name, permanent and/or school address,
telephone number, e-mail address
 Avoid information that is about to expire
 E-mail address should be business-like
 URL of personal webpage may be included, if only
professional information and images

9. Consider the following topic
headings/categories:
Objective - what you want to do, who you want to work for
Education - schools, locations, degrees, dates, GPAs
Co-Op and/or Internship Experience – who you
worked for and what you did
Project Experiences - Enterprise, Senior Design,
Coursework, Extra-Curricular
Leadership Experience - project manager, campus
involvement, university athletics
Work Experience - paid, unpaid, volunteer
Skills - Computer, Technical, Language
Accomplishments - don’t be shy
Activities – Hobbies, personal interests, music , (Broomball)

10. Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI
MBA Expected May
2011
BS Mechanical Engineering 2009
Minor:
Concentration:
Focus:
GPA 3.1

11. Caterpillar, Inc. Peoria, IL
Manufacturing Co-op Engineer
2008
 Researched
 Designed
 Processed
 Fabricated
 Tested
 Identified
 Programmed
 Assembled
 Repaired
 Upgraded

12. Michigan Tech University and Portage Hospital
Project: Joint Venture – Recycling and Waste Collection Efficiency Project
Objective: Save hospital money through recycling program and streamlined
waste collection processes. Move hospital towards “green” resource management
 Coordinated 5 on-campus, multi-disciplined teams in terms of background information,
planning and development, designing innovative processes and resources,
implementation plans, and recommendations
 Met with hospital stakeholders to determine current waste management processes,
potential resources and goals
 Analyzed and evaluated current workings and identified gaps and inefficiencies
 Designed new processes for pre-determined collection and routing
 Designed innovative collection cart that would increase efficiency and capacity
 Wrote 40+ page technical report detailing planning, findings, analysis, designs,
recommendations, and implementation plans
 Performed professional oral presentation to hospital executive board, stakeholders,
and academic audience

13.  Scholarships
 Awards
 Honors
 Certifications
 4-H
 Honor Society
 Boy Scouts
 Athletic Teams
 Missions
 Church Youth Group
 Martial Arts
 Aviation
 Entrepreneurial Experience

14. Operating systems: Windows (98, XP) UNIX
Programming: Java, C++, C, Fortran, Assembly
Software: Mathematica, CADKEY, DATACAD, Matlab,
MathCAD, Verilog, UGNX, Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Labview, Star Office

15. ABC Electrical Company Anytown,
MI
Electrician Assistant Summers 2006,
2007
 Installed electric service
 Designed circuits from blueprints
 Wired outlets, lights, switches, hot water heater
Country Diner
Anytown, MI
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer Summer
2005

16.
Gather a list of references, no more than 5 and no less than 3. These references should be people
who know your work and your character and will speak highly of you when asked. Matching your
references with past employers or professors is ideal. Then list them as below on a separate
page from your resume. Bring your reference page to your interviews, so that you’re prepared when
asked for them.
REFERENCES
Name
Title
Department
Company/University/Organization
Address
Address
Email
Phone

17. Do a careful reading and observation of
your web presence.
Ensure your public or social web space is
a positive reflection of you.
◦ What you think is cute and funny, may
be interpreted in a completely different
way by your audience.
Or…seriously consider removing any
personal social networking websites at
this time.

18.  Is the first question an interviewer asks in the
vast majority of times… Develop and memorize a
60 second infomercial. This is where you set the
tone for the interview.
 Make the next half hour a pleasant one for your
interviewer by smiling, and being confident and
enthusiastic.
 Tell STORIES about your academic, professional,
and personal background.
 Be unique and funny if you can.

19.  Be sure to ask intelligent, informed questions
of your interviewer. This shows you know their
company and you’re making an educated
decision to work for them.
 Some Sample Questions:
 Ask about a specific project you know the company is working on.
 What is the company’s biggest challenge at this time.
 Where would the company like to be in 5 years?
 Ask your interviewer about his position and work history with the
company.
 Ask about professional development opportunities
 Ask about advancement opportunities
 Finally – Don’t forget to send an immediate THANK
YOU letter. This is appreciated and expected!

20.  The single most important qualification on your
resume
 Invaluable experiential education for students
 Important recruiting tool for employers
 About 85% of Co-op students receive a full-time
job offer from the company they co-op for

21.  The 2011 Spring Career Fair is February 22
 Hundreds of companies travel to Houghton to entice,
meet, and interview you!
 They’ll all be in one place – The SDC
 They offer casual, informal pre and post Career Fair
informational sessions
 Check out our website for who’s coming
 Then…

22.  Identify 5 – 10 target companies
 Do your homework! Research the company
in order to determine what they’re doing
and how you’ll benefit them
 Practice that 60 second “infomercial”
 Let them SEE that you’re serious:
 Suit
 Tie
 Dress shirt
 Good shoes
 Impeccably groomed

24.
This software will help you manage and publish your
resume, search job postings, and connect with hundreds
of employers from around the world.
Upload your new or renewed resume to NACElink soon!
Go to www.career.mtu.edu

25.  Located in the Harold Meese Center on Houghton Avenue
 Office Hours: Mon-Fri 8 am – 5 pm
 Call for an appointment - 487-2313
 Check out our website – www.career.mtu.edu