Ready, Set….Start Your

Job Search!

Job Search Strategies

HireAggies.com ♦ (979) 845-5139

David McMahon ’69Associate Director

What Employers Value When Selecting Full-time Employees

TAMUNational

Internships/Co-ops 100% 83%

Personality/Social Skills 97%

Creativity/Problem Solving 95%

Technical/Academic Skills 92%

GPA 92%Leadership in Professional Organization 90% 69%

Leadership in Non-professional Organization 64% 48%

Part-time job 54%

Volunteer engagement 45% 46%

Senior Design Projects 40% 71%

AggiExternship 26%

Research with Faculty 19% 52%

Study Abroad 15% 38%

Work Abroad 11% 54%

Current Hiring Trends

80% of jobs/internships are never posted, they are filled through networking (NACE, 2009)

57% of internships were converted into jobs in 2009 (Internships.com)

60% of students finish college with one internship, 30% finish with two (NACE, 2008)

85% of employers have said they only hire candidates who have had meaningful experiential learning opportunities (Gardner, 2009)

Of all 2009 US hires, 51% were internal promotions and 27% referrals (CareerXroads, 2010)

Job Search Strategies

- Self Assessment, Identify Skills- Explore careers, gather information- Utilize ALL Career Resources- Conducting the Search

The Job Search

Challenge: Decide what you want to do and where you want to work

Mission: Gain skills needed to effectively market yourself to employers

Result: Obtain the position you are excited about!!

Co-ops and Internships

CO-OPs Typically multiple

semesters Always paid Receive academic

credit Full-time student

status– No Readmission– No loan payments

INTERNSHIPS Usually one

summer semester Paid or volunteer Academic credit

decided by Department

May/may not retain FT student status

Why Work an Internship or Co-op Before Graduation

Major Average Full-time Offer to Students Without Internships

Average Full-time Offer to Students With Internships

Social Science $26,251 $32,487

Engineering $51,862 $60,341

Computer Science $45,000 $58,920

Business $35,000 $41,654

Accounting $43,217 $46,723

Overall(NACE 2010 Student Survey)

$34,601 $41,580

How Employers “Grade” TAMU Students

common/1 Presentations/Employer Trng/Employers Grade Students Results

Resum

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Cover L

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rs

Inte

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w Pre

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Ski

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Compan

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Mat

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20%

40%

60%

80%

100% ABCDF

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Know the Company

“If you won’t take the time to review our website before the interview, why should I take the time to interview you?”

A&M Recruiter

What Should Students Research at Company Websites

Feedback from

Students Employers

Company overview 80% 97%

Products/Services 56% 77%

Career Opportunity 75% 68%

Location 46% 45%

Financial 15% 13%

Division 25% 6%10

Career Direction

What brings that sparkle to your eye or fire in your belly?

What are the 3 to 5 things you see yourself doing with your degree for my company?

What in my job description excited you, that you see yourself doing?

Why are you the best person to fill my job, not just qualified to do my job?11

Realistic Expectations Needing Improvement

Employers’ Feedback– 72% Oral communications– 71% Written communications– 64% Entitlement attitude– 63% Constructive criticism– 42% >40 Hour work week– 41% Pay for performance– 41% Not automatic promotions– 26% Professional dress12

What are your Skills?

Researchskills

Writing skills

Technical skills

Oral Communication and Presentationskills

Job Search skills

Learning the Ropes...

Register with Career Center Complete Internship Assessment Worksheet Walk-in or Individual Advising

–Resume review and other questions Discuss internship/job interests with your

Academic Advisors, Professors, Family, Friends – Network!!

Do Informational Interviews to Explore Options

Interviewing Success

What did you tell the Employer in the interview?

WIIFM ….. Or ….. WIIFT

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Career Center Resource

HireAggies.com

You have already paid for it!!!!!!

No charge to Employers!!

On Campus Recruiting

HireAggies.comYou’ve already paid for it!!3,500+ Companies10,000 + Interview Schedules & Job PostingsOn-campus interviews

16,000+ conducted …. Whoop!

Resume Drops 165,00+ submitted!

HireAggies.com Online Resources

Career Development/Exploration Resources

Air Jobs Career Beam CareerSearch Career Shift

Eco Jobs Going Global Internships.com Internships

USA Virtual Mock Interview Jobweb

Oil & Gas Journal SIGI3

Sports Job Board UniWorld

Vault WetFeet.com

Washington Information Directory

Utilize ALL Resources

On Campus Interviewing

Job Listing Career Fairs Career Library

Resources Employer Info Sessions Departmental

Advisors/Faculty Internet Job Search Student Organizations

Former Students Inside Contacts,

Family, Friends Former Employers Targeted mailings Classified

Ads/Area Job Listings

Area Chambers of Commerce

Directories

Value of Job Search Tools

TAMU NACE

HireAggies.com job postings 91% 80%

Company website 87% 96%

Career fairs 85% 83%

Company representatives 84% 79%

Employer info presentations 82% 70%

Company website job postings 80% 89%

Networking 77% 89%

Commercial job search website 53% 77%

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Value of Job Search Tools

TAMU NACE

Employer brochures 49% 67%

Professional association 38% 46%

Employment agencies 17% 52%

Newspaper ads 12% 51%

Company podcasts 9% 43%

Virtual career fair 9% 37%

Job search magazines 2% 53%

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Least to Most Effective Ways to Find a Job Article by Danny Huffman

4% - Job Boards 4 - 7 % - Email Blasts 7% - Trade Journal Ads or Industry-Specific

Websites 7 - 12 % - Local Newspaper Ads 5 - 28 % - Employment Agencies/Search Firms 47% - Knock on Doors of Employers of Interest 69% - Career Search in Un-Advertised Market

– Research companies, look for jobs in business newspapers, attend networking events

84% - Consult with Team of Career Experts– Establish career plan, capture competitiveness on paper

Now What ??

1. Define your objectives for job search2. Research your interests in 5 - 10

industries, job functions, companies, or locations

3. Utilize ALL resources available to you to generate contacts and job leads

4. Prepare Resume and Questions for Companies

5. Actively seek your job!

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How to “Work”the Engineering Career Fair

David McMahon ’69Associate Director

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Your Goals of theCareer Fair

• Increase exposure to potential employers

• Gain insight into a company & its employees

• Differentiate yourself from competition

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Check Available Research

• Utilize available resources• SEC Website

http://sec.tamu.edu/

• HireAggies.com job postings

http://careercenter.tamu.edu/

• Internet & web sites

• Co-ops/Interns/Grads

• working for company

• Professors

• Current events/projectshttp://finance.yahoo.com/

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Why Should They Hire You??

• What does their company do for a living? • What do you want to do with your degree?• How can you support their efforts?• Determine “match points”, where your experience

fits company’s needs• Write down “match points” & questions• Remember, the companies are shopping for good

buys

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Decisions! Decisions!

• Decide which companies to visit beforehand Prioritize companies1st two visits, lower tier

• Do homework on companies Outlook for industry Primary products of company Hiring majors Current events/projects

http://finance.yahoo.com/

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The Resume Game

• Make sure it is GOODResume Reviews @ ZachryWalk-in service

8:30 – 11 AM or 1:30 – 4 PM

• DO NOT automatically give out Some companies cannot take resumesBusiness card?? Flash Drive??

• End of conversation-ask if you can leave it with them

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Dressing the Part

• Suit is not necessary, but...• Don’t be too casual – dress up a bit• Men-nice slacks, pressed shirt• Women-casual outfit or simple dress

DON’T LOOK LIKE YOU JUST ROLLED OUT OF BED!!!

• Check out how the Employers are dressed

• They are “role models” for their company HairBeardsGroomingPiercingsTatoos

• Do you see yourself dressed that way to interview and/or work for the company?

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Dressing the Part

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The Booth Visit

• Expect visit of 2-10 minutes• See and Be Seen

Express interest in companyMeet a company repLeave resume

• Differentiate yourselfKnow questions you wish to askUse notes with company information & questions.Share “match points”

• Be prepared for company rep to ask

“Why did you stop by our booth?”

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First Impressions

• Introduce Yourself

• Shake Hands

• Make eye contact

• Don’t squirm/fidgit

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Self Introduction

• Speak up!

• Well planned and conciseName – first and lastAcademics – what major and yearEmployment aim – Co-op, Internship, or

Full-timeCompany insight – why you are interested

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Handshakes – First Impression

• Jellyfish weak

• Half a hand maintains distance

• Knuckle cruncher power play

• Two handed familiar approach

• Winner

firm handshake with eye contact

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Things To Talk About...

• Make small talk “First time at the career fair?” “I see you’re an Aggie. What class are you?” “How was your trip to A&M?”

• Why you are interested in company Researched information

Company website Current events

http://finance.yahoo.com/

• What are typical job duties for your major?

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Things To Talk About...

• What kind of training program for New Hire Engineers?• What is more important – M.S./P.E./MBA?• What locations/divisions are they interviewing for? • What is company policy on transferring to other locations? International assignments? • How do they evaluate Teamwork vs. individual accomplishments?

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Things To Talk About...

• Does your company encourage higher education after you go to work?• Do you have plans for expansions and opportunities in the future?• What personal skills, qualities, or experience are you seeking for this position?• How much travel is involved in this position?• What is the normal career path after this position?

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Things To Talk About...

• What is hiring process for the company?• Do they post jobs and schedule interviews through

HireAggies.com?• What is impact of Industry

trends on hiring and

career paths?• Don’t skirt GPA issue,

if you’re asked

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Standing Out In a Crowd

•If booth is crowded,

come back later

•Company can talk to

4-5 at a time

Attend at non-peak hoursEarly morning During classes

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Avoid “Open Mouth – Insert Foot” Syndrome

•What part of “No!” do you not understand? Move on!!

•Be Discreet Watch what you tell others about

different companies

•Be Consistent Don’t tell different companies different

things

•Avoid “Aggiespeak”

•Do you know how to say “Excuse me”?

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Bargain Shopping 101

• Don’t wander from booth to booth looking only for “freebies”

• Talk to employers BEFORE you load up on goodies

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LAST THOUGHTS .....

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LAST THOUGHTS .....

Final Thoughts …..

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” - Walt Disney

“The man who waits for just the right time to start never gets anywhere.” Roger W Babson,

Business theorist 

Start at least 2 semesters before you want to go to work!

Go for it!!

Questions? contact the

Career Center at

Hire Aggies.com or (979) 845-5139