Staying Competitive During your Job SearchLiz Arnold, University Programs Specialist
9/16/2011
Agenda
● Career Development: a life cycle view
● Career Fair: Before, During and After
● Interviewing: Before, During and After
● Offer Process: Best Practices
● Resources
● Q&A
Career Development Process
Career Fair - BEFORE
PREPARE + KNOW THYSELF● Know your key strengths and skills● Prep your resume + elevator pitch
○ Be able to articulate those skills
REVIEW, RESEARCH & TARGET● Review list of companies on Career Fair website● Research the firms that you are interested in pursuing● Create a target list of firms and positions
PRACTICE!● Elevator pitches take work + finesse● http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXZBFo1bqDs
Career Fair - DURING
IMPACT● Introduce yourself
effectively○ Use your prepared
elevator pitch○ Eye contact, hand
shake + SMILE● Ask 'relevant' questions
○ Demonstrate your company research
CHALLENGE YOURSELF● Approach companies you
aren't familiar with○ Practice on them if not
in your field○ Risk vs reward
FOLLOW-UP● Keep a list of contacts● Send follow-up communication, if appropriate● Follow instructions on how to apply to jobs/events● Prepare to interview!
○ Interview workshops○ Mock Interviews
Career Fair - AFTER
Elevator Pitch Practice!
http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/careers/pitch/
Interviewing - BEFORE, DURING + AFTER
LOGISTICS● Confirm who, when, where (+directions)
RESEARCH● Research company, position + industry
KNOW THYSELF + DEMONSTRATE FIT● Think about your experience and how it fits company
○ Skills + Culture
FOLLOW-UP● Thank you note(s)● Continued contact
HANDOUT
Google Technical Interview Tips
● Review the fundamentals: algorithms and data structures● Use your strongest language and don't use pseudo-code. We want
actual code. ● Prepare to use a whiteboard.● We’re interested in how you approach problem-solving. Think out
loud. Ask questions. State assumptions and reasoning. Mention various approaches.
Offer Process - Best Practices
TIMELINESS ● Check and return email/phone messages promptly
(generally 24-48 hours)
KNOW MIT RECRUITING POLICIES
HELP US HELP YOU● Be honest with us if you need more time or are considering
other offers
FOLLOW-UP● Contact your recruiter if you have any questions or if
anything changes regarding your availability
MIT Resources
● GECD - Career Services
● Faculty
● Department Admins
● Clubs & Associations
● Alumni
● Family & Friends
Questions?
Google Students on Twitter: www.twitter.com/googlestudents
Google for Students Blog: www.googleforstudents.blogspot.com
Google Students YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/googlestudents
For more information on engineering opportunities at Google, please visit:
www.google.com/students/eng
Google Plus: http://plus.google.com (http://gplus.to/lizarnold)
Thank you!