Your Resume, Interviewing, and HENAAC

1. Your Resume, Interviewing, and HENAAC Presented by Career Services and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

2. Resume Basics • Marketing Tool: Representation of who you are, what you offer, and what you want (education, skills, and experience) • Think of resume as a legal document: Anything you say or do can and will be held against you • Neat, organized, and concise: 1 pg undergrads; 2 alumni; more CV • Easy to read; aesthetically pleasing; empty spaces; consistency! • Balanced margins; 11+ size font; quality paper • Brief phrases or sentences; Action Verbs • No errors; correct abbreviations; 3rd person; no personal pronouns • Tailor to job or industry (titles, headings, terminology) • Prioritize contents (importance, impressiveness, relevance) • Competencies rather than job duties; quantify when possible (#s, %s, etc)

3. Resume: Contact Information • Carolyn M. Meeker • 10555 W. Flagler St, EC 2780 • Miami, FL 33174 • 305.348.1281 • carolyn.meeker@fiu.edu • Carolyn M. Meeker • 10555 W. Flagler St, EC 2780 ∙ Miami, FL 33174 ∙ 305.348.1281 ∙ carolyn.meeker@fiu.edu

4. Resume: Objective or Summary • Objective: Responsible, hard working student with strong laboratory skills and • research experience seeking internship in industrial engineering • Mechanical Engineering Student • Responsible, hard working student with strong laboratory skills and research experience seeking internship to gain experience while contributing to dynamic organization • Areas of Strengths • Bilingual/Multilingual in… Working knowledge of… • Leadership in (student org)… Undergraduate research in… • Etc… Etc…

5. Resume: Education • Reverse chronological, highest first, then certificates and/or advanced training • Bold or Small Caps items to stand out • Include dissertation/thesis topic, selected course work, or honors, if relevant • Missing GPA may appear as if you’re hiding something • FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Miami, Florida • Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Anticipated May 2010 • Minor: Spanish • University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA • Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, GPA 3.56, graduated cum laude June 1999 • Minor in Education Studies; Recognized for Outstanding Participation in Education Studies Minor • Peer Teacher: Education Studies Minor Peer Advising Program – Organized mentors and advising table • Study abroad in Granada, Spain, Summer 1999

6. Resume: Experience • Accomplishments rather than job duties • How you contributed or took initiative • Did you improve a system, increase customers, reduce cost, etc.? • Quantify actions if appropriate, “surveyed 30 employers to identify system errors” • Work Experience: • Focus on most recent or relevant; or by categories • Summarize others in one line/short paragraph or list basic responsibilities • Name of organization, dates of employment, position title, and responsibilities • Meeker Equipment Fabricators, Westwood, CA July 1996 – June 2001 • ELECTRICAL ENGINEER • Promoted from Staff Engineer to Section Managing Engineer after six months • Established manufacturing/production lines that fabricate farm equipment • Hardware design and implementation using proprietary logic controller • Designed and implemented software in C language to operate automated assembly machinery

7. Resume: Other Categories • If impressive and relevant: • Honors: Academic from University or organization; scholarships; national or Greek honor societies. Dates may look cluttered • Significant Courses: Could help if little relevant professional experience. Select upper level courses that may set you apart • Publications/Research: Articles accepted for publication. Insight into professional abilities by listing past and present research projects • Professional Affiliations: How involved you are in chosen field. (Excellent ways to network and learn about job opportunities) • Licensure/Certification: Employer needs to know of relevant licenses • Languages: Fluency in 2+ languages is often sought. Specify competency • Volunteer/Leadership: Skills gained through a role/organization • Activities: Time outside classroom or work. May include volunteer/leadership

8. Qualities Employers Seek • Source: Job Outlook 2008, National Association of Colleges and Employers

9. Interviewing Basics • Know Yourself: • Work-related values • Interests • Skills; strengths and weaknesses • Know Company: • Industry rank and size • Subsidiaries • Sales and profit trends • Current plans • Why does this job exist? • Competitors’ services and products • Know Interviewer: Name, title, function

10. Arrive at Interview • On time: • Take names and phone numbers in case you need to call • Plan for traffic, getting lost, or unplanned prep time • Arrive at site 30 minutes early; at office 10 minutes early • Bring reading material or something else to keep relaxed • Carry portfolio with: • College transcripts • Examples of work (don’t violate confidentiality) • Letters of recommendations (if they might be requested) • References • Resumes

11. Responding to Questions • Rehearse possible responses • Understand behavioral-based interviewing • Most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in similar situations • STAR technique: Situation, Task, Action taken, Results achieved • Decision making and problem solving • Leadership and motivation • Communication, interpersonal, and social skills • Behavior in a stressful situation • Tie background to position • Focus on accomplishments: They won’t know if you don’t tell them • Turn weaknesses into areas of growth

12. Concluding an Interview • Wrap up • Notice signs that interview has run its course • Thank interviewer for their time • Ask for business card • Ask about next step • Maintain confident, friendly attitude • Follow up • Business thank you letter • Reaffirm interest in position • Reiterate qualifications discussed

13. Popular Interview Questions • Tell me about yourself • Which of your accomplishments have made you most proud? • What’s your greatest strength? • What’s your greatest weakness? • Why do you want to work here? • Why should we hire you? • Give me an example of a situation in which your ethics were challenged. How did you handle it? • Tell me about a time when you were participating in a team project and somebody dropped the ball. What did you do to help the team finish the project on time?

14. Popular Interview Questions • Describe a specific problem you solved for an employer or professor. How did you approach the problem? What role did others play? What was the outcome? • Tell me about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What things did you fail to do? What were the repercussions? What did you learn? • If you were a vegetable what kind would you be? • Imagine you’re in the lobby of a hotel. How many people are in the lobby with you? • How would you cut a circular cake into eight pieces, making only three cuts?

15. Questions to Ask an Interviewer • Ask questions that interest you; missing questions may show disinterest • What do you do in a typical work day? • Why did you choose to work for this company? • What is the career progression for employees with my skill set? • Does this organization have a mentor or coaching program? • What kind of internal and external training do you provide? • How would you describe your company culture? • Does your organization use strategic planning? How often? Who participates? • What is your company’s policy on sustainable development? • Don’t ask basic questions that you should know

16. Approaching Employers • Create lists of employers “A,” “B,” “C” • Approach “C” employer first; you’re genuinely interested, but it could be a warm up for “A” companies • Do not walk up to an employer and just stand there or shove your resume in their face • Keep records of your contacts – who you interview with, who offers assistance, etc. This may be handy in the future • Treat vendors/booths as potential contacts. You never know who may be at dinner or who knows who

17. Meeting New People • Look and Act Professional • Now is not the time to hang out with your friends • A recruiter may not approach a group of strangers • Know what you want from the interaction • Communicate effectively • Do your research; Know what you’re talking about • Present a detailed, accurate, and up-to-date resume

18. Meeting New People (Career Fair)

19. Practice Responses • 30-60 Second Sound Bites • Articulate in active detail; discuss what you learned and outcomes • Express why the skill is important and how it will benefit their company • Actively participate in dialogue • Your Pitch: A 90 Second Commercial • 30 Second Summary: • Name • Statement about experience and what you have to offer • Best achievement without details • Finish with positive statement about what you’re looking for • A few interesting highlights or achievements of your experience • A few key skills that you can bring to the company • Write out and practice pitch in a slow, natural voice

20. HENAAC Conference Tips • Read “HENAAC 2008 Student Guide & Information” http://www.henaac.org/conference/2008/students.php • Upload resume onto LYNX accurately • BRING HARD COPIES and an E-COPY, as well • Look through Career Guide, which will list positions and requirements open through sponsors

21. Dress Code Tips from HENAAC • “First impressions are very important and you can expect hundreds of recruiters from companies and government agencies to be there, watching you and scrutinizing you from head to toe.“ • Business casual (slacks and collared shirt for men; nice top for women) is acceptable at most events • Some events require more care: • College Bowl: Business Casual/Casual • Seminars: Business Casual • Career Fair: Business • Awards Show Gala: Business for Students (Black Tie event) Student Leadership Luncheon : Dress to Impress

22. HENAAC Tips for Business Attire • Shoes • Well polished • Ladies: Good pair of low-heeled pumps • No open-toe sandals, stilettos, or tall heels • Gentlemen: Shoes should complement suit • Wing-tips are typical • Suits • Dark blue or black preferred • Ladies: White, off-white, or neutral blouse with modest neckline. If skirt, no more than 1-2” above knees (note hem when legs crossed) • Gentlemen: Suit must have tie. Wear belt to keep pants up to appropriate level around waist

23. HENAAC Tips for Business Attire • Makeup and Fingernails • Neat and trimmed nails. If polished, no chips; lighter, conservative color • Conservative makeup • Hair • Neat hair away from face. Pull back long hair • Neat and trimmed facial hair • Additional Tips • Remove visible body piercings and cover up visible tattoos • Light cologne or perfume • Carry notepad or portfolio and resumes • Ladies, avoid carrying purse • Leave enough time to dry clean suit before you leave

24. More Tips • Minimal jewelry, but wear a watch • Bring lint brush and iron • Don’t smoke before event; no coffee, spaghetti, etc. in interview clothes • Person next to you in line or at bar may interview you later • Greeting Skills: • Eye contact without staring • Firm hand shake • Wait to be invited; wait to sit down • Confident and friendly • Non-Verbal Skills: • Body Language; attentive posture • Tone of voice • Content • Limit nervous mannerisms (playing with hair, fiddling with pen, etc.)