Resumes and Career Fairs Bob Foley ’69 Assistant Director Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

CAREER CENTER WEBSITE http://careercenter.tamu.edu/Current-Students

Purpose of the Resume A marketing tool: Think executive summary! Convince an employer to schedule you for an interview. You have ten seconds!!! Well, minimum time anyway. Think executive summary! Can you communicate in a precise and concise fashion?

Laying the Foundation What are your “match” points? Access yourself: What are your objectives? What do you seek? When are you available? What have you accomplished? Work/Research experience, Skills, Leadership Match employers’ needs Identify “transferable skills” What do I include? How important is it to the opportunity I seek?

Laying the Foundation Career Readiness – Key Competencies Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Oral/Written Communications Teamwork/Collaboration Information Technology Application Leadership Professionalism/Work Ethic Career Management http://www.naceweb.org/knowledge/career-readiness-competenicies.aspx

Laying the Foundation Think EQ as well as IQ What makes a good employee?? 1. Integrity - Communication skills - Ability to work with people - Responsibility - Judgment - Motivation to succeed - Work ethic - Intelligence/Creativity - Enthusiasm 10. Technical competence

PRIORITIZE!!! The Mostest, The Fastest Building the Resume Tell the employer….. The Mostest, The Fastest PRIORITIZE!!!

Building the Resume Format – Chronological Provide leading credentials, qualifications, experiences Prioritize resume and items under each heading You know what you did. Does your resume tell the reader the same? What did you do? How did you do it? What were the results? Make it easy for the recruiter!

Building the Resume Personal Data Section Objective Education Work/Research Experience Leadership/Activities Skills – Technical, Spoken Language

Building the Resume Tailor the resume Present most marketable information first Use brief, descriptive phrases No unnecessary words Use action verbs Provide metrics Reader friendly – pleasing to the eye Be positive – accurate – truthful You have the right to remain silent

Polish the Resume ATTENTION TO DETAIL!!! Avoid common mistakes: Broad, general statements Spelling and grammatical errors Overall or cumulative TAMU GPR not included Format, fonts, length, paper quality Be careful with “Aggie speak” Consistent punctuation Avoid italics, script, and underlining No vertical/horizontal lines, shading, or graphics Keep the resume updated

Selective Employer Comments Evaluation keys: The degree of relevancy between candidate’s overall profile (major/minor, GPR, work experience, class projects, extracurricular roles) and the job position. Candidate’s long term and short term career goals. Candidate’s personality, capability, potential, and willingness to accomplish career goal. Stick to 1 page. After 8 years in industry, I can still highlight all necessary and pertinent information on a single page resume. Clearly state GPR. Several students played games with the GPR by giving us only their in-major GPR because the overall was significantly lower. Another presented only the last 2 years because the first two years were very bad. Some gave no GPR. It does not reflect well on students to manipulate their resumes in this fashion before we even interview them.

FINAL THOUGHT You have a story to tell. Does your resume tell that story? Keep in mind that your resume is an advertisement not a biography.

Review and Critique Career Center Advisors Appointment 979-845-5139 Walk in Service Monday thru Friday 8:30-11:00AM & 1:30-4:00PM Engineering Resume Remotes Thursday, January 19, 1-4PM ETB Lobby Friday, January 20, 9AM-12N, CHEM Lobby Resumania Monday, January 23, 9AM-5PM, MSC Academic Advisor Mentor Employer Aggie Network

Your Goals of the Career Fair Increase exposure to potential employers Build relationships Gain insight into a company & its employees Differentiate yourself from competition Secure the interview Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

Decisions! Decisions! Prioritize Outlook for industry Decide whom to visit beforehand Prioritize Use first visits to develop approach Do not overlook smaller firms Do your homework on the companies Outlook for industry Primary products and services Current events/projects

Check Available Research Utilize available resources SEC Website http://sec.tamu.edu HireAggies.com job postings http://HireAggies.com Internet & web sites Co-ops/Interns/Grads working for company Professors Current events/projects http://finance.yahoo.com/ Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

You have already paid for it!!!!!! Career Center Resource HireAggies.com You have already paid for it!!!!!! Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

How Employers “Grade” TAMU Students - 2016

Career Direction What are your interests? Your priorities? Your motivations? What are the 3 to 5 things you see yourself doing with your degree? What in a job description excites you, that you see yourself doing? Why are you the best person to fill a job, not just qualified to do the job?

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 dress

Why Should They Hire You?? What does the company do? How can you support their efforts? Determine “match points” that fit the company’s needs Write down “match points” & questions Remember, the companies are shopping for good buys – the Best candidates not just qualified candidates. Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

Decisions! Decisions! Decide which companies to visit beforehand Prioritize companies 1st two visits, lower tier Do homework on companies Outlook for industry Primary products of company Hiring majors Current events/projects http://finance.yahoo.com/ Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

Dressing the Part Business casual, - suit is not necessary - dress up a bit Men-nice slacks, pressed shirt Women-casual outfit or simple dress Check out how the Employers are dressed – they are role “role models” for their company. Hair – Beards – Grooming – Piercings - Tatoos Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

“Why did you stop by our booth?” The Booth Visit Expect visit of 2-10 minutes See and Be Seen Elevator Speech Express interest in company Meet a company rep Leave resume Differentiate yourself Know questions you wish to ask Use notes with company information & questions. Share “match points” Be prepared for company rep to ask “Why did you stop by our booth?” Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

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 hours Early morning During classes Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

Remember Me? Get Business Card Make notes during breaks At end of conversation Make notes during breaks Specific details & information Follow up with a thank you email Within 24 – 48 hours Once a month after that Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017

Want Additional Insight? More Detail? Employer Insight? Preparing for the Engineering Career Fair Wednesday, Jan 18, 6:30-8pm, 1037 ETB Thursday, Jan 19, 6:30-8pm, 106 Richardson

ARE LASTING IMPRESSIONS ONE LAST THOUGHT... FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE LASTING IMPRESSIONS Resume/careerfair/HonorsProgramSpring2017