1. Career Fair Prep
8/31/2017 v

2. Agenda Who is this guy? Objectives Resources / Events
What Employers look for in new hires?
Career Fair Practical Tips

3. Educational Background (30 second elevator pitch example)
Roland Block, Associate Director, Engineering Career Services
Graduated TAMU with a BS in MEEN ’92
President of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Participated in variety of other organizations and honor societies
Study abroad program to Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
Undergraduate research project on Labyrinth seals
Co-op job designing / manufacturing industrial skylights

4. Professional Background (30 second elevator pitch example)
25 years Medical Device Engineering and Marketing
Started in Engineering, R&D, Product Managements, to Director Marketing
Developed / Commercialized >100 new products and services
R&D Project Manager and Product Manager concurrently, earning 4 US and 2 Intl patents, and grossing >$250M
Director of Global Marketing

5. Use us it’s a free service!!
VISION
“The Career Center’s Engineering Career Services will provide World-Class career learning and development to empower our students with career readiness to gain employment and to impact their employers’ success in a global market, establishing Texas A&M as employers’ preferred source of engineering talent. Achieving this Vision will be accomplished by providing unparalleled support and by nurturing close ties with Students/Student Organizations, Employers/Industry, and Faculty/Staff.”
Use us it’s a free service!!

6. Learning Objectives
Increase students’ readiness and effectiveness at the Career Fair
Provide knowledge and inspiration, so every participant will take additional time enhancing their marketability and Career Readiness
On June 13, 2016, Microsoft announced that it would acquire LinkedIn for $196 a share, a total value of $26.2 billion and the largest acquisition made by Microsoft to date

7. Questions
Who has registered to attend the SEC Engineering Career Fair?
Who has a profile on HireAggies?
Why is Networking Important?
Who has a LinkedIn page?
HireAggies is like shooting fish in a barrel. 4k+ companies, 12k+ postings, 60k+ jobs. Companies are coming to you with job postings. Good for now, but you will need more arrows in your quiver when in the workforce. Networking: 60-80% of jobs are not posted. Companies typically have an HR member go through LinkedIn to actively recruit candidates. Receiving a call or from company or recruiter on a weekly or monthly basis is not uncommon, depending on the industry. Applying for an opportunity with a resume alone is a long shot. Always better to have a warm introduction. There is a Hiring Manager that goes to HR Manager or Recruiter. The HR Manager or Recruiter’s job is to provide quality candidates that meet the job description provided by the Hiring Manager. 1st step is to look at the Job Description. Also, look at skills for the job you are applying for. On June 13, 2016, Microsoft announced that it would acquire LinkedIn for $196 a share, a total value of $26.2 billion and the largest acquisition made by Microsoft to date

8. Key Resource
Down load “Career Guide” .pdf

9. Important Career Events
“Interviewing Skills for Engineering Majors”
September 4, 2017
7:00 – 8:15 pm
RICH 106
“Networking including LinkedIn!”
October 12, 2017
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Koldus 209

11. What does this mean? Top 5 consistently
Personality / Social Skills / Communications
Creative Problem Solving
Relevant “work” experience
Leadership in Professional Societies
GPA
When framing accomplishments keep this in mind! (Study Abroad, Research, Design Projects)

13. Resumes & Cover Letters
SECRET TIP:
It’s not all about you!
It’s about how you MATCH the JOB DESCRIPTION and COMPANY?
Use specifics #, %, $, Time Savings. Describe benefit and result. First filter HR not Engineer
Cover Letters critical after graduation, not as important for internships
“Career Guide”

14. Company Knowledge The job often goes to the most PREPARED
What do they sell or make?
Who are their customers?
How are their financials?
What divisions do they have and which ones are you interested in?
What products excite you (know their names)?
Investor information for public companies
Are you following them on LinkedIn?
If you are looking them up at the career fair, STEP AWAY FROM THE BOOTH FIRST

15. Un-Realistic Expectations
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
Be Humble you must learn skills and exhibit them prior to advancement. Don’t just provide feedback. Solicit it.

16. Career Fair Practical Advice
Have a game plan
This is an ideal Networking opportunity
Opportunity to practice Communications Skills
Ask Intelligent questions!!
E.g. Learn about what your desired profession(s) do in that company

17. Make a great first impression
Dress Professional and Sharp
Introduce yourself (first and last names)
Make Eye Contact
Shake hands Confidently
Show Enthusiasm!!

18. 30 Second Elevator Pitch Tell me about yourself?
Identify goal
Explain what you do (NOT rehash of resume)
What makes you Unique? (Why they need YOU?)
What you are looking for goal (Tie to company need)
Practice, Practice, Practice
Prep a 2 minute version as well
Google – Elevator Pitch
“Career Guide” pdf

19. STAR Method for Interviews
Situation: problem encountered
Task, Target, Think: who, what, where, when
Action – what you did
Result – quantify accomplishments
Develop Stories to convey your skills/experiences
Google “star technique for interviews”
“Career Guide” pdf

20. Close Like a Sales Pro Thank you for ….
I believe my skills / experience are a great match for …
Do you have any additional questions or is there anything we may not have covered…?
What is the next step in the process?
If I don’t hear back by _____, who should I contact?
Get a business card or photo of theirs
Right down notes immediately following conversation
Send “Thank you” <48hrs (and show interest and remind why a great fit. Perfect grammar and spelling!

21. Career Fair Checklist Game plan
Resume Error Free & enough copies in Folder
Researched company and have questions ready
Make a Great first impression
Have your stories and STAR method rehearsed
“Close” like a pro!

22. Sender of this just found a new job…Likely waited to post this humor
Sender of this just found a new job…Likely waited to post this humor. Some people do post humor on Fridays. What will attract your target viewer to read and share your article, but it still must convey your branding. Don’t want to be the goofy person that send out funny stuff on Friday

23. Important Career Events
“Interviewing Skills for Engineering Majors”
September 4, 2017
7:00 – 8:15 pm
RICH 106
“Networking including LinkedIn!”
October 12, 2017
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Koldus 209

24. Conclusions
You are intelligent. Be humble, learn from others, and be appreciative
Spend time on your “Soft Skills” and Career Readiness
Networking is critical to your long term career success
Enjoy this time. It’s about learning and improving!
Goal: ____________________
Date: __________
TAMU
HireAggies is like shooting fish in a barrel. Companies are coming to you with job postings. Good for now, but you will need more arrows in your quiver when in the workforce
60-80% of jobs are not posted. Companies typically have an HR member go through LinkedIn to actively recruit candidates. Receiving a call or from company or recruiter on a weekly or monthly basis is not uncommon, depending on the industry. Applying for an opportunity with a resume alone is a long shot. Always better to have a warm introduction. There is a Hiring Manager that goes to HR Manager or Recruiter. The HR Manager or Recruiter’s job is to provide quality candidates that meet the job description provided by the Hiring Manager. 1st step is to look at the Job Description. Also, look at skills for the job you are applying for.
ENGINEERING