Job Search Strategies

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Job Search Strategies

• Tips to find that perfect co-op, internship or
  full time job!
  

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These Career Center Partners have generously
supported Michigan Tech students!
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These Career Center Partners have generously
supported Michigan Tech students!
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The Current Job Market

• The job market is booming.
• Companies eager to hire people.
• Baby Boomers are retiring.

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Find your passion!

• Some of your best experiences in school, work,
  and personal life?
  
• What skills did you use?
• What jobs have you held?
• Knowing what you want will drive you to get a
  successful career.
  

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Preparing Take Inventory

• Skills
• Experience
• Personality
• Likes and dislikes
• Working conditions
• Salary requirements
• Geographic preferences
• Interest in advancement

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Preparing Your Target Job

• Research
• Market conditions, job trends
• Company health, growth and news

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Research Resources

• Hoovers Online
• Dun Bradstreet (dnb.com)
• Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Bizweb.com
• Fortunes 500 Biggest Companies
• Bus. Weeks and Forbes 100 Best Small
  Companies
  
• Inc. list of 500 Fastest-growing Comp.
• Google

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More Resources

• National, local, and trade specific publications
  (Trade-specific publications are best source for
  targeted information.)
  
• Membership directories of associations and alumni
  programs
  

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Career Day/ Job Fair

• Tuesday, October 3, 2006
• 9 am 4 pm
• At Gates Tennis Center,
• Basketball Gymnasium,
  
  
• and the
• Multi-purpose room
• Sponsored by Career Center
• and Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity

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Job Fair Strategies

• Find registered companies on Career Centers
  website www.career.mtu.edu
  
• Consider companies that may not be looking for
  your major!
  

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Know Your Job Fair Targets

• Develop your TARGET LIST
• Create A, B, and C lists
• Visit C companies first to get more comfortable
• Then hit your A list!

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Job Fair Must-Haves

• Many copies of your resume
• (Dont need cover letters)
• Transcripts
• Professional notepad/pen and notes
• Firm handshake
• Your calendar
• Preparedness research the companies

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Dress for Success

• Suit Dark blue, brown or gray
• Shirt White, light blue
• Tie Contrasting, some red
• Shoes Black or brown
• Belt Matches shoes,
• socks match slacks
• Hair Trimmed or pulled back
• Avoid Earrings, hats, heavy cologne

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Dress for Success

• Skirt/Slacks Dark blue, brown, gray
• Blouse Light colored, not floral
• Shoes Conservative
• Hair Pulled away from face
• Avoid
• Tight or revealing clothing
• Shoes with straps, high
• heels, light colored
• Excessive jewelry, perfume
• and make up

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Preparing Your Infomercial

• Develop a 1-minute infomercial about your
  experience, skills, talent, and job objective. Be
  ready to give it at any time.
  
• Know your life goals. A ready answer signals that
  you are focused.
  

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Infomercial

• First impressions are important! Introduce
  yourself using some of these topics
  
• Name
• Degree, major, and minor
• Grade point average
• Work, co-op and internship experience
• Leadership
• Projects

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Infomercial Demonstration
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Campus Strategies

• Use eRecruiting
• Contact companies ahead to plead case.
• Be honest
• Must have recruiters email for permission to be
  added to interview schedule.
  

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Campus Strategies

• Informational Meetings
• Interviewing on Campus after job fairs
• Come to the Career Center AT LEAST 30 minutes
  before interview to find room location
  
• Be at room 5 min. early
• Approach rep. during free time
• BE COURTEOUSLY AGGRESSIVE

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On-Campus Interviewing Tips

• For interview, take along
• A nice folder or binder
• Transcripts
• Resume
• Facts about company yourself
• Questions to ask interviewer
• Paper and pen/pencil
• Ask for business card!!!

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Networking

• Current or former co-workers
• Family, friends, acquaintances, and neighbors
• Fraternities and sororities
• Departments, faculty and alumni
• Societies and organizations
• Church or volunteer groups

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Other Search Options

• Search for companies geographically,
  by industry or name
  
• Headhunterspros and cons
• Contracting agencies
• Newspapers

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Recommended Internet Searches

• www.career.mtu.edu
• eRecruiting
• LINKS under Student tab
• Flipdog.com
• jobcentral.com
• Usajobs.opm.gov
• Princetonreview.com
• Tech-interns.com

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Other Opportunities

• Michigan Collegiate Job Fair
• Livonia, MI November 17, 2006
• Upper Great Lakes Job Fair
• TBA
• Find more job fairs at Jobweb.com
• Search other universities web sites
• Use Google searches

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Rejected? OUCH! Youre not alone!

• Dont take it personally.
• Advice from company that rejected me?
• Self confidence is very important.
• There is a job out there for you.
• The Career Center can help!

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Raffle Time

• Great prizes!
• Corporate Gifts
• Local Gift Certificates
• Bowling Coupons
• A Very Special Parking Spot

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The Career Center Wishes You

• A Successful Job Search!