Job Search Strategies from Recruiters

1. RPI SOPHOMORE CAREER EXPERIENCE Job Search Strategies from Recruiters February 13, 2008 Anne Dean and Doug Slingerland

2. JOB SEARCH STRATEGY OVERVIEW • RESEARCHING YOUR IDEAL JOB - KNOW YOURSELF • Know your own interests and preferences • RESEARCHING YOUR IDEAL JOB - KNOW YOUR OPPORTUNITIES • Identify companies that match your interests • COLLEGE RECRUITING PROCESS – INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE • COLLEGE RECRUITING PROCESS – STUDENT PERSPECTIVE • SHARING PERSONAL EXPERIENCES FROM RECRUITERS

3. RESEARCHING YOUR IDEAL JOB - KNOW YOURSELF Identify Your Personal Experience and Interests • What is your ideal job after graduation? • What areas are you NOT interested in working? • Think about previous professional or academic experiences • What things are you willing to compromise on, and which are you not? • Do you have a geographic preference? • Do you thrive in a fast-paced high-stress environment, or do you prefer time to analyze a situation before making a decision? • Do you prefer a hands-on environment? • Do you prefer to work with a lot of people or on your own? Identify Your Personal Limitations • Are you willing to relocate? • Are you willing to travel? If yes, how much? • Are you afraid of heights or confined spaces?

4. WHAT JOB IS RIGHT FOR YOU? GROUP ACTIVITY Raise your hand if you want to stay in the North East Raise your hand if you want to travel internationally Raise your hand if you want to travel more than 50% of the time Raise your hand if you want to have a desk job

5. IDENTIFY COMPANIES THAT MATCH YOUR INTERESTS The company website is a prime source of information • Find out what opportunities exist at the companies you are interested in • Determine what types of positions offered match your interests and limitations Utilize recent hires or interns you know personally • These people can give you first hand knowledge of what it is like to work at a company from the perspective of a new hire • Work conditions may vary between different positions or locations/sites a company has • Use RPI department contacts to locate and talk with recent hires and interns Network through RPI to get in contact with Alumni • Use Alumni to find out more about the industry and company • Attend alumni chapter meetings • Keep in mind that you are not soliciting for a job, just information on the company

6. MAKING CONTACT WITH RECRUITERS – WHERE DO WE SEE YOU? Your Resume – Sell Yourself • RedHawk Job Link - You need to be in the system to start the process • Company Website - Many companies require an on-line resume and application before the interview • Association Resume Books – AIChE, SWE, etc. Career Fair – Make Yourself Stand Out! Company Information Sessions – learn more about us Campus Interviews – get your foot in the door Phone Screening – alternative to site interviews Site Interviews – are you a good match? Email and Informal Phone Calls – be professional in all communications

7. COLLEGE RECRUITING PROCESS – INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE Resume Pre-Screening – 1st pass • ExxonMobil pre-screens almost all candidates for on-campus interviews • Sell Yourself – September SCE presentation has more details on resume writing • Other sources recruiters use for pre-screening resumes • Association resume books – AIChE, ASME, SWE, NSBE/SHPE, etc. • Professor or Department Chair recommendations • Those we flagged for ‘future interest’ from previous recruiting season Career Fair – First Impressions Count! • About 400 people stop by a booth and leave a resume • Each recruiter can see anywhere from 50-200 students depending on company size and number of recruiters • Each candidate typically gets about 20-30 SECONDS to make an impression • Contact with each recruiter is like a mini-interview – treat it as such • Those who stand out are marked for further screening

8. COLLEGE RECRUITING PROCESS – INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE Interview Screening – 2nd Pass • Based on feedback from the Career Fair, resumes, and personal contact, recruiters select potential interviewees • Students must apply on-line to the company website AND through RedHawk Job Link before we can invite you to interview On campus interviews • On campus interviews are the main gateway for the recruiting process • For a large company like ExxonMobil, about 60 interview slots are available • What are we looking for on campus? • Academic Performance (G.P.A.) • Exceptional Analytical Skills • Strong Interpersonal and Communications Skills • Demonstrated Leadership • Adaptability • Job fit/interest

9. COLLEGE RECRUITING PROCESS – INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE Phone Screening /Phone Interview • Typically will be your first contact with individual sites • Recruiter may or may not have made up their mind on whether to invite for a site interview • Sometimes, but not always, recruiter will schedule a block of time for a phone interview • A phone screen is usually not scheduled and is a precursor to the site visit Site Interview • Primarily used to asses the job fit, may or may not have a significant technical component Job Offer • Last step in the recruiting process • Many companies have filled quotas by December/January for the summer

10. STUDENT PERSPECTIVE – YOU GOT THE INTERVIEW...NOW WHAT?! Before the Interview • Ensure you have met all pre-hire requirements (i.e. uploaded resume and transcript as required) • Attend Company Information Sessions • If you already have an interview, make every effort to attend info sessions • Do your homework, research before you attend • Ask questions about the company or types of jobs available • Discuss with the recruiter what a typical day is like • Do your homework • Visit the company website • Review printed materials from the Career Fair or CDC if available • Have a good idea of what type of job you are interested in • Understand how you may fit into the company

11. STUDENT PERSPECTIVE – YOU GOT THE INTERVIEW...NOW WHAT?! During the Interview • Be prepared with relevant questions • Understand the next steps in the process • Get contact information for any follow up questions After the interview • Follow up with interviewer with a thank you note, ask any additional questions • Respond promptly to all inquires

12. PHONE SCREENING/PHONE INTERVIEW Phone Screening - Many companies use a phone screen as a precursor to a site interview • The site contact has reviewed your paperwork and is interested inviting you for a second interview • For full time employment students nearly always have a second round of interviews on site Telephone Interviews - Many companies will use a phone interview instead of a site visit as a second round for summer intern and co-op positions Be prepared – Tips for Phone Interviews • Give a contact number on your resume which will always be answered, either in person or by an answering service/voice mail/answering machine • Make sure your voice mail message is clear and professional • Respond promptly to all enquiries – within 24 hours if at all possible • If a phone interview is scheduled, choose a quiet place, set aside enough time • Treat the phone interview as if you were being interviewed in person

13. ON SITE INTERVIEWS The site visit is typically a last step before the offer/no offer decision You are interviewing for a specific position in most cases Interview schedule and format will vary by company • Ask what the format will be before you arrive on site • Some companies do team or panel style interviews – this can be intimidating if you are not prepared ahead of time • Many companies will schedule interviews with a cross-section of employees • 2 to 3 technical interviews • 1 to 2 manager interviews • Human resources representative to review benefits and answer questions • You may have a ‘host’ who will guide you through the process • Typically a new or recent hire • Can give you a good perspective on relocation and social environment • Can give you an idea of the type of assignments you may have as a new employee

14. ON SITE INTERVIEWS Remember - This is a two-way interview • The company is evaluating if you are a good fit for their position • You should evaluate if the company is a good fit for you Some factors to consider/observe while on site • What position am I interviewing for? • What is a typical starting assignment? • Do people seem generally happy? • What is the corporate culture? • Do you feel comfortable in this working environment? Understand the Next Steps before you leave the site • Who is your primary contact on site? • How long will it take to make a decision? Follow up with a phone call in a few weeks if you have not been contacted

15. I GOT AN OFFER...NOW WHAT?! Some companies will give ‘spot offers’ during the site visit, others may take up to 2-3 weeks to contact you directly Companies typically allow several weeks for response from the candidate Don’t be afraid to ask for more time if you have a legitimate reason • For Example - If you are waiting for a response from another company • Companies may or may not be flexible on timing of your offer Evaluate offers based on what factors are important to YOU • Think back to your list of priorities • Consider your long term goals as well as short term

16. EMAIL AND INFORMAL PHONE CALLS WITH RECRUITERS Phone Calls • Give a contact number on your resume which will always be answered, either in person or by an answering service/voice mail/answering machine • Make sure your voice mail message is clear and professional • Respond promptly to all enquiries – within 24 hours if at all possible Email Correspondence • List a valid email address on your resume • Respond promptly to all enquiries – within 24 hours if at all possible • Be clear and concise in your writing • Proofread before you send • Include additional contact information if necessary

17. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE FROM RECRUITERS Factors Considered • Graduate school • Which company to join • Previous internship and co-op experiences Recent Job Search Experience

18. ANY QUESTIONS?

19. ONLINE RESEARCHSTART WITH RPI WEB RESOURCES • Employer Research Links: Here you'll find links to major employer research sites; Chambers of Commerce (US and International); "Lists of Lists;" on-line newspapers and news links; business magazines; and much more. This will help you find companies to apply for and prepare for interviews. • Job and Career Information Sites: Specific links broken out by majors/occupations, fields of interest, desired location, ones targeted at underrepresented minority students, and not-for-profit companies. • Job Search Tools: Information on resumes, cover letters, networking, etc. Tools to help you get the job. • Department Website: Learn more about your field and opportunities for undergraduate research projects, industry conferences, local networking events, and even employment opportunities. • Trade Shows and Associations: Learn about professional organizations in your field to help you get more in touch with the industry and meet others who could help you attain a position. • Salary Information: Important to help you negotiate an offer and know what you are worth. • Alumni Events and Networking Opportunities:Learn about regional chapters and contact local President to help you set up informational interviews and meet others in the field and location.