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@COE: The Electronic Newsletter for The University of Tennessee's College of Engineering College images

For the week of 7 October 2009

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Welcome, students, to the new Career Services version of @COE. This e-newsletter will reach you weekly with announcements, news, articles and opportunities from the fine folks in Dunford Hall.

From help finding a summer internship or post-graduation employment to workshops and articles, the Career Services @COE newsletter has got you covered!

 

Career Services Announcements

Now Hiring: Peer Career Advisors (Paid position)

For Spring 2010

NOT YOUR AVERAGE PART-TIME JOB!

Peer Advisors

Peer Career Advisors are trained and supervised paraprofessionals who provide career assistance to other students through UT Career Services. Responsibilities of Peer Career Advisors include critiquing resumes, assisting students with the use of the Career Resource Center, job search strategies, interview skills and promoting UT Career Services.

There are Many Reasons to be a Peer Career Advisor!

Attend an Information Session to Learn More: Tuesday, October 27, 4 p.m. or Wednesday, October 28, 4 p.m. in Career Services, 100 Dunford Hall

Visit http://career.utk.edu/peerad/peerad.php for application and more details!

APPLICATIONS DUE NOVEMBER 2

Questions? Contact: Elizabeth Pallardy epallardy@utk.edu

 

September 2009 Career Services Workshops & Events

Smoky!

For a list of all upcoming Career Services workshops and events, visit our newly designed website at career.utk.edu and click on “All Events” in the “Upcoming Events” box on the right

Remember that all December 2009 and May/August 2010 graduates should now have a resume on the HIRE-A-VOL system and be actively applying for engineering opportunities. Over half of the job offers for May graduates are usually made and accepted by January 1st! Resume critiques and mock interviews are available by appointment at Career Services year-round.

 

October 2009 Company Information Sessions

If you are interested in a company, you should always try to attend their information sessions to learn more about them, obtain an interview or just be better prepared for an interview you have already scheduled with them!

Hire-A-Vol

There are 200 positions available on HIRE-A-VOL looking for ENGINEERS and 15 engineering companies (plus those that accept all majors) who have already set up their Fall 2009 On-Campus Interview dates and are now accepting engineering resumes through HIRE-A-VOL including:

To register for the HIRE-A-VOL system and start your job search for part-time and full-time job opportunities, visit the Career Services website at http://career.utk.edu and click on the HIRE-A-VOL logo.

 

Why Should We Hire You?

By Carole Martin, Monster Contributing Writer, Monster.com

This is another broad question that can take you down the wrong road unless you've done some thinking ahead of time. This question is purely about selling yourself. Think of yourself as the product. Why should the customer buy?

The Wrong Track

Spencer answers by saying, "Because I need and want a job." That's nice, but the bottom line here is, "What can you do for us?"

Mariana says, "I'm a hard worker and really want to work for this company." The majority of people think of themselves as hard workers—and why this company?

The Right Track

Tom's answer to this question is, "Because I'm a good fit for the position." Getting warmer, but more details, please.

Sharon answers, "I have what it takes to solve problems and do the job." This is the best answer so far. Expand on this, and you've got it.

Develop a Sales Statement

The more detail you give, the better your answer will be. This is not a time to talk about what you want. Rather, it is a time to summarize your accomplishments and relate what makes you unique.

Product Inventory Exercise

The bottom line of this question is, "What can you do for this company?"

Start by looking at the job description or posting. What is the employer stressing as requirements of the job? What will it take to get the job done? Make a list of those requirements.

Next, do an inventory to determine what you have to offer as a fit for those requirements. Think of two or three key qualities you have to offer that match those the employer is seeking. Don't underestimate personal traits that make you unique; your energy, personality type, working style and people skills are all very relevant to any job.

The Sales Pitch: You Are the Solution

From the list of requirements, match what you have to offer and merge the two into a summary statement. This is your sales pitch. It should be no more than two minutes long and should stress the traits that make you unique and a good match for the job.

Example: "From our conversations, it sounds as if you're looking for someone to come in and take charge immediately. It also sounds like you are experiencing problems with some of your database systems. With my seven years of experience working with financial databases, I have saved companies thousands of dollars by streamlining systems. My high energy and quick learning style enable me to hit the ground and size up problems rapidly. My colleagues would tell you I'm a team player who maintains a positive attitude and outlook. I have the ability to stay focused in stressful situations and can be counted on when the going gets tough. I'm confident I would be a great addition to your team."

What Makes You Unique?

Completing an exercise around this question will allow you to concentrate on your unique qualities. Like snowflakes, no two people are alike. Take some time to think about what sets you apart from others.

Let the interviewer know that you have been listening to the problem and have what it takes to do the job—that you are the solution to the problem.

 

Top Employers for the Class of 2009

Which employers were most competitive in hiring graduates from the Class of 2009? Based upon the number of offers reported, accounting and engineering firms head the list, according to results of NACE’s Fall 2009 Salary Survey. Meanwhile, although employers in the petroleum and gas products field rank ninth on the list in terms of the number of offers reported, they offered the highest average annual salary ($73,245).

Top Employers for 2008-09 Bachelor’s Degree Graduates*

2009 NACE chart

* Fall 2009 Salary Survey, National Association of Colleges & Employers

 

If you have questions, comments or concerns regarding the Career Services @COE, please send them to L. Ashley Susong at lsusong@utk.edu.