Landing Your First Job

as an Engineer

Sherrie Myers
UBC Engineering Co-
op
February 23, 2006
 Overview
 Searching for Job
Opportunities
 Writing an effective Resume
 Creating targeted Cover
Letters
 Tips for successful Job
Interviews
Job Search
 Job Search
Step 1: Know yourself to sell yourself
 Know your:
Skills, abilities, & achievements
Values & interests

Step 2: Plan
 Set goals & milestones
 Invest time in creating a strong
resume
 Job Search
Step 3: Know the Industry
 Identify employers that match your
skills, abilities, interests & values
 Use many resources

Step 4: Network
 Let everyone know you are job
hunting!
 Get involved in industry associations
 Job Search
Step 5: Apply for jobs
 Respond to postings
 Contact potential employers (“warm &
cold”)
Step 6: Keep Going
 Keep records
 Send “thank you”
 Think positive!
Resume Writing
 Resume Writing
Purposes of your resume:

To demonstrate that you have the

qualities that an employer is seeking

To highlight your skills and experience

in a way that makes a prospective
employer want to interview you
 Resume Writing

Developing Resume Content

 For each Work Experience or Project:
What did you do? Use numbers and be
specific!
What did the organization do?
What type of environment did you work in?
Did you receive any special training?
Who did you interact with on the job?
 Resume Writing
Using Accomplishment Statements
 “Planned fundraising events for
fraternity”
…becomes…
 “Utilized strong project management
skills to plan and execute fundraising
events for fraternity which raised
more than $10,000 over a two year
period”
 Resume Writing
Tips for Resumes:
• Use “Action” verbs
• Do not use words “I” or “me”
• Use numbers and technical terms
• Write in past tense except for
current jobs
• Check for spelling & grammatical
errors!
• Provide a good level of detail
 Resume Writing
Tips for Resume format:
2. 2 pages maximum
3. 10 – 12 pt standard fonts
4. 1 inch margins
5. Avoid fancy fonts, and graphics
Cover Letter Writing
 Cover Letter Writing

 Review and dissect the Job

Description
 Match your skills to the job
requirements
 Develop examples that demonstrate
your skills
 Cover Letter Writing
Tips for Creating letters with impact:
2. Write an interesting and original
opening – Why interested in job?
3. Make reference to employer’s
industry, product or service
4. Provide examples of your technical &
transferable skills - tie these to job
requirements
5. Be reader centered, not writer
centered
 Cover Letter Writing
Tips for formatting:
2. Check that company name, contact
name & date are correct
3. Check grammar & spelling!
4. Keep it to one page, 10-12 pt font
5. Leave space between paragraphs
6. Use varied sentence lengths and
structures
 Cover Letter Writing

Cover Letter DON’Ts:

2. Do not write form letters!
3. Do not use words such as “love” and
“dream”
4. Do not use arrogant expressions (“I have
such vast experience that I am the only
candidate for you”)
5. Do not include information that doesn’t
relate directly to the position
Interview Skills
 Interview Skills
Behavioural-based Interviewing:

Your actions in the past are the

best indicator of future behaviour
 Interview Skills
A good answer:
 Describes a specific past
event which relates to the
skill being asked about
 Has enough detail to
demonstrate that the event
actually occurred.
 Puts you in a positive light.
 Interview Skills
Tips for a Great Interview:
2. Be punctual
3. Make a good first impression
4. Dress appropriately
5. Speak clearly
6. Be friendly and enthusiastic
7. Convey positive body language
8. Avoid nervous habits such as playing
with pen
Interview Skills

Predict
Prepare
Practice
 Summary
 Begin your job search now and
network!
 Spend time on your resume
 Write personalized cover letters
 Prepare extensively for interviews

 Mostimportantly - Stay positive

and persistent, it will pay off!
GOOD LUCK!