ENGINEERING CAREER SERVICES

ENGINEERING CAREER SERVICES

199 Hitchcock Hall 614-292-6651 STUDENT HANDBOOK
2050 Neil Ave. 614-292-4794 (FAX)
Columbus, OH [email protected]
43210 ecs.osu.edu
ECS PARTNERS CONTENTS
PLATINUM BASICS
1 Tools and Resources
2 Keys to Career Success
3 4 Year Career Plan

DOCUMENTS
4 Professional Documents
5 Curriculum Vitae
6 Resume Example
7 Resume Tips
8 Writing Your Resume
9 Resume Action Verbs
10 References
11 Cover Letter
12 Job Posting Example
13 Tailored Cover Letter
SCARLET 14 Correspondence Samples

JOB SEARCH
15 Job Search
16 Making a Positive Impression
17 Elevator Pitch
18 Attire
19 Getting Results
20 Job Search Concerns
22 ENGR 4191
23 Alternatives to Intern/Co-Op
24 Annual Events

INTERVIEWS
26 Interview Format
27 Remote Interviews
GRAY 28 In-Person Interviews
29 Standard Questions
30 Behavioral Questions
32 S.T.A.R. Format
33 Technical Questions
34 Closing the Interview

OFFERS
35 Handling Job Offers
36 Compensation
37 Salary Negotiation

YOUR JOB SEARCH PLAN

38 Your Job Search Plan
39 Notes
ECS OVERVIEW TOOLS AND RESOURCES
ABOUT US PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE
ECS provides engineering students and employers with guidance and ECS Career Advisors provide professional help with resumes
opportunities to connect; empowering students to attain lifelong career and other job search documents, interview strategies, job offer
management and employment goals. deadlines, salary negotiations, and more during 30-minute,
scheduled appointments. For quick questions, we provide
REGISTRATION STEPS 10-minute drop-in sessions during limited hours daily.
1. Agree to the ECS Policies in Handshake.
HANDSHAKE
A “one-stop shop” for finding jobs, researching employers, keeping
tabs on ECS events, and accessing templates (resume, cover letter,
etc.). The Resources tab under Career Center includes timelines,
diversity guides, career and major specific guides, interview tips,
graduate school information, and more. It also provides links to
external job search and career planning resources.

2. Upload your resume in Handshake and await “resume received” WORKSHOPS

message from ECS. ECS presents a variety of workshops every autumn and spring
term to help you find success in your job search. Topics vary
annually, but cover themes such as career fair preparation,
professionalism, networking, job searching, interviewing, and
salary negotiation.

JOB BLOG
The ECS Job Blog covers tips on finding success during your
engineering career, co-op, or internship search. It is located on
our website: ecs.osu.edu/blog.

ALUMNI PROFILES
Engineering alumni offer insight into their career paths and
advice for success. Review profiles to learn about possible roles,
industries, and companies to consider. Profiles are located on our
website: ecs.osu.edu.

GOINGLOBAL
MISSED ECS APPOINTMENT POLICY This resource helps domestic students who are looking for work
Not attending your scheduled ECS appointment without canceling in abroad as well as international students who are looking for work
advance results in a No Show status. in the U.S. International students can identify U.S. employers that
are flexible on work authorization. Find GoinGlobal in Handshake
First No Show to get started.
ECS will send a notification message via Handshake regarding
the missed appointment.

Second No Show
ECS will send a notification message via Handshake regarding
the missed appointment, reiterating Missed Appointment Policy.

Third No Show
You will lose your privilege to schedule appointments in advance
with ECS staff.

1 BASICS
KEYS TO CAREER SUCCESS 4 YEAR CAREER PLAN
Success in the workplace requires a combination of skills, Students are encouraged to take advantage of all career services and
competencies, and experience. When recruiting talented engineers, build upon their career plan by continuing to incorporate activities from
employers assess your potential by reviewing your documents and previous years. Therefore, many of these career plan steps will be
interactions via interviews and events. Based on research by the repeated throughout a student’s academic career.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), ECS spotlights
8 Keys to Career Success. FIRST YEAR
• Register with ECS.
CRITICAL THINKING • Get involved on campus by volunteering or joining a club.
Analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems by • Attend a career fair. Practice introducing yourself to employers.
interpreting facts and exercising reason. • Create a resume and have it reviewed by an ECS Career Advisor.
• Volunteer to acquire experience and/or secure a summer job.
COMMUNICATION • Attend Intern Week Events to prepare for internship/co-op search.
Effectively exchange information and ideas verbally and in writing
with a variety of audiences. SECOND YEAR
• Register with ECS if you have not done so already.
TEAMWORK • Discuss your major and what term(s) would be best for a co-op/
Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively internship with your Academic Advisor.
with others towards common goals while appreciating diverse • Consider other resume builders (e.g., research, study abroad,
viewpoints and shared responsibility. project teams) that will add value to your career goals.
• Be active on campus by assuming leadership roles.
TECHNOLOGY • Actively apply to co-op/internship opportunities through Handshake
Understand and leverage digital technologies ethically and efficiently and company websites.
to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals. • Connect with peers via Handshake.
• Participate in ECS events: information sessions, workshops, employer
LEADERSHIP panels, and Recruiter-In-Residence.
Use empathy to guide others, recognize personal and team • Attend engineering career fairs each semester.
strengths, and achieve individual and organizational goals.
THIRD YEAR
PROFESSIONALISM • Continue to build your network with faculty, advisors, and supervisors
Understand and demonstrate effective work habits, learn from for future networking and reference purposes.
mistakes, and act in the interest of the larger community.
FOURTH YEAR
SELF-AWARENESS • Attend Career Week Events to prepare for your job search.
Identify, articulate, and promote skills, strengths, knowledge, and • Stay connected with ECS and continue to build your network with
experiences relevant to personal growth and professional success. faculty, advisors, and supervisors for future networking and
reference purposes.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION • Begin actively applying for full-time positions the fall prior to
Understand and respect diverse perspectives and demonstrate your graduation.
consideration for individual, community, and organizational viewpoints. • Attend career fairs and various networking events with employers.

PRO TIP: Looking to develop your skills related to these keys?

Identify workshops that enhance your career competencies
by locating the keys listed at the bottom of each workshop’s
Handshake description.

2 BASICS 3 BASICS
PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTS CURRICULUM VITAE
APPLICANT TRACKING SOFTWARE (ATS) A curriculum vitae (CV) is a comprehensive document that details ALL
A majority of employers input candidates’ resumes into their databases of your past education, experiences, and proficiencies, including public
using applicant tracking software (ATS). ATS screens, parses, scores, presentations, academic writing, and professional development.
and ranks uploaded resumes by comparing job requirements to
resumes that list matching skills and experience. The systems used The main differences between a resume and a CV include:
are typically programmed to scan for keywords, previous employers,
experience, and schools the candidate has attended. • Content: While resumes typically target a particular industry or job
type, a CV is broader. CVs provide a thorough overview of your life’s
TIPS AND GUIDELINES accomplishments, usually focusing on experiences in academia. A
• Avoid using the outdated templates included in Microsoft Word. CV would include areas of academic interests, education, grants,
• Avoid columns, italics, underlining, and symbols. All formatting should honors, awards, publications, presentations, teaching experience,
be consistent throughout your document. research experience, work experience, professional
• Keep margins at 1”, but sides and bottom margins can be 0.5” if memberships, references, etc.
additional space is needed. • Length: Recommended length for a resume is 1 page per degree
• Use a conservative 10-12 pt. font for professional document body text. level. It would not be unusual for a CV to be 4-6 pages in length for a
• Proofread all documents to ensure they have proper grammar, graduate student.
punctuation, and are error-free. • Job Focus: CVs are used primarily when applying for international,
• Use appropriate language and avoid slang in all academic, education, scientific, medical, or research positions or
professional communication. when applying for fellowships or grants. Candidates looking for jobs in
• Update and tailor materials continually with GPA, skills, experiences, industry should opt for a resume.
and accomplishments relevant to the industry or position.
Typically PhD candidates will be the primary population using CVs. CVs
may also be accompanied by a one-page Philosophy of Education,
Philosophy in Instruction, Statement of Research Interests, or Statement
PRO TIP: Following a simple format, like those provided in the of Research Objectives.
ECS templates, will ensure your resume makes it into
the database successfully.

4 DOCUMENTS 5 DOCUMENTS
RESUME EXAMPLE RESUME TIPS
The resume should be continually updated to provide a summary of
your skills, abilities, and accomplishments. It is a “snapshot” of you and
does not have to incorporate everything you have ever done – rather it
is industry or job specific with the overall goal of securing an interview.
Accuracy and honesty are not optional, and everything on your resume
must be true. You can strategically omit some information, but ask an
ECS Career Advisor if you have questions.

• The objective helps the reader decide who receives it, serves as a
headline for your resume, and summarizes what you have to offer.

• List your overall GPA, major GPA, both, or neither (whichever makes
you look the best).

• Point out skills relevant to your major/job target first. Present skills in
clearly defined topic areas.

• Content should appear in reverse chronological or functional order.

• Incorporate volunteer work and organizations that you are involved

with outside of class. Give more detail (more bullets) for more
significant jobs.

• BS graduates should limit their resumes to one single-sided page.

MS and PhD candidates may need multiple pages or consider a
curriculum vitae. For multiple pages, your name and page numbers
should appear on the bottom (footer) of each page.

PRO TIP: Save your resume under a filename employers can

easily identify as yours, by including your first and last
name in the title.

6 DOCUMENTS 7 DOCUMENTS
WRITING YOUR RESUME RESUME ACTION VERBS
Resumes should be tailored to your experiences and job search goals. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
If you have more than one goal (e.g., a summer internship and a full- Addressed, Authored, Corresponded, Demonstrated, Developed,
time job after graduation) create multiple resumes – even if only the Directed, Drafted, Edited, Formulated, Influenced, Interpreted,
objective is different. Your resume establishes your image and value to Lectured, Mediated, Negotiated, Presented, Promoted, Publicized,
an employer. A poor resume will make your job search more difficult and Recruited, Translated, Wrote
may prevent you from receiving interviews. Use the ECS templates
in the Handshake Resource Library for section ideas and ATS FINANCIAL SKILLS
compatible formatting. Allocated, Appraised, Audited, Budgeted, Calculated, Computed,
Managed, Planned, Projected, Reconciled
STANDARD SECTIONS
• Name and Contact Information LEADERSHIP SKILLS
• Objective Administered, Assigned, Chaired, Consolidated, Coordinated,
• Education Delegated, Directed, Enabled, Established, Executed, Expanded,
• Skills or Qualifications (including coursework highlights) Facilitated, Guided, Improved, Increased, Initiated, Oversaw,
• Experience Produced, Revised, Solved, Streamlined, Supervised

RECOMMENDED SECTIONS ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS

• Project Experience or Academic Projects (especially valuable for Approved, Arranged, Classified, Compiled, Inspected, Invented,
those without engineering work experience) Maintained, Organized, Planned, Prepared, Prioritized, Processed,
• Honors Recorded, Screened, Validated
• Activities and Interests (including campus and community activities)
• Leadership RESEARCH SKILLS
Analyzed, Cataloged, Collected, Compared, Conducted,
Try this! Correlated, Critiqued, Determined, Diagnosed, Discovered,
Evaluated, Examined, Experimented, Extrapolated, Formulated,
EXPLAIN A PROJECT AS IT WOULD Gathered, Identified, Inspected, Interpreted, Investigated,
APPEAR ON YOUR RESUME. Monitored, Observed, Proved, Researched, Resolved, Reviewed,
See resume sample on p. 6 Simplified, Summarized, Surveyed, Tested

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Adjusted, Advanced, Altered, Amplified, Assembled, Built,
Coded, Computed, Constructed, Converted, Designed,
Developed, Devised, Eliminated, Engineered, Explored,
Fabricated, Generated, Installed, Integrated, Measured, Obtained,
Programmed, Remodeled, Repaired, Restored, Synthesized,
Trained, Upgraded, Utilized

8 DOCUMENTS 9 DOCUMENTS
REFERENCES COVER LETTER
References are professional contacts who can validate your Targeted cover letters, when written correctly, can enhance your
qualifications for a job. You should have a separate page that lists 3-5 application and pinpoint what qualifications you have that an employer
references with their contact information. Have a list ready to provide is seeking for a particular position. A one-size-fits-all approach is not
should an employer ask. the route to take! Cover letters are not necessary for all applications,
however, when applying on a company’s website or via a public job
Family members and friends are not suitable references. Appropriate board, you are competing against many more applicants. To stand out
references might include: supervisor, professor, advisor, manager, among the competition, use an error-free, tailored cover letter with brief
co-worker, or coach. Contact your references prior to disclosing their and positive language.
information to ask if they would serve as a positive reference for you. It
is best practice to inform them when you begin actively searching, and 3 PARTS TO A COVER LETTER
provide them with an updated resume. Maintain contact with 1. The Introduction: Tell the reader why you are writing, the specific
your references. job you are applying for (include job number if available), how you
learned about the posting, and a general statement about why you
Include the following information for each reference: would be a strong contender for the job.
2. The Body: Convince the employer what specific attributes you have
• Full Name that match up with the job description, company, or industry. Focus
• Work Title on 4-6 related “selling points” that you can back up with evidence
• Company Name based statements. Do not just repeat your resume, and do not
• Phone Number mention attributes you possess that are unrelated to the opportunity.
• Email Address 3. The Closing: Reiterate your interest and fit for the position. Request
• Relationship to person the interview. Encourage the reader to read your resume to learn
more about you.

PRO TIP: When emailing a cover letter, include the letter in the
body of your email.

REFERENCE REQUEST EXAMPLE

SUBJECT: Professional Reference Request
Dear Mr. Smith,

I am sending you this email in hopes you will be a positive reference

for me during my job search this fall. Throughout my time working
with you, I was able to grow professionally. This experience has really
helped me become an ideal employee. [Include a specific project/
experience that contributed to your skillset.] I hope you would be able
to attest to my reliability and willingness to learn. I have attached my
current resume for your review. Thank you for your consideration.

Regards,
Ann Gray

10 DOCUMENTS 11 DOCUMENTS
JOB POSTING EXAMPLE TAILORED COVER LETTER

ENERGY ENGINEERING SPRING CO-OP Dear Hiring Manager:

Buckeye Engineering
I am applying for the Sustainability & Energy Services Spring Co-op
Full-Time Internship Columbus, OH Paid Posted Nov 19 position (Job ID: 12345) that was advertised through Engineering Career
Services’ Handshake online system. I learned more about Buckeye
Engineering at Ohio State’s Expo, and I was very excited to learn that
the company is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability.
Applications close on April 30th, 2021 at 8:00 am APPLY
My qualifications match up well with Buckeye’s needs outlined in the job
posting, including:

• Pursuing a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree (BS) in an energy related

program: I have been successful thus far in my Environmental
DESCRIPTION Engineering program; I have currently earned a 3.4 GPA. My
Buckeye Engineering is a leading consulting engineering firm founded sophomore year, I was also involved in the Green Scholars Program,
in 1932 by Brutus Buckeye. Buckeye has carried Brutus’s name and his where I learned more about a variety of “green” technologies. This
commitment to engineering excellence by providing engineering design included both sustainable building and energy practices.
and consulting services for high performance buildings. • Excellent oral communication skills: I have practiced my technical,
oral communication skills in several of my engineering courses. My
Our continued success and devotion to engineering excellence has first year, I presented my team’s results for the Advanced Energy
created a need for a Sustainability & Energy Services Spring Co-op for Vehicle (AEV) competition. Last year, I collaborated on the Green
our Columbus office. As an Energy Engineering Co-op, you will be part Engineering Research Project and co-presented our findings to a
of a team that is responsible for facilitating on-site energy assessments, group of 60+.
utility analyses, and utility rebate verifications. You will also develop and • Strong technical writing skills: In both the AEV and Green
implement energy conservation measures, and construct and perform Engineering Research Projects listed above, lengthy technical reports
building energy simulations, renewable energy feasibility studies, field were compiled. The report for my group’s AEV project resulted in
measurement and verification processes, and green building rating “Best Documentation” for my course section.
system management applying LEED, Green Globes, and ENERGY • Effective at working with others in a fast-paced environment: My
STAR. Involvement may cover schools, hospitals, industrial facilities, previous summer job as a server at First Watch relied on both my
data centers, churches, and general office buildings. If you want a great teamwork abilities and customer service in a fast-paced setting. I
career, join the Buckeye Engineering team. typically worked weekends, which were the busiest. My supervisor
recognized my performance by asking me to train 2 other servers
QUALIFICATIONS that summer.
• Pursuing a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering and/or energy
related program. Buckeye Engineering’s involvement in a wide variety of projects,
• Excellent oral communication skills, ability to effectively communicate paired with the possibility of applying my knowledge of environmental
technical concepts. engineering concepts to hands-on experiences, is very exciting to me. I
• Strong technical writing skills, ability to prepare and review look forward to learning more about this opportunity and discussing my
formal reports. qualifications in an interview. Thank you for your consideration.
• Detail-oriented, having the ability to perform thorough peer reviews of
work product deliverables. Sincerely,
• Excellent time manager, comfortable with frequent deadlines
and transitions. Scarlett Ann Gray
• Effective at working with co-workers in a fast-paced environment.

12 DOCUMENTS 13 DOCUMENTS
CORRESPONDENCE SAMPLES JOB SEARCH
NETWORKING
DECLINE OFFER EXAMPLE Networking is important as it enables you to gather information about
SUBJECT: Engineering Intern Offer a job, career, industry, or location of interest. Making contacts and
Dear Mr. Brown,
building relationships on a professional, personal, or social level helps
I truly enjoyed meeting with you and other representatives from ZZZ, Inc. while learning
you uncover job opportunities too.
firsthand about your roles and operations.
Thank you for your offer to be an Engineer Intern with ZZZ, Inc. Unfortunately, I had a Networking Takes Practice!
difficult decision and have decided to pursue another opportunity. Thank you again for • Attend career fairs, information sessions, or job shadows.
your consideration. • Sign up for mock interviews.
Sincerely, • Talk with faculty, advisors, alumni, current/former employers,
Laura Buckeye and relatives.

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS
ACCEPT OFFER EXAMPLE • A one-on-one conversation with someone who has a job you might
SUBJECT: R&D Engineer Intern Offer like, who is employed by a specific company or industry of interest.
• Purpose is to gather advice and information. You want your new
Dear Ms. Jones,
connection to like you, trust you, and refer you.
It is with great excitement that I accept the offer for the position of R&D Engineer Intern.
Attached is my signed offer letter. I look forward to joining the ABC team and am confident
in the contributions I will make to the organization. Per our phone conversation, I look LINKEDIN
forward to starting work on Monday, August 10th. Please feel free to contact me if you have LinkedIn is the world’s largest professional online network with over
any questions. Thank you again for this opportunity. 575 million members. It connects you to contacts and helps users
Sincerely,
exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities.
Brutus Smith

Creating a Strong Profile

• Choose a professional photo that shows you with a friendly
FOLLOW-UP EXAMPLE expression and business or business casual clothing.
SUBJECT: Engineering Spring Co-op • Create a headline with area of study and/or career ambition.
• Briefly describe your experience, areas of interest, and what jobs you
Dear Mrs. Hernandez,
are currently seeking.
I recently applied for your Spring Co-op Position (Job ID: 46875). I wanted to reiterate
my strong interest and follow up about my application status. My project experience and • Demonstrate you are well-rounded by including diverse experiences:
technical skills prove I would be a great match. I would appreciate the opportunity to talk volunteering, internships, and co-curricular activities.
with you when you begin scheduling interviews. • Collect a variety of recommendations to help build your credibility.
Kind regards,
Dominque Scarlett Getting Started
• Add professional contacts, friends, and family.
• Join groups.
REQUEST EXTENSION EXAMPLE • Follow companies.
SUBJECT: Engineering Intern Offer • Reach out to alumni and industry professionals.
Dear Mrs. Niu,
Identifying Opportunities
I am very thankful for the opportunity to be an intern at XYZ Logistics and continue to be
interested in the experiences I know I will be afforded there. As I am considering the offer,
• Follow company pages to view open positions and current
I was hoping you could extend the decision deadline to [specific date]. Please let me know employee profiles.
if this is a possibility as I want to take careful consideration when making my decision while • Visit linkedin.com/jobs for entry-level jobs and internships. Once you
being respectful of your timelines. Thank you. apply, employers can see your full LinkedIn profile.
Best, • Follow up on an application with a message to the recruiter who
Carmen Buck posted the opportunity (find this information in the posting). Briefly
explain how you fit and restate your interest in the job.

14 DOCUMENTS 15 JOB SEARCH

MAKING A POSITIVE IMPRESSION ELEVATOR PITCH
• Wear appropriate attire. Determine dress code prior to event. A short summary that describes who you are, what you do, what you
• RSVP (if applicable). This shows courtesy to event organizers. want to do, and how you can be a resource to your listeners.
• Bring copies of your resume. Do not be upset if the employer does
not take them. If they invite you to apply online, do so. Answering these questions should help you create an elevator pitch:
• Prepare your elevator pitch. If there is time for networking, this will
help you start the conversation and confidently communicate your • Who am I?
skills and career interests. • What do I offer?
• Take notes and ask thoughtful questions. • Why am I interested in the company or industry the
• Engage with recruiters and request business cards. Business cards person represents?
will help you maintain contact with your network. • What are the unique contributions I can make?
• Follow up with employers. If provided, you can use recruiters’ email
addresses to stay in contact. If not, LinkedIn allows you to connect EXAMPLE
with professional contacts. Remind recruiters of who you are,
where you met them, and the subject of your conversation “Hello I am Mary Jones. I am a junior attending The Ohio State
when following up. University. My major is in mechanical engineering, and I am
interested in pursuing a career in the automotive industry. In my
current role as the transmission team leader for Ohio State’s
Buckeye Bullet, I have developed knowledge of automotive design
and demonstrated leadership and communication skills. I also work
as an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant helping first-year students
learn design fundamentals using MATLAB and SOLIDWORKS. I am
interested in a co-op or internship for this summer and am excited
about the prospect of contributing to X Company’s commitment to
excellence and innovation.” [Insert an open-ended question to start a
Try this! natural conversation.]

USE THE HANDSHAKE EMPLOYER DIRECTORY

TO RESEARCH EMPLOYERS. Try this!

List two companies you would like to connect with at a recruiting WRITE YOUR OWN ELEVATOR PITCH.
event and two talking points for each.

Company:

1.

2.

Company:

1.

2.

Two companies you had not heard of that you will explore.

1. 2.

16 JOB SEARCH 17 JOB SEARCH

ATTIRE GETTING RESULTS
OCCASIONS Are you having trouble with your job search? If so, implement the best
• Interviews: Business professional unless otherwise noted practices below.
• Career Fairs: Professional attire or business casual
• Information Sessions: Business casual (relaxed) IMPROVE YOUR RESUME
• Employer lunches/dinners/receptions: Business casual; for nice If you are not getting interviews, your resume may need help.
dinners or formal receptions wear business professional Successfully highlight applicable experience and skills. Schedule a
resume consultation appointment with an ECS Career Advisor for help.
BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CASUAL
EXPAND YOUR SEARCH
Maintain flexibility regarding locations! Be realistic about where
opportunities are available, and be willing to take the necessary path to
achieve your goals. Avoid focusing all your energy on applying to “big
name” companies. Smaller businesses have great benefits too.

ENHANCE YOUR INTERVIEW ABILITIES

Do your interview skills need improvement? ECS can help. Tune up your
interview skills by attending an Interview Strategies workshop, seeking
interview coaching, and participating in mock interviews.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ECS EVENTS

Attend ECS events such as employer information sessions, career fairs,
and employer panels. Take every opportunity to meet with recruiters
hiring Ohio State engineering students. See events on p. 24 for options.
• Dark business suit (pant or skirt) • Polo
• Long sleeve collared shirt • Tailored dress pants BE PERSISTENT
• Classic and conservative tie • Knee-length skirt or dress When it comes to your job search, keep at it! You are not likely to get a
• Belt • Collared shirt job with one or two interviews. Remain constant with your networking
• Polished dark leather shoes and • Blouse efforts – attend information sessions, career fairs, and follow up.
coordinating dark dress socks • Blazer
• Low heels or flat dress shoes • Sweater DEMONSTRATE PROFESSIONALISM
• Knee-length skirt • Belt Employers want candidates who are focused, polished, and will
• Conservative blouse • Dress socks represent their company well. Research yourself online. Review your
• Neutral hosiery • Dress shoes social media presence and remove content that could portray you
• Minimal jewelry • Low heels or flat dress shoes as unprofessional.

OTHER TIPS
• Cover tattoos
• Remove piercings (except ear)
• All clothes should be clean,
pressed, and well-fitted
• Very light/no fragrance

PRO TIP: Unless you know the dress code prior,

dress conservatively when you begin work, then adjust based on
office norms.

18 JOB SEARCH 19 JOB SEARCH

JOB SEARCH CONCERNS JOB SEARCH CONCERNS
FRAUDULENT POSTINGS WORK AUTHORIZATION AND EMPLOYMENT
ECS offers Handshake as a resource for employers to connect with International students seeking employment in the U.S. often find their
students seeking internships, co-ops, and full-time jobs. While we strive job search more challenging than expected. In order to increase your
to ensure the legitimacy and accuracy of job postings, we are not able chances of securing employment, ECS recommends that you
to fully validate the integrity of all employers and contacts listing job do the following:
postings on Handshake. Therefore, it is imperative that you use your own
discretion when applying to a job posting or interacting with a potential • Plan ahead! Work authorization rules will impact your job
employer, whether it be through Handshake or another platform. Avoid search timeline.
being taken advantage of by looking for these possible signs: • Understand your visa status and all the associated regulations.
• Educate yourself on Curricular Practicum Training (CPT), Optional
• The ad is poorly written. Practicum Training (OPT), and/or Academic Training (AT).
• It sounds too good to be true. • Meet with the Office of International Affairs to ensure you have a clear
• Emails are from a non-business email address. understanding of your ability to work in the U.S.
• You receive unsolicited emails from unidentified employers offering • Do not assume employers know what is involved in hiring an
you a job, with the exceptions being third party recruiters and international student.
employer resume referrals from ECS. • Enroll in ENGR 4191 (or a course similar to it) during the term of your
• Distinguishing information is missing. internship; ENGR 4191 is required to maintain CPT.
• You are being asked for personal information (like your social
security number). For more tips and insight regarding U.S. job search strategies, access
• You are being asked for money. the International Student Job Search Guide at
ecs.osu.edu/internationalstudents.
The good news is that most opportunities you encounter are legitimate.
However, as with any job search activity, research is always advised.
If something seems suspicious, trust your gut and investigate further
by visiting the employer’s website, Googling the company’s name with
the word “scam” to see if there is any cause for concern, or using sites
like the Better Business Bureau or Hoover’s to verify the organizations.
Visit ECS if you have further questions and please report any suspicious
activity to [email protected].

UNPAID POSITIONS
Engineering students should expect to receive payment, typically in the
form of an hourly wage, for their internship and co-op experiences. You
will be doing work that reflects the technical skills you have learned
in school, and you will be adding significant value to the organization.
Average hourly wages for OSU engineering students can be found at:
ecs.osu.edu/statistics/wages-salaries. There are some exceptions, such
as with hospitals and other non-profit organizations, where legitimate,
engineering related positions are unpaid. If you have been offered an
unpaid position, and have questions regarding it, please consult with
an ECS Career Advisor.

20 JOB SEARCH 21 JOB SEARCH

ENGR 4191 ALTERNATIVES TO INTERN/CO-OP
ENGR 4191: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN ENGINEERING Employers like to see hands-on experience relevant to your major.
• A zero-credit course with no meeting time for students who are on While typically in the form of a co-op/internship, other opportunities will
co-op/internship. also enhance your resume and give you practical experience.
• Fee is billed at one half-credit hour.
• Appears on transcript as “Professional Experience” for each RESEARCH
semester enrolled. Gain hands-on experience and broaden your knowledge base to further
• Graded S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). your skills for obtaining a job upon graduation or attending graduate
school. This can be done in a variety of ways:
WHY ENROLL
• Ensures eligibility for student health insurance while working. • Contact faculty in departments about supervision for
• Serves as enrollment verification for insurance if covered under independent study.
parents’ car and/or health policies. • Participate on research teams as sought out by faculty.
• Maintains student status for future term’s scheduling window. • Apply for positions through the Undergraduate Research Office.
• Provides the option to waive residence hall contract if working outside • Learn more about opportunities for undergraduate research
of Columbus. distinction, scholarships, and forums within the College of Engineering:
• Allows student rate for athletic tickets and RPAC pass. engineering.osu.edu/undergraduate/research.

HOW TO ENROLL STUDY ABROAD

• Report co-op/internship in Handshake by using the online form. Spending time abroad can enhance a variety of personal traits: maturity,
• Click “Career Center > Experiences > Request an Experience.” For independence, adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and responsibility.
“Experience Type” choose “ECS: Engineering Work Experience.” Employers are impressed by students who have taken the huge step to
• Fill out the form and choose “yes” to enroll in ENGR 4191. experience living in another country.
• Receive email confirmation after you are enrolled (it will also appear in
your BuckeyeLink Account). • The College of Engineering (COE) has a variety of study abroad
opportunities, including the Global Option in Engineering (GO ENGR).
FINANCIAL AID For information, visit: global.engineering.osu.edu/go-engr.
• No financial aid will disburse while enrolled in only ENGR 4191. The • Visit the International Opportunities page of the COE website to learn
course maintains scholarship, grant, and loan deferment. more, or email the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at:
• Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to confirm and review [email protected].
financial aid status.
• Engineering scholarship/grant students can direct questions to PROJECT TEAMS
[email protected]. Involvement in a project team appeals to employers. These require
a significant time commitment and allow you to put what is learned
ENGR 4191 AND WORK AUTHORIZATION in the classroom to practical use. Participation in a project team will
This course (or one similar to it) is required in order to maintain CPT. showcase knowledge and skills and also open doors for networking
• Ask your Academic Advisor to fill out and sign CPT form. with employers.
• Take the completed CPT form to the Office of International Affairs
(OIA) and receive new I-20. SHORT TERM PROJECTS
• Bring the new I-20 to ECS. Short term projects can be referred to by a number of names including
• Report co-op/internship in Handshake, making sure to select “yes” “gigs” and “micro-internships”. These are short-term, paid, professional
for ENGR 4191. experiences that can occur any time of the year. They are usually specific,
project-based assignments with a fixed deadline and payment amount.
Learn more about these positions in the Handshake Resource Library.

22 JOB SEARCH 23 JOB SEARCH

ANNUAL EVENTS
AUTUMN SEMESTER SPRING SEMESTER
AUGAUG 26 JANJAN 19
26 WELCOME BACK 19 OHIO STATE SPRING CAREER FAIR
Kick-off event celebrating the start of the academic year; network Career fair open to all Ohio State students and recent graduates.
with ECS staff and learn about upcoming career related events.

JAN JAN 25–29

SEPT SEPT 1 25 INTERN WEEK
1 PARTNER DAY Customizable menu of events incorporating workshops,
Casual way to connect with ECS partner employers through interactive sessions, and employer engagement opportunities
conversation; students are encouraged to submit resumes designed to help internship and co-op students feel confident
to representatives. and comfortable navigating the spring career fairs and job search.

SEPT SEPT 14–18 FEB FEB 3

14 CAREER WEEK 3 SWE FAIR
Customizable menu of events incorporating workshops, One-day career fair for ALL engineering students, showcasing
interactive sessions, and employer engagement opportunities 120+ employers recruiting for summer and fall positions.
designed to help students prepare for the full-time job search.

FEB FEB 16
SEPT SEPT 15–16 16 OHIO STATE SUMMER INTERNSHIP AND
15 OHIO STATE CAREER AND INTERNSHIP FAIR OPPORTUNITY FAIR
Career fair open to all Ohio State students and Fair designed to help students find summer resume-building
recent graduates. experiences such as internships, part-time summer jobs, full-time
summer jobs and volunteer opportunities.

SEPT SEPT 21, 24

21 ENGINEERING EXPO APR APR 5–MAY 2
Multi-day career fair providing engineering students with an 5 BUCKEYE ENGINEERS WORK
opportunity to meet 300+ employers recruiting for spring and Campaign to celebrate engineering employment and support
summer positions. students seeking positions through multiple program offerings.

APR
6
APR 6
SPRING INTO YOUR CAREER FAIR
Career fair with approximately 35 engineering employers seeking
candidates to fill immediate needs for summer and fall positions.
ECS organizes a variety of events throughout the fall and spring
semesters to connect students with employment opportunities.
Workshops and information sessions are offered throughout the
autumn and spring semester. Peak on-campus recruitment generally
occurs September - November and February - April.

24 JOB SEARCH 25 JOB SEARCH

INTERVIEW FORMAT REMOTE INTERVIEWS
BEFORE PREPARATION
• Practice your interviewing skills (p. 32). • Secure a designated time for your interview. However, if the recruiter
• Review the job description and learn more about the company calls you at an unexpected time, politely ask them to reschedule if it
through information provided in advance and/or their website. does not work for you. Determine who will be initiating the next call
• Know when you are available to work. before you end the conversation; consider time zone differences.
• Be well groomed and dress professionally (p. 18). • Prepare as you would for a face-to-face interview. Research
• Plan to be 15 minutes early. Double check the date, time, and location the employer, make a list of questions, review your list of skills,
of interview. and create supporting examples. Have your resume handy
for referencing.
PRO TIP: Attend an Interview Strategies workshop, • Find a quiet space; forewarn your roommates or family that you will be
seek interview coaching, and participate in conducting this call and limit distractions. Consider reserving a room
mock interviews. at ECS or a library on campus.

DURING NON-VERBAL BEHAVIOR

• Both you and the interviewer will engage in “small talk” on the way to • Dress the part; the way you are dressed can affect your attitude and
the interview room to break the ice. your mood even though the employer cannot see you.
• Interviewer sets the stage outlining how the interview will go. • Add occasional interjections such as “OK,” “Sounds good,” or “Sounds
• Interviewer asks questions to gather as much information on you as interesting” to compensate for the lack of eye contact and other non-
possible to decide whether to invite you back for a second interview. verbal cues.
Be concise with responses, but give pertinent details.
• You are invited to ask questions. Prepare 3-5 questions. Not asking CLOSING THE INTERVIEW
questions gives the recruiter the impression that you are • Keep your calendar handy in case the employer asks to schedule a
not interested. future interview with you.
• Interview ends and next steps are discussed. Reiterate your interest, • Ask the interviewer (if not already addressed), “What can I expect as
thank the interviewer for their time, and request business cards from the next step in this process?” “When will I hear from you?”
all interviewers.
TIPS UNIQUE TO VIDEO INTERVIEWS
PRO TIP: Site visits and meals may also be a part of the interview • Remember that the interviewer will see what is behind you. Have an
process. Remember that everyone you come in contact with appropriate and minimally distracting background. Room lighting is
during your interview day will likely have some say on the final also important.
hiring decision. Be courteous to every person you meet. • Ensure your computer, webcam, speakers, and software are working
properly before the interview begins; practice with a friend or family
AFTER member ahead of time.
• Send interviewer(s) a personalized thank you email within 48 hours of • Use practice interview resources on OhioMeansJobs.com to
the interview. familiarize yourself with video interviews and assess areas
• Follow up with your interviewer if the previously discussed timeline for improvement.
has passed with no word. • Put thought into your appearance and attire. Your hair/makeup/
• Research market value for the position’s salary so you have a hygiene should be professional. Appropriate dress (tops AND
knowledge base if an offer is made (p. 36). bottoms) are important.
• Maintain eye contact by looking at the camera and not at the
computer screen.
• Remain calm if the connection is lost during the interview. Call the
interviewer back and explain what happened.

26 INTERVIEWS 27 INTERVIEWS
IN-PERSON INTERVIEWS STANDARD QUESTIONS
ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEWS Standard questions might seem so simple that you do not need to
On-campus interviewing (OCI) makes it easier for students and prepare, but your answer to each should be polished and sharp.
employers to connect and help students have the best interviewing Prepare your responses to standard interview questions and practice
experience at one convenient location – Ohio State’s campus! speaking them out loud.

• The on-campus interview is usually an initial interview. Interviews are EXAMPLE QUESTIONS
typically 30, 45, or 60 minutes long. • Tell me about yourself.
• On-campus interviewing is seasonal. Each year, the majority of • What are your greatest strengths?
on-campus interviewing takes place from September through March. • Where do you see yourself in ten years?
• What is your biggest weakness? How do you deal with it?
ON-SITE INTERVIEWS • How would your co-workers or classmates describe you?
On-site interviews are an opportunity for recruiters to get a more • Why do you want to work for X Company?
in-depth assessment of the candidate prior to making a job offer. The
visit also provides the candidate with a better idea of whether the When the employer asks, “Tell me about yourself,” be prepared with
company is a good fit before an offer is made. In order to prepare a brief academic summary, quick highlights of strengths and interests,
adequately, gather information on the type of work you will be relevant experience, current goals, and career interests. Connect these
doing and any details you can find out about your to the position for which you are applying and do not assume that
day-to-day responsibilities. everyone in the room has read your resume.

• Ask for a trip itinerary and get the names and titles of all individuals EXAMPLE ANSWER
who will be interviewing you ahead of time.
• Expect to be interviewed multiple times throughout the day. “I am a recent graduate from The Ohio State University with a
• Companies might also conduct testing or ask you to give a formal BS in mechanical engineering. I have a strong interest and minor
presentation in the interview. in environmental engineering. With two co-op rotations at XYZ
• Greet each new person enthusiastically and answer the questions as Company, I worked on several sustainability initiatives focusing
if it is the first time, every time. on minimal disruption to the natural ecosystems within national
parks. During my internship with 123 Engineering, my contributions
MISSED ON-CAMPUS INTERVIEW POLICY focused on SOLIDWORKS designs and communicating with
No Show is defined as an unexcused absence from a scheduled customers to understand their needs. I enjoy hands-on work and
interview (either not showing up or canceling less than 48 being active; during college I was president of Design for Good
hours in advance). and actively involved with the Green Engineers organization. With
my design experience and passion for environmental engineering,
If a late cancellation is unavoidable, call ECS as soon as possible. Also, I am excited about the possibility of making contributions to your
send an apology email to the employer within 48 hours, state the company in this Sustainability Design Engineer role.”
reason, express sincere regret, and request a telephone interview.
If you miss an interview, a hold will be placed on your Handshake
account. You will not be able to schedule additional on-campus
interviews until you send an email of apology to the employer and copy
ECS. After the copy is received, your account will be reactivated.

Two unexcused absences result in one semester of ineligibility for

on-campus interviewing. Three such events will terminate your
interviewing privileges for the academic year.

28 INTERVIEWS 29 INTERVIEWS
BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS BEHAVIORAL QUESTIONS
Behavioral based questioning is an interviewing method that helps While you cannot anticipate the exact behavioral based questions an
employers learn about what you have done in the past to better predict employer might ask, you can gather from the job description the types
what you will do in the future given a similar situation. It would be ideal of skills or characteristics that would be required of the position. When
for employers to observe you at work or on a project team, but because practicing, reflect on experiences where you demonstrated or gained
that is usually not an option, behavioral based interviewing is the optimal specific skills. By framing your preparation around competencies, you
alternative. Recognize these types of questions when you hear “tell me will be better prepared for questions you did not anticipate.
about a time when...” or “can you give me an example of...” Employers
are looking for specific examples. EXAMPLE QUESTIONS
• Critical Thinking: Tell me about a time you had to make a decision
S.T.A.R. FORMAT with incomplete information. What did you do?
• Specific situation • Career Management: Describe a time when you volunteered to
• Task you faced expand your knowledge at work, as opposed to being directed
• Actions you took to do so.
• Results (be concrete) • Global Fluency: Describe a time when you worked with a diverse
group of people or person. What did you learn from this experience?
EXAMPLE • Leadership: Tell me about a time when you led by example. What did
you do and how did others react?
Q: “Give me an example of a time when you did more than the • Teamwork: Give me an example of your favorite experience working
job required.” on a team. What was your contribution?
• Technical Skill: What was the most complex assignment or project
you’ve worked on?
• Time Management: Give me an example of a time when you had to
work under a tight deadline.
A: “[Situation] I worked at Company X as a claims agent [Task]
and while processing claims one day, I had the idea that the RESPONSES
salespeople could enter claims online and shorten the entire Behavioral based question responses can come from a variety
process. [Action] I put in some extra time designing a system that of experiences, including class projects, work projects, campus/
could be used as a prototype. [Results] I showed it to my boss and community involvement, research, volunteer, coursework, travel,
she thought it was a great idea and design. In fact, she showed her part-time employment, and hobbies. Vary your examples!
boss. It eventually was incorporated into the company’s process
and reduced weekly administrative time by 3 hours.

30 INTERVIEWS 31 INTERVIEWS
S.T.A.R. FORMAT TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
Try this!
Technical interviews are common in engineering because they allow
WRITE YOUR OWN RESPONSE TO A BEHAVIORAL employers to evaluate your level of knowledge and skills through a
QUESTION USING S.T.A.R. demonstration of your analytical abilities, problem solving strategies,
See example questions on p. 31 creative thinking, and communication skills. Some technical questions
are general, meaning you may be asked to solve logic problems or
SPECIFIC SITUATION brain teasers. Others may be more role-specific and will relate to the
work that you will perform as a potential employee.

EXAMPLE QUESTIONS
• You have five bottles with pills. One bottle has 9 gram pills; the others
have 10 gram pills. You have a scale that can only be used once. How
can you find out which bottle contains the 9 gram pills?
• What are the 7 layers of the OSI model?
• If x amount of weight was applied to a cable with a cutoff of xx weight,
how much force would a motor have to produce to cut-off the cable?
• Draw the circuit for an active low-pass filter.
TASK YOU FACED • Describe what considerations you would make when selecting a
material for a certain component.
• How would you extract hydrogen from water?

STRUCTURED METHOD FOR ANSWERING TECHNICAL

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Restate the problem.
2. State assumptions and ask clarifying questions.
3. Quickly overview the approach you are going to take and confirm.
4. Prove the solution correct.

ACTIONS YOU TOOK The goal of technical interviews is not always to answer perfectly.
Rather, the interviewer is trying to see how you think when faced with a
difficult problem. Review the Technical Interviewing Preparation Guide
within the Handshake Resource Library for additional tips.

PRO TIP: Use tools like a whiteboard or notebook to show the

thought process of your answer.

RESULTS (BE CONCRETE)

32 INTERVIEWS 33 INTERVIEWS
CLOSING THE INTERVIEW HANDLING JOB OFFERS
CONSIDERATIONS Congratulations, you received a job offer! While exciting, do not accept
Observe and research these to understand the following: the job offer on the spot. Gather information to help you decide if the
offer is right for you. Also make sure to get all offers in writing.
• Where would you work? (facility/conditions)
• Do the job circumstances and conditions appeal to you? INTERESTED BUT NOT READY TO MAKE A COMMITMENT
• What are your long-term opportunities with this employer? • Express interest in the position and appreciation for being selected.
• What is the past and projected growth of the company, department, or • Identify what questions you need answered in order to make a
division in which you will work? decision (start date, location, relocation assistance, salary,
• How are they different from their competitors? benefits, etc.).
• Do you like the city/region where the company is located? • Determine how much time would be optimal in deciding — and ask for
• Are the employees interested and involved or stressed and anxious? it (ideally within 4 weeks of obtaining the offer).
• Do employees relate positively to management? • Contact other pending opportunities (if applicable), let them know you
• Do people greet one another in a courteous manner? have received an offer, and find out if you are still a viable candidate.
• Who will be your supervisor and what is their supervision style?
• Will you work alone or with others? Travel? (% of time) NOT INTERESTED
• Where do most people who work there live? Respond courteously to all offers via email or phone (see sample
• What is the commute like? (options? drive? public transit? bike?) decline offer letter on p. 14).

EXAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK REPORT YOUR JOB OFFERS

• How would you describe a typical [day/week/month] for a person in Maintain the value of your degree by reporting ALL job offers,
this role? regardless of if your offer was a result of ECS services. ECS collects
• What skills or traits are important in making a person successful in and distributes statistical information on hiring patterns and salary
this position? offers received by all Ohio State engineering students. Information
• If hired, what training is available to build my skills and keep them up you provide is used for statistical purposes only (your name will not be
to date? connected to your data in published reports). Salary information helps
• What is your favorite part about working for [X Company]? you evaluate your own offers and helps employers establish
• How would you describe the work culture at [X Company]? competitive salaries.
• Is there a team or department that this position collaborates with and
what does that relationship look like? Report by visiting: ecs.osu.edu/report.
• What are some of [X Department]’s current priorities and projects?
RENEGE POLICY
AVOID Renege: (verb) to fail to carry out a promise or commitment.
• Asking about salary and benefits. This should not come up until after
an offer is made. Never accept a job with the intention of turning it down if “something
• Asking questions that the interviewer has already answered during better” comes along. Not only is it inconsiderate and unprofessional,
the interview; doing so implies that you were not listening. it also reflects poorly on Ohio State and might negatively impact
• Not asking questions. It is important to have 3-5 prepared questions another student’s opportunities with that employer. Also, employers
to ask in order to show your research and genuine interest in the communicate with each other, and you do not want to get
company and position. a bad reputation.

After you have given your decision careful consideration and accepted
an offer, stop looking. Inform other employers who have extended
offers that you have accepted another position. Do not accept further
interview invitations or search further. Come to an ECS Career Advisor if
you are in a position where you are considering reneging.

Reneging is grounds for exclusion from ECS services. Students who

renege on a job offer will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

34 INTERVIEWS 35 OFFERS
COMPENSATION SALARY NEGOTIATION
For more information about earnings Employers determine salary based on many factors: market conditions,
current supply/demand for your major and skills, job level within
• Visit ecs.osu.edu/statistics/wages-salaries for annual reports of OSU the organization, industry standards, company-specific factors (pay
engineering student earnings. philosophy or promotion practices), and cost of living in that area. In
• Check Statistics on the ECS website and use the Educate to Career addition, they may factor in the value of your previous experience and
Salary Calculator to project your target income based on location, your degree level. (Please note: More education does not automatically
occupation, industry, education, and work experience. result in higher pay, since it is only one of many factors.)
• Consult the ECS Job Blog for a more thorough how-to guide on
negotiating salary. It is not always appropriate to negotiate. Before considering
• Attend an ECS Salary Negotiation workshop. negotiation, think about one important question: “What about this offer
is unsatisfactory?” As with almost all job search activities, research is
IMPORTANT COMPENSATION CONSIDERATIONS especially important during salary negotiation. Know your field’s market
Co-op/Internship value, so that you are not undervalued.
Housing and relocation assistance is an important consideration for
students accepting co-ops/internships. Some employers provide POSSIBLE REASONS TO NEGOTIATE SALARY
financial assistance to help with your costs of moving to another city for • The offer is not the current market rate for your major and degree
work. Find out if the company offers housing benefits. level. Check the resources (p. 36) for current values, updated annually.
Have your data at hand.
Career • You have a comparable, yet stronger, offer. Be prepared to document
When evaluating a full-time job offer, consider the total compensation this — the employer could ask you to send a copy of the competing
package in addition to the starting salary. Read the fine print of your offer letter.
benefits package, which may make a difference between accepting • You have something unique and special to offer. Perhaps you have
one offer over another. Also, (if applicable) consider the position’s bonus done significant research directly related to their industry, or you have
structure and how often you will be eligible for a pay raise. Here are directly related previous experience.
some basic elements of a standard benefits package: • Cost of living differential. Keep in mind that they probably live in that
area and are aware of what it costs. However, it could be a valid factor
• Medical insurance • Stock options, profit sharing, etc. in choosing amongst multiple offers.
• Life insurance • Flexible scheduling
• Disability insurance • Tuition reimbursement Negotiate only if you are seriously interested in the opportunity. Once
• Time off (paid and unpaid) • Dependent care you have done your homework and have the facts:
• Retirement, pensions, and 401Ks • Legal services
• On-site services 1. Call the person who issued your offer well in advance of their deadline.
2. Reaffirm your interest and fit for the opportunity.
3. State your concern, and back it up with facts.
4. Ask, do not demand.
5. Be prepared for both yes or no replies.
Try this!
If they say yes, they will expect you to accept. In either case, ask for a
USE THE SALARY RESOURCES LISTED day or two to think it over. Even if the offer does not change, you may
ABOVE TO RESEARCH THE MARKET VALUE decide it is the best one for you. Remember your goal is to find a place
OF YOUR POSITION. where you can enjoy your work and succeed financially.

SALARY/HOURLY WAGE RESOURCE

AVERAGE RANGE:

36 OFFERS 37 OFFERS
YOUR JOB SEARCH PLAN NOTES
Try this!

CREATE YOUR OWN JOB SEARCH PLAN

BY FILLING IN THE BLANKS.

JOB SEARCH ACTION PLAN

1. Complete your Handshake profile to 100% and make public.
2. Update your resume often and upload the most recent version
to Handshake
3. Schedule job search time each week.
4. Run your saved Job Alerts twice a week. Job Alerts are located
under Notifications > Jobs within Handshake. Ask an ECS Career
Advisor to help you set up a Job Alert for maximum results. Be
sure to “favorite” positions and companies so Handshake will
learn your job search preferences based on your activity.

5. Set your job applications goals: /semester.

6. Apply as soon as the window opens—do not wait until the
deadline! Note important dates on the job posting for your
reference later.
7. Network with employers: Attend Events listed in Handshake,
including career fairs.
Expo (autumn).
SWE fair (spring).
Spring Into Your Career Fair (spring).
Visit Events > Fair Search in Handshake for details.
8. Polish your skills: Attend AT LEAST ONE workshop:

(name of workshop)

(date).
9. Browse Jobs > Employers in Handshake: Search by keyword,
industry, or location to discover companies or industries that you
may not have heard of before.
10. Use the Handshake Resource Library to view additional
resources for your search.

38 YOUR JOB SEARCH PLAN 39 YOUR JOB SEARCH PLAN