interview

Choose Topic Full Site THE RESUME & COVER LETTER THEY CAN'T IGNORE Ten Tips for Writing Better Resumes The 3 R's of Resume Writing Top Ten Pitfalls of a Resume Power Verbs To Include The Scanner-Friendly Resume Cover Letter Tips Interview Preparation THE INTERVIEW THEY WON'T FORGET Informational Interviews Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations The Site Visit/Interview Great Questions To Ask Great Questions You'll Be Asked Ten Rules of the Interview Interviewing Tips THE OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print Multiple Job Offers: How to Get Them/How to Manage Them The Art of Negotiation Evaluating an Offer of Employment Average Entry Level Salaries For Graduates with Engineering & Computer Degrees Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site THE RESUME & COVER LETTER THEY CAN'T IGNORE Ten Tips for Writing Better Resumes The 3 R's of Resume Writing Top Ten Pitfalls of a Resume Power Verbs To Include The Scanner-Friendly Resume Cover Letter Tips Interview Preparation THE INTERVIEW THEY WON'T FORGET Informational Interviews Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations The Site Visit/Interview Great Questions To Ask Great Questions You'll Be Asked Ten Rules of the Interview Interviewing Tips THE OFFER YOU CAN'T REFUSE Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print Multiple Job Offers: How to Get Them/How to Manage Them The Art of Negotiation Evaluating an Offer of Employment Average Entry Level Salaries For Graduates with Engineering & Computer Degrees Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site The Three R's of Resume Writing 1. Research the company. Read whatever literature the company has placed in the career library. For additional information, try the Internet or, even more directly, call the company. Ask for any literature it may have, find out how the company is structured, and ask what qualities the company generally looks for in its employees. Ask if there are openings in your area, and find out the name of the department head and give him or her a call. Explain that you are trying to decide whether to apply to their company, and ask for their recommendation for next steps. Thank that person for the information, and ask to whom your resume should be directed. Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations 2. Research the position. The more you know about the position, the better able you will be to sell yourself and to target the resume to that position. If possible, interview someone who does that same job. In addition to finding out the duties, ask if there is on-the-job training, whether they value education over experience (or vice versa), and what kind of turnover the department experiences. Ask what they like about the position and the company; more important, ask what they don't like about it. 3. Research yourself. Your goal is not just to get a job. Your goal is to get a job that you will enjoy. After you find out all you can about the company and the position, ask yourself honestly whether this is what you really want to do and where you really want to be. The odds are Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print overwhelming that you will not hold this position for more than two or three years, so it's not a lifetime commitment; however, this first job will be the base of your lifetime career. You must start successfully so that future recommendations will always be positive. Furthermore, three years is a long time to spend doing something you don't like, working in a position that isn't challenging, or living somewhere you don't want to live. Once you have done this research, you will sell yourself more effectively. Most employers devote an average of 15 to 30 seconds to each one, so it is your responsibility to make it attractive, readable and informational. One last word of advice: Before you go to the interview, review the version of your resume that you submitted to this employer. The resume can only get you the interview; the interview gets you the job. Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Top Ten Pitfalls of a Resume 1. Too long. Most new graduates should restrict their resumes to one page. If you have trouble condensing, get help from a technical or business writer or a career center professional. 2. Typographical, grammatical or spelling errors. These errors suggest carelessness, poor education and/or lack of intelligence. Have at least two people proofread your resume. Don't rely on a computer's spell-checkers or grammar-checkers. 3. Hard to read. A poorly typed or copied resume looks unprofessional. Use a computer. Use a plain typeface, no smaller than a 12-point font. Asterisks, bullets, underlining, boldface type and italics should be used only to make the document easier to read, not fancier. Again, ask a professional's opinion. 4. Too verbose (using too many words to say too little). Do not use complete sentences or paragraphs. Say as much as possible with as few words as possible. A, an and the can almost always be left out. Be careful in your use of jargon and avoid slang. 5. Too sparse. Give more than the bare essentials, especially when describing related work experience, skills, accomplishments, activities, interests and club memberships that will give employers desired information. Including membership in the Society of Women Engineers, for example, would be helpful to employers who wish to hire more women, yet cannot Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations ask for that information. Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print 6. Irrelevant information. Customize each resume to each position you seek (when possible). Of course, include all education and work experience, but emphasize only relevant experience, skills, accomplishments, activities and hobbies. Do not include marital status, age, sex, children, height, weight, health, church membership, etc. 7. Obviously generic. Too many resumes scream, "I need a job—any job!" The employer needs to feel that you are interested in that position with that company. 8. Too snazzy. Of course, use good quality bond paper, but avoid exotic types, colored paper, photographs, binders and graphics. More and more companies are scanning resumes into a database, so use white paper, black ink, plain type, and avoid symbols, underlining or italics. 9. Boring. Make your resume as dynamic as possible. Begin every statement with an action verb. Use active verbs, describing what you accomplished on the job. Don't write what someone else told you to do; write what you did. Take advantage of your rich vocabulary and avoid repeating words, especially the first word in a section. 10. Too modest. The resume showcases your qualifications in competition with the other applicants. Put your best foot forward without misrepresentation, falsification or arrogance. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Power Verbs To Include accelerated achieved activated addressed admitted aided allowed amended apportioned approved arranged assessed Interview Preparation attained augmented balanced Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations brainstormed calculated certified clarified collaborated committed compiled conceptualized consented accommodated acquired adapted adjusted advanced alleviated altered analyzed appraised approximated ascertained assigned attested authored bolstered budgeted catalogued chaired classified collected communicated composed concluded consolidated accomplished acted added administered advised allocated ameliorated appointed apprised arbitrated assembled assisted audited authorized boosted built centralized charted coached commissioned compared computed confirmed constructed Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print contracted convinced correlated created debugged delegated designated devaluated diagnosed dispatched eased educated employed encouraged enhanced enriched established examined exercised explained fabricated fashioned forecasted founded generated guided hired identified improved indexed influenced contributed cooperated corresponded critiqued deciphered deliberated designed developed directed displayed eclipsed elevated empowered endorsed enlarged enumerated estimated excelled expanded extended facilitated figured formulated fulfilled grew converted coordinated counseled customized dedicated demonstrated determined devised disbursed drafted edited elicited enabled engineered enlisted envisioned evaluated executed expedited extracted familiarized finalized fostered guaranteed illustrated improvised indicated informed implemented increased inferred initiated innovated instituted interceded introduced involved judged launched licensed maintained mediated modeled modified multiplied negotiated officiated organized performed planned prescribed procured projected purchased queried raised recommended recruited refined regarded inspected instructed interpreted invented issued justified lectured lightened marketed minimized moderated monitored inspired integrated interviewed investigated led linked measured mobilized modernized motivated operated originated persuaded polished prioritized produced promoted orchestrated overhauled pioneered prepared processed programmed publicized questioned rated reconciled rectified referred regulated realized recorded reduced (losses) reformed rehabilitated reinforced relieved repaired researched restored reviewed revived sanctioned screened served shaped solved specified streamlined submitted summarized surveyed systematized tabulated trained translated updated validated visualized wrote rejuvenated remedied reported reserved retrieved revised related remodeled represented resolved (problems) revamped revitalized satisfied scrutinized set goals smoothed sought spoke strengthened substantiated supervised sustained scheduled secured settled solicited spearheaded stimulated studied suggested supplemented synthesized tailored transacted transmitted upgraded valued traced transformed verified Adapted with permission from the Career Resource Manual of the University of California, Davis. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site The Scanner-Friendly Resume When submitting your resume for employment, whether with a big corporation or a personnel search firm, the chances are growing that scanning technology will be used to read it. The technology responsible for computer readable resumes operates on the principle of labeling. At the center of the technology are keywords. Call them buzzwords. Call them descriptors. Call them skill words, or job words. Call them whatever you like. A sample job order might require: q q q Interview Preparation q q q Five years experience as a salesperson College graduate A direct marketer to ethnic communities Heavy traveler Self-starter Team leader Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Supplied with these specifications, a computer checks a database for resumes that include these keywords. The secret is to fill your resume with as many labels as possible. The ultimate keywords come from each employer for each position. You can only make reasonable assumptions about what a specific employer will ask for. You will need to maintain a log of keywords that apply to your occupation and industry. Jot down the words as you come across them in trade magazines, class notes, newspaper ads, etc. SAMPLING OF KEYWORDS Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print Advertising/ Communications Booth Development Image Campaign Promotional Materials Sales Promotion Cable Television Civil Engineer ASCE Concrete Design Preliminary Stress Analysis Hydrology Trans Analysis Computer Specialist Analog Computer Compaq Mainframes Unix Real Estate Agent Asset Management Commercial Leasing Real Estate Appraisal Banker RTC ATM Bank Reconciliation Commercial Loan Operations Customer Conversion Compensation Specialist Equity Review Incentive Plan Job Classification Salary Structure Economist Economic Forecast Industrial Policy Minority Economic Impact Statistician Biostatistics Standard Deviation Stat Regression POLISHING YOUR KEYWORD SKILLS Looking up information in the Yellow Pages or a library file uses the same skill necessary to write good keywords. Choose nouns that indicate your accomplishments rather than verbs that focus on duties. Even a resume with very strong content, one which includes all of the keywords that describe your occupational credentials, can be overlooked. Consequently, the keywords in an electronic resume should be organized into two sections. The first is a keyword Preface; the second is the main body of the resume. The Keyword Preface or Summary appears directly beneath your name and contact information at the top of your resume. It is an inventory of your most important assets. It runs about 20 to 30 items and each item is capitalized and ends with a period. Cover three points in selecting your items: q q Your skills, abilities and competencies; Your experience using those skills, abilities and q competencies, and Your accomplishments in using those skills, abilities and competencies on-the-job. A keyword summary for a programmer/analyst might include the following: Oracle, Visual Basic, C++. Marilyn Moats Kennedy, an author of career planning books and managing partner at Career Strategies, says: "It is important to alter your resume to fit a particular job. One of the biggest mistakes people make is that they do not pick up on the keywords in job postings and advertisements and include them in their resumes." Also, electronically transmitted cover letters should include keywords. Written by Roseanne Lidle Bensley, Placement and Career Services, New Mexico State University. Portions of this article are adapted from The Electronic Resume Revolution by Joyce Lain Kennedy and Thomas J. Morrow, (c) 1994, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Publishers. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Cover Letter Tips Quick advice from a career expert on how to create the best cover letter possible by Pat Kendall The cover letter plays an important role in the job search process, and if done properly, it can substantially improve your ability to compete for jobs and generate interviews. It adds a personal touch to your application and shows employers that you are a serious, professional candidate. A well-written cover letter demonstrates your communication and organizational skills by example and shows that you are the type of candidate who is willing to go the extra mile. In this highly competitive job market, the cover letter gives you a much needed edge over other job seekers, as it allows you to describe how your specific skills and accomplishments uniquely qualify you for the job. Here are four key rules of cover letter writing: RULE #1: CUSTOMIZE Make sure you take the time to customize your cover letter to fit the employer's requirements. Before you start the writing process, review the criteria for the position and make a list of the skills and keywords the employer wants. This list might include specific areas of expertise, years of experience, technical knowledge, transferable skills, and personality traits. Then, incorporate these items into your letter, demonstrating by example that you have the desired qualifications. Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print RULE #2: MEET THEIR NEEDS Write the cover letter with the employer's needs in mind - not your own. Don't describe what YOU want, but explain what you can do for the employer. Don't assume that the employer will read between the lines of your resume and dig out the relevant information. They won't. To get their attention, you have to assertively describe how you can meet their needs. RULE #3: ACTIVELY SELL YOURSELF Tell them WHY they should hire you. Be assertive about your qualifications without being egotistical. The tone of your letter should be professional, but sound as if a real person wrote it—in other words, not too pretentious or formal. One way to judge your letter is to read it out loud. Do you trip over the words? Does it sound like an attorney wrote it? If so, work on it until it flows naturally and has a conversational tone. RULE #4: KEEP IT SIMPLE Use a simple block format with left flush margins and ragged right margins, since that looks most like a letter typed on a typewriter. Your cover letter will generate a better response if it LOOKS like it was individually typed rather than computergenerated. Most cover letters should be limited to one page, preferably 3-5 paragraphs with 1" margins all around. RULE #5: LETTER CONTENT Next, let's take a look at letter content. In the first paragraph, your objective is to get the reader's attention. Get right to the point—tell them why you are writing. Here are some examples: "Your recent advertisement for a marketing manager caught my eye, as my experience in _____________, _____________ and _____________ is very compatible with your requirements." Or... "My solid track record in sales should qualify me for the district manager position described in your recent Wall Street Journal advertisement. My resume is enclosed for your consideration." The second paragraph should outline your qualifications for the position and focus on the most relevant aspect(s) of your background (e.g., years of experience, formal education, special training, technical skills, current responsibilities, or highlights of earlier jobs). The best cover letters also include examples of accomplishments and quantifiable results. If you're a salesperson, describe how you increased sales volume. If you're a manager, explain how you cut costs and improved profits. If you're a human resources professional, describe how you reduced employee turnover or developed new training programs that increased productivity. In other words, show how you improved your previous employers' operations. Here's an example: "My background includes 15 years in sales management with accomplishments in staff development, training and customer service. I am a skilled team builder and have consistently met or exceeded sales goals in each position held: q q q Opened and developed million-dollar territory for XYZ Company. Set up six key accounts for ABC Company. Generated sales increases of at least 25% in all positions." Last but not least is the closing paragraph. This is where you: 1. Request a meeting or personal interview 2. Mention that you will contact them to schedule a personal meeting 3. Explain how they can reach you 4. Thank them for taking the time to consider your application Here are some examples: "I believe that I can make a positive contribution to ABC Company and look forward to discussing my capabilities in more detail. I am available for a personal interview at your earliest convenience and may be reached after 5 p.m. at the telephone number above. Thank you for your consideration." Or... "I would like to meet with you to discuss your opportunity in more detail and will call next week to see when your schedule might allow time for a brief meeting. Thank you for your time." Obviously, it takes a bit of doing to get it right, but the time you invest will be well worth it! Pat Kendall is a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) and Certified Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC) with 19 years' experience in resume writing and job search consulting. Pat owns and operates Advanced Resume Concepts, a career services and resume writing firm based in Oregon. Contact her at reslady@aol.com. For more information on her company go to www.reslady.com/home.html. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Informational Interviews WHAT IS AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW? One of the easiest and most effective ways to meet people in a professional field in which you are interested is to conduct informational interviews. Informational interviewing is a networking approach which allows you to meet key professionals, gather career information, investigate career options, get advice on job search techniques and get referrals to other professionals. The art of informational interviewing is in knowing how to balance your hidden agenda (to locate a job) with the unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the demands of your field. Thus, never abuse your privilege by asking for a job, but execute your informational interviews skillfully, and a job may follow. WHAT MOTIVATES PROFESSIONALS TO GRANT INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS? The reasons are varied. Generally, most people enjoy sharing information about themselves and their jobs and, particularly, love giving advice. Some may simply believe in encouraging newcomers to their profession and others may be scoping out prospects for anticipated vacancies. It is common for professionals to exchange favors and information, so don't hesitate to call upon people. HOW DO YOU SET UP INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS? One possible approach is to send a letter requesting a brief informational interview (clearly indicating the purpose of the Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print meeting, and communicating the fact that there is no job expectation). Follow this up with a phone call to schedule an appointment. Or, initiate a contact by making cold calls and set up an appointment. The best way to obtain an informational interview is by being referred from one professional to another, a process which becomes easier as your network expands. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS? Prepare for your informational interviews just as you would for an actual job interview: polish your presentation and listening skills, and conduct preliminary research on the organization. You should outline an agenda that includes wellthought-out questions. Begin your interview with questions that demonstrate your genuine interest in the other person such as, "Describe a typical day in your department." Then proceed with more general questions such as, "What are the employment prospects in this field?" or "Are you active in any professional organizations in our field and which would you recommend?" If appropriate, venture into a series of questions which place the employer in the advice-giving role, such as, "What should the most important consideration be in my first job?" The whole idea is for you to shine, to make an impression and to get referrals to other professionals. Always remember to send a thank you letter to every person who grants you time and to every individual who refers you to someone. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site The Site Visit/Interview 1. An invitation to an on-site interview, often referred to as the "plant trip," is NOT a guarantee of a job offer. It is a chance to examine whether or not you will be a good match for the job and for the organization. 2. Notification of a plant trip may be by telephone or mail. Respond promptly if you are sincerely interested in this employer. Decline politely if you are not. Never go on a plant trip for the sake of the trip. Document the name and phone number of the person coordinating your trip. Verify who will be handling trip expenses. Most medium- and large-size companies (as well as many smaller ones) will pay your expenses, but others will not. This is very important, because expenses are handled in various ways: 1) the employer may handle all expenses and travel arrangements; 2) you handle your expenses and arrangements (the employer may assist with this), and the employer will reimburse you later; 3) the employer may offer an on-site interview, but will not pay for your interview. 3. Know yourself and the type of job you are seeking with this employer. Don't say, "I am willing to consider anything you have." 4. Thoroughly research the potential employer. Read annual reports, newspaper articles, trade journals, etc. Many companies have their own homepage, where you can read its mission statement, find out about its longterm goals, read recent press releases, and view corporate photos. Don't limit your research only to Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print company-controlled information. The World Wide Web can be a valuable investigative tool. You may uncover key information that may influence—positively or negatively—your decision to pursue employment with a given organization. 5. Bring extra copies of your resume; copies of any paperwork you may have forwarded to the employer; names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of your references; an updated college transcript; a copy of your best paper as a writing sample; a notebook; a black and/or blue pen for filling out forms and applications; and names and addresses of past employers. 6. Bring extra money and a change of clothes. Also, have the names and phone numbers of those who may be meeting you in case your plans change unexpectedly. Anything can happen and you need to be ready for emergencies. 7. Your role at the interview is to respond to questions, to ask your own questions and to observe. Be ready to meet people who are not part of your formal agenda. Be courteous to everyone regardless of his or her position; you never know who might be watching you and your actions once you arrive in town. 8. on't forget your table manners. Plant trips may include several meals or attendance at a reception the night before your "big day." When ordering food at a restaurant, follow the lead of the employer host. For example, don't order the three-pound lobster if everyone else is having a more moderately priced entree. If you have the "dining jitters," some authorities suggest ordering food that is easy to handle, such as a boneless fish fillet or chicken breast. 9. Many employers have a set salary range for entry-level positions and others are more negotiable. Though salary should not be brought up until an offer is extended, it is wise to know your worth in advance. Contact your campus career center to obtain more information on salaries. According to Jay Wheeler, manager of university relations and staffing for Halliburton, "Students have been working on perfecting their product for a number of years and should know what kind of product they've created and what the company is willing to buy." 10. Soon after the site visit, record your impressions of your performance. Review the business cards of those you met or write the information in your notebook before leaving the facility. You should have the names, titles, addresses and phone numbers of everyone who was involved in your interview so you can determine which individuals you may want to contact with additional questions or follow-up information. A thank you letter should be written to the person(s) who will be making the hiring decision. Stay in touch with the employer if you want to pursue a career with them. A site visit is a two-way street. You are there to evaluate the employer and to determine if your expectations are met for job content, company culture and values, organizational structure, and lifestyles (both at work and leisure). Take note of how the employees interact, and also assess the physical work environment. Just as any good salesperson would never leave a customer without attempting to close the sale, you should never leave an interview without some sort of closure. If you decide that the job is right for you, don't be afraid to tell the employer that you feel that there is a good fit and you are eager to join their team. The employer is interested in hiring people who want to be associated with them and they will never know of your interest if you don't voice your opinion. Keep in mind that although the employer has the final power to offer a job, your demeanor during the entire interviewing process—both on and off campus—also gives you a great deal of power. Written by Roseanne Lidle Bensley, Placement and Career Services, New Mexico State University. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Great Questions To Ask 1. Please describe the duties of the job for me. 2. What kinds of assignments might I expect the first six months on the job? 3. Are salary adjustments geared to the cost of living or job performance? 4. Does your company encourage further education? 5. How often are performance reviews given? 6. What products (or services) are in the development stage now? Interview Preparation 7. Do you have plans for expansion? 8. What are your growth projections for next year? 9. Have you cut your staff in the last three years? Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations 10. How do you feel about creativity and individuality? 11. Do you offer flextime? 12. Is your company environmentally conscious? In what ways? 13. In what ways is a career with your company better than one with your competitors? 14. Is this a new position or am I replacing someone? Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print 15. What is the largest single problem facing your staff (department) now? 16. May I talk with the last person who held this position? 17. What is the usual promotional time frame? 18. Does your company offer either single or dual careertrack programs? 19. What do you like best about your job/company? 20. Once the probation period is completed, how much authority will I have over decisions? 21. Has there been much turnover in this job area? 22. Do you fill positions from the outside or promote from within first? 23. What qualities are you looking for in the candidate who fills this position? 24. What skills are especially important for someone in this position? 25. What characteristics do the achievers in this company seem to share? 26. Is there a lot of team/project work? 27. Will I have the opportunity to work on special projects? 28. Where does this position fit into the organizational structure? 29. How much travel, if any, is involved in this position? 30. What is the next course of action? When should I expect to hear from you or should I contact you? 31. Who was the last person that filled this position, what made them successful at it, where are they today, and how may I contact them? Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Great Questions You'll Be Asked TECHNICAL 1. Please describe any technical hobbies or interests you have. 2. How do you approach a technical problem? Give an example. 3. What exposure have you had to (software, hardware, product marketing, budgeting, etc.)? 4. Briefly describe a technical project that you found challenging or rewarding. Interview Preparation 5. What have you done above and beyond class or course work especially in an area related to your major? 6. Have you published any papers or projects? Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations 7. Have you ever been in a situation where you found yourself without the specific technical knowledge to perform a task essential to your project? What did you do? PERSONAL 8. What do you consider to be your greatest strengths? 9. Can you name some weaknesses? 10. Define success. Failure. Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print 11. Have you ever had any failures? What did you learn from them? 12. Of which three accomplishments are you most proud? 13. Who are your role models? Why? 14. How does your college education or work experience relate to this job? 15. What motivates you most in a job? 16. Have you had difficulty getting along with a former professor/supervisor/co-worker and how did you handle it? 17. Tell me about yourself. 18. What are your hobbies? 19. Why did you choose to interview with our organization? 20. Describe your ideal job. 21. What can you offer us? EDUCATION 22. Why did you choose your major? 23. Why did you choose to attend your college or university? 24. Do you think you received a good education? In what ways? 25. In which campus activities did you participate? 26. In what ways do your college education or work experience relate to this job? 27. Which classes in your major did you like best? Least? 28. Which elective classes did you like best? Least? Why? 29. If you were to start over, what would you change about your education? 30. Do you plan to return to school for further education? EXPERIENCE 31. What job related skills have you developed? 32. Did you work while going to school? 33. What did you learn from these work experiences? 34. What did you enjoy most about your last employment? Least? 35. Have you ever quit a job? Why? 36. Give an example of a situation in which you worked under deadline pressure. 37. Have you ever done any volunteer work? What kind? 38. How do you think a former supervisor would describe your work? CAREER GOALS 39. Do you prefer to work under supervision or on your own? 40. What kind of boss do you prefer? 41. Would you be successful working with a team? 42. Do you prefer large or small organizations? Why? 43. What other types of positions are you considering? 44. How do you feel about working in a structured environment? 45. Are you able to work on several assignments at once? 46. How do you feel about working overtime? 47. How do you feel about travel? 48. How do you feel about the possibility of relocating? 49. Are you willing to work flextime? GENERAL 50. What motivates you most in a job? 51. Have you had difficulty getting along with a former professor/ supervisor/co-worker and how did you handle it? 52. Have you ever spoken before a group of people? How large? 53. Why should we hire you rather than another candidate? 54. What do you know about our organization (products or services)? 55. Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years? The following may not be directly asked, but you should address them: 56. How can you increase their profits? 57. How can you further develop their product line? 58. How can you increase the efficiency of their existing systems? 59. How can you help their business grow? 60. How can you help their department prosper? 61. How can you make your manager look good? Before you begin interviewing, think about these questions and your possible responses. Discuss them with a career advisor. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Ten Rules of the Interview 1. Keep your answers brief and concise. Unless asked to give more detail, limit your answers to two to three minutes per question. Tape yourself and see how long it takes you to fully answer a question. 2. Include concrete, quantifiable data. Interviewees tend to talk in generalities. Unfortunately, generalities often fail to convince interviewers that the applicant has assets. Include measurable information and provide details about specific accomplishments when discussing your strengths. 3. Repeat your key strengths three times. It's essential that you comfortably and confidently articulate your strengths. Explain how the strengths relate to the company's or department's goals and how they might benefit the potential employer. If you repeat your strengths then they will be remembered and—if supported with quantifiable accomplishments—they will more likely be believed. 4. Prepare five or more success stories. In preparing for interviews, make a list of your skills and key assets. Then reflect on past jobs and pick out one or two instances when you used those skills successfully. 5. Put yourself on their team. Ally yourself with the prospective employer by using the employer's name and products or services. For example, "As a member of __________, I would Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print carefully analyze the __________ and __________." Show that you are thinking like a member of the team and will fit in with the existing environment. Be careful though not to say anything that would offend or be taken negatively. Your research will help you in this area. 6. Image is often as important as content. What you look like and how you say something are just as important as what you say. Studies have shown that 65 percent of the conveyed message is nonverbal; gestures, physical appearance, and attire are highly influential during job interviews. 7. Ask questions. The types of questions you ask and the way you ask them can make a tremendous impression on the interviewer. Good questions require advance preparation. Just as you plan how you would answer an interviewer's questions, write out specific questions you want to ask. Then look for opportunities to ask them during the interview. Don't ask about benefits or salary. The interview process is a two-way street whereby you and the interviewer assess each other to determine if there is an appropriate match. 8. Maintain a conversational flow. By consciously maintaining a conversational flow—a dialogue instead of a monologue—you will be perceived more positively. Use feedback questions at the end of your answers and use body language and voice intonation to create a conversational interchange between you and the interviewer. 9. Research the company, product lines and competitors. Research will provide information to help you decide whether you're interested in the company and important data to refer to during the interview. 10. Keep an interview journal. As soon as possible, write a brief summary of what happened. Note any follow-up action you should take and put it in your calendar. Review your presentation. Keep a journal of your attitude and the way you answered the questions. Did you ask questions to get the information you needed? What might you do differently next time? Prepare and send a brief, concise thank you letter. Restate your skills and stress what you can do for the company. SUMMARY Because of its importance, interviewing requires advance preparation. Only you will be able to positively affect the outcome. You must be able to compete successfully with the competition for the job you want. In order to do that, be certain you have considered the kind of job you want, why you want it, and how you qualify for it. You also must face reality: Is the job attainable? In addition, recognize what it is employers want in their candidates. They want "can do" and "will do" employees. Recognize and use the following factors to your benefit as you develop your sales presentation. In evaluating candidates, employers consider the following factors: q q q q q q q q q q q Ability Character Loyalty Initiative Personality Communication skills Acceptance Work record Recommendations Outside activities while in school Impressions made during the interview Written by Roseanne Lidle Bensley, Placement and Career Services, New Mexico State University. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Interviewing Tips Quick advice on how to nail that interview by Pat Kendall The first part of interview preparation is research. The idea is to learn as much as possible about the organization, its philosophies, goals and plans. In almost every interview situation, the question is asked: "What can you do for this company?" How can you answer this question if you don't know anything about the firm? Once you learn about the company, you can get a much better "feel" for how you might fit in. Then, during the interview, you can use this information to your advantage. Are they a fast growing company? Then explain how your experience working with fast-track firms would benefit them. Are they quality-oriented? Then make them aware of your personal commitment to quality. Do they work with charitable organizations? Then tell them about your volunteer experience. Your goal is to show them that you are like-minded—that you understand and agree with their philosophy, and therefore, would be a good addition to their team. Another benefit of research is this: By showing them that you've taken the time to research their company, you demonstrate by example that you are the type of person who gives 110%. Most candidates don't know anything about the companies they interview with. They don't know their Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print products, their philosophy, their position in the marketplace or anything else about them. Show them that you are different... show them that you are better than other candidates who don't have the time or good sense to conduct some basic research. Preparing yourself for interviews by researching prospective employers also gives you a certain control of the situation—and if you have some control, you're much less likely to feel nervous or edgy. Another key component of interviewing is knowing your strong points. If an employer asked "Why should I hire you?" would you know how to respond? Are you aware of your marketable skills? Can you provide a one-minute sales pitch on yourself? Here's how to do it: Start with a blank sheet of paper and make a list of your qualifications for the job you want. This might include years of experience, education, special training, technical skills, "inside" knowledge of a product or market, etc. This list could also include transferable skills like communication, leadership, organization, accuracy, detailorientation or work ethic. Now, look at this list objectively. Which items on this list are most valuable to your potential employer? Refine this list further, then use this information to write a brief "sales pitch" that describes your qualifications for the job. Organize your information in a logical fashion, repeat it out loud and refine it until it comes out smoothly and naturally. To interview well, you must believe in yourself and be able to verbalize your best qualifications with conviction. Now let's look at the merits of being proactive. When the interviewer asks if you have any questions, how will you respond? Here's another situation where your research comes in handy. When asked if you have questions, you can respond: "Well, I know from my research, that ABC Company is planning to expand into the international market. How might that affect my job?" If you are replacing an existing employee, you might consider asking what your predecessor's biggest challenges were. You could also ask about opportunities for advancement, availability of corporate training programs, plans for expansion, etc. Develop some relevant and intelligent questions, write them down and be prepared to ask them at the appropriate time. INTERVIEWING BASICS q Review Resume Key Points. Your resume is the potential employer's outline of your career—and in most cases, the basis of questions asked during the interview. Make sure you are prepared to provide details and expand on key points. Dress for Success. Look the part of the position you're interviewing for (appropriate attire, meticulous grooming, etc.). Take the time to properly organize any paperwork you bring along (i.e., extra resume copies, letters of recommendation, references, performance evaluations, questions). Do Whatever it Takes to Arrive on Time. Check out the address and parking facilities BEFORE the interview date. Go Out of Your Way to be Polite—not only to the interviewer, but also to the receptionist or secretary. Use a Firm Handshake, direct eye contact and a friendly smile; demonstrate a sincere interest and enthusiasm for the job. Always Display Loyalty to Your Former Employers—no matter what they did (or did to you) never, say anything negative about them. Maintain a Positive Attitude and believe in yourself! Always Follow-up by sending the interviewer a brief thank-you letter or note. Strategically Schedule Your Interview Appointment. If possible, try to schedule your appointment so that you're not the first person being interviewed. (Research conducted by Robert Half & q q q q q q q q Associates indicates that the first person interviewed gets the job only 17% of the time, while the last person interviewed gets the job 55% of the time. According to this study, it is also recommended that you avoid interviews on Monday or late in the afternoon.) Pat Kendall is a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) and Certified Job and Career Transition Coach (JCTC) with 19 years' experience in resume writing and job search consulting. Pat owns and operates Advanced Resume Concepts, a career services and resume writing firm based in Oregon. Contact her at reslady@aol.com. For more information on Advanced Resume Concepts, visit www.reslady.com/home.html. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Average Entry Level Salaries For Graduates with Engineering & Computer Degrees Entry-level, as defined here, represents two years of experience or less. Analyst Applications Engineer Architectual Engineer Audio Editing C/C++ Coding CAD Analysis CAD Designer CAD Detailer Computer Support Technology Communications Engineer Civil Engineer Civil Engineer Supervisor Computer Engineering Degree Computer Science Degree Construction Management Chemical Engineering Degree Electrical Engineering Degree Engineering Customer Support Field Engineer Food Scientist/Lab Technician Game Development Graphic Artist Hardware Engineer Hardware Test Technician HTML Marking Industrial Engineer $35,000-$45,000 $36,000-$45,000 $31,069 $27,000 $28,000 $38,500 $37,500 $30,000 $23,000-$28,000 $60,800 $38,943 $55,360 $46,739 $48,695 $35,602 $44,638 $47,692 $42,500 $42,500 $25,650 $24,000 $18,000-$28,000 $46,000 $28,500 $36,000 $41,300 Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print IT Professional Lingo Scripting Management of Information Systems Manufacturing Engineer MBA Degree MBA (from a major institution) Mechanical Engineer Multimedia Developer Multimedia Design Net Product Manager Network Administrator Network Engineer Nuclear Engineer (4 yrs. exp.) Online Editor Online Producer Petroleum Engineer Printed Circuit Designer Programmer (Mainframe) Programmer (Midrange) Programmer (Client/Server/GUI) Technical Associate Retouching Semiconductor Engineering Software Engineer Transportation Engineer Video Editing Webmaster $40,000 $31,000 $38,642 $41,300 $61,170 $85,000 $47,200 $27,000-$35,000 $30,000 $30,000-$35,000 $29,000-$35,000 $29,000-$40,000 $51,000 $24,000-$28,000 $28,000-$35,000 $30,000 $52,500 $37,400 $40,300 $43,200 $32,200 $22,000 $47,700 $46,800 $36,000 $26,000 $24,000-30,000 SOURCES: Abbott, Langer & Associates, Inc.; Aon Consulting Inc.; America's Career InfoNet; EETimes; Engineering Workforce Commission of the AAES; Jack Erdlen, "Friendly Job Market Greets 1999 Graduates" (experienceondemand.com); Special Industries Report 1996; IEEE 1997 U.S. Member Salary and Benefit Survey; InfoWorld 1999 IT Career Outlook, Nov. 30, 1998; ITE Recent Graduate Salary Survey; National Business Employment Weekly; Oil-Link Salary Survey 1998; The Occupational Outlook Handbook; The Romac International Salary Survey; and WageWeb. NOTE: The starting salaries listed should be used as rough estimates only. Before entering a serious salary negotiation, a candidate should also consult persons working in the field as well as geographical reports on starting salaries according to region. Previous | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Multiple Job Offers: How to Get Them/How to Manage Them Think about the features of each, such as salary, benefits, corporate culture, commuting time, flexible work arrangements, tuition reimbursement, on-the-job learning opportunities. If you possess the technical skills in high demand today, recruiters say that you are likely to receive more than one job offer. Yes, even though many companies are still restructuring their management ranks (i.e., "downsizing"), they will continue to recruit college graduates because they need fresh talent to help their companies grow. Besides having high-demand technical skills, graduates who receive multiple job offers do so because they are inquisitive, positive and truthful. According to Vicki Spina, career strategist and author of Getting Hired in the '90s, these three attributes are often what graduates lack: 1. Be Positive. "If you hate the interview process, it will come across," says Spina. "You have to find at least one thing about the job search/interview process that you like—such as meeting people or getting to know the companies—and celebrate it." 2. Be Inquisitive. Phillip Jimenez landed a job at Inland Steel because he did his research and asked outstanding questions during his interview. At a job Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print fair, he visited Inland's booth and spoke with a recruiter who told him there were no present job openings. Jimenez struck up a conversation with the recruiter anyway, sharing his knowledge of the company with her. She was so impressed with him that, one week later, she called Jimenez about a job that just opened. He interviewed and was offered the job of his dreams; one that provides the international experience he was looking for—and a salary of $10,000 more than what he had expected. 3. Be Truthful. Employers will like you better if you talk about both your strengths and weaknesses. When you open up to the employer about your weakness, it makes your entire conversation more believable and sincere. But once you bring up your weakness(es), be sure to tell the interviewer what steps you have taken to improve. WEIGHING ALL THE FACTORS How do you choose which job is right for you? First, start by developing a "pros-and-cons" list for each job. Make sure this list is all-inclusive. Think about the features of each, such as salary, benefits, corporate culture, commuting time, flexible work arrangements, tuition reimbursement, onthe-job learning opportunities. Determine what is really important to you. For most recent graduates, says Spina, educational assistance is important because many of them plan to seek higher educational degrees. "Don't go for one offer just because it has better pay and benefits," says Spina. "Go for the one where you feel comfortable working in their environment. Money will not be enough a year from now if you hate the environment." If you are weighing offers and they are pretty equal down the line, this is where your gut feeling really comes into play. Look at your priorities and ask yourself what truly is important to you." NEVER BURN YOUR BRIDGES Keep in mind the importance of diplomacy when rejecting an offer, because in today's fast-paced work world, you never know when your work environment may shift or when your job may be eliminated. Paul Siker, principal of The Guild Corporation in McLean, Va., offers this example for diplomatically declining an offer: "I really appreciate the offer, and although I feel another position I've been offered is a better fit for my goals, I really want to say how impressed I am with your company and how much I've enjoyed everyone I've had the opportunity to meet. Perhaps in the future, there will be something that's a better fit for both of us." Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site The Art of Negotiation The most important criteria to look for in a new job are a rewarding work environment, amiable co-workers, and the knowledge that you will be spending yours days working on projects that give you a deep feeling of personal satisfaction. For all of you who would like to eat three times a day, however, let's talk about how you can get that same position but for a heck of a lot more money. The following is a quick synopsis of some of the best information and advice you will need before talking numbers. q Negotiations can be one of the quickest parts of the job hunt process, taking place in less than a minute in many cases. Assume every offer you receive will be negotiable. If it's not, you've got nothing to lose by asking. There are two main types of companies in the world. The first feel that their first offer, is their best offer, and very often it is. Companies in this category do a lot of industry research, and honestly do their best to offer a fair, competitive salary. They find little advantage to low-balling and bringing in underpaid personnel, so negotiations with these firms are often halted quickly. Companies with this strategy are usually great employers. The second type of company is very accustomed to negotiations, and consider it to be an acceptable reality of the hiring process. The employer is working from a company-determined range for each position. The salary range is divided q Interview Preparation q Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job q International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Articles Feature Articles q into three roughly equal segments. The lowest third of the range is reserved for inexperienced workers who show potential; the middle third of the range is for competent workers; and the highest third is for people who bring something extra to the job. Another range, called the hiring range, starts near the middle of the salary range and extends below the bottom figure. Hence, a job with a salary range of $32,000 to $40,000 may have a hiring range that starts at $28,000. In other words, an inexperienced candidate may be offered $28,000, while a competent applicant might be offered $32,000. In both cases, more money is available, but only if the candidate knows to ask for it. Research has proven that the employer is most often not proposing the highest wage possible at the beginning of the offer. You will seldom receive more money unless you ask for it. No request, no raise. Don't screw yourself from the get-go. Many company request your salary requirements with your resume. Do not include them. Very few companies will hold it against you, and this information is only to their advantage. If your number is too small, there is no room to negotiate, and if it's too high, you won't get a call back. Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs q Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print q PREPARATION: q Preparation is probably the single most important part of successful negotiations. Any good trial attorney will tell you the key to presenting a good case in the courtroom is the hours of preparation that happen beforehand. The motivation is easy. In exchange for 2 hours of preparation, you could might walk away from the table with $2000 or more in salary—not a bad pay-off for a small amount of time. Granted, it's a complete pain in the ass, but every job seeker should put together a rough personal budget, q q keeping in mind that things like income tax, loan payments and health care will probably account for a huge chunk of each paycheck. q Determine three figures: how much money you think you need; how much you want, and what you think you can live with. Be sure you know exactly what you want, not approximately. Clarity improves communication, which is the conduit for effective negotiations. Justify your needs to yourself, and you will be confident enough to get it. Gather as much factual information as you can to back up the case you want to make. For example, if most entering employees cannot negotiate salary you may be jeopardizing the offer by focusing on that aspect of the package. Turn your attention to some of the other more flexible parts of the offer in order to sweeten the deal, such as your health plan, dental plan, retirement package, the type of schedule you prefer, etc. Review what you know about your contact's communication style and decision-making behavior. How will you respond to counteroffers? What are your alternatives? What's your bottom line? In short, plan your strategy. Have someone, preferably an experienced business professional, critique your reasoning. q q q q q q RESOURCES: q There are many salary survey sites. Wage Web: http://www.wageweb.com The Salary Calculator: http://www2.homefair.com/calc/salcalc.html Careers at WSJ: http://public.wsj.com/careers/resources/ documents/cwc-salariesindex.htm q Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://stats.bls.gov/oco/oco1000.htm) features salary information, job descriptions and an employment forecast for each industry. Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/ also offers a thorough package of employment information and statistics by region. Ask friends and alumni of your school who work in the industry what a typical starting salary for a new graduate is in the job of your choice. Call the company and talk to the hiring manager or personnel director. "I'm interviewing for the software position on Wednesday, and I'd like to get some information in advance. Can you tell me the salary range for this job?" q q q WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW GOING IN: q You'll have more negotiating power if you have specific programming or engineering skills, internship or co-op experience—anything that has demonstrated or tested your professional skills. Requesting a salary increase because you are a fast learner, or have a high GPA usually are not justifiable reasons in the eyes of the employer. Always wait until a job has been offered before you begin negotiating. Always begin by expressing genuine interest in the position and the organization. Often, your initial contact person will come right out and state: "This position's salary is $32,000; everyone starts out at that figure." Don't let this discourage you, every single salary is negotiable. Express your enthusiasm for the position, the company, and its work environment, and then calmly explain how that salary comes out on the low end when compared some of the q q q q other positions you've been considering. q The key is to keep the initial interview conversation rolling without ever committing to an exact salary. Always leave yourself an out. For example, when pressed, mention that you'd still like to find out more details about the position because your primary concern is an exciting work environment, not money. This is, of course, not exactly accurate, but it keeps the ball rolling and sets up your position at the future bargaining table. The initial interview is kind of like dating someone without ever trying to commit to them. Guys should know all about this. You will usually be up against someone who has much more experience with negotiating. The best thing you can do is take away their power. The easiest way to do that is to NEVER TELL THEM THE SMALLEST AMOUNT YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE. According to the Noel Smith-Wenkle Salary Negotiation Method, the first time they ask you how much you'll take, reply: "I am much more interested in doing (type of work) here at (name of company) than I am in the size of the initial offer." If they press you again, reply: "I will consider any reasonable offer." These are worth memorizing. Whoever mentions the first price, usually loses the battle. After they are forced to name a figure, NEVER jump right on top of it. Research shows that if you acknowledge the offer, contemplate it for a few seconds, and then explain how that figure is smaller then you had expected, the hiring manager will almost always immediately offer more. Remember: he or she has usually been given a little leverage to make the hire. Compare it to your "secret bottom line." You can always give in and accept the offer. With a little hesitation, however, you may be able to get way more than you had expected. Try to avoid expressing that you need the figure to be q q q q q X amount higher. See if you can get by with simply saying "higher." q If pressed, defend your proposal with your workrelated skills and positive benefits to the employer. You can always negotiate more than just salary. Benefits can add thousands of dollars to the compensation package. They include paid personal leave, discounts on the company's products and services, health insurance, paid vacations, personal/sick days, child care, elder care, use of the company jet for family emergencies, disability and life insurance, retirement plans, investment or stock options, relocation costs, and tuition credits for continued education. One of the biggest trends in today's hiring market are signing bonuses. If it makes you more comfortable, submit your initial request in writing and plan to meet later to hash out the differences. Keep in mind that the employer has chosen you from a pool of qualified applicants, so you are not as vulnerable as you think. Remember that this process should be a smooth one, and that success is determined by how well you break down the barriers that crop up when two people take sides. q q q q SOURCES: Lily Maestas, Counseling and Career Services, University of California. Amy Lingren, Knight-Ridder News Service. David G. Jensen, Search Masters International. The Noel Smith-Wenkle Salary Negotiation Method. Jack Chapman, Author of Negotiating Your Salary. RECOMENDED BOOKS: Negotiating Your Salary: How to Make $1,000 a Minute, by Jack Chapman (Ten Speed Press). Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com Choose Topic Full Site Evaluating an Offer of Employment THREE CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO ANSWER There are three critical questions you should address during your evaluation: 1. How closely does the offer match your career goal? Think back to when you started your job search. What was important to you? What factors regarding a job, organization and work environment were on your "wish list?" Have they changed? How well does this position fit these factors? Below are some factors you may want to consider in evaluating your offer. Some of these may not be important to you, and there may be other factors not listed which are extremely important to your decision. 2. Do you need additional information about the offer (or anything) in order to make a decision? It is not unusual to discover, as you're weighing different factors about the offer, that you have additional questions, lack some factual data, or simply need a better sense of what the job and organization are like. If this is the case, STOP! Don't go any further in your deliberations until you address these issues. You may need to call one of your interviewers and ask additional questions, or contact an alum who works for the organization. If you need a better understanding of what it would be like during a day on the job, call the employer (if they are local) and ask to spend an afternoon observing an entry-level employee in the job you're considering. Most employers will be willing to Interview Preparation Resources Career Profiles Organizations Minority Issues Women in Technology Industry Focus The Future of Your Discipline Tutorials Ask Dr. Job International Insights Pure Procrastination Quotations Articles Feature Articles Higher Education Graduate School The Job Hunt Resume & Interview Help Company Profiles Regional Job Markets Entry Level Salaries Search Jobs Graduating Engineer in Print About GE Magazine This Month in Print accommodate you. If you have other questions or concerns which impact your decision, you should discuss them with a representative from our office. 3. Are there issues you may want to negotiate, which would bring the offer closer to your goal? Perhaps the issues which concern you about the offer can be changed. If the job seems ideal except for location, then you might want to raise the issue with the employer. Some start dates are non-negotiable because training classes must begin together. In some instances, however, the start date can be adjusted. THINGS TO REMEMBER: q Don't feel pressured to accept an offer immediately. Evaluate the non-financial aspects of a package. It's important to consider things like "the size of the company, work environment, dress code, and the experience you stand to gain," especially when you're looking at cash-poor startups or industries where entrylevel salaries are traditionally low. Would you give up a little money if you could wear jeans to work and start your days at 10 a.m.? When dealing with startup companies, sometimes employee stock options are the ultimate compensation. Would you be willing to work hard hours for lower pay if it meant that in 2 or three years you could literally be a millionaire? If you feel you absolutely can't live on the salary an employer is offering, offer to temp for the company—once you prove yourself, you could get a more acceptable offer. q q q MAJOR FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION: q q q q q Nature of the work Organizational culture Level of autonomy Travel Salary q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q q Mentoring Lifestyles of employees Stability of organization Quality of higher management Opportunities to learn and grow in job/company Support for continuing education Transferability of skills/experience from job Location Prestige of job or organization Level of responsibility Work hours Benefits Variety of work Stability of industry Advancement opportunities Training and development opportunities AFTER YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION: q Once you have reached a conclusion with which you are both relatively comfortable, present in writing your interpretation of the agreement. If the employer chooses not to grant any of your requests—and realistically, they can do that—you will still have the option of accepting the original offer provided you have maintained a positive, productive and friendly atmosphere during your exchanges. You can always re-enter negotiations after you have demonstrated your worth to the organization. Companies that are firm on salary often also have schedules for pay increases.j q q q "Three questions" and "Factors to Consider" were written by Virginia Lacy. Adapted with permission from Northwestern University's Career Services Guide; © 1998 Virginia Lacy. Previous | Next | Back to top of page Feedback | About This Site | Advertising | Archives | Affiliations Copyright © 2000-2004 Career Recruitment Media, Inc. www.graduatingengineer.com