Job search workshop for Civil Engineers - University of Michigan

1. Job Search Strategies Workshop
Jerry Donahue, Career Counselor
Engineering Career Resource Center
jerryuod@umich.edu

2. Job Search is a Process. . . .
 Step One - understand and articulate your value
 Assess your skills, interests and achievements
 Understand what employers want
 Create compelling messaging to attract employer interest
 Step Two - create your action plan manage as a project
 Broaden your list of target jobs
 Research companies and industries
 Expand and work your network
 Actively pursue positions of interest
 Step Three - conduct a reality check
 Evaluate how well your tools are working
 Adjust your tools and seek assistance as needed
 Step Four - maintain a positive, proactive mindset
 Step Five - repeat Steps 1-4 until desired result achieved

3. What makes YOU unique?
Tell your story
 What are you most proud of?
 What are you really good at? How do you know?
 When did your extra effort pay off?
 What would a boss/instructor say about you? Why?
 How did you contribute to a team’s goal?
 When did you solve a complex technical problem?
 When were you really energized by a project? Why?
Recognize the value in these experiences and
communicate it throughout your search.

4. What employers want
 Communication skills  Computer skills
 Honesty/integrity  Analytical skills
 Interpersonal skills  Flexibility/adaptability
 Motivation/initiative  Detail-oriented
 Strong work ethic  Organizational skills
 Teamwork skills  Leadership
 Self confidence  Technical skills

5. Tailor your messaging
Resume
 Focus on achievements
 Clearly demonstrate relevant skills
Elevator Pitch
 Name, degree, grad date
 Strengths, achievements, goals
Interview Style
 Articulate impact
 Demonstrate how you will be successful

6. How’s it working for you?
 Are you finding jobs that interest you?
 What feedback are you getting from recruiters?
 Are you getting interviews?
 Are you making it to the second interview?
 Have you received an offer?
Be honest with yourself. Adjust what you’re doing if
necessary to increase your likelihood of success.

7. Organize your search
 Develop your plan- utilize a diverse approach
 Identify target companies and research available
career opportunities
 Create a job log to track your activity
 Set timelines for required actions and follow up
 Maintain a list of contacts and record activity
 Do something every day – keep up the momentum
 Balance your time between Internet job postings and
networking

8. Sources of Job Leads
 ENGenius.Jobs
 NACELink
 Company Websites
 Networking ***
 Company Events
 Alumni Networks
 Professional Associations
 Chambers of Commerce
 Job Boards

9. Campus and Local Job Search Resources
 ECRC - career.engin.umich.edu
 Career Center Connector – careercenter.umich.edu
 UM Library – www.lib.umich.edu
 Alumni Association –alumni.umich.edu
 Ann Arbor Spark - www.annarborusa.org

17. Top Online Resources
 Vault.com
 Wetfeet.com
 Collegegrad.com
 Engineerjobs.com
 Going Global - online.goinglobal.com
 USACareerGuides.com – powered by GoingGlobal
 Investor Relations Information Network – irin.com
 Hoover’s, Inc. – hoovers.com

18. Why Networking?
 Networking is a great way to gain valuable insight into
careers
 About 40% of high tech jobs available in the market
are in small companies who often do not advertise
openings or recruit on college campuses
 Many jobs lie in the hidden job market
References: U.S. Small Business Administration, sba.gov

19. In addition, networking is. . . .
 A ticket to the hidden job market
 A way to gain insider information about the hiring
practices of specific companies
 A means to receive valuable advice about the job
search process
 An opportunity to promote yourself and leave others
with a positive lasting impression of you

20. Networking – how to work it
 Introduce yourself and communicate with vast audiences
 Start with people you already know
 Create opportunities to get connected - follow up on leads
 Online Network – LinkedIn, ENGenius.Jobs, InCircle
 Networking and Association Events
 Informational Interviews
 20-30 minutes to learn more about a field or industry
 Make a positive and lasting impression
 Ask for names of others you can contact
 Write a thank you and keep them informed of your progress

21. Maintain a positive mindset
 Broaden your search
 Track milestones and celebrate small successes
 Be patient – average length is 4-6 months
 Remember turn-downs are not personal
 Recognize that each experience is a learning
opportunity and gets you closer to your goal
 Focus on the journey – you’ll make it to your
destination.

22. Sources of Job Search Leads
 INDEED.COM & SIMPLYHIRED.COM
 EMPLOYER INFORMATION SESSIONS
 FACEBOOK CONTACTS
 LINKEDIN.COM (GROUPS)
 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS, E.G. ASCE
 FACULTY & STAFF MEMBERS
 JOB SEARCH LINKS BY DISCIPLINE(SEE CIVIL ENGRG.
LIST)
 BUSINESS JOURNALS, E.G. CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS
 INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS

23. Civil Engineering Job Search Websites
 ASCE Jobs(http://careers.asce.org/search.cfm) -  Ecojobs.com( - Hundreds of environmental jobs in
Lists current jobs for Civil Engineers various industries (user ID=berk, password=uca)
 The Blue Book  Engcen(http://www.engcen.com/civil.asp)- Jobs for
(http://www.thebluebook.com/links/ilhead.htm)- civil engineers
The Blue Book of Building and Construction  Environmental
 CleanTechRecruits.com - Jobs(http://environmentalcareer.com/job-board/)-
(http://www.cleantechrecruits.com/) From Environmental Career Center - The leading site
internships for college students to jobs for Ph.D.s. dedicated to environmental employment
Engineering, business and environmental jobs in  The Fulcrum International
sectors including: (http://www.thefulcrumintl.com/Home/Default.asp
Solar energy, wind energy, geothermal x)- Resources for architectural, engineering, and
energy, biomass, biofuel, clean coal, green construction industry job seekers
construction, hydropower.  Green Careers Guide.com - Information on a wide
 Civil Engineering Jobs variety of careers that have an environmental impact.
(http://www.civilengineeringjobs.com/)- Find civil  Green Dream
engineering jobs quickly Jobs(http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cf
 Civil Engineering m/go/greendreamjobs.main/?CFID=4455998&CFT
Jobs(http://www.icerecruit.com/civil/jobs.asp)- OKEN=30126893)- Lists career and internship
Search for civil engineering jobs in the UK and openings, links and resources.
Europe.  Green Jobs Network (-http://greenjobs.net/)
 Construction Jobs (http://www.construction-jobs- Searchable database of environmental and social
search.com/)- Construction and related vacancies responsibility positions throughout the US
nationwide  Greenjobs.com - Job board focused specifically
 E Jobs: Environmental Jobs and Careers employment in renewable energy worldwide.
(http://www.ejobs.org/)- Useful information on job  Institute of Transportation Engineers
listings nationwide. (http://jobs.ite.org/)- Employment Center Job
Search

24. Civil Engineering Job Search Websites, cont.
 Internships with the Environmental Careers Organization
(http://www.eco.org/)
 Intern with the Environmental Protection Agency
(http://www.epa.gov/careers/gradopp.html)
 Structural Engineering Jobs (http://www.structuralengineerjobsource.com/)-
Jobs for structural engineers
 Structural Engineers Association (http://www.seaint.org/)- Connect to
structural engineering employers
 Web Directory (http://www.webdirectory.com/) - Directory of links to various
environmental organizations.
 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(http://www.usace.army.mil/Pages/Default.aspx) - Corps does hire civilian
personnel
 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (http://www.epa.gov/)
 UtilityRecruiter.com
(http://www.utilityrecruiter.com/Candidates_JobSearch.aspx) - View job
listings; no resume posting by candidates.

25. Remain open minded
 Be open to opportunities outside of your field
 Build skills that will prepare you for your dream job
 Consider new geographic areas, industries, and
company profiles
 Consider part-time, contract and volunteer positions
that give you desired exposure to your target

26. Get going. . . . .
 Do something for your job search every day, but
don’t let it consume you
 Job search activities should be part looking at
websites for job postings and part reaching out to
people/networking/informational interviews
 Have a back-up plan. Be prepared to accept a
position that could lead to your dream job

27. Questions?
Engineering Career Resource Center
230 Chrysler Center
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
http://career.engin.umich.edu
ecrc-info@umich.edu