The Mines Strategy

THE MINES STRATEGY YOUR CAREER TOOLS FOR ENGINEERING Colorado School of Mines Career Center is committed to embracing the inclusion and diversity of our campus community, thereby creating equal opportunity for everyone. Acknowledging, respecting, and promoting each student and graduate, with his or her distinctive combination of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or military service and socioeconomic background, brings a creative, innovative, and valued new workforce to our family of employers. Title IX, part of the 1972 Amendments to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in federally funded educational programs or activities, including the provision of career services. Mines is committed to providing a campus community free from sex-based discrimination. Sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking, is prohibited within the Mines campus community. It is important to note Mines policies regarding Title IX apply to Mines employees and students, as well as any individual who visits the Mines campus or interacts with Mines students or employees on or off campus. Through this notice, recruiters and employer representatives are advised that any form of sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, or stalking against Mines students and employees is strictly prohibited. Similarly, Mines community members are prohibited from engaging in such behavior towards recruiters and employer representatives. If your or someone you know has been impacted by these issues within the Mines community, appropriate resources are found at: mines.edu/title-ix COMMUNICATE | EDUCATE | COLLABORATE | EMPOWER | CONNECT Find us on social media: @minescareercenter @minescareers Colorado School of Mines Career Center table of contents ColoradoSchoolofMines 1500 Illinois Street Golden, CO 80401 303-273-3000 or 800-446-9488 MINES.eDU/careers MAIN OFFICE: Mines Career Center Ben H. Parker Student Center 1200 16th Street, E180 Golden, CO 80401 303-273-3233 Career Services 4 Types of Positions 6 Career Planning 7 Graduate School and Beyond 10 Proactive Job Search 12 DiggerNet 15 Resumes 16 Advanced Resumes 22 Business Communications 26 Career Portfolio and References 32 Social Media 33 Career Day Tips 35 Networking 36 Dress for Success 37 Interviews 38 Business Etiquette 44 Diversity in the Workplace 46 The Global Job Search 47 Professional Ethics 49 Offers, Salaries and Contracts 50 A special thanks to ConocoPhilips, whose generous support and sponsorship made this publication possible. THE MINES STRATEGY: CAREER SERVICES VIRTUAL SERVICES offered by the  CAREER CENTER ONLINE JOB SEARCH SYSTEM: DIGGERNET DiggerNet is the Mines online recruiting and career management system. Through this site, students can apply to jobs, keep track of Career Center events, employer interviewing schedules, and research employment opportunities. ON CAMPUS & ONLINE INTERVIEWS Industry and government representatives visit the campus throughout the year to interview students for internships, job shadowing, co-op positions, and full-time jobs. These are scheduled through your DiggerNet account. Virtual interviews is always an option for employers to meet with Mines students. INFORMATION SESSIONS Information Sessions are a valuable component to the job search and career exploration. These are presentations where companies come to campus and invite students to learn about their company and career opportunities. A typical company information session is 1 – 1.5 hours and normally includes a company presentation, a question and answer period, refreshments, and time to network directly with recruiters. Career Center is also hosting virtual information sessions when needed. DIGGERNET JOB FAIR Held each spring, DiggerNet Job Fairs are intense online events in which students and graduates can apply to companies with immediate opportunities without having to attend an event in person. SPRING LAUNCH RECRUITING EVENT This recruiting events offer a small networking time with many interviews for internship or full-time positions. WIRED FOR WORK WIRED for Work! is a professional development event offering valuable practice for Career Day success. Recruiters are available for students and graduates to have their resumes critiqued from industry representatives and gain experience interacting with employers in advance of Career Day. Fall 2020 WIRED For Work event will be on a virtual platform. OUTCOMES & SALARY DATA Updated annually, the Career Center collects and publishes data on the outcomes and starting salaries of all graduates, as well as internship and co-op compensation. This information is found at mines.edu/careers, Salary and Outcome Statistics. ACCESSIBILITY Those individuals participating in Career Center activities and/or using career services, who have accessibility needs, concerns, or requests are encouraged to contact Jane Cain at 303-273-3233, lcain@mines.edu. Text Text Even when we cannot be in-person, the  Mines Career Center will continue to offer services remotely. These services include: Live chat Remote career advising Employer engagement opportunities Workshops, panels, and professional development opportunities And more! When remote, a listing of Career Center services can be found on the website: mines.edu/careers ONE-ON-ONE CAREER ADVISING Finding your professional passion and ideal career path is a journey. Mines Career Advisors are equipped to help you with this process through exploration and evaluation of your interests, strengths, values, and skills. RESUME, COVER LETTER, AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION ASSISTANCE The Career Center staff can help you with creating a resume or CV and strong, customized cover letters that best present your qualifications for marketability and increase your conversion rate of resumes submitted to interviews obtained. Explore the resume and letter sections of this manual for tips and samples. JOB SEARCHING AND INDUSTRY PANEL WORKSHOPS Presented by Career Center staff and top company recruiters, over forty workshops a year are offered to all students, student groups, and classroom presentations. Topics include: Resume Writing, Proactive Job Search, (Online) Interviewing Skills, Networking, Business Etiquette, Social Media, (Virtual) Career Day Success, Contract Review/Negotiations, and more! ENGINEERING YOUR CAREER PATH COURSE This course is designed to provide the student with advanced career planning and job searching tools that are instrumental to be successful in obtaining internships, co-ops, research, and full-time positions. This 1.0 credit course is strongly recommended for all students, with classes and assignments that are designed to give the student a head start through the transition from being a Mines student to the workforce. Guest speakers, who are leaders in their industries, impart their valuable advice and tips directly to you. PRACTICE INTERVIEWS Schedule an appointment for a practice interview with one of the Career Advisors, who will offer ideas and feedback about your approach. For additional practice, the Career Center offers a convenient, free online interview system for Mines students. This mock interviewing module in DiggerNet allows you to practice from the convenience of your home. CAREER DAY - A MINES SIGNATURE EVENT Each September and February, the Career Center sponsors a signature career fair, open to all students. Hundreds of companies, government agencies, and graduate schools bring information to exhibit. Recruiters talk about their organizations and projects, and discuss internships as well as full-time career opportunities. Fall 2020 Career Day will be on a virtual platform. Professional career development is integral to the success of Mines graduates and to the mission of Mines. All Colorado School of Mines students will benefit by working with the Career Center to acquire the necessary job search skills. The purpose of this manual is to provide you with the tools and guidance that are instrumental to being successful in your future career goals. Career services are provided to all students and recent graduates, up to 24 months after graduation. Students must adhere to the ethical and professional business and job searching practices as stated in the Career Center Student Policy, located on the student's homepage of DiggerNet. CONNECT WITH THE CAREER CENTER The ultimate goal of students at Colorado School of Mines is a meaningful career. Taking your hard-earned skills and credentials and entering into a full-time position that is interesting and right for you brings personal and professional satisfaction. A short-term unpaid experience to investigate a particular profession or type of industry can be very valuable when exploring your career. Visit various professionals from your chosen major – project manager, field engineer, consultant, regulator; they may all share the same major but have highly differing tasks and experiences. Approach this experience with the same job searching methods as any position. STRATEGIC  THINKING THE MINES STRATEGY: TYPES OF POSITIONS RELATIONSHIP BUILDING Understanding yourself, including your strengths, interests, skills, and values is a key piece in navigating your lifelong career journey. Self-discovery is not a destination where you arrive, but rather a roadmap to add to as you gather new experiences and learn new things about yourself. We draw from many areas to gather information about ourselves such as: our experiences, friends and family, how we spend our free time, personality and career assessments, and more. As you move forward in the process of identifying your career goals, values, and various pathways you would like to take on your career journey, keep a record of the information you’ve gathered on yourself and your interests so that you may revisit and add to them periodically. Use the information and assessments below to get started. Many students work while in college and part-time employment is a great way to build skills and experiences for after graduation. Part-time employees typically work anywhere from 10-25 hours per week, though this may vary. Consider looking for part-time positions on-campus, in research labs or industry. While a part-time job may not align to your future career goals, it creates an opportunity to build skills such as communication, teamwork, and time management, and can help to boost your resume. Another option for relevant experience that is a win/win for both student and employer is the co-op, combining employment of at least six months full-time work, followed by an academic portion which earns elective credit. The longer commitment allows a student to truly integrate into an organization’s staff, with more responsibility and continuity in projects. PERSONALITY TYPES PART-TIME EMPLOYMENT Analytical Context Futuristic Ideation Input Intellection Learner Strategic Undergraduate research programs are for students wanting a more in-depth view of interesting projects, or who may already be considering graduate school as a possible future step. At schools across the country, National Science Foundation awards grants for specific projects and offers stipends for students to join research teams. EXECUTING RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES (REU) Whether your interests lie in the direction of industry, academia, research, policy, health and medicine, teaching, humanitarian or non-profits, or perhaps creating and managing your own business, the skills and characteristics you develop at Mines give you a foundation for success. Seek a variety of experiences to verify your choices and build a resume that will move you forward. To explore any of the above opportunities further, check out DiggerNet for a variety of possibilities and positions beyond those which may be considered traditional for your major. You can also connect with a staff member in the Career Center for career exploration and planning support. The Mines Career Center works with students and recent graduates, from B.S. to PhD. providing career services for up to twenty-four months following graduation while you are actively seeking a full-time position INTERNSHIPS THE MINES STRATEGY: CAREER PLANNING Achiever Arranger Belief Consistency Deliberative Discipline Focus Responsibility Restorative STRENGTHS JOB SHADOWING Internships are an opportunity to use current abilities and skills, and develop industry-specific skills while working with professionals on projects of real value to the hiring organization. Duties vary according to degree level, courses completed, prior intern experience, and the needs of the organization. Most internships are 8-10 weeks full-time during the summer and are paid; some local ones may continue part-time into the academic year. Approximately 75% of Mines graduates each year indicate some form of relevant experience before graduation. Internships can clarify your career focus; and they are becoming more and more important for employers to see on the resume of applicants. SELF-DISCOVERY AND MAPPING A CAREER PATH COOPERATIVE EDUCATION (CO-OPS) CHOOSING YOUR CAREER PATH Activator Command Communication Competition Maximizer Self-Assurance Significance Woo What if you really understood how to create more satisfaction and success in your efforts by building on your greatest talents—how you already most naturally think, feel, and behave. To know this allows you to use your energy and time in a most effective way, and will help you more clearly understand how you contribute in a team setting, and how your leadership style is manifested. A strength is a talent that is productively applied. It requires intention and effort, and begins with self-knowledge. We are often unaware of our strengths because they are qualities that come naturally to us, and given the opportunity to bring them into our awareness, we can then focus on making our strengths that much better. The CliftonStrengths® for Students assessment provides valuable insight into how you think and work and the most effective ways to have a positive effect. Strengths assessment and evaluation is included as part of Mines’ 1-credit course, Engineering Your Career Path, or can be accessed for a small fee at shop.gallup.com/strengths.html. Answer the questions quickly and honestly to reveal your top talents, then come to one of the Strengths educators in the Mines Career Center for coaching in using your top 5 Signature Themes, turning them into true strengths for success. As you understand yourself and notice the wide variety of ways that others express their talents, you will find it useful to observe both the similarities and the differences with people you interact with, develop an increased appreciation of others, and find new ways of communicating with your peers, faculty, and employers. An added benefit is that you may have a clearer view of who best to partner with to complement your strengths for studying and projects. FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is an assessment of our natural “preferences” that affect our comfort and success in individual situations or team interactions. Preferences have been compared to being right- or left-handed, as there is no “better” type or combination. MBTI offers a matrix suggesting a basic type that can help clarify why each of us tends to think and act similarly to some and differently from others. These preferences do not limit us from using some functions more common in other types (an example would be comfort with public speaking). What is typical is that we return to our true type for “energy recharging” after such situations. Speak to a Career Advisor if you would like more information. INFLUENCING Adaptability Connectedness Developer Empathy Harmony Includer Individualization Positivity Relator ARTISTIC S (Sensing) Prefers real information coming from the five senses. Focuses on what is tangible. I (Introversion) Gets energy from the inner world of reflections and thoughts. Focuses attention inwards in reflection. WAYS TO MAKE DECISIONS Record your results with thoughts about majors, internships, and future careers. Record your MBTI ________ and Interest Codes ________. List your Top 5 Strengths Themes and keywords from your report: T (Thinking) Steps out of situations to analyze them dispassionately. Prefers to make decisions on the basis of  objective logic. SOCIAL Collaborative, supporting, helping MYERS-BRIGGS PREFERENCES RESOURCES FOR SELF DISCOVERY J (Judging) Prefers to live life in a planned and organized manner. Enjoys coming to closure and making a decision. INTERESTS AND VALUES WAYS TO APPROACH THE OUTSIDE WORLD long-term goals . (ESTJ/Achiever). Studying is best with my friends where I can share ideas (Developer/Input/Social); I am thinking about being a tutor, though I think I want to work out in the field, not be a teacher like the RIASEC suggests. Being only slightly Extroverted, I can pull it together to do presentations but then I need to take a break by going for a hike or just hanging out with one or two friends. It seems there is something in every major here that would satisfy my curiosity, but I want a job where I can be analytical …and get my hands dirty fixing things, maybe working in a small team. A combination of looking for solutions to problems and working outside has me leaning toward the energy or environment fields. But I’m open to learn more about other majors. My plan is to apply for internships and go to information sessions to find out more.” _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ N (Intuition) Prefers information coming from associations. Focuses on possibilities and what might be. E (Extroversion) Gets energy from the outer world of people and experiences. Focuses energy and attention outwards  in action. ASSESSMENTS AND CAREER PLANNING - PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Within DiggerNet you can find the Career Finder assessment, a helpful resource for learning more about yourself and your career interests. This assessment will provide you with a Holland, or “RIASEC” code (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional). People are often most successful in a work environment that aligns with their personality. For example, Investigative types often seek out and are satisfied in Investigative work environments. Explore O*Net Online (onetonline.org) and meet with a Career Advisor to discuss your code and work environments that align well. What am I good at? What is my passion? What problems do I like to solve? What do I enjoy doing in my free time? Talk with a Mines Career Advisor and use reports from assessments to help answer the following questions: What am I curious about exploring? How do I prefer to learn? Where do I go from here? THE MINES STRATEGY: CAREER PLANNING INVESTIGATIVE Practical, physical, hands-on Analytical, scientific, explorative THE MINES STRATEGY: CAREER PLANNING WAYS TO DIRECT AND RECEIVE ENERGY Text REALISTIC Competitive, leading, persuading F (Feeling) Steps into situations to weigh human values and motives. Prefers to make decisions on the basis of values ENTERPRISING CONVENTIONAL WAYS TO TAKE IN INFORMATION “It was interesting to see my StrengthsFinder Top 5 were Restorative, Strategic, Developer, Achiever, and Input – I read my full reports and saw how they confirmed I was meant to be an engineer. In addition, my MBTI (ESTJ) and Interests (Realistic, Investigative, Conventional) matched me pretty well. I’ve always been taking things apart and then putting them back together (Realistic/Sensing/Restorative), wanting to understand how and why things work (Conventional/Thinking); and I like to problem-solve improvements (Strategic). It is true I spend lots of time and work hard to figure things out (Investigative/Achiever). School is going well because I do have good organizational skills (Conventional) and keep focus on my Creative, original, spontaneous MY ASSESSMENTS AND PLAN FOR CREATING A CAREER EXPLORATION PLAN DAVID LAU: ASSESSMENTS AND CREATING A CAREER EXPLORATION PLAN Detail-oriented, organized, orderly P (Perceiving) Prefers to live life in a spontaneous and adaptable way. Enjoys keeping  options open. Use this space to summarize your assessments and some thoughts on majors and careers. SAMPLE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE MAKING THE DECISION APPLYING THE MINES STRATEGY: GRADUATE SCHOOL General GRE www.ets.org/gre Medical School MCAT www.aamc.org/students Dental School DAT www.ada.org/dat.aspx Law School LSAT www.lsac.org Business & Management GMAT www.gmac.com Measure of English Proficiency TOEFL www.ets.org/toefl The decision to continue on to graduate school can be influenced by many factors – whether it is a long-held goal to achieve a Master’s or PhD, or the realization that the type of career you want requires an advanced degree, it is a major decision that requires research, planning, and attention to application processes. Points to consider include: Colorado School of Mines has many combined undergraduate/graduate programs, allowing a seamless entry into some Master’s programs. Inquiry into the combined undergraduate/graduate program is recommended by the end of the sophomore year so that acceptance of your formal application can be made between the beginning of junior year and the end of registration, second semester senior year. When properly planned, it is not unusual to begin taking Master’s level courses while completing your Bachelor’s degree. Plan ahead for submitting your application to the Office of Graduate Studies, and notify the Career Center when you have been accepted. An alternate degree program at Mines or graduate school at another university may be in your plans. This may be in alignment with your undergraduate degree, or may be something completely different that uses your well-developed abilities to research, analyze, and creative problem-solving. Business, law, medicine, and many other professional studies have been programs pursued by many Mines graduates. Consider whether it benefits you to continue your advanced education immediately after your undergraduate degree or if experience in the workforce would provide you valuable knowledge and skills prior to a graduate degree. Take time to reflect on your interests and goals, and how they may influence your decisions. Resources specialize in graduate school exploration: usnews.com/best-graduate-schools gradschools.com “Many issues have complicated technical elements that are deeply intertwined within environmental, socio-economic, and political contexts. As an engineer aware of these realities, I hope to be involved with national environmental policy making. Meeting this goal will require my participation in environmental engineering graduate study through at least a Masters degree. This university’s push to empower the next generation of civil engineering leaders makes the institution an ideal place to pursue this goal. For example, Dr. ____’s specialization in using numerical models to predict the interactions between pollutants and water sources allows him the ability to recommend in-situ remediation techniques. Fluid mechanics is fascinating to me and I have always found greater mathematical descriptions of problems alluring. The research is important, as it will provide policy makers technical tools and methods for environmental remediation of groundwater sources. I hope to champion sustainable use of groundwater and help focus efforts on groundwater remediation by my role as a consulting engineering and policy maker. Talented consulting engineers have the ability to tackle challenging problems and bring public notice to technical issues. I hope to be active in developing engineering practice that will help improve the quality of our water resources, for example through focused remediation of groundwater via numerical models. I relish the opportunity to interact with faculty like Dr. ______who approach water resources and management from a policy standpoint and Dr. ______, who is evaluating sustainable developmental water projects in the developing world. I hope to be involved with projects like the ones Dr. ____, Dr. _______ and Dr. _____ are pursuing. Working on projects like theirs will help me challenge my preconceptions about greater water issues and aid my development of a larger scale vantage point to approach these issues. This understanding will aid my communication of water supply problems to policy makers and the general public. Ultimately, I intend to be involved in engineering education after a career in consulting. I desire to help develop future leaders through education. My career will be a success if I can understand the context of engineering within society, make connections between engineering practices and policy, and pass on my knowledge and experience to supplement future engineers’ educations.  (Excerpt from Mines BS Civil Engineering Graduate) Throughout your years as a student and an alumni, developing good working relationships with your faculty is imperative. In addition to fostering success and enjoying your academic courses, this type of inclusion of your professors, and showing them your appreciation for their dedication to your education, can result in more opportunities for you. Undergraduate research may be an option where faculty will be able to both mentor you, and assess your abilities in the field you have chosen. When asking for letters of recommendation, it is important to remember the following: Be gracious and appreciative when making such a request. Plan ahead and allow plenty of time for the letter to be completed. Provide specific instructions how letter is to be submitted for the application process. Provide the letter writer with your most current resume or CV to highlight your past activities. In addition to a university application, other requirements generally include transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays on a specific topic within your field, and a Statement of Purpose or Letter of Intent detailing: Career goals and how the specific program and institution fit; explanation of how the program is an important step toward reaching your professional goals; and your preferred research topic, potentially including a specific mention of faculty. Applications generally require successful completion of standardized examinations. This will vary depending on the institution and the program. Examples are listed below. Graduate school is an option for career advancement for approximately 20- 30% of graduates. Continuing with a graduate program in a current major or choosing an alternative direction in engineering, science, business, medicine or law school can be part of your long-term career path. Researching in your late-Junior or early-Senior year can help you develop career options and prepare for the application and funding process. Resources to use include: departmental faculty, Career Advisor, and the Mines Graduate School Department. FUNDING THE MINES STRATEGY: GRADUATE SCHOOL REQUESTING LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Text There are a variety of types of funding for graduate students such as scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment. Available funding is based on a variety of factors including the institution, your program of study, and your status as a student (full vs. part-time; international vs. domestic). When thinking about graduate school, it is important to understand what funding the institution offers as part of your decision to attend. You can speak with both the graduate program and the financial aid office to fully understand your financial aid package and utilize this information in your decision-making process. careers.mines.edu Tools for engineering your job search WHAT IS YOUR PASSION AND WHAT CAN YOU DO? A job search starts with yourself. Consider your values, skills, talents, strengths, and weaknesses. Write about not only your technical and soft skills and education, but what you like doing (such as designing, problem-solving, etc.). What has been your prior work experience? What are your strengths? What are your extracurricular and/or volunteer activities? WHICH ENVIRONMENTS APPEAL TO YOU? In which kind of setting do you function best: office, field, lab, traveling, big corporation, small company, global organization? Ask yourself, what is important to you now: money, location, quality of life, career advancement? And prioritize! ORGANIZE YOUR THOUGHTS. Build lists of ideas, interests, and career goals and then determine how these fit into an organization. Writing down your answers to these questions clarifies your thinking and gives you a place to make adjustments and additions as you go along. Once you have begun, write a statement of short- and long-term career goals. Include strengths and skills that you enjoy using daily, and consider problems in the world that you would be interested in solving. Finding a job is often compared to planning a trip. The process requires deciding on your destination and your means of transportation. A good career map helps to assure that you arrive at the right place on time.This section is designed to give you a continual career path, starting you off on the right foot so that the time you spend in your search will be productive. It is followed by defining the details of each step for engineering your job search, such as: resume and letter writing, interviewing, standing out at Career Day, dressing for success, and business etiquette, and ethics. A proactive job search is really a series of ten primary steps: Asking "So what does your company do?" or "Where are your locations?" or something similar which suggests you have not done any homework. Compare this to those students who have done their research and you know very quickly whose resume moves to the A list and who is on the B list. First sentence: "Are you hiring freshmen?" Instead, introduce yourself and mention you're a freshman majoring in X and are interested in internship opportunities. Then, demonstrate some awareness of our company. TOOLS, STRATEGIES, AND TACTICS THE MINES STRATEGY: PROACTIVE JOB SEARCH COMMUNICATE | EDUCATE | COLLABORATE | EMPOWER | CONNECT Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce. More information can be found at mines.edu/equal-opportunity/ COMPANY/INDUSTRY  RESEARCH RESOURCES Mines Career Center Ben Parker Student Center 1200 16th Street, Suite E180 Golden, CO 80401 303.273.3233 careercenter@mines.edu THE MINES STRATEGY: PROACTIVE JOB SEARCH The Mines Strategy career center One of the most common complaints from recruiters is that students do not research their company before an interview or when they meet them at a recruiting event. Don't let that be you! Employer research is critical! There are many ways to conduct company research. First, DiggerNet will allow you to see who is currently hiring, coming to Career Day or a recruiting event, and holding information sessions. The system will also link directly to the company’s website. Most companies provide information about their products, services, and business locations on their website. While viewing the website, you can make note of the company mission statement, current projects, size of company, etc. Most will provide employment and college recruiting information. Each website is going to be a wealth of information, allowing you to identify the most important elements. Websites, such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Facebook, and YouTube, will provide you with great company information and in some cases, contacts. Other sources of information can include scientific journals, corporate annual reports, business publications, and professional journals. The Mines library has resources in paper and electronic form. Articles in the business sections of newspapers can also suggest leads. One of the best ways to learn about a particular area of work is to talk to people doing that work. For guidance on conducting an "informational interview," see page 40 or come to the Career Center. Questions to research: What are they best known for (their major achievements, awards, current positive news, etc.)? What are their services, products, and/or key projects? What are their locations (and how many)? What is the mission statement and long-term strategies? Do they have a stated commitment to diversity and how is it demonstrated? Who is the leadership and who are the competitors? What is the size of the company and the various divisions and subsidiaries? What type of development programs do they have for interns or new grads? DiggerNet Company Websites LinkedIn Information Sessions Career Day Program Guide Glassdoor YouTube Google Facebook Forbes Trade journal articles U.S. Chamber of Commerce Company annual reports SELF ANALYSIS AND GOALS INDUSTRY AND COMPANY RESEARCH ADVICE FROM EMPLOYERS...DON'T MAKE THESE MISTAKES! THE MINES STRATEGY: PROACTIVE JOB SEARCH Use the ''Jobs I Qualify For link," then create an Advanced Search and Saved Search, setting it to alert you of new jobs by email. Read job descriptions and, if they seem right for you, click on the APPLY button, or save for later review by clicking on the star. Remember, a good cover letter will give you an advantage. If instructed, also complete any accompanying corporate application. Since it is a separate database, be sure you repeat the Saved Search process using Campus Interviews I Qualify For. After applying, and as the date nears, you will be notified if you are Invited (first to choose an interview time), Alternate (if any slots remain), or Pending/Not Invited. JOBS EMPLOYERS DOCUMENTS This page features announcements from the Career Center and quick links to jobs and interviews for which you qualify, career-related events, summaries of your job search activities, notifications of new postings for your favorite employers, and more! All students are uploaded with a brief profile. To begin using DiggerNet, go to the My Account tab, accept conditions in the Policies and complete all items with an asterisk. Be sure to use your Mines email. The system pulls this information for relevant jobs. Profile is an optional area to complete as you wish; it is not seen by others unless you actively send a link. KEEP ON TOP OF THE MAIN RECRUITING TIMES. Although the first week of recruiting for each semester starts at Career Day, you should be working on your job search strategy and tasks ahead of time. The best goal is to be prepared for this first week well in advance. These huge Career Day events held in February and September of each year are heavily attended by company representatives seeking to hire students for positions. In addition, many information sessions and on-campus interviews will start that week. Refer to DiggerNet and the Career Day Tips sections of this guide on strategies for standing out during this first week of the semester. Other networking and recruiting events through the semester are also vital to a proactive search if you are seeking a job. IN ADDITION TO DIGGERNET, UTILIZE EXTERNAL JOB POSTING SITES. Be sure to join the Mines Career Center LinkedIn Group, as employer reps are also part of our group and talk about their company and/or jobs. Finally, a contact through your personal network (family, social, academic, or professional) may lead to a key person within a company who knows of a position. You may be able to arrange for an informational interview to discuss general topics without having a specific job opening in mind. Sometimes such meetings may lead to the perfect match of abilities and need or, at the very least, a referral to another lead. IMPLEMENT A RECORD KEEPING SYSTEM. Record keeping is very important to carefully maintain your contacts. Set up a spreadsheet to record your information. Include the name of the company, contact person and their title, email address and the date of contacts. CELEBRATE THE SMALL WINS. Job searching can sometimes feel overwhelming and discouraging. These are normal feelings. In every job search there are opportunities to celebrate. Take time to celebrate your wins, no matter how small. CREATE AN ACTION PLAN. Staying motivated in a job search can sometimes be difficult. Setting goals can help keep you on-track and empowered through your job search. Here is an example of a goal setting template: PROFILE The Career Finder (a free tool to assess interests and how they relate to the world of work), Mock Interviews, Career Day Guides, and more resources are available here. THE MINES STRATEGY: DIGGERNET The Mines Career Center offers many ways to connect with employers and apply for jobs. Students and recent graduates should actively use DiggerNet, where companies who value the high quality of Mines’ education post internships, co-ops, and entry-level full-time jobs. Apply here for jobs and register to attend information sessions, panels, and workshops that will get you ahead. Search efficiently and successfully! HOME More than 5,000 companies and organizations are represented in DiggerNet; Employer Directory is a great resource to search companies according to industry and location. IMPLEMENTING A STRATEGIC JOB SEARCH When implementing a job search, it is important to remember the five “P”s: planning, preparation, practice, personal appearance, and performance. As with any activity, the more effort you put into your job search with the five “P”’s, the better the results. The two things which most frequently stall a job search are not investing enough time on it and not following up carefully on contacts. Follow-up may be managed by phone, letter and/or email. Further details can be found in the section titled “Business Communications and Follow-up”. To implement a strategic job search, ask yourself the following questions: How much time are you spending in the search? Like your study time, it is best to set a standard time each week to perform your job search activities. What follow-up techniques are you using? Are you calling or emailing when you say you will? Are you taking the initiative or waiting for companies to call? Are you sending thank you letters after interviews and networking events? Are your marketing materials (resumes, letters, LinkedIn profile, emails) of high quality, accurate and professionally presented? Sometimes updating these materials and sending a revised version to reconnect with employers will give you an edge. And finally, attend job searching workshops and make an appointment with the staff in the Career Center to discuss alternate strategies and ideas. APPLYING FOR JOBS AND DIGGERNET RESOURCES A quality resume must be uploaded to see the APPLY button. For additional impact, use customized cover letters to highlight your strengths and interest. Examples are in this manual. Additional documents may also be uploaded. TIPS AND TRICKS reorganized reported researched resolved reviewed selected separated set up simplified solved surveyed staffed supervised taught tested trained used MASTER RESUME VS. TARGET RESUME Though keywords may impress a computer enough to get your resume to the hiring manager's desk, you still have to impress that live human being enough to keep it out of the trash. As any writer will tell you, the key to compelling marketing of your value lies in the action words: verbs. Use action words to clearly describe your experience and accomplishments. Here are a few action verbs to get you started: THE MINES STRATEGY: RESUMES A header is the first part of your resume. This header will also be used for cover letters, thank-you letters, and reference lists, allowing for a professional, cohesive look to your job search package. This should have your name, contact information including address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn address. Make sure when including your LinkedIn address that your profile is up to date. RESUME BASICS A Skills section is designed to highlight your strengths to the company and set you apart from the list of applicants. Recruiters realize that you are a current college student or recent graduate with basic level skills. Even so, they want to gain a brief idea about your abilities, so it is important to list these and keep them up-to-date. Skills can be obtained through classes, labs, projects, sports, clubs, previous employment, etc. Keep in mind that recruiters search resumes using industry-specific keywords. Engineering and technical skills can be listed at the top of this section; professional and general skills are important and should be listed, and they are typically best kept at the end of the list. To save room, skills should be grouped together. Certifications, languages and even work authorization can be listed in this section if applicable. EDUCATION THE MINES STRATEGY: RESUMES These sections are very important as they show that you go over and beyond just your basic academics and work, though they may be included at the bottom of your resume. List the most important items for each section. Associations– List the full name. If you are an officer or on a committee, this is important to mention. Volunteer Work– List the name of the organization, the activities, and if it is a project-oriented event. Awards and Achievements- Keep these to a minimum. TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS For college students and recent graduates, Education should be at the top. This allows the recruiter to see which field the individual is seeking and what type of employment they are looking to obtain. Tips: Current school is listed at the top. High school will only stay on your resume until you earn a college GPA (after your first semester). List your graduation date month and year, justified to the right of the school name, not the dates of attendance. You do not need to include “anticipated graduation”. Your graduation date quickly lets the recruiter know if you are looking for full-time or an internship. Clearly state the title of your degree or diploma with your major field of study. If you have not officially declared your major, just list Bachelor of Science versus undecided. GPA’s are a way for some recruiters to determine whether or not you qualify for a job. If a GPA is 3.0 or higher it should be displayed in a prominent place in this section. GPA's that are 2.5 – 2.9 are good and should be on your resume, but perhaps under the major. If your GPA is under 2.5, it should not be on the resume. constructed contracted converted coordinated created cultivated demonstrated designed developed devised discovered doubled drafted edited eliminated enforced established evaluated HEADER ADDITIONAL SECTIONS While the resume that you utilize for networking purposes and applying to jobs will be one page, it may be possible that over time you will collect many different experiences or projects that can make the document longer than two pages. It is recommended to have a “master resume”, which is your working document where you store information on all of your experiences, leaving nothing out. This document does not get submitted to employers or positions since it is longer than one page. It is useful to regularly update your master resume, so that all of your information is contained in one place. When applying for jobs and networking, you can develop your one-page “target resume”, which you will target and tailor to the positions you are applying for based on the skills and experience the job description requires. minimized motivated negotiated obtained operated organized originated oversaw performed planned prevented produced programmed promoted provided publicized published recruited EXAMPLES OF TECHNICAL SKILLS expanded explained forecasted formed founded generated guided hired implemented improved informed insured interpreted interviewed launched maintained managed marketed A professional profile is an introductory section to your resume that highlights your relevant qualifications and skills. It has become the replacement section for the outdated “Objective” section. Since employers do not spend very long when reviewing a resume, having this section on the resume can be an effective way to show the employer quickly how you will be a fit for the position you are applying for. When creating this section, make sure to be brief and descriptive, not to exceed four sentences in bullet point or paragraph format. This section should include accomplishments and skills that are relevant to the job or industry for which you are applying. Now that you have started your college career, it is time to create your professional resume. The purpose of your resume is to get you an interview. There are several different kinds of resumes for different purposes. This first section is about the most commonly used resumes for students and new graduates at Mines, an industry resume, which is a condensed, easy-to-read summary of your qualifications and achievements. For most graduates, one page is the best length. If you have five years of industry experience and/or a graduate level degree, you may need to use two pages, but not more than two pages total. Do not crowd the page; leave intentional "white space" in order to make it easy to read. achieved acquired adapted addressed administered analyzed anticipated assembled assisted audited budgeted calculated centralized changed collaborated composed condensed conducted ACTION VERBS TO EMPHASIZE SKILLS AND KEYWORDS Computer: SolidWorks, Mathematica, Microsoft Excel, Outlook Laboratory: Safety measures, titrations, and documentation Communication: Public speaking, technical writing Qualities: Organized, problem solver, good team and leadership skills PROFESSIONAL PROFILE/SUMMARY STEP 2: SKILLS USED AND HOW YOU USED THEM Write out everything you did in the position/experience. Make note of technical skills, “soft” skills, technologies utilized or strengths displayed. Talk with a friend or family member about what you did in the experience to help you brainstorm. We often forget about or downplay the accomplishments or responsibilities we had, and having someone with whom to talk about them will make you more likely to remember and capture accurately. STEP 3: RESULT/PURPOSE Projects done in high school will remain on your resume until you have newer college-level projects. Action Verbs + Skills Used/Job Duty + Results/Purpose Mines students have a great opportunity to start gaining valuable team project experience as soon as their freshman year through design courses; some students obtain project experience even before they come to Mines through engineering camps, high school, etc. A variety of titles can be used, such as Project Experience, Engineering Projects, Team Project Experience, or Technical Projects. List the class and project title in bold and your role on the team. Start with an action verb to give an action-oriented description of the project tasks, requirements, your work, and results. Jobs like these show responsibility, strong work ethic, and people skills. Most of your high school information will be dropped after your first year at Mines. Before: Graded assignments Before: Contacted suppliers and read technical documents for part information Before: Designed an efficient AC system Before: Wrote memos and kept people on task Before: Learned how to work with a team efficiently and effectively in field session Include both current and permanent address if looking for jobs near home. Arrange your resume for a true purpose. For example, if you need scholarships, list service, classes, and leadership more detailed and higher on the page. THE MINES STRATEGY: RESUMES After: Managed multiple priorities, including reviewing and providing feedback on 20+ assignments After: Enhanced team’s design by acquiring part information and costs through various suppliers After: Analyzed and redesigned an AC system to be more efficient and convenient for the user After: Directed a team through multiple projects and documented our team’s work for supervisor After: Coordinated with team to provide an efficient and effective solution to problems DID YOU KNOW? The purpose of this section is to include applicable work experience, paid and unpaid, full-time and part-time. Various titles can be used, such as Work Experience, Engineering Experience, Relevant Experience, or Additional Experience. Begin with the most recent experience. List the company name, the title of the position you held, the location of the employer, and the dates in which you held the position. Stress your accomplishments and the skills used to get results. Start with an action verb to give an action-oriented description of your work. If you were in a non-related job, stress the skills that are transferable. Your accomplishment must grab the reader, and quantify the results; Were you responsible for a project? Did you increase profits? How did you display or use the skill? Many of us have similar skills that we may use very differently than one another. For example, you may have used Microsoft Excel to complete a project. However, the specific way you used Excel is important since Excel can be used for many different functions. Being specific in how you displayed or used the skill is helpful in the brainstorm process and can prevent leaving out important information about what you did in the job/project. Since building quality bullet points is not always easy as “1, 2, 3”, go through the bullet point building process listed here based on the formula above to help get you started. Text While this piece of the bullet point formula may be optional, it can be extremely beneficial as it showcases your accomplishments and the “why” behind what you were doing. Are you wondering how to go about the process of taking your experiences and listing them in descriptive, but concise language? Use the bullet point formula to create rockstar bullet points! STEP 1: BRAINSTORM BULLET POINT FORMULA WORK EXPERIENCE EXAMPLES PROJECTS Look for additional opportunities such as active student organizations, volunteer work and student associations. Watch your enjoyment and experience grow! THE MINES STRATEGY: RESUMES Your have many of the skills and good qualities employers want-OWN THEM. A recruiter will typically spend 20-30 second on each resume. It should give just enough information so that the reviewer wants to find out more about you. The recruiter should see a fit between your skills and the company's needs. Your resume should be neat, easy to read, and printed on one side only. Paper should be white or off-white with no bright colors or graphics. TWO-COLUMN RESUME SAMPLE UNDERGRADUATE RESUME SAMPLE UNDERGRADUATE RESUME SAMPLE-FOR SCHOLARSHIP GRADUATE STUDENT WITH ACADEMIC PROJECTS Putting together an effective resume for a Master’s or PhD student with significant experience is very different than constructing one for a typical B.S. or M.S. student without industry experience. With greater experience, your resume should showcase your advanced knowledge and research skills that will demonstrate what you can deliver to solve problems or contribute to performance and profitability. It is very important that you customize your resume to display skills and experiences that align with the organization’s needs. For anyone returning to earn a degree in a different career field, your resume must clearly state the career transition, and show the value of prior experience in a concise way that employers will read and be engaged to learn more. For this, a “less is more” rule prevails in order to focus the skill set on the needs of the employer, though a two-page resume may still result. Utilize a “Professional Summary” section to indicate your career transition and to leverage transferable skills and accomplishments. Work with the Career Center to highlight the most relevant information. Insert a summary of your current career path, and mention a few skills from your previous job experience that particularly match the employer’s needs. Lead with Education, but create a layout of skills and employment based on the job priorities. Be ready to develop more than one tailored resume if your interests include varied industries, e.g. an aerospace resume, an energy/utilities resume, a non-profit resume. Quantify responsibilities and accomplishments. How many people/data/things did you work with? For example: “Proposed and tracked $500K annual departmental budget. Only division to meet deadlines and budget during past three years.” Such wording of achievement reveals problem solving and leadership abilities clearly. VETERANS THE CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) One special resume format is for application to Federal positions. Detailing projects, abilities, and experiences to demonstrate a wide variety of qualities is recommended and may expand a resume to three pages or more. It is best to utilize the resume builder at usajobs.gov while tailoring it to a specific job description’s tasks, skills and qualifications. Save this and revise it to match the details of other positions you are interested in. It is important to match desired skills with your experience (paid and unpaid experience are both valued). Pathways is a program specifically for current students and new graduates, with federal opportunities including internships for BS, MS, PhD current students, full-time Recent Graduates Program for BS, MS, PhD graduates up to two years following graduation, plus a very competitive Presidential Management Fellows Program for MS and PhD applying within two years after degree completion. The Mines Career Center staff can assist you in understanding this very specialized form of a resume. Another resource that is specifically dedicated to helping you effectively apply for federal jobs is www.gogovernment.org. ADVANCED RESUMES-M.S. AND Ph.D. THE MINES STRATEGY: ADVANCED RESUMES EXPERIENCED APPLICANT TRANSITIONING TO A NEW CAREER Tips to consider as you take the sum total of your experience and organize or customize your CV for application to a specific position: For the summary, specify three or four skills that match the employer’s needs. This summary may be structured as either a short introductory paragraph or with the highlights in a “bullet” format. Determine the layout based on the priorities of the position sought: academia, research, or industry. For example, instructional experience, mentoring, and research will float to the top when seeking a teaching position, but may be considered“Other Experience” if it is a position in manufacturing that is targeted for your career path. When there is extensive experience critical to the position sought, lead with this relevant experience, rather than educational background. Place education lower on the CV, noting degrees and dates. Thesis work is described depending on the purpose of the CV - the same activity could be described as either practical tasks for an industry position, or with more theory and results for a research position. THE MINES STRATEGY: ADVANCED RESUMES FEDERAL RESUMES A proper Curriculum Vitae is similar to the master resume where it is an expanded document that includes more detail than the one-page resume. A CV includes more details on experiences, and it is expected that the candidate will have sections on research, publications, presentations, courses taught, etc. in this document. In addition to submission of a CV for applying to positions in the fields of academia and research, this type of document may be expected when applying for positions with organizations outside the United States. Clarify if this is true if employers use the term “CV” in a posting, or if a more concise “resume” is actually requested. An experienced candidate often brings a history of actions and proven results that will expand a CV to much more than two pages. Be sure the length is appropriate and ask if you are unsure. Below your contact information on the CV, you may have many of the following sections with the order of these sections depending on position type and industry. Those with U.S. military experience can be assured that their skills and character are appreciated by employers recruiting at Mines. You will find names of many of the companies attending Mines Career Days and posting positions in DiggerNet on any list of top military-friendly organizations. For veterans seeking non-government careers, being aware of how tasks performed in the military context can be translated to transferable skills is important. Although some companies might understand and value terminology used in military service, it is better to avoid abbreviations or acronyms. Focus on actions and developed abilities that are valuable in a civilian context. For those wanting to pursue civilian careers in U.S. Government, the website www.fedshirevets.gov answers frequently asked questions, with a listing of federal agencies and specific contacts at those agencies. Objective specifying career path Summary of relevant qualifications Education beginning with graduate degrees earned, then undergraduate degrees Listing of relevant course work Experience in research Description of dissertation Publication (those already published, in process, or pending submission) in proposal form, with dates Presentations Professional licenses and certifications Technical skills Professional membership Academic and/or professional awards Continuing education seminars Grants and fellowships Committee involvement and leadership Work experience-paid or unpaid Community service and volunteer work International experience, foreign language, current passport References VETERAN WITH TRANSFERABLE SKILLS GRADUATE STUDENT WITH INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE PhD GRADUATE CV (2-PAGE LAYOUT EXAMPLE - MAY BE 3 OR MORE PAGES AS NEEDED) CREATING THE PERFECT COVER LETTER Other types of written communication can enhance connections with employers. Possible reasons for professional communication might include: Reconfirming interest when significant time has passed since a conversation was initiated or an application was submitted. Replying to job offers with appropriate questions so decisions can be made in a professional manner. Initiating contact companies you are interested in whether they have positions posted or not. Know your purpose. Use details and check for accuracy. Use active, not passive voice. Avoid flowery or confusing language. Proofread, proofread, proofread! Thank the reader for the time to consider you and ask for an opportunity to talk further (an interview). THE MINES STRATEGY: BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS THANK YOU NOTES AND FOLLOW-UPS Know exactly what the company needs and in what order they value it. Use their own language to describe your fit. OTHER TYPES OF COMMUNICATIONS 5 TIPS FOR  BETTER BUSINESS WRITING Regardless of the type of communication, every communication you have is a representation of you as a professional. Written communications emphasize your value to the employer and help you maintain a record of discussion. Effective communication must be of high quality and meet the following guidelines: Demonstrate your knowledge of the employer. Feel personalized to the employer. State why you want to be part of the team. Long enough to engage but concise. Well-formatted with correct spelling and grammar Every interaction with an employer merits a short but timely thank you note. This is often done through email with a clear subject line and concise but interesting text that includes something previously referenced. Include your resume to give the receiver ease in forwarding your information to others. An additional handwritten, mailed note may be appreciated and viewed expressing exceptional interest. If you see more about the company culture you fit, add relevant information in a paragraph. Business communications are an extremely important part of the job search strategy. From the initial contact through the response to an offered contract, written communications can be the key to your success. Beginning with a cover letter, including thank you and discussion letters that continue the conversation, your job search will end with your acceptance or a declining letter. Every step of the way, your professional communications convey a great deal about you to your possible future employer. EFFECTIVE EMPLOYER COMMUNICATION A tailored, customized cover letter can be the determining factor as to which applicant will receive an interview. As you begin your application process, be sure you have the elements you need to write a cover letter. Use your resume header for a professional and cohesive look. Keep the letter to one page, with three or four well-organized paragraphs: Introduction: what job you are applying for, who you are, and specific reasons why you want to be an employee of their company. Matching tasks/skills: what specific experiences and skills meet their needs. Additional relevant assets or experience: including “soft skills.” Ask for the interview: Thank them for consideration, and request further discussion. Text Date your letter, and enter the company address. Use the term Hiring Manager if you do not have an individual's name. THE MINES STRATEGY: BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS Use the same header for all your documents Introduce your status as a Mines student and which position you are applying for. Say what interests you about the company. LETTER SAMPLES- FOLLOW UP EMAIL LETTER SAMPLES-INITIAL COVER LETTER LETTER SAMPLES-INITIAL COVER LETTER LETTER SAMPLES-THANK YOU EMAIL LETTER SAMPLES-REQUEST FOR CURRENT STATUS LETTER SAMPLES-RESTORING CONTACT LETTER SAMPLES-DECLINING OFFER LETTER SAMPLES-JOB OFFER RESPONSE Whether you develop your own blog, or comment on the writings of industry bloggers you are following, you may be noticed for your insightful posts and active involvement. Important components of a career portfolio are references and written recommendations. A good recommendation can provide context to the employer about what kind of employee you would be. Be sure to diversify your recommendations, using a variety of individuals and professionals who have worked with you in multiple different contexts. Never use a name or contact as a reference without their permission. Remember to ask politely and know the person long enough before asking for the reference. Talk with your references so they are prepared to describe your positive attributes. Make sure you have good contact information and keep it updated. Send a thank you note when someone provides a recommendation. There are four types of references: personal or character reference, academic reference, project reference, and most commonly, a work or professional reference. THE MINES STRATEGY: SOCIAL MEDIA CAREER PORTFOLIO CAREER PORTFOLIO Facebook Instagram REFERENCE FORMAT LinkedIn CONTENTS OF A CAREER PORTFOLIO Blogs &  Vlogs BUILDING YOUR BRAND Be aware that employers may search for you and check out your online presence to get a feel for your fit and professionalism. You may be tagged by others. Be sure you know what employers see is what you want to project. Caution in privacy settings is no guarantee of good impressions. Twitter THE MINES STRATEGY: PORTFOLIO & REFERENCES Letters of recommendation Non-confidential technical reports Project samples and designs Proposal examples Publications and published articles Certificates of achievements Professional licenses and certifications As with other media platforms, companies use this forum to enhance awareness, branding, and check online profiles. A career portfolio is an organized collection of documents which will highlight your knowledge, skills, and abilities from a range of different experiences. Sample documents may include: projects, awards, testimonials, academic achievements, recommendations, designs, publications, etc. A portfolio can be maintained electronically, and can be helpful to print for in-person interviews. Make sure when sharing your portfolio electronically that it is well organized and easy to view on multiple different platforms. Career portfolios have multiple purposes and can be used throughout every step of the professional’s career path. A career portfolio is used to: Market your talents, experiences, and results during job search activities. Showcase your accomplishments during the application process for grad schools. Give you the distinct advantage of thorough documentation when preparing for a performance evaluation, negotiating a raise, or seeking a promotion. Supply you with essential information needed to compile a professional bio used in company staff summaries, proposals, conferences, or publications. The primary reason to have a career portfolio early in your professional career, however, is to enhance your desirability as a job candidate, which can help you obtain a great offer. Because this tool can quickly become very large, it is best to be selective about the documents prior to presenting them in an interview or review. Prior to displaying your portfolio, make sure that the information relates to the questions asked, and then inquire if it is acceptable to share specified samples from your portfolio. These can be great visuals and a relief from constant eye contact. TIP: Use your resume header for a professional look. THE professional social media website: Create your resume in the Profile, with keywords in both Summary and Specialties sections; select a few Groups to join, including the Mines Career Center to expand connections and see job discussions; do an Advanced Search of Companies and Jobs, using relevant keywords. Cross-reference companies and jobs in DiggerNet and utilize all resources. LinkedIn offers a world of possibilities, plus recruiters may look for you on the platform. A significant component in your job search effectiveness is how an employer’s online search of various social media sites reflects your professionalism, communication style, and career experience. These sites are used both to “pre-screen” those who have applied to their positions and to proactively find you. Managing this presence in a way that will draw employers to want to know you better is important. Be sure that the message you send is consistent, positive, and most importantly, professional. It is not enough to have LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or other accounts. Devoting some attention to implementing your strategy with these important tools will produce in a positive result. Listed below are top tips to create an effective online presence. Build profiles that focus on your strengths and attach samples of the work mentioned on your one-page resume, or even your 3-4 page CV. Be clear and concise on what you have to offer to all the prospective employers in technical and transferable skills. Be very proactive in connecting with others. Seek out classmates, professors, colleagues, and more importantly, join relevant groups. The Mines Career Center and Alumni LinkedIn groups consist of students, grads, faculty, alumni, and recruiters who value the Mines-educated job seeker. Give, as well as take, offering encouragement and links to ideas or articles. Actively participate with companies you have an interest in: “Follow” on LinkedIn, “Like” on Facebook and Instagram, and “Tweet” if you have a professional comment. Use the Jobs sections – plus notice if jobs are mentioned in discussions on the media sites. Don’t ask directly for a job in emails or in the discussions. Maintain a positive, productive presence focused on strengths, achievements, and interests. Plan, prepare, and practice. Set regular times to manage your social media sites for best results Professional bio and picture Summary of accomplishments Awards and accolades Academic achievements Samples of professional achievements Testimonials Transcripts RECOMMENDATIONS & REFERENCES Noting such positives as projects completed, goals progressing (e.g. you just scheduled three interviews), will get you noticed. Make every Tweet professional. Observing is good, too, as many global organizations tweet current news, job openings, new projects, etc. Use a professional-looking photograph and an eye-catching headline under your name, such as "Chemical Engineering Master's Student at Colorado School of Mines." AFTER CAREER DAY THE MINES STRATEGY: CAREER DAY Dress professionally—suits are preferred; no less than business casual. A smile and solid eye contact enhance your first impression. Be confident in your presentation. Practice your 30-second commercial. Make sure you know with whom you are speaking. Review company notes just before speaking with the recruiters. Talk about what interests you about the company; what you have achieved in the past; and how your experience fits the company’s needs. Ask questions! Ask for a business card or contact information at the end. If the recruiter does not hand those out, make sure you write down the full name of the person as soon as you are finished at the booth. Set your cell phone aside...no texting, no calls, no sending Snapchats during your conversations. Think outside the box. Be open to speaking with a company not on your list. Ask for and offer recommendation and endorsements. Know what to say in any situation where you meet someone who may lead you to an interview. This includes Career Day, information sessions, organization meetings, and any social or networking events. Begin with a simple hello, your name, degree, major, graduation date (or level). Briefly describe your background to show enthusiasm and your skills that match their industry. Highlight your three top qualities and how this relates to you being a good employee. Tell them what you know about the company and describe the type of job or opportunity you are interested in. Backgrounds that are relevant and not too busy will add a great visual that will help you to stand out among your peers. LinkedIn is the social media most dedicated to career building. Use it effectively to support your job search and continue to use it for professional networking throughout your career. YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE Send a thank you note or email with a copy of your resume attached. Continue applying for jobs through DiggerNet and other job sites. Check for upcoming company informational sessions as an opportunity for further networking. Career Day consists of employers and graduate schools, coming to campus to connect and recruit Mines students for a variety of positions. Career Day is a great opportunity for students to discover what types of companies they would like to work for because there is such a vast variety. If you are not looking for a job, this is a valuable time to practice your networking skills and also explore majors. Expand resume details for the Profile. You can attach your resume while deleting contact information. PREPARE FOR CAREER DAY Virtual networking is becoming more and more common, whether through Virtual Career Fairs, informational sessions or other networking events. Preparation for virtual events remains the same as in-person events with a few additional tips: Ideally use a computer, tablet or phone with a good camera. Double check WIFI connection before event. Make sure your device is charged and you have access to a power outlet. Find a quiet place with minimal additional noise or distractions. Be aware of what your background looks like (anything you see on screen is also seen by the employer). Turn off alerts, emails, or chats on your computer during the event. If using video, cover yourself up on the screen so you are not looking at yourself while talking. Try to look into the camera when talking with the employer. Suggestions for Dress For Success on page 37 still applies! Create or update your resume. Have the Career Center review. Print plenty of copies if it is a physical event. Upload in DiggerNet. Review the Career Day Program Guide or app. Choose your top 10-15 companies to visit. Perform basic research on each of the companies through DiggerNet, program guide, and company websites. If they have jobs posted, apply in advance. Create and practice your personal 30-second commercial. Your introduction should be slightly customized for each company. If the company can’t take your resume, use it as a talking point. THE MINES STRATEGY: SOCIAL MEDIA Search for connections, invite others but protect your friends. Do not let LinkedIn access your email; instead, use the "invite by individual email" link to add connections. THE VIRTUAL FAIR STAND OUT DURING THE EVENT THE 30-SECOND INTRODUCTION Clothes should : Fit you well Be in good condition Be clean and wrinkle/ lint free Neat & clean dress shoes Well groomed hairstyle Neutral hair & makeup Piercings & tattoos should align to company culture or standards Belts should match the color of your shoes & attire Who do you feel comfortable talking with in your network about jobs, internships, and career interests? Internship Interviews & Daily Work Attire THE MINES STRATEGY: DRESS FOR SUCCESS Knowing how to dress for an interview can be stressful or confusing, and many students are unsure what to wear. Below is a guide for how to dress for an interview. It is important to acknowledge that everyone is different and what is comfortable for you may be different than for someone else. When it comes to dress, these are only guidelines and you should use these guidelines while considering what will make you feel comfortable and confident through your interview. Clothes should be: Nice pants/slacks/skirts Dresses Blouses, polos, or button up shirts No jeans, shorts, sundresses, or athletic wear Ties are optional Jackets & Shoes should be blazers or cardigans with flats, boots, or other closed-toed shoes Skirts & dresses should be knee length when standing and thighs covered while sitting WAYS TO NETWORK BUSINESS CASUAL DRESS GET CREATIVE, GET INVOLVED BEFORE AN INTERVIEW Many opportunities exist on and off campus where you will meet employer representatives and Mines alumni. Here are some tips for maximizing your networking opportunities: Always ask for business cards. Have your self-introduction ready and practiced before you ever need it. Actively encourage people to talk about themselves, their jobs, role in the company, and interests that you may share. Watch for future opportunities for you to be of help to them. Write keywords on the back of the business card after walking away – send follow-up emails, reminding the person who you are, reflecting some details of the conversation and reminding them that you are actively job searching. Connect with the person on LinkedIn. Follow up and keep your connections updated. Let everyone know how the job search is going; continue interactions even after you have a job. Maintain positive relationships. Information sessions are where companies invite students, whether in-person or virtually, to come and learn about their company and career opportunities. This is a perfect opportunity to network with company recruiters prior to an interview, or to obtain an interview if one wasn’t offered. Students can prepare for an information session by researching the company through platforms such as Google, the company website, and LinkedIn. Students should dress business casual, as well as bring a pen, notebook, and an updated resume. It is best to sit a couple of rows from the front, take notes, and ask one or two brief technical questions at the end. As soon as all questions are finished, proceed to the front of the room to meet the recruiters, shake his or her hand, and give your 30-second introduction. Content adapted from NACE & Stetson University. Full-time job Interview Attire Clothes should be: Solid, dark or neutral colors Light colors can be worn underneath No stripes or bright colors/ prints Shoes should be closed-toed heels, flats, or dress shoes Suit jacket & pants/shirts should be matching or coordinating colors How can informational interviews help expand your network? INFORMATION SESSIONS Are there other people in your network you may not be accessing? Who is in your current network? How can you add to your professional network? WHO'S IN YOUR NETWORK? What resources could help you build your network? (e.g. LinkedIn) Make a great impression! Your network is everyone you know….and who knows you. Many job seekers learn of job opportunities or get ideas leading to a position because of the influence of someone in their “network." Networking is more than a job search strategy – it is a strategy for strong professional development. Double check interview confirmation to make sure there are no additional guidelines or expectations for dress. Check clothes for stains, wrinkles, missing buttons, hole/ tears, or other issues. PROFESSIONAL DRESS GENERAL TIPS NETWORKING EVENTS AND PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES THE MINES STRATEGY: NETWORKING PROFESSIONAL DRESS ON A BUDGET Bring only essential items and keep cell phone on silent and out of sight. Try clothes on for fit and comfort. Walk around in shoes to make sure they are comfortable and easy to stand/walk in. Organize your personal items such as padfolio, resumes, and water bottle. Professional dress clothes do not have to cost a fortune. Department and online stores frequently have sales or offer student discounts. You can also consider looking for dress clothes at thrift stores and consignment shops. Dress clothes are usually durable and second hand items can be as good as new once dry cleaned or tailored to fit. If you are shopping on a budget consider purchasing items that are neutral or solid in color and pattern so they can be worn with multiple outfits. Every opportunity on campus is an opportunity to network. Connect with faculty and staff, attend a variety of events, and get involved in student organizations. For each major, there are on-campus branches of student organizations that are part of national professional organizations offering meetings with speakers who are successful in the field, social events, leadership training, scholarship opportunities, and conferences to expand your knowledge and circle of business acquaintances. Joining is convenient and cost-effective. Check out the student organizations and other involvement opportunities at studentactivities.mines.edu. TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF CONNECTING WITH EMPLOYERS “In my Intro to Design Team Project, our multidisciplinary team of freshmen interested in physics, computer science, and mechanical engineering were assigned a project for a local business wanting to improve utility costs (S). Our task was to investigate and evaluate an option of a small wind turbine to be installed on a site in the middle of Golden. At first this seemed overwhelming to us as new students, but we dived in to see what we could find. One of the difficulties we encountered is that in our team of five, there were two individuals who, for whatever reason, were unable or unwilling to devote the amount of time that was clearly needed (T). I had been chosen by the team to be the Team Lead, which primarily meant that I interacted with the client, scheduled our team meetings, and made sure we stayed on top of deadlines. I also realized that I had to do my best to motivate and encourage the ones who were not attending, so I tried various means to communicate -sending emails so all times were clear, texting and calling, and even tried to catch them in the cafeteria to talk with them about the needs for the team (A). In the end, I was able to find out that one was worried about other classes, and so I helped get him to tutoring for that; the other was not agreeable, and so three of us divided up those tasks to add to our own, for the sake of the project. As a result, our project was completed in time to present to the judges in both a well-compiled technical report, and a public presentation. What I learned about this is how important it is to establish communication early... as soon as a problem is noticed, and work together to fix it (R).” BEFORE Have your “dress for success” clothes ready and feel comfortable and confident in what you are wearing. Gather extra resumes, list of references, unofficial transcript, the job description, a few examples of technical writing, Excel use, SolidWorks, and notepad and pen. Make sure you have your documents organized so you do not have loose papers. If you can, use a simple but attractive padfolio to organize materials and convey professionalism. Double check directions and time it will take to get to the interview to make sure you are on time. The Mines Career Center has strong campus partnerships with university recruiting teams for a variety of industries that actively recruit Mines students. Recruitment of students may take a variety of forms, including a variety of interview formats. Types of interviews include: Initial one-on-one interviews, typically with company recruiters Panel interviews with multiple company stakeholders Phone interviews Virtual or video interviews, such as interviews through Zoom Second-round interviews On-site interviews where candidates interview at the company Asses the experience, making notes of particular conversation items that either strengthened your interaction, or that you feel you can add more comment to. Send a thank you within 24 hours, personalizing it to reference the conversation so that they can better recall who you are. Knowledge of the company and position demonstrating preparation for the interview. Self-confidence, realistic assessment of strengths and limitations, goal setting, initiative. Mature behavior and judgment in handling assignments and situations. Communication skills, ability to interact with others, and to listen. Leadership potential, demonstrated both in extra-curricular activities and on the job. Enthusiasm for the position and opportunity to work for the company. Patterns of accomplishment, process of problem solving, and basic analytical abilities. Interest in and knowledge of your career field. Passion for your major and future. Work ethic, acceptance of responsibility, ability to keep commitments. Use DiggerNet to track upcoming information sessions and other opportunities to meet face-to-face with employers. If an employer is coming to campus, apply for any interested positions in advance. At the end of an information session or networking opportunity, introduce yourself directly to the employer using your 30-second introduction. If you applied for a position already and were not selected for an interview, don’t get discouraged. If you believe you are a good fit for the position, consider attending an information session as another opportunity to connect and network with the company. AFTER Keep answers honest and positive, using specific examples to illustrate and to leave a clear impression.  The STAR technique can help keep you on focus, concise, and timely. Smile, have good but relaxed posture, eye contact, and enjoy the conversation. Allow yourself time to pause and consider before formulating answers. Breathe! Have good questions to ask the interviewer about the company, job, and your fit for the team. Close the interview by telling the interviewer that you want the job and ask what the next step is. Arrive 10 minutes early (not too early and never late). Greet the receptionist or assistant and all representatives of the organization with courtesy and respect. Remember - everyone you meet matters and you want to make a good impression. Don't chew gum. Do accept a small drink of water from your interviewer or bring your own water bottle. Turn off your cellphone. Unless there is a true emergency, it will wait. In most interviews you will be asked to introduce yourself. Here is an example of how to expand your 30-second commercial to a 2-minute interview introduction. WHEN YOU ARRIVE You got the interview, now what? Interviews can be intimidating and, while employers expect you might be nervous, they will know whether or not you have prepared. Here are some general tips for preparing to ace an interview: Practice an extended (2 minute) version of your 30 second commercial. You will likely be asked to talk about yourself and your interest in the position. Research the company and be prepared to share why you want to work there. Review the job description and take notes of all your experiences that relate to the various job expectations. Be prepared with some examples of experiences you can share that highlight your strengths for the position. WHAT MAKES A GOOD INTERVIEW? Text PREPARING FOR AN INTERVIEW S Situation Explain the why/when/where of this experience T Task (or Technique) Describe the project and/or challenges faced A Action Detail your own efforts to make the experience successful R Result Report positive outcomes, including success and/or learning DURING USING THE STAR TECHNIQUE ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW "As you can see by my resume, I am currently a junior in Engineering Physics. From the time I was a kid standing on a chair to help my dad work on cars, he called me “the engineer.” I came here from Washington State, appreciating Mines as the toughest (and best) school around. I chose my major from the many at Mines because it gives me a deep understanding of practical lab and shop skills, plus the fundamental way things work. I saw that this can apply to a variety of industries and am especially interested in manufacturing since my field session class toured your Littleton plant, seeing similar equipment to what we are using here at Mines, and learned more about the amazing projects you are involved in. I really enjoyed our classes using oscilloscopes and vacuum equipment, especially the team projects. In addition to my technical abilities, I offer your team my experience working with diverse groups both through school projects and my involvement in a number of student organizations. I have an extremely strong work ethic, as I am quality driven and very detailed oriented and organized. That’s why I’m glad to be here discussing an internship with you because I’d love to be part of important work your teams are doing, and I’m impressed with the projects on your website." THE MINES STRATEGY: INTERVIEWS Identify your goals for the interview. What do you want to get out of the conversation? In advance of the interview, prepare questions you would like to ask. Since the interview will be brief, make sure to ask questions you really want the answers to! Do research on your contact and current information on the field. Make sure to dress professionally for the interview. While it is not a job interview, it is important that you make a positive impression. Always send a thank-you as a follow up to your contact! Ideally, a written thank you card is best. If you are unable to send a written card, an email will suffice. Send the thank you within 24 hours of your meeting. Be specific in your note about what you got out of the experience or how it was helpful for you. Be sure to follow up with the references your contact gave during the meeting for an additional networking opportunity. You never know when this may lead to job opportunities! Screening and sometimes more in-depth interviews may be conducted over the phone to help employers determine if  you meet the basic qualifications for a position. Screening interviews are generally handled by a representative of the  HR team and tend to follow a set format, often asking behavioral or situational interview questions. General rules for interviews apply: Prepare in advance and minimize the amount of notes you have in front of you. This will help minimize distractions. Choose a location to ensure that reception (and battery) will not present difficulties. Mines Career Center can help schedule a private interview room with a landline phone or Skype set-up. Have a few bulleted notes on research, your resume, and support materials in clear sight in front of you. Listen carefully to questions, take brief notes to keep answers focused on the stated questions. Answer concisely but thoroughly, giving specific examples to illustrate qualities and skills. Use STAR. Be aware of body language even if the interviewer cannot see you: have good posture, smile while talking to give voice inflection and interest, and perhaps stand to give voice depth. Do not hesitate to ask for repetition or rephrasing If you cannot understand the interviewer’s question; repeat back the question to be sure you answer appropriately. Ask questions you have developed from your research for the company to show your interest. Ask for the interviewer’s contact information and about the next step in the hiring procedure. Follow-up promptly within 24 hours. WHY DO AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW? HOW DO I GO ABOUT DOING AN INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW? STEP 4: FOLLOW-UP AFTER THE INTERVIEW Arrive to the location ahead of time. Give yourself extra time to park and to find the meeting area. When introducing yourself, be sure to reiterate your goals for meeting and your planned structure for how the meeting will go. A good way to start your questions is by asking "Tell me about your career journey." Take notes during the interview! This shows that you are engaged and you will remember the information easier. Keep an awareness of the time. Do not go over the time you requested of the interviewee, this shows the person that you are respectful of their time. Wrap up the interview by asking if they have other contacts who may be helpful to talk to. Get the contact's business card - this is essential for follow up! Sample questions: How did you get interested in your career? Would you make the same choice again? What knowledge, skills, and experience are necessary? What education and training are useful beyond the degree that I am earning? What do you do in a typical day? What do you like best about your career choice? Dislike? What advice do you have for someone considering this industry? Who else do you suggest I talk with to explore this career? The first step in beginning the process to do an informational interview involves researching the career and identifying the types of professionals from whom you want to learn. Next, utilize your network by connecting with people you know: friends, family, professors, supervisors, and coworkers who can help lead you to people in your field of interest. Another option to find people to interview is through using LinkedIn to connect with Mines alumni working in your field of interest. Once you have found someone who you would like to interview, follow these steps: PANEL INTERVIEWS Group interviews are generally conducted by three or more people, representing various departments with the company. Representatives generally ask questions that relate to their areas of interest and expertise. If you know in advance who will be on the panel, try to research their role or area of oversight. Gather business cards and arrange in front of you in configuration of their seating in the room. Direct your answer to the person who asks the question, but maintain eye contact with others. Consider it an enjoyable conversation and chance to get to know several people in the organization. Send a personalized thank you note to each of the participants with comments or questions specific to that individual or division. There are many benefits to doing an informational interview. First, it allows you to gain insider knowledge on the career/organization and how to prepare to enter the field. An informational interview provides firsthand, up-to-date information about the realities of working in the career. Additionally, it develops your professional network; contacts who may forward you job leads in the future. It can improve your interviewing skills by having the chance to introduce yourself and practice your “30-second commercial” in a low pressure interaction. Finally, doing an informational interview gives you the opportunity to gather advice on updating your resume to better fit the industry. STEP 1: INITIATE THE CONVERSATION STEP 3: CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW With the increase of technology, more distance interviews are being conducted. These interviews may be very similar in nature to other forms of interviews so you want to prepare similarly. While comparable, knowing how to interact on camera can be uncomfortable and unnatural for many, requiring practice. The most important difference is that you will need to find a location for yourself to conduct the interview which is quiet with no distractions. Practice setting up your space and adjust the lighting and background so it reflects well on you professionally. You can also schedule a “practice session” with Career Center staff to help you to present in a natural and focused way. THE MINES STRATEGY: INTERVIEWS Typically, informational interview requests are initiated through email. Make use of the subject line to avoid looking like spam. A specific line is best, such as, "Mines Student Requests Informational Interview". Be brief, but descriptive. Introduce yourself and how you came across your contact's information. Explain why you are reaching out and what you hope to gain from the interaction. PHONE INTERVIEWS INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWS Many management consulting and financial firms use case interviews for part of the recruiting process. In a case interview, the applicant is introduced to a company business problem. The candidate is asked to analyze the business case, identify key challenges, and present potential or proposed solutions to the problem. Case interviews are used to evaluate crucial skills and abilities, such as analytical, problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking. Additionally, candidates need clear and well-organized approaches to communication that demonstrate competencies in leadership, strategy, and vision to defend and persuade their clients to identify risks and look at points of consideration towards innovation and change when needed. Two good company links with examples are: https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/interviewing https://www.bcg.com/careers/roles/consulting/interview-resources VIRTUAL OR VIDEO CONFERENCE INTERVIEWS STEP 2: PREPARE FOR THE INTERVIEW CASE INTERVIEWS An informational interview is an informal conversation with a professional working in a field that is of interest to you. This type of interview is a powerful tool in learning more about a career and the day-to-day specifics of a role that cannot be found online. An informational interview is NOT asking for a job or internship. THE MINES STRATEGY: INTERVIEWS ADVICE FROM A STUDENT “The interview section was a great help. I found that the biggest help I received from the book was the “30-Second Introduction” Expanded to 2 Minutes for the Interview. Two of the questions listed under “Typical Interview Questions” were asked of me during the interview and, since I had prepared to answer any of the questions, the interview was much less stressful and came across to the person I was interviewing with as professional and prepared.” D.S, Bachelor of Science Geology and Geological Engineering A site visit is an invitation to travel to the employer's location to be further evaluated. The primary purpose is to allow the employer to get a better idea of you as a member of the team, to screen you for fit. Much of the hiring decision at this point will result from good personal chemistry, whether the additional employees you meet are comfortable with you and can envision easily interacting with you in the workplace. Whether accepting or declining a visit, it is important to acknowledge all invitations for site visits in writing. Only accept invitations from employers in whom you have a genuine interest. QUESTIONS NEVER TO ASK SITE VISITS Can you explain a typical project that I would be working on? What would “a day in the life” of this position look like? Why did you come to work with this company? What is it that you most value about this company? What do you see as the qualities or concepts that the company most values in an employee? How are employees’ leadership responsibilities and performance measured? By whom? What is the organization’s plan for the next five years, and how does this department contribute? What do you think is the greatest opportunity facing the organization in the near future? New products or services? New geographical areas? What are the significant trends in the industry that affect this company the most? Now that we’ve had a chance to talk, is there anything else I can tell you to show I would be a good fit? Twelve months from now, I want you to tell me that hiring me was the best decision you have made this year. What needs to happen for us to have that conversation? What is the next step in your hiring process? Will you be the one who will be contacting me? May I have your email address? (if you have not received a business card—for sending a thank you) Text Anticipate a full day or weekend of interviews, meeting people, seeing facilities, and gaining a glimpse of the community. Plan to make notes of pertinent facts and impressions about the visit whenever you have the opportunity. You will be exposed to a lot of information and insights into the job. Many employers schedule several candidates for visits each day. Some of these individuals may be from other schools. Keep in mind that you are not only being measured against these other applicants, but also assessed on how well you might work on a team with the other candidates. You should always retain your professional poise. Be prepared for a very busy schedule while you are with the company. You can expect to be asked the same questions over and over. Occasionally you may be interviewed by a group of people or find yourself one of a group of candidates doing a project. An employer may outline a problem which the company is currently facing and ask you for suggestions on how to solve it. Remember, most employers will not expect a brilliant solution, but they will be interested in how you approach the problem to analyze possible alternatives as an individual and/or a team. Stay calm and think carefully about your answers. Take your time. Your performance will be a measure of your maturity in difficult situations. After the visit, make sure that you write a thank you note to the individuals with whom you met. Also, quickly settle travel expense repayments - make a copy of all receipts before sending them to the employer. What does your company do? How long is the vacation? How about sick days? Would I have to work overtime in this job? How much would I get paid? When could I move to a different job in the company? Does your company do drug tests? Or credit checks? Does your company look at Facebook before hiring? Contact the recruiter to gather all travel details. Write down this information or have it sent in writing. Be certain that you clarify the date, itinerary of the visit, lodging, local transportation, on-site contact person’s information, travel/flight information, and reimbursement procedure. In addition, it is important to find out what you need to bring and prepare (such as a presentation) prior to the visit. Carefully consider your wardrobe for the on-site visit. Plan to bring outfits appropriate for the environment. Normal business attire such as you wore to the campus interview is appropriate. You will also want to ask your contact person for additional wardrobe suggestions or requirements (such as steel-toed boots or safety goggles). Other items to bring can include coursework for evenings or lulls in travel, extra resumes, career portfolio, padfolio, extra money, water bottle, pens and pencils, and laptop. Mentally summarize your on-campus interview. What went well or was well-received? Whatever it was will give you clues to what the company is really looking for in a candidate. Conduct additional company research so you know what work is done or products manufactured at the specific location you are visiting. Review your resume, career portfolio materials, personal experiences, projects, and prior interview questions. TYPICAL INTERVIEW QUESTIONS THE SITE VISIT FORMAT Tell me about yourself. What was it about our job description that attracted you to apply for this job? Why did you choose this school and the major you are studying? Tell me about a time that you worked with a team – what was your role? Tell me about a project that did not turn out very well – what did you do to improve it? What would you say are your top qualities that you would bring to our team? And a weakness? Tell me a time that you had to make an ethical decision…or a risky one…or an unpopular one. Why should we hire you instead of one of the other Colorado School of Mines applicants? How will you gain the respect of the employees who have been in the company a long time? Do you think your GPA is a good indication of your academic ability and type of employee you are? How do you work under pressure, or with multiple projects and deadlines? How would a past employer describe you? What are you most proud of? What are your major accomplishments? Where do you see yourself in five years? QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK PREPARING FOR THE VISIT THE MINES STRATEGY: BUSINESS ETIQUETTE BASIC BUSINESS DINING TIPS Upon being seated at the table, purse and personal items should be placed behind you or on the floor. The napkin should be placed in your lap once you are seated, folded in half with the fold towards your waist. Demonstrate good posture, sit up straight and close to the table, elbows should be off the table, and try to control nervous habits (such as tapping fingers on the table). If at a restaurant, do not order the most expensive item on the menu. In most cases it is not advisable to order an alcoholic drink at a business event. However, if in doubt about the appropriateness, follow the lead of the host or hostess. Do not order a drink if you are under the legal age limit, and do not drink too much. Do not start eating until everyone has been seated or served. You can begin if your host tells you to proceed. Do not refresh your makeup or tidy your hair at the table. Cut your food up in to bite size pieces, taking smaller bites. Bread or rolls should be broken in quarters and butter each piece separately. Close your mouth when chewing food, do not talk with your mouth full, and use your napkin often. If you leave the table, ask to be excused and gently place your napkin on your seat. When you are finished with a course or the meal, place the knife and fork across the plate, parallel with the handles in the four o'clock position and ten o'clock position; the blade of your knife should face inward. This position indicates that you have finished and the plate can be taken away. Verbally thank your host or hostess prior to leaving. Say goodbye’s to your table companions. Send a thank you letter/ note. Have your self-introduction ready and practiced before you ever need it . Always give your name (many times forgotten). Your 30-second commercial can work great. Watch your posture, eye contact, smile, and body language. Your verbal communications should be easy to understand with clear diction; have a lower pitch and clear tone; and it should be well-paced, but not monotonous. Use a proper handshake, which is firm, but not bone-crushing; lasts about 3 seconds; may be pumped up to four times from the elbow; is released after the shake, even if the introduction continues. Avoid giving a cold, wet handshake by keeping your drink in the left hand, and don’t shake hands if you are ill or after handling food. Be understanding if someone is not comfortable shaking hands and use eye contact and smiling to establish contact instead. Remember to use titles when introducing people. Explain who people are when you introduce them and give relevant information. The order in which one person should be introduced to another is: Younger person to an older person Peer in your company (or school) to a peer in another company (or school) Junior executive to a senior executive Company executive to a customer or client CONCLUSION OF EVENT ATTENDING THE EVENT: Tips for Meeting People CONVERSATION TIPS INTRODUCING PEOPLE PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE IN A VIRTUAL SETTING Throughout your job search and professional career, you will experience various social settings and business events that will require the use of good manners and proper etiquette. Although this topic is vast and cannot possibly be contained in a small chapter, this section is designed to provide you with a quick reference to a few key principles of professional etiquette in the U.S. Prior to attending a function, contact the organizer. Confirm the proper dress code; who the attendees are going to be (if recruiters, you may want to do a little research); and verify location and agenda of the event. Plan to arrive 10 minutes early (not too early and never late). Greet the host or reception table personnel with courtesy and respect. Turn your cell phone to silent. Include everyone in the conversation if there is a group. Ask people about themselves: 3 – 5 good questions. Be a good listener (do not interrupt) and have good eye contact during the conversation. Be aware and respectful of speakers if there is a presentation. Do not gossip or tell inappropriate jokes. Be careful of negative conversations or comments. It is normal to be nervous. If someone asks you a tough question, take a moment and don’t rush to answer. If you draw a blank, deflect the question by asking them to rephrase it. Or, start your response by saying something like, “That’s an interesting question…” Both methods will buy you time to compose yourself. Carry business cards and ask for business cards. With more and more events and meetings moving to a virtual format, virtual etiquette has become increasingly critical. Consider the tips below for putting your best foot forward: MIND YOUR SPACE. When displaying yourself on camera, make sure your background is professional. If you are not confident in the professionalism of the background you have available to you, then make use of the various photo background options there are depending on the platform you are using. Make sure whatever photo or background you use is professional as well. Additionally, try to find a quiet space free from distractions to prevent you or others from being distracted during the conversation. MIND YOUR CONNECTION. Do your best to make sure that you have a stable, reliable internet connection. It is important that the employer or recruiter can hear/ see you well and vice versa. If you get disconnected, don’t worry! These things happen, just reconnect and resume the conversation from where you left off. Keeping your cool will show the employer how you handle stressful situations. MIND YOUR MICROPHONE. Always make sure to mute your microphone when you are not speaking. Any background noises that get picked up by your microphone could be very distracting for those others on the call that you are meeting with, and this includes any typing you might be doing. MIND YOUR DISTRACTIONS. While it may be tempting to check your email or your phone while you are in a meeting, don’t do it! You may miss out on very important information, and others can clearly tell if you are distracted and not paying attention. Be sure to give your full undivided attention to the conversation at hand, even if you are not currently speaking. Additionally, food can also be very distracting while you are on a virtual meeting. Avoid snacking or having a meal until the meeting is over. MIND YOUR PRESENCE. Make sure to dress appropriately, just as you would if you were meeting with the employer or recruiter in person. Dressing professionally, even if the person on the other end cannot see your full attire, is best practice and will ultimately help you get into the mindset of a professional interaction. Also, when joining a meeting, always make sure to announce yourself to the others in the room. TIPS FOR SUCCESS DIVERSITY ORGANIZATIONS Text International Student Organizations: refer to the International Student & Scholar Services Office website for a list of Mines international student groups Women in Science, Engineering & Math (WISEM) Society of Women Engineers (SWE) President’s Committee on Diversity,  Inclusion & Access Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP) AISES, NSBE, oSTEM, SASE, SHPE THE MINES STRATEGY: DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE DIVERSITY BASED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS WORKING INTERNATIONALLY What locations are you willing to travel or relocate? (The world can be a more risky place for certain nationalities) What living/ working conditions are acceptable? Safety and health considerations Special equipment or clothing Speak with peers/ alums/ faculty Speak with family Costs to consider? Visas Immunizations Medical costs or care Emergency procedures Monetary considerations Non-business travel Tips Country Insight web.interstride.com International Business Etiquette, Manners, & Culture www.cyborlink.com International Business Center www.international-business-center.com U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Program/ Travel & Business step.state.gov/step INTERNATIONAL IQ/ SELF ANALYSIS RESOURCES TO EXPLORE BEFORE YOU GO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD The reputation of Colorado School of Mines is not restricted to the United States, but is known throughout the world. Employers from across the globe seek students and graduates of Colorado School of Mines because of the rigor of the curriculum and Mines’ mission focused on solving the biggest problems that face the world. Whether one has goals to influence the future of the world or a love of travel and exploring the diverse cultures of the world, Mines students have opportunities to pursue a career in an international setting. THE MINES STRATEGY: THE GLOBAL SEARCH Seek out global companies at Career Day and talk with them at information sessions. Study Abroad - explore your options at global.mines.edu and visit the Global Education office. Register for language courses. Seek out international students to socialize with and find fun ways to practice each other’s languages. Talk with professors and upperclassmen about their international experiences. EMPLOYMENT Visit disabilities.mines.edu for more information and resources. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION AWARENESS An important quality employers value in prospective employees is diversity, equity, and inclusion competence. The success of a company will depend on a team’s ability to work and communicate with those who are different. Development of this valuable skill is imperative for all who work within the 21st century global economy. There are many types of diversity within school and the workplace; some differences are obvious and others are less easily observed: Visible: gender, age, generation, ethnicity, nationality, native language, and physical disabilities. Less Visible: cultural, varied ways of thinking and communicating, sexual orientation, non-visible disabilities (learning disabilities, health issues, mental disorders). Awareness of the many expressions of diversity and recognition of an individual’s unique abilities, goals, values, and ways of communicating is a very important skill for everyone. Advancing your own diversity competence and communication skills may be a learning area that requires thoughtful consideration, and perhaps even taking a step or two outside your comfort zone. Review personal strengths, learning styles, communication modes, etc., in the section on Self-Discovery to increase positive interactions. Look for opportunities in current job settings, extra-curricular activities, and class projects to increase your experiences. DIVERSITY-BASED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS How has your experience and background prepared you to be effective in an environment with a company that has strong diversity values and initiatives? Tell me about the experiences you have had working with others who have different backgrounds, cultures, or abilities than your own? How have you handled a situation when you observed a colleague not demonstrating acceptance of others’ diversity? What could you have done in the situation? EMPLOYMENT PERSPECTIVES Diversity in the workplace has been shown to have great benefits including increasing productivity by enhancing creativity and more effective problem solving through introduction of different perspectives. The overwhelming evidence is that companies using clear initiatives and practices when building diverse teams are companies that function well and are perceived as desirable by both the general public and by the employees. It is a good element for improving a company’s branding in the global economy, and also results in increased profitability. Industry and federal organizations have employment opportunities and actively seek out underrepresented candidates with relevant skills for their positions. Federal legislation supporting diversity employment, including disabilities (the largest minority in the U.S.), also increases opportunities. Seek out these organizations and work with advisors to clarify your fit for particular positions and strengthen your personal branding strategy. Those who focus their job search on organizations whose values match their own find increased satisfaction at work. Many employers who recruit at Mines have locations world-wide. Some are hiring for U.S. locations, but with global training locations or even full-time jobs. Often these global positions are available after a period of U.S. experience. Research helps you know which companies may do this. Some countries are opening visa processes for skilled labor, such as Australia’s Special Visas; be sure to follow instructions carefully before going! Things to consider... All majors can have a positive impact on the many challenges facing our world: medical, energy systems, use of natural resources, etc. Seek out humanitarian projects, mission trips, and other activities in order to match action to your goal of a meaningful career. Text DISABILITY RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WORKING IN THE U.S. Why is an ethical job search important? Will anyone know if you fudge on your GPA? Should you list skills you don’t have (why or why not)? Should a student change his major or graduation date to qualify for an interview with a company? A student has an interview with a company on campus but decided not to show up. Who does this impact? If a student has accepted a job offer, should he still apply for other jobs just to see if there is something better? A student has accepted a good job offer, but has now received another—what should she do? ACCURATE COMMUNICATION Contact with the International Student & Scholar Services Office (ISSS) and Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP) to get advice about various international or cultural groups at Mines. mines.edu/isss mep.mines.edu In addition, we encourage you to be actively involved in organizations, both professional connected to your major and in areas of personal interest. THE MINES STRATEGY: PROFESSIONAL ETHICS Professional ethics, in relation to job search, is critical. The behavior in dealing with prospective employers shapes your professional reputation now and in the future. An individual’s behaviors also reflect upon the reputation of all Colorado School of Mines students, graduates, and alumni. When a university develops a reputation for having students with unethical job search practices, the value and demand for those students decrease. Therefore, to maintain good standing within the engineering industry, the Career Center encourages all Mines students and graduates to approach the job search process with integrity. TEST YOUR PROFESSIONAL WORK ETHIC IQ VALUE OF AN ETHICAL JOB SEARCH Attend workshops or schedule an appointment with the career advisors to learn about skills for Career Day and job applications. Prepare a top-notch resume in the style that Mines recruiters prefer. Make sure you know what a U.S. resume includes. Work with the Career Center to create customized cover letters to send with your resume. Get help with grammar and punctuation, if needed. Use DiggerNet to set a saved Search Agent for “Jobs I Qualify For” and apply. Attend Company Information Sessions and stay to talk with representatives about your skills. Before a potential conversation with an employer, talk to the International Office and know the visa conditions so you can discuss details clearly with employers. Learn about interview skills, and practice interviewing. Be involved in organizations beyond your own peer or cultural group to expand your Mines and U.S. network. Look for occasions to develop and demonstrate teamwork and leadership. Text International students who are in a full degree-seeking program at Mines have access to Career Center services and the full use of DiggerNet. Interstride is a tool designed to enhance the career exploration and job search experience for international students. Access the platform: web.interstride.com International students in a non-degree status have access to Career Center assistance and use of DiggerNet to learn of Career Center events including information sessions to meet recruiters, job search workshops, and Career Days. Companies with U.S. government contracts are often restricted to hire only U.S. citizens or permanent residents. All international students must abide by rules and regulations of the United States Immigration and Citizenship Service (USICS). Work closely with the International Scholar office to be sure that proper paperwork is maintained at all times. HONORABLE ACCEPTANCE THE MINES STRATEGY: THE GLOBAL SEARCH BEYOND ACADEMIC - INVOLVEMENT ON CAMPUS JOB SEARCH TIPS FOR INTERNATIONALS PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN YOUR JOB SEARCH Do not falsify or inflate your credentials on your resume, cover letter or in interviews. Employers will verify your GPA and skill level. Respond to all correspondence in a timely manner. If the company gives you a deadline date, meet it or call the employer to request an extension. Send any application forms or other materials that an employer requests as soon as possible. Return phone messages from companies promptly. Alert your roommates or family members that you are interviewing and may be receiving calls from employers. Ask them to answer the phone professionally. Be sure your voicemail states your name and is professional. When looking at the schools from which to recruit, companies primarily evaluate the majors and degrees offered, the academic excellence of the curriculum, the global reputation of the college, hands-on experience with job-relevant projects or internships, and the passion as well as the ethical integrity of the students. The impact that one person’s unethical practices can have on the rest of the students may result in missed job opportunities, less job postings and interviews, lower average salaries for graduates and interns, fewer scholarships and research opportunities, and fewer sponsors for projects or events. As a professional, you should be known for your high standards of integrity. Your industry peers should never doubt your word or honesty. This reputation follows you throughout your career. Colorado School of Mines’ reputation makes it an important destination for many international students seeking an excellent education. Although most come with the intention of taking their skills and abilities back to their home countries, many seek the opportunity to work with a U.S. company. Employers vary in their hiring plans but often are aware of the benefits of hiring internationals, increasing the diversity within their company and gaining highly skilled employees. Whether you are seeking an internship while studying at Mines to use the experience in your home country, or hoping to stay in the U.S., the Mines Career Center has resources, events, and opportunities for you. HONEST INTERVIEWS Do not accept a job offer until you are confident of a firm decision. Never renege on an accepted job offer. Such behavior will give you a negative reputation throughout the industry, and you may have just lost a job for another Mines student. Acknowledge every offer by letter or phone call, whether you accept or decline. Request extensions from employers if you need more time to consider offers. As soon as you have accepted a job and are no longer available, notify all other companies under consideration. Let other employers know you have an offer. This information may encourage the employer to formulate their offer quicker. QUICK FACTS FOR INTERNATIONALS For On Campus Interviews, notify the Career Center in advance if you must reschedule or cancel interviews. This allows another student the opportunity. Do not sign up for interviews in which you are not sincerely interested simply to get interview practice. This wastes your time and diverts the company from pursuing other students. Acknowledge invitations for site visits promptly whether you accept or decline them. Notify the contact well in advance if there is any change in your site visit plans. If applicable, return the plane tickets, monetary advances, and confidential company documents immediately. If you cancel an on-campus or site interview, send a note of apology to the recruiter. RULES OF SALARY NEGOTIATION THE MINES STRATEGY: JOB OFFERS Passion for job/challenge Scope of work (duties) Good benefits package Salary Stability of company Geographic location Integrity Diversity/inclusion policy Atmosphere/environment Social conscience Advancement potential Other Notify other companies with whom you interviewed that you have an offer, to allow their response. Attitude is everything. Be confident, humble, respectful, and enthusiastic. Request full details in writing, and additional time, if needed. Maintain confidentiality for each employer involved. Use integrity and negotiate only for positions in which you are truly interested and would accept if the conditions were agreeable, not as leverage. Keep salary phrased as a range, “I was looking for a salary in the range of $_______ to $ ________.” If base salary is not negotiable, other items may be, including a signing bonus, extra vacation, or early review. Parking or mass transit options are good perks. Know when to stop talking and make your informed decision. Notify other companies that you are no longer available. Be polite in declining. Be extremely cautious with reneging after accepting a position, when a better offer appears. Unethical behavior will cause negative repercussions that will follow you in your career. Additionally, this keeps fellow students from a job they really wanted. Receiving a full-time job offer or multiple job offers can be very exciting. However, one should proceed with great caution. How you handle receiving an offer is very important. When first notified that you will be receiving an offer, be enthusiastic and appreciative, but stop short of accepting the offer. This is the time for extensive information-gathering so you can make a solid decision. Look for a win/win, as the relationship with the company that may become your new employer is of greatest importance. Knowing your personal values and facts before you receive offers is very helpful, but as soon as you begin to receive offers, you must do your research. As shown on the chart, start with what is most important to you. CONTRACT EVALUATION WHY ARE THE RANGES IN THE MINES SALARY SURVEY SO WIDE? careers.mines.edu Low offers may not show other factors such as geographic location, bonuses, over-time, travel reimbursements, or special rates, that are not predictable over a year. High offers may be “exempt” where overtime hours are expected without additional compensation. FINAL STEPS AFTER ACCEPTING A POSITION Text RATE VALUE TO YOU For “reasonable salary” research, use the most recent Colorado School of Mines Outcomes Survey, available in the Career Center or at careers.mines.edu. The Career Center surveys graduates to report base salary information, arriving at an average for each major. The information is held confidential for all students and the companies that extend offers. When considering offers, be aware that it is not all about the salary - look for the best fit! Other sites to research average salary information include: salary.com, payscale.com, glassdoor.com, careeronestop.org. Modes of data collection may vary. It is best to consider the range. The initial salary offer may depend on several factors: Geographic location (use a cost-of-living calculator to compare options) Level of responsibility (a lower position may pay less but may be a good stepping stone) Type of industry or age or size of company Please contact the Career Center to provide all details of your offers. For full-time jobs, complete the Post-Graduation First Destination Survey Form at careers.mines.edu. Celebrate! But if you are still in school, keep your focus and finish the year with your high goals met! Attend Career Day to connect with friends and network as a professional, but not to job search. If accepting an internship or temporary position, keep DiggerNet active until you have a full-time job. Then we recommend DiggerNet be inactivated to eliminate excess emails. Settle in and create a great start for your career. If you need our services later (within 2 years), contact us; we are here to help. SALARY CONSIDERATIONS Let the employer know that you need to see the entire package so that you can make a well-informed decision. Once you have made the decision to accept a position, it is very important that you honor your word, so ask questions. Items to watch for include: Job title and primary duties Location and if there is relocation help Base salary plus additional compensation that may affect your annual income Out-of-pocket expenses and other taxes that reduce your income (monthly health insurance costs) OFFER DETAILS Common phrases that you may encounter and need to understand in the offer include such items as: Employment at will - Either employer or employee may choose to terminate at any time. However, you may be required to reimburse such employer expenses as signing bonus, relocation reimbursement, specialized training, or customized uniforms in full if leaving before a stated time period. This is a standard phrase. Confidentiality Agreement - Details about plans, processes, prices, lists of clients are to be held in strictest confidentiality; this agreement usually lasts even after you have left the company. Non-competition Agreement - The employee agrees that for a specified time after leaving the employer, he or she will not work for a rival or similar organization, or in a geographical region. Consider carefully. Intellectual Property - Any creation of articles or ideas that are done within the scope of the job belong to the company, not to the employee. These trade secrets are part of standard confidentiality and ethics. Though at-will employment, confidentiality, and intellectual property clauses are very standard, it is important to discuss everything with the potential employer that you do not fully understand and agree to. The Mines Career Center can help you read through the details of an offer, but we do not offer legal counseling for your decision process. RULES OF SALARY NEGOTIATION Notify other companies with whom you interviewed that you have an offer, to allow their response. Attitude is everything. Be confident, humble, respectful, and enthusiastic. Request full details in writing, and additional time, if needed. Maintain confidentiality for each employer involved. Use integrity and negotiate only for positions in which you are truly interested and would accept if the conditions were agreeable, not as leverage. Keep salary phrased as a range, “I was looking for a salary in the range of $_______ to $ ________.” If base salary is not negotiable, other items may be, including a signing bonus, extra vacation, or early review. Parking or mass transit options are good perks. Know when to stop talking and make your informed decision. Notify other companies that you are no longer available. Be polite in declining. Be extremely cautious with reneging after accepting a position, when a better offer appears. Unethical behavior will cause negative repercussions that will follow you in your career. Additionally, this keeps fellow students from a job they really wanted. FINAL STEPS AFTER ACCEPTING A POSITION Please contact the Career Center to provide all details of your offers. For full-time jobs, complete the Post-Graduation First Destination Survey Form at careers.mines.edu. If accepting an internship or temporary position, keep DiggerNet active until you have a full-time job. Then we recommend DiggerNet be inactivated to eliminate excess emails. Settle in and create a great start for your career. If you need our services later (within 2 years), contact us; we are here to help. Celebrate! But if you are still in school, keep your focus and finish the year with your high goals met! Attend Career Day to connect with friends and network as a professional, but not to job search. OFFER DETAILS Common phrases that you may encounter and need to understand in the offer include such items as: Employment at will - Either employer or employee may choose to terminate at any time. However, you may be required to reimburse such employer expenses as signing bonus, relocation reimbursement, specialized training, or customized uniforms in full if leaving before a stated time period. This is a standard phrase. Confidentiality Agreement - Details about plans, processes, prices, lists of clients are to be held in strictest confidentiality; this agreement usually lasts even after you have left the company. Non-competition Agreement - The employee agrees that for a specified time after leaving the employer, he or she will not work for a rival or similar organization, or in a geographical region. Consider carefully. Intellectual Property - Any creation of articles or ideas that are done within the scope of the job belong to the company, not to the employee. These trade secrets are part of standard confidentiality and ethics. Though at-will employment, confidentiality, and intellectual property clauses are very standard, it is important to discuss everything with the potential employer that you do not fully understand and agree to. The Mines Career Center can help you read through the details of an offer, but we do not offer legal counseling for your decision process. Text Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce. More information can be found at mines.edu/equal-opportunity. CAREERS.MINES.EDU Mines Career Center Ben Parker Student Center 1200 16th Street, Suite E180 Golden, CO 80401 303.273.3233 careercenter@mines.edu Tools for engineering your career