Job Search

START EARLY!

It takes time to find a job. Begin the job search process as early as possible.

1. Do Your Research. Stay Relevant.

The College of Engineering and the Career Center are always working together to help make your job search successful, but ultimately YOU need to do the legwork to land your dream job.

  • Company Research: Investigate companies that you have an interest in. Identify contact people who can help you learn about open positions in that company. The Career Center staff can help you locate contacts at many local companies, however, not all companies post open positions with them. Doing your own research shows employers initiative and can help you decide whether or not you want to apply for that company’s open positions.
  • Friends & Family: Talk to friends and family about your job search. You never know who will have a good contact or could help you find that great job!
  • Post-Graduate Education & Non-Technical Skills: ​Keeping your technical skills and certifications up-to-date is essential. Computer applications are constantly changing and new industry innovations are cropping up all the time. You want to keep yourself competitive in the job market.

    While a high GPA, related experience, relevant skills, and passing the FE Exam (for most majors) are HUGE benefits, there are many non-technical skills that are just as important. Skills like professionalism, communication, leadership, pro-active/self-starter/risk-taker, and international experience can make you stand out above other job seekers. Consider taking classes or workshops and joining organizations (i.e. Toastmasters) to hone your technical AND non-technical skills.
  • New to college? Time to EXPLORE!

USEFUL INFO. & ARTICLES

2. Networking

“Listen to your professors on what is happening in the industry. Ask them questions… Get as much as you can out of them besides just being a teacher of content (they are valuable). Take control of your college experience, and create a large network of people who can aid in internships or your first job.” – Joe C. (CIET/CMET alum)

  • Find A Mentor: Students who find a mentor while in school are better prepared for life after graduation. Finding a mentor in the workplace is also a great idea but may not always be possible. Look to professional societies or even someone in another company that you admire for mentorship.
  • Cooperative Education (Co-op): Gain paid, professional experience and grow your professional network before graduation! Interested in joining the Co-op Program? Contact the College’s Co-op Coordinator, Ms. Linda Thurman, as well as your Department’s Co-op Advisor BEFORE registering with the Career Center. More information can be found HERE.
  • Annual Multi-Industry Connection Day (formally the Fall Picnic): FREE FOR STUDENTS and ALUMNI TO ATTEND! This is one of the most important in-person opportunities to meet local employers interested in hiring Charlotte graduates from the College of Engineering. Job offers have been made AT this event! Take at least 10+ copies of your revised resume, dress professionally, and be ready to talk about what you have to offer an employer.
  • Career Center Job Fairs and Career Expos: These are some great opportunities for you to meet local employers who are interested in hiring Charlotte graduates. Take at least 10+ copies of your revised resume, dress professionally, and be ready to talk for 10-30 seconds about what you have to offer an employer.
  • Other In-Person Events: Attend professional networking socials/meetings (i.e. hosted by professional societies) and conferences when possible. Nothing takes the place of meeting people one-on-one.
  • Social Media: Social media can be a great way to keep your professional network strong and active. REMEMBER: What you post online can have serious and lasting consequences to both your personal and professional life. You may want to clean up your personal social media accounts as much as possible and/or keep your personal and professional social media accounts completely separate.
  • Keep In-Touch: Continue to keep in-touch with faculty, alumni, and classmates post-graduation. Stay in touch with employers you meet at job fairs, through research or through your friends and family. Contact them regularly to let them know that you are still interested in their company and to inquire about open positions. Don’t be afraid to request an interview. You never know when or where an opportunity will arise!
3. Resumes and Other Documents

A well-written resume and cover letter, as well as a post-interview thank-you letter are essential in landing that job you want. The former two provide employers with a first impression of who you are and the skills you can bring to the position. The latter solidifies your interest in the position and helps you stand out among other interviewees.

  • Resume: Write or update your resume and have it reviewed by at least two qualified people. Use these links to view a variety of sample resumes:
  • Reference Page: Ask previous employers and faculty to serve as references for you. Prepare a separate page from your resume that lists your references and their contact information.
  • Cover Letter: Write a general draft or template of your cover letter. Every letter you send will need to be specific for the company and job you are pursuing. However, having a draft ready to modify will make applying for jobs simpler. Consider having your draft cover letter reviewed by a few qualified people.
  • Thank-You Letter: Thank-you letters are typically written after the interview, include information discussed during the interview, and are formatted similarly to cover letters. You can write a general draft or template of your thank-you letter, but don’t forget to modify it for each interview you attend.
4. Interview Prep and Job Postings
  • Interview Prep: When you prepare for an interview, do research on the company in addition to preparing for potential questions they may ask you. Practice Interviews: One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is to practice. Learn more about the Career Center’s Interview Program so you can build upon and improve your interviewing and communication skills.

JOB POSTINGS

In addition to company websites and job posting websites like LinkedIn and Indeed, regularly check these Charlotte resources for job leads:

  • Hire-A-Niner: Register at the Career Center’s database of jobs and resumes. You can search job postings from around the country. This is a great tool for both students AND alumni! In Hire-A-Niner you are able to:
    • Review job postings, and contact employers about open positions. Use the LinkedIn option to increase your chances for an interview!
    • Upload a current version of your resume, and keep it updated.
    • Keep your contact information current. Companies often request resumes from the Career Center to help them fill open positions.
  • On-Campus Interviews: Many companies interview students at the Career Center during the Fall and Spring semesters. Register for On-Campus Interviews through Hire-A-Niner. This is an easy way to access potential full-time jobs.
    • Review the upcoming schedule frequently, and follow instructions to sign-up for interviews.
    • Don’t forget to research the company before you interview!