Engineering Employment Centre co-ordinators Stacey Sayler and Nicole Blomme are holding a day-long boot camp to help engineering students and graduates develop important job-finding skills and kick-start their careers.
(Edmonton) The Engineering Employment Centre is hosting a free day-long Employment Boot Camp June 14 to help equip new graduates, students and alumni with the skills they need to kick-start their careers.
"Given the current economy, many students who have recently graduated are still looking for jobs," said Stacey Sayler, an employment co-ordinator with the Engineering Employment Centre. "We wanted to reach as many of them as possible and make it as convenient as possible for them to learn information and develop skills that will make their job search easier."
The Employment Boot Camp offers four workshops running back-to-back, to answer job search questions, boost confidence, and steer attendees towards success in a tough economy.
Engineering students and graduates awe welcome to this free event. Please fill out this registration form to attend.
The opening workshop, Finding a Job in a Down Economy, addresses the first step in building a successful profile-knowing yourself. When brainstorming career opportunities, always start within: make a list of your strengths and core values, skills and interest, and understand what your short- and long-term career goals are before putting together a resume.
"In a down economy you have to be flexible in what you're looking for, but this step is still critically important as it helps structure job search when you know these core elements about yourself. It also enables you to be more effective in identifying potential employers and in marketing yourself to them," said Sayler.
Seeking employment in a down economy also requires creativity as many positions are not openly advertised. Therefore, networking, leveraging social tools such as LinkedIn, initiating informational interviews, or cold calling are key to getting a foot in the door.
"At the second workshop, we will be talking about some strategies for excelling at networking, including proven strategies for making meaningful connections, and leaving that lasting impression," added employment co-ordinator Nicole Blomme. "Social media is becoming more and more popular, and many recruiters are turning to LinkedIn to find talent," she adds.
In a job market where supply exceeds demand, crafting a strong resume and cover letter is what makes a candidate stand out and secure a place in the "yes" pile.
"During the third workshop of the day we will be helping students think beyond what they would typically put on their resumes, and identify those engineering skills they may not realize they've obtained through their coursework," said Sayler.
"We'll be teaching how to connect the dots, and how to relate past experiences to a new position," added Blomme.
The closing session, Acing the Interview, touches on best practices before, during, and after an interview. "With this workshop, we want to help students and new grads understand the importance of advanced preparation. Some say that 80 per cent of an interview is won or lost based on how prepared you are walking into the interview room," said Sayler.
Facilitated by Sayler and Blomme, the Employment Boot Camp is a one-stop shop for professional advice on job search techniques for engineers. The event runs from 9 a.m. until 4.30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14.
9 - 10:30 a.m.: Finding a Job in a Down Economy
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Networking & Leveraging LinkedIn
1 - 2:30 p.m.: Writing Effective Resumes & Cover Letters
3 - 4:30 p.m.: Acing the Interview
Faculty of engineering students and alumni can attend one or all of the workshops which are customized to help our engineering students and alumni propel their careers. An RSVP is required. Please fill out this registration form to attend.
"People sometimes get frustrated when they apply for 50 jobs a week using online job boards. At the boot camp, we will teach students how they can ace an interview, write an effective resume, and strategically tap into the hidden job market," said Blomme.