Hello all,
Since there are a lot of engineers here I figure that I would ask for some help, I am kinda desperate anyway.
I am about to graduate with a bachelors degree in Computer Engineering, I am doing my last class over the summer, so I will be done in August.
For the past four months I have been applying to jobs relating to my field (digital electronics) but I have not recived any response.
I mainly use monster.com and careerbuilder.com to find jobs in the Ohio area but no luck. I actually do find good jobs and apply to them but it seems like no one wants to hire me, why, I dont know.
Do you think it is because I am an international student?
Below is what my resume looks like. Could you guys give me some feedback about how it looks and what can be improved so that I can get some responses??????
Also what is the most effective method of job hunting???
Thanks
Lawrence
Objective:
To obtain a full time position within the field of computer engineering and electronics so I can utilize my educational knowledge, my four (4) years of computer experience and thirteen (13) years experience with electronics circuits.
Skills:
Operating Systems: Windows 95/98/2000/XP, Macintosh
Software: Basic computer skills, install Operating Systems and other software, Rockwell RSLogix
PC Skills: Assemble a PC, troubleshoot PC hardware
Electronics Skills: PSpice, AHDL, VHDL, C++, 80*86 assembly language, Microchip assembly language, building high power amplifiers
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Graduating summer 2006
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, Ohio
Diploma in Electronic Engineering
September 1999 - May 2001
Excelsior Community College
Kingston, Jamaica
Experience:
Computer Lab Monitor
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
October 2002 to present
Promoted to Head Lab Monitor in January 2004
* Maintain PCs
* install various software
* supervise students using the PCs
* assemble PCs
Assistant in Instrumentation Department
Alcan Jamaica Co., St. Catherine, Jamaica
July 2001 and 2002 (summer job)
* Maintained and installed various industrial instruments, such as sediment level detectors, flow meters etc.
* Troubleshoot malfunctioning instruments
* Repaired nonworking instruments
Computer Assistant
Alcan Jamaica Co., St. Catherine, Jamaica
April 2001
* Assist PC users with software and hardware problems
* repair PCs
* maintain PCs
Interests / Skills:
*Thirteen (13) years experience in building and repairing electronic circuits such as; solid state and vacuum tube power amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, crossovers and FM transmitters
*Competent with PA and A/V equipment
Since there are a lot of engineers here I figure that I would ask for some help, I am kinda desperate anyway.
I am about to graduate with a bachelors degree in Computer Engineering, I am doing my last class over the summer, so I will be done in August.
For the past four months I have been applying to jobs relating to my field (digital electronics) but I have not recived any response.
I mainly use monster.com and careerbuilder.com to find jobs in the Ohio area but no luck. I actually do find good jobs and apply to them but it seems like no one wants to hire me, why, I dont know.
Do you think it is because I am an international student?
Below is what my resume looks like. Could you guys give me some feedback about how it looks and what can be improved so that I can get some responses??????
Also what is the most effective method of job hunting???
Thanks
Lawrence
Objective:
To obtain a full time position within the field of computer engineering and electronics so I can utilize my educational knowledge, my four (4) years of computer experience and thirteen (13) years experience with electronics circuits.
Skills:
Operating Systems: Windows 95/98/2000/XP, Macintosh
Software: Basic computer skills, install Operating Systems and other software, Rockwell RSLogix
PC Skills: Assemble a PC, troubleshoot PC hardware
Electronics Skills: PSpice, AHDL, VHDL, C++, 80*86 assembly language, Microchip assembly language, building high power amplifiers
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Graduating summer 2006
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, Ohio
Diploma in Electronic Engineering
September 1999 - May 2001
Excelsior Community College
Kingston, Jamaica
Experience:
Computer Lab Monitor
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
October 2002 to present
Promoted to Head Lab Monitor in January 2004
* Maintain PCs
* install various software
* supervise students using the PCs
* assemble PCs
Assistant in Instrumentation Department
Alcan Jamaica Co., St. Catherine, Jamaica
July 2001 and 2002 (summer job)
* Maintained and installed various industrial instruments, such as sediment level detectors, flow meters etc.
* Troubleshoot malfunctioning instruments
* Repaired nonworking instruments
Computer Assistant
Alcan Jamaica Co., St. Catherine, Jamaica
April 2001
* Assist PC users with software and hardware problems
* repair PCs
* maintain PCs
Interests / Skills:
*Thirteen (13) years experience in building and repairing electronic circuits such as; solid state and vacuum tube power amplifiers, pre-amplifiers, crossovers and FM transmitters
*Competent with PA and A/V equipment
You are getting buried in a sea of resumes, there are probably hundreds of people applying for the same jobs you are. My recommendation is you become more aggressive in your job hunt, and start networking. Call everyone you know and ask if they can refer you to someone who could help. Find out if there are any industry events happening in your area, and go try to collect some business cards. Are you interested in any specific companies? Call them and try to get an interview, even if they aren't advertising any openings.
From an employers POV, hiring is time consuming and risky. The easier you make it for the employer, the better your chances.
Dan
From an employers POV, hiring is time consuming and risky. The easier you make it for the employer, the better your chances.
Dan
My!
That needs some work...
Start by listing who you are, then have your bullet point 'elevator' pitch - you know the kind of thing, Proactive self starter, good people skills, solid team player. Then list your technical skills properly, dont just put Macintosh, put which macs, falvours of UNIX, technical architecture skills and so on.
Then list your Lab monitor role as if it were a job. Show you made the grade and got the promotion to head monitor, and try to list why (dont say I hung around too much
) Also list in detail the technical configuration you have performed (LAN, WAN, WiFi, PC builds (O/s and other software), experience of ghosting and so forth - you want to build a rounded picture of yourself - but try to keep it to less than 1/2 the page.
Then list the other jobs you've had (evening work and others included) in reverse chronological order.
Finish up with hobbies and interests - and sadly thats where the amp building should be - you're not after a job as an audio designer are you..?
Then, once drafted, leave it a few days, come back and reread it - check for all spelling and grammer mistakes, they WILL BE SPOTTED, and used as an excuse to file 13 your applictaion.
If all else fails, volunteer - there will be a charity or group nearby that would love for some hands on help with thier technology, and nothing says I want to get into this industry more than someone whos prepared to do the job for nix.
Good luck, and try to enjoy it
Owen
That needs some work...
Start by listing who you are, then have your bullet point 'elevator' pitch - you know the kind of thing, Proactive self starter, good people skills, solid team player. Then list your technical skills properly, dont just put Macintosh, put which macs, falvours of UNIX, technical architecture skills and so on.
Then list your Lab monitor role as if it were a job. Show you made the grade and got the promotion to head monitor, and try to list why (dont say I hung around too much
) Also list in detail the technical configuration you have performed (LAN, WAN, WiFi, PC builds (O/s and other software), experience of ghosting and so forth - you want to build a rounded picture of yourself - but try to keep it to less than 1/2 the page.Then list the other jobs you've had (evening work and others included) in reverse chronological order.
Finish up with hobbies and interests - and sadly thats where the amp building should be - you're not after a job as an audio designer are you..?
Then, once drafted, leave it a few days, come back and reread it - check for all spelling and grammer mistakes, they WILL BE SPOTTED, and used as an excuse to file 13 your applictaion.
If all else fails, volunteer - there will be a charity or group nearby that would love for some hands on help with thier technology, and nothing says I want to get into this industry more than someone whos prepared to do the job for nix.
Good luck, and try to enjoy it
Owen
Also, tailor your resume and cover letter to the job you are applying for. Make absolutely sure that there are no spelling or grammatical errors (like your signature here).
The cover letter should spark interest in the resume. Tell them generally what your relevant experience is in your cover letter and flesh it out in the resume (but don't bloat it or shade the truth)
No employer could give a hoot about what you want, they want to know what you will do for their bottom line. So if they are looking for someone to do C++ work and you don't tell them anything more than "I read a book on that once" they'll see someone who needs (expensive) training.
Tell them about what you have done with the skill set the job requires. Had any leadership roles? That helps.
If you haven't had any real directly related work experience, what about your on topic school projects? You must have learned something from them that applies.
How can your experience designing, building and sourcing your high power amps apply to the job?
I second the comment about considering relocation. There are many defense electronics contractors doing a lot of interesting work on the east coast. West coast, too, but the midwest is a defense wasteland.
Good luck, even if you are from that so called university in Columbus. GO BLUE!
The cover letter should spark interest in the resume. Tell them generally what your relevant experience is in your cover letter and flesh it out in the resume (but don't bloat it or shade the truth)
No employer could give a hoot about what you want, they want to know what you will do for their bottom line. So if they are looking for someone to do C++ work and you don't tell them anything more than "I read a book on that once" they'll see someone who needs (expensive) training.
Tell them about what you have done with the skill set the job requires. Had any leadership roles? That helps.
If you haven't had any real directly related work experience, what about your on topic school projects? You must have learned something from them that applies.
How can your experience designing, building and sourcing your high power amps apply to the job?
I second the comment about considering relocation. There are many defense electronics contractors doing a lot of interesting work on the east coast. West coast, too, but the midwest is a defense wasteland.
Good luck, even if you are from that so called university in Columbus. GO BLUE!
I graduated about 17 years ago with a double in Electrical Engineering / Computer Engineering. I hope my experience is till relevant.
First off, forget Ohio. Assuming you want a design position, your best bet is to move to a technology center. SF Bay Area, Boston, Seattle, Austin, etc.
Second, forget Monster, and most ofher hiring oriented web sites. The main goal of those sites is to get you to log in and read their advertising. They don't give a damn if you get a job or not. Also remember this, the easier it is for you to submit a resume through any particular channel, the more resumes you are going to have to compete with.
The absolute best way to find a job is to know somebody who already works at the place you are applying to. Do you have any friends from school who got jobs already? What about the people in the years you graduated before you? Where did they go? Call them up and see if they can give you the inside track. Don't worry about imposing, most companies have referral programs and if they get you hired, they can get some significant money out of it. Get your resume into their hands and they will be thrilled to put your resume in, as well as give tell you what jobs are likely to be open, and how to get them. While you are at it, ask them if they know people at other companies that could help you.
There are lots of how to get a job guides out there. Go start reading.
First off, forget Ohio. Assuming you want a design position, your best bet is to move to a technology center. SF Bay Area, Boston, Seattle, Austin, etc.
Second, forget Monster, and most ofher hiring oriented web sites. The main goal of those sites is to get you to log in and read their advertising. They don't give a damn if you get a job or not. Also remember this, the easier it is for you to submit a resume through any particular channel, the more resumes you are going to have to compete with.
The absolute best way to find a job is to know somebody who already works at the place you are applying to. Do you have any friends from school who got jobs already? What about the people in the years you graduated before you? Where did they go? Call them up and see if they can give you the inside track. Don't worry about imposing, most companies have referral programs and if they get you hired, they can get some significant money out of it. Get your resume into their hands and they will be thrilled to put your resume in, as well as give tell you what jobs are likely to be open, and how to get them. While you are at it, ask them if they know people at other companies that could help you.
There are lots of how to get a job guides out there. Go start reading.
I ask how old you are because you are listing 13 years experience. Unless you wish to mow lawns or wash cars, anything under 18 doesn't count.
Bob Ellis makes a good point... tailor your resume' to every application. Write a 2 page resume' and cut stuff out as required for each different job
Buy some nice envelopes and matching paper. Signed your cover letter by hand (you don't always have to use the salad fork but you should let people know that you can).
Research the company that are interested in... and mention that companies activities in your cover letter... the first person that looks at your resume' will be a woman... show that your interested in the company (her) and that you have done your homework. Show the company (her) that you are focused and targeted (women thrive on confidence).
And, list your software skills under software, NOT electronics. "Embedded" is a hot word these days... don't say Microchip... say embedded microcontroller.
Post your corrected resume again.
Bob Ellis makes a good point... tailor your resume' to every application. Write a 2 page resume' and cut stuff out as required for each different job
Buy some nice envelopes and matching paper. Signed your cover letter by hand (you don't always have to use the salad fork but you should let people know that you can).
Research the company that are interested in... and mention that companies activities in your cover letter... the first person that looks at your resume' will be a woman... show that your interested in the company (her) and that you have done your homework. Show the company (her) that you are focused and targeted (women thrive on confidence).
And, list your software skills under software, NOT electronics. "Embedded" is a hot word these days... don't say Microchip... say embedded microcontroller.
Post your corrected resume again.
Why not list projects and things you have accomplished ?? Every EE or CS can program a microcontroller. Explain what you did with the microcontroller. I agree with the others forget the internet resume thing. People need to see you in person to remember anything about you or give your resume a second. Best bet is still who you know, find out where all your friends and schoolmates are working.
You can say, " I have been building circuits since I was x", say NO more. It comes off as asking a child how old they are, and they say "5, and a half"
Don't list any experience other than your [college/work for pay] duties. BTW, those are impressive. That tells an employer that a professor liked, and trusted you.
Don't list any experience other than your [college/work for pay] duties. BTW, those are impressive. That tells an employer that a professor liked, and trusted you.
hi,
i am 53, and have long years of experience working for the semiconductor industry in philippines, and then as an overseas worker in an oil and gas facility doing mainly eletrical/ instrument construction work. i have worked in Algeria, Singapore and now in Russia..
do you think there is room for me in the states? i am btw, an electrical engineer by education..
i am 53, and have long years of experience working for the semiconductor industry in philippines, and then as an overseas worker in an oil and gas facility doing mainly eletrical/ instrument construction work. i have worked in Algeria, Singapore and now in Russia..
do you think there is room for me in the states? i am btw, an electrical engineer by education..
I could be wrong but I think anyone over 50 will have a very tough time getting a job in the US unless it is a very specialised job and there is a shortage of people. Especially foreigners.
I know of several over 50 highly qualified and experienced people ( in the US ) who lost their jobs a few years ago and had a VERY tough time getting one again. Many guys don't even want to take a long holiday for fear of finding a replacement in their place when they return !
For younger people it's probably easier. Be bold. As mentioned earlier , research a company you feel interested in and then walk into their office with an appropriate CV and meet the HRD manager. Much better chances of being hired. Many companies take time before they start searching for people. If you land at the right time , you will get the job . AND you should be open to relocating . You can't always get a job where you want it !
Cheers.
An after thought about the CV.
The "first" page should tell it ALL . A second page only if you have "significant" more information you need to add. I might add that 'making amplifiers ' is NOT very attractive to many HRD managers. You could however say you have built many electronic circuits and systems.
Today's market generally revolves around programming capabilities. So software programming and "embedded microcontrollers" are areas you should look at.
The HRD person will see what's on the first page and possibly the first half of the page and determine if that's what the company requires.
This is where your research can come in useful. You tailor it to show up the parts of your capabilities which suit their work. All other details can follow.
The first 15 seconds of what they read is going to be most crucial. It must highlight your capabilities which will be useful to them.
If it catches their interest you already have your foot in the door !
Wish you all the best.
I know of several over 50 highly qualified and experienced people ( in the US ) who lost their jobs a few years ago and had a VERY tough time getting one again. Many guys don't even want to take a long holiday for fear of finding a replacement in their place when they return !
For younger people it's probably easier. Be bold. As mentioned earlier , research a company you feel interested in and then walk into their office with an appropriate CV and meet the HRD manager. Much better chances of being hired. Many companies take time before they start searching for people. If you land at the right time , you will get the job . AND you should be open to relocating . You can't always get a job where you want it !
Cheers.
An after thought about the CV.
The "first" page should tell it ALL . A second page only if you have "significant" more information you need to add. I might add that 'making amplifiers ' is NOT very attractive to many HRD managers. You could however say you have built many electronic circuits and systems.
Today's market generally revolves around programming capabilities. So software programming and "embedded microcontrollers" are areas you should look at.
The HRD person will see what's on the first page and possibly the first half of the page and determine if that's what the company requires.
This is where your research can come in useful. You tailor it to show up the parts of your capabilities which suit their work. All other details can follow.
The first 15 seconds of what they read is going to be most crucial. It must highlight your capabilities which will be useful to them.
If it catches their interest you already have your foot in the door !
Wish you all the best.
A minor suggestion:
Learn Linux/Unix, and work on Open Source software if you're not currently employed and are not otherwise busy. It's good practice, you're contributing to the community, and it looks GREAT on your resume.
In fact, Linux is quickly eclipsing Windows as the environment of choice for many corporate products, especially embedded systems. Being able to custom-code a software environment for an industrial computing system is a valuable skill, and due to the fact that you've got a vast amount of free code at your fingertips, Linux is a good way to do it.
(And Linux runs on everything. We're talking from multi-teraflop supercomputers down to game boys.)
Your knowledge of Assembler will also come in handy if you're working with Linux in embedded or custom systems. Although Microchip assembler is generally not terribly useful, x86 assembler can be used to great effect, especially considering that you can re-write every aspect of your code.
Also, if you don't know Unix commands (Linux uses 'em), you're not even remotely close to what's required for a Macintosh "power user". After all, OSX (the latest version of Macintosh's OS, which should stick around for at least another three to four years) is based entirely around Unix, and you can even access Unix commands through a shell menu. You'll be using them if you use the server edition.
Learn Linux/Unix, and work on Open Source software if you're not currently employed and are not otherwise busy. It's good practice, you're contributing to the community, and it looks GREAT on your resume.
In fact, Linux is quickly eclipsing Windows as the environment of choice for many corporate products, especially embedded systems. Being able to custom-code a software environment for an industrial computing system is a valuable skill, and due to the fact that you've got a vast amount of free code at your fingertips, Linux is a good way to do it.
(And Linux runs on everything. We're talking from multi-teraflop supercomputers down to game boys.)
Your knowledge of Assembler will also come in handy if you're working with Linux in embedded or custom systems. Although Microchip assembler is generally not terribly useful, x86 assembler can be used to great effect, especially considering that you can re-write every aspect of your code.
Also, if you don't know Unix commands (Linux uses 'em), you're not even remotely close to what's required for a Macintosh "power user". After all, OSX (the latest version of Macintosh's OS, which should stick around for at least another three to four years) is based entirely around Unix, and you can even access Unix commands through a shell menu. You'll be using them if you use the server edition.
...Learn Linux/Unix,.............
Possibly a very good thing to do. In Asia it is spreading pretty rapidly. Chinese and Japanese governments are funding development ( big time !) of software based on Linux. They do not want Microsoft OS as they feel insecure using it .
MS will not disappear overnight but I think they have more competition than they will admit. MS is like Bose . Crap performance , great Marketing ! MS also wants to kill everybody else so that they will walk into the future on their own carpet forever....! Is it being done fairly ? Check it out yourself .........
Cheers.
Possibly a very good thing to do. In Asia it is spreading pretty rapidly. Chinese and Japanese governments are funding development ( big time !) of software based on Linux. They do not want Microsoft OS as they feel insecure using it .
MS will not disappear overnight but I think they have more competition than they will admit. MS is like Bose . Crap performance , great Marketing ! MS also wants to kill everybody else so that they will walk into the future on their own carpet forever....! Is it being done fairly ? Check it out yourself .........
Cheers.
From a NEOhio perspective
Okay lawbadman, I'll give you a viewpoint as a software engineer in North East Ohio (where he's apparently currently located) particularly since I was in the unenviable position of having been laid off a year ago.
Here's the real dish: NE Ohio does have jobs, just not a lot of them. For me, my current job found me, I never even applied before they approached me. How, you may ask, I posted my resume as public on every job site I could find for software programmers. They pulled it off monster.com.
As for jobs in engineering in NEOhio, you're pretty limited, you have to look hard for them. I sent out a ton of resumes and had a grand total of two face-to-face interviews, and I have 10-12 years of software programming experience! So, be patient, and listen to what everyone has told you, they've given you a lot of good advice. The two biggest things to really focus on are, fixing your resume, and fine tune the cover letter. You can get away with a standard generic resume, but you must, absolutely, must craft the cover letter for each and every place you apply to. Take the bullet points they're looking for and explain how you fit them, using references to your resume. Keep the cover letter to one page.
Oh, and definately network.
Actually, as I'm typing this, I can give you a real world example of a problem with your resume, I skimmed it, didn't read it in detail, but I can't tell you what you're looking for. Do you want a job in electrical engineering or in software or what? Where have you applied? What head hunters have you talked to?
If you want some more specific help for NE Ohio, you can e-mail me offline, using my e-mail button below, and I'll see what I can do with pointers and what not. (See, the networking thing is what you really want)
Bob
Okay lawbadman, I'll give you a viewpoint as a software engineer in North East Ohio (where he's apparently currently located) particularly since I was in the unenviable position of having been laid off a year ago.
Here's the real dish: NE Ohio does have jobs, just not a lot of them. For me, my current job found me, I never even applied before they approached me. How, you may ask, I posted my resume as public on every job site I could find for software programmers. They pulled it off monster.com.
As for jobs in engineering in NEOhio, you're pretty limited, you have to look hard for them. I sent out a ton of resumes and had a grand total of two face-to-face interviews, and I have 10-12 years of software programming experience! So, be patient, and listen to what everyone has told you, they've given you a lot of good advice. The two biggest things to really focus on are, fixing your resume, and fine tune the cover letter. You can get away with a standard generic resume, but you must, absolutely, must craft the cover letter for each and every place you apply to. Take the bullet points they're looking for and explain how you fit them, using references to your resume. Keep the cover letter to one page.
Oh, and definately network.
Actually, as I'm typing this, I can give you a real world example of a problem with your resume, I skimmed it, didn't read it in detail, but I can't tell you what you're looking for. Do you want a job in electrical engineering or in software or what? Where have you applied? What head hunters have you talked to?
If you want some more specific help for NE Ohio, you can e-mail me offline, using my e-mail button below, and I'll see what I can do with pointers and what not. (See, the networking thing is what you really want)
Bob
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