Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Executive Director
The New York State Society of
Professional Engineers, Inc.
The New York State Society of
Professional Engineers, Inc.
Overview
 Winning Resume
 Resume Customization
 A Formula for a Winning Resume
 Resume Length/Experience Challenges
 Understanding/Researching the Prospective
Employers
 The Interview
 The Follow Up
What is a Winning Resume?
Helps you land the
job or more
specifically a job
interview
The One Key Factor You MUST Know
About How Your Resume Will be Read
 Visual presentation
 Neat, easy to read,
contains some key points
Importance of Customizing
Your Resume
 Executives look at
resumes that match up
to their company’s needs
 Mention the company’s
name
 Use the same words
from the job description
The Formula to Building
a Winning Resume
1. Include your contact information in the header
2. Justify the text
3. Ensure layout is consistent
4. Place your most relevant work experience at the top of
your resume
5. Use numbers where applicable
6. Bold important items that you want to stand out
7. Lose the objective or make it count!
Sample Resume
Sample Resume
Sample Resume
Proper Length of a Resume and
How to Make Yours Fit
 For engineering students:
no longer than 1 page
 First 5 to 10 years of your
career: 2 to 3 pages
 For over 10 years of
working experience: 5 to 10
pages
Tips for Keeping Resume at a
Reasonable Length
 Contact information in header
 Remove the objective
 You do not have to put references available
upon request
 List only the projects/experience relevant to the
position you are applying for
 Decrease margin size slightly
 Have a colleague proofread it
How to Effectively Provide
Non-Engineering Experience
 Make two different sections:
1.Engineering or Related Experience
2.Non-Engineering Experience or Non-Related
 Write job descriptions for unrelated experience,
showing how the skills learned will help the
prospective employer
Importance of Honesty
 Always be truthful on your resume
 There are times that it is okay to leave
something off a resume especially when it will
look really bad to prospective employers
 Update and validate your LinkedIn profile
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters
cannot be trusted with important matters.”
- Albert Einstein
The Interview
Understanding the Prospective Employer
and Their Needs
(Do You REALLY Fit the Bill?)
 Review the job description in detail again.
 Do a thorough check of your LinkedIn network for people who:
• Work for the company; contact them if they know anything
about the position or department you would be working in
• Hold similar positions to the ones you are going to interview
for; ask them what challenges they face in that position
 Prepare a plan to describe the steps or strategies you would
implement to improve the department.
Interview Research and Preparation
 Thoroughly review the company’s website
 Search for the person who will interview you or who
you will be working under on LinkedIn
 Identify average industry salary for the position (+/$10,000) and play dumb
 Emphasize your strengths and how you feel they
would still give you (and them) an advantage
regardless of the location
 Try to explain the reason you left from past positions in
a way that makes them feel comfortable to hire you
Interview Etiquette and Attire
(No, Jeans & Work boots Are NOT Acceptable!)
 Familiarize yourself with the location of interview
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in advance
Wear a suit, no questions asked
Turn off your cellphone
Show up at least 15 minutes early
Pay a compliment to the interviewers
Do not cut people off during the interview
Don’t ask for a drink, but don’t refuse if offered
The Interview
• Brief Introduction
• Ask a question: What need is the company
looking to satisfy by filling this position?
• Present yourself, your skills and your
experience as the perfect choice to fulfill the
need (example)
• Answer any questions, concerns or objections
they may have
• Ask them when they plan on making a decision
Closing Thoughts
 A winning resume is one that helps you to land a job
interview, nothing more, nothing less.
 Hiring managers will typically scan your resume for
10 seconds and decide whether or not to do a more
detailed review, so be sure your resume can gage
their interest quickly.
 Your resume should be customized for every job you
apply for.
Closing Thoughts
 Be honest throughout the job search process.
 You must build a strong presence and network on
LinkedIn, and also leverage LinkedIn groups to find
new opportunities.
 Do your research on a company prior to an interview
and be prepared to discuss some aspects of their
company/website.
Closing Thoughts
 Show up on time for your interview, dress appropriately,
and turn your cell phone OFF.
 Be sure to ask a question about the specific duties of
the job early on in the interview, so that you can
present yourself as a perfect match.
 Ensure that you take your FE exam as soon as
possible and seek to obtain engineering experience
that will qualify towards the NY PE license
NYSSPE Student Resources
NYSSPE Student Resources
NYSSPE Student Resources
Questions
The New York State Society of
Professional Engineers, Inc.
6 Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 283-7490
www.nysspe.org
Anthony Fasano, P.E.
afasano@nysspe.org
(518) 620-6770
The New York State Society of
Professional Engineers, Inc.