Prepare your Documents

Resumes

When applying for a job, it is important that you solidify the format of your resume first before you formally apply. 

Employers look for a resume that is one page (if you are a graduate student, 2 pages) that includes your highest achievements. These experiences include:

  • Education
  • Job experience
  • Projects
  • Volunteer work
  • Clubs
  • Awards
  • Publications

Your resume should be ATS friendly. To find out if your document can be scanned by employer resume systems, visit Big Interview& use the "Resume Scan" feature to get your score & recommendations. 

Resumes should NOT include hobbies, personal information other than your phone number, email, & LinkedIn, or graphics. It should be simple & straight to the point.

COER has built a resume template that employers like to see. If you are interested in obtaining this template, email career@mst.edu & request the document OR login to Big Interview to view the samples.

If you want a Career Advisor to look over your resume, schedule an appointment on Handshake.

Cover Letters

Cover letters are slowly getting utilized less, however, there are still some companies that may require this document. 

Employers look for a cover letter that is concise, impactful, & clean. Start by using the same heading you have crafted for your resume. This should include your email, phone number, & LinkedIn hyperlink. 

Make sure to list the:

  • Date
  • Name of recipient
  • Address of recipient
  • Job title you are applying for

Write two to three short paragraphs expressing your interest for the job & why you should be the applicant to receive the job. Your paragraphs should include:

  • Specific skills you have obtained
  • Projects or values you like about the company
  • The appreciativeness you have towards the company considering you as a candidate

If you want a Career Advisor to look over your cover letter, schedule an appointment on Handshake.

Understand What Jobs to Look For

As you think about what job titles to search for, make sure you have a good understanding of the different kinds of labels employers can use to advertise the job duties. 

Ex: If you are a civil engineer & want to go into the transportation industry, job titles may include:

  • Engineering Intern
  • Civil Engineering Intern
  • Engineering Technician Intern
  • Transportation Planning Intern
  • Structural Engineering Intern
  • Transportation Engineering Intern

and so much more.

The reason why it is important to note this is because your options may widen if you know what to look for. Make sure you are using multiple different key word searches as you are looking for an opportunity. 

Set Realistic Job Search Timelines

As your start to think about your interest in an internship, it is important to give yourself enough time to search & be strategic about when to apply. 

Most employers seek interns for the summer during the fall time. So, if you want an internship during the summer going into your junior year, you should be applying for internships during the fall semester of your sophomore year. 

As you enter into prime application time:

  • Start doing "power hour" every other day on job sites & apply to jobs you find interesting
    • Create a spreadsheet to keep track of what you applied to, when you applied, & if you had any contact with the employer.
  • Prep for Career Fair (hosted every September)