Wondering how to write a strong resume? Join Viterbi Career Connections for "Resume 101: What Recruiters Actually Notice", as session designed to help you get started on crafting an effective resume and cover letter to ensure you stand out by reflecting on your greatest strengths, skills, and accomplishments. Find out what employers are looking for, review tips and samples, and explore different resume formats. 

In this informative session, you will:

• Understand the fundamental components of a resume and cover letter, including formatting, structure, and content.
• Identify key elements recruiters look for in resumes and cover letters. 
• Learn how to structure and write a cover letter that effectively introduces yourself and complements your resume.
• Understand the best practices for formatting and structuring your documents to ensure they are Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and AI-friendly.
• Learn how AI comes into play and how you can utilize it effectively.
• Walk away with the next steps to make your resume application ready.

Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm     Location: RTH 211/ Zoom

Wondering what resumes will be picked for interviews? Join Viterbi Career Connections for "Resume Upgrade: Turn Applications into Interviews," a session designed to provide you with strategies and techniques to make your resume stand out. By the end of the session, you should feel more confident in creating a resume that captures recruiters' attention and conveys your qualifications for the positions you are applying for.  

In this informative and interactive session, you will:

• Understand the importance of tailoring your resume and cover letter to specific job descriptions and how this directly impacts interview invitations.
• Learn how to write a cover letter highlighting your suitability for the position.
• Understand the importance of aligning your skills and experiences with the job description.
• Learn how AI comes into play and how you can utilize it effectively.
• Identify and incorporate industry-specific keywords that will help your resume get noticed.
• Gain insights into what makes an application stand out versus what can detract from your candidacy.
• Walk away with the next steps to start applying to positions with confidence.

Time: 1:00pm - 1:30pm     Location: RTH 211/ Zoom

Your LinkedIn profile is more than an online resume—it's your professional brand, networking hub, and one of the primary tools recruiters use to identify engineering talent. This interactive workshop helps USC Viterbi students optimize their LinkedIn presence to stand out in today's competitive recruiting landscape. 

Participants will learn how engineering recruiters search for candidates, build a keyword-rich profile, showcase technical projects, grow a meaningful professional network, and leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen their LinkedIn presence ethically and effectively. Throughout the session, students will complete hands-on activities, receive practical tips, and leave with actionable improvements they can implement immediately

By the end of this workshop, students will be able to:

• Explain how recruiters use LinkedIn to identify engineering talent.
• Optimize key sections of their LinkedIn profile using industry-specific keywords and best practices.  
• Develop a compelling professional brand that highlights technical skills, projects, research, and engineering experiences.
• Apply networking strategies to build meaningful professional connections with recruiters, alumni, and industry professionals.
• Use AI tools responsibly to enhance profile content, networking messages, and personal branding while maintaining authenticity.
• Create an action plan for continuing to strengthen their LinkedIn presence throughout their academic career. 

Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm       Location: RTH 211/ Zoom

Are you looking to expand your professional network but unsure about how to start and what to say? Are you looking to expand your professional network but unsure about how to start and what to say? Join Viterbi Career Connections for " Engineer's Guide to Networking for Internships, Jobs, and Mentors " an engaging workshop designed to help you learn how to build meaningful connections for internships, jobs, and mentors and leverage them for your successful career journey.  

In this engaging workshop, you will:

• Learn why networking is essential for engineering students and how it can help you improve your chances of obtaining internships, job offers, and mentorship opportunities.
• Discover places and platforms where engineers can build professional connections
• Obtain a handout to help you build your introduction, identify where engineers connect and develop engineering conversation starters.
• Participate in an interactive exercise to help you practice your networking skills in a supportive environment.
• Walk away with action items and resources to start building your professional network.

Time: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm       Location: RTH 211/ Zoom

Searching for an engineering internship or full-time job can feel overwhelming, but having the right strategy makes all the difference. Join Viterbi Career Connections for this interactive workshop to learn how to identify opportunities that align with your career goals, research employers, build an effective job search plan, and leverage networking and recruiting resources to stand out in today's competitive engineering job market. You'll leave with practical tools and a personalized action plan to confidently navigate your job or internship search.

By the end of this workshop, students will be able to:

• Identify engineering career paths, employers, and opportunities that align with their interests, skills, and career goals.  
• Develop a strategic and organized job or internship search plan using effective search, networking, and application strategies.  
• Apply best practices for researching employers, tailoring applications, and leveraging career resources to increase their chances of securing engineering internships and full-time opportunities. 

Time: 12:00 pm- 12:30 pm    Location: RTH 211/ Zoom

Increase your understanding of this series of events to maximize your opportunities to engage with employers and prepare for the Career & Internship Expo. Obtain strategies to improve your elevator pitch and how to make a targeted employer list.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Describe the structure and purpose of the Viterbi Career & Internship Expo, including associated events and how to participate effectively.
• Recognize key differences in expectations between domestic and international students when interacting with U.S. employers.
• Develop a personalized elevator pitch to confidently introduce yourself to employers.
• Create a targeted employer list based on their major, interests, and career goals using research tools and resources (e.g., Viterbi Expo website, Handshake, LinkedIn).
• Identify specific strategies to prepare for virtual, hybrid, and in-person components of the Career & Internship Expo.
• Apply cultural and professional communication skills appropriate for networking with recruiters in a U.S. context.

Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm     Location: RTH 211/ Zoom

Searching for a job or internship in the United States can feel overwhelming, particularly for students who are unfamiliar with U.S. recruiting practices and employer expectations. This workshop will provide students with an overview of the U.S. job and internship search process, including recruiting timelines, application strategies, networking, Applicant Tracking Systems, and the qualities employers seek in candidates. 

Students will learn how to develop a targeted search strategy, tailor their application materials, use artificial intelligence responsibly, engage with employers, and use USC career resources to support their search.  

By the end of the workshop, students will be able to:

• Explain the typical U.S. recruiting process, from researching employers and networking to applying, interviewing, and receiving an offer. 
• Recognize general recruiting timelines and understand when employers commonly recruit for internships and full-time positions.  
• Develop a targeted job or internship search based on industries, employers, roles, interests, skills, and previous experiences.
• Identify common employer expectations, including communication, teamwork, problem-solving, initiative, professionalism, and willingness to learn.
• Explain how Applicant Tracking Systems may be used to organize and review applications.
• Describe how AI can responsibly support job-search research, application development, and interview preparation.
• Use Handshake’s filters and search features to identify relevant jobs, internships, employers, and recruiting events.  
• Locate work-authorization or sponsorship information when it is provided in a job posting.  
• Identify USC career resources that can support their job or internship search.
• Create a practical action plan for beginning or strengthening their search. 

Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm     Location: RTH 211/ Zoom

Join Viterbi Career Connections for " Interview to Offer: How to Stand Out and Get Hired " and learn what recruiters and hiring managers value in candidates, how to prepare for technical and behavioral interview components, and how to deliver a memorable performance that increases your chances of receiving an offer. Participate in an interactive workshop designed to strengthen your interview skills, help you stand out, and land your next internship or job offer.

In this interactive session, you will:

• Identify recruiter and employer priorities in both behavioral and technical interviews.
• Describe how to demonstrate those qualities during interviews.
• Apply structured storytelling (STAR) for behavioral questions.
• Demonstrate technical problem-solving under interview conditions.
• Construct follow-up messages reinforcing technical and cultural fit.
• Participate in an exercise to practice responding to common interview questions and highlight your skills, experiences, and accomplishments.
• Walk away with action items and resources directly impacting your interview success.

Time: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm     Location: RTH 211/ Zoom

Receiving an offer is exciting, but should you accept it right away? Learn an offer's ins and outs to ensure you get the best possible compensation package. Join Viterbi Career Connections for "Increase Your Salary: Evaluating & Negotiating Your Job Offer," an interactive workshop designed to help you evaluate and get the most out of your offer.

In this session, students will be able to:

• Understand the components of a job offer, including salary, benefits, bonuses, and more.
• Discover how to assess the full value of a job offer, considering both financial and non-financial aspects.
• Learn negotiation techniques to discuss better compensation and benefits.
• Learn how to articulate your value and negotiate without compromising the job offer.
• Participate in activity to identify the full value of an offer letter and your spending power.
• Walk away with action items and resources, making you confident in your offer negotiation skills.

Time: 4:00pm - 4:30 pm     Location: RTH 211/ Zoom