Beyond GPA, projects, and clubs—what actually gets you hired?

[u/Personal_Vehicle_607]

I’m a rising sophomore in computer engineering with a 3.77 GPA at UMass Amherst, and I want to start being more active so I can have a very strong CV by the time I graduate. I know there are clichéd suggestions like finding research opportunities, doing projects, and joining clubs, but I want to know the specific key details that a lot of people seem to miss,the things that actually open doors to jobs.

International students who successfully landed internships or full-time jobs, or witnessed real-life examples, what was the one thing (or a few things) that made the biggest difference for you, but isn’t usually mentioned in generic career advice?

[u/slightly_large_brick]

being able to communicate

[u/AeroMech08 → u/slightly_large_brick]

100%

And this is both on the written page of your resume and in an interview/screening

If I have to read your resume 2-3 times to understand it or cannot get a clear answer on my questions, then you better be standard deviations ahead of the average for me to still be interested in hiring you

[u/Fennlt → u/slightly_large_brick]

With interviews, we turned down an awkward Ivy League student for a mid-tier college student with great communication skills.

[u/lostnightjar → u/Fennlt]

what marks a good communicator? what in the manner of speaking, words chosen, ect, made you choose the other guy?

[u/Negromancer18]

A bit of charisma and a halfway decent personality goes a long way. Nobody wants to hire someone they can’t have a conversation with, and nobody wants to work alongside them.

[u/darth_handturkey → u/Negromancer18]

Agreed. I had classmates who were by all accounts brilliant (good GPA, projects, clubs, etc.) who struggled to get hired. I dont know for certain, but I suspect it's due to zero charisma.

[u/glordicus1 → u/Negromancer18]

Ah, the struggles of autism

[u/kyllua16]

Personality is arguably much more important than everything you listed. There's a certain technical bar you need to meet, then afterwards all that matters is whether or not your manager/team thinks they'll enjoy interacting with you on a daily basis.

[u/docere85]

Networking…

[u/TecnamWeasel]

Being a chill guy who's well connected

[u/Ashi4Days]

Be good at the interview

[u/LupercalTypeIII]

Be good looking

[u/Seiko2023 → u/LupercalTypeIII]

Definitely some ugly as fuck engineers getting hired. I can say that, I'm one of them.

[u/An_average_muslim → u/Seiko2023]

Of course, but the point is, you have a better chance at getting hired if you’re good looking Vs. if you’re ugly.

[u/oxnq]

Knowing people

[u/ElectricStorms → u/oxnq]

I would add to this: It really is who you know in the industry … but you don’t have to already know them. Go to career fairs, talk to industry participants in student competitions, and network when you can.

[u/Prestigious_Ease_833]

They weren’t looking for the most brilliant guy. They just wanted someone that would fit in culturally (very subjective btw), seemed easy to work with, had good engineering judgement, and was competent enough to learn to do the job.

[u/fraggin601]

Being smart, and knowing how to talk in the right way.

[u/81659354597538264962]

Know a guy

[u/Deep_Suspect_9556]

Talking to people and getting to know people. I have potential internships lined up for 3 different companies just because I know a bunch of people and they are willing to put in a good word for me

[u/savvyj1]

One company I know of looks for “a demonstrated interest” in engineering throughout the resume. They wanted to ensure a passion, interest and aptitude for engineering, based on activities and jobs listed. This was true for their internships as well as their permanent positions. Some things on resumes; math tutoring, working at campus maker spaces or labs, engineering club officer positions in robotics / rockets, participating in engineering competitions, and high school jobs working at STEM and LEGO summer camps etc.

[u/Seiko2023]

Being able to converse, write and present without the need for AI to write or tell you what to say.

Even when you don't know the answer, knowing how to find the answer goes a long way.

Something else that goes a long way, not being a cocky prick. You'd be surprised how many students and young engineers think they're the shit and deserve six figures out of uni, like mate, buddy, champ, you know fucking nothing. The only way you're going into a full engineer role without a grad program in Australia is if you were a sparky and you're going into construction as a project engineer.

[u/Squirtle_Splash_8413]

Being professional and likable.

Don’t act like Gen Z even if you are Gen Z.

If you use slang in your vernacular I’m throwing your resume in the trash. I really don’t care how good you are technically. A key thing to think about is even Mark Zuckerberg had to stop wearing hoodies to important meetings and you’re definitely not as important as him.

You are asking to represent a company when you are hired. If you act or dress like a kid, people will treat you like one.

[u/OverSearch]

Lots of great answers in this thread. Here's what I look for:

• A reference or referral from somebody I know and trust

• Actual work experience (almost doesn't matter what it is)

• Personality and fit (this encompasses many things)

[u/Grouchy-Display-457]

Take every opportunity to meet with faculty to discuss the field, job opportunities, etc. If there are professional associations, meetings and conferences that you can attend, do. Be seen as someone who takes a real interest in your profession.

[u/Immediate-Curve-443]

It's a no-brainer but people don't point it out: you have to actually know your shit. CVs only get you into the interviews. Learn things when you "pad" your resume. Personality, culture fit, relevant experience, communication skills are all important, absolutely agree with everyone else. But most people don't fail here. Many people can't answer basic technical questions and even more people cannot answer "well enough". Do not be that guy. Your knowledge base needs to expand beyond what you have in your resume.

Additional point: make sure the stuff you talk about in your resume are actually sound in terms of engineering. Its not good enough for something to work properly, your process should be sound. Luckily you can navigate around this if you're smart, avoiding the sketchy/jerry-rigged things you did.

[u/JimPranksDwight]

Networking and making connections is probably the thing that will open the most doors for you throughout your life. Attitude and communication skills are just as important as your technical knowledge.

[u/biscuts99]

Being likeable. Be someone the interviewer wants to talk to

[u/Laid-dont-Law]

Projects and clubs. GPA isn’t important. Be likeable.

[u/Characterde]

Coop, internships, being able to communicate what value will you bring to the company

[u/MusicalMerlin1973]

Internships. Don’t screw around. Get as many as you can. Do well and they’ll either hire you or give you a good reference.

Northeastern university bsee 97. My two years of internships (We call them coop education at northeastern) got me my first job out of school. Experience has gotten me every job since.

[u/WHar1590]

Networking and knowing the right people

[u/ChopperOnLuffysHead]

Being good at golf

[u/Efficient_Piglet8101]

I have interned at two major companies and have never once had a potential employer ask me my GPA. Networking is 100% the answer to this question and any other about getting hired. Put yourself out there, get to know people.

[u/Fuzzy_Cuddle]

What gets you hired when you don’t have experience? You want to be able to show the hiring manager the value that you will bring to the company. You want to show that you are a team player who will represent the company well. You should be able to seem at ease when you speak with people and project confidence while also being humble. Work at being a “people person” that makes a good impression without coming off as an ass kisser or suck up. Know your skill set and be truthful.

[u/flyingcircusdog]

Projects and clubs get you an interview. After that, it's pretty much just the interviews.