Memo+29

Seeking a job in IT often starts with the summer intern. As intern provides a good opportunity for the company to know the students, many companies like to employ students who have done intern for them (or for other renowned companies, as working in these companies demonstrates credibility). Apart from exhibiting one's ability and diligence, intern is also a good opportunity for students to build network. Familiarity with the personnel in companies have a lot of benefits in facilitating admission or acquiring information.

At the beginning of the fall semester students start to collect job information and write resumes. A strong resume often requires laboratory work or intern experience. There is an implicit rule that resume should not exceed one page as the reviewer never read the second page. Thereafter, students may send resumes to companies via the Internet or in the hiring conference. Some big companies may hold specific conference on campus, explaining their employment policy, demand, salaries, etc. These are also the occasions to send resumes. Nowadays, it is very common that only one or two interview opportunities come with one or two hundreds resumes sent out, therefore it is crucial for students to send out as many resumes as possible.

The next step is usually a paper test. IT companies are likely to test the mathematical and logic abilities of the job applicants with questions on algorithm, maths, and some IQ test questions. Now on the Internet there are many collections of job test questions summarized by past applicants, some books are also published to help job seekers prepare for the tests. Read these collections or books and do a lot of practices is wise and necessary for the preparation of the tests.

If one fortunately passes the paper test, there will be one or several rounds of interview. Depending on different companies, one may have interviews by staff from different departments of the companies (Human Resource, Technology, Management, etc.). Different interviews will test different abilities of the applicants, from critical thinking to technological knowledge and teamwork. After these interviews, one may get a temporary contract.