Summarize this article in one sentence.
Associate systems engineer will probably be your first job title. Search online for openings and check the websites of companies in your industry. Become a member of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) to access job postings and networking and professional development opportunities: http://www.incose.org/about/Membership. Look for open positions where you've interned. Your connections at those companies could give you a better chance of landing a job. Your resume needs to show how you've developed the skills listed in a specific opening's job description. A section that lists your skills and program proficiencies is helpful. However, you'll want to include concise examples in your resume's experience section that explain how you've developed and applied those skills. Include action words in your descriptions. For instance, write that as a software engineer you "Designed, implemented, and monitored booking and accounting software," or "Improved processing performance by optimizing database applications." If you're in school, get help crafting your resume from your department and the office of career services. Whether or not you're still in school, have someone with engineering experience read your resume, like a former professor or supervisor. When you get a call for an interview, start researching the immediately. Learn about its history and values, how they fit into the industry at large, and how they manufacture a product or develop software. Look for specific things that you could improve or contributions you could make. Think about how you could streamline a manufacturing process or efficiently lead a team. Attention to detail, leadership, confidence, and the ability to see the big picture are key traits of a good systems engineer. A resume alone won't translate these qualities. During your interview, you have to convey that you can identify a problem, lead a group of diverse people to design a solution, foresee the best ways of implementing the solution, and correct any problems that arise. When you practice for your interview, prepare responses to potential questions that detail how you've handled obstacles, managed a team, and engaged a range of engineering fields.
Search for associate systems engineer openings. Tailor your resume to each job application. Research a company thoroughly before an interview. Stress your desirable personal characteristics during an interview.