Student & New Grad Resources

We totally get it - writing a resume and applying for jobs IS a job in it of itself! But, the payoff of landing that dream job is what makes it all worth it! As college recruiters we get asked “how can I make my resume standout” all the time. So here are a few tips to spruce up that resume and really present your best self on paper.

What aspects build a strong resume? 

• Objective statement
• Skills Highlight / Summary 
• Education, with most recent/current listed first
• GPA (personal preference)
• Relevant Work Experience, with most recent/current listed first
• Relevant Coursework (if you are low on relevant work exp)
• Security Clearances and/or Professional Certifications
• Relevant Project List (academic and professional)
• Publications and Papers
• Training/Workshops/Public Speaking Experience
• Community Involvement/ Leadership (volunteer, student organizations/clubs, sports ,etc.)   
• Updated Contact information 

How should I format my resume?  

• Use a simple/clear font with consistent sizing (10 -12pt)
• Consistent alignment and margins
• Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation 
• 1-2 pages is fine!
• You can use colors, but make sure your color format/scheme is appropriate and targeted to the audience it is intended for.

How do I make my resume stand out?

• Tailor your resume to each job you are applying for. Two intern jobs with the same title may not actually look for the same skills.
• Cover Letter – If you choose to use a cover letter, make sure to also customize it to the job/company you are applying for.
• Put the “eye-catching” sections at the top/front of your resume (technical skills, education ,security clearances/certifications, etc.).

At ManTech we want you to present your best self when interviewing. Our interviews will have a mix of “get-to-know-you” questions, behavioral/situational questions, and technical questions pertaining to the position you are interviewing for.  Below are some examples of questions you can expect to answer during your interview. 

TIP: If your interview is virtual, be sure to test audio/visual ahead of time!

“Get-to-Know-You” Questions:

 Our interviews begin in the same way any other interview would: with a series of general questions intended to learn more about you and how you will add culture to the company.

• What do you know about ManTech and why are you interested in this internship/new graduate opportunity?  
• How did your education prepare you for this job?
• What are your short-term and long-term academic/career goals?

Behavioral/Situational Questions:

When answering behavioral interview questions, it is best to try to answer using the STAR interview technique by clearly identifying a Situation, Task, Action and Result of an experience you have that is relevant to the question being asked.

• Describe a situation where you took on a leadership role? 
• Walk me through one challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?  
• Tell me about an accomplishment you are proud of and why? 
• What was your specific role and responsibilities on the most recent project you worked on?

Technical Questions:

When answering technical interview questions, it is best to make your answer stand out from the crowd by using these easy steps: 1) be familiar with methods for solving a problem, elaborate and explain your reasoning/thought process, be prepared to prove your skills, and ask questions to clarify, if needed.

*Be prepared for a variety of technical questions depending on the position.*

• What coding language are you most comfortable with?
• What is ______, and how is it used?
• What is the role of continuous integration systems in the automated-build process?

When you are planning to meet ManTech at an upcoming career or networking event, take the opportunity to stand out from the crowd and strive to do things differently than your competition. We recommend that you prepare and arm yourself with these best practices and tools to make that great first professional impression.

Pre-Event:

• Research ManTech and what we do ahead of time
• Read up on some current ManTech achievements and technological innovations so you have some talking points
• Review and modify your resume /cover letter
• Prepare business cards for networking
• Prepare multiple copies of your resume to hand out
• Prepare a list of questions you want to ask the ManTech team
• Prepare and practice your elevator pitch

During the Event:

• Come prepared with your resume AND a notepad/ portfolio to take notes and write down important info   
• Be personable and engaging through active listening  
• Give your elevator pitch
• Ask your questions 
• Write down names and emails of those you’ve spoken with

Post-Event:

• Follow up with those you’ve spoken with through a “Thank You” email
• Execute on any actions/commitments made (sending the article you found, sending an updated resume, etc.)
• Connect with those contacts on LinkedIn
• Ask if it’s appropriate to stay connected periodically

We want you to gain a valuable experience when working at ManTech, whether it’s your internship or first job out of college. Not only do we want you to be successful at the job, but we also want you to grow and develop your own career path and be industry leaders. Your success equals ManTech’s success!

Below is our top list of how to achieve success and carve out your career path (virtually & in-person) in order to make the most of your journey at ManTech!   

• Understand your employer’s/team’s/manager’s expectations
• Set your professional and personal growth goals
• Stay organized 
• Communicate openly with your manager
• Manage your time wisely 
• Meet your deadlines and work performance expectations
• Take initiative to lead more tasks and take ownership   
• Be willing to take on more tasks to learn new skills
• Ask questions and ask for help when you need help
• Maintain a positive attitude 
• Make sure you are in the proper work setting/environment to be productive 
• Always have a positive attitude
• Be a team player

Keep your personal life private/separate from ManTech and don’t gossip