Job Seekers

Resources

Tips for Attendees

Preparing for the Job Fair

• Dress casual but neat
   Your meeting with company representatives at the Job Fair is your first impression to the rest of the company. If you do not impress them the first time you meet, you may not get a second chance! Plan in advance what you are going to wear, and be sure everything is neat, clean and pressed. Simple and conservative attire is usually best. Don't wear anything that would make the recruiter remember your clothing or accessories rather than you. If you have had to walk a distance from where you parked, take time to freshen up in the restroom. You can never redo a first impression. Have a positive outlook. Dress as you would for an interview, except wear comfortable shoes.

• Update your résumé
   Before the fair, review your résumé. Is it attractive and error free? Does it "sell" your skills to the company representative? Is it targeted to the type of employment you are currently seeking? Bring a couple of dozen professional-quality copies with. Bring a portfolio with notepad and black or blue pen (maybe 2), keep yourself and your materials neat and streamlined; don't overload yourself with too much to carry. Bring a briefcase or a purse, but not both. Take time after each booth to put materials away and get organized for next booth.

• Decide why you are attending the career fair:

• To get information about employers to help you make a career decision
• To look for an internship
• To look for career employment

• Register early. You can register online here. Be sure to check out some of our incentives for early retistration!

• Obtain a list of the employers attending if you can, plan which employers you want to talk to

• Practice what you will say
   There are a few basic questions you will probably be asked all day. One of them will be "What type of job are you looking for?" If you do not have an answer ready for this question you will not looked prepared. Although it may be partly true, do not say you will take any job they have. Commit to a specific type of job such as customer service support, clerical assistant, accounting clerk, welder, etc. If you do not want to be specific, offer your experience: "I have skills in sales, marketing and advertising, and I am interested in opportunities with your company."

At the fair

• Check in at the registration table and get the list of employers

• Walk around and orient yourself to the layout

• Implement your plan for talking to employers

• Don't eat, drink, or carry food around when you're visiting employer

• If you go with a friend, split up and visit the employers YOU want to see

• Budget your time - don't spend all your time with the first employer

• Have a prepared list of questions to ask employers, depending on your purpose. Possible questions can include:

• What types of career opportunities does your organization offer?
• What majors does your organization typically hire?
• What kinds of positions do you offer in my major?
• What are the job responsibilities for that type of position?
• Are you aware of related occupations that I would be qualified for with the background/major I have or am planning to pursue?
• How did you get into the organization/career field? What is your background? How does it relate to the position?
• Could I set up a time to visit you at your workplace to talk more about what you do?
• Do you have co-op, internship or summer job opportunities for someone in my major?
• Do you know of other contacts that might be helpful to me?
• May I contact you if I need more information?
• What type of products (or services) does your company:
  • Manufacture?
  • Sell?
  • Service?
  • Provide?
• Do you have any description of current openings at your company?
• What types of positions do you have trouble filling? Why?
• Do you have any literature describing your company?
• Is your workload seasonal?
• Do you ever need to hire someone with ________________background?
• I am interested in __________________; do you ever need someone in this area?
• What are the main skills or characteristics that you look for in an employee?
• Could you look at my resume and tell me what you like about it, and what you would suggest that I change?
• Can you start someone part-time until school is out for the summer?
• How can a job applicant convince you to call them for an interview?
• If you have interviewed someone for a job, do you mind if they call to find out the status of your hiring process?
• If you do not have an available opening that fits my background now, but I would like to work for your company, how often could I call without becoming a pest? Who should I ask for?
• What skills do you find most marketable in your industry today?
• What is your deadline for application and what do you require?
• What are the major trends in the industry today?
• What is the growth potential for your firm?

At the booth

• Get the representatives' business card
   Discuss how and when to follow up. A follow up letter is an appropriate way to reiterate your qualifications, what you know about the company and why you are "good fit." Follow up is EXTREMELY important. Send out a thank you card immediately that contains some reminder of your conversation with him/her that would make you stand out from the rest of the candidates they visited with. If you have an interest in a position that the recruiter does not handle, ask for name and title of who you should talk to and ask them to pass your resume along to him/her. Follow up with a letter to both individuals. Within 10 days, make telephone calls to determine if the organization received your application materials and if the position is still open. Take copies of any employer literature. Keep it organized so to look neat at the next booth.

• Sell yourself to the employer-emphasize your strong points, goals, etc.

• Although you may not have an interview, it is crucial to make a good impression

• Be prepared to discuss anything
   You might be asked to describe your strength and skills, experience, special training or qualifications for a specific job. Someone might ask you why you left your previous job or why you are looking for a career change. If you are prepared to field a variety of questions, your tact and skill will show you as a superior candidate. Be prepared for a screening interview. As you approach the booth, respect other peoples' privacy as they complete their interviews.

• If you do get an interview, use your best interviewing skills

• Network with other attendees, they may be aware of opportunities you aren't aware of

• Employers say the most important attribute new hires can bring is enthusiasm

• Smile

After the fair

• Make notes to yourself about the employers you want to follow up with. Write follow-up letters and send resumes to employers you want to stay in touch with.

• Network while you wait
   Talk to fellow job seekers while you are waiting to speak to a specific employer. Who have they talked to? Have they heard of anyone hiring someone with your background? You may want to hand out your business cards to them and collect theirs; you may hear about opportunities of which you were unaware.

Tips for Exhibitors

Preparing for the Job Fair

• Browse resumes for potential interviewees
   Platinum and Gold exhibitors receive access to JobsHQ's online resume database. Search for job-seekers that fit your company's needs. Then contact potential interviewees and invite them to visit your booth at the JobsHQ Job Fair.

• Consider any new programs or incentives to highlight that would appeal to job-seekers

• Prepare for any problems that may occur during the show
   Have back-up plans for any multimedia presentations. Consider having an "on call" staff member available in case your booth becomes very busy

• Prepare an attractive display for your booth - entertaining booths get results

At the fair

• Arrive early. Take advantage of the set-up time before the fair starts. The most motivated job seekers are usually the first to arrive.

• Wear presenter badges and have business cards available

• Try to keep any multimedia between five and ten minutes in length

• Have literature available, but keep papers to a minimum. Job-seekers will visit many booths and will not want to carry stacks of paper between presentations.

• Consider inexpensive giveaways for your booth. "Freebies" will draw people to your presentation giving you an opportunity to greet them.

Meeting prospective employees

• Stand, don't sit, at your booth

• Smile and look comfortable when speaking

After the fair

• Browse JobsHQ's online résumé database for any potential employees you may have missed at the Job Fair