Career Fair What’s out there for me?

College of the North Atlantic

Career Fair

• What is a Career Fair?

– A time for you to meet employers and ask them about opportunities they may have for you – A chance to develop networking, resume and interviewing skills – A career fair is not a job fair. Although some companies may be recruiting for current openings, there is an expectation that you will be in school for at least several more months College of the North Atlantic

Career Fair

• What is a career fair?

– An opportunity to make contacts so you can shop around when you graduate – A chance to find out what day-to-day work life is like in your discipline area with a specific company College of the North Atlantic

Career Fair

• What do I bring with me?

– Copies of your resume – A positive attitude – An open mind • There are a lot of hidden opportunities. If you don’t walk up to someone and start talking, you will never find out what job openings are coming up.

College of the North Atlantic

Prepare for a Career Fair

– – – – Put together a good resume.

Dress appropriately.

Find out which companies are going to be there and what they do.

• This will help you target companies in your area.

• It will also give employers an impression that you know what you’re talking about.

Prepare some questions in advance.

• This will get you attention from an employer, will signal your interest in them and will help you learn about the company.

College of the North Atlantic

Prepare…

• • • Be confident that you have skills to offer employers.

Practice body language that will signal self-confidence.

Decide what you want to gain from this exercise and plan specifically how you will achieve it.

College of the North Atlantic

Career Fair

• • Will I walk away with a job?

– Possibly not; this is the first step of a process.

• This is a networking opportunity • Companies are talking to many students from different programs. No decisions will be made on the spot.

• Remember you have at least several more months before you graduate.

Can I get a job by attending?

– YES. MANY students have. Once you make contact and learn about what companies are a good fit for you, the key is to follow up.

College of the North Atlantic

Career Fair

• • • PPD Campus About 40 employers Some local, some national and some international companies

What to expect… →

College of the North Atlantic

A diverse array of employers

Career Fair

• May be hiring students from multiple program areas – You have to ask in order to find out – People think of Health Sciences students when a Health Care Board is hiring. Do electricians work at hospitals too?

What to expect… → Companies have workers from MANY disciplines, doing many different jobs.

College of the North Atlantic

Career Fair

• • • Help will be available if you have questions or problems Buses are available Register and then you are free to browse, collect information and talk to employers

What to expect… →

College of the North Atlantic

Learn about companies hiring people like you

Career Fair

• • • You may chat informally with company representatives and learn from them.

Take the information they offer and read it.

Do not be afraid to e-mail or call them in the future to learn if things have changed, or ask about submitting an application.

What to expect → Opportunity to ask questions

College of the North Atlantic