Transcript How To Ace The Career Expo - East Stroudsburg University

Career Development Center
Luke Zeigler, Career Advisor
(570) 422-3219
Outline
• What is the Career Development Center?
• Success Series Workshops
• The Future Job Market
• Who will be there?
• What employers are looking for
• Checklist to Ace the Expo
• Summary
RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW!
Attend 5 sessions and you’re
entered for a chance to WIN a
Brooks Brothers gift certificate!
November 8th
EVOLVE – College to Careers
In order to help graduating seniors prepare for the next step, the Career Development Center invites
all graduating seniors for a program designed to help them make the most of their spring term and
prepare for life after college. Seniors will be informed of best practices on how to increase their
chances of success during an interview, money management and transitioning to a new community.
Become informed of what soon to expect in life after graduation.
The Future
There will be 55 million job openings through 2020
•
24 million new jobs
•
31 million due to baby boom retirements
35% of job openings will require a bachelor’s degree
Fastest Growing Industries - STEM, Healthcare Professions, Healthcare Support
and Community Services
• Will require high levels of post-secondary education
•
The U.S. will fall short by 5 million workers with postsecondary educations by
2020 at the current production rate
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014
1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Keystone Room
Who will be there (by industry)?
• Accounting – 1
• Banking – 2
• Health Care – 11
• Hotel, Hospitality, Tourism- 10
• Food Distribution – 5
• Government, Law Enforcement,
Military – 6
• Other - 4
• Human and Social Services – 6
• Insurance – 1
• Manufacturing – 1
• Chemical – 1
• Technology and Computer
Software – 3
• Sales - 2
• Graduate Schools - 17
Examples:
• Prudential
• Embassy Suits
• Aramark
• Wegmans
• BAYADA
• International Sports Training
Camp
• Villanova University
• PA State Police
• Wyndham Resorts
• Geisinger Health System
• Peace Corps
• United Way
Why do you want to go?
Reasons to attend
•GET A JOB/INTERNSHIP/GRAD SCHOOL
OFFER!
• Build your professional network
• Practice interacting with professionals
• Learn about what employers are looking for
• Get advice on best practices within your field
• Exposure!
What do employers look for?
Here is what they say!
A Checklist to
guarantee a successful
event!
Research!
• The Event
• Date: October 28th, 1-4 PM
• Place: Keystone Room
• Layout – Know where the different employers will be located
• The Employers and Graduate Schools attending.
• How would you do this?
• Warrior Careers Demo – Where is the information?
Demo of Warriorcareers.esu.edu
Resumes and References
Resumes
References
• One resume for each
company/position you are
interested in
• Personalize each resume for the
industry, company, and position
• Do not just use a “One size fits
all” approach
• List of 3-5 individuals and their
contact information
• Ask if they would be willing to be
a reference before hand
• Make sure that they would give
a positive recommendation
Dress to Impress
• First impressions are the MOST important aspect of your interaction
with recruiters at Career Fair events
• When an employer see’s you approaching, they have already
determined how the conversation will go
• Casual, sloppy, and inappropriate clothing communicates:
• Laziness, carelessness, a lack of professionalism, disinterest
What to wear
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Men
Pressed button down shirt with tie
Pressed pants or suit
Neutral Colors (navy, gray, black, tan)
Shirt: White, light blue, cream
Groomed facial hair
Women
• Pressed dress pants or skirt with hemline to
knees
• Tailored shirt/blouse
• Tailored sweater is acceptable business casual
• Neckline no lower than collarbone
• Shoes: low/medium heels or flats
What Not To Wear
• Clothing that is too tight or too lose
• Anything that is revealing
• A tie improperly tied
• Excessive of large jewelry
• Heavy Perfume/Cologne
• Jeans/Sweats
• Untucked Shirt
• Sneakers/unprofessional foot ware
Practice!
• Develop and improve your “Elevator Pitch” - What is this?
• Most successful pitches are simple and quick
• Consider your audience
• Individual? Company? Industry?
• Know yourself – REFLECTION
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Educational background
Key Strengths
What do you want them to know about you?
Why are you giving this speech?
• Write it down – Approximately 90 words
Key Components of an Elevator Pitch
• Introduction
• Name and a Firm Handshake
• Who are you?
• What’s your major? Class?
• What are your strengths?
• What do you offer?
• What are you looking for from
the person your speaking to?
• Information? Internship? Job? –
Be Specific
• Tell the person why you are
interested in them/their
company/their school
Be on Time and Be Prepared
• Being their early alleviates anxiety
• Allows for time to get a “lay of the land”
• What employers are where, help plan your approach
• Being early/on time to the event communicates positive things to
employers
• Set the benchmark for other candidates
• Be Prepared
• Resumes and references
• Pen and Paper
• Business cards if you have them
Make a Plan
• After researching the list of employers, writing your resumes, and
checking out the lay out
• Use employers you aren’t as interested in as practice
• Less “important” ones first
• Avoid table hopping
• Take a break in between
After you are done with introductions…
• SMILE
• Listen
• Ask questions
• Take notes
• Conscious of your body language
• BE AWARE: Some representatives will jump
in and take control of the conversation, just
listen to what they have to say and respond
accordingly.
Ask Questions
• Asking questions to employers is the easiest way
to demonstrate your interest in a position or
company
• Have a list of questions prepared for each
company before hand
• Be prepared to answer questions in response to
the questions you have to ask
Questions: A two-way-street
Questions From Recruiters
Questions From Attendees
• Tell me a little about yourself?
• Tell me about your skills?
• Why did you decide on your
major?
• What do you know about our
company?
• Tell me about your proudest
accomplishment.
• What major challenges do new
hires traditionally face?
• Could you describe the ideal
person for this job?
• What do you like best about
working for your company?
• What is the next step?
Questions to Avoid
• What is the pay range for this position?
• What are the benefits and vacation time like?
• Can you tell me about your company?
Be Enthusiastic
• Connect aspects of your character and personality to the missions and
projects being conducted by a company
• Explain the things about your chosen field that made you choose it
• What drew you to the field in the first place
• Relate what you want to achieve to what the company or individuals are
trying to achieve in their mission statement
• Express genuine thanks for their time, and let them know that you will
follow up
Follow up
• You’ve delivered your elevator pitch, stayed engaged throughout the
conversation, asked great questions, and took notes on important
points……..Now What?
• Letter, e-mail, phone call, drop by?
• What should it sound like?
• Do you ever not follow up?
Following Up
Good
Not so good…
• Addressed to the person you
spoke with
• Provides reminder of who you
were, and your background
• Highlight the main talking points
(notes!)
• Thank them, “looking forward”,
remind them of the position
• “To whom it may concern” “Dear
Recruiter”
• Telling them what position you
want
• Ignoring any information learned
about them
• Asking them to contact you
Following Up Ctd.
Good
Not So Good
To Mr. John Doe, Hiring Manager Company X,
To Whom It May Concern,
It was a pleasure meeting you at the Career Expo at
East Stroudsburg University yesterday. I thoroughly
enjoyed our discussion of how my studies in business
management will prepare me to be a strong
candidate for the team-manager position.
I spoke with some one from your company at a career
fair yesterday. They mentioned that there are
numerous internship opportunities that would fill the
requirements for my program.
The projects your company is engaging in are
fascinating and I would cherish the opportunity to
assist you in achieving your goals.
Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I am
looking forward to speaking again in the near future.
Sincerely,
If some one would give me a call about the
opportunities I would really appreciate it. I think that
I would do a good job and would learn a lot while
doing it.
From,
Different for Graduate School?
• Not all graduate schools are appropriate for you as an individual
• Research the programs they have, and reflect on your personal goals
• Although you may not want a position, the representatives will be
great sources of information
• All the same rules apply – Resumes, References, Questions, Notes,
Etc.
Summary…
• Begin to research the companies who are attending
• Prepare and practice as much as possible
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Elevator Pitch
Outfit
Resumes and References
Questions for employers
• Arrive early, establish a plan, always be aware of what you are communicating
• Follow-up
• Be patient!
CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Our Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 6:30 pm
Drop in: Wed & Thurs 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Located on the TOP FLOOR University Center
Connect
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