Transcript Slide 1
ECS 320: Career Fair Success Strategies Presented by Engineering Career Services Process Career planning Resume Career fairs Cover letters Interviews Office visits Offers Negotiation Steps •Research industries & companies •Determine areas of interest •Develop a resume that outlines your accomplishments •Update your resume regularly •Meet company representatives and learn about available opportunities •Develop an “elevator pitch” to introduce yourself to companies •Write cover letters specific to each company or position •Emphasize how the elements of your resume apply to the specific company or position •Market yourself and your skills and experience •Provide employers with evidence that you will add value to their company as an employee •Meet a number of employees of the company •Determine if the company is a good fit for your career goals and interests •Evaluate which offer best fits with your interests and goals •Ensure that you have your offer in writing •Accept an offer only when you are ready to commit •Research the market to determine whether you should negotiate •Decline all other offers immediately and professionally once you have accepted an offer Related ECS Services •Career counseling •Resume •Career fair workshop preparation •Resume reviews workshop by appointment •Walk-in resume reviews •Cover letter workshop •Cover letter reviews by appointmen t •Interview workshop •Mock interviews •Workshop •Personal appointments •Offer evaluation & negotiation workshop •Personal consultation by appointment • What companies will be at the fair? • What positions are they hiring for? What majors are they seeking? • Rank your target companies and create a strategy • Research each of your target companies Dress & physical appearance Dress for Success Resume Smile and body language Handshake What time is it? Timing can be VERY important at a career fair… How are you approaching the recruiter? The recruiter’s personality and mood can play a big part in your success Which recruiter should you talk to? Sometimes companies send to career fairs, sometimes engineers… Sometimes both! Where are the companies you are talking to? Map out a logistical strategy How are you impressing the recruiter? Know who and what they’re looking for, and be prepared to tell them how you fit the bill Did you know…: …some companies can not/will not take resumes for legal reasons? …the things you say and do while waiting in line to speak with the recruiter could influence the impression you make on them? …you can learn a LOT about the recruiter you’re about to talk to from watching them while you wait? …anticipating the recruiters’ questions and preparing for them ahead of time can place you light years ahead of your competition? An easy to understand and concisely delivered summary designed to promote you to potential employers. Approximately 30-90 seconds 75-150 words What should you include? Who are you? What is your major? What experience/skills do you have to offer? Uses action verbs (achieved, developed, administered, etc…) What type of position or work are you interested in? Why our company? Exercise: • Who are you? • What is your major? • In what type or specific position are you interested? • Why our company? • End with a question • One person act as a recruiter • The other as a student • Student - practice your elevator pitch • Recruiter – give constructive tips for improvement • Switch roles • With whom did you speak? – Get their name and title • What was the outcome? • What is the next step in the process? – When are they recruiting on campus? – When are they holding an information session? – When are interviews being held? If the person you talk with can’t assist you, ask if they can direct you to the proper contact Ask about the next step in the job process Plan to attend any events when the company will be on campus Get a business card and follow up with a thank you • • • • • Do your homework Come into ECS to print a name tag First impressions are lasting ones Be PREPARED Assertively introduce yourself (the elevator pitch – use it!) • Practice your elevator pitch • Adapt it for different target companies • Schedule an appointment if you have questions or need assistance Engineering Career Services 3270 DCL Monday – Friday, 8-5 (217) 333-1960 Brandon C. Grant Grad Assistant, ECS [email protected] Jennifer Ehrnthaller Assistant Director, ECS [email protected] Connect with ECS ECSillinois