Transcript Employment Expo

Getting the MOST from Job Fairs!
Produced by Virginia Cox, Ph.D., West Virginia University
Edited by Julie Levitt
Slide Number: 1
“A sense of purpose generates action and
movement in the direction of dreams and
goals. Set your sights on what you want in
your career and then make it happen. Now,
what are you waiting for?”
~~Joan C. Borgatti
Slide Number: 2
What is a Job Fair?
A job fair (or career fair) is typically a
one-day event sponsored by schools
and employers. The purpose is to
provide opportunities for employers
to meet with job seekers to explore
job matches.
These fairs are offered in campus or
community facilities.
Online job fairs are also available.
Slide Number: 3
Job Fairs:
Big Benefits for YOU!
 Explore opportunities
for internships, co-ops,
and jobs
 Practice interview and
job search
communication skills
 Distribute resumes to
many prospective
employers
 Meet many recruiters
from different
organizations in one,
convenient setting
 Receive company
information and
business cards of
contacts
Slide Number: 4
What to Expect
 Students/job seekers register
(find main table—you’ll be
given a packet of information)
 Recruiters are typically
located at numbered tables;
students/job seekers walk
around to talk with recruiters
 Recruiters differ in style.
Some are talkative; others are
quiet and businesslike; they
vary in age—you will most
likely encounter all!
Slide Number: 5
Before the Job Fair
 Target yourself to the job.
Identify how your skills,
experiences, qualifications, and
interests match jobs
 Prioritize the list of employers
that interest you. A list is
typically available before hand.
 Know why you want to work for
an employer so you can explain
it clearly. (Research employers
beforehand.)
 Possibly volunteer to help with
the job fair (contact your Career
Services Center) it is a good
networking opportunity.
Slide Number: 6
Preparing for Job Fair
1. Prepare your resume.
2. Prepare your self-commercial (30 to 60
seconds). Include your name, major,
class status, how your skills would
benefit the employer, your experience
and other pertinent information.
Slide Number: 7
Preparing
(Continued)
3. Practice presenting your commercial with
friends and acquaintances.
–
–
–
–
Walk with confidence
Speak confidently, clearly, and slowly.
Develop a firm (but not gripping) handshake.
Be aware of facial expressions: smile, be friendly
and show interest.
Slide Number: 8
Preparing
(Continued)
4. Take a portfolio, extra
copies of your
resume, and a list of
references
5. Research companies
on the Internet or in
your Career Center
Slide Number: 9
Dress for Success
Men: dark suits/sports coat
and nice slacks, polished
shoes, dark socks,
groomed hair, clean shave,
clean hands, appropriate tie
Women: neutral or dark
suit (knee length skirt),
proper stockings, polished
shoes, well groomed, not
too much perfume, makeup
or overdone hair
Slide Number: 10
Special Tips
 Practice excellent oral
hygiene
 Remove all face jewelry, (one
pair of earrings per ear), and
keep all jewelry to a
minimum–one ring per hand
 Cover-up tattoos
Slide Number: 11
When You Arrive
1. Take your time: arrive
early!
2. Check in, then target the
areas on your floor plan
to see who is there and
where they are located.
Slide Number: 12
At the Job Fair
1. Manage time well.
2. Meet first with recruiters who
are not at the top of your target
for employment (practice with
them before approaching your
top targets).
3. Watch time, and save enough
for your top targets.
Slide Number: 13
At the Job Fair
(Continued)
4. Introduce yourself
professionally.
5. Find out what
opportunities exist for
someone with your
credentials and skills.
6. Ask what entry-level
positions exist.
7. Smile! Be polite, and use
good manners.
Slide Number: 14
Focus!
 Sell yourself through an
enthusiastic, energetic
presentation.
 Demonstrate confidence
and competence
through attire, posture,
body language, and
preparation.
 Listen carefully.
 Distribute your resume.
Slide Number: 15
Ask Questions of Recruiters
Well-prepared questions make a good
impression:
 Please tell me about your organization (if you
haven’t researched it).
 What majors and experiences are of most
interest to you?
 Can you please tell me about career
opportunities, including internships, summer
jobs, and full-time positions?
 Do you provide any specialized training?
Slide Number: 16
Pick Up Cards & Literature
1. Always ask for business
cards of recruiters
representing your target
employers.
2. After talking with them,
write notes you want to
remember on the back of
the cards.
3. Collect all literature from
your target employers to
enhance your knowledge.
Slide Number: 17
Take Notes!
Take a notepad, and record important
follow up, such as to:
• Send additional information to a
recruiter or other contact
• Calendar follow up meetings
• Make follow-up phone calls
• Other
Slide Number: 18
After the Job Fair: Thank-You Notes
1. Send thank-you notes to those
you meet with; use their
business cards for correct
spellings, titles, etc.
2. Your thank you can be by email, or snail mail and can be
hand written (if clear) or word
processed.
3. Send the thank you within 2448 hours after the job fair.
4. Refer to the location and date
of the job fair.
Slide Number: 19
How to Follow Up

If a recruiter asks you to follow up, do so,
immediately, and send all documents you
were asked to provide.

Mention your discussions at the job fair,
your qualifications, and your interest in the
organization.

If you have additional information for the
employer, be sure to mention it in the
follow up communication.
Slide Number: 20
Learn From the Experience
1. Did you have a positive or
negative experience?
2. What can you learn from
negative experiences?
3. Did the preliminary research on
employers help you?
4. Were you asked difficult
questions for which you were
not prepared? If so, write them
down, and prepare more
thoroughly for the next fair.
Slide Number: 21
Learn From the Experience
(Continued)
5.
Were you able to articulate your plans or your
career goals clearly?
6.
Were your documents prepared well?
7.
Were you dressed professionally?
8.
How was your self-presentation (i.e.,
commercial) received?
9.
Have you followed up on all prospects?
10. What would you change for future career and
job fairs?
Slide Number: 22
What Else Can You Do?
1. Attend career and job fairs at other
locations
2. Use keywords to search for online job
fairs, such as:
– Nonprofit job and career fairs
– Online job fair
– Job and career fairs, (name your
career interest)
3. Bookmark web sites that are most
useful for your career targets
Slide Number: 23
In conclusion—a thought for you:
“I am not afraid of storms, for I am
learning how to sail my own ship.”
~L.M. Alcott
Slide Number: 24