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To reach the best of
PUPR Job Fair, the Career Center provides you the following
information:
TOP TEN WAYS TO SUCCEED AT A JOB FAIR
| 10 |
Say thank you. Mailing or emailing a thank you letter is not only appropriate; it can also bring attention to your name. |
| 9 |
Know what to expect. Don’t be intimidated, and expect lots of people. |
| 8 |
Walkabout the job fair. When you first arrive, walkabout the entire room to get a feel for the layout. |
| 7 |
Be aware of your body language. Body language can often speak louder than the spoken word. |
| 6 |
Develop a presentation. Create a one – minute “commercial” about yourself. |
| 5 |
Know yourself. Identify your strength and skills. Know why you want to work for their company. |
| 4 |
Be prepared. Research the employers that might be of interest to you. |
| 3 |
Portfolio. Your portfolio will be used to store your resume and for taking notes. |
| 2 |
Dress. Image is crucial at a job fair. Keep it conservative so hat their focus is on you, not your clothes. |
| 1 |
Resume. Yes, you are required to bring one. Bring at least two copies for each company you wish to speak with. |
Before the Fair:
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Develop your marketing tools.
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You must be prepared to market yourself in a highly competitive entry-level job market. Develop a resume and an oral presentation to advertise your talent and skills to the employer market.
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Resume perfection.
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A great resume may not get you the job. But a poor resume may be the reason you don’t get an interview. Stop by the Office of Career Services to have your resume reviewed before handing it out at a fair.
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Impress employers with your communication skills.
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Prepare a 2-minute presentation that includes information about your previous experiences, outstanding accomplishments and unique qualities. Also include a personal career mission statement that shows the employer your focus and determination. Employers respect applicants with a clear vision of what they want from their career. End with a question that the recruiter will then answer to make it a conversation. Be sure to ask the employer what the next step is.
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Practice your pitch.
Get a hold of the list of employers that have been scheduled to attend the fair. Choose the "top 10" companies you want to speak to, then choose 5 second choice companies. Talk to one or two employers from your list of second choice employers first before talking with one of your "top ten" employers that really count.
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Impress employers with your investigative skills.
Research the companies online, or in periodicals and books in the library. Use the information to ask relevant questions about the company and the position. If you’ve done your homework properly, what you are looking for should match with what the employer is looking for.
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Be realistic.
The lines may be long, and in the end you may not get a job offer, but it is your chance to network and to practice how to coherently talk to employers about your experience, skills and competencies.
At the Fair:
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Impress them by presenting a professional image.
Decisions are made more quickly at a career fair than at a regular interview, so image is even more important. Business attire is a must, as is good grooming and excellent preparation.
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Impress them with your organizational skills.
A briefcase and/or portfolio are more impressive than a plastic bag. Put your resumes in a color folder (red), and bring a different color folder (blue) to hold things that you collect from the table. (Business cards, brochures, etc.)
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Turn your cell phone off at a career fair.
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Smile, recruiters want enthusiastic, likeable candidates.
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The introduction is key to making a lasting first impression. As one employer said, "the worst thing a student can do is walk up to me and not say anything." Practice a firm handshake and an opening line.
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Be independent. You look more serious and focused walking alone.
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Demonstrate knowledge of the company’s mission statement and its products and services. This will give you and the employer something in common.
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While waiting in line to speak with an employer listen to what the employer is saying to those people ahead of you. They will appreciate the fact that you’re paying attention and you may learn something useful.
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Never talk about salary unless the employer brings it up first.
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A job search is a public relations campaign. Say "thank you" to build positive
relationships.
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Return to the employers that interest you most to thank them again and to let them know you will be in touch soon.
After the Job Fair:
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Take a deep breath, and then take some notes on your conversations with employers. You may choose to take notes between times spent visiting employers if it’s likely you’ll forget the conversations after the fair.
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Send a thank-you note via email or snail mail and reconfirm your interest in the position and company.
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Telephone employers if you have not heard back from them within a week.
Extracted from: www.coop.neu.edu.tips.html
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