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Career Fair Prep Seminar
A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CAREER FAIR
CAREER SERVICES PARTNERS
CAREER SERVICES PARTNERS
It is Raffle Time! University and corporate gifts
Gift certificates from local merchants
A month parking pass in the President’s
Lot
2010 Career FairWHEN: OCTOBER 5, 2010WHERE: SDC MULTIPURPOSE ROOMTIME: 12 PM – 6 PM
What is a Career Fair?A huge meeting between employers and students, and for you, the student: An opportunity to meet prospective employers… Learn more about numerous and diverse industries
and corporations – the world of work. Learn what kinds of work, products, and services
people with your major do, make and offer Persuade potential employers you are the person
they should hire A giant networking opportunity
For the Employer: An opportunity to market their company The chance to fill their employment needs by
meeting and recruiting top talent
Are Employers Hiring?Negative Signs• Confidence in the economy is weak• Employers reluctant to commit to new hires, rent space and build
inventory• Exports fell off sharply in June• Imports soared• The country of Greece bankruptcy situation
Positive Signs• Components of growth are present• Banks have a lot of money to loan• Companies have a lot of money in reserves• Consumers are getting their budgets in order• When businesses feel secure about the economy, the upswing could
be swift• In a matter of months, the fear and uncertainty will fade and stronger
growth will reemerge• Information taken from “The Kiplinger Letter” , Vol. 87, No. 34,
Aug 20, 2010
Overall : Yes, the employers are hiring, but strategically.
A Successful Approach• Develop a strategy• Fine tune your resume• Practice your interview skills• Dress appropriately• Understand employers’ expectations• Use available resources
What to bring to the job fair?• Copies of resumes• Transcripts• Professional notepad/pen and notes• Firm handshake• Your calendar• Research on the companies• Confident and enthusiastic attitude• A polished, professional
appearance
Dress for SuccessDressing Tips For Men• Suit: Dark blue, brown or gray• Shirt: White, light blue• Tie: Contrasting (with some
red)• Shoes: Black or Brown• Belt: Matches shoes and socks
(socks match slacks)• Hair: Trimmed or pulled back
Avoid:• Earrings• Hats• Heavy cologne
Dress for SuccessDressing Tips For Women• Skirt/Slacks: Dark blue, brown,
gray• Blouse: Light colored, not floral• Shoes: Conservative• Hair: Pulled away from face
Avoid:• Tight or revealing clothing• Shoes with straps, high heels,
light colored• Excessive jewelry, perfume
and make up
A Solid Resume• Your “ticket” to an interview• A resource for filling out
applications• Evidence of what you have done• A conversation starter• Different for the college grad vs.
someone with years of experience
Utilize NACElinkPost your resumeSearch for jobs
By keyword (major, title, etc.)By employer
Apply for jobsSecure interviews
PreparationResearch the employerFind out employer’s services,
trends, accomplishments, competitors, financial health, and NEEDS
Corporate websites, annual reports, third-party resources
Networking
Choose the right employers!
• Reviewed registered employers on Career Services website: www.career.mtu.edu
• Develop a “target list”• Categorize employers into A, B, and C lists• Research at least your top 8 – 10
employers• Practice your info-mercial on one of the C
list employers• Then hit you’re A list• Don’t stand in line too long
Research the Employers• Employer’s Website• Hoover’s Online• Dun & Bradstreet (dnb.com)• Fortune’s 500 Biggest Companies• Bus. Week’s & Forbes’ 100 Best
Small Companies• Google• National, local, and trade specific
publications• USAJobs.org
The Infomercial
Skills and Experiences in Demand• Co-op/Internship Experience• Consolidation of skills• Project Management• Team Building• Communication Skills (oral & written)• International• Technical, Liberal Arts and Business• Flexibility – slide from one job to
another• Problem Solving/Analytical Skills• Confidence
The PerspectiveEmployers are looking for the answer to three questions: Does the job-seeker have the skills
and abilities to perform the job?Does the job-seeker possess the
enthusiasm and work ethic that the employer expects?
Will the job-seeker be a team player and fit into the organization?
The “Info-mercial” Develop a 30-60 seconds infomercial
about your experience, skills, talent, and job objective.
First impressions are important! Introduce yourself using some of these topics:– Name– Degree, major, and minor– Grade point average– Work, co-op and internship experience– Leadership– Projects– Knowledge of company!
Performance Display energy, confidence, and respect Listen carefully Body language: eye contact, gestures,
posture Chemistry, make a connection: Remember,
it’s a conversation Employers are much more interested in your
“why’s” and your “how’s” than your “what’s” Concise answers, explain answers, provide
examples to complete the “picture” Don’t ramble: Know what 1 to 1.5 minutes
feels like
Compose Your Infomercial• Material available at tables• Develop an outline for your
infomercial• Rehearse your infomercial• Practice, Practice, Practice and
Practice• Try out your infomercial on a
volunteer, tonight!
PerformanceAt the end of the interview:
- Thank them for their time/information- Ask for a business card- Send a thank you note within 24-
48 hrs.
Infomercial Demonstration
Your Turn to Practice• Use what you learned tonight, the handout
resources, and the paper/pencils on the tables behind you to compose your infomercial.
• Raise your hand if you have questions!
• Volunteers located around the perimeter of the room if you’d like to try your infomercial out right now.
Time to Practice