PREPARING FOR THE GOVERNMENT CAREERS FORUM AND NETWORKING EVENT

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PREPARING FOR THE GOVERNMENT CAREERS FORUM AND
NETWORKING EVENT

• Wednesday, October 7, 2009
• Sherman Hall, Hassenfeld Center, 530-730 pm

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PRESENTATION
TOPICS

• WHY ATTEND THE FORUM?
• HOW DOES THE FORUM WORK?
• HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?
• HOW DO I PREPARE?
• Professional Approach
• Research
• Prioritize Agencies
• Create Personal Marketing Tools
• POST-FORUM
• FORUM DOs AND DONTs

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WHY
ATTEND
THE FORUM?

• The Government Forum is the place to
• connect with federal, state, and local agencies
  to gather information on work in government,
  including internships and full-time positions
• meet agency representatives who can serve as
  contacts to explore government careers

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HOW
DOES THE
FORUM WORK?

• The Forum is
• a special event designed for participants to
  learn about federal agencies, ask questions about
  federal careers, and network with actual agency
  staff.
• The Forum is not
• a job fair - the representatives are not
  attending to find candidates to fill specific
  positions they are present to share information.

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HOW
DOES THE
FORUM WORK?

• The event is divided into two parts
• Part 1 Keynote address by Kim Ainsworth,
  Executive Director, Greater Boston Federal
  Executive Board, whose members coordinate all
  federal agencies located in Boston.
• Part 2 Three 20-minute roundtable informational
  sessions participants select a table
  (representatives from two agencies per table) to
  visit during each of the three sessions.

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HOW
DOES THE
FORUM WORK?

• Forum Tip
• A limited number of students from several area
  universities have also been invited to attend
  this event. Help make Brandeis shine!

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HOW DO I
PARTICIPATE?

• Register on Hiatt NACElink, under Events
  Workshops space is limited, so register now!

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HOW DO I
PREPARE?

• Professional Approach
• Dress professionally to show respect for the
  agency representatives and for your own career
  potential.
• Wear a suit or coordinated jacket and
  pants/skirt, dress shoes, and limited
  accessories.
• Avoid big jewelry, perfume/cologne, jeans,
  sneakers or sandals, and visible tattoos and
  midriff/stomach.
• Be attentive, personable, and engaged the
  representatives are coming to Brandeis to meet
  you and appreciate your attention to the
  expertise they have to offer.

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HOW DO I
PREPARE?

• Research
• Research participating agencies (see Hiatt
  NACElink) on their websites. TIP do not limit
  your search by the agencys name alone
  possibilities such as economist, designer,
  analyst, human resource manager, and scientist
  abound. Be open to all government sectors!
• Consult the Hiatt Careers in Government website
  (go.brandeis.edu/hiatt-government) for
  jobs/internships.
• Network with Brandeis alumni in LinkedIn who are
  in public service careers. Ask about career
  path, daily activities, and agency priorities.

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HOW DO I
PREPARE?

• Prioritize Agencies
• Create a short list of agencies from your
  research and use each roundtable session to meet
  the representative.
• Review your skills and experience to identify
  those that are a good match with your priority
  agencies.
• Prepare questions in advance about the agencys
  work, structure, and opportunities that
  demonstrate your knowledge and interest, for
  example I read on the website that your agency
  works on environmental sustainability. I am
  interested in alternative energy and would like
  to know more about your work in this area.

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HOW DO I
PREPARE?

• Create Personal Marketing Tools
• Up-date your resume to ensure that it is
  polished and professional, bring it to the Hiatt
  Career Center for review.
• Create a 30-second personal introduction,
  including that you study at Brandeis and your
  major, area of interest, and potential career
  direction. Practice it out loud beforehand to
  feel comfortable and confident.

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POST-FORUM

• Following up
• If you correspond with a representative after the
  Forum, remind the person that you met at the
  event, thank him or her for coming, and present
  your follow-up question or request.
• Strive to get in touch with the person in a
  timely way, typically within a few days of the
  event.

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FORUM
DOs AND DONTs

• DO ask the representative if you may leave your
  resume at the end of the roundtable session.
  Remember the Forum is not a job fair the resume
  is simply for the representatives information,
  not for selection for a job interview.
• DO act professionally at all times.
• DO bring your questions, curiosity, and
  enthusiasm come ready to learn!
• DO remember to thank the representative for
  attending the Forum.

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FORUM
DOs AND DONTs

• DO NOT monopolize the representatives time
  during the roundtable session. Ask your
  question(s) but also listen to others questions.
  At the sessions end, you might request a
  business card from the representative and
  permission to be in touch for more information.
• DO NOT remain at the same table for a second
  session. You must move on to a different table.
• DO NOT leave your table during the 20-minute
  session to visit another table or break into a
  table discussion already in progress.

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NEED MORE
HELP?

• Hiatt Career Center
• Usdan 15
• http//www.brandeis.edu/hiatt
• Drop-ins M, W, Th, F 2-430pm
• Tu 5-7pm
• Individual Appts 781-736-3618