Preparing for the Career Fair

1
Preparing for the Career Fair
Presented by UALR Cooperative Education
Program UALR Counseling and Career Planning
Services
2
Before the Career Fair

• Contact the Office of Counseling and Career
  Planning Services (CCPS) to find out what
  companies will be attending the Career Fair.
• Determine who you want to visit with and plan to
  approach these employers FIRST.
• Research the companies. Know what they do and
  what positions they are advertising.
• CCPS is located in Ross Hall 417 or call 569-8654

3
Before the Career Fair

• Plan your professional attire for the day
• Men wear a business suit, pressed shirt with a
  coordinating tie, dark socks, and polished shoes.
  Jewelry should be kept to a minimum.
• Women wear a business suit, skirted or pants,
  with hosiery. Skirt or slacks with a
  conservative blouse are also appropriate. Keep
  make-up and jewelry to a minimum.
• Dress as you would for a professional interview!

4
Before the Career Fair

• Print copies of your resume on high quality
  paper
• The number of resumes you should bring depends on
  the number of employers you are interested in
  visiting.
• Have someone proofread your resume.
• Representatives from Counseling Career Planning
  Services are available to help with resumes.
• Email your resume to resumereview_at_ualr.edu.

5
Before the Career Fair

• In addition to resumes, other items you may want
  to bring include
• A portfolio for your resumes
• A pen to write with (black or blue ink)
• A small notebook or paper to take notes

6
Before the Career Fair

• Practice your employer approach
• Be prepared to approach an employer with
  confidence, offering a firm handshake, eye
  contact, and a smile.
• Be prepared to introduce yourself. Include your
  name, major, area of interest or expertise, and
  the type of position you are interested in.
• Be authentic

7
During the Career Fair

• Be sure to arrive early! Dont wait until the
  last hour to cruise the Career Fair.
• Study the map and plan your route. Determine who
  is at the top of your priority list and visit
  those employers first.
• Keep your options open. If you have time, talk
  briefly with employers (who may not be on your
  list) to find out what they have to offer.
• Networking is the key to success in todays job
  market.

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Possible Questions for Employers

• What types of career opportunities does your
  organization offer?
• Does your company require a degree? If so, what
  degrees are most frequently sought?
• What kinds of positions do you offer with my
  experience?
• What are the job responsibilities for that type
  of position?
• Could I set up a time to visit you at your
  workplace to talk more about what you're looking
  for?
• Do you have Co-op, internship or summer jobs for
  someone with my experience?
• Do you know of other contacts that might be
  helpful to me?
• May I contact you if I need more information?

9
Possible Questions for Employers

• Do you have any descriptions of current openings
  at your company?
• Do you have any literature describing your
  company?
• What are the main skills or characteristics that
  you look for in an employee?
• If you do not have an available opening that fits
  my background now, but I would like to work for
  your company in the future, whom should I
  contact?
• What skills do you find most marketable in your
  industry today?
• What is your deadline for application and what do
  you require?

10
During the Career Fair

• Be respectful of the employers time.
• Use good judgment in regard to time when other
  students are in line to speak with the employer.
• Obtain business cards when possible. If an
  employer does not provide you with a business
  card, ask for his/her contact information name,
  title, e-mail address, and telephone number.

11
During the Career Fair

• Take time between each contact to make notes.
  This will help you remember specifics of your
  last conversation and keep your mind fresh for
  the next contact.
• Be organized with your material. Dont dig
  through your purse or backpack to find a pen and
  paper.
• Thank the employer and express your intent in
  following up after the career fair.

12
After the Career Fair

• Organize your company literature and determine
  which companies you are interested in following
  up with.
• Write a thank-you/follow-up letter to employers
  that you are interested in working for.

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Contacts for more information

• Counseling Career Planning Services
• 501.569.3185
• careers_at_ualr.edu
• website
• Cooperative Education Program
• 501.569.3584
• co-op_at_ualr.edu
• website
• Both offices are located in Ross Hall 417.