Make a Career Fair Work for You

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Make a Career FairWork for You!

• Laura Yu Hickerson
• hickerly_at_jmu.edu
• 568-6555

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Why should YOU go?

• To see what career fairs are like
• To explore career options
• To gather information about employers
• To identify job openings
• To network and get job leads

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Why do employers attend job fairs?

• To advertise organization to prospective
  candidates
• To increase visibility on campus
• To provide career information
• To identify potential candidates (first
  impressions!)

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What is your goal?

• Are you going to the fair to
• Ask about career options in your field?
• Identify organizations that offer what you are
  looking for in a potential employer?
• Offer your resume for consideration for
• internships or summer job opportunities?
• positions after graduation?
• Learn more about the organizations that are
  attending?

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2. Develop your resume

• Make sure you have a concise, well written,
  dynamic resume
• Refer to http//www.jmu.edu/cap for tips and
  samples
• Use Career Academic Planning for a resume
  critique
• Copy/print on quality paper
• type of paper
• color of paper

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3. Check out whos coming

• Visit Career Academic Plannings web site
  http//www.jmu.edu/cap for a
• list of campus job fairs
• links to organizations web sites
• locations of companies
• what majors they are seeking jobs offering

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4. Research organizations coming

• Know the type of company (product, service, etc.)
• Organizations size (personnel, locations)
• Type of jobs they are looking to fill
• Check out their website to see whats new with
  them

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5. Prepare your 30 Second Commercial

• Introduce yourself (name, major, goal)
• Express your interest in a certain type of
  position or area in the organization
• Describe what you have to offer the organization
• Explain why you are interested in them
• Demonstrate what you know about the organization
• PRACTICE!

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6. Prepare Questions

• What do you want to know about the organization?
• What do you want to know about the opportunities?
• TIP Avoid asking questions about information
  available on their web site!

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7. Practice your interpersonal skills

• Be professional
• Introduce yourself with a firm handshake
• Speak clearly and concisely
• Answer questions readily

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More about interpersonal skills

• Have your resume with you and easily accessible
• Demonstrate confidence
• Be open and honest
• Maintain good eye contact
• Show enthusiasm and interest

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9. Consider your attire

• Remember that you are making a strong first
  impression
• You do not have to wear a suit, but it is an
  option
• Iron clothes, minimize jewelry, etc.
• Avoid jeans, t-shirts, shorts, flip flops

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At the job fair

• First, go to the registration table and pick up a
  list of attendees and a map
• Zero in on specific organizations you want to
  approach and where they are located

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After finding your target organizations

• Make sure your resumes are easy to access
• Take a deep breathstand up straightthink
  positivelygo into the room and go into action!
• SMILE!

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Approach a table

• Introduce yourself
• Offer hand for a handshake
• Give your 30 second commercial
• Ask and answer questions
• Offer your resume

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Approach the organizations representative...

• Pick up materials
• Ask for a business card
• Ask about the best method for follow-up

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About Job fair follow-up

• Take the initiative to follow-up on job fair
  contacts.
• Send a thank you letter and reiterate your
  continued interest in the organization and
  opportunities.

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Job Fair No-nos

• Lacking focus
• Not knowing what type of position you are seeking
• Admitting Ill take anything or answering
• I dont know when asked about interests.
• Unprepared
• Not bringing a resume
• Lacking knowledge of the organization or
  confusing the organization with a competitor
• Not bringing anything to write with or on

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More Job Fair No-nos

• Unprofessional Behaviors
• Asking about salary
• Not asking any questions, asking inappropriate
  questions, and having a poor or unprofessional
  attitude
• Not dressing neatly or professionally
• Grabbing free stuff
• Not making eye contact
• Lacking communication skills
• Lacking enthusiasm or interest
• Giving a weak handshake

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Upcoming Job Fairs

• Wednesday, March 4, Internship Fair
• -9am-12pm, Festival Grand Ballroom
• -interviews conducted in afternoon by some
  companies
• Monday, March 23, Spring Career Fair
• 12pm-4pm, Festival Grand Ballroom
  Highlands Room

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Career Academic Planning
Recruiting Services -On Campus Interviewing
Program 1st Floor Sonner [phone]
CAP offices and Resource Center 301 Wilson
Hall [phone]
Visit us on the Web at www.jmu.edu/cap
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You can do it!
GOOD LUCK!