HOW TO MAKE A CAREER FAIR WORK FOR YOU

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HOW TO MAKE A CAREER FAIR WORK FOR YOU

• The Department of Career Services
• University of Connecticut

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GOALS OF THIS PRESENTATION

• To help you develop realistic expectations of a
  Career Fair
• To provide you with information about the purpose
  of a Career Fair
• To help you prepare, perform, and follow through
  on your Career Fair experience to maximize the
  benefits of the event
• To provide information about the Career Fair

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WHAT IS A CAREER FAIR?

• An event that provides a forum for student and
  employer interaction
• An event where the basic purpose is to share
  information

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WHY DO EMPLOYERS ATTEND?

• To advertise their organization and increase
  visibility with students/university
• To identify potential job prospects
• To express interest in students and graduates of
  UConn
• To provide career information about their
  organization

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WHY DO STUDENTS ATTEND?

• To learn more about career opportunities
• To find an internship, co-op or job
• To network with employers and make contacts with
  organizations
• To collect employer information

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5 MYTHS ABOUT A CAREER FAIR AND THE REALITY THAT
YOU SHOULD KNOW
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MYTH 1 - All I need to do is to show up the
day of the event

• The Reality
• Preparation before and follow-up after the Career
  Fair are essential
• Employers expect a focused, well-prepared
  candidate
• Preparation ensures that the Career Fair is not
  going to be a waste of time for anyone
• A competitive job market dictates a proactive job
  search
• Research employers via Career Services website

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MYTH 2 - Its ok to show up in my jeans and
UConn sweatshirt

• Reality
• You should dress appropriately - informal wear is
  not acceptable
• Know your industry and dress accordingly
• This is a professional introduction between
  potential employers/candidates
• This is an opportunity to make a good, lasting
  impression so make it a positive one
• The Career Fair is part of the job search
  process, and should be treated as such

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MYTH 3 - I should go to the Career Fair only
if Im looking for a full-time job

• Reality
• Not all organizations who attend the Fair will
  have current job openings - some might be
  collecting resumes for future openings
• Some organizations may accept your resume for an
  internship or cooperative education opportunity

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MORE ABOUT MYTH 3 - I should go to the Fair
only if Im looking for a full-time job

• Reality
• Your interaction with company representatives
  should be highly professional even if they do not
  have current openings
• If they are impressed with you, representatives
  might refer you to another division within their
  organization or keep you in mind for future
  openings
• Dont burn bridges - being courteous and
  responsive to all employers will most likely pay
  dividends down the road

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MYTH 4 - I might receive a job offer during
the Career Fair

• Reality
• No formal interviews are held at the Fair so it
  is unlikely that you will receive a job offer
• A Career Fair is an opportunity to establish
  introductions and interest in the company
• A typical company hiring process consists of
• A one-on-one preliminary screening interview in
  person or on the telephone
• At least one on-site interview at the
  organization
• The process can take from a couple of weeks to
  several months

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MYTH 5 - The employers will meet so many
candidates that they will never remember you

• Reality
• A carefully crafted and professional presentation
  will ensure that you make a positive and lasting
  impression
• Follow-up is important to distinguish yourself
  from other candidates and to maintain contact
  with employers through well written thank-you
  notes following the fair

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PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE FAIR Preparing for
maximum effect

• Clarify Your Career Goals
• Research Organizations
• Develop well constructed questions for the
  employer
• Create an effective resume
• Choosing your Wardrobe

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PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE FAIR Preparing for
maximum effect

• Clarify your career goals
• Understand why you are attending the Fair
• Understand what you want to accomplish
• Clarify your personal goals
• Recruiters are rarely interested in unfocused
  students who will take any job, do anything
• A career consultant can help you develop your
  personal self-assessment questions

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PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE FAIR Preparing for
maximum effect

• Research organizations that you have targeted
• Visit the Career Services website to see which
  organizations are attending the fair
• Research organization literature to gather
  information (visit the organization website)
• Investigate issues, trends, and the outlook of
  professions/industries that are of interest
• Discuss the organizations with Career Services
  Staff

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PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE FAIR Preparing for
maximum effect

• Prepare a list of questions to ask employers
• Creative and challenging questions will make a
  lasting impression on those you meet
• Demonstrate knowledge of your chosen career field
  
• Salary
• It is not advisable to bring up this topic during
  an introductory meeting with an employer
• If the employer raises the salary question, you
  need to be prepared to discuss this issue (prior
  to the Fair find out the average entry-level
  salary, give a range that is acceptable to you -
  visit salary.com to assist in your research)

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PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE FAIR Preparing for
maximum effect

• The resume
• Attend a resume writing workshop offered by the
  Department of Career Services
• Make sure it is clear, concise, reader-friendly,
  one-page and error-free Have your resume
  critiqued at Career Services
• Bring multiple copies of a carefully prepared
  resume printed on good quality paper
• The career objective or focus should reflect the
  organizations or industries targeted
• If you have different resumes reflecting
  different career objectives, be sure to give the
  right resume to the right employer

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PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE FAIR Preparing for
maximum effect

• What to wear
• Professional business attire is recommended
• Should be conservative and fit properly
• The focus should be on you, not on what you wear
• Concentrate on fitting into the culture of the
  organization your attire should be appropriate
  for all employers
• Bring something to manage your papers (portfolio,
  briefcase)
• Do not overuse cologne or perfume

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DURING THE CAREER FAIR

• Presentation skills Be aware of your verbal
  communication
• Speak clearly and concisely
• Provide brief, targeted answers to questions
• Be honest
• Provide complete and articulate responses
• Show interest, energy, enthusiasm
• Demonstrate that you prepared for the fair by
  having intelligent responses

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DURING THE CAREER FAIR

• Presentation skills Non-verbal communication
• Dress professionally - look the part
• Have good eye contact
• Offer a firm handshake
• Demonstrate poise and composure
• Avoid distracting mannerisms

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DURING THE CAREER FAIR

• Interpersonal skills
• Employers will be measuring your ability to
  interact at a professional level
• Knowledge of yourself, the organization, and the
  industry will allow you to have an intelligent,
  balanced conversation
• Your preparation will manifest itself in a
  confident, self-assured presentation, which, in
  the mind of the employer will equal strong
  interpersonal skills

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AFTER THE CAREER FAIR

• How to follow up with employers after the Career
  Fair
• Ask each employer about the best way to follow up
  with his/her organization since each employer has
  different procedures for interacting with
  applicants
• Get a business card from representatives that you
  talk to at the Fair in order to facilitate your
  contact follow-up
• A brief note (or email) reminding the recruiter
  that you met him/her at the Fair and that you are
  very interested in the organization may help you
  stand out from the crowd - Note all
  correspondence is a work sample - take the time
  necessary to do it right

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AFTER THE CAREER FAIR

• How to follow-up with employers (continued)
• Have pen and paper ready for any information that
  the employer may give you dont make the
  employer wait for you
• Ask the organization representative when you
  should begin to follow-up with the organization
  (this is different than the thank-you note)
• Schedule a campus interview with the employer if
  the organization is are conducting on campus
  interviews

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AFTER THE CAREER FAIR

• If you conduct the recommended post Career Fair
  follow-up steps with an employer- you may
  separate yourself from other candidates
• Timely and professional follow-up also
  communicates to the employer that you are serious
  about your interest in the organization

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QUESTIONS ???

• See a professional career consultant at Career
  Services if you have questions - career
  consulting is available on a walk-in basis -
  dont hesitate to visit the office in CUE 217 if
  you have any questions
• The Staff at Career Services wish you the best in
  your job search efforts and want you to remember
  that were here to help!