Undergraduate Career Services Kelley School of Business

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Undergraduate Career Services Kelley School of
Business

• How to Make the Most of a Career Fair

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Key Items to Remember

• Know your employers
• Know what you want
• Prepare an introduction
• Bring scannable resume
• Dress the part
• Arrive early
• Stay focused
• Appropriate questions
• Ask for next step
• Pick up business cards
• Write thank-you note
• Complete online application, if requested
• Practice, practice, practice

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Know your employers

• Review the list of employers expected at the
  career fair (ucso.indiana.edu)
• Focus research on the 3 4 firms that interest
  you
• Good research is key to an effective job
  searchits worth your time to conduct research
  prior to the career fair

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Know what you want

• What type of opportunity are you interested in
  with a specific company?
• Where do you fit in the organization, even if it
  is not the specific job they are recruiting for
  on-campus
• Dont say what jobs do you have for me? it
  shows lack of research

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Prepare an introduction

• Prepare 2-3 line script
• Customize it to the needs of the companies you
  are interested in
• Include name, your class and major
• Dont forget your career interests and how they
  relate to the target company
• Do you have relevant work experience?
• Try to differentiate yourself in your intro

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Introductions

• Let me introduce myself
• My name is _______ and clear
• Im ________ (slow and clear)
• Consider short version, first name only
• FIRM HAND SHAKE
• LOOK AT THEM, SMILE
• HAND THEM A RESUME

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Opening Lines

• Im so glad youre here!
• Id love to work at your company
• Ive been researching your company
• Great/Exciting/wonderful display
• What a great company!
• Could I have a second of your time?

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Your Resume

• Resume should be scannable
• White paper
• Easy to read
• Avoid fancy fonts or symbols
• Include relevant key words

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Dress the part

• Women
• Dress/Skirt
• Heels
• Make-up?
• Men
• Khakis or dress pants
• No tennis shoes
• Tie or jacket

The career fair is not an interview, but go
dressed as it if were. This is your first
impression on the employer.
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Arrive Early

• Come early while employers are fresh
• Go first to the booth of employers you have
  identified in advance
• Dont arrive 30 minutes before the end of the day

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Stay focused

• Dont get diverted by the goodies at each booth
• Remain focused on your target employers
• You are at the fair to make contacts
• Be sure to express interest in the company not
  in the giveaway being offered.

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Greeting

• Greet each employer with a smile and firm
  handshake
• Use your prepared script to introduce yourself
  and express your interest
• Make eye contact
• Be positive

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Ask appropriate questions

• If you have time, use it wisely
• Dont waste time asking questions that could be
  answered with a little research
• Dont ask What does your company do?
• Ask questions that show you have done your
  homework/research
• What does XXX value in its employees?

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Be considerate of others

• Remember that other students will want a chance
  to talk with the recruiter be considerate
• Makes a good impression be concise, direct,
  polite

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Ask for next step

• Ask how you can follow-up and what the next step
  is in the hiring process
• Ask specifically for preference list
  consideration
• Be persistent and polite

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Graceful Exits

• May I have your business card, please?
• I enjoyed meeting you
• Great! See you then!
• Is it okay if I apply directly?
• Could you recommend anyone in your company that
  may be interested in my abilities?

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Write a thank-you note

• Send a thank-you email to every employer you
  speak to at the career fair
• Try to reinforce how you differentiate yourself
  and how your skills match with what the firm is
  seeking

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Online applications

• You may find that employers request that you
  complete an online application
• The online applications is part of the process,
  do not ignore request

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Quick Review

• Before the career fair
• Research companies
• Prepare one-minute commercial
• Prepare questions
• Know general types of positions
• One-page scannable resume
• Be organized

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Quick review

• During the career fair
• Look professional
• Walk around
• Make eye contact
• Ask questions
• Be enthusiastic
• Collect business cards
• Make notes

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Quick review

• After the career fair
• Email thank-you note
• Complete online application, if needed
• Prepare for interview

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Finally, Practice, practice, practice!
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Questions???