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Upcoming Events |
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BRAC Job Fair - Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
February 7, 2009 |
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2nd Annual Preparing for Employment in an Inclusive Workplace Conference
February 11, 2009 |
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Student Organization Reception and Employer Networking Dinner (SOREND) 2009
February 19, 2009 |
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Maryland/Metropolitan Education Expo 2009
February 26, 2009 |
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National Student Employment Week
April 12, 2009 |
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National Student Employment Week
April 13, 2009 |
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National Student Employment Week
April 14, 2009 |
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National Student Employment Week
April 15, 2009 |
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National Student Employment Week
April 16, 2009 |
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National Student Employment Week
April 17, 2009 |
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Making the Most of Career
and Job Fairs
A career
fair brings together job seekers and employers
with opportunities. The 2-3 minute exchange with
an employer is considered a true interview. Prepare
for them as you would any other interview.
What are my goals at
a fair?
• Connecting
with organizations
to collect information,
submit resumes, or
arrange interviews.
•
Discussing
job search strategies,
interview and resume
tips, or finding a
summer internship with
recruiters.
• Developing
a job search network
- collect referrals to other departments/divisions
within an organization.
• Meeting
with new, less familiar
organizations and discovering unexpected opportunities.
What
do I bring?
• Multiple
copies of your resume copied
on good bond paper.
Get the number of employers
at the fair to determine
the best amount. Get
your resume reviewed
at the University Career
Center ahead of time!
We critique resumes
in Career
Assistance. Hours
• A portfolio
or folder in which to carry your resumes and
other materials.
•
A
notebook or planner to
write down upcoming
interviews or information
sessions or other notes.
A good pen. Some employers
have give-away pens,
if yours conks
out.
Top
What
do I wear?
Conservative, professional
attire. You need to be neatly groomed.
Your chances for an interview or job could be
risked
if you wear anything that can distract an employer
from focusing on your qualifications, like heavy
perfumes or facial jewelry.
Tips for men:
• Wear
a clean pressed suit and tie. If you do not own
a suit, you should wear clean pressed dress pants
and a long sleeve light colored pressed shirt
and tie. A sports jacket is preferred.
• Avoid
whimsical ties.
• Wear comfortable dress
shoes.
Tips for women:
• Wear a clean pressed
suit (either pants or skirt are fine). If you
do not have a suit, wear a nice blouse and skirt
or dress pants. Skirts should be no shorter than
2" above the knee.
• Wear comfortable
dress shoes (closed
toe pumps or flats). You will be on your feet
for hours.
Short video about how to dress
at an interview.
http://video.about.com/fashion/What-to-Wear-to-an-Interview.htm
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Before
the Fair
Plan Ahead
• Develop a high-quality
resume and bring multiple
copies. How many depends
on how many employers
you wish to approach.
Since you will have
researched the employers
BEFORE coming to the
fair, you will know
how many you need,
plus a few extra.
• Buy or organize
your interview
clothes
and
practice wearing them
if new.
• Practice your handshake. You
want it to be firm, but not crushing the recruiters
hand. The is as important for women as for men. A wimpish
handshake demonstrates lack of confidence.
• Find out
what organizations
are attending. For the University Career Center's major
fairs we always provide links on our home pages.
•
Determine
the organizations of
most interest and research
them through their
Web sites.
• Prepare & practice
your one-minute
commercial to “pitch” to
employers.
• Prepare questions
to ask representatives.
•
Develop Questions to Ask
• What career opportunities are
available in your organization?
• What is the employment
outlook in the field right now?
• What opportunities
do you have for ____________ majors?
• What type
of training is available?
• What types of assignments
are given?
• What do you look for in candidates?
• What key skills/experiences are highly desirable?
• Do you have any tips for success in this field?
Note: Do not ask about salary or benefits.
Top
During
the Fair
• Arrive
early. Be there when recruiters are fresh, alert
and attentive. Arrive before the majority of
other students get there.
• Take time to
target organizations that interest you. But,
also keep an open mind and consider organizations
you are not familiar with – there are great
opportunities everywhere. If a table is less
crowded, you will have the opportunity to converse
longer with the representative.
• Be patient
and anticipate crowds and lines. Try visiting
the tables with fewer crowds first.
• Scan
employer handouts before talking to a recruiter.
Instead
of
getting
in line, approach the table from the side to quietly
pick up materials to review.
• Step back far enough
to be able to listen to and observe recruiters
speaking to other students. Determine if your
one-minute commercial needs to be adjusted.
• Take
initiative and introduce
yourself with a smile and a handshake. A career fair
is a way the recruiter can judge your social skills.
Recruiters
are
almost always friendly and outgoing and they will
expect the same of you. If you haven't done much ice
breaking before, practice in advance with
a friend.
• Give your resume to
the representative. Launch into your one-minute
commercial.
•
Ask questions from the list you prepared.
• Ask
about the application procedure.
• Get
a business card or
a contact name from every person you meet. Write
interesting
facts, notes
or additional contact
names on the back of the card or on your notepaper.
Use this information
to
follow
up
after the fair.
• Many company tables have “freebies”,
such as pens, candy,
and toys. Be courteous and cautious when taking these
items. If you take
any candy or gum, save
it for after the fair. Don’t play with the stress
balls or other toys during the fair. Avoid
taking every free item
you see. It is noticeable
by recruiters
when a student seems to be attending
the fair just for the
free items.
• Complete and return the University Career
Center's student evaluation. Your comments
are useful in planning future fairs.
Top
After
the Fair
• Write a thank
you note or e-mail
to the representatives you
met.
Include another resume and, if requested, any additional
information. Reiterate
your skills and background and include ones forgotten
during the recruiter conversation.
• Continue to research the
companies or organizations that you met at the
fair.
• Use a variety of job search
strategies in addition to job fairs to round
out your job search.
Your
Thirty-Second
Commercial
Your Name:
Your Major:
Career Interests:
Work Experience:
Activities:
Type of Career Information or Job You Are Seeking
1. Introduce Yourself: “Hi, my name is
______________. I’m a (senior, graduate
student, sophomore, etc.) at the University of
Maryland majoring in ______________. I’m
interested in learning about what type of opportunities
might be available at your organization.”
2.
Be prepared to continue your commercial by answering
the recruiter’s questions. Example of question: “What
type of job are you seeking?” The answer
should NOT be “Anything” or “It
doesn’t matter.”
3. Tailor your commercial
to each employer you
approach. You will
know how to tailor
it because you will
have researched the
company, and know
how your background
and future goals
fit each employer of
interest.
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