University at Buffalo, the State University of New York Career Services. Presentation on Make the most of a Job Fair for Fall 2013

1. Make the Most
of the Job Fair
Presented by
Holly M. Justice
Engineering Career Counselor
Career Services
259 Capen Hall

3. Overview
• What is a Job Fair
• How to prepare for a Job Fair
– Research
– Preparation
• Special Issues & Strategies
• Follow up after the Fair

4. Job Fair
• What is it?
A job fair is an organized event where
employers, representing a wide range of
industries and organizations are present to
speak with candidates about possible internship
and full-time opportunities with their
organization
• Purpose?
1. To give candidates the opportunity to
personally deliver their resume and make a
positive impression on the employer.
2. Network with employers

5. Preparing for the Job Fair
• Know who are the attending employers
• Know what the employers are seeking in a
candidate

6. Researching the Employers
Who is coming to the event?

7. Career Services Website
www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu

9. Using BullsEye in the Career
Services website

22. What Employers Have Said
They Seek:
• EXPERIENCE!
(Co-op/Internship, related experience)
• GPA
• Technical Competencies
• Good Communication Skills –
Oral and Written!
• Evidence of Team Work and
Leadership skills
• Problem-solving Skills
• Enthusiasm
• Flexibility
• Being able to apply what you’ve
learned

23. How to Prepare for a Fair:
• Prepare a resume
• Research attending employers
• Prioritize the employers you wish to speak
with
• Prepare a 30-45 second summary of your
qualifications, background, achievements,
and career interest
• Practice your speech and questions
• Prepare questions to ask the employer
• Have professional /business attire
to wear for the event .
• Get organized the night before!

24. One Minute Commercial:
• Brief Summary (30 seconds – 1 minute)
• Introduce yourself
– name, class year and major, and your career
interests as they relate to the target company.
– Highlight any relevant work experience you’ve
had such as an internship, volunteer experience
or job and highlight your strengths/qualifications
and skills
• Demonstrate knowledge of the company
• Express enthusiasm and interest
• Relate your background to the company’s needs

25. Questions to ask Employers
• What is the natural career progression for an
engineer with my skill set within your company?
• I can work both independently and as a group
member. How much group or teamwork is
involved in this position? What will my
responsibilities be as a team member? How do
you see me complementing the existing group?
• What are the major projects I will be working
on within the first six months to a year?
• How are market trends (or recent
developments in the engineering field)
affecting the company’s growth?

26. Questions to ask Employers continued
• I read in (name of source) that your company
has begun efforts to expand (provide location
or field). What other new endeavors is the
company actively pursuing?
• Ask about next steps – What is the next step in
the hiring process? May I have a business card?
Would you mind if I contact you to follow up?
• Close your conversation by thanking the
employer for taking the time to speak with you.

27. Job Fairs: Special Issues
• So many companies, so little time
• Crowds & lines
• Limited time with recruiters
• “Nice to meet you. Have you been to our
website?”

28. Job Fairs:
Special Issues & Strategies
• So many companies, so little time
– List all the employers you want to visit and put
them in rank order so you can make the most of
your time at the event.
• Crowds & lines
– Anticipate lines for brand name companies
– While standing in line, practice what you are
going to discuss with the recruiter, review the
floor map and review which employer you are
going to next.

29. Job Fairs:
Special Issues & Strategies
• Limited time with recruiters
– Have your 30 second commercial and
questions for employer ready so you can
maximize your time with the recruiter!

30. Job Fairs:
Special Issues & Strategies
• “Nice to meet you. Have you been to our
company’s website?”
– Many employers have an online application
system as their primary recruiting tool and they
want you to go there first before they really
begin talking to you.
– Before the fair, apply online to your top
companies. Then at the fair, tell them you have
done so and would like to further discuss
opportunities with their organization. This
enables you to continue the conversation.

31. Career Fair Do’s
• Do arrive early and plan to stay late
• Do dress in a conservative, professionally tailored, well-
pressed suit, generally navy blue, dark gray, olive or black
• Do make eye contact, shake hands firmly, smile, and use the
rep’s name when appropriate
• Do take the initiative, start the conversation, speak up so they
can hear you over the noise
• Do remember to bring a supply of word-processed resumes
on professional looking resume paper
• Do carry an attractive pen and notepad in a portfolio

32. Career Fair Do’s continued
• Do bring a list of references with you (remember to
contact your references and inform them that the
companies may be contacting them)
• Do know if and when the employer plans to come back
to campus to conduct formal interviewing. Inform them
if you plan to submit your resume via the Career
Services Office online and ask to be part of their
interviewing schedule.
• Do learn what is going to happen next and what your
should do to advance your candidacy. Do your best to
get a business card or write down their contact
information

33. After the Fair – Not done yet…
• Send a thank you note to the employer.
– Shows appreciation and interest!
– Allows you to include any additional information the
employer was seeking at the fair, while demonstrating your
ability to follow through
– any additional information about you that you did not have
time to discuss at the fair
• Follow up via email or phone with the
companies you spoke with at the fair. Contact
them in a professional manner after enough
time has passed. (~1- 2 week)

34. Questions?

35. UB Career Services
• Contact us:
– 259 Capen Hall 8:30am – 5:00pm M-F
– Call 716-645-2231 to schedule an
appointment
– Email us at jobs@buffalo.edu
– Express Career Consult –
• 12:00-4:00pm M-F
• 20 minute, same day appointments
• www.ub-careers.buffalo.edu