Career Fair prep

1. Career Fair 2014
Get ready to network with
company representatives!

2. • Thursday, September 18
18
• 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

3. Why should you go?
• Opportunity to meet
with employer
representatives to
discuss CAREER
opportunities
• Increased success
in securing
interviews

4. Why do companies attend?
• Marketing/branding
opportunity
• Develop network of
potential student
candidates

5. Preparation (before the fair)
• Create a “tiered” list of employers
• Submit profile/resume via employers’ websites
o Conduct employer research
• Create/update your LinkedIn account
o www.linkedin.com

6. Preparation (continued)
• Develop 30 to 60 second “elevator” speech
• Questions to ask employer representatives
• Appropriate attire
o Ideal: business attire
o Combination of business and casual

7. What to bring . . .
• Multiple copies of your resume
o Bring paper copies even if company only accepts
electronic submissions via website
o “Objective” on resume
• Writing materials (folio)
• Water, tissues

8. At the fair . . .
• Review map/list of
employers
• “Test drive” your
elevator speech with
“bottom tier”
employers

9. What to do if . . .
• The employer is not hiring for Co-op/internship
 Do they post in the winter term?
 Ask about future full-time (post-grad) positions – what qualities
do they look for in candidates? How can you prepare as a
student?
• The employer is not hiring for full-time (post-grad)
positions
 What is their outlook for the next two/five/ten years?
• The employer does not provide business cards
 Don’t take this personally – may be company policy.

10. Follow-Up
• Review information you received
• Send “thank you’s” to employer representatives
 LinkedIn
• Mention attendance at the fair when applying to
jobs
 Include in the cover letter
• Check Events module in OSCARplus for
additional employer events

11. Website Links
• OSCARplus – McMaster’s online job posting
and event listing website
https://www.oscarplusmcmaster.ca
• ECCS website
www.eng.mcmaster.ca/eccs
• Student Success Centre (university-wide
career office)
http://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/

12. Thank you!
Engineering Co-op and Career Services
JHE A214
Ext. 22571
Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.