1. “Just in Time”
CAREER FAIR PREP
Online Participants :
What to Expect:
■ You'll hear the presentation and see a
PowerPoint
■ If you have a question:
Click on your hand icon
Text message your question
■ Workshop may be recorded for later use.
2. What is a Career Fair?
• Not a Job Fair!
• An event that is sort of like a trade show
and speed-networking event with a large
number of potential employers.
• Forum for gathering information about
potential opportunities
3. Why Attend?
• Expand number of network contacts
• Receive sound advice from recruiters
• Learn about opportunities in your field
• Increase chances for an interview by making
a good “first impression”
4. Employer’s Point of View…
• Want to make the most of his/her
experience at the Career Fair
• May not have positions available – NOW
• Policy may not allow him/her to take your
résumé, even if he/she interested in you.
• Like it when you are specific & purposeful
in your stated interests and skills
5. Have a Game Plan:
• What is your goal
• List of Employers to target
• Research companies
• Draft your introduction
• Outline questions to ask
• Prepare professional documents
6. Professional Documents Needed
• Resume
• Reference List
• Copy of transcripts
• Portfolio, representing
relevant skills and
accomplishments
7. Career Fair Ready
Resumes
• Tailor resume towards companies you
plan to target
• Use key words and action verbs for
quick scanning
• Use the CDC website and services to
prepare a skills based resume
8. Do Your Homework About the Employers
• Review the list of employers
• Identify those that you want to talk with.
• RESEARCH these employers so you’ll
know basic information about them.
• Determine 3 – 5 questions for each
employer.
• Tailor a resume for each employer
9. Prepare to Meet
the Company Representative
• Prepare to ask and answer questions
• Create a list of questions to ask
• Practice answering potential questions
using Interview Stream
• Keep responses positive and on topic
10. “Elevator Pitch”
1-minute overview of you!
• Covers your background and the type of
position you are looking for.
Why there and employment seeking
Brief summary of education, experience,
strengths, etc
• Should contain professional & academic
information only, not personal.
11. Example of an “Elevator Pitch”
With a pleasant smile say:
“Hello, my name is (your name), I am here to speak
with you about potential opportunities with
y-company.”
– Offer a firm handshake
– Present your resume
– Provide a brief summary of education, experience,
strengths, and any other significant details of what you
can do for their company.
12. Networking Cards
Size 3.5 inch width x 2.0 inch height
– Name
– Address
– Phone
– Fax
– Email
– Website (when available)
13. Sam Matthews Education
12 Elk, Lincoln, IL 61111 ■ S.Mathews @ gmail.com ■ 217-296-9999 Master’s in Public Administration Dec. 2009
U University of Illinois at Springfield
Career Objective Bachelor of Social Work May 2005
Volunteer Coordinator and Advocacy Position University of Illinois at Springfield
Profile Core Skills
■ Recruited, trained and oversaw a 120+volunteer network Multilevel Recruitment Program Management
■ Created and promoted “Share to Care” program for local schools Events Planning Advocacy and Outreach
■ Produced multimedia outreach presentations
15. Prepare to Make a Good Impression
• Determine your attire.
• Either “business casual” or “interview
attire” is appropriate.
• Examples of “business casual”:
• Polo or other collared shirts, long sleeved
shirt.
• Khakis or knee-length skirts
• Sweaters
• NO SHORTS, NO JEANS
• NO FLIP FLOPS
16. “Interview Attire”
• The most conservative and classic
business look
• Examples of “interview attire”:
• Black, gray, navy suit (top and bottom match)
• Solid color, long-sleeved shirt
• Simple ties for men
• Hosiery required for women, socks required for
men
17. Whether Business Casual OR
Interview Attire…
• Iron your clothes. You don’t want to look like
you slept in them!
• Cover tattoos if possible.
• Remove visible piercings (other than in
ears).
• Women should avoid low cut or form-fitting
clothing.
• Make sure your hair is clean and combed.
18. Day of the Career Fair…
• Use your time wisely. Find out where
employers are located and map your
path.
• Use employers’ time wisely.
• Get a business card from everyone
you talk with.
• Don’t be all about the give away
items!
19. Career Fair Checklist
Portfolio/Briefcase
Pen and notebook
At least two dozen resumes
Copies of transcripts
Copies of list of references
Appropriate clothing including comfortable,
professional shoes
Small breath mints-no gum
A positive attitude and firm handshake
20. Registration Table
Sign In
Name tags available
Place name tag on right hand side
Obtain Career Fair Handout listing
companies and their location
Review layout and mark the companies
in the order you would like to meet
them.
21. Meeting Recruiters
• Greet Recruiters.
– Introduce yourself.
– Initiate a handshake
– Smile.
• Provide a Resume with cover letter
• Ask companies what the next step is and
how you can follow up with them.
• Ask for a business card.
22. What’s in a Good First Impression?
• Handshake
• Eye contact
• Smile
• Name tag
• What else?
23. Don’t forget to follow up!
• Leave voicemails the evening of the
Career Fair.
• Send thank you letters (via email, or US
mail) soon after the Career Fair.
• Send networking letter with resume
enclosed
24. Unable to Attend: Be a “Virtual” Participant!
Step 1: Upload your Career Fair Resume to UIS
Career Connect
Step 2: Go to the Events Tab on UIS CareerConnect
homepage and register to attend the Career Fair.
Step 3: Resume will be added to Online Resume
Books for employers to view.
25. Career Development Center’s
Career Toolbox Resources
• UIS-CareerConnect
• Million Dollar Database
• First Research
• Interview Stream
• CDC Career Fair web pages
• Company websites
26.
27. Putting your ‘Best Foot Forward’
• Polish your résumé
• Post or update your résumé on
UIS-CAreerConnect
• Create or review your elevator speech.
• Use the CDC Services
28. Wrap Up…
What are the 3 most important “Action Steps”
for you to do now to prepare for the upcoming
Springfield Collegiate Career Fair?
Editor's Notes
It is not a job fair. Do not expect to get an interview but expect to make connections and increase your knowledge about the organizations you speak with
Open exchange of information between you and the employer representative.
Forum for gathering information about potential opportunities.
Provides an opportunity to investigate positions, internships, and career fields you could pursue with your specific major and background
Learn more about potential employers such as:
Services, work environment, number of projected positions to be filled this year, and five year plan.
Get sound advice from employers about your resume.
Sample questions
What skills are they looking for?
What is the Work environment like?
Factors for success in the position?
Be prepared to answer questions
Sample questions may be asked:
“Tell me about yourself”?
“Why are you want to work for _______ company”?
“What made you decide to get your major in__________”?
Provide examples of skills and strengths
Instead of company
and job title, use
Degree
Major career objective
Unique selling proposition
Step 3: Find the List of Participating Employers
On CDC homepage, under “Get Ready for the Career Fair” click on the “View List of Participating Employers” link
This will link you to a page containing information about employers attending. Information includes: employer industry, interested majors, type of opportunities, and website links.
Step 4: Researching Employers that are Participating in the Career Fair. CDC Available Research Resources:
Career Search - Database that includes information on over 2 million companies (link on UIS-SUCCESS homepage)
Vault: Largest online Career library including industry/employer profiles, employee surveys, and career advice articles (link on UIS-SUCCESS).
Company website and Online through search engines
Step 5: Prepare Your Resumes tailored towards each employer you plan to speak with. Need Help?
Go to http://www.uis.edu/careerservices/launch/resumes.html
Use the email Resume Critiquing Services by email by sending your resume to be reviewed to [email_address]
Allow 7 working days.
Request a Phone session for Resume Critique by completing the “Request a First Time Career Advising Appointment on CDC website under “Quick Links”
Step 6: Prepare Your Networking Letters
Prepare a Networking Letter, similar to a cover letter, which indicates you are a UIS student, unable to attend the Career Fair in person. Indicate you are interested in opportunities with the company, whether it is as an employee, an intern, or just to find information out for now or the future.
Step 7: Corresponding with Employers of Interest
On UIS-SUCCESS, you can find contact information regarding who to send your resumes and networking letters to by clicking “Employer Search” on the right hand column under the VAULT icon.
If the employer is attending the Career Fair, enter the appropriate information in to search by employer or company’s information, location, job types, etc.
The search results will produce contact information and where/who to send your information to.
Step 8: If you would like a CDC staff member to speak with an employer on your behalf, send an email with your resume and networking letter to [email_address]
