This document provides information and tips for preparing for and attending a career fair. It discusses developing goals and researching employers attending. Students are advised to create resumes tailored to the positions they seek and prepare an elevator pitch. Appropriate attire and questions to ask employers are also covered. The document concludes with reminders about follow up strategies like sending thank you notes after the career fair.

1. Just In Time: Career Fair Preparation
WebsterUniversity ‫׀‬ CareerPlanning&DevelopmentCenter
John Link, M.Ed.
Assistant Director, Career Development
Liaison to the College of Arts and Sciences
johnlink42@webster.edu
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlink42
Career Fair Planning Topics:
• Identify Goals & Employers of Interest
• Resume Tips
• Conversation Starters
• Elevator Pitch
• Break-away Statements
• Fair Wear & Items to Bring Along
• Post-Fair Follow-Up Actions
WU Career Planning

2. Career Planning & Development Center Mission
The Career Planning & Development Center assists individuals with
exploring and defining their personal career goals while developing
the skills and confidence necessary to succeed.
568 Garden Avenue
(footsteps from the bookstore)
Schedule an appointment by
phone or through GorlokJobs
314-968-6982

3. The Career Planning & Development Center Assists With:
Graduate School Decision Making
Student Employment
Career Assessments
Major & Career Exploration
Occupational and Labor
Market Information
Career Planning
Resume and Cover Letter Reviews
Mock Interviewing
Internship and Job Search Strategies

4. GorlokJobs Log In
Create or Update your GorlokJobs Profile

5. Navigating through GorlokJobs

6. 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 (over 100 employers will be in attendance!)
• Forum for gathering information about potential opportunities

7. Why Attend?
• Expand number of network contacts
• Receive sound advice from recruiters
• Learn about opportunities
• Increase chances for an interview by making a good “first impression”

8. Employer’s Point of View
• Return on Investment
• May not have positions available – NOW
• Policy may not allow him/her to take your résumé, even if he/she is interested in you
• Like it when you are specific & purposeful in your stated interests and skills

9. Have a Game Plan
• What is your goal?
• List employers to target
• Research companies
• Have a resume prepared
• Draft your introduction (elevator pitch)
• Outline questions to ask

10. Research Employers
• Review the list of employers
• Identify those that you want to speak with
• RESEARCH these employers so you’ll know basic information
• Keep track of your efforts
• Have questions prepared
Employers attending the WU Career & Internship Fair

11. your Professional Self
Prepare a Resume
• Summarize your relevant skills and qualifications in an easy to read format
• For the fair, create a resume for the type of position you’re seeking
• 5-10 copies*
Why is it important?
• Often the first contact with a prospective employer or HR Recruiter
• Present the best possible picture of your skills, abilities, and qualifications
related to the job to which you are applying
Framing

12. Different Types of Resumes
Chronological: Used most frequently, presented in reverse chronological order, and
provide an account of education, experiences, and other skills
Functional: Includes functional skill categories that highlight work experiences and
transferable skills.
• Counseling, Education, Research, Leadership, Testing, Training
Combination: Includes functional skill categories that highlight work experiences and
transferable skills within the reverse chronological listing of work history.
Writing a Winning Resume

13. Information Found on a Traditional Resume
Do Include:
Contact Information
Education
Experience
Optional Information:
LinkedIn Profile Link
Objective Statement/Summary
Related Coursework
Special Projects
GPA (3.0 or greater)
Skills, licenses, honors, activities
Professional Associations
Should not Include:
Professional & Character
References
Twitter Handle, Facebook
Username

14. What is an Objective Statement?
• An objective is an optional statement that will give you the opportunity to identify
the type of position you want and the skills you have to offer
• One direct and concise sentence is recommended
• Avoid using “I” or first person language
• Include the type of position, and mention a distinctive experience or skill you can
contribute
• Customize the statement highlighting the desired skills that the employer is seeking.

15. Creating a Polished Statement
• Jim is interested in gaining valuable experience in the nonprofit sector
• Jim wants to highlight his abilities in program creation, working well as part of a team, and his
marketing experience
To obtain an internship in the nonprofit sector
To obtain an internship in the nonprofit sector using established abilities in
program creation, solid interpersonal skills, and marketing that can contribute
to the success of an organization.

16. What is a Summary of Qualifications
• A summary of qualifications is an optional, series of bullet points that summarizes
your education, experience and/or skills relative to the position to which you are
applying.
• The summary is positioned near the top of your resume, bringing focus and direction
to your document

17. Meet Justin Time
Summary of Qualifications
• Strong background in counseling; expertise in issues related to substance abuse and
mental illness
• Demonstrated leadership skills; proven strengths in managing, supervising and
motivating staff
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills; experience working with
community leaders
• Outstanding organization and prioritization abilities; consistently required to handle
multiple tasks at one time

18. Prepare to Meet a Company Representative
• Prepare to ask and respond to questions about your interest in the company
• Prepare and practice an Elevator Pitch
• Practice answering potential questions
• Keep responses positive and on topic
• Practice appropriate break-away statements (thank recruiter for their time, request a
business card)

19. What’s in a Good First Impression?
• Firm Handshake
• Eye contact
• Smile
• Attire
• Name badge (First & Last Name, Degree Program)
• What you say

20. Preparing an Elevator Pitch
The Elevator Pitch tells people:
1. Who you are
2. What you are seeking
3. What you bring to the table
 Challenge yourself when writing. Keep asking yourself “So what?” and “Why
is this important?”
 Avoid jokes and clichés in your opening statement.
 Practice your pitch – keep it simple, and avoid sounding rehearsed
An elevator pitch is a brief, thoughtfully prepared and practiced branding message
about your professional self. It should be delivered with purpose and last no longer
than one minute
Elevator Pitch Candid Career Video

21. Elevator Pitch Example
• “Hello, my name is (your name), I am here to speak with
you about potential opportunities with y-company.”
• Offer a firm handshake
• Provide a brief summary of education, experience,
strengths, and any other significant details of what you
can do for their company.

22. 10 Minute Elevator Pitch Activity
• Prepare a draft of an elevator pitch.
• Mix, Music, Meet
• Rehearse your pitch and receive feedback

23. Appropriate Questions to Ask Employers at the Career Fair
• What are common career paths within your company?
• What is the application process like? What is the typical timeline
from application to hire?
• What are you looking for in a candidate?
• What types of jobs does your company have for recent university
graduates?
• What academic background will be the most helpful in preparing
to enter this field?

24. Appropriate Questions to Ask Employers at the Career Fair
• What kind of work experience, either part-time, summer or
internships, will be most helpful?
• Are there specific internship opportunities in this field that will
make me more marketable?
• Are their professional associations that I should be getting
involved with as a student?
• What advice do you have for a university or college graduate
entering this field?

25. Fair Wear For Men
• Wear a two-piece matched suit. Do not combine a suit jacket with pants that do
not match.
• Wear a solid color tie. Avoid fashion extremes such as character ties.
• Safe color choices are navy, black and dark grey. Conservative is always better.
• Choose white or another solid color shirt.
• Leather, lace-up or slip-on business shoes are best.
• Belt color should always match your shoes. Black or brown shoes is
recommended.
• Chinos paired with a polo-shirt or button down collared shirt.
• Matching belt and shoes

26. Fair Wear For Women
• Pants should be creased and tailored, not tight or flowing. The hem length
should be altered if the pants are touching the floor. Fitted legging-like pants,
cropped pants and jean styled pants are not appropriate.
• Skirts should end at the knee when you are standing and look professional. High
slits, tight and short skirts are not appropriate.
• Colors should be navy, dark gray and black. Conservative is always better.
• A tailored blouse in a color or small print that coordinates nicely with your suit
is best. When picking your footwear, choose closed-toe pumps and avoid
extremes such as stilettos or platforms.

27. Present Your Best Professional Self
• 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).
• Avoid low cut or form-fitting clothing (you want to be
comfortable).
• Make sure your hair is clean and combed.

28. 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!

29. 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.

30. Follow up Strategies & Next Steps
• Follow-up with all the employers that you spoke with.
• Email or handwrite a professional thank you note and be sure to
refer to the job/internship you are interested in.
• Customize the note to each employer; draw on some memorable
aspect of your conversation.
• Ask “follow-up” questions to let the employer know how much
you are interested in the position.
• If the employer asks you to follow-up with a phone call or by
sending additional information, be sure to do so within three days.

31. Putting your ‘Best Foot Forward’
• Have a game plan ready for Oct. 1 – know which
employers you want to target
• Polish your résumé and print out a few on
resume paper
• Post or update your résumé on GorlokJobs
• Create/review, and practice your elevator pitch

32. Thursday, October 1, 2015
1:00p.m. – 3:30p.m.
Grant Gymnasium
Employers Attending the WU Career Fair

33. QUESTIONS + ANSWERS
WU Career Planning WUCareerPlanning
Visit us online!
http://www.webster.edu/career-services/
https://webster-csm.symplicity.com/students/
johnlink42@webster.edu
Walk-In Hours
M-T: 10:00 – Noon W-TH: 3 – 5