The document provides tips for preparing for and attending a career fair. It recommends researching companies that will attend, developing an elevator pitch about your skills and qualifications, updating your resume, and preparing questions to ask employers. At the fair, it advises arriving early, making a good first impression, collecting business cards, and taking advantage of any services offered. Most importantly, it stresses following up after the fair by sending thank you notes and following application instructions.

1. Career Fair SuccessHow can I best prepare?What are the do’s and don’ts?What should I do next?

2. How can I best PREPARE for the Career Fair? Understand your employment goalsResearch the companiesDevelop your sales pitchUpdate your resumeCome with questions2

3. 1. Understand your employment goals. What kind of job are you looking for?Career fairs can be overwhelming. Often 100+ employers and community based organizations attend these events.

4. Have a clear idea of the type of work you seek so you don’t miss important contacts.

5. Identify your career goals before you go, then focus on employers who fit that niche.3

6. 2. Research, Research, Research!You must know the company and its product so you can convince the “buyer” of your value and price.

7. When possible, get a list of companies that are registered to be at the career fair. Lists are often available at One-Stop Centers, on line and in the newspaper. The list will help you prepare more effectively.

8. Find information on the company to which you are applying.

9. Learn about their customers, competitors, parent company, industry standing, products, mission, goals, philosophy, key players, etc. 4

10. Resources for company researchRead annual reports, sales catalogs and marketing brochures

11. Visit the website of the company and its competitors

12. Talk to people who work for, or deal with, the company

13. What’s it REALLY like working there? www.Glassdoor.com

14. www.jobhuntersbible.com

15. The Business Review http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/

16. The Chamber of Commerce and local business associations publish directories that list companies by area. Check libraries or write to the individual associations.

17. http://www.weddles.com/associations/index.cfm (list of associations by industry)

18. Business Magazines and Websites; Fortune, Forbes5

19. 3.Prepare a sales pitch about yourself At a career fair, you are going on several mini-interviews. Briefly tell them who you are and then sell your skills and qualifications.

20. Before you write your sales pitch, think about your audience, then focus on your common interests.

21. Remember to:

22. Offer a firm handshake

23. Speak clearly

24. Show confidence and enthusiasm8

25. Sample PitchesThere are several ways to approach recruiters. Sample Pitch #1Hello, (use recruiter’s name on name tag) ___________, my name is _______. I read on the job fair directory (or on your website) that you are looking for a _________. I‘ve been a (or an) _______ for ______ years where I was involved with _____ and _____. This experience makes me very interested in working for ____________. 9

26. Sample Pitch #2(With enthusiasm) Pat Smith! My name is Chris Jones. Jean Peters made me promise I would say “hello” to you today. Jean and I have been talking about the changes that are occurring at “Name Of Company” and he thinks I would be a great addition to the Childcare Team. I have an associate’s degree and five years of experience working with special needs children and their families.Just enough information to start a dialogue about your background, skills and how you know Jean.10

27. Guy Kawasaki, author of Ten Ways to Use Linked Innotes in his blog that,"People withmore than 20 connections are 34 times more likely to be approached with a job opportunity than people with less than 5." Having a connection at the company will help break the ice. If you don’t know anyone, LinkedInmay be able to help.11