How to prepare for a career fair and networking event

1. HOW TO WORK A CAREER EXPO
First Avenue Career Expo 4/9/15

2. TODAY’S AGENDA:
 What to do before the Expo
 What to expect when you’re there
 What to do after the event
 Questions you have

3. BEFORE THE EXPO
 Plan
 Identify 5 – 10 organizations you want to speak with
 Research
 The companies you are interested in and others
attending
 Rehearse
 Begin to develop your intro speech, know who you are
and what you’re looking for

4. HOW TO RESEARCH . . .
 Look at the First Ave website for Employers and
Grad Schools
 Research employers using:
 Their websites: About Us, History, Careers
 Portland Business Journal
 Google

5. WHAT TO BRING
 A simple portfolio
 Plenty of resumes
 No backpacks

7. WHICH ONE IS GOOD?

8. WHAT TO WEAR
 Employers evaluate you on
appearance; show that you
are a professional
 Appropriate professional
attire
 Match your dress to event
 If you don’t have a suit –
Get one but . . .
 Nice pants and a dress shirt
or blouse with dress shoes
will work at a minimum.

10. CAREER EXPO DRESS FAILS

11. INTRODUCTIONS ARE IMPORTANT
 Get good at:
 Making eye contact
 Smiling
 Offering a firm
handshake
 Saying your name
 Introductions are
critical and now it’s
your turn.

12. DURING THE EXPO
 Expo ≠ Career Fair
 Opportunity to NETWORK
 Link In Live 1:00pm – 2:30pm
 Main Gym Floor
 List of attendees available: www.olapcfirstavenue.org
 Connect with Employers and Grad Schools

14. THE CAREER FAIR PORTION OF THE EXPO
 Begin to work your plan
 Warm up with employers you weren’t planning on
talking with
 Talk with the employers about your interests and
ask questions

15. QUESTIONS TO ASK EMPLOYERS
 What are the traits and skills of a really successful
summer intern at your organization?
 What projects have your research assistants worked
on in the past?
 On your website I saw a list of current projects. Will
this internship involve working on any of those?
 What is your hiring time line for this position?

16. QUESTIONS TO NEVER ASK EMPLOYERS
 What does your company do?
 What can your company do for me?
 How many hours a day do you work?
 Any question about salary, vacation time, or
benefits.
 Any personal question.
 Wanna get some coffee, sometime?

17.  What if an employer tells you to “go to the
website?”
 What if an employer tells you they are not currently
hiring?
 What if an employer tells you they’re not looking for
your year or major?
WHAT IF . . .

18. BEFORE LEAVING AN EMPLOYER
 Thank recruiter for
his/her time and get the
recruiter's business card
 This is why you’re here!
 You may be sent to a
website – it’s ok.
 Some recruiters may not
take resumes, this is
normal
 Ask how and when you
should follow up
 Get more company
information / handouts

19. BEFORE MOVING ON
 Make notes about the recruiter, employer, and
job
 These notes will be important later when you write
your follow-up notes after the job fair
 Reflect on how the interaction went, what you
learned, what you wish you would have said
 Mentally rehearse it for the next interaction and move
to the next employer on your list

20. AFTER THE FAIR – FOLLOW UP!
 Organize all the material you received
 WRITE THANK YOU NOTES !!!
 Recruiters are expecting them!
 Send within 24 Hours
 Your letter should again demonstrate how you would be a "good
fit"
 You know what they're looking for
 If you talked to more than one person at one booth, send each
recruiter you talked to a separate thank you
 Can you send Thank-You e-mails?
 E-mails are best used if the hiring time line is quick and you need
immediate response
 It is recommended that you send hard copy follow up as well

21.  Before
 Research the companies and make notes
 During
 Dress professionally
 Work your way up to your top choice
 After
 Follow Up!
SUM UP

22. QUESTIONS?