Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Job Fair Prep!
NMU Career Services
Melissa Sprouse
Assistant Director
What is a Job Fair?
Jobseekers:
• NOT an opportunity to walk out
with a job/internship (typically)
• Establish contacts with employers
• Gather information
• Explore opportunities
Employers:
• Publicize their organization
• Meet with many potential candidates
in a short period of time.
Why go?
• Network – meet with and talk to potential employers
• Information – gather info about industries, career fields, organizations, areas
• Find employers who are of interest to you
• Info about companies’ hiring processes – do they have rolling deadlines? Typical recruitment timelines?
• Get a better sense of your overall career options
• Gain Confidence – increase your self-confidence in interacting professionally with employers
http://www.careers.umd.edu/events.cfm?frame=fairprep
How am I going to stand out?
Preparation is Key
• Documents
• Research
• Elevator pitch
• Dress
• Online presence
• What to bring
• What to do
Resume• Target it to your career goals
• Include objective – use a broader objective towards a career path/industry, rather than specific company.
• Proofread!
• Print copies on resume-quality paper (in the CS office!)
[Local Address – City, ST] [Phone] [Professional/School Email]
OBJECTIVE [Concise statement telling why you are submitting your resume. See attached notes.]
EDUCATION Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Michigan
Master of [Major] Expected in [Month Year]
[Concentration, GPA]
Bachelor of [Major] [Month Year]
[Concentration, if you have one]
[Minor, if you have one]
[Achievements/accomplishments]
EXPERIENCE [Job Title] [Start Month Year – End Month Year or Present]
[Company/Employer Name], [City, State] [Short description of job duties. Can include a bulleted list:]
[Noted responsibilities, skills, achievements]
[List in order of importance]
[Highlight your skills/responsibilities based on information from your desired job]
[Job Title] [Start Month Year – End Month Year]
[Company/Employer Name], [City, State] [Short description of job duties. Can include a bulleted list:]
[Noted responsibilities, skills, achievements]
[List in order of importance]
[Highlight your skills/responsibilities based on information from your desired job]
SKILLS AND [Certifications]
ABILITIES [Language Fluencies]
[Workplace skills]
[Computer/technical skills, software proficiencies, etc.]
VOLUNTEER [Volunteer Job Title] [Start Month Year – End Month Year or Present]
EXPERIENCE [Organization Name], [City, State] [Short description of organization, if necessary. Describe volunteer duties and
responsibilities. Use a bulleted list if desired:]
[Noted responsibilities, skills, achievements]
[List in order of importance]
[Highlight your skills/responsibilities based on information from your desired job]
PERSONAL [Information about extracurricular involvements of interest; availability; etc]
REFERENCES References are available upon request.
Business CardIt’s optional, but a nice touch.
Include
• Northern Michigan University
• Your full name
• Major and minor
• Contact info (professional email please!)
• LinkedIn Address
• GPA (3.0 or above only!)
• QR Code
Research Employers
• Find out who’s attending – use Cat Career Tracks
• Pick out the ones of most interest to you
• Find out more info
• What info is missing?
Career Fair Success video: http://www.careerspots.com/newPlayer/default.aspx?key=kMrZcz2sVnuiG2_7jdSRGg2&pref=&src=
Elevator Pitch
• This is important!
• Practice, practice.
• Elevator Pitch Video:
http://www.careerspots.com/newPlayer/default.aspx?key=kMrZcz2sVnuiG2_7jdSRGg2&pref=&src=
Remember…
Be prepared to continue your
“commercial” by answering the
recruiter’s questions. Don’t answer
“What kind of job are you looking
for?” with “Uhhhh” or “I don’t
know” or “It doesn’t matter”
What to WearBusiness professional if possible.
Business casual in a pinch.
Image courtesy of Florida
International University
Career Services office
Check yourself..
• What kind of presence do you have online?
• Google search
• Facebook settings
• Twitter posts
• LinkedIn?
• Start to take charge of what’s out there.
Are employers
REALLY going
to look?
YES!
Pre-event Connecting
• Before the job fair, look up the
employers’ social media accounts
• YouTube
• Great place to get started in professionally social
networking.
• Profiles are free
• Connect with employers you meet at the job fair
• Helpful resource to walk you through LinkedIn
• http://students.linkedin.com
What to take:
• Portfolio
• Copies of your resume
• Business cards
• Note pad and pen
• Don’t take –
• Backpack, skateboard
• Cell phone
• Kids
• Pets
During the Job Fair
• Arrive early
• Get your nametag and handout
• Check the table map
• Be patient and polite
• Scan employer handouts first
• Listen to other conversations
• Be confident – practice that handshake!
• Elevator pitch
• Conversation – ask questions
• Application procedure?
• Business card
• Note about company…
• Note about freebies….
• Student evaluation
Starting the Conversation
Questions to consider…
• What career opportunities do you typically have available?
• What’s the employment outlook for your field right now? (Is it growing quickly or does it seem stable?)
• What type of training is available?
• What do you look for in a successful candidate?
• What key skills or experiences are highly desirable?
• Do you have any tips for success in this field?
More questions to consider…
• What are common career paths within your organization?
• What is your organization culture like?
• What suggestions do you have for a student in their _____ year of school? How can I make myself better prepared for a position like the one you have open?
• Are there courses I could take to better prepare myself for this industry?
• How do you enjoy working for this organization?
• I read about XYZ project on your website – is your department involved in that work?
Do not ask…
• What’s the salary like?
• What are your benefits?
• What does your company do?
• … Or anything that can be
answered by a quick trip to the
company website.
After it’s over…
• Follow up! Written or email is fine
• Yet more research…
• Keep options open
Questions?Career Services
3302.3 C.B. Hedgcock * 227-2800 * [email protected]
www.nmu.edu/careerservices
