How To Make A Career Fair Work For You!

So you’ve finally settled into your classes, and you think you’re all set, right? Wrong! Everyone’s telling you that it’s already time to look ahead to getting that summer internship or full time job after (gasp!) graduation and you’re stressing out! Where do you start? Well after reading Karen’s article about preparing for the job search, look for a career fair in your area. Many schools (like mine) have one a few weeks into the fall semester, and that’s a perfect way to get some networking and get started with your search. Now here are a few tips to make any career fair you attend the most successful it can be:

1. Know What You Want

Are you looking for an internship? Are you just looking for networking and connections? Or are you like me, and slowly accepting that graduation is a mere 8 months away and panicking because you need a job in one of the worst economies ever? Well, first, don’t panic, because it’ll all work out just fine, and second, knowing what you want will make the career fair more successful for you. If you’re looking for an internship, you’ll know beforehand the companies that are looking for interns, and you can target them. Plus, you’ll know better how to tailor your resume to what you want, which leads us to step 2…

2. Print Out Plenty of Copies of Your Resume

This one’s pretty straight-forward. Plan to hand out resumes to about 75% of the companies you visit (others will only want you to submit them online), and have one readily available when you walk up to each booth. You should have your resume as up to date as possible, and you’ll want to know what’s on it since employers will most likely ask you questions about it.  If you have business cards, also be sure to have plenty to go around, these can be great for when you’re looking more for networking than for a job, as it only gives an employer your contact information.

3. Research the Companies Ahead of Time

Companies will be impressed if you already have an idea of what they’re all about.  Recruiters get tired of explaining what their companies do 50 million times in one day, so it’s refreshing when someone comes prepared. It also shows that you are willing to take initiative on the job, and will be more likely to be hired.  And you shouldn’t just quote their website back to them. Trust me, they know it. Instead, think outside the box. Let them know that you’ve seriously considered their company. Tell them your (positive!) impressions: What did you like? What do you most enjoy about their company? What about their company makes you think you’d fit in?  This has the added bonus of showing off your critical thinking skills! You’ll look so smart! And the information doesn’t just have to come from their website, look around! I read an article in Vanity Fair about a company who happened to be at my career fair, and after bringing this up, the recruiter was so impressed. She saw that I was attentive, well-read, and she knew what I valued in her company. And guess what? I was offered an interview!  So use what you know about the companies!

Also, your job at a career fair is to show why a company is woefully lacking without you. Knowing what they do helps you to figure out where you’d fit in there, and why they absolutely must give you an interview!

4. Plan Out Questions (and Answers!)

Once you’ve researched the companies (and taken notes that you can review before hitting each booth), you should formulate some questions. This will facilitate conversation between you and the recruiter and will make you look more prepared than your counterparts. If you’re in a sorority, you’ve been down this road with recruitment, and just like you don’t want to be caught in an awkward silence with a PNM, you don’t want to do that with a recruiter! So plan some questions that will give you a sense of:

• What the company is looking for
• How you would fit into the company
• What their hiring policies are
• Whether or not it’s a place you would want to work

(after all, just like recruitment, finding a job is a process of mutual selection!).

Just like you want to find out about the company, the company’s recruiter wants to find out about you. So plan answers to common interview questions like:

• Where do you want your career to take you in 5/10/20 years?
• What sort of position are you looking for?
• What strengths/weaknesses do you have that would make you a good/bad fit for this company?
• What prior experience do you have?

Once you’ve got these planned out, your conversations will be as smooth as can be!

5. Plan Your Outfit

Plan your outfit based on the job you want. Are you looking for a fashion job, or one in a more relaxed and/or creative atmosphere? Then you can get away with a funkier outfit. If you’re looking for something more traditional, then stick with a simple skirt suit. This doesn’t mean that you can’t still show off your own personal style & personality, just do it in a smaller way with a fun (but not too flashy) necklace or bracelet. Also be sure to wear comfortable shoes since you’ll be standing for a while!

6. Bring Notes, a Pen, Confidence and a Smile!

Put the notes you wrote about the companies, your questions, your answers, and your resumes & business cards all in a portfolio. Be sure to bring extra paper and a pen to write notes about what the recruiters talk to you about. Also be sure to have room for all the papers and business cards you’ll get!

Just before you walk in, do something to boost your confidence. You can call someone (like your mom, big sis, roomie, BFF) for some encouraging words or you can listen to your favorite song, but before you talk to the first recruiter, remind yourself how awesome you are! Recruiters are going to be looking at your personality as much as your resume, so let your confident, classy self shine through! Lastly, bring a smile and a positive attitude!

7. Be Open Minded

Even if you’ve scoped out a few key companies that you really like, go talk to as many companies as possible! So it says they’re only looking for engineers? So what! Surely they need other types of people to help keep the company running. The recruiter might not be able to tell you everything about those types of positions, but they’re most likely able to direct you to someone else in the company you can send your resume to. So don’t make excuses that “no one’s offering jobs in your major.” You can always find someone to send your resume to, and even if that booth turns you down, you got practice talking to recruiters and you can move on to the next one!

Now good luck to all of you in your job searches!

Kathryn Moore is a reluctant senior at Georgia Tech majoring in Public Policy.  Since she has yet to find someone who will pay her to be Peter Pan-like and never get out of college, she’s looking for any opportunity for employment!

Preparing for the Job Search Now: Tips for the Savvy Co-Ed

It’s no secret that the economy isn’t great.  (As a recent graduate, I have first-hand knowledge of this!)  As the summer reaches the point where we’re about to get bored, there are things you can do to fill your time now, no matter what stage in your college career to adequately prepare you for getting a “big girl job.”

Here are some ideas from someone currently in the middle of her job search:

• Update your resume. Make sure your resume is up-to-date with all your academic accomplishments, campus involvement and leadership activities, and work-related and volunteer experience.  If you don’t have a lot of work-related experience, include a list of relevant skills and courses related to your intended career.  When you have a completed, updated resume, take it to your campus career center or send it to a professor or mentor to look over.  The more qualified eyes you have look it over and give you suggestions, the better!

• Read, read, read. Read everything and anything you can get your hands on about your chosen career field, current events and professionals in the field, and the job search in general so you are prepared and knowledgeable.  When you can walk into an interview prepared, you look exceptionally qualified to your future employer, and you can learn about what you will need to be successful in your future career.

• …But don’t let yourself get boring. Read for fun, too!  Asking what your favorite book is or the book you’re currently reading is an excellent interview question, and you should have something brilliant and interesting as your answer.  Check out Samantha’s Summer Reading List for some great ideas.  Additionally, stay up-to-date on current events in case it is brought up in an interview as well.  Learn everything you can about the world around you!  It makes you a more well rounded person and essentially, a more well rounded employee.

• Set up informational interviews. Informational interviews can be a great way to network and learn a lot about a career field.  Find a professional in your area and either call or email them to see if you can set up an informational interview for about a half hour.  People love to talk about themselves, so don’t be timid!  When you go in, make sure you have questions prepared for them about their job and how they got there.  This can inspire you for how to go about your future job search!  Make sure to dress professionally to make a good impression, and make sure to follow up with a thank you note.  Who knows where a simple informational interview could end up!  Informational interviews could open up many new possibilities.

• Volunteer. If you don’t have a summer job or internship, spend your time volunteering!  Find an organization in your community that you feel passionate about and find a way to contribute.  This looks great on a resume and can give you some great experience.  It’s a great way to network.  You never know who you will meet volunteering!  Additionally, if you eventually want to work for a non-profit or philanthropic organization, volunteering can give you an in that could lead to a paid position.

Taking the time now to know what you want out of your career and to solidify your goals now is so beneficial for your future!  While the job search can definitely be difficult and scary, it can also be exciting.  Getting started now and making specific goals will make entering the real world a lot less scary, believe me.  : )

Karen Woods is a recent graduate of Millikin University with a degree in Theatre and Communication and a proud member of Delta Delta Delta.  She is currently on the job hunt and wishing she had taken some of her own advice!

Gaining that Much Needed Experience

Readings, case studies, and research proposals are a great way to learn about your chosen field, but I am a firm believer in invaluable first-hand experience.  Besides looking great on your resume, experience enables you to learn more about a specific area and gain skills that can be applied in future jobs.  So how does one find such experiences?  Follow the tips below.

1. Look. A lot.
   It is pretty rare that someone comes to you offering the perfect, flexible, paid internship complete with college credit, relocation assistance, and complementary room and board.  For those fortunate enough to secure one of these opportunities, congratulations.  But an internship usually requires a great deal of searching and applying.  Start early, as many organizations have deadlines this fall for summer 2010 internships.  Use online search engines and try different words to find unique openings (i.e. summer nutrition internship, summer dietetics opportunity).  Try local branches of national organizations.  For example, local dietetic organizations often have connections in the community.  Don’t give up!  It takes time, but it will be worth the effort to find the perfect fit.

   

2. Network
   Never underestimate the power of friends, family, and professors.  Talk about your hopes and career plans.   Chances are that a friend of a friend of an aunt’s third removed cousin might know someone who could provide more guidance or even an “in” at a company.

   

3. Pick up the Phone and Volunteer.
   One of the hidden places for great experiences isn’t quite as hidden as you might think.  Volunteer opportunities can easily turn into experience gems.  If you are a current volunteer, ask the organization if you could volunteer in an aspect specifically related to your perspective career.  If you are not currently volunteering, call a local organization to see if they could use some assistance.  Ask to schedule a meeting to talk about the organization’s needs and how you can use your skills to help them.  These opportunities are usually unpaid, but can provide valuable experiences and great future networking opportunities.

Good luck! 

Lora Werkmeister is an intern at College Lifestyles (TM) and a Food and Nutrition major at Youngstown State University.  She likes bargain hunting and is slightly addicted to peanut butter.

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