Meet the Firms Tips

1
Meet the Firms Tips

• Actuarial Science Club
• Fall 2009

2
Meet the Firms

• Date Thursday, September 24th
• Time 600 900 pm
• Location Illini Union Ballroom A,B,C

3
Why Go?

• For students of all grades interested in pursuing
  a career as an actuary
• Learn about companies/ potential employers
• Learn more about the company in detail
• Learn about the career as an actuary
• Make an impression
• One-on-one contact
• If your resume doesnt stand out
• For On-Campus Interviewing or Recruitment
  Conference

4
Before Meet the Firms

• Research Preparation
• Resume Preparation
• 30-second Introduction
• Develop Questions
• Dress Code

5
Research Preparation

• Research Booklet
• Highlight companies of interest
• Browse their websites
• Research background (i.g websites)
• Prioritize companies
• Need to target
• Limited amt of time

6
Prepare resumes

• Make sure resumes are perfect career center,
  peer-review, club officers
• Make sure to submit it on I-Link
• Tailor resumes to intended position
• Make sure its relevant to the position your are
  looking for
• Print resumes on resume paper
• Print at least 25 copies
• Bring professional portfolio
• Know your resume!

7
30-Second Introduction

• Spark conversation
• Direct and brief
• Example
• Hello. My name is _name__ and Im a _year_ in
  _major_ with a minor in _minor. I am interested
  in your full time/internship/shadow position in
  the _field_ department this _time_ at the
  _location_ office.

8
Develop Questions

• Ask a short question after introduction
• Questions need to be thoughtful
• YES
• What is the companys employment rate of
  retention?
• What activities does your company have to
  encourage comradery?
• What kind of mentor/study program does your
  company to help employees adjust?
• What made you choose this company?
• Why did you choose to be an Life/PC/consulting
  actuary?
• NO
• What is your starting salary? too shallow
• What is your current salary? too intrusive
• Whats up? too casual
• What goals does your company have for the next
  ten years and beyond? too much
• Is your company offering consulting positions
  (when the company is an insurance company)? too
  unprepared

9
Dress Code

• Business Casual/Professional
• Guys
• Black or dark-colored suit and matching dress
  pants/slacks
• Conservative colored shirt
• Conservative tie and belt
• Black or dark-colored dress shoes (belt match
  shoe color)
• Press suits, iron shirts, and polish shoes
• No earrings or tattoos showing
• Shave facial hair or neatly trim

10
Dress Code

• Business Professional
• Girls
• Matching suit (skirt or pants)
• Pantyhose if wearing a skirt
• Length of skirt at knees
• Heels (no open toes)
• Avoid excessive
• Make-up
• Jewelry (maximum of 3 pieces)
• No tattoos, cleavage, or irregular piercings
  showing
• AVOID too tight, too loose, or too colorful
• Neat hair (tied or loose)

11
During the Meet the Firms

• Arrive early
• Be first impression of the day
• Less crowded more focus on you
• Scope
• Practice
• Introduce
• Have manners freebies, gum, etc.
• Question
• Say thank you
• Ask for contact information

12
After Meet the Firms

• Apply/sign up on I-Link for interviews
• Apply on respective websites
• Follow-up
• Thank-you emails (within 24 hours)
• Brief yet mention specifics
• Optional
• Attend upcoming presentations and workshops by
  prospective companies
• Face recognition

13
REMEMBER!

• Rest up
• Smile, Smile, Smile
• Eye contact
• Firm handshake (wedge to wedge)
• Show interest
• Be confident
• Be honest
• Be yourself

14
Announcements

• CNA Resume Interview Tips
• TOMORROW _at_ 1320 DCL - 600 pm
• Meet the Firms/Resume/Interview Tips
• Sep. 14th and 15th at the Union Courtyard café
• 700 900 pm
• Submit Resumes on I-Link
• Meet the Firms
• September 24th _at_ Illini Union A,B,C 600 pm