Make the Most of The Career Fair

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Make the Most of The Career Fair

WSU Vancouver Career Services www.vancouver.wsu.ed
u/career [phone]
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Some Statistics

• According to an informal online poll conducted by
  NACE
• 41 percent of employer respondents said that less
  than 25 percent of students are adequately
  prepared for career fairs.
• Twenty-eight percent of respondents said that
  between 25 and 50 percent of students are
  adequately prepared for career fairs.
• Another 19 percent believe between 51 and 75
  percent of students are adequately prepared
• 13 percent believe more than 75 percent are

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Preparation is Key

• Employers say that many of the students they see
  at career fairs don't do the preparation
  necessary to take full advantage of the
  opportunity that career fairs provide.
• "Many students tend to wander around at career
  fairs, which is okay if they are freshmen, but I
  would expect more from higher-level students,"
  she explains. "The career fair should be used as
  a way to get in front of a company."

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Target Employers

• Students should focus on specific companies
  because their time at a career fair is limited.
• "If students have done their homework, they can
  target specific companies that look like they
  could be a fit," she says. "For example, a
  student may be able to tell by a company's web
  site whether or not they hire an engineer or a
  business student. Why should they waste their
  time at an employer that doesn't hire students
  from their major?"

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Research Employers

• Employers are impressed by students who have done
  their homework and engage them in dialogue that
  is somewhat specific to their company and
  industry.
• "It's still an employer's market out there,"
  Weitzel explains. "We have many choices and the
  student that demonstrates good communication
  skills and initiative tends to go to the top of
  the list. I want to know the student wants MY
  companynot just any company."

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Before the Fair

• Learn which companies are coming
• The website generally will list the companies
  that will be attending
• Research companies of interest review the
  company mission or core values. Learn about
  characteristics of their workforce. Try
  searching
• Company Website
• Business News
• Websites such as Vault and Hoovers

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What to Expect

• A room, with rows of company tables.
• Some employers will approach you you will have
  to approach most.
• It will be crowded, some tables will have lines.
  It may be loud. Be prepared to speak loudly and
  clearly.

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Plan Your Strategy

• Plan to arrive at the beginning of the event-
  this will enable you to meet with every company
  in which you're interested.
• Survey the layout of the event, and prioritize
  the employers with whom you'd like to speak,
• Identify the information you want to get from
  them, and specify your goals
• Start by approaching organizations that have a
  lower priority, to get your feet wet and gain
  confidence

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Resume

• Bring lots of copies (two for each company you
  are interested in) in a folio or nice folder
• Make sure you have a resume that is focused on
  the job functions or industries represented at
  the fair.
• Make sure the resume is well written and error
  free.
• If you would like a review before a career fair,
  I will be happy to schedule one with you at the
  end of this presentation.

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Make a Great First Impression

• Set your self apart with a professional
  appearance comfortable yet put together
• Dont chew gum, eat or drink while talking to
  employers
• Have a resume and questions ready for your
  interaction

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Prepare a One Minute Commercial About Yourself

• A solid and friendly introduction
• Hand shake, eye contact
• Name, year and major
• What appeals to you about the company
• The area or job function you are interested in
  pursuing

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Be Prepared to Ask Questions

• Have one or two questions in mind for each of the
  employers in which you are interested
• Can be about
• Career paths for entry level employees
• WSU Alumni
• Company / Department Goals
• Industry changes
• Dont
• Ask Personal Questions
• Bring up sensitive topics
• Monopolize too much of the employers time

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Tips

• Collect Business Cards
• Take time to make notes of your discussion after
  you finish speaking with each company, before you
  move on..
• Make the most of your wait in line - get company
  literature from the table before you get in line,
  so you can read about the company while waiting.

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Other Tips

• Don't randomly hand out resumes give firms a
  chance often good opportunities arise in
  unusual places. But if you have ruled a firm out
  for good reason, dont give them a resume.
• If the company representative works in a
  different field, be sure to leave with the
  contact information for the person responsible
  for hiring in your area
• Be professional at all times. The person you meet
  in the parking lot, elevator, hallway, or
  restroom may be a recruiter you'll see later that
  day.

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Follow Up

• Mail a thank you letter to all the employers you
  spoke with.
• thank the recruiter for their time
• restate your interest and qualifications for the
  position
• reiterate your interest in an interview
• make a promise to follow up the letter with a
  phone call.
• Send an additional resume with the thank you
  letter. Don't assume that resumes collected at
  the fair are saved.

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Follow Up Continued

• Make a follow up phone call within a week to ten
  days after the event.
• Restate your interest in the position and company
• find out if you are still being considered for
  the opening and when you might hear about
  interview arrangements.

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Campus Resources

• Career Services at WSU Vancouver
• Resume and Cover Letter Review
• Interview and Job Search Strategies
• Career Counseling
• Career Assessments
• career_at_vancouver.wsu.edu
• 546-9155
• Student Services Center, Lower Level