Career Fairs: Preparing for Success

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Career Fairs Preparing for Success

• University of Florida
• Career Resource Center

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What is a Career Fair?

• Event that connects students directly with
  employers
• Serves many functions
• Start of a job search
• Networking
• Research, exploration

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Essentials for Success

• Preparation
• Research
• Two-minute interview
• Professional appearance
• Resume / Business Cards

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Know what Companies Want

• Enthusiasm, Motivation
• Interpersonal Skills
• Communication Skills
• Leadership Experience
• Technical Knowledge
• Career Advice from employers
• http//www.youtube.com/watch?vZM-FKbUf2AQmode
  relatedsearch

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Research

• Find out what companieswill attend the event
• www.crc.ufl.edu/showcase
• Look for Employers Attending
• Make a list of your favorites

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Research

• Find out
• Company Mission
• Work culture
• Place in industry
• Opportunities for advancement
• What job you might do for them

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Research

• Finalize your list of top companies
• Consider making initial contact with your top
  companies
• Check Gator CareerLink
• Express interest in their company
• Ask if you need to bring or prepare anything
  before visiting them at the event

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Determine Your Purpose

• Gathering Information
• Exploring career fields
• Networking
• Getting company contacts for your career field
• Choosing
• Exploring and identifying employers you want
  (Creating a Top Ten List)
• Targeting
• Talking with specific employers about possible
  career opportunities

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Prepare to Connect

• Upload your resume in Gator CareerLink
  request an interview with the companies you are
  interested in.
• Have your Resume critiqued
• Resume Preparation
• Resume Medic
• Employer Resume Critique
• Check your wardrobe...

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Dress the Part

• Conservative Attire Avoid fads, trendy clothes
• Dark grey and navy (dark blue) are traditional
  colors for business attire
• White or light-colored shirt/blouse
• Well fitted, clean and good condition

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Polish Your Looks

• Well-groomed
• Simple, well-kept hair style
• Minimal jewelry, make-up
• No or very light perfume/cologne
• Fresh breath!

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Study Yourself

• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• Experiences
• Accomplishments
• Goals Short- and long-term

Whats on your resume?
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Advice from former students

• I wish I would have
• attended it even as a freshman.
• If I had it to do over again, I would visit the
  companies I wanted the least first to give myself
  time to get comfortable.
• It is an opportunity to come in contact with
  companies prior to graduation.

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Advice from former students

• I was really glad I brought so many extra
  copies of my resume, because I visited several
  booths I wasnt initially planning on visiting.
• The most important thing I learned was to do my
  research. I was consistently asked from booth to
  booth what do you know about our company?

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Advice from former students

• I didnt think I would need the bag they
  offered, but I should have grabbed one several
  booths gave out freebies that I was stuck
  carrying around with me.
• It is all about forming a connection with the
  person talking to you so they remember you when
  they are deciding who to call back for an
  interview.

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Advice from former students

• The booths I approached with confidence and a
  firm handshake were the ones that I got
  interviews with later. The ones that I let
  intimidate me were the ones I didnt get
  interviews with Confidence is definitely
  something employers are looking for if you dont
  believe in yourself, why should they?

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Advice from former students

• Registering with the CRC website is also
  important I had interview the day after that I
  would not have known about had I not been
  registered on Gator CareerLink.
• Its good to stay registered afterward because
  emails inform you of interviews from companies
  that werent able to attend the Career Showcase.

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Advice from former students

• great for practicing your interview skills.
  How often do you get the chance to interview
  with 20 comp in one day?
• Its also great for networking. I met several
  people that I can contact in the future for
  advice or even a job.
• Had I not gone, I might not have found a great
  job like the one I got.

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What to Expect
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Before the Doors Open
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Remember your Gator1
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Inside the Event
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Plan Ahead

• You might have to wait
• Attend later in the day

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Attending the Event
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Before you Arrive

• Things to bring
• Nametag
• Resumes (bring extra, just in case)
• Portfolio (avoid student-looking backpack)
• Pen paper
• Your list of companies to meet

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Once You Arrive

• Get your bearings
• Get a copy of the company listing and map of the
  event
• Look around, observe others (good bad)
• Plan your route
• Warm-up...
• ...then visit Favorites

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Meeting with a RecruiterPart I -- Approaching

• Choose the right line
• Listen to those ahead of you in line

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Meeting with a RecruiterPart I -- Approaching

• Grip and grin

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Meeting with a RecruiterPart II Selling
Yourself

• One-Minute Commercial
• Who you are
• Name, major, year, position seeking
• Why you are a good candidate
• Strengths
• Experiences, skills, specialties
• Remember what qualities companies are seeking!
• Why you like them
• Relate your strengths/qualities to what they need
• Inquire about specific opportunities
• Be concise
• Relevant details
• Dont ramble or tell irrelevant stories

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Meeting with a RecruiterPart III -- Concluding

• Ask question(s)
• Find out more about company
• Shows interest if you did your homework
• Get contact information
• Business card
• Enables you to follow-up afterward
• Know when to leave
• Sell yourself, show interest, and then leave
  unless they are actively engaging you

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Meeting with a Recruiter

• Make notes
• Name(s)
• Impressions
• Things to do
• Questions?

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Follow Up

• Thank you
• Submit resume online
• On-campus Interviews
• Gator CareerLink

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Continue Your Search

• Career Fairs
• Gator CareerLink
• On-Campus Interviewing
• Employer Workshops
• Job listings
• Information, updates, news
• Internet Job Search
• Employer Directories

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Questions ?