10 TIPS FOR JOB FAIR SUCCESS
By Carol Stanton, CGS Career Counselor
Whether you're looking for a job or an internship, a job fair is an excellent opportunity to meet with potential employers and make important connections for your future. Being clear about your goals and preparing for the job fair are your keys to having a rewarding experience there. Are you wondering what you can do now to pre- pare for it? Here are ten tips that could help to make your job fair experience a success:
1. Prepare a well-written resume, which includes: your job objective, education, experience, and skills. Include internship experience, student leadership experience and honors, as well as relevant volunteer work. In order to be sure there are no grammatical or spelling errors, ask a friend or colleague to proofread it. You may want to take a resume workshop or go over your resume with your CGS Career Counselor. Have your final resume printed on professional resume paper and take enough copies for all the employers you plan to talk to.
2. Research the employers that you are interested in. You can find the employers who attend the University of Pittsburgh job fairs on the Career Services web site: (www.careers.pitt.edu ) under the ''job fair information'' link. You can check the companies' websites or go to www.wetfeet.com or www.vaultreports.com to find information about companies, which will prepare you for talking to company representatives. Being able to talk knowledgeably about the company you are interested in will set you apart from the other job seekers.
3. Prepare a short statement to use when you introduce yourself to employers. Summarize your strengths and goals and state your major and date of graduation. You will not have much time to talk to the representatives and you want to make the most of the time you do have. Take the time beforehand to think through what you will say. Ask pertinent questions and show your enthusiasm.
4. Dress appropriately for the job fair. It's best to wear what you would normally wear to a job interview, such as a well-pressed, classic suit. It may be a cliche, but nevertheless it's true: "you never get a second chance to make a good first impression," so look as confident and professional as possible. Consider bringing a briefcase or portfolio in which to keep your resumes and other information.
5. Arrive early at the job fair, becoming familiar with the lay out and the location of the employers that interest you. Plan out your strategy. There may be lines at some employer booths, so you have to decide whether it's best to wait or come back later. You may want to pick up the company information and return at a less busy time. Be open to exploring companies that you may not have thought about or heard of before.
6. While waiting in lines to speak with employers, take the opportunity to network with other job fair seekers. You could gain valuable information and contacts through your peers, as well as the employers. Have your business cards ready to exchange.
7. When you meet the company representative, offer a firm handshake, make good eye contact, and smile. Have a positive, friendly attitude and be ready with your introductory statement. Ask about the openings that are available. Tell them why you are interested in their particular company. Give them your well-polished resume.
8. Don't bring up salary and benefits or discuss anything personal. Be professional.
9. Ask the representatives for their business cards and any other pertinent material they may have. Express your enthusiasm, if you are truly interested in them. Be sure to ask them what the next step in the process is.
10. Follow up with thank you letters to let the organizations know that you appreciated their time. Also, remind them of your qualifications and that you want to pursue a position with them.
If you've never been to a job fair, the experience can be a bit overwhelming, but with the proper preparation and a positive attitude, it can be an effective and exciting part of your job search process.
The University of Pittsburgh holds two Opportunities Job Fairs every year, one in September and one in January. WestPACS is a large job fair held at the Monroeville Expomart in the spring and fall. Check the Career Services web site www.careers.pitt.edu for the specific dates and information about these and other job fairs.
For more information about preparing for your job search, visit the College Grad Job Hunter website at www.collegegrad.com or the Riley Guide at www.dbm.com/jobguide/ .
