Career Fair 2013

2013 Spring Career Fair

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

10:00 - 1:00

Why attend the Spring Career Fair? To access approximately 100 employers in one location! This is one of the largest employer fairs in the area each year. All students and graduates should make an effort to attend if possible. Even if you are not presently looking for employment you will be able to speak with company representatives to prepare yourself once you are in the market for a career. Making the most of the career fair.

1. Dress accordingly. Showing up in shorts and flip flops does not make a favorable impression. You are meeting with company representatives, dress to impress! Your first meeting could leave a lasting impression (good or bad). You do not necessarily have to wear a suit, but dress to look professional. Example: Males - consider khaki's and a nice polo shirt or dress shirt and pants. Females - consider slacks and a blouse.
2. Come alone. Do not bring family members. This is a professional event, not a family outing. If you have children, arrange for care. An employer sees someone with a stroller as someone who may have child care issues and would not be a safe hire. It also presents the image that you are not a serious candidate if you cannot dedicate all of your focus on the recruiter.
3. Bring copies of your resume. Not all employers will accept a resume at the fair, but those that do will be impressed that you are prepared. It will also be a chance to get some feedback for future resume updating.
4. Have some questions prepared. Don't just wander around! Know what you want to ask employers ahead of time. Prepare some questions to ask before you go.
5. Do not discount any employer based on their name. Too often I hear that there were no employers who represented "_________" industry. Most companies hire many different occupations. Example: Roper hospital not only needs medical personnel, but also computer technicians, accountants, office staff, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians, and many others.

Attend the Spring Career Fair and make the most of your opportunity!

How to find the jobs.

Job openings will not find you.  It is up to you to locate the job openings.  The days of passively posting your resume on a job board and waiting for an employer to call are long gone.  You must be proactive in your search and use every resource you can find.

Internet searches
This must be a "part" of your plan, but not the entire plan.  The internet can be very useful in finding openings, but do not rely on job boards like monster.com or career builder.  You will only find postings that were sent to them and there are some dubious postings on these sites as well.  The same goes for craigslist.  Though much more time consuming, visit the websites of companies you would like to work for or that you think may have positions in your job field.  Many times this is the only place you will find these postings. A good place to start is with our web links.

Networking
You may hear this all the time, but what does it mean? Meeting people and establishing connections. The more professional people you know, the better chance of finding those "hidden" jobs.  Get involved with community organizations, professional groups, social groups, volunteering, etc.  Let the people in these groups know you are looking for employment and what your qualifications are.  A referral generally goes a lot farther than an application from an unknown source.

Personal Visits
Instead of mailing, or emailing your resume, put on your interview attire and deliver it in person.  Many managers are impressed with someone who shows up early in the morning with their resume and is ready to interview.  Even if you don't get an interview on the spot you have the chance to make a good first impression, get a feel for the business, and put names to faces.  This will help when they do call you.

Finding that next job is not easy.  You will be faced with many challenges and setbacks, but a dedicated and diverse approach will greatly improve your chances.