How to Succeed at a Career Fair

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How to Succeed at a Career Fair
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Workshop Topics

• Why Attend a Job Fair
• Details of Upcoming Job Fair
• Pre Fair Strategies
• Showtime (during the fair)
• Post Fair Strategies
• Other Job Fairs Dates
• Volunteer Opportunities

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Why Attend the Job Fair

• Network and market yourself
• Learn about career and internship opportunities
• Get an interview
• Gather additional career information
• Target companies that meet your needs
• Tied to success in on-campus recruiting

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Details of Fall 2004 Expo

• Date Tuesday, October 5th, 2004
• Time 1000 a.m. to 300 p.m.
• Location UCF Arena
• What companies are expected to attend
  http//www.crc.ucf.edu

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Pre Fair StrategiesPreparation Workshops

• Resume
• Introduction to On-line Job Postings and
  On-Campus Interviewing
• Internships and Cooperative Education
• Job Search Strategies
• Interview Techniques

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Pre Fair StrategiesAdditional Strategies

• Self-Assessment know yourself personally
  professionally
• Have a game plan and focus on companies that
  interest you
• Check the web listing for participating Expo
  employers for contact information and research
  purposes

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Pre Fair StrategiesKnow the Employer-Research
Resources

• CSEL library
• Company literature
• Chamber of Commerce
• Company websites (link from CSEL)
• Newspaper articles
• Additional websites
• www.hoovers.com
• www.comfind.com
• www.careers.yahoo.com
• www.monster.com

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Pre Fair StrategiesAreas to Research

• Product or Service
• Sales/ Assets
• Competition
• History Vision
• Field Offices
• Industry Trends
• Chain of Command
• Size
• Current news

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Pre Fair StrategiesEmployer Expectations

• Professional attire
• Professional resume (bring sufficient quantity)
• Relevant work experience
• Begin conversation (1-minute infomercial)
• Speak clearly and concisely
• Maintain eye contact
• Technical and leadership skills
• Definitive career goals

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Pre Fair StrategiesBusiness Attire

• Women-Clothing
• Suit with knee-length skirt and tailored blouse
• Pantsuits are more acceptable now, but save them
  for after you obtain the job
• Wear pantyhose and closed toed shoes
• Acceptable suit colors blue, black and brown
• Nothing sleeveless

• Women-Grooming
• Keep accessories and makeup simple
• Briefcase or purse, not both
• Keep perfume and lotions to a minimum
• Wear hair away from face

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Pre Fair StrategiesBusiness Attire

• Men-Clothing
• Two-piece suit
• Solid colors vs. prints or patterns
• Tie pattern should be simple
• Wear polished shoes with dark socks long enough
  so no skin shows when you are seated
• Shirt should be light colored
• Acceptable suit colors blue, black and brown

• Men-Grooming
• Hair clean and cut
• Face should be shaved
• All piercings removed
• Carry a briefcase or portfolio
• Keep cologne and aftershave to a minimum

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Pre Fair StrategiesQuestions to Ask the Employer

• What job opportunities do you have available?
• What majors/ skills are you seeking?
• What type of training program does your company
  offer?
• Does your company encourage further education?
• What do you like about XYZ company?
• What geographical area are you hiring for?
• What are your organizational growth projections?
• What is the usual promotional time frame?

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ShowtimeDos

• Do arrive early.
• Do bring lots of resumes.
• Do have pen and paper available.
• Do check in at the CSEL table to pick-up a map
  and a name tag.
• Do take a few minutes to locate your target
  companies on the map. Remember to visit the
  target companies first.
• Collect a business card from interesting
  employers.
• Do practice and review your 1 minute info-mercial
  prior to approaching company representatives.

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Showtime Dos1-Minute Infomercial

• Prepare a 1 minute script about yourself.
• EXAMPLE Hello, my name is Jane. I am a senior
  majoring in Advertising/ Public Relations. Last
  summer I did an internship in the Advertising
  division of FritoLay. I am interested in
  broadening my experience and I read that your
  company is embarking on a new advertising
  campaign for the next quarter.
• Companies appreciate it if youve taken the time
  to learn more about what they do and even the
  types of positions they offer.

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ShowtimeDonts

• Dont bring friends.
• Dont arrive late (i.e. Dont come the last 30
  minutes of the eventsome companies leave early.)
• Dont ask inappropriate questions (i.e. What
  does your company do? or How much can I make?
  DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFOREHAND.).
• Dont immediately collect giveaways.

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Post Fair Strategies

• Make notes on the business cards.
• Ask about the next step Interviews through GOLD
  Connection? Theyll follow up directlywhen?
• Be sure to close by reiterating your interest in
  the position and your strengths.
• Write thank-you notes.
• Follow-up with phone calls.
• Apply through GOLD Connection, if required.

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Volunteer Opportunities

• Committees
• Hosts
• Freight
• Parking
• Set-Up and Table Layout
• Advertising and Public Relations
• Special Projects
• Meet and Greet

• Positions
• Student Director
• Assistant Student Director
• Committee Member

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Why Volunteer?Contact Earnestine Gould Jackson,
egould_at_mail.ucf.edu

• New friends
• Explore career opportunities
• Learn about community
• Social contacts
• Be part of a particular group
• To be a resource
• To be a mentor
• New ideas

• Bring about a social change
• Chance to network
• Chance to be creative
• School credit
• Develop leadership skills and experience
• Identify with a cause
• Personal contacts
• Use skills and experience

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Career Services and Experiential Learning
Workshops

• Business Etiquette
• Choosing or Changing Majors
• Choosing the Best Career
• Cover Letters Business Correspondence
• Curriculum Vitae
• Federal Employment
• Graduate School Planning

• How to Succeed at a Career Fair
• Internships and Cooperative Education
• Interview Techniques
• Job Search Strategies
• Introduction to On-line Job Postings and
  On-Campus Interviewing
• Portfolios (How to Prepare)
• Resumes

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Career Services and Experiential Learning Programs

• Career Planning Workshops
• Career Information
• Career Information Library
• Free Career Related Related Publications
• Alumni Mentors
• Career Counseling
• Major/Career Options
• Career Assessments
• Job Search Assistance
• Resume/Cover Letter Critique
• Practice Interviews
• Experiential Education
• Internships /Externships
• Lockheed Martin Work Experience Program

• Graduate/Professional School
• Directories and resources
• Annual Graduate, Law and Professional School Day
• CSEL Events
• 8 Annual Career Fairs
• Majors Fair
• Annual Senior Day
• Career Panels
• On-Campus Recruitment
• GOLD Connection
• Job Listings
• Resume Referral
• On-Campus Interviewing
• Company Presentations

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Career Services and Experiential Learning
Calendar of Events 2004-05

• Statewide Job Fair
• May 13, 2004
• Fall Career Expo
• October 5, 2004
• Graduate, Law Professional Day
• October 20, 2004
• Senior Day
• October 27, 2004
• Public Administration Job Fair
• November 9, 2004
• Experiential Education Career Panel
• November 16, 2004
• Spring Internship Fair
• January 25, 2005

• Spring Career Expo
• January 26, 2005
• Arts Science Career Panel Series
• February 8, 2005
• College of Engineering Panel
• February 22, 2005
• Arts Science Career Panel Series
• March 8, 2005
• Majors Fair
• March 9, 2005
• Statewide Job Fair
• May 12, 2005

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Career Services Experiential Learning

• Locations/Hours
• Career Services Student Resource Center 7G
• Normal Hours of Operation Mon. Fri. (800 am -
  500 pm)
• Walk-in Service Mon. Fri. (1000 am - 400 pm)
• Experiential Learning Howard Phillips Hall,
  Ste. 208
• Normal Hours of Operation Mon. Fri. (800 am -
  500 pm)
• Walk-in Service Mon-Fri. (800 am-1200pm)
  (200pm -500pm)
• Satellite Locations
• College of Business BA2, Room 222
• Lockheed Martin Sand Lake Road
• Rosen College of Hospitality Management 9907
  Universal Blvd., Ste. 201

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The UCF Creed
Integrity, scholarship, community, creativity,
and excellence are the core values that guide our
conduct, performance, and decisions. Integrity I
will practice and defend academic and personal
honesty. Scholarship I will cherish and honor
learning as a fundamental purpose of my
membership in the UCF community. Community I
will promote an open and supportive campus
environment by respecting the rights and
contributions of every individual. Creativity I
will use my talents to enrich the human
experience. Excellence I will strive toward the
highest standards of performance in any endeavor
I undertake.
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA