How to Work a CareerJob Fair

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How to Work a Career/Job Fair
California State University, Stanislaus Career
Services Office
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Why should I attend a Career/Job Fair?

• Real-life, multi-employer events
• Allows you to meet with employers at convenient
  locations
• Learn about various regional organizations and
  the career opportunities they are hiring for in a
  one-stop shopping environment

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How do I prepare for this kind of event?

• Self Exploration
• Assess your skills, interests, values,
  experiences and accomplishments so you will be
  better able to articulate what you have to offer
  to potential employers. It will also help you
  determine which employers you should focus on at
  the event
• Know what to expect
• Dont be overwhelmed by candidates, noise and
  confusion
• Take the event seriously
• Pay attention to the impression you make
• Dress professionally
• Give a strong handshake and a confident smile
• Maintain good eye contact!
• Show initiative and be assertive
• Keep a positive attitude and concentrate on the
  potential benefits of the experience

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How do I prepare for this kind of event (cont.)?

• Prepare your resume
• Check out our website to review our resume
  writing workshop and view samples
• http//www.csustan.edu/career/resume.htm
• Attend a Resume and Cover Letter Writing Workshop
  see our Spring Workshop Schedule for dates,
  times and locations, accessible online at
• http//www.csustan.edu/career/SWorkshops.htm
• Bring plenty of copies of your resume with you
• At least one for each participating organizations
  (i.e. if 100 organizations are scheduled to
  participate, bring 100 copies and youll have
  more than enough for organizations to whom you
  are interested in applying?

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How do I prepare for this kind of event (cont.)?

• Plan your strategies carefully do your
  homework before attending the event
• Visit the Career/Job Fair website (if applicable)
  to learn about participating organizations, the
  positions they are recruiting for and their
  location(s)
• Check out websites of organizations of interest
• Your knowledge of the company, environment and
  mission demonstrates enthusiasm to a recruiter
• Dare to be Different
• Plan to talk to organizations/companies you might
  not have looked at before, you never know what
  you might find!

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What do I say when I approach recruiters?

• Greet recruiters with a firm handshake, good eye
  contact and a smile.
• Address him/her by the name on his/her nametag
• Introduce yourself
• Offer your name, major and date of graduation
• Present your resume and tell the recruiter your
  purpose for wanting to meet with him/her today
• Have several questions ready
• What skills and characteristics would the ideal
  xyz need for your _____ position?
• Can you tell me what characteristics your most
  successful ______ have?

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What do I say when I approach recruiters
(cont.)?

• Then use that information to sell yourself
• As you can see from my experience
• Im glad to hear that because I have
• Allow the recruiter to speak as well and be
  responsive to his/her questions (more on that
  in a minute?)
• Be sure to include your strong points, goals and
  knowledge of the company in your answers

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How do I answer recruiters questions?

• Be ready for questions including
• What do you like doing?
• What are you looking for in a job?
• What are your most relevant skills?
• Pay attention to the questions you are asked and
  the kind of information theyre offering

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How do I close a meeting with a recruiter?

• Your goal is to get a second interview with
  organizations of interest to you
• If you are genuinely interested, let them know!
• I am quite excited about the opportunities you
  mentioned and think I would be an excellent
  addition to your team. What do I need to do to
  arrange a second interview?
• Dont worry about appearing pushy you are being
  assertive and showing interest.
• Consider asking them to rate your credentials and
  fit compared to other candidates they have
  seen. Asking for an honest appraisal is one of
  the best ways to express interest in the
  position(s) and organization
• Be sure to ask what the next steps in the
  interview process are
• Ask if you can follow up by phone or email
• Be sure to establish a time frame in which to do
  so
• THEN DO IT!
• Dont forget to get a business card and take any
  materials he/she is distributing

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What should I do to follow-up after a fair?

• Do the professional thing
• Send a thank you letter (or email message) to the
  person you met (get their card or write down
  their name and address at the event)
• Remind them of your interests and qualifications
  and reiterate your interest in the position and
  desire for a second interview
• Few people follow through this way today and
  youll stand out from the crowd and demonstrate
  your professionalism?

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What else do I need to know?

• Dont forget to network
• Share resources, leads and ideas with other job
  seekers, they could be a helpful resource in your
  search!
• Talk to as many people as you can, especially if
  you are waiting in line to meet with recruiters
  be sure to listen too?
• Also check out other resources that are
  available
• Professional Associations
• Career Literature

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Checklist for Success

• Dress Professionally - Wear a suit, handle this
  as you would a regular interview.
• Resumes - Bring a supply of resumes to hand out
  to the companies. Take a portfolio/briefcase to
  hold resumes and corporate literature.
• Prepare a "one-minute commercial" - Think about
  your strong points, your goals, the company and
  where you want to go within the company.
• Be prepared to discuss where you want to work
  geographically (New York - Boston - anywhere),
  what you like doing, what youre looking for in a
  job, what your most relevant skills are.
• Arrive early - Plan on extra time for checking
  in.

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Checklist for Success (cont.)

• Network - While you are waiting in line, talk to
  others. You may hear about opportunities of which
  you were unaware.
• Be assertive and show initiative - shake hands
  and introduce yourself to recruiters when you
  reach the table.
• Be enthusiastic - Employer surveys identify one
  of the most important personal attributes
  candidates can bring to a new position as
  enthusiasm. So, smile and project interest in the
  company.
• There will be many applicants approaching
  employers at the same time you areDONT BE
  OVERWHELMED by the experience. Keep a positive
  attitude and concentrate on the benefits of the
  experience.
• Explore options - A wide variety of companies
  will normally participate. This is an excellent
  opportunity to browse and indulge your curiosity.

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Wrap Up

• Career/Job Fairs are one of the most effective
  job search tools
• By participating in the career/job fairs, you
  will have access to hundreds of potential
  employers and will also gain valuable interview
  and networking experience as you continue (or
  begin?) your search
• Our staff is here to help before and after fairs
• Stop by Career Services, MSR Suite 245
• Call us at 209.667.3661
• Email us at PHooker_at_csustan.edu
• Our hours are
• 800 a.m. 500 p.m. Monday - Friday