Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 518.437.4900 albany.edu/career...

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Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Making the Most of a Career Fair

Career ServicesUniversity at Albany

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Agenda

Before: Identify your goals and do your research

During: Make a great impression

After: Follow-up and stay connected

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Goals

What do you want to get out of the Career Fair?

Gather career informationJob searchInternship searchDevelop your network

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Preparation

– Who do you want to visit?Which specific companiesWhat types of industriesWhat locations

– Broaden your focusSome job types are at practically all companies

(e.g. HR, IT, accounting, marketing, sales)Lesser known companies may have the best

opportunity for you.

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Preparation Identify and research the companies you are interested in

Career Services website: www.albany.edu/career You will see a link to the list of employers attending the career fair

Visit individual company web sites Search on Linkedin

Companies have listings in LinkedIn You can identify if anyone in your network work at the company you are

interested in Search on CareerShift

Create an account in UA CareerPath to access Search for companies and see what jobs they currently have open

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

60 Second Commercial– Articulate what you are looking for and what you

have to offer an employer Make a list of 3-5 things you want employers to know

about you Include relevant information about education, skills,

experience, and specific knowledge relevant to the position Identify your most important personal attributes

Create a few sentences that describe those thingsPractice it with a friend

– Weave it into the conversation don’t just blurt it out at people

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Preparation

– Make sure your suit is readyDoes it need to be cleaned?Do you have a clean, ironed

shirt/blouse Ladies – pantyhose and closed toed

shoesGentlemen – no athletic socks

– Make sure your resume is readyGet it reviewed by Career ServicesPrint it out on nice paper

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

PreparationWhat you should bring:

Copies of your resumeList of questions for

recruitersPen and paper for note-

takingLeather portfolio to neatly

store your resumesBriefcase/bag to carry

information/brochures picked up at the fair

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Day of the fair

– Arrive early...the fair is least busy when it begins.– The busiest time is the middle of the event– Go it alone; friends may keep you from visiting

booths that are of primary interest to you.– Listen to what the recruiter is saying. When you

are finished, walk away and take notes to help you recall important information.

– Remember, this is not an interview; it is your opportunity to make a crucial first impression.

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Day of the Fair

What makes a good impression?Greeting: Firm handshake, demonstrate

confidence, enthusiasm & interestClear & concise answers to questionsAsking good, well thought out questions that

demonstrate your knowledge of the company

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Walk-about TechniqueWalk-about the Career Fair:

Get a feel for the layout of the room and employer booths.

Know specifically who you want to talk to and in what specific order.

Be ready to change your plans if long lines appear.

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Walk-about Technique

Walk-about the Employer:Instead of standing in line, approach booth from

the side and pick up some of the company literature.

Take a few steps back. You now have valuable information about the company and you can get a preview of the company and the recruiter.

Listen to the conversations taking place and pay particular attention to the types of questions the recruiter asks. Be prepared to answer some of these same questions.

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Walk-about the Employer

– Based on your research, the literature you’ve picked up at the fair and the conversations you’ve listened to, ask yourself: Is this something I’m interested in?Am I able to show that I’m qualified for this position?

– If YES, get in line. Use this waiting time wisely by reading through the material you picked up previously. Many people may not have gotten this ahead of time so you will be at an advantage.

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Speaking with employers

– Stay alert and focused on what is important to the company/recruiter, and how you can help further the company’s goals. How can you be an asset to them?

– Remember to ask for business cards so you can send a thank you note and connect on LinkedIn!

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Information you need

What to learn from employers:Employment and/or hiring trendsSkills necessary for different careers/jobsCurrent/future openingsTraining, responsibilities and other information

about the organizationWho to contact for follow-up discussion

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Employers Want to Know...

– Specific career/job objectives– Individual strengths and limitations– Contributions you will make to the organization

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Behaviors to avoid

Job Fair no-no’s for candidates according to employers

Lacking focus and not knowing what type of position to look for. Admitting, “I’ll take anything” or answering, “I don’t know” when asked about interests.

Not dressing neatly or professionally.

Not bringing a resume. Lacking knowledge of a company

and/or confusing the company with a competitor.

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

More behaviors to avoid

Asking about salary.Not asking any questionsAsking inappropriate

questionsHaving a poor or

unprofessional attitude.Grabbing free stuff

Not making eye contactLacking communication

skillsNot bringing anything to

write with or onGiving a weak

handshake

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Follow-up– You do not need to follow-up with everyone, just those

you are interested in– Do what they recommended – fill out an application,

email your resume etc.– Send a thank you email and/or connect with them on

LinkedIn– ALWAYS send a personalized message when connecting

on LinkedInThank you for taking the time to talk with me at the UAlbany Career Fair on Tuesday. I would like to add you to my professional network

Career Services, University at Albany Science Library G-50 • 518.437.4900 • albany.edu/career • career@uamail.albany.edu

Conclusion

For more information, visitCareer Services - Science Library G-50

Drop-in Hours: MWF 10 AM-12 Noon TTh 1-3pm

Appointments available upon request

Or visit our website:www.albany.edu/career

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