Career Fair Success Strategies

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Career Fair SuccessStrategies

Presented byMike Brown

Director, MBA CareerServices


.not just a place tocollect logo pens and

post-it notes!


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Career Fair Benefits

Multiple employers; one location Acquire market, company data Practice interviewing skills Network with recruiters Land interviews


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September Career FairsEvent Dates

Corporate Associates Career Fair September 10

PSU Fall Career Days September 11-13

Marketing Association Career Fair September 13

NAAMBA Leadership Conference Santa Clara, CA September 14 -15

Supply Chain Career Fair September 18-19

National Black MBA Career Fair Indianapolis, IN September 27-28


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October Career ExposEvent Dates

NSHMBA Career Fair Orlando, FL October 5-6

MBA Veterans Career Fair Chicago, IL October 12

Midwest Career Fair Chicago, IL October 19

MBA Women International Conference Phoenix, AZ October 19 - 20

Reaching Out LGBT MBA Career Expo Boston, MA October 19 - 20

Net Impact Conference Baltimore, MD October 25-27


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What Employers Are SeekingDesired Traits in 2011 MBA Hires Percentage

Initiative 77%Professionalism 77%Motivation 76%Integrity 76%Ability to deal effectively withpressure/obstacles

75%

Source: GMAC 2011 Corporate Recruiters Report


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Career Fair Strategies

Pre-fairPreparation

CareerFair

Performance

Post FairFollow-up

NationalCareerExpos


Pre-fair Prep Strategy


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Targeting Strategy Determine your career fair goals Identify job fair participants Prioritize your target companies

top 5 must see A tier companies 5-10 nice to see B tier employers 5-10 intellectually curious C tier firms


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Research Companies

Review jobopenings

Flagship productsor services

Stock price,history, locations

Recentmerger/acquisition

activityKey competitors Industry trends


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Tailor Your Resume Good fits move on; bad matches dont Customize to job or internship

qualifications Select best accomplishments Present to top 5 must sees


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Prepare questions to ask Strategic Comeback

What skills, experience do you look for. Strategic Planning

What is the retention rate of newly hired Company Information

How would you describe the corporateculture?


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Prepare Your Branding Message

Your response to Tell me about yourself Strengths, abilities, knowledge Recent experience, accomplishments Your career goals, ambitions; interest in

company Practice, practice, practice


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Dress for Success

Business Professional, conservative attire Stylish but not a statement maker Be careful of colognes and perfumes Pre-plan for pressing and dry cleaning Polished dress shoes


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What to Bring:

Pad-folio with pen and paper Conservative work bag or briefcase No backpacks! Extra resumes (on resume paper)


Day of the Career Fair


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Have a Walkabout Plan Career Fair

Get a lay of the land Locate target employers Identify who has long lines Determine your interview order Walk off some initial nerves


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Walkabout part two Employers

Pick up media, job listings Eavesdrop on recruiters personality,

communication styles Qualitative vs. quantitative questions Identify their critical needs Warm up with your 2nd tier 5-10


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First Impressions Confidently approach the recruiter Smile Maintain eye contact Firm handshake Hi, Im ____, its a pleasure to meet you. Repeat recruiters name


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Three no-blink responses1. Tell me about yourself2. Why are you interested in our company?

or Why are you here today?3. Why have you chosen this career?


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Booth Etiquette Respect the recruiters time Wait your turn Never interrupt a current conversation Dont speak negatively about anything Dont just drop a resume and walk away Build rapport with recruiter


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Recruiting for Undergrads? Connect with recruiter Make it an information interview Show your interest in the company Talk shop about the industry; business Ask for the appropriate MBA recruiter


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Closing Impressions Ask for recruiters business card Inquire about next steps Firm handshake Maintain eye contact Thank you for meeting with me today


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Circle-back Strategy When lines drop off When you are more relaxed To continue a conversation To ask additional questions To build rapport and be remembered


Post Fair Follow-up


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Follow-up Strategy Drop off a hand-written note at booth Leave a personal voice mail that evening Send a thank you within 24 hours

Reference what was discussed at fair Enclose another copy of your resume

Be professionally persistent!


National CareerExpos


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30-60 Days PriorRegister as early as possible;

Apply for jobs; recruiters are screening resumesongoing

Conduct pre-conference networking

Update LinkedIn to MBA candidate; scrubFacebook

Arrange travel logistics


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30 Days Prior Plan your agenda; speakers, networking

events Prioritize your target companies Practice your branding message Prepare open ended questions Schedule simulated interviews


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When You Arrive Check in when you arrive Review the expo floor map Attend professional development

sessions sponsored and facilitated by recruiters

Secure interviews Seek additional networking opportunities


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Tips for Expo Success Anticipate the size; 100,000 sq. ft. Start slow with B & C tier employers Stay focused on targets and goals Ask recruiter for an interview


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Interview Centers

Arrive early; allowtime to check in

One company willconduct multiple

interviewssimultaneously

200 to 600interviews

happening atonce

Partitions arewalls of cloth


Final thought:You might not find the job youre

looking for at a career fair; but youjust might find your future

employer!


Questions?

Documents

Career Fair Success Strategies