How to Prepare for a

Job FairMr. Endicott

Career Services

Career Fair Tips

Please take a moment to review the following tips to maximize your success at the fair.

Maximize Your Success

Polish your resume

Do your homework

Prepare effective questions

Create your pitch

Practice

Dress professionally

Come prepared

Make a good 1st impression

Never do the following

Follow-up

10 Steps to Maximize Your Success

1. Polish your resume• It is not enough to simply have “a resume”

• An effective resume…o Is free of errors o Is pleasing to look at and quick to interpreto Demonstrates transferable skillso Suggests 110% efforto Has self-promotion as its main purpose

• See SU Resume guide and other resources at http://www.salisbury.edu/careerservices/students/resumes/default.html

2. Do your homework• What companies are going to be there?• Which are of interest to you?• Find out more about the company– Services/products, mission, competitors, locations

• Find out about entry level jobs/training

3. Prepare effective questions

• Show off your knowledge by asking specific follow-up questions. Some possibilities…o Describe your background and a particular opportunity

to get their assessment of fito What is the timeline for the hiring process and how

might you learn more?o Are there any training/development opportunities not

described on the web site?o What is the culture like at your organization? What do

you like best about working there?o Impact of economy

4. Create your pitch

• Elevator pitchoWho are you? (name)oWhat do you do? (major/graduation)oWhat sets you apart?

(unique experiences, personal strengths)

oWhat is your objective?

5. Practice• Role play with your neighboroImagine a company you’d love to work

foroYou expect them to be at an upcoming

job fair; How will you open?oDon’t forget: handshake, smile, eye

contact• Practice on your own!

6. Dress Professionally

Wear comfortable shoes!

7. Come Prepared• Arrive early• Be sure to bring…oAt least 20 copies of your resume (business

cards may be helpful too)oSupplies: portfolio or folder, paper, penoQuestions and brief notesoEnergy, and a positive attitude!

8. Make a good impression

• Visit your top employer first or last?• Walk right up if you can; otherwise take

the lit and return• Still a line? Stand aside respectfully and LISTEN!• When you approach…

o Start with what you prepared, but improviseo Focus on the conversation; avoid distractiono Try to keep it fresh and sincere; only you have heard

yourself over and overo Hand over your resume and ask for a business card

• Be respectful of others; you never know who’s watching…

9. Never do the following

• Ask “What does your company do?”• Argue with a recruiter• Monopolize recruiter time• Get greedy with giveaways• Just leave your resume on the table• Act rudely to other students or recruiters

10. Follow-up• To set yourself apart, you need to make an

impression AFTER as well as during the fair

• Send a thank-you card/email within a few daysoMention something specific from your

conversation (make quick notes during the fair, and more extensive notes soon after)

Upcoming Job Fairs• Meet the Firms Job Fair (Info Systems and

Accounting ONLY)• When: Tuesday, September 23, 2014. 4:00-6:00• Location: First floor of Perdue Hall• ------------------------------------------------------------------

-• Fall General Job & Internship Fair-for ALL majors• When: Wednesday, September, 24, 2014. 12:00-4:00 • Location: Wicomico Room & the second floor in the

Guerrieri University Center• -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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