Career Day: Ivy Tech’s Annual Job Fair
Thursday, March 21, 2013
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
First Floor Hallways and Koch Student Center (Room 152)
10 TIPS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING CAREER DAY AS JOB SEEKERS
1. Research companies that are registered to attend using the internet, newspaper, etc.
o This will help you know how your skills match their needs.
o This will allow you to develop informed questions to ask employers thereby maximizing the limited time that you have to speak with an employer.
o Write yourself some reminder notes of questions to ask specific employers.
2. Develop a plan of the “need to see” (primary) employers and “like to see” (secondary) employers in order to prioritize your time. Don’t ignore the employers who aren’t an obvious “fit” with your program of study because you may find an opportunity you had not previously considered.
3. Prepare your 30 second “professional pitch” or “elevator introduction”. This should include:
o Your name
o Program of study
o Knowledge of the company and how you “fit” with the company or why you came to their table
o Career goals/job objective
o Relevant experience, skills, education, strengths and brief examples to demonstrate these
o End with a focused, informed question that will engage the employer in conversation
o Practice to build confidence!
4. On Career Day, arrive early, dress professionally, and wear comfortable shoes.
5. Bring a portfolio to carry copies of your resume, a notepad, pens, and any business cards, company brochures and applications that you might collect during the event.
6. Greet employers with direct eye contact, a smile, and a firm handshake. Keep your “professional pitch” short, specific, and strength focused.
7. Engaging the recruiter in intelligent conversation will make you stand out. You can do this by asking informed questions that you have prepared.
Examples of appropriate questions:
o Do you have any advice for someone wanting to enter the field of …?
o What specific qualifications do you look for when hiring for xyz position?
o What does your company consider to be the most important qualities in an employee?
o How do you see the field changing over the next 10 years?
o Can you tell me about your company’s hiring process?
o What types of entry level positions exist in your company?
8. Be considerate of the time constraints of the employers. After your “professional pitch” and a few specific questions (i.e. employment processes, hiring needs, skills the company seeks, etc.), offer a copy of your resume. There may be some employers who do not accept resumes. They will refer you to their company website to apply for positions.
9. Ask for a business card and make a note of your conversation. Close with a firm handshake and thank the employer for their time
10. Send a follow-up letter/thank you letter immediately (thank the employer for taking the time to discuss job opportunities, include an expressed interest in pursuing a position with the company, remind them of your qualifications, express an interest in meeting with them to further discuss your qualifications, and include a copy of your resume).
TIPS FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING CAREER DAY TO EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS
o Determine your purpose…to explore options in your field of study, network with others in your industry of interest, identify employers who hire for specific positions that are appealing to you, etc.
o Job fairs are useful for determining hiring trends in the community, the types of careers available to someone in your field of interest, the required skills and education for various jobs, etc.
§ If you are just exploring your options, introduce yourself to the employer but let the employer know that you are only gathering materials and general information. Be respectful of the employer’s time, as well as those students who are actively job seeking.
§ Prepare questions to ask employers.
Examples of appropriate questions:
o Do you have any advice for someone wanting to enter the field of …?
o What specific qualifications do you look for when hiring for xyz position?
o How do you see this industry changing over the next 10 years?
