Get ready to network with company representatives!

Career Fair 2014

•Thursday, September 18

•10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

•David Braley Athletic Centre

Why should you go?

• Opportunity to meet with employer representatives to discuss CAREER opportunities

• Increased success in securing interviews

Why do companies attend?

• Marketing/branding opportunity

• Develop network of potential student candidates

Preparation (before the fair)

• Create a “tiered” list of employers

• Submit profile/resume via employers’ websiteso Conduct employer research

• Create/update your LinkedIn accounto www.linkedin.com

Preparation (continued)

• Develop 30 to 60 second “elevator” speech

• Questions to ask employer representatives

• Appropriate attireo Ideal: business attireo Combination of business and casual

What to bring . . .

• Multiple copies of your resumeo Bring paper copies even if company only

accepts electronic submissions via websiteo “Objective” on resume

• Writing materials (folio)

• Water, tissues

At the fair . . .

• Review map/list of employers

• “Test drive” your elevator speech with “bottom tier” employers

What to do if . . .

• The employer is not hiring for Co-op/internship Do they post in the winter term? Ask about future full-time (post-grad) positions – what

qualities do they look for in candidates? How can you prepare as a student?

• The employer is not hiring for full-time (post-grad) positions What is their outlook for the next two/five/ten years?

• The employer does not provide business cards Don’t take this personally – may be company policy.

Follow-Up

• Review information you received

• Send “thank you’s” to employer representatives LinkedIn

• Mention attendance at the fair when applying to jobs Include in the cover letter

• Check Events module in OSCARplus for additional employer events

Website Links

• OSCARplus – McMaster’s online job posting and event listing website

https://www.oscarplusmcmaster.ca

• ECCS websitewww.eng.mcmaster.ca/eccs

• Student Success Centre (university-wide career office)

http://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/

Engineering Co-op and Career ServicesJHE A214Ext. 22571

Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thank you!