Fall 2010 Career Fair Prep

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Career Fair Prep Seminar A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CAREER FAIR

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Transcript of Fall 2010 Career Fair Prep

Page 1: Fall 2010 Career Fair Prep

Career Fair Prep Seminar

A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CAREER FAIR

Page 2: Fall 2010 Career Fair Prep

CAREER SERVICES PARTNERS

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CAREER SERVICES PARTNERS

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It is Raffle Time! University and corporate gifts

Gift certificates from local merchants

A month parking pass in the President’s

Lot

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2010 Career FairWHEN: OCTOBER 5, 2010WHERE: SDC MULTIPURPOSE ROOMTIME: 12 PM – 6 PM

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What is a Career Fair?A huge meeting between employers and students, and for you, the student: An opportunity to meet prospective employers… Learn more about numerous and diverse industries

and corporations – the world of work. Learn what kinds of work, products, and services

people with your major do, make and offer Persuade potential employers you are the person

they should hire A giant networking opportunity

For the Employer: An opportunity to market their company The chance to fill their employment needs by

meeting and recruiting top talent

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Are Employers Hiring?Negative Signs• Confidence in the economy is weak• Employers reluctant to commit to new hires, rent space and build

inventory• Exports fell off sharply in June• Imports soared• The country of Greece bankruptcy situation

Positive Signs• Components of growth are present• Banks have a lot of money to loan• Companies have a lot of money in reserves• Consumers are getting their budgets in order• When businesses feel secure about the economy, the upswing could

be swift• In a matter of months, the fear and uncertainty will fade and stronger

growth will reemerge• Information taken from “The Kiplinger Letter” , Vol. 87, No. 34,

Aug 20, 2010

Overall : Yes, the employers are hiring, but strategically.

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A Successful Approach• Develop a strategy• Fine tune your resume• Practice your interview skills• Dress appropriately• Understand employers’ expectations• Use available resources

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What to bring to the job fair?• Copies of resumes• Transcripts• Professional notepad/pen and notes• Firm handshake• Your calendar• Research on the companies• Confident and enthusiastic attitude• A polished, professional

appearance

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Dress for SuccessDressing Tips For Men• Suit: Dark blue, brown or gray• Shirt: White, light blue• Tie: Contrasting (with some

red)• Shoes: Black or Brown• Belt: Matches shoes and socks

(socks match slacks)• Hair: Trimmed or pulled back

Avoid:• Earrings• Hats• Heavy cologne

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Dress for SuccessDressing Tips For Women• Skirt/Slacks: Dark blue, brown,

gray• Blouse: Light colored, not floral• Shoes: Conservative• Hair: Pulled away from face

Avoid:• Tight or revealing clothing• Shoes with straps, high heels,

light colored• Excessive jewelry, perfume

and make up

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A Solid Resume• Your “ticket” to an interview• A resource for filling out

applications• Evidence of what you have done• A conversation starter• Different for the college grad vs.

someone with years of experience

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Utilize NACElinkPost your resumeSearch for jobs

By keyword (major, title, etc.)By employer

Apply for jobsSecure interviews

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PreparationResearch the employerFind out employer’s services,

trends, accomplishments, competitors, financial health, and NEEDS

Corporate websites, annual reports, third-party resources

Networking

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Choose the right employers!

• Reviewed registered employers on Career Services website: www.career.mtu.edu

• Develop a “target list”• Categorize employers into A, B, and C lists• Research at least your top 8 – 10

employers• Practice your info-mercial on one of the C

list employers• Then hit you’re A list• Don’t stand in line too long

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Research the Employers• Employer’s Website• Hoover’s Online• Dun & Bradstreet (dnb.com)• Fortune’s 500 Biggest Companies• Bus. Week’s & Forbes’ 100 Best

Small Companies• Google• National, local, and trade specific

publications• USAJobs.org

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The Infomercial

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Skills and Experiences in Demand• Co-op/Internship Experience• Consolidation of skills• Project Management• Team Building• Communication Skills (oral & written)• International• Technical, Liberal Arts and Business• Flexibility – slide from one job to

another• Problem Solving/Analytical Skills• Confidence

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The PerspectiveEmployers are looking for the answer to three questions: Does the job-seeker have the skills

and abilities to perform the job?Does the job-seeker possess the

enthusiasm and work ethic that the employer expects?

Will the job-seeker be a team player and fit into the organization?

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The “Info-mercial” Develop a 30-60 seconds infomercial

about your experience, skills, talent, and job objective.

First impressions are important! Introduce yourself using some of these topics:– Name– Degree, major, and minor– Grade point average– Work, co-op and internship experience– Leadership– Projects– Knowledge of company!

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Performance Display energy, confidence, and respect Listen carefully Body language: eye contact, gestures,

posture Chemistry, make a connection: Remember,

it’s a conversation Employers are much more interested in your

“why’s” and your “how’s” than your “what’s” Concise answers, explain answers, provide

examples to complete the “picture” Don’t ramble: Know what 1 to 1.5 minutes

feels like

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Compose Your Infomercial• Material available at tables• Develop an outline for your

infomercial• Rehearse your infomercial• Practice, Practice, Practice and

Practice• Try out your infomercial on a

volunteer, tonight!

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PerformanceAt the end of the interview:

- Thank them for their time/information- Ask for a business card- Send a thank you note within 24-

48 hrs.

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Infomercial Demonstration

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Your Turn to Practice• Use what you learned tonight, the handout

resources, and the paper/pencils on the tables behind you to compose your infomercial.

• Raise your hand if you have questions!

• Volunteers located around the perimeter of the room if you’d like to try your infomercial out right now.

Time to Practice