Unpressed shirts, unruly hair, unpolished resumes and overwhelmed expressions....
Each year at the job fair, employers and staff see some common and very preventable mistakes made by attending students. Some may immediately reduce your credibility to a recruiter while correcting others will guarantee your chances as an exceptional job candidate.
Appearance
Professional attire is highly suggested! By professional, we mean conservative business suits, collared shirts, ties, modest jewelry and close-toed shoes. Avoid carrying around bags and back packs. Find a place to leave them along with your coat. Invest in a black zipper portfolio to carry your resumes, pens and to collect any handouts you may get from employers' booths.
Resume
A strong resume that is concise, easy to scan and error-free is essential! Have multiple people read over and check your resume including professionals, faculty and Career Services staff.. Print them on resume paper and be sure you bring multiple copies on the day of the job fair
Preparation
Look at the list of employers coming to the fair and make a list of your "Top 10". Become familiar with these organizations and the positions they are offering through their website and company publications. Note the job responsibilities, services/products provided by the company, and what interests you most about the organization. Use these things to prepare a short 30-second "commercial" to use when you greet an employer at their job fair booth.
Follow-Up
Fulfill any employer requests or promises that were made such as an electronic version of your resume, an appointment for an interview, or completion of an online application. In addition, help yourself stand out as a job candidate by sending a thank-you note within 48 hours specifically to the recruiter you spoke with. Asking for business cards during the fair will help with this step!
I hope you will take these simple steps so you can approach the job fair with confidence and success!
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