Get the Most Out of EXPO

EXPO presents students with an opportunity to explore careers, obtain employer information and develop contacts to use in applying for full-time, internship and summer positions.  Employers attend career fairs to increase student awareness about their organization and the careers they offer, to identify potential candidates for future hiring needs, and to fill specific positions they may currently have available. Most career fairs do not present formal opportunities for individual interviews; they simply provide a chance for the student and employer to briefly meet to share information and discuss potential opportunities.  Here are some tips that may help you prepare for EXPO:  

Before EXPO

• Clarify your interests and goals; there are many industry areas within the government and non-profit sectors.  Do you know what career field interests you?  What kind of work you'd like to do all day?  If it's helpful, you may want to meet with a career counselor or employment advisor.  Just come into our center and schedule an appointment.
• Review the list of employers expected to attend the EXPO and research those that interest you to learn about them and how you might fit into their organization
• Have a strategy...prepare a list of the top 5-10 employers you want to meet, and be sure to see them first.
• Prepare a resume that will be relevant to the particular employers you plan to see at the fair, and bring several copies. You may also want to prepare a "generic" resume that can be used for other employers.  Feel free to use our walk-in hours and have someone at the Career Education Center look over your resume for formatting issues, typos, and content.
• Be ready to explain specific items on your résumé.
• New rules defining what constitutes a job applicant have limited the number of employers who will accept paper résumés at career fairs. Don’t be disappointed or discouraged if an employer will not accept a paper copy of your résumé and refers you instead to its website because there may be a legal reason they choose not to accept paper résumés.
• Create your 30 second "elevator speech” that introduces your strengths, skills, experience, and interest. Don't feel awkward about this; recruiters expect this little introductory spiel from you because it makes it easier for them to determine what to talk to you about. Practice your commercial so that you are comfortable with it.
• Here a sample of a 30 second 'self commercial':
  Good morning! I'm Jennifer Smith. I'm currently exploring positions in marketing and advertising. I have experience with analyzing target audiences before designing, implementing and evaluating market strategies. I've supplemented my English major with a marketing internship at The Corp, our largest student run business, and at a local agency over the summer. I know that your organization is branching into more digital media and I would love the opportunity to contribute to the effort.

During EXPO

• Dress professionally in business or business casual attire.
• The EXPO is an opportunity to obtain information about employers you aren't familiar with; request information from the employers about positions and obtain any literature they have available.
• Arrive early, lines get longer as the day progresses.  If lines are too long for some employers, visit less crowded ones and return later. However, since some employers may leave the fair early, don't wait too late in the day to make contact.
• Plan to meet first with employers that are the best matches for you. Then speak with other employers as time allows.

When Talking with Employers:

• Make eye contact when introducing yourself.
• Give a firm handshake to get you off to a good start.
• Try to use the organization representative's name. (Look at their card or name tag.)
• Smile, be polite, and enthusiastically communicate your related interests, skills, strengths, and experience.
• Tell them if you are interested in a specific position or if you are simply trying to gather information about opportunities.
• Indicate your knowledge of the organization, obtained through research.
• Ask questions, but not about salary and benefits until you are being considered seriously as a candidate; this is a great place to show employers that you've done your research and to ask more specific questions that address issues or topics not found on their website
• Obtain a business card, or write down contact information. Ask the representative how you should follow up.

 Communication is CRITICAL

• Listen carefully to what the representative says.
• Avoid using filler words or phrases such as "you know," "like," "I mean," "you know what I mean.” Speaking professionally is important.
• Have enough copies of your résumé. Be prepared to offer one to each of the organizations you are interested in. Use good quality white paper.
• New rules defining what constitutes a job applicant have limited the number of employers who will accept paper résumés at career fairs. Don’t be disappointed or discouraged if an employer will not accept a paper copy of your résumé and refers you instead to its website because there may be a legal reason they choose not to accept paper résumés.
• Ask for a business card or keep a list of organization representative's names and contact information.
• Take notes. Keep a pad and pen with you and take notes after speaking with each employer. 

Body Language can Speak Louder than Words

• Don't fidget or play with your hair. It’s distracting and employers will notice.
• Look at the recruiter but don't stare her down.
• Do not rock from side to side
• Do not look around when speaking or being spoken to.
• Do not chew gum.  It's unprofessional.  It's a good idea to keep breath mints handy.

After EXPO 

• Thank employers you’re interested in with a note or e-mail. Remind them of your interest and availability.
• If you promised to send an employer additional information about yourself, send it promptly.
• Explore your options. Be open to new possibilities. Focus more on your interests and less on the specifics of your degree.

   

   

 

An Employer's View