I love multitasking and I am always looking for ways to optimize my time to ensure I get the most out of every minute. As a job seeker, we have a tendency to become singularly-minded on landing a job. However, I caution you to take a step back and realize that if you focus too much on the end game, and not enough on the process, your job search may just take longer.
A common activity for job seekers is going to a career fair. In the spirit of multitasking and optimizing your time, I wanted to give you some alternative focuses for the next time you attend a career fair. Of course you will go to the career fair to job search. However, once you have walked the career fair and talked to your target companies, I urge you to take advantage of these other activities before you call it a day.
Network
It is always a great idea to network with the company representatives at each booth. Gather business cards and jot brief notes on the back of the cards after you step away from the booth. The key is to personalize your follow-up communication and to do it quickly, while the career fair is still fresh in their mind. However, don't just stop at networking with employers. Do your best to network with fellow job seekers and representatives from educational institutes. Tap into the hidden job market by expanding your network of referral resources.
Build Your LinkedIn Contacts
As you meet people at the career fair - employers, recruiters, career services professionals, and fellow job seekers as them about connecting on LinkedIn. Your sphere of influence and potential for referrals and personal introductions grows each time you add a connection through LinkedIn. Once again, it is very important that you send a personalized message, and not use LinkedIn's template message.
Have Your Resume Reviewed
This can be a tricky one because everyone has a different opinion on what should and should not be done on a resume. When having your resume reviewed, ensure they are a professional that has current and updated information of resume writing. If the reviewer recommends you change something on your resume, always ask them the strategy behind their suggestion. If the answer is "that is the way I prefer it to be done," then you are getting opinion instead of strategy-driven constructive feedback.
Explore Educational Opportunities
Most every career fair has representatives from several educational institutions including trade schools, certification programs, and formal degrees. Talk to the school representatives about your options, not only for improving your marketability through additional education, but also about gaining funding to pay for your education.
Showing posts with label career fairs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career fairs. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Saturday, November 10, 2012
High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: Veterans Day Edition
With heartfelt gratitude for their outstanding service, bravery, and sacrifice, we dedicate this weekly roundup to our nation's veterans and active duty personnel who now look to transition from the armed services to the civilian workforce.
CMF re-aired a November 2011 podcast in recognition of Veterans Day in Florida’s Seminole County and to raise public awareness to the "issue of women veterans and the propensity of many of us to overlook women veterans”.
- Teach for America announced its first veterans recruitment initiative, You Served For America, Now Teach For America.
- Operation Workforce, which serves as an online one-stop for veteran resources and services in Georgia, was announced at the Georgia Jobs for Veterans Employer Breakfast.
- Michigan Governor Rick Snyder declared November as Hire a Veteran Month and announced a series of upcoming career fairs for veterans titled Operation Vet Connection 2012.
- U.S. News & World Report highlighted scholarship opportunities for veterans transitioning to civilian life, including the GI Bill and Post-9/11 GI Bill, the American Legion's Nontraditional Student Scholarship and the Veterans United Foundation Scholarship Program.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
How to Avoid the Most Common Career Fair Mistakes
In today's online job search market, human contact is at a minimum. Career fairs are an excellent opportunity that - when done right - can be very valuable to your job search. In an earlier blog post I provided tips to help you make the most of a career fair. Today, I am going to examine some of the most common mistakes and how you can avoid making them.
Mistake: An unfocused job search or an "I'll take anything" attitude
Solution: There are few things that make a recruiter crazier than this type of approach to a career fair. Companies don't want to hire you just because you NEED a job. Before attending a career fair, research the companies, find out the type of positions they have open, pick at least 5 target companies, and figure out how your skills and experience can benefit each company. This approach enables you to make a concise, targeted presentation to each company when you visit their table.
Mistake: Unprofessional appearance
Solution: The career fair should be treated no differently than an interview in terms of your appearance. Should you wear shorts and flip flops to an interview? Should you take your children with you on an interview? Should you walk into an interview holding hands with someone? In case you are unclear, the answer is NO to all the above. Just like an interview, at a career fair you should dress to impress, attend alone, and pay attention to your non-verbal communication.
Mistake: Asking inappropriate questions
Solution: Never ask questions about salary, benefits, or vacation time. Instead, focus your questions on gaining more information about the company and how you can fit into the organization.
Mistake: Grabbing free stuff
Solution: Most every table has free stuff to give away. If you go from table to table collecting giveaways and then approach employers with a bag stuffed full of goodies, you will look unprofessional and will offer the impression that you do not take the job search seriously. Focus your efforts on the job search first, then if there is time discreetly pick up a few items - if you must.
Mistake: Not taking advantage of the networking opportunities
Solution: You should walk out of every career fair with a fist full of recruiter and HR business cards that you can follow up with in the coming weeks. In addition, network with your fellow attendees to make additional contacts. Today's job search market is referral-based, make contacts wherever and whenever you can!
Mistake: An unfocused job search or an "I'll take anything" attitude
Solution: There are few things that make a recruiter crazier than this type of approach to a career fair. Companies don't want to hire you just because you NEED a job. Before attending a career fair, research the companies, find out the type of positions they have open, pick at least 5 target companies, and figure out how your skills and experience can benefit each company. This approach enables you to make a concise, targeted presentation to each company when you visit their table.
Mistake: Unprofessional appearance
Solution: The career fair should be treated no differently than an interview in terms of your appearance. Should you wear shorts and flip flops to an interview? Should you take your children with you on an interview? Should you walk into an interview holding hands with someone? In case you are unclear, the answer is NO to all the above. Just like an interview, at a career fair you should dress to impress, attend alone, and pay attention to your non-verbal communication.
Mistake: Asking inappropriate questions
Solution: Never ask questions about salary, benefits, or vacation time. Instead, focus your questions on gaining more information about the company and how you can fit into the organization.
Mistake: Grabbing free stuff
Solution: Most every table has free stuff to give away. If you go from table to table collecting giveaways and then approach employers with a bag stuffed full of goodies, you will look unprofessional and will offer the impression that you do not take the job search seriously. Focus your efforts on the job search first, then if there is time discreetly pick up a few items - if you must.
Mistake: Not taking advantage of the networking opportunities
Solution: You should walk out of every career fair with a fist full of recruiter and HR business cards that you can follow up with in the coming weeks. In addition, network with your fellow attendees to make additional contacts. Today's job search market is referral-based, make contacts wherever and whenever you can!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
How to Make the Most of a Career Fair
A career fair is a great opportunity to make face-to-face contact with recruiters and hiring managers that is often lacking in the job search. Career fairs are a valuable part of the job search process. Following are some helpful strategies that will set you apart from the other participants.
BEFORE THE CAREER FAIR
• The first step is to get your resume in top shape. A resume can not get you a job, but it can prevent you from getting the opportunity! Some recruiters may ask you to submit your resume online when you get home. Make sure you have an internet ready resume to send.
• Preregister for the career fair and submit your resume online so that potential employers can pre-screen your qualifications.
• Conduct research and find out what companies are going to be attending the career fair. Next, research the companies to identify their openings. Choose 3 to 5 target companies and write a targeted resume and cover letter for each of these companies and their openings.
• Prepare your self-introduction that you will go through as an ice-breaker when you meet each of the recruiters. Instead of walking up to a booth and asking “What does your company do?” make an impression by demonstrating your knowledge of what the company does and how your skills would benefit their organization.
THE DAY OF THE CAREER FAIR
• Bring plenty of copies of your resume to hand out to potential employers.
• When you walk in the door, develop a “plan of attack” to meet the recruiters of your target companies. Hit your target companies first and then walk the career fair to ensure you don’t miss employers that may not have been listed.
• Create a positive first impression and stand out from the crowd by dressing to impress. Leave the shorts, t-shirt, and the kids at home. Dress as though you were going for a job interview – you might just get one. Use non-verbal communication, body language, and appearance to create an impression of confidence and enthusiasm.
• Use the career fair as a networking opportunity. Trade business cards, resumes or even just phone numbers with your fellow job searchers. You never know who you might meet and how they may be able to help you in your search.
AFTER THE CAREER FAIR
• The most overlooked part of the career fair is the follow-up. Within a week after the career fair, send a short handwritten thank you note or even just a phone call expressing your appreciation for the recruiter’s time and asking for an opportunity to meet in person to further discuss your qualifications.
BEFORE THE CAREER FAIR
• The first step is to get your resume in top shape. A resume can not get you a job, but it can prevent you from getting the opportunity! Some recruiters may ask you to submit your resume online when you get home. Make sure you have an internet ready resume to send.
• Preregister for the career fair and submit your resume online so that potential employers can pre-screen your qualifications.
• Conduct research and find out what companies are going to be attending the career fair. Next, research the companies to identify their openings. Choose 3 to 5 target companies and write a targeted resume and cover letter for each of these companies and their openings.
• Prepare your self-introduction that you will go through as an ice-breaker when you meet each of the recruiters. Instead of walking up to a booth and asking “What does your company do?” make an impression by demonstrating your knowledge of what the company does and how your skills would benefit their organization.
THE DAY OF THE CAREER FAIR
• Bring plenty of copies of your resume to hand out to potential employers.
• When you walk in the door, develop a “plan of attack” to meet the recruiters of your target companies. Hit your target companies first and then walk the career fair to ensure you don’t miss employers that may not have been listed.
• Create a positive first impression and stand out from the crowd by dressing to impress. Leave the shorts, t-shirt, and the kids at home. Dress as though you were going for a job interview – you might just get one. Use non-verbal communication, body language, and appearance to create an impression of confidence and enthusiasm.
• Use the career fair as a networking opportunity. Trade business cards, resumes or even just phone numbers with your fellow job searchers. You never know who you might meet and how they may be able to help you in your search.
AFTER THE CAREER FAIR
• The most overlooked part of the career fair is the follow-up. Within a week after the career fair, send a short handwritten thank you note or even just a phone call expressing your appreciation for the recruiter’s time and asking for an opportunity to meet in person to further discuss your qualifications.
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