Are you ready for the Career & Internship Fair?

Career & Internship Fair is an opportunity to meet with numerous employers.  This is your chance to promote yourself and learn about hiring organizations and employment / internship opportunities.  Take advantage of what the Career & Internship Fair has to offer by following the CHECKLIST below:

PREPARATION:  Before the Fair

• Resume.  Your resume will be an essential tool for your job and internship search.  CAP offers both instruction on resume development and resume review services.  Get your resume reviewed by someone who knows what employers are looking for!  Find details on our website.

• Mock Interview.  Consider doing a mock interview.  Build your confidence and communicate more effectively by getting feedback from an employer in our Mock Interview Program.  Find details on our website.
• Go to CAP’s Fair Website.  http://www.jmu.edu/cap/fairs/springfair.htm.  Find the list of organizations attending by logging onto Recruit-A-Duke.  Decide on companies you are most interested in and conduct research on each.  Keep an open mind, and don’t just focus on companies that are familiar.  Note:  Recruit-A-Duke access is needed to research companies – need to activate your account?  It’s easy, go to:  https://jmu-csm.symplicity.com/students/
• Research.  Know relevant info about companies.  Find it on Recruit-A-Duke.  In RAD, click the “Career Events” tab to find the fair and employers coming.  Click on a company, read the “Overview” and “Career Fairs” for position info.  Click “website” and look for “About Us” and “News” to read the companies’ description, mission, and current news.  Want to really impress? Prepare a brief list of questions to ask.
• Plan of Action. Since the fair is a very busy event, you want to be able to make the most of your time. Give some thought to how you will approach employers. You want to introduce yourself, demonstrate your interest in the organization, and be prepared to discuss your education and work experiences.
• “Elevator Speech”.  Be prepared to share a one-minute summary about yourself, as it will introduce you to the employer in a meaningful and effective manner.  Include where you are now (your degree, program, year in college), where you have been (your career-related experience), and where you are going (your future goals).  Share your interest in the organization and what you have to offer them.  Want to stand out?  Mention something relevant about their company that you learned as a result of your research.
• What to Wear.  Whenever possible, a suit is a good choice for men and women if you want to look professional.  It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.  Even if you are only using the fair to gather information, it is still a good idea to make a favorable impression by dressing professionally.  For Women:  pants, or skirts / dresses should be at least to the knee, styled hair, shoes should be closed toe, wearing hose is recommended, and removal of jewelry from visible piercings.  For Men:  conservative shirt and tie, polished shoes, styled hair, and removal of jewelry from all visible piercings.  Use of perfumes or colognes should be limited, or not at all.  Find details on our fair website.
• What to Bring.  At the very least, 10-20 copies of your resume.  However, based on your research, you may need more depending on the number of companies that interest you.   Keep your resume in a convenient place, such as a pad portfolio or nice folder.  Remember to pack pen and paper for jotting down notes, contact information, and other vital details.  If you are prone to sweaty palms, be sure to pack a handkerchief or something else (other than your suit) on which to wipe your hand.  Breath mints could also be helpful.

IMPLEMENTATION:  At the Fair

• Event Space.  At Student Check-In pick up a fair map.  Check out how the companies are arranged, and remember your Plan of Action.  Make adjustments as needed.  (i.e. the 1^st employer you want to speak with is busy)
• Making the Connection.  First impressions are so important, pay special attention to how you present yourself to potential employers.  Introduce yourself in a professional manner.  Like an interview, you want to demonstrate confidence in yourself as well as enthusiasm and interest for the organization.
• Use your elevator speech when introducing yourself, maintain good eye contact and have a firm handshake.  Give them a copy of your resume.
• Ask the employer 1 or 2 of the prepared questions about their company.  Such as…..
• ¨What is your application and interview process?
• ¨What kind of entry-level positions exist within your company?
• ¨Do you offer internships? If so, what percent of interns are offered positions after graduation?
• ¨What personality traits are important for success in your company?
• ¨How does your company train and mentor entry-level employees?
• ¨What made you choose to work for this company?
• Answer questions and showcase your knowledge of their organization.
• Ask for or gather printed information.  If they have give-aways (pens, magnets, etc.), feel free to take one.
• Completing the Connection.  Remember not to overstay your welcome. If the recruiter starts looking over your shoulder, it's time to move on.
• Ask for the business card of the person(s) with whom you are talking.
• Make sure to thank each person you speak with for taking the time to meet you and talk to you about opportunities with his/her organization.

FOLLOW UP:  After the Fair

• Reconnect.  Send a thank you email to all recruiters that you spoke with, thanking them for their time, and information they gave you.  Restate your interest in their organization.  You can send this by email, however, a hand written note can really set you apart from others!
• Track. Consider developing some sort of system for keeping track of all the recruiters and potential job leads.  CAP’s Job Search Worksheet has an example you can use. 

Note:  True preparation takes time- it is not reasonable to assume that you can fully prepare the night before.

Keep in mind the Career & Internship Fairs should be just one small part of your entire job search process.  Career and Academic Planning has many ways to help you with your job and internship search from on campus interviewing to individual appointments focused on tailoring your search.

(Also, check out How To Prepare for Career Fair:  www.jmu.edu/cap/fairs/prepare.htm)

Portions of this checklist were developed using:  Quintessential Careers - http://www.quintcareers.com