J OB F AIR G UIDE 2015 PPWFC SPRING ADULT JOB FAIR Thursday, April 2, a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Colorado Springs Hotel Eleganté Located south of I-25 and South Circle Sponsored by:

The 10 Keys to Success at the Job Fair Register in advance – go to Look under the red ‘Workshop/Events’ tab Click on ‘2015 PPWFC Spring Adult Job Fair’ and enter the requested information Bringing your scan card to the job fair will ensure your quick entry that day Sign up for the ‘Make the Job Fair Work for YOU!’ workshop Research employers scheduled to attend the job fair – identify 3 – 5 employers you are most interested in and learn the basics about each company: Company mission/values Products/services Competitors Location(s) Market Niche Employment Opportunities Create targeted resumes Mold and shape your resume to the specific position in which you are interested Present the information in the resume in a concise and focused manner Proof read the resume to eliminate spelling and grammatical errors If you are interested in different positions make sure you have a distinct resume focused on each job title Plan to bring 2-3 copies of each resume with you to the job fair Submit your application and resume in advance of the job fair Tell the recruiter you have already submitted this information demonstrates your interest This allows you to focus your time with the recruiter on your questions about the position, as well as demonstrating your fit for the position Prepare your 30-second introduction to include: Your name and related work experience Primary skills, strengths, and accomplishments Your interest in the particular employer and position Engage the recruiter with an open-ended question 2

Develop a list of 3 – 5 questions you wish to ask each employer Best questions are ones generated from your research. Some examples include: What specific skills or qualifications are you seeking in prospective candidates? What are the steps in the hiring process? In doing my research, I noticed [ blank ]; do you mind telling me a little about this? Wear appropriate attire Conservative business attire is essential Dressing professionally ALWAYS communicates you are serious about your job search It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed Develop a job fair strategy You have completed the first step by researching companies in which you are interested The second step is seeing if any new companies are present when you arrive at the fair The third step is surveying the layout of the fair and determining an order of interviewing Consider meeting with your top choices first, then converse with your other choices, and then return to your top choices before leaving to thank them REMEMBER - stay flexible as your top choices may be the top choices of many which may mean long lines and less time talking with the recruiter Manage the intangibles First, talk only with those companies for whom you want to work Second, extend common courtesies, such as offering to get the recruiter a beverage or snack; don't be upset if the recruiter has to take a break before you have the opportunity to speak with him or her Third, if your ideal company is hiring computer technicians and you want to work in accounting, go ahead and interview with the company at the fair. Make sure you leave contact information with the recruiter Network with everyone at the job fair Career fairs are all about networking. Of course, you are building a network with the recruiters You can also network with other job-seekers by sharing information about job leads, companies, and their recruiting strategies and styles Don’t forget about employment agencies at the fair. These are also good sources for networking Adapted from 3

THE JOB FAIR ADVANTAGE: HOW TO USE NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION TO IMPRESS Nonverbal communication is as important, or even more important than, verbal communication. Keep in mind that recruiters may also be in the hotel hallways, lobby, and parking lots, so make sure you are paying attention to your nonverbal communications in all of these settings. The evaluation of your nonverbal communication will start as soon as you walk into the job fair and continue until you leave. If your nonverbal communication skills aren't up to par, it won't matter how well you answer the questions. Negative Nonverbal Communication Reeking of tobacco or marijuana smoke Chewing gum Too much perfume or after shave Not enough deodorant Being dressed inappropriately Scuffed up shoes Talking on your cell phone Listening to your IPod while waiting in line Positive Nonverbal Communication Professional dress Neat grooming Polished shoes Good eye contact Firm hand shake Warm, well-practiced introduction Prepared questions based on research 4

Important Elements of Nonverbal Communication Make eye contact with the recruiter for a few seconds at a time Smile and nod (at appropriate times) when the recruiter is talking Be polite and keep an even tone to your speech Stand up straight, shoulders back, knees slightly bent to keep them from locking - don't slouch Do relax and lean towards the recruiter so you appear interested and engaged Don't lean back. You will look too casual and relaxed Pay attention, be attentive, and interested Listen... listen... listen Don't interrupt Stay calm, keep your emotions to yourself and do not show anger or frown Not sure what to do with your hands? Hold a pen and your notepad in your hands as you talk. Remember... There is no Second Chance to make a First Impression The most important part of your exchange with the Recruiter is when you step up to the table. Be prepared... be focused... be confident. Adapted from 5

DRESS PROFESSIONALLY FOR THE JOB FAIR A potential employer’s first impression of you is the most important one. The Recruiter’s first impression of you is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. That's why it is so important to dress professionally for a job fair, regardless of the type of work you are seeking. What's the appropriate dress code for a job fair? You want that first impression to be a great one. In general, being dressed in a suit is going to make a much better impression than scruffy jeans and a t-shirt. Look your age; don’t dress too young or too old. Men's Job Fair Attire Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey) Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with suit) Belt Tie Dark socks, conservative leather shoes Little or no jewelry Neat, professional hairstyle Limit the aftershave Neatly trimmed nails Portfolio or briefcase Women's Job Fair Attire Suit – skirt or pants (if skirt should be long enough to sit down comfortably) Coordinated blouse Conservative, comfortable shoes Limited jewelry (no dangling earrings or arms full of bracelets - no jewelry is better than cheap jewelry) Professional hairstyle Neutral pantyhose Light make-up and perfume Neatly manicured clean nails Portfolio or briefcase Adapted from 6

7 Women’s Resource Agency Citadel Mall (next to Penney’s) 750 Citadel Drive E, Suite 3128 Colorado Springs, CO ● Suit-Up for Success At our boutique, job readiness clients who have a pending job interview receive one-on-one coaching from a Personal Shopper and select an appropriate interview suit to make the transition back to the workforce easier. Outfits include accessories and are free to clients to keep. After gaining employment, clients return for additional workplace outfits and the opportunity to join our Women's Professional Network, an employment retention and career advancement program. Interview suiting - 1 to 2 interview appropriate business suits Employment suiting - 5 to 8 career outfits for newly employed women Special Note – WRA also has a limited amount of MEN’S professional clothing as well. Please call in advance to check on the current inventory. Need assistance with appropriate professional dress? Try the following community resources Ecumenical Social Ministries 201 N. Weber Street Colorado Springs, CO (719) Phone - CLIENT INFORMATION (719) Fax Men's Professional Clothing ESM has a limited supply of professional clothing for men. Please call in advance to check on their current stock. Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado store

Do NOT cruise the job fair with friends or other job seekers Do NOT bring your children Do NOT carry an oversized backpack, gym bag, briefcase, purse, etc. Do NOT dress in gym clothes, torn jeans, or dirty clothes Do NOT show too much skin Do NOT “wing it” with recruiters Do NOT ask “What does your company do?” or “What jobs do you have?” Do NOT monopolize the recruiters’ time Do NOT load up on promotional items Do NOT talk on your cell phone; leave it in the car! JOB FAIR DON’TS You must be registered in to attend the Job Fair! Bring your PPWFC SCAN CARD with you to the Job Fair. THIS GUIDE IS PAID FOR FROM U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FUNDS 8