1. Slide Number: 1 Produced by Virginia Cox, Ph.D., West Virginia University Edited by Julie Levitt Getting the MOST from Job Fairs! Getting the MOST from Job Fairs!

2. Slide Number: 2 Job Fairs: Big Benefits for YOU!  Explore opportunities for internships, co-ops, and jobs  Practice interview and job search communication skills  Distribute resumes to many prospective employers  Meet many recruiters from different organizations in one, convenient setting  Receive company information and business cards of contacts

3. Slide Number: 3 Before the Job Fair skills, experiences, qualifications, and interests  Target yourself to the job. Identify how your skills, experiences, qualifications, and interests match jobs  Prioritize the list of employers that interest you. A list is typically available before hand.  Know why you want to work for an employer so you can explain it clearly. (Research employers beforehand.)  Possibly volunteer to help with the job fair (contact your Career Services Center) it is a good networking opportunity.

4. Slide Number: 4 Preparing for Job Fair resume 1.Prepare your resume. self-commercial 2.Prepare your self-commercial (30 to 60 seconds) 3.Rehearse 4.Portfolio 5.Research

5. Slide Number: 5 At the Job Fair 1.Check in, then target the areas on your floor plan to see who is there and where they are located. 2.Manage time well. 3.Meet first with recruiters who are not at the top of your target for employment (practice with them before approaching your top targets). 4.Watch time, and save enough for your top targets.

6. Slide Number: 6 At the Job Fair (Continued) At the Job Fair (Continued) 4.Introduce yourself professionally. 5.Find out what opportunities exist for someone with your credentials and skills. 6.Ask what entry-level positions exist. 7.Ask about the company 8.Smile! Be polite, BE THE “INFOMERCIAL”

7. Slide Number: 7 Pick Up Cards & Literature 1.Always ask for business cards of recruiters representing your target employers. 2.After talking with them, write notes you want to remember on the back of the cards. 3.Collect all literature from your target employers to enhance your knowledge.

8. Slide Number: 8 Take Notes! Take Notes! Take a notepad/cell phone, and record important follow up, such as to: Send additional information to a recruiter or other contact Calendar follow up meetings Make follow-up phone calls Other Take a notepad/cell phone, and record important follow up, such as to: Send additional information to a recruiter or other contact Calendar follow up meetings Make follow-up phone calls Other

9. Slide Number: 9 After the Job Fair 1.Respond to recruiter request immediately 2.Send thank-you notes to those you meet with; use their business cards for correct spellings, titles, etc. 3.Your thank you can be by e- mail, or snail mail and can be hand written (if clear) or word processed. 4.Send the thank you within 24- 48 hours after the job fair. 5.Refer to the location and date of the job fair.

10. Slide Number: 10 Learn From the Experience 1.Did you have a positive or negative experience? 2.What can you learn from negative experiences? 3.Did the preliminary research on employers help you? 4.Were you asked difficult questions for which you were not prepared? If so, write them down, and prepare more thoroughly for the next fair.

11. Slide Number: 11 What Else Can You Do? What Else Can You Do? 1.Attend career and job fairs at other locations 2.Use keywords to search for online job fairs, such as: –Nonprofit job and career fairs –Online job fair –Job and career fairs, (name your career interest) 3.Bookmark web sites that are most useful for your career targets