INDIANA COUNTY

Job Fair Preparation

Your 30-Second Commercial and Other Helpful Tips

JOB FAIR PREPARATION

Job Fair Preparation

Job Fair Presentation

Your 30 Second “Spot”

Dress and Appearance Body Language

Questions/Answers

•Your first and last name•Your profession and job you desire Essential

Information

“Wow” Information

YOUR 30 SECOND “SPOT”

Additional Information

• Brief recent work history (1 year) and skills and/or education• Examples of work, skills or projects completed

• Most impressive accomplishment within your career• Offer your unique selling point

•Brainstorm by writing down all your unique skills and/or education

•Narrow down to most impressive, most interesting points

Preparing

Finalize

YOUR 30 SECOND “SPOT”

Further Preparation

• Narrow down again to four main points • Final list should be two or three strongest points

• Your unique selling point, strongest skill set and accomplishment should be clear and concise

•Folded arms shows defense, slouching shows disrespect

•Maintain confidence without being aggressive

•Eye contact

Non-verbal Communication

•No cell phones, no children, no distractions

•Monitor language, do not slip into slang or get too friendly

Courtesies

•Do not interrupt•Pay attention, be alert, maintain focusListening

Skills

YOUR 30 SECOND “SPOT”

•Speak at the same rate and tone as interviewer

•Pause slightly before answering questions

Establish Rapport

•After all job fairs, interviews and phone calls

•Send email, call, send thank you note

Follow Up

•Handwritten on appropriate paper or card is best

•Similar to business letter format even if handwritten

Thank You Note/Letter

YOUR 30 SECOND “SPOT”

•Gather all of your information•Find out where, when, and what

format the job fair will be

Before the Job Fair

Research the Companies

•Research current employment vacancies available

•Compile a list of required skills and other requirements for your target jobs

Job Search

JOB FAIR PREPARATION

• Determine what companies will be there and plan your route/timeline• Research your target companies; take notes of what interests you about them

•Prepare your portfolio: resumes, references, letters of recommendation, social security card, work history detail

•All printed material should be similar paper and font

Waiting for the Job Fair

•Review your own work history•Review questions to ask company

representatives

Before Arriving

•Go to restroom to check appearance•Be aware of body language while waiting

to speak to your company

Arrival

JOB FAIR PREPARATION

•One portfolio and one handbag at most, or electronic portfolio

•Black pen and blank notepad for taking notes and names

What to Bring•Other people, food or drinks•Books, magazines, or other forms of

“entertainment”What NOT to

Bring

•Listen and repeat questions•Stay positive, do NOT criticize prior

employersInterpersonalCommunication

JOB FAIR PREPARATION

•Prepare your 30 second commercial, practice makes perfect

•Mind your please and thank you

Presentation•Is the very first impression unless you

have spoken on the phone•Even if business “casual”, sloppy is not

presentableAppearance

•Be prepared to relate how your goals and company goals compare

•State at least one reason you want to work at that company or are interested

Knowledge

JOB FAIR PREPARATION

•Be aware of the company “culture”•Know the name, title and salutation of

the company representative

Know Thy Audience

•Clothing should be business casual at a minimum

•Attention to detail in your hygiene and clothing

Dress for Success

•Maintain good posture and non-intimidating eye contact

•Adjust stance to mirror that of the representativeMonitor

Body Language

JOB FAIR PREPARATION

Business Dress Business Casual Business DO NOT

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

DRESS FOR SUCCESSFemales• Monitor cleavage, none is best•Make-up and nail polish natural colors•Hair pulled back or neatly styled with no excessive products•No dangle earrings or “trendy” clothes•Low heels or flats, no open toe or sandals

Males• Clean, trimmed fingernails•Neatly trimmed facial hair or clean shaven•Long hair pulled back •Short hair neatly styled with no excessive products•No earrings•White collared shirt

Everyone•Military regulations are safe• Clean and/or shined shoes•No strings, lint or hair•Subdued, solid colored clothing: black, navy blue or dark grey •No perfume/cologne or strong scented deodorant•No visible tattoos or excessive piercings

BODY LANGUAGE

DO

BODY LANGUAGE

Do NOT

•Approach the representative with a confident but friendly smile

•Offer a handshake, but do not force one

Introduction•Mimic representative’s use of

courtesies•Keep focused on you and the company,

minimize extraneous discussions

During

Conversation

•Ask for a business card and when you can schedule a formal interview

•Thank the representative and shake handsConcluding

the Conversation

JOB FAIR PRESENTATION

Practice! Introduce yourself to instructor and 3 classmates

Everyone will observe and note observations

JOB FAIR PRESENTATION

Employer Questions

•Tell me a little about yourself.•Tell me about your skills.•What was your biggest accomplishment?•Why do you want to work for my company?•What are your career goals?

•Honesty!•Rule of 3 is enough detail•Thoughtful, not “rehearsed” answers•Relate how skills, accomplishments and goals benefits the potential company

How to Respond

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

•What are the biggest challenges for the position?•What qualifications do you look for in a candidate for this job?•Can you describe the typical day in the life of an employee in the position at your company?•What is the hiring process and length of time?

•How much does the position pay, benefits package and vacation time?•What do you do in your job, what is your pay…?•Can I work from home?•Do you provide a gym, daycare, etc…?•Can I bring my dog to work?

You should ask: You should NOT ask:

QUESTIONS/ANSWERS

•Be prepared to fill out applications at that time rather than take them home with you. Shows initiative and enthusiasm but also offers talking points with the representative.•Follow-up, follow-up, follow-up!•Make sure you remember the salutation and/or title, first and last name of company representative you spoke to, it may not have been the human resources or hiring manager.•Bring paperclips to attach your resume to an application.•Leave the best impression when concluding the conversation, even if you were uncomfortable do not think it went well.•Make sure your email address is professional.•Let everyone in your household know to answer the home phone appropriately (especially children)•Professional greeting on your voicemail only!

JOB FAIR PREPARATION