The document provides an agenda and materials for a job fair success workshop. The agenda covers topics like job search tips, using social media for job hunting, preparing a one-minute introduction, resume tips, and next steps after the job fair. The materials include advice on networking, addressing common myths about the economy, how to shine at a job fair through preparation and presentation, and following up after the event.
2. AGENDA
Ice Breaker Activity & Reality Check
Job Search Tips for a Tough Economy
Using Social Media Tools
Working A Job Fair—One-Minute Commercial
What Employers Value/Seek in Candidates
Resumes—Quick Tips!
What’s Next?
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3. ICE BREAKER
Take a minute to write down your biggest job fair
concern.
Consider: how might you alleviate your concern?
Feel more in control of the situation?
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4. MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT THE ECONOMY
Myth: Employers aren’t hiring right now, in fact, I’ve read that they
are laying off employees.
Fact: Although employers are currently conducting layoffs, they
are still recruiting for new college grads. Many employers need
to keep their pipeline open for new ideas and for people that
can be developed into future managers and leaders of their
organizations.
Myth: All industries are being damaged by the recession.
Fact: Although the recession is challenging, there are recession-
resistant industries like Government, Healthcare, Not For
Profit, Insurance, and Green Tech Sector.
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5. MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT THE ECONOMY
Myth: There is nothing I can do right now to increase
my chances of finding a position.
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6. MYTHS & FACTS ABOUT THE ECONOMY
Fact: There are many things that you can do right now to increase your
chances of finding a position!
• Being proactive and starting early (like those of you who are attending the
upcoming Job Fair) is very helpful.
• Put your best foot forward by doing your research on employers before you
speak with them.
• Utilize career center services such as our Finding a Job in a Tough
Economy workshop and Branding Yourself For Success – Job Search 2.0
as well as our other online tools.
• Attend networking events whenever possible, either through Employer
Information sessions, student organizations or professional development
organizations. And be certain to take advantage of the next generation of
networking – social networking and social media
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7. Online Networking and Building Your Brand
A recent poll of human resource professionals
conducted by HRMarketer.com found that
LinkedIn is used by 93 percent of companies,
followed by Facebook at 70 percent.
What does this mean for your job search?!
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8. • Like Facebook but for professional networking
• Set up your profile and begin to connect with peers, alumni and
other professionals
• Join industry groups to hear different conversations and learn
about what is happening in your industry
• Connect with different people in your field for informational
interviews
• Conduct research about an organization prior to an interview
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10. Do Research on Industries and Careers
• Set up News Alerts: Google, Yahoo
Type in key words such as “green careers” or “marketing jobs”
• Conduct blog/microblog searches:
blogsearch.google.com
techonorati.com
alltop.com
search.twitter.com
www.twellow.com
**For more information on social media tools see our online calendar
for upcoming “Job Search 2.0, Branding Yourself for Success”
workshops
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11. REALITY CHECK
Job Fair statistics show that up to 49% of all candidates
who prepare in advance can receive an invitation for an
interview at the fair, and 65% of those candidates receive
job offers
University of Minnesota Crookston, 2006
Put your concerns to rest by taking the time to prepare
yourself before a job fair!
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12. HOW TO SHINE AT THE JOB FAIR
BEFORE THE FAIR:
Do your homework: Register with SpartaJobs,
research organizations of interest and prepare one-
minute commercials.
Prepare targeted resumes. Access on-line publication
for complete information.
Organize your materials: Current Tower Card/Career
Center membership card, plenty of targeted resumes,
calendar, professional case to hold your materials.
Plan to dress professionally.
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15. JOB FAIR ETTIQUETE “DO’S”
DO
Keep your perfume and cologne to a minimum
Avoid strong smelling foods prior to speaking with
employers
Pack breath mints (not gum!)
Turn your cell phone off
Leave your backpack at home (try using a professional
folder to hold your resumes).
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16. REGISTER WITH SPARTASYSTEM
Be sure to:
1. REGISTER & UPDATE
your profile
2. POST your targeted
resumes.
3. CHECK your email for
alerts when the job fair
publication is available.
4. APPLY to on campus
interview positions.
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17. SJSU JOB FAIR ELIGIBILITY
DON’T FORGET TO BRING:
SJSU students with Current Tower Card
SJSU alumni & Open University students
with current Career Center
Membership Card
*Check event calendar for details
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18. YOUR ONE MINUTE COMMERCIAL
Your name, degree and relevant minors.
A targeted summary of work experience/class projects.
Activities demonstrating leadership, teamwork/service.
Specific interest in the organization and how your skills
relate to their needs.
A warm, confident tone delivered in a clear voice.
Open and welcome body language
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19. YOUR ONE MINUTE COMMERCIAL
Your one-minute commercial is your introduction to the
employer and allows you to highlight relevant skills or
experiences that the employer is seeking based on your
research.
Practice your soundbytes enough so that you are
comfortable and your one-minute commercial will sound
conversational and not rehearsed. Tip: practice in front of a
mirror and be aware of your facial expressions and body
language
Let you commercial answer questions like: Tell me about
yourself; Tell me about why you are interested in our
organization; Why should we hire you?
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20. EXAMPLE COMMERCIAL
Introduction
“Hi, I’m Judy Smith and I am interested in an entry-level Human Resources position. I
will be completing my BS/Business Administration with an emphasis in Human
Resources in May.
Expression of Interest
“I read in the job fair publication that Global, Inc. has an HR position available and I’m
very interested in learning more about it.
Background
“I recently completed a Human Resources internship at the XYZ Corp and really
enjoyed the experience. During my internship, I helped organize signups for a new
benefits package, coordinated a company picnic for 400 employees and their families,
and gave tours of the office to new employees.”
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21. COMMERCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
This an example that introduces the student to the employer,
highlights her course of study, graduation date and identifies a
specific position of interest based on her research. She also outlines
internship experience that relates to the open position.
**REMINDER: it is okay if you haven’t done an internship yet! Instead,
highlight other relevant experiences
– Leadership/Student Clubs
– Volunteer Work
– Teamwork
– Projects
– Courses
Attitude goes a long way…be sure to stay positive both in content
and body language.
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22. ONE MINUTE COMMERCIAL STEPS
Take a moment to put together your own one minute commercial.
Write down the following:
Your name
Your major
The type of position you are seeking
Your work experience
Your class projects
How your background and future goals meet the organization’s
needs
Now put it all together!
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23. TIME TO PRACTICE
Remember. . .
Be clear, concise, and personable.
Make the match between your strengths and the position.
Exercise: (this is just a start – practice-practice-practice!)
Select either a job you are seeking or a job that you have had in the past
for this exercise.
Do a quick outline of your one minute commercial using the steps on the
previous slide.
If you can, get together with a friend, trade resumes and take turns
practicing your one-minute commercial.
Target your resume and commercial!
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24. SKILLS EMPLOYERS VALUE
Top 10 Qualities Employers Seek
1. Communication skills* (verbal & written)
2. Strong work ethic
3. Teamwork skills* (works well with others)
4. Motivation/Initiative
5. Analytical skills
6. Computer skills
7. Flexibility/adaptability
8. Interpersonal skills*
9. Problem solving skills
10. Technical skills
Source: NACE Job Outlook 2009
* = Skills employers reported lacking in new hires.
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25. RESUME TIPS
Your resume will create a first impression for the
employer. Therefore it must:
Have a clear focus (targeted objective)
Have a crisp, clean layout (easy to read, and 1pg.)
Outline relevant information (fits job requirements)
Reflect your unique talents
*Need some help with your resume? Check out:
8 minute resume workshop on the Career Center website (Launch)
Attend our resume 101 workshops (see calendar)
Get your final draft resume critiqued (see calendar)
** Remember to bring multiple copies of your resume, you never know
who you will end up talking to at the job fair.
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26. ONLINE APPLICATIONS ONLY?!
Some employers may review your resume, but ask you to
apply on-line because they may have internal recruiting
restrictions that require all candidates to apply on-line.
On-line applications enable employers to electronically
and systematically keep track of all applicants as required
by their Affirmative Action program.
Continue with your one minute commercial and
conversation. Let them know you will follow through by
applying on-line. Also, ask who might be a good person
to follow-up with regarding your application status.
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27. AFTER THE FAIR
Make notes about the organizations and employers while
still fresh in your mind.
Follow-up with thank you letters to recruiters who were
helpful and organizations with whom you would like to
pursue a relationship.
Set up a system to keep track of follow-up activities.
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28. PLAN C – WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS DON’T
GO AS PLANNED
Consider Your Options
Companies, Industries, Geographic Areas
Be Flexible!
Temporary Work, Volunteer Work, Building Your
Resume
Ethically Navigating Job Offers
Before you accept an offer, make certain you are
prepared to commit
**For more information, see our workshop schedule
for “Finding a Job in a Tough Economy”
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29. NEXT STEPS
• Be prepared! Login on the Career Center’s website and find the
online job fair publication and do your research on the employers you
want to meet at the job fair!
• Have your cover letter and resume documents critiqued
**View our Events Calendar at www.careercenter.sjsu.edu & click
“Events Calendar” for complete details about services, events, and
programs
• Practice your one-minute commercial!
• Attend future career fairs, employer networking events, information
sessions, and employer tables to meet face-to-face!
• Continue to build your network! Join a professional association, go
to networking events, conferences etc.
• Be patient with yourself and stay focused!
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Hinweis der Redaktion
Employers are currently still recruiting for new college graduates, although it may be at a reduced rate. They need to keep the pipeline open for new ideas and for people that can be developed into future managers and leaders of their organizations. In fact, our career fair is close to being full with __ of employers already registered to attend.
There are many things that you can do to assist you in obtaining employment while the economy is slower. Being proactive and starting early (like those of you who are attending the upcoming Job Fair and are looking for positions to start in the spring and summer) is very helpful. Do your homework and be prepared as your search for employment. Utilize career center services such as our Finding a job in a tough economy workshop, our Job Fair Success Workshop as you are right now, as well as our online tools. Attend networking events whenever possible, either through Employer Information sessions, student organizations or professional development organizations. And be certain to take advantage of the next generation of networking – social networking and social media
Positive Attitude – Attending a job fair can help you gather information from employers about their company and their job opportunities. Great way to network with employers. Define your goal – Have an idea of what you hope to get out of this event such as: to find jobs, to seek information about companies, to make initial contacts with recruiters/begin networking, or to practice speaking with recruiters and hiring managers. Come prepared – Review the list of employers that will be attending the job fair. Gather information about the companies/organizations that you are unfamiliar with. Check out company website/employer list. With this information, you will be able to prioritize the employers you want to target at the job fair. Once you have done the research, you will be able to ask very focused and specific questions. Doing company research prior to the fair will Impress the company representatives because it shows that you have a genuine interest in their company or organization. Explore your options – Have an open mind when you decide which organizations you want to visit at the job fair. You never know when you may find a great opportunity with a company you had never considered. Bring resumes –Make sure you bring the most updated version of your resume, with current mailing address, phone number, and email address. You want employers to be able to contact you after the event. You may want to prepare more than one version, depending on your goals. Target your resumes!
As we’ve reviewed job fair success is all about preparation. SpartaSystem allows you to go to one place for your research, participant updates and also to apply to positions/review descriptions ahead of time. Once you review the list of participating employers you can put Together your top 5-10 list of those you’d ideally like to meet and also prepare targeted commercials/resumes
Your one-minute commercial is your introduction to the employer and allows you to highlight relevant skills or experiences that the employer is seeking (the focus of your research). Prepare your soundbytes ahead of time and rehearse them out loud. Let you commercial answer questions like: Tell me about yourself; Tell me about why you are interested in our organization; Why should we hire you?
This is an example that introduces the student to the employer, highlights her course of study, graduation date and identifies a specific position of interest based on her research. She also outlines internship experience that relates to the open position. **REMIND students that it is okay if they haven’t done an internship yet to highlight other relevant experiences (leadership, teamwork, projects, courses etc.) Attitude goes a long way…be sure to stay positive both in content and body language.
Have students pair off and role play “their one-minute commercial”. Use 15-20 mins. For the activity. Check in with Students to answer questions and support their efforts. Ask for volunteers to practice in front of the group. To demonstrate an example. If no volunteers—demonstrate on your own with other CC staff member.
Remind students to bring extra copies of resumes and what qualities employers value to help them target their information. Remind students that this is not a resume workshop so we won’t spend a lot of time on resume writing but that we have many resume prep. Check out resume tool kit online and Services available-see calendar.
This is also a good time to ask the recruiter who to follow up with after submitting application online.
As we said earlier, there are a lot of industries hiring right now. BioTech, Government, NFP, etc. These industries will need skilled workers with a variety of degrees (engineers, accountants, HR, etc). Investigate your options. Are you willing to relocate for a job? Be flexible and think of ways to build your resume. Volunteer work and temporary agencies give you opportunities not only to increase your skill set and experience, but also to get your foot in the door. Sometimes we have to take a job that is not our first choice. But if this is what you need to do, then approach it with the mindset that you are going to be there for the next year, and what skills can you learn during this experience that will help you to build your resume?
Allow 10 mins. For Q&A at the end. There are often many questions that come up.
