The document provides information and tips for students to prepare for and make the most of attending an industry or career expo. It outlines what to do before the event, such as dressing professionally, researching companies, creating an elevator pitch, and evaluating one's skills. On the day of the expo, it recommends how to approach employers by introducing oneself professionally and asking good questions. Follow-up actions like sending thank you emails are also emphasized. The overall document aims to help students network effectively and make positive impressions on employers at career fairs or expos.

1. Making the Most of Expo &
Conferences
Presented by: Stephanie Rozboril &
Valerie Mandel
Student Center, 2nd Floor, Room 250
386.226.6054
http://careerservices.erau.edu

2. Industry/Career Expo Details
Thursday, October 12
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
ICI Center
Please bring Eagle Card and
professional dress required

3. PRIOR TO EXPO OR CONFERENCE
CAREER FAIR

4. Professional Dress
Professional attire is expected for attendance at the Industry/Career Expo
Suits
Gentlemen: button down shirts and ties
Ladies: conservative or appropriate blouses
Colors for shirts should be muted like white, off-white or light blue
Shoes should be polished and professional
The minimum professional dress is business casual. Flight and ROTC uniforms are
appropriate Expo dress. Religious and cultural attire will be accepted.
Tips:
Good Personal Hygiene:
Shower, wear deodorant, don’t smoke before you attend and while dressed up, brush
your teeth, use breath mints, minimal use of fragrances/cologne, brush hair
Accessories:
Should enhance, not detract from the attire
Understated & Conservative is best
Employer’s view:
Who wears a watch? Why is this important?
Be aware of distractions

5. Professional Impression
Make a professional impression by
Projecting confidence
1. Body language
Good posture, head up/shoulders back, smile
2. Limit Defensive Body Language – Crossing arms, frowning,
slumping, slouching, shuffling
3. Good eye contact
4. Firm handshake
5. Dressing professionally

6. Professional Nametag
• Find form through ERNIE > Departments >Daytona Beach
>Print Shop >
• Print Reqs & Work orders> Select PDF Engraving &
Signage form
• Easiest way is to go over to Print Shop located across the
street near Alumni Relations
• Tips for completing the online form:
• Cost center, Building Number, Room Number – N/A
• Select Name Badge
• Special Instructions: Name
• $5.00 a nametag
• Must take to Duplicating in Building 508, Print Shop
• Pick-up by Oct. 9

7. Research
Focus the search by …
• Develop goals for the event/search/interaction
Create and practice an elevator speech to explain/sell your education,
skills and knowledge
Acknowledge your dreams, motivations and concerns you may for
accomplishing these goals
• Why would this be important?
• How would you do this?
Identify options by …
• Learn about and select career job types or titles you want to pursue
after graduation?
Determine professional goals for post-graduation?
• Post graduate internship, Career search, or graduate school

8. Evaluate Your Skills
Brainstorm about
Strengths
Challenges
External opportunities
External threats

9. What to Research
1. Research Companies via Career Fair+ app, EagleHire, Career Services
website, CareerShift and LinkedIn
•Create a top 5 or 10 list of the companies you want to pursue
•Know what they do, locations, why company is interesting
•View the employment/careers page
Find jobs you are interested in & print/save the job descriptions
Apply online ahead of time
2. Attend company information sessions
3. Tools to use:
•Career Fair+ app
•EagleHire
•CareerShift
•Career Services website
•Previous Intern Papers (My Team Site in ERNIE)
•Job Search Tool Kit
•LinkedIn

10. Career Fair Plus App
https://app.careerfairplus.com/erau_fl/fair/1128

12. DAY OF EXPO OR CONFERENCE
CAREER FAIR

13. Approaching the Employers:
Introductions & Interacting
Things to do …
 Listen to conversations going on
ahead of you – don’t repeat the same
questions
 Write down the representative’s name
to whom you are speaking (ahead of
time if you are waiting in line)
 Firm Handshake
 Ask good questions using your
research
 Ask for business cards, and/or if you
link to them on LinkedIn
Things NOT to do …
 Don’t ask “What does your
company do?”!
 Don’t monopolize the employer’s
time

14. Handshake
• Put your hand out as you introduce yourself
• “Plane technique”
- Web-to-web, squeeze
• Palm-to-palm contact – “I’m not hiding anything and I’m safe”
• Make eye contact – shows confidence
• Apply pressure
• Sweaty palms ….
• Handshake flub – recover!
• See Going Places blog article

15. Introductions: The Elevator Speech
• A quick introduction you could share with someone you meet in an
“elevator” to sell your capabilities
• - Similar to the “Tell me about yourself” question/cover letter
• A 20- 30 second advertisement about who you are, what you’re looking
for, and how you can add value to the organization project.
• skills, qualifications, and characteristics you will bring to the
company
• Write it out, practice it OUT LOUD, share it with people you trust for
feedback
• You don’t have to share the entire speech, or share it with every
recruiter you speak to, but be prepared in case you have the
opportunity

16. Your Elevator Speech
Know your audience
• Research your audience and
customize your pitch
Know yourself
• What are your key strengths
(SCOT/SWOT)?
• What adjectives come to mind to
describe yourself?
• What is it you are trying to “sell” or
want recruiters to know about you?
• Why are you interested in the
company or industry the person
represents?
Outline
• Who am I? What have I done, do I
offer?
• What are the main contributions I can
make?
• What is your USP (Unique Selling
Proposition)? What makes you
different from the competition
• Application story/accomplishment
• Action
Finalize
• Write it out so that it flows
• Practice it OUT LOUD
• Be Flexible

17. Elevator Speech Basic Script
Student: “Hello, my name is John Student.”
Recruiter: “Hi John, I am Connie Smith”
Student: “It is nice to meet you Ms. Smith. [Pause}
I was very happy to see that company name was attending the
Career Expo this year. I have been following company name for a long time. I
am a junior in the _______ program at Embry-Riddle. I plan to graduate in
May 2018. As an ____ student, I am interested in the work that company
name is doing on the ______ project. I have recently been working on a
similar project in my ___ class.
I went to the company website and saw that you have an internship program.
Could you tell me more about this program?”

18. Making a Good Impression:
Employer Poll Responses
• The top areas that stood out with employers and made
impressions were the following:
• Knowledge about the company and a few specific facts
• Know what they wanted to do for a specific company, or at least had
an idea
• Ability to carry on a conversation with the recruiter
• Have a good introduction
• Know their strengths and interests
• True passion for their career interest
• Good attitude and shows confidence
• Prepared – research, resume, note pad to take notes
• Well groomed and dressed appropriately for the event, a good
handshake, make eye contact and smile
• The student has strong academics

19. Interviewing
Things to Consider:
• Most interviewers have made a decision as to whether or not to
ask you back, within the first 15 minutes of the interview
• Good attitude, communication skills and professionalism are
key considerations
• Practice basic interviewing techniques & questions ahead of
time
• Make a checklist of things to remember: speak clearly, don’t
mumble, answer questions asked, emphasize key words, good
facial expressions, be enthusiastic and smile

20. Industry/Career Expo:
Possible Questions from Employers
• What are you looking for with a career at XYZ company?
• Walk me through your resume…
• Why did you visit our booth at this event?
• What brought you to ERAU?
• Where do you want to be geographically?
• What are your favorite classes?
• What are your personal interests?
• What particular position are you interested in with XYZ company?
• Who is your favorite professor and why?
• Why should we pick you?

21. Questions for the Employer
• ALWAYS ask the interviewer questions!
Tips:
• Be prepared to ask a few questions
at the end of your interview
• Keep them company centered, and
don’t discuss things like salary and
benefits
• Prepare the questions ahead of time
and write them down
Common questions:
• Interviewers experience with the
company
• Opportunities for growth
• Career path
• Future growth plans
• What is the next step?
• Check out the blog article

22. AFTER THE EXPO OR
CONFERENCE CAREER FAIR

23. Follow-Up
• Send Thank-You letters/emails to employers you spoke to or
interviewed with at the Expo with 24 hours
• Mention something specific about your conversation
• Reiterate your interest in the company/position
• Include a “Call to Action” in your closing
• Ask to link with them on LinkedIn

24. Industry/Career Expo Fast Pass
Fast Pass Pick-up for Expo:
Friday, 9/29 – Wednesday, 10/11
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Career Services Office
Room 250, Student Center
Skip the entrance line at the Expo!

25. Stay Connected to Career Services
Connect, follow, join and like Career Services via all our communication
methods…
Career Services Website
EagleHire
ERNIE/My Team Sites
Facebook
Going Places Career Blog
LinkedIn
Twitter
Instagram

27. ANY QUESTIONS?