Career Fair Strategy Anne H. Jones Piton Inc. Student Veterans of America June 2, 2011

What Does Success Look Like? Strawberry Ice Cream Syndrome Knowing what you want Getting what you want Having it be what you wanted

Today’s Class Strategy Standard Operating Procedure Rehearsal

Strategy Know the Employer’s Purpose What’s in it for them? Connect with candidates Screen candidates on the spot Brand their organization

Strategy Know Your Purpose What’s in it for you? Understand the market Plan and prepare for applications and interviews Expand your network –through employer contacts and meet other students

Your Goal: Understand the Market What are functions and industries? –Function: what will you do –Industry: where will you do it Where are the jobs you want located? What is the current and future environment?

Goal: Plan & Prepare for Interviews Practice for the ‘At Bat’ What skills are they are looking for? What do they know about you? How does your ‘pitch’ work?

Expand Your Network Get Noticed Learn who is out there –Who can help me? –Who can help someone I know? –Can I be a connector?

4 stages of the Job Opening Companies on the lookout for talent Have a need, but no job description Have job, looking for referrals Posted online. Open to the universe 9 Plan-Prepare-Execute: Military Skills for Your Civilian Career Search

Pre - Game Get the list of who is attending Make A, B and C lists Get on the website of every A & B list Who do you already know there? LinkedIn What makes you value added as an employee there? What jobs do they have posted?

Game Day Get dressed Visualize Success Practice your pitch (out loud) Consider what to bring

Game On! Go to ‘practice companies’ first Avoid waiting in line Meet as many in the booth as possible Check your notes before going to booth Visit the booth multiple times Meet as many in the booth as possible Go to the private receptions Send follow-up s

Check your notes Wait patiently (pleasant face, standing straight but comfortable) Eye contact, smile, shake Introduce yourself. Ask a question Ask for and give cards Say thank you Step away. Put card away note down information to follow up The Booth SOP

The Pitch SOP in 5 Easy Pieces” Introduction Key skill, experience I need to know about you A second skill, experience I need to know about you. A third thing I need to know about you Where you would like to take these skills and experiences Networking Success for Veterans

The Pitch: Tell your story in 5 Easy Pieces Introduction Key skills, experiences I need to know about you Where you would like to take these skills and experiences Networking Success for Veterans

Battle Buddy Strategy This is Not a Zero Sum Game. –You want them to want you, but also to want to hire more veterans in general. Everyone wins. Teamwork has its benefits –Pick a Battle Buddy to work the room with –Practice with your pitch –Reconnaissance –Introductions –Moral Support

Serious Etiquette for Networking Be clear about what you’re asking Be over prepared Be mindful of people’s time Smile Say Thank You Respect Reputations Be aware of TMI (too much info) Just One Drink Networking Success for Veterans

It’s Not Personal… You might hear… –“Don’t give me your resume, send it to our website” –“I don’t make hiring decisions, I’m just here because….” –“We’re only hiring for full-time”

It’s Not Personal… Don’t be surprised if… …people don’t remember you …you don’t get a personalized business card …you don’t hear from them again …you see inappropriate behavior …you encounter tired recruiters

Let’s Do It Standing Tall Shaking Hands The Pitch Taking the Lead

Contact Information Anne H. Jones Cell: Military Career Transition Planning for Uncertain Times Follow Us on Twitter, Linked In, Facebook