1. How to “Approach” a Job Fair Mr. Endicott

2. Job Fair Date/Time

3. Job Fairs are ….
A golden opportunity to expand your network and set up interviews.
An opportunity to develop valuable new contacts
Good source of job leads
Great way to meet many employers on one day
Held both on and off-campus as well as electronically
Excellent opportunity to test-drive your resume
Created for you –take of advantage of them
The company reps actually want to talk to you.
information about the direction of your industry, skills in demand and company information
Created for you– believe it or not – we want you out of here! The supreme mission of a job fair is to connect students and jobs. We want you happily employed when you graduate. We want you to experience the excitement and affirmation that getting hired brings. You’ve got a job – a good job – because you earned it, and you deserve it, and you prepared for it. KEY: YOU PREPARED FOR IT

4. Get Ready…
Obtain a list from the Career Services website of the organizations attending the Fair. 
Plan exactly what professional attire you will wear. 
Gather essential items to take to the fair: portfolio with notepad and pen, and more than enough copies of your resume and a list of references
Leave coats in Career Center-not too many freebies!
Develop your second infomercial
“Hi my name is--- and I am majoring in Psychology. I have done quite a lot of research about your company on the website and would like to know more about the training program. Also I would like to know what you think are the positive attributes about working for XXX and why you chose to work for them.”
Check out career service’s webpage
s have been sent to your student accounts
30 second infomercial is: your introductory statement to the recruiters that you speak with.
An employer's objective at a job fair is to pick the best candidates They have to be able to size up a prospective employee in a few minutes by talking with them, glancing over a resume, looking at their appearance, and listening to what is said. You are being interviewed and evaluated from the moment you walk up to the table. All of this will determine whether you get a second chance at a further interview.
ROLE PLAY ACTIVITY
Several students play the role of “recruiter” while other students walk up and practice their 30-second infomercial, handshake and eye contact.

5. Dress

6. Set… Arrive early and stay as late as possible Check in
Orient yourself –Use the Job Fair Book!
Review the employers information and the job fair book
Organize and prioritize a list of organizations
Check your appearance
Turn off your cell phone before going into the fair
Visit some of lesser interest to practice
Go to the Photo Booth to have a professional picture taken for LinkedIn-it is FREE!
FAIR: 12-4
Check in at the registration/information table
Orient yourself Where are the companies?
prioritize a list of organizations which you plan to visit. 
Check your appearance, organize all of your materials, approach the first interviewer. 
Turn off your pager and cell phone.
Visit some of lesser interest to practice your marketing routine and gain confidence.

7. Go!! Try not to travel in groups. Respect other people’s privacy.
Read brochures while waiting.
Eye contact > firm handshake > introduce yourself  
Practice active listening.
Give them a resume.
Be interested and interesting.
Ask for a business card-give them a business card.
Make any notes of things you want to remember.
So, you're all dressed up with your portfolio full of resumes and you walk into a huge room full of activity. Intimidating?! No! Remember, everyone there is in the same boat as you! Walk tall and make a confident entrance.
DEMONSTRATE:
Hi! I’m ….
I’m graduating this may with a degree in …
What career opportunities are available at your organization?

8. You are being assessed-Employers DO observe your behavior
Body Language
Do not fidget, play with your hair/stroke your beard while speaking to employer.
Do not look around when talking or being spoken to.
Do not chew gum.
Communication
Listen carefully
Avoid "um", "like", "you know”, “sweet”
Show confidence in your voice
Body Language often can speak louder than the spoken word:
Tic tac’s may be appropriate!!
Communication is critical!
Show confidence in your voice - it may be noisy and if they can't hear you, they won't remember you.
It is also okay to ask what the hiring procedure is. You want to make sure you're doing it right.

9. Job Fair Guidelines Take copies of resume, business cards, portfolio
Set a goal to meet at least 10 people
Plan your remarks-be professional-ALWAYS dress business professional-ask relevant questions
Visit less attractive firms prior to your “main” employers
Add the names of the contacts to your Network List

10. Questions to ask recruiters
What full-time career opportunities are available in your organization?
What is the employment outlook in the field right now?
What opportunities do you have for ___ majors?
What type of training is available? What types of assignments are given to new graduates?
What do you look for in candidates?
What key skills/experiences are highly desirable?
Do you have any tips for success in this field?
Note: Do not ask about salary or benefits.

11. Wrap it up Leave a lasting Impression
Return to the booths of the companies you liked most.
Thank them one last time for giving you their time.
Express that you are looking forward to speaking with them again, soon.
Don't overdo it, but be polite and assertive.

12. Follow up Write thank you letters or email 24-48 hrs. after fair
Check with Career Services to see what employers
are recruiting on campus and sign-up. 
or call them 10 days to two weeks if you have not heard from them
Express your continued interest until you have an answer
Practice your interviewing skills while waiting to hear
Its over – its done
Your tired, your feet hurt
Now sit down and re-group
Make an A list and a B list
Get ready for your follow up.
Write thank you letters, remember – you picked up their business card (include typed application materials if you have them).  thin ten days, make telephone calls to express your continued interest.  Employers meet with many students at job fairs. Make sure you are one whom they remember by following up with a letter and another resume. In your letter, be sure to reference something from the job fair that you remember (that's why you took notes and business cards!) Thank the recruiter for speaking with you and express interest in an interview. You will refresh the recruiter's memory from talking with you and get your resume back on top of his/her stack.

13. Sample Thank You Note September 29, 2016 Dear Mr. Moon:
Thank you for speaking with me at the Salisbury Universities' Job/Internship Fair held at Salisbury University on September 28, I found our conversation about the opportunities at the National Security Agency quite interesting and informative.
Thank you for sending me an application for employment with your agency with the letter stating that I had passed the Professional Qualification Test held last fall. I am still very interested in a position as a Mathematician with your agency.
I would be very excited to have an opportunity for a personal interview to further discuss my qualifications. I look forward to hearing from you. You may contact me at (410) or
Sincerely,
Monet Little Monet Little

14. Have a Great Job Fair!
We thank you for attending the Salisbury University Job/Internship Fair and wish you much success.