1. FIRST YEAR STUDENTS’ GUIDE to the ENGINEERING CAREER FAIR
FULTON SCHOOLS CAREER CENTER
IRA A. FULTON
SCHOOLS OF ENGINEERING
It’s important that we give students tips on successfully negotiating the event as well as information to manage their expectations.

2. WHY COMPANIES GO TO CAREER FAIRS
Meet large numbers of talented prospective employees
Make their brand known on college campuses
Company representatives are looking for the most competitive applicants and will be selling the opportunities of working for their organization.

3. WHY STUDENTS GO TO CAREER FAIRS
To gather information about companies and positions
To meet with recruiters and hiring managers
To build their networks
To make their brand known
For many students, this is the first face-to-face meeting with a representative of an organization. I have used the analogy of a “first date” which has sometimes gotten groans from students. The reality is that this is the chance to make a first impression – and that can go very well…or not. Our goal is to help students make a good first impression.

4. RECRUITERS WANT TO FILL CERTAIN POSITIONS
Many are looking for students fairly near to graduation
Most are looking for students who have taken upper division major classes
Some will only be looking for students in selected majors
Recruiters’ compensation is, most likely, based on the number of successful hires
It is important that younger students understand that very few of the company representatives will have time to engage in conversation with them.
Corporate business needs and projections determine start dates and hiring numbers . Recruiters need to fill positions at a designated time.
All students need to be respectful of recruiters’ time and take the hint when it is time to move on.
Students should take the opportunity to pick up the brochures and information on company tables.

5. THERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS
Some companies do have internships for younger students
Extensive background checks required by the CIA and FBI require starting the hiring process early
I haven’t had the chance to look at all of the companies coming to the fair next week to see if there is anything for freshmen.
Background security checks can take a year to complete. A freshmen who is starting the process now could possibly do an internship with the CIA summer after sophomore year.

6. A career fair is the first step in the process of hiring an intern or regular employee. It is followed by interviews, company visit, job offer, negotiation and acceptance. The process can take months.
Quite a few students have told me that they got their job “at the career fair”. I know that what they really mean is that is where they had the first meeting with the employer and the interviews came after – possibly as early as the next day.
Students do need to understand that the expectation should not be that attending this event does not mean one comes out with an internship or a job!

7. WHY SHOULD A FRESHMAN EVEN BOTHER TO GO?
The bar will never be set lower!
When employers are looking for talent to hire, they are very much into evaluating and screening. The farther along a student is in his/her academic program, the more the employer is going to expect – in terms of technical skills, experience , self-awareness and focus.
Since most employers are not looking for freshmen, they have no preset list of expectations. As long as the student is neatly dressed and respectful, it should be fairly easy to make a positive first impression.
Finally, because of the size of our student body, ASU and Fulton events are extremely crowded. This can be overwhelming. I try to prepare students for this but I think it’s difficult to imagine before the actual experience.
I always encourage freshmen to go to a career so they can get that overwhelmed feeling out of the way before when there is no risk.

8. OTHER REASONS FOR ATTENDING
To gather information
To learn which companies come to campus and the jobs for which they hire
To practice talking to recruiters
To observe upper classmen
To make a positive first impression and introduce YOUR brand
I will often suggest that students put themselves into the shoes of a recruiter and look around at other students. Which ones would they want to speak to and in which ones would they have no interest. Why? They can learn lots about what to do and what not to do by observing others.
When you meet with students this week and next, share your own career fair experiences.

9. WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR? If you want to… But, this is fine!
The suit is a must for interviews and very, very strongly recommended for students seeking jobs and internships. If a student has a suit and wants to wear it, that’s great! For a first year student., neat, clean business casual is fine.

10. AND FOR WOMEN… If you want to… But this is fine!
If women want to wear skirts, they must wear hosiery and shoes should not be open toe…and not flip-flops and certainly, no cleavage!

11. NOT THESE
I don’t need to add anything here. Do I?

12. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
If you have a backpack, put it in the backpack check
Have your Sun Card scanned and get a printed nametag
Look on the boards to see where companies are located
Feel free to share your own experiences and recommendations.

13. THEN WHAT?
Walk into a room, find a relatively quiet spot, and spend a few minutes looking around
Pretend that you are a recruiter and look at the students
Do some appear more professional than others?
Walk around, look at exhibits, pick up information

14. WHAT SHOULD I SAY?
“I’m a freshman (major) and I wanted to come the career fair to see what it is like, to gather information and learn about jobs and internships in my major.”
This is where I see a big difference between freshmen and job/internship seeking upperclassmen. Upperclassmen should be studying the companies before hand and have targeted 30 second commercials for their first choice companies.

15. Or… “I know several people who work for your company and enjoy their work. I would like to learn more future opportunities.”
Of course, I would only recommend that they say this if it is true!

16. And if you already have an idea of what you would like to do, and know something about a company, try this: “I am very interested in _______ and I know that your company does ______. I would like to find out more about your internship program.”
This is rare, but it does happen. We do have those overachievers who will be studying companies in advance and be ready to prepare for a career fair just like an upperclassman!

17. How To Converse With Recruiters
Imagine a giant professional social event with a purpose.
Recruiters are people too! It’s okay to have a normal conversation; but, be respectful of their time.
Show genuine interest in what they have to say.

18. Suggested conversation starters …if time permits
Ask:
What they like most about their company
What they look for when hiring college students
Questions that are of particular interest to you
Remember that they are looking for specific, experienced students so DO NOT be discouraged if they suddenly stop the conversation; there is always next year!

19. Are You Uncomfortable Approaching Professionals?
Volunteer for the event through your Fulton Student Organization.
Helping recruiters can be a more relaxing way to open doors for more conversations.
Just keep in mind, you want to keep the interactions PROFESSIONAL!

20. EMPLOYER RECRUITING INFO SESSIONS are a great way to meet employers.
Besides career fairs, are there other opportunities to meet with employers visiting campus?
EMPLOYER RECRUITING INFO
SESSIONS are a great way to meet employers.
You can learn about opportunities within various organizations in informal and relaxed settings.
Try to do a good job of promoting these sessions.
They are really great way of learning about different companies and jobs as well as learning what recruiters expect.
Unlike job fair and interviews where the applicant is under the microscope being evaluated and compared to everyone else, at an info session , the employer is going the selling and the potential applicant get s to sit back and listen.

21. DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN HANDSHAKE
Take advantage of your one-on-ones and get students to register and use Handshake.

22. QUESTIONS? Follow us on Facebook!