1. Get ready to network with company representatives! Career Fair 2014

2. Thursday, September 18 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. David Braley Athletic Centre

3. Why should you go? Opportunity to meet with employer representatives to discuss CAREER opportunities Increased success in securing interviews

4. Why do companies attend? Marketing/branding opportunity Develop network of potential student candidates

5. Preparation (before the fair) Create a “tiered” list of employers Submit profile/resume via employers’ websites o Conduct employer research Create/update your LinkedIn account o www.linkedin.com

6. Preparation (continued) Develop 30 to 60 second “elevator” speech Questions to ask employer representatives Appropriate attire o Ideal: business attire o Combination of business and casual

7. What to bring... Multiple copies of your resume o Bring paper copies even if company only accepts electronic submissions via website o “Objective” on resume Writing materials (folio) Water, tissues

8. At the fair... Review map/list of employers “Test drive” your elevator speech with “bottom tier” employers

9. What to do if... The employer is not hiring for Co-op/internship  Do they post in the winter term?  Ask about future full-time (post-grad) positions – what qualities do they look for in candidates? How can you prepare as a student? The employer is not hiring for full-time (post-grad) positions  What is their outlook for the next two/five/ten years? The employer does not provide business cards  Don’t take this personally – may be company policy.

10. Follow-Up Review information you received Send “thank you’s” to employer representatives  LinkedIn Mention attendance at the fair when applying to jobs  Include in the cover letter Check Events module in OSCARplus for additional employer events

11. Website Links OSCARplus – McMaster’s online job posting and event listing website https://www.oscarplusmcmaster.ca ECCS website www.eng.mcmaster.ca/eccs Student Success Centre (university-wide career office) http://studentsuccess.mcmaster.ca/

12. Engineering Co-op and Career Services JHE A214 Ext. 22571 Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thank you!