Career Fairs
From BeavrWiki
A Career Fair is an event where many employers from different companies and organizations come to one venue to share information about themselves and meet potential job candidates. Most employers will set up large table displays with information and materials to share. Career Fairs are a win-win situation: instead of driving all over the town, state, or country, a student can enter one building and in a matter of hours speak face-to-face with dozens of employers. Instead of simply creating job postings that only a few students might see, employers can attend one HUGE event that receives a lot more attention, and in return they can meet a broad range of great students who might never have thought to check into job opportunities with their company.
If you’ve never been to a Career Fair, just thinking about talking to so many employers might seem overwhelming! Believe it or not, Career Fairs can actually be fun. Employers are truly excited to meet (and hire!) OSU students. Career Fairs are also a great opportunity for ALL students to meet employers, as well as learn about potential jobs, internships, careers.
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Upcoming Career Fairs
Career Services hosts Career Fairs every term for students of all majors. In Winter and Spring Terms, Career Services also hosts Engineering Career Fairs. A new Non-Profit Career Fair was held in January of 2007; Career Services hopes to hold this event again in the future.
Career Services' University-Wide and Engineering Career Fairs are always held in the CH2M Hill Alumni Center (across the street from Reser Stadium) between 11 am and 4 pm. The Career Exploration Half-Hour is held between 10:30 and 11 am on University-Wide Fair days for students still exploring majors and careers to check out different opportunities available to them in the future. To see what employers will attend the Career Fairs, visit the Career Services website.
Dates of Upcoming Career Services Career Fairs:
Fall 2007
University-Wide -- October 23
Engineering -- October 24
Winter 2007
University-Wide -- February 19
Engineering -- February 20
Non-Profit -- TBD
Spring 2008
University-Wide -- April 30
Dates of Other OSU Career Fairs
Health Professions Career Fair
Held each April by the College of Science
http://web.science.oregonstate.edu/node/164
Society of American Foresters' Forestry Job Fair
Held Winter Terms on the 1st-floor "knuckles" of Richardson Hall
http://www.cof.orst.edu/cof/studserv/jobfair.php
Standing Out at the Career Fairs
Here is a list of things you can do to make the fair a fun and successful event. You’ll obtain helpful career information, employer contacts, and maybe even an interview, job or internship! Before the Fair _ RESEARCH the companies who will be attending the fair and the majors they’re hiring for. http://oregonstate.edu/career/fair/
Develop informed questions to ask of each employer you’re interested in. Questions such as “I’m interested in the management training program at Company XYZ; can you describe an ideal candidate for this program?” OR “Could you tell me more about your internship programs?” are much more effective than “So…what does your company do?”
Create a “game plan”. Decide how much time you have to spend at the fair and prioritize your time accordingly.
Create a competitive, “get-noticed” resume. Visit the Career Services Office to have your resume reviewed during drop-in hours. Monday through Friday 1-4 p.m., Wednesday 5-7 p.m., 8 Kerr Administration Building. Don’t forget to make copies!
Register with Beaver Recruiting, the Career Services online job database. Many employers will be looking to interview students they meet at the Fairs, and you may ONLY sign up for interviews if you’re registered with Beaver Recruiting. Come by Career Services to sign up.
Prepare a 30 second “infomercial”. You have 30 seconds to make yourself stand out to an employer. Prepare a 30-second script that introduces you, states your knowledge of/ interest in the organization, and relates your background to the position(s) in which you are interested. Include your name, class, major, relevant experiences, skills/strengths, and opportunities you are seeking with the employer.
Get a good night’s sleep to prepare for the big day! During the Fair
DRESS PROFESSIONALLY. Career Fairs require the same attention to attire as an interview; in essence they are your first interview.
If unsure what to wear, it’s better to overdress than under dress; a dark suit is always appropriate. Wear comfortable shoes!
Leave your backpack and coat home or hang them up once you get to the fair.
Sign in at the Registration Table at the entrance to the fair.
Have copies of your resume, a pen and your planner easily accessible. Employers may want to set up interviews!
Have an open mind. Approach lesser-known employers to discover their potential for your professional development or “out of the box” divisions that may help you begin your career.
Be independent. Approach employers on your own, even if you came to the fair with a friend.
Don’t be afraid of the recruiter. Approach him or her with confidence, remembering all the prep you’ve done! Employers come because they WANT to talk to you!
Greet each employer with a firm handshake and a positive attitude. Maintain eye contact while speaking.
Be patient. Don’t interrupt the employer or jump into a conversation he/she is having with someone else. Wait your turn; you might even pick up some valuable information as you wait!
Put your resume into a recruiter’s hands; don’t just drop it on the table. Take time to market yourself with your infomercial while handing out your resume.
Be sincere. Don’t overstate your abilities, but DO let the recruiter know what you have to offer.
Don’t monopolize the recruiter’s time. Market yourself, make a good impression, and let the next person do the same!
Close the deal! Inquire about obtaining further information on the company, take a business card, and ask what the next step is (company visits, setting up an interview, etc.). After the Fair
FOLLOW UP WITH EMPLOYERS. Write a thank you note, emphasizing a key point from your conversation at the Fair. Use the thank you note to reiterate your interest in the company/position, and include your resume!
PRACTICE your interviewing skills. Stop by the Career Services Office to speak with a career counselor or to schedule a mock interview and find out what you can do to prepare for a successful interview!
