Veterans Employment Services
Making the Most
Of
A
Career Fair
Veterans Employment Services
Why Attend?
•
•
•
•
Expand number of network contacts
Receive sound advice from recruiters
Learn about opportunities in your field
Increase chances for an interview by making a
good “first impression”
Veterans Employment Services
Employers Point of View…
• Want to make the most of his/her
experience at the Career Fair
• May not have positions available – NOW
• Policy may not allow him/her to take your
résumé, even if he/she interested in you.
• Like it when you are specific & purposeful
in your stated interests and skills
Veterans Employment Services
Have a Game Plan:
•
•
•
•
•
•
What is your goal
List of Employers to target
Research companies
Draft your introduction
Outline questions to ask
Prepare professional documents
Veterans Employment Services
Professional Documents Needed
• Resume
• Reference List
• Portfolio, representing relevant skills and
accomplishments
Veterans Employment Services
Career Fair Ready
Resumes
• Tailor resume towards companies you
plan to target
• Use key words and action verbs for
quick scanning
• Write a Cover Letter for each that
explains any “gaps” in your Resume
Veterans Employment Services
Do Your Homework About the Employers
• Review the list of employers
• Identify those that you want to talk with.
• RESEARCH these employers so you’ll
know basic information about them.
• Determine 3 – 5 questions for each
employer.
• Tailor a resume for each employer
Veterans Employment Services
Prepare to Meet
the Company Representative
•
•
•
•
Prepare to ask and answer questions
Create a list of questions to ask
Practice answering potential questions
Keep responses positive and on topic
Veterans Employment Services
“Elevator Pitch”
30 Second overview of you!
• Covers your background and the type of
position you are looking for.
 Why there and employment seeking
 Brief summary of education, experience,
strengths, etc
• Should contain professional & academic
information only, not personal.
Veterans Employment Services
Example of an “Elevator Pitch”
With a pleasant smile say:
“Hello, my name is ( ), I am here to speak
with you about potential opportunities with
y-company.”
your name
– Offer a firm handshake
– Present your resume
– Provide a brief summary of education, experience,
strengths, and any other significant details of what you
can do for their company.
Veterans Employment Services
Prepare to Make a Good Impression
• Determine your attire.
• Either “business casual” or “interview
attire” is appropriate. Dress to your
industry.
• Examples of “business casual”:
• Polo or other collared shirts, long sleeved
shirt.
• Khakis or knee-length skirts
• NO SHORTS, NO JEANS
• NO FLIP FLOPS
Veterans Employment Services
“Interview Attire”
• The most conservative and classic
business look
• Examples of “interview attire”:
•
•
•
•
Black, gray, navy suit (top and bottom match)
Solid color, long-sleeved shirt
Simple ties for men
Hosiery required for women, socks required for
men
Veterans Employment Services
Whether Business Casual OR Interview
Attire…
• Iron your clothes. You don’t want to look like
you slept in them!
• Cover tattoos if possible.
• Remove visible piercings (other than in ears).
• Women should avoid low cut or form-fitting
clothing.
• Make sure your hair is clean and combed.
Veterans Employment Services
Day of the Career Fair…
• Use your time wisely. Find out where
employers are located and map your
path.
• Use employers’ time wisely.
• Get a business card from everyone
you talk with.
• Don’t be all about the give away
items!
Veterans Employment Services
Career Fair Checklist
 Portfolio/Briefcase
 Pen and notebook
 At least two dozen resumes
 Copies of transcripts
 Copies of list of references
 Appropriate clothing including comfortable,
professional shoes
 Small breath mints-no gum
 A positive attitude and firm handshake
Veterans Employment Services
Registration Table
 Sign In
 Obtain Career Fair Handout listing
companies and their location
 Review layout and mark the companies
in the order you would like to meet
them.
Veterans Employment Services
Meeting Recruiters
• Greet Recruiters.
– Introduce yourself.
– Initiate a handshake
– Smile.
• Provide a Resume with cover letter
• Ask companies what the next step is and
how you can follow up with them.
• Ask for a business card.
Veterans Employment Services
What’s in a Good First Impression?
•
•
•
•
Handshake
Eye contact
Smile
What else?
Veterans Employment Services
Don’t forget to follow up!
• Leave voicemails the evening of the
Career Fair.
• Send thank you letters (via email, or US
mail) soon after the Career Fair.
• Send networking letter with resume
enclosed
Veterans Employment Services
JobsPlusOneStop.com
Veterans Employment Services
409 NE Racetrack Rd
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
850-833-7587
212 N Wilson St
Crestview, FL 32536
850-689-7823
Walton County
842 Highway 20 E., #126
Freeport, FL 32439
(850) 880-6567
Eglin AFB Education Center
850-279-6114
Military Family Employment
and Veteran Services
Tommy Tucker
x219
ttucker@jobsplus02.com
David
Thomas
x214
dthomas@jobsplus02.com
Contact Rita Smith for Military
Vincent
Spouse Employment
Kendrick
x206
vkendrick@jobsplus02.com rjsmith@jobsplus02.com
Deborah Mobley
x 223
dmobley@jobsplus02.com
Monty Sexton
x215
msexton@jobsplus02.com
Amber Sweeney
asweeney@jobsplus02.com
Terry Cowan
x 213
tcowan@jobsplus02.com
Elizabeth Westby
x
212
ewestby@jobsplus02.com
Veteran Services Available
Monday & Wednesday 8-4