Presented by:
VT Career Services and VT Alumni Career Resources
Nancy Brittle
540-552-1666
nbrittle@vt.edu
*To attract top-notch candidates
*To advertise organization to prospective
candidates
*To promote public awareness about their
organization
*To provide career information
*To identify potential candidates (first
impressions!)
*Know what organizations are attending
*Research the organizations
*Have several copies of your resume
*Prepare a “One Minute Commercial”
*Connect your background to the needs of the
organization
*Prepare questions to ask representatives
*Demonstrate interpersonal skills
*Job Fair Web Site
*Handout at fair registration
*Obviously, this is difficult to do at the last minute,
but…
*From the web site or handout you can at least
determine which companies are more likely to fit
what you’re looking for
*If you have time to go to individual organization
web sites, look for:
*The philosophy, mission, goals
*Organization’s size (personnel, locations)
*The products and services
*Introduce yourself (name, major/degree)
*Express your interest in a certain type of
position or area in the organization
*Describe what you have to offer the
organization
*Demonstrate what you know about the
organization
PRACTICE!!!!!
*What have you read about the organization?
*Do you have unique qualities or
characteristics that would be a fit for them?
*What do you have to offer the organization?
*What do you want to know about the
organization?
*What do you want to know about the
opportunities?
*TIP: Make sure you are not asking
questions about information
available on their web site!
*Be professional
*Introduce yourself with a firm handshake
*Speak clearly and concisely
*Answer questions readily
*Have your resume with you and easily accessible
*Demonstrate confidence
*Be open and honest
*Maintain good eye contact
*Show enthusiasm and interest
*Go to the registration table and pick up a list of
attendees and the map
*Zero in on specific organizations you want to
approach and where they are located
*Make your A, B, C list
*Take a deep breath…stand up straight…think
positively…go into the room and go into action!
*Introduce yourself
*Give your One Minute Commercial
*Ask and answer questions
*Pick up materials
*Offer your resume
*Ask for a business card
*Ask about the best method for follow-up
*It is important to take the initiative to followup on job fair contacts.
*Send a thank you letter and indicate your
continued interest in the organization and
opportunities.
*Be specific about what you want.
*Lacking focus - not knowing what type of position
you are seeking.
*Admitting “I’ll take anything” or answering “I don’t
know” when asked about interests.
*Not dressing neatly or professionally
*Not bringing a resume
*Lacking knowledge of the organization or confusing
the organization with a competitor
*Lacking enthusiasm or interest in the organization
or job opportunities
*Asking about salary
*Not asking any questions, asking inappropriate
questions, and having a poor or unprofessional
attitude
*Grabbing free stuff
*Not making eye contact
*Lacking communication skills
*Not bringing anything to write with or on
*Giving a weak handshake
*Not taking the time to fill out a job application
* www.career.vt.edu
* www.alumni.vt.edu/career
* www.linkedin.com
* Hokies4Hire*
* Resume book, job listings, on-campus interviews (students)
* Hokie Nation Network *
* www.alumni.vt.edu/hnn
* CareerShift*
* Going Global*
* Salary Information
* Job listing sites:
http://www.career.vt.edu/JOBSEARC/WebSites.htm
* VT students and alumni only
GOOD LUCK!