JOB FAIR GUIDE
2015 PPWFC
SPRING ADULT
JOB FAIR
Thursday, April 2, 2015
11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Colorado Springs
Hotel Eleganté
Located south of I-25
and South Circle
Sponsored by:
The 10 Keys to Success
at the Job Fair
Register in advance – go to www.ppwfc.org
• Look under the red ‘Workshop/Events’ tab
• Click on ‘2015 PPWFC Spring Adult Job Fair’ and enter the requested
information
• Bringing your scan card to the job fair will ensure your quick entry that day
• Sign up for the ‘Make the Job Fair Work for YOU!’ workshop
Research employers scheduled to attend the job fair – identify 3 – 5 employers
you are most interested in and learn the basics about each company:
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Company mission/values
Products/services
Competitors
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Location(s)
Market Niche
Employment Opportunities
Create targeted resumes
• Mold and shape your resume to the specific position in which you are interested
• Present the information in the resume in a concise and focused manner
• Proof read the resume to eliminate spelling and grammatical errors
• If you are interested in different positions make sure you have a distinct resume
focused on each job title
• Plan to bring 2-3 copies of each resume with you to the job fair
Submit your application and resume in advance of the job fair
• Tell the recruiter you have already submitted this information demonstrates
your interest
• This allows you to focus your time with the recruiter on your questions about
the position, as well as demonstrating your fit for the position
Prepare your 30-second introduction to include:
• Your name and related work experience
• Primary skills, strengths, and accomplishments
• Your interest in the particular employer and position
• Engage the recruiter with an open-ended question
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Develop a list of 3 – 5 questions you wish to ask each employer
Best questions are ones generated from your research. Some examples include:
• What specific skills or qualifications are you seeking in prospective candidates?
• What are the steps in the hiring process?
• In doing my research, I noticed [ blank ]; do you mind telling me a little about
this?
Wear appropriate attire
• Conservative business attire is essential
• Dressing professionally ALWAYS communicates you are serious about your job
search
• It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed
Develop a job fair strategy
• You have completed the first step by researching companies in which you are
interested
• The second step is seeing if any new companies are present when you arrive at
the fair
• The third step is surveying the layout of the fair and determining an order of
interviewing
• Consider meeting with your top choices first, then converse with your other
choices, and then return to your top choices before leaving to thank them
• REMEMBER - stay flexible as your top choices may be the top choices of many
which may mean long lines and less time talking with the recruiter
Manage the intangibles
• First, talk only with those companies for whom you want to work
• Second, extend common courtesies, such as offering to get the recruiter a
beverage or snack; don't be upset if the recruiter has to take a break before you
have the opportunity to speak with him or her
• Third, if your ideal company is hiring computer technicians and you want to
work in accounting, go ahead and interview with the company at the fair. Make
sure you leave contact information with the recruiter
Network with everyone at the job fair
• Career fairs are all about networking. Of course, you are building a network
with the recruiters
• You can also network with other job-seekers by sharing information about job
leads, companies, and their recruiting strategies and styles
• Don’t forget about employment agencies at the fair. These are also good
sources for networking
Adapted from http://www.quintcareers.com/job_career_fairs.html
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THE JOB FAIR ADVANTAGE:
HOW TO USE NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION TO IMPRESS
Nonverbal communication is as important, or even more important than, verbal
communication.
Keep in mind that recruiters may also be in the hotel hallways, lobby, and parking lots,
so make sure you are paying attention to your nonverbal communications in all of these
settings. The evaluation of your nonverbal communication will start as soon as you walk
into the job fair and continue until you leave. If your nonverbal communication skills
aren't up to par, it won't matter how well you answer the questions.
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Negative Nonverbal
Communication
Reeking of tobacco or marijuana smoke
Chewing gum
Too much perfume or after shave
Not enough deodorant
Being dressed inappropriately
Scuffed up shoes
Talking on your cell phone
Listening to your IPod while waiting in
line
Positive Nonverbal
Communication
Professional dress
Neat grooming
Polished shoes
Good eye contact
Firm hand shake
Warm, well-practiced
introduction
Prepared questions based on
research
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Important Elements of Nonverbal Communication
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Make eye contact with the recruiter for a few seconds at a time
Smile and nod (at appropriate times) when the recruiter is
talking
Be polite and keep an even tone to your speech
Stand up straight, shoulders back, knees slightly bent to keep
them from locking - don't slouch
Do relax and lean towards the recruiter so you appear interested
and engaged
Don't lean back. You will look too casual and relaxed
Pay attention, be attentive, and interested
Listen . . . listen . . . listen
Don't interrupt
Stay calm, keep your emotions to yourself and do not show
anger or frown
Not sure what to do with your hands? Hold a pen and your
notepad in your hands as you talk.
Remember . . .
There is no Second Chance to make a First Impression
The most important part of your exchange with the Recruiter is
when you step up to the table. Be prepared . . . be focused . . . be
confident.
Adapted from http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/nonverbalcomm.htm
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DRESS PROFESSIONALLY
FOR THE JOB FAIR
A potential employer’s first
impression of you is the most
important one.
The Recruiter’s first impression of
you is going to be based on how you
look and what you are wearing.
That's why it is so important to dress
professionally for a job fair,
regardless of the type of work you
are seeking.
What's the appropriate dress code for
a job fair?
You want that first impression to be a great one. In general, being dressed in a suit is
going to make a much better impression than scruffy jeans and a t-shirt. Look your age;
don’t dress too young or too old.
Men's Job Fair Attire
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Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey)
Long sleeve shirt (white or
coordinated with suit)
Belt
Tie
Dark socks, conservative leather
shoes
Little or no jewelry
Neat, professional hairstyle
Limit the aftershave
Neatly trimmed nails
Portfolio or briefcase
Women's Job Fair Attire
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Suit – skirt or pants (if skirt
should be long enough to sit
down comfortably)
Coordinated blouse
Conservative, comfortable shoes
Limited jewelry (no dangling
earrings or arms full of bracelets
- no jewelry is better than cheap
jewelry)
Professional hairstyle
Neutral pantyhose
Light make-up and perfume
Neatly manicured clean nails
Portfolio or briefcase
Adapted from http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewattire/a/interviewdress.htm
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Need assistance with appropriate
professional dress?
Try the following community
resources
Women’s Resource Agency
Citadel Mall (next to Penney’s)
750 Citadel Drive E, Suite 3128
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
719-471-3170 ● reception@wrainc.org
Suit-Up for Success
At our boutique, job readiness clients
who have a pending job interview receive
one-on-one coaching from a Personal
Shopper and select an appropriate
interview suit to make the transition back
to the workforce easier. Outfits include
accessories and are free to clients to keep.
After gaining employment, clients
return for additional workplace outfits and
the opportunity to join our Women's
Professional Network, an employment
retention and career advancement
program.
• Interview suiting - 1 to 2 interview
appropriate business suits
• Employment suiting - 5 to 8 career
outfits for newly employed women
Ecumenical Social Ministries
201 N. Weber Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
(719) 636-1916 Phone - CLIENT
INFORMATION
(719) 636-3452 Fax
Men's Professional Clothing
ESM has a limited supply of
professional clothing for men. Please
call in advance to check on their
current stock.
Discover Goodwill
of Southern and Western Colorado
http://discovermygoodwill.org/find-astore
Special Note – WRA also has a limited
amount of MEN’S professional clothing as
well. Please call in advance to check on
the current inventory.
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JOB
FAIR
DON’TS
• Do NOT cruise the job fair with friends or other job seekers
• Do NOT bring your children
• Do NOT carry an oversized backpack, gym bag, briefcase, purse,
etc.
• Do NOT dress in gym clothes, torn jeans, or dirty clothes
• Do NOT show too much skin
• Do NOT “wing it” with recruiters
• Do NOT ask “What does your company do?” or “What jobs do
you have?”
• Do NOT monopolize the recruiters’ time
• Do NOT load up on promotional items
• Do NOT talk on your cell phone; leave it in the car!
You must be registered in
www.connectingcolorado.com
to attend the Job Fair!
Bring your PPWFC SCAN CARD with you to the Job Fair.
THIS GUIDE IS PAID FOR FROM
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR FUNDS
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