We are pleased to welcome you to College of
DuPage and eager to help you explore career options, strengthen your skills and prepare for your next step in today’s growing job market. We understand the challenges our students and so many people in our community face in pursuing gainful and meaningful employment.
We hope our career fair helps you realize your full potential. COD’s Career Services Center is both a campus and a community resource and together we are here to assist you with reaching your career goals. We wish you the best of luck and much success ahead.
Sincerely,
Career Services at
College of DuPage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Career Fair Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Career Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Resume Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Elevator Pitch Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Interviewing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
LinkedIn Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Useful Links for Job Seekers . . . . . . . . .9
Upgrade Your Skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Center For
Entrepreneurship . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover
Dr. Joseph E. Collins
Acting Interim President, College of DuPage

The College of DuPage Career and College Information
Collection (CCIC), located on the third floor of the Library, provides the DuPage area’s largest collection of books and audiovisual materials on educational opportunities, occupational choices and job-seeking skills. Visit the
CCIC and use our extensive databases to conduct skills and career interest inventories to find out what careers are right for you. Job seekers can also access local and national job listings, print and digital information on résumés and cover letters, interviewing techniques, specific companies and salary surveys. There is always a library assistant on hand to assist you.
The Career Services Center at College of
DuPage provides a number of resources and services that help students, alumni and community residents with their short- and long-term career goals while helping businesses with their staffing needs. Whether you are currently working, unemployed, changing careers or just getting started, Career Services can provide the tools and expertise you need to make your job search a success.
All students, alumni and community residents are eligible to use the electronic job board. Upload your resume and search for jobs or internships posted by employers in Chaps
Get Hired, College of DuPage’s online career link. For more information, visit cod.edu/chapsgethired
Meet with employers at College of DuPage by stopping by their tables in the 2nd floor hallway connecting the
Student Resource Center, Student Services Center and Berg
Instructional Center second floor walkway. Employers and recruiters are on campus most weekdays during the fall and spring semesters to discuss employment opportunities.
Career Services is here to help by offering:
• Resume and cover letter critiques
• Mock interviews
• Career preparation workshops
• Internship and job search assistance
Student Services Center (SSC), Room 3258
(630) 942-2230
• Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Evening Hours by Appointment cod.edu/careerservices
instagram.com/codcareercenter twitter.com/codcareercenter pinterest.com/codcareer www.cod.edu
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So many companies …
Job fairs, A.K.A. career fairs and expos, are events where employers and recruiters converge to meet, assess and screen job candidates. For job seekers, they provide an excellent opportunity to meet multiple employers in one convenient location. These face-to-face forums, which can host upwards of 75+ companies under one roof, allow you to learn first-hand about prospective employers and their hiring needs, and to present your credentials in person without a prior appointment.
Imagine going from booth to booth knowing that recruiters are ready and willing to speak with you at your convenience!
So little time!
With so many businesses present, it may seem like a job seeker’s candy store. But with long lines, crowds and possibly hundreds of other candidates also trying to secure an opportunity to talk to a recruiter or employer, you’ll need to have a strategy to get the most out of your limited time, and the recruiter’s.
Begin your job fair education with the three R’s
Register. First, contact the COD Career Services Center to find out dates, times and locations of upcoming job fairs and career fairs. Though generally free, many events do require you to pre-register.
Research. Do your homework. Get the list of the employers so you can decide which businesses to target with your resume. Visit their websites and use LinkedIn to learn about their recruiting needs so you can ask intelligent and relevant questions at the job fair.
Rehearse. Yes, job fairs are interview arenas, so prepare as you would for any interview. Practice your elevator speech and proper body language. Be able to answer that most common of questions: “Why do you want to work for this company?” Remember, the people behind the colorful booths handing out freebies are gatekeepers evaluating your appearance, communication skills and possible fit into their corporate culture. This is a pre-interview. Your mission is to create a good impression, get past their checkpoints and land a formal interview.
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Beat the crowd
Arrive early to scope out the fair and locate your recruiters of interest. Both you and the employers will be energized, and you won’t yet be another face in sea of faces. Visit your prospects near the beginning and thank them again at the end.
Network
Network with recruiters to and gather names of hiring managers. Make sure to communicate your capabilities and how you can potentially contribute to the company.
Network with fellow job seekers and career fair attendees and maintain connections through LinkedIn.
Listen
You can learn a lot by listening to employers interacting with other job seekers. This will give you a better lead in, as well as more info to formulate intelligent questions about hiring practices and procedures.
Hand out resumes and business cards
Bring plenty of crisp copies of your resume; you never know who may be interested in a copy. Be sure it’s current and relevant for the position(s) of interest and printed on clean neutral colored paper. Create business cards to hand out at the career fair and while networking during your job search.
Put on your game face
Be confident, direct and take the initiative to ask questions.
Enthusiasm sells. Be polite and engage. Watch the play clock; don’t monopolize the recruiter’s time.
An exit strategy
Reiterate your interest and qualifications. Thank the recruiters before you leave the fair and make sure you ask for his or her business card. Send thank you notes and follow-up with contacts via email and/or on LinkedIn.
Be realistic
Don’t expect to be hired on the spot; often representatives who attend are not hiring managers. However, in-person networking, finding leads, plus leaving a resume and a good impression with a real face and name are advantages that can get you through the initial screening process and your foot in the door.
[Information provided by College Central Network]

The Career Coach tool offers users the ability to explore careers related to their area of study, degree or industry. The information includes local job availability, wages, and academic program offerings at the College of DuPage to assist individuals in beginning their training for their career. Career Coach also offers users the ability to assess their interests and skills to look at suggested occupations that may be suited for one’s career choice. The resume builder feature also allows users to create that necessary resume sought after by employers.
cod.emsicareeroach.com
www.cod.edu
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With Applicant Tracking Software creating a great deal of electronic hoops to jump through when applying for a job online, resumes are still an extremely important part of the process. Here are some tips to make your resume stand out and accurately represent your brand.
Are you ready to market your goals, skills and experience to employers? Create a 30- to 60-second commercial to use when interviewing, speaking to a potential employer, or connecting with other professionals. Describe your achievements and professional interests in a succinct manner. A pitch can also be used in a setting where you are trying to connect with other professionals.
Avoid these most overused words on a resume
• Utilize—quantify your results, don’t use glowing words
that really don’t mean anything.
• Assisted—don’t sell yourself short—what action did you
take to assist? Consider collaborated or contributed.
• Responsible for—these words belong in the job
description only.
• Worked—too vague, think more precise like facilitated,
reduced or launched.
• Objective—not the word, but the heading, use
Summary of Qualifications instead.
Source: Zhang, Lily: themuse.com
Creating Your Pitch
• Draft … Edit … Practice.
• Fill one page of highlights you want to share then cut
that down to a half-page, then to a quarter page.
• Pull out five bullet points giving a snapshot of your
career, skills and education.
• Label five index cards, “Who I am,” “What I do,” “How I
do it,” “Why I do it” and “Who I do it for.”
• Organize your cards in a logical order, putting the most
important information first.
Make Your Resume Easy for Employers to Skim
• Maximize the first five words of each bullet.
• Align key text to the left where your eye naturally
lands (don’t center).
• Align dates and locations to the right.
• Use bold consistently and strategically to highlight your
brand and provide a clean look.
• Use all-caps sparingly (save for headings).
• Use digits when writing about numbers.
Source: Zhang, Lily: themuse.com
Must-Dos
• Have someone proof-read your final copy
• If you have two pages, make sure your name and
page 2 is on the top of the second page.
• Use correct verb tenses and don’t use the first person.
• Make sure your e-mail address, LinkedIn URL and
voice mail are professional .
• Save the resume in both Word and PDF formats with a
professional file name.
• Remove all headers, footers, tables, abbreviations
and photos.
Employers want to know, “What’s in it for me?”
• Tailor your pitch to the employer and circumstance.
• Use benefit-focused terminology and focus the
message on the employer’s needs.
• Practice your pitch out loud to ensure it sounds
natural—not formal or rehearsed.
Must-Dos
• Listen for common invitations to share your pitch
which could include “Tell me about yourself,” “Why are
you interested in (insert industry),” “What inspired you to
reach out to me” or “Why did you apply for this job?”
• Force yourself to sound enthusiastic—when you are
nervous, your pitch may sound rushed or monotone.
• Smile while you talk.
• Record your pitch. Listen to your tone. Is it friendly?
Does it sound like a commercial?
• Practice. It should be as easy as saying your name.

One of the most important steps in the application process is the interview. Strong resumes and cover letters get you interviews but the interview gives you the chance to seal the deal and land the job. Preparation is crucial in order to demonstrate and explain how you can be successful in the role for which you are interviewing.
Questions You Must Ask During Your
Interview
• What role will I fill? Why does this role matter to the
growth of the company?
• What are the additional important skills I will need to
do this job well?
• How does the company measure success?
• What would you expect from me this month? In three
months? In a year?
• What is the next step in this process?
Source: Ternynck, Jerome: inc.com
Get the 411 On the Company:
• Know the company’s strong suits. The best way to
show an employer you know the company is to point
out what sets it apart from its competitors. Check out
the website, mission, values and goals.
• Watch community interaction. Google the company,
review the webpage, research employees on LinkedIn
and follow the company social media platforms like
Facebook and Twitter.
• Go undercover. Read what people are saying about the
company on Glassdoor.com or social media. Find a
current or past employee to offer insights on the
company culture.
• Read up on the field and competition. Be prepared to
talk about the industry as a whole. Look up competitors
on LinkedIn and do the same research you did for the
potential employer.
Source: Zhang, Lily: themuse.com
www.cod.edu
Must-Dos
• Arrive early, 5 to 8 minutes and give a firm hand-shake,
make eye contact and smile.
• Bring extra copies of your resume.
• Treat everyone you meet professionally—the interview
starts with the first person you meet.
• Dress professionally. Visit CODCareerCenter on
Pinterest for examples.
• Record a video of yourself to practice—this is a great
way to see what you need to improve.
• Turn off your cell phone.
• Ask for a business card from your interviewer(s) so you
can send a thank you note after the interview.
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With more than 300 million people on LinkedIn and 94% of recruiters hiring managers using social media in their recruiting efforts, don’t you want to get LinkedIn?
LinkedIn Tips and Tricks
• Refresh your recommendations when you have a
new job or experience.
• Carefully select the endorsements you include. Listing
fewer shows you are truly an expert.
• Check out professionals who hold positions similar to
those you are seeking.
• Create a personalized note when sending LinkedIn
requests.
Source: Hannon, Kerry: aarp.org
Eight Key Tips to Make Your Profile
Strong:
• Upload a professional photo.
• Create a 120-character headline to help you get
discovered.
• Write a strong summary.
• Fill the experience section. This is where you showcase
your experience, expertise and skills.
• Use industry specific keywords in the summary and
experience sections.
• Seek recommendations that speak to particular skills
or experiences.
• Join relevant industry groups and participate in
conversations to showcase your interest and
knowledge.
• Fill out your profile completely to increase visibility.
Source: Fernando, Hiranya: careerly.com
Must-Dos
• Customize your LinkedIn URL to match your name.
• Review your profile for typos and grammatical errors.
• Check settings to make sure they are set at the levels
you want.
• Build connections slowly and strategically. Remember,
quality over quantity is more important!

AbilityLinks www.abilitylinks.org
The job opportunity website for individuals with disabilities and inclusive employers.
After College www.aftercollege.com
Jobs and career information for college students and recent graduates as well as more experienced job seekers.
America’s Job Bank www.ajb.dni.us
Provides a nationwide job bank plus individual job banks from 2,000 state employment services offices.
Career Coach http://cod.emsicareercoach.com
Gather current local data on wages, employment, job postings, industry forecasting and associated education and training. This site also provides a career assessment to help direct your search.
Chicagojobs.com www.chicagojobs.com
Job listings from numerous local newspapers, including the
Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Sun, Suburban Life and
Pioneer Press.
Definitive Chicago Area Job Guide www.chicagojobs.org
Many links to local Chicago job listing, career counseling, networking sites and more.
Indeed www.indeed.com
Employment-related metasearch engine which aggregates job listings from thousands of websites, including job boards, newspapers, association and company career pages.
LinkedIn™ www.linkedin.com
The world’s largest professional network on the Internet in over 200 countries and territories.
O*Net OnLine www.onetonline.org
Explore careers and gather industry information. Browse careers as they relate to your Strong Interest Inventory (SII) career exploration results.
The Riley Guide www.rileyguide.com
One of the most extensive lists of links available. Includes much helpful advice in the introductory sections.
Salary.com
www.salary.com
Salary Wizard Basic Report estimates salary for hundreds of job categories under 60 job families in major
U.S. Metro areas.
Simply Hired www.simplyhired.com
Employment search website that aggregates job listings from sites across the Internet including job boards, newspaper and classified listings, association, social networks, content sites and company career sites.
USA Jobs www.usajobs.gov
The Federal Government’s official job site.
WorkNet DuPage www.worknetdupage.org
DuPage County’s premier location for training, developing and connecting the local workforce.
www.cod.edu
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The Workforce Innovation and
Opportunities Act (WIOA)
WIOA training can be issued to eligible individuals who are lacking the skills or certifications needed to obtain full-time employment. These scholarships can be applied toward a wide range of occupational and vocational training programs offered at WIOA-approved schools and training providers. Programs are approved for high demand occupations with self-sufficient wages. Eligible individuals will work with a workNet Career counselor to assess their skills and determine the best training for them. Contact your
“One Stop” Career Center for more information on available programs. If you are outside of DuPage County, go to www.
illinoisworknet.com to find the workNet Center nearest you.
If you are unemployed, you may want to speak with an IDES representative, in coordination with your workNet counselor, to make sure you don’t endanger your benefits.
College of DuPage is a WIOA approved trainer for more than
100 programs. Contact the workNet DuPage Career Center today for an intake appointment and get into your program of choice today!
workNet DuPage Career Center
2525 Cabot Drive, Suite 302
Lisle, IL 60532
(630)-955-2030 www.worknetdupage.org
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www.cod.edu

The Center for Entrepreneurship strives to advance the practice of entrepreneurship to stimulate economic growth and development through new company formation and business growth.
The Center is committed to the small business community with programming and promotion of entrepreneurial activities through varied programs, customized advising and high-quality training.There are three core programs offered under the Center for Entrepreneurship, a department within the
Continuing Education Division.
Businesses can receive assistance in the areas of management, marketing, finance and operations.
Businesses can receive specialized assistance in the area of expansion through government contracting.
Advising will meet the needs of selling to the local, state or federal markets.
Businesses can receive specialized assistance ot ensure export readiness in the global marketplace.
For more information on the College of DuPage
Center for Entrepreneurship, visit cod.edu/ business_resources/entrepreneurship