The Fall Career Fair is tomorrow, I hope that you are planning to attend! The Career Fair is your chance to meet with employers to discuss career and employment opportunities. There are opportunities for all majors and for students of all years. Employers are coming here to find UMBC students just like you!
They want to hire YOU! Now, all you have to do is be at the RAC and network!
I know Career Fairs can be intimidating! There are a lot of people and if you aren’t prepared you might get there and psych yourself out:
But if you follow these few guidelines, you will have the Career Fair in the palm of your hand!
Do your research. Know who is participating (the list of participating employers can be found HERE) and create a list of organizations that interest you. Then research the organization and know their products/services and employment needs. Prioritize the list and bring it with you. When you get the floor map you will know exactly where to start.
Dress to impress. Show employers you are serious by dressing professionally. This means a well-fitted, clean, and coordinated suit. Any patterns should be simple, do not wear perfume or cologne, and tuck hair away from your face. Shoes should be close-toed, polished and neat, and if you wear heels they should be no more than three inches tall.
Bring the right things with you. Bring a large supply of resumes, a list of references, an attractive pen and a note pad. If you give out a list of references make sure to contact those people immediately afterwards and warn them that they may here from company XYZ.
Use your 30-second commercial. Your commercial should identify who you are, highlight a few accomplishments and strengths, show how you can add value to the company, and should be concise. Use this to start a conversation with employers. Practice with your friends the night before!
Network. Talk to fellow job-seekers at the event about different employers and possible jobs.
Ask good questions to the employers. Have one or two questions in mind for each employer. Questions should reflect the research you have done and your own interests. Before you leave the table, ask, “What will happen next?” to learn about the next steps needed to get the job. Have some general questions for employers you may not have expected to talk to, for example, “What is the work environment like at XYZ Company?”
Follow-up. Follow up with anyone you talked to at the job fair through email within 24 hours. Ask for business cards while you are there; this will help you remember names and the company they represent, as well as provide you with contact information.
If you follow these steps you will navigate the career fair like a pro:
For additional tips check out pages 34, 36, and 48 of the UMBC Career Guide. There are also videos and tips for Career Fair Etiquette HERE on the career center website.
See you tomorrow at the RAC!
They want to hire YOU! Now, all you have to do is be at the RAC and network!
I know Career Fairs can be intimidating! There are a lot of people and if you aren’t prepared you might get there and psych yourself out:
But if you follow these few guidelines, you will have the Career Fair in the palm of your hand!
Do your research. Know who is participating (the list of participating employers can be found HERE) and create a list of organizations that interest you. Then research the organization and know their products/services and employment needs. Prioritize the list and bring it with you. When you get the floor map you will know exactly where to start.
Dress to impress. Show employers you are serious by dressing professionally. This means a well-fitted, clean, and coordinated suit. Any patterns should be simple, do not wear perfume or cologne, and tuck hair away from your face. Shoes should be close-toed, polished and neat, and if you wear heels they should be no more than three inches tall.
Bring the right things with you. Bring a large supply of resumes, a list of references, an attractive pen and a note pad. If you give out a list of references make sure to contact those people immediately afterwards and warn them that they may here from company XYZ.
Use your 30-second commercial. Your commercial should identify who you are, highlight a few accomplishments and strengths, show how you can add value to the company, and should be concise. Use this to start a conversation with employers. Practice with your friends the night before!
Network. Talk to fellow job-seekers at the event about different employers and possible jobs.
Ask good questions to the employers. Have one or two questions in mind for each employer. Questions should reflect the research you have done and your own interests. Before you leave the table, ask, “What will happen next?” to learn about the next steps needed to get the job. Have some general questions for employers you may not have expected to talk to, for example, “What is the work environment like at XYZ Company?”
Follow-up. Follow up with anyone you talked to at the job fair through email within 24 hours. Ask for business cards while you are there; this will help you remember names and the company they represent, as well as provide you with contact information.
If you follow these steps you will navigate the career fair like a pro:
For additional tips check out pages 34, 36, and 48 of the UMBC Career Guide. There are also videos and tips for Career Fair Etiquette HERE on the career center website.
See you tomorrow at the RAC!
