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How to How to WORKWORK a Career a Career FairFair

Internship & Career Services CenterInternship & Career Services Center

North Carolina Wesleyan CollegeNorth Carolina Wesleyan College

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Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

PreparationPreparation– Research!Research!– Your marketing planYour marketing plan– Dress for successDress for success– What will you say?What will you say?– The day beforeThe day before

At the fairAt the fair Interview preparationInterview preparation At the interviewAt the interview After the job fairAfter the job fair ENCCA Career Fair detailsENCCA Career Fair details

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Research!Research!

Who will be at the fair?Who will be at the fair?– Easily accessed via the ENCCA websiteEasily accessed via the ENCCA website

www.enccacareerfair.orgwww.enccacareerfair.org – Complete list with contact information, Complete list with contact information,

company overview, positions available, company overview, positions available, and web address for each companyand web address for each company

Who do you want to visit with?Who do you want to visit with?– View positions offered as well as View positions offered as well as

company websites to determine thiscompany websites to determine this

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Company ResearchCompany Research

This very important step will allow you to This very important step will allow you to answer and ask questions intelligentlyanswer and ask questions intelligently

Where can I find company information?Where can I find company information?– Corporate websites Corporate websites

Look for “HR” or “About”, maybe “Strategic Plan”Look for “HR” or “About”, maybe “Strategic Plan” Also browse the consumer side of their site to be Also browse the consumer side of their site to be

up on what products and/or services they offer up on what products and/or services they offer and how they present themselvesand how they present themselves

– Newspapers & Business JournalsNewspapers & Business Journals Look for current events and articles related to the Look for current events and articles related to the

companycompany

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Your Marketing PlanYour Marketing Plan

How will you best market yourself?How will you best market yourself?– Polished resume on fine paper Polished resume on fine paper

((view ICSC resources for resume writingview ICSC resources for resume writing))

– Professional dress, clean, well-Professional dress, clean, well-groomedgroomed

– Portfolio and penPortfolio and pen– Networking cardsNetworking cards– Collection of work samples Collection of work samples

((see presentationsee presentation))

– Prepare for what you will sayPrepare for what you will say

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Dress for SuccessDress for Success

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General GuidelinesGeneral Guidelines

Dress conservativelyDress conservatively Sensible, practical clothes that make Sensible, practical clothes that make

you look like you know how to focus on you look like you know how to focus on your workyour work

Make sure clothes look clean and neatMake sure clothes look clean and neat Do not chew gum while at the fairDo not chew gum while at the fair Do not smoke before or at the fair (the Do not smoke before or at the fair (the

smoke smell will attach to your smoke smell will attach to your clothing)clothing)

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Women’s AppearanceWomen’s Appearance

Conservative suit color (black, grey, navy)Conservative suit color (black, grey, navy) Conservative blouse color (white, ivory)Conservative blouse color (white, ivory) Appropriate necklineAppropriate neckline A tailored dress or coat dress is also A tailored dress or coat dress is also

appropriateappropriate Skirt/dress length should be between an Skirt/dress length should be between an

inch above or below the kneeinch above or below the knee Check slip lengthCheck slip length Wear hosieryWear hosiery

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Women’s Appearance Women’s Appearance (continued)(continued) Accessories add color and variety but Accessories add color and variety but

less is more in the job fair/interview less is more in the job fair/interview situationsituation

Heels should be no taller than 3”Heels should be no taller than 3” Conservative shoe style and color (close Conservative shoe style and color (close

toe, black, navy, taupe, brown)toe, black, navy, taupe, brown) Be aware of manicureBe aware of manicure Do not carry a purse, only a professional Do not carry a purse, only a professional

tote or leather-bound padtote or leather-bound pad Wear make-up, but not too muchWear make-up, but not too much

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Men’s AppearanceMen’s Appearance

Fit is critical to a suit jacket and Fit is critical to a suit jacket and pantspants

Dark blue, grey, or blackDark blue, grey, or black Button your jacket when standing Button your jacket when standing

and walking, unbutton when sittingand walking, unbutton when sitting A pressed, white, long-sleeved, A pressed, white, long-sleeved,

cotton shirtcotton shirt– You should be able to fit 2 fingers You should be able to fit 2 fingers

between the collar and your neckbetween the collar and your neck Silk tie in a conservative color/printSilk tie in a conservative color/print

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Men’s Appearance Men’s Appearance (continued)(continued) Tip of tie should reach center of belt Tip of tie should reach center of belt

bucklebuckle Shoes should be black or brownShoes should be black or brown Socks should complement pant colorSocks should complement pant color Belts – plain leather in black or brown Belts – plain leather in black or brown

(to match shoes), 1”(to match shoes), 1” Neatly trimmed facial hairNeatly trimmed facial hair Clean nailsClean nails Polished shoes, no worn heelsPolished shoes, no worn heels Carry a brief case or leather-bound padCarry a brief case or leather-bound pad

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General Grooming TipsGeneral Grooming Tips

DeodorantDeodorant

Light on cologne/perfumeLight on cologne/perfume

Brush your teeth, use mouthwashBrush your teeth, use mouthwash

Neat haircutNeat haircut

Polished shoesPolished shoes

Impeccably cleanImpeccably clean

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What will you say?What will you say?

Elevator Speech/Personal CommercialElevator Speech/Personal Commercial– A 30 second impromptu “speech” A 30 second impromptu “speech” – Should provide:Should provide:

Your current status Your current status (BIO major graduating in May)(BIO major graduating in May)

What your current employment goals areWhat your current employment goals are (entry level lab technician) (entry level lab technician)

A snippet of what you already know about the A snippet of what you already know about the employer and how you may be a good fit employer and how you may be a good fit (My beliefs fit well with your company’s mission of improving (My beliefs fit well with your company’s mission of improving lives by developing innovative drugs.) lives by developing innovative drugs.)

A request for actionA request for action (Can you tell me more about your company and how I might be (Can you tell me more about your company and how I might be able to contribute?) able to contribute?)

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The Day BeforeThe Day Before

Prepare copies of resumePrepare copies of resume

Practice your speech/commercialPractice your speech/commercial

Review top employers list and the Review top employers list and the research you’ve gathered on eachresearch you’ve gathered on each

Verify all clothing and accessories are Verify all clothing and accessories are ready for wearready for wear

Get plenty of sleep!Get plenty of sleep!

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At the FairAt the Fair

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At the fairAt the fair

Check-inCheck-in Plan your dayPlan your day

– A map & employer directory will be providedA map & employer directory will be provided– Be sure to meet with those you are most Be sure to meet with those you are most

interested in first – you don’t want to run interested in first – you don’t want to run out of time and earlier candidates will get out of time and earlier candidates will get interviewsinterviews

Approach employersApproach employers– Be polite, wait until there’s a natural break Be polite, wait until there’s a natural break

in conversation to introduce yourselfin conversation to introduce yourself– Extend a firm handshakeExtend a firm handshake– Use your speech/commercialUse your speech/commercial– Smile, make eye contact, be confident!Smile, make eye contact, be confident!

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Before leaving the Before leaving the employeremployer Leave your contact informationLeave your contact information

Get their contact informationGet their contact information

Ask for an interview Ask for an interview

Ex. - “I’d like to take your business card Ex. - “I’d like to take your business card and leave you with my networking card and leave you with my networking card and resume. Would it be possible for and resume. Would it be possible for me to get an appointment on your me to get an appointment on your company’s interview schedule this company’s interview schedule this afternoon?” afternoon?”

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At the fair (cont.)At the fair (cont.)

Be polite and mature throughout the Be polite and mature throughout the day – you never know who’s watching day – you never know who’s watching nearby. nearby.

Check-out by returning your evaluation Check-out by returning your evaluation if you will not return for interviewsif you will not return for interviews

Eat lunch on your ownEat lunch on your own Return to prepare for your interviewsReturn to prepare for your interviews Be on time to meet employers at their Be on time to meet employers at their

table for your interview appointmenttable for your interview appointment Once interviews are complete check-out Once interviews are complete check-out

by returning your evaluation by returning your evaluation DRIVE SAFELY! DRIVE SAFELY!

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Interview Interview PreparationPreparation

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Review Job Review Job AnnouncementAnnouncement Look back over the job announcement, Look back over the job announcement,

highlighting all mentions of duties and highlighting all mentions of duties and specific skillsspecific skills

Try to form a picture of the individual Try to form a picture of the individual they are seekingthey are seeking

What is missing? Often times the What is missing? Often times the announcement is vague, you will want announcement is vague, you will want to decide in advance what questions to decide in advance what questions you have so you can ask them.you have so you can ask them.

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Review Your SkillsReview Your Skills

Match your skills with those Match your skills with those mentioned in the announcementmentioned in the announcement– Plan specific examples you can share Plan specific examples you can share

that will exhibit your possession of that will exhibit your possession of these sills.these sills.

– Try to recall a time you have done Try to recall a time you have done something similar to what they are something similar to what they are looking for.looking for.

– What transferable skills do you have What transferable skills do you have that will be helpful in this position? that will be helpful in this position? Give examples.Give examples.

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PracticePractice

Review a list of typical interview Review a list of typical interview questions and anticipate how you questions and anticipate how you might respond.might respond.– Pretend you are the interviewer. Pretend you are the interviewer.

What questions would you ask? What questions would you ask? See typical questions hereSee typical questions here..

– Do not try to script your responses.Do not try to script your responses.

Participate in Mock Interviews with Participate in Mock Interviews with the ICSP Coordinator in advance.the ICSP Coordinator in advance.

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At the InterviewAt the Interview

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BehaviorBehavior

Arrive on time and report to the Arrive on time and report to the employer’s table when the interview employer’s table when the interview time is announced.time is announced.

Speak clearly and with good Speak clearly and with good grammar.grammar.

Avoid verbal fillers (“uh”, “you Avoid verbal fillers (“uh”, “you know”, “like”).know”, “like”).

Answer questions with examples and Answer questions with examples and stories. Use humor if it seems stories. Use humor if it seems appropriate.appropriate.

Feel free to take down a few notes.Feel free to take down a few notes.

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Body LanguageBody Language

Firm handshakeFirm handshake Good eye contactGood eye contact Erect posture (slightly leaning Erect posture (slightly leaning

forward)forward) Relaxed and confidentRelaxed and confident Small facial/hand gesturesSmall facial/hand gestures Avoid fidgeting Avoid fidgeting SmileSmile Be enthusiasticBe enthusiastic Swallow yawnsSwallow yawns

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What Not To DOWhat Not To DO

Don’t…Don’t…– Be lateBe late– Ask about moneyAsk about money– Criticize prior job or bossCriticize prior job or boss– Lie (better to say you don’t know an Lie (better to say you don’t know an

answer)answer)– SlouchSlouch– Cross your legs Cross your legs – Interrupt Interrupt – Feel obligated to answer illegal Feel obligated to answer illegal

questionsquestions

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After the Career FairAfter the Career Fair

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Evaluation & ActionEvaluation & Action

Immediately make notesImmediately make notes– What do you still have questions about?What do you still have questions about?– What are the pros of the What are the pros of the

companies/positions?companies/positions?– What are the cons of the What are the cons of the

companies/positions?companies/positions?– How do you feel about your performance at How do you feel about your performance at

the fair/in the interviews?the fair/in the interviews?– What could you improve on next time?What could you improve on next time?

Complete any follow-up instructions Complete any follow-up instructions given to you by the employersgiven to you by the employers

Send a thank you letter to the employer Send a thank you letter to the employer within 24 hourswithin 24 hours

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Thank You LettersThank You Letters

Express appreciation for the interview Express appreciation for the interview and meeting the individual.and meeting the individual.

Comment on things that were mentioned Comment on things that were mentioned in the interview.in the interview.– If the employer had mentioned a current If the employer had mentioned a current

problem, remind them of ways you can help.problem, remind them of ways you can help. If there was something relevant you If there was something relevant you

forgot to say in the interview, mention it forgot to say in the interview, mention it here.here.

Express your interest in working at the Express your interest in working at the company and that you look forward to company and that you look forward to hearing from them.hearing from them.

ExampleExample

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ENCCA Career Fair ENCCA Career Fair DetailsDetails Schedule: Schedule:

9am – 12pm Information exchange9am – 12pm Information exchange12pm – 1pm Lunch on your own12pm – 1pm Lunch on your own1pm – 4pm Interviews1pm – 4pm Interviews

Location:Location:McKimmon CenterMcKimmon Center1101 Gormon Street1101 Gormon StreetRaleigh, NC 27695Raleigh, NC 27695

Travel: Travel: Notify me ASAP if you will need Notify me ASAP if you will need assistance!assistance!