Navigating a Career Fair

Upcoming Career Fairs

www.career.gatech.edu -> Students -> Career Fairs

School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Career Fair – Tue Jan 17 and Wed, Jan 18
Location:Klaus Advanced Computing Building Atrium, First Floor
For additional information and registration, please go to: http://www.ece.gatch.edu/careerfair/

GTSBE Fair (Georgia Tech Society of Black Engineers) – Wed Jan 18 and Thu, Jan 19 Location:Student Center Ballroom (Student Center – 3rd floor) For registration and additional information, please go to: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFBzYnhramhpN0lvMjNFUW41d3p2d2c6MQ

GT Internship & Co-Op Fair – Tue Jan 24 and Wed, Jan 25 Location:Student Center Ballroom For registration and additional information, please go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012internshipcoopfair

Georgia Tech Virtual Career Fair – Wed Feb 1 and Thu, Feb 2 Location: For registration and additional information, please go to: http://gatech.careereco.net/employers/virtual-career-fair-details/

GT Student Foundation Finance Career Fair – Fri Feb 3 Location:College of Management 10:00 AM – noon For additional information, please go to: http://gtsf.gatech.edu/ For registration, please go to: https://gtalumni.org/registrations/financecareerfair/responses/new

Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) Career Fair – Mon Feb 13 Location:Student Center Ballroom 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM For additional information and registration, please go to: http://gtiie.org/sponsorus.html

Preparing for Career Fair:

Update your resume; have someone review it

• Create resumes with customized objective statements for targeted companies, and bring others with a general objective statement for employers who catch your eye

Know your companies

• Research companies: What does organization do, what positions might be open
• Familiarize yourself with employers attending the fair

Strategize

• Devise a plan to visit employers at career fair
  • Review registered companies
  • Prioritize about 10 target companies
  • Have a secondary list of 5-10 companies

Elevator Pitch (practice, practice, practice!)

• A relevant 20-40 second introduction
• Used at career fairs, info sessions and other networking events
• Always relate your statement to whom you are speaking and showcase your skills in a manner that relates to company needs

Consists of:

• Greeting
• Your Name
• Major and Class Year
• Relevant experiences—work, classroom (such as special or technical projects), extracurricular, and leadership activities
• Goal
  • To obtain a co-op, internship or full-time position
• Why you want to talk to this company
• Inquire about available positions

Examples:

“Hello.  My name is Katie Speigel, and I’m a senior biomedical engineering major at Georgia Tech.  I’m looking for a summer internship in the southeast.  I’m particularly interested in medical product design.  When I was reading your website, I noticed that Kelly Medical designs and manufactures a variety of such devices.  Can you tell me about biomedical internship opportunities at Kelly Medical?”  

“Hi, my name is Zach Jones. I’m currently a sophomore student at Georgia Tech. My major is in business with a minor in art. I have volunteered with the student credit union throughout my sophomore year. Last summer I completed an internship with The Museum of Modern Art, and I’m hoping to find an internship in finance this summer in the Boston area. I have always had an interest in art, and I’m also finding that I have a knack for business. In the future, I’m hoping to find a career that includes both.”

Day of Career Fair:

What to Bring and Wear

Bring:

• Leather binder/portfolio with a notepad
• Resumes (25+) on high quality white or cream resume paper
• List of employers

Wear:

• Conservative color suit like black, grey, navy, brown
• Match suit/shirt with a conservative tie
• NO short or tight skirts; skirt to or below knee
• NO tight pants
• NO low necklines
• Comfortable, closed-toed, professional shoes
• Minimal perfume and jewelry
• Neatly groomed hair

At the Fair:

Upon Arrival

• Leave backpack at door
• Survey layout of employers at the fair and determine the order in which you will approach identified employers
• Consider meeting with your top employers first thing, but be flexible as lines are typically long for companies that are many other students’ top choices

Making a Good Impression

• Arrive early (Tip:  Come in the morning, if possible, and reserve a 2+ hour block)
• Walk with your head up and confidently
• Build rapport with each recruiter: smile, make eye contact, firmly shake his or her hand
• Introduce yourself with Elevator Pitch and offer your resume.
  • Tip:  Don’t say, “So tell me about your company. . .”
• Don’t interrupt—wait for pauses in the conversation before interjecting questions/comments
• Be enthusiastic

DO Ask Questions

• Be cognizant of other students waiting
• Don’t skirt GPA question
• ALWAYS ask about next steps as well as for a business card or email
• When ready to leave, collect giveaway items
• Network! Make connections with employers/recruiters, fellow job seekers, etc.

Sample Questions

• What kinds of co-op or internship opportunities exist within your company?
• What qualities does your company look for in a candidate?
• Does your company hire on a continual basis or just at certain times of the year?
• How many co-ops or interns is your company looking to hire?
• What courses do you suggest in order to be a successful candidate?

Best Practices:

• Enthusiasm works
• Preparation is key
• First impressions last
• Keep good notes after each meeting

After the Fair:

Send thank-you notes to each recruiter via mail or email

• Attach your resume

Reflect and regroup

• Assess experience at career fair
• Review strategies, interactions, results

General Outcomes of Career Fair

• Often told to apply on company website, P2D2 or CareerBuzz for positions
• Often told about upcoming on-campus interview dates
• May be asked for an interview

Good luck!!

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