The month of October is full of opportunities to set you up for career success. We will be hosting a series of Career Fairs this month, designed to connect you with the top employers in various industries. Alumnus Gia Limata shares, “The Career Fair gave me the opportunity to learn about companies and jobs I never considered before…It was there that I met my current employer and landed an interview with them on the spot.”
Career Fairs offer an abundance of opportunities. Here are some tips to ensure that you are fully prepared before attending:
Update Your Resume:
Employers expect you to have a resume that reflects your latest accomplishments, skills, and experiences. On pages 14-28 of our Career Success Guide you will be able to find a variety of resources to help you build an up-to-date resume.
Dress for Success:
Looking your best makes you feel your best, which can help put you one step closer to landing that interview. On Oct. 4th there will be the Clothing Closet Give Away and Paul Mitchell Styling Event. You will be able to receive FREE haircuts and the Clothing Closet will be giving away FREE clothing.
Research Employers:
Take some time to learn about the employers that will be attending the fair. If you look at the Events tab on your HireFresnoState account, you can view which employers will be attending, the day they will be attending, what majors they’re looking for, what positions they are hiring for, and more.
You can also find a quick list of all employers attending and some of the positions they are recruiting at this spreadsheet: https://bit.ly/2023fallemployers
Practice Your 30 Second Elevator Pitch:
You don’t want to be caught off guard when you walk up to an employer at the Career Fair and they ask the question, ‘Tell me about yourself.’ We recommend having a response that you have practiced and perfected beforehand. On our website there are a variety of resources that can be referred to for support, such as videos and worksheets.
Bring the Essentials:
Be sure to bring multiple copies of your resume, a notepad, and a pen. It is also recommended to bring a folder to keep your information organized. There will be over 150 employers during the course of the three days looking to recruit, so you don’t want to miss out on an opportunity because you didn’t bring enough resumes.
Follow-Up:
A thank you goes a long way. After the Career Fair, send a personalized thank you email to the recruiters you spoke with. This shows appreciation and keeps up the conversation. Refer to the Thank You Email Sample on our website for an example.
Remember, Career Fairs aren’t just about finding a job; they are about building connections, gaining insights into your desired industry, and so much more. So, we encourage you to attend with an open mind and ready for the potential opportunities.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact us at 559.278.2381 or come by for a visit in the USU (Room 306). We have our Career Cafe walk-in hours Monday-Friday from 9am to 3pm or you can make an appointment with your appointed career liaison.
