Career Services is excited to announce the 3rd annual CareerSmart Fair, and it is just around the corner! Are you ready to begin meeting with employers? Your first impression starts at the career fair, so make sure you are organized and prepared for the CareerSmart Fair on Wednesday, February 16th. Check out the student information on our website, www.mtech.edu/career, stop by Career Services in Engineering Hall 103 or call 496.4140 for more information.
Before Attending the Fair:
Know why you are going!
Clarify your interests and goals
Use Career Services! Career Services is open 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Make an appointment, stop by during walk-in hours or take advantage of workshops
Know who is coming!
Study in advance the list of employers attending the fair
Research the companies with whom you are particularly interested in visiting
Use the company website for information on companies and career fields. It is critical that you have some knowledge about their policies, philosophies, products, services, location, and similar information.
Know yourself!
Prepare a resume that will be relevant to the particular employers that you plan to talk to at the fair. Find out who is going to be there by using the list of companies. (Bring extra copies!)
Develop a one to three minute "commercial" about yourself that will briefly, but enthusiastically, show employers your strengths, skills, experience and interests.
At the Fair:
On Wednesday, February 16th check-in for the 3rd annual CareerSmart Fair in the lobby of the SUB. Pick up a floor plan and career fair handbook so you know who is at the fair and where they are located.
First impressions count! Dress professionally! Nice shirts and dress pants are preferable or business casual attire. Dress like you intended to meet with recruiters, not like you are hanging out with friends.
First impressions are important, and employers are more likely to remember fondly the students who present themselves in a professional manner. Prepare ahead of time what you are going to wear. Make sure that it fits and is comfortable. If you have new shoes, break them in before-hand. Wrinkles, scuffed shoes, torn pants and missing buttons will give the impression to a recruiter that you are sloppy or lack attention to detail.
• Broaden your focus; be open to new ideas and companies. Talk to many different types of employers. Your chances of success go up with each contact you make. Career Fairs are a valuable opportunity to obtain information about unfamiliar employers.
• Request company literature/business card and information about any positions they have available now or in the near future. Bring a pen/pencil and paper to take notes.
• Bring extra copies of your resume to leave with employers. Estimate the amount you will need based upon the company list of who is attending.
• Greet employers with a firm handshake and maintain good eye contact.
• Begin the conversation with a self-introduction and ask a well thought-out question, DO NOT ASK what the company does…do your research and indicate any knowledge you have of the organization that you've gained.
• Do not monopolize the employer's time. Ask specific questions and offer to follow up after the fair, as appropriate.
• Communicate your related interests, skills, strengths and experience with enthusiasm.
• Ask questions, but do not ask about salary and benefits until you are being seriously considered as an applicant.
After the Fair:
Check with Career Services or look online through DIGGERecruiting to see if the employer you want will be interviewing on campus. If they are, register with our office and sign up to interview with the employer.
SIDE BAR
What do employers think? These are responses from employers who completed evaluations for last year’s CareerSmart Fair.
More than half of the employers, 67% rated Montana Tech students’ as good or excellent.
83% of employers thought the resumes provided to them by students were good or excellent.
Wow! Only 38% of the employers shared that Montana Tech had above average knowledge of their company. Not one employer rated knowledge of their company as “excellent.”
For the most part, 63% of employers thought the verbal communication skills of Montana Tech students were good or excellent.
Almost half of the employers, 45% thought the nonverbal communication could use some work.
70% of the employers rated student’s overall preparation as excellent or good.
ADDITIONAL SIDE BAR
Prepare questions to ask the employers you will be talking to:
What are your company's strengths? Weaknesses?
What are the challenging aspects of the position?
What qualities are you looking for in new hires?
Describe the work environment.
What do you enjoy most about working for your company?
What characteristics does a successful person have at your company?
What opportunities exist for personal growth?
Prepare answers to the questions employers will be asking you:
Tell me about yourself. (This is your "three-minute commercial")
What is your greatest strength? Weakness?
Would you be a successful "team member"?
How do you deal with conflict?
How do you deal with authority or supervision?
Where do you want to be in five years? Ten years?
What job-related skills have you developed?
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