hello and welcome to our
ask the expert series on how to prepare for a career fair and land an interview
today I'm welcoming optional industry experts my name is Elizabeth in two min
I'm manager Chris services here s the college you wanna stay with us for the
next 30 minutes
as the checkout line each tank repairs how to make valuable connections and
what you need to do to Manny
you today you can ask questions Joe arlyne hang out on air through the CUNY
app
or in the comments section at the event H so let me go ahead and introduce our
channel
industry experts first night like tonight welcome heather keenest today
undergone holds her master's degree in Creek on spring and has over 10 years
at experience and secondary and post-secondary education teaching and I
think and developing career readiness program so well Heather
thanks Elizabeth next to each entry you
and jan has several years experience working in recruiting and sales
environments
recently relocated from Washington DC DC where she worked for the past three
years the staffing industry
with information management leverage it and assisting them at their job search
welcome death I think was better next is Matt Allen and match has over 10 years
experience
as corporate and staffing recruiter human resource generalist
and HR operations specialist but the freight companies across the country
so welcome at thanks for having me last but not least is Chelsea kuriansky
and Chelsea has back on that consist up hiring staffing and recruiting in the
health care industry
and holds her master's degree in counseling psychology welcome Chelsea
thanks everybody wonderful we have so many great questions that have come in
today
i really wanna start today's and that by talking a little bit about
I should go to a crear sure what the goal is what is the speed with you
so what question that we had that was submitted prior to today's advantage let
you bring with your career fair
interestingly enough spanker liars what are you supposed to bring with you Jen
what do you think yeah I think I write me is a great start
you want to make sure that you have multiple copies arrest me that you can
get one
every employer that you wanna meet west I'm some other great things to bring
like you mention our business cards with all your contact information
I'm as well maybe a cover letter crawlers players that you know will be
at the career fair you want to make sure you kill our bats respect labor baton
I'll you also want to keep her and maybe
what not to bring a career fair I was recently at a local
earlier Europe's you network with other cash now and I was really surprised to
see how many attendees
I'm brought their small children are friends were I'm it seems really chaotic
I'm and it just seemed like it was really hard for doesn't eyelash
the small children really focus on speaking with employers
so just keep in mind when your meeting with these employers for the first time
you wanna meet the past first impression and you wouldn't necessarily bring your
children with you an interview all
I'm so keep that in mind for networking a ban other things leave at home can be
output
drinks food.com or anything I can be distracting like yourself are
absolutely I can agree with work you for the thoughts of commish
I've been to career fairs where there are people there walking around you know
playing on Facebook others on when they really should be out there not working
and having great conversations in person so
excellent went there she I'm well focusing your energies
actually archer's you know so often there are people that are just kinda
walking around like zombies
I make the best use of your time Chelsea what are your thoughts well you know
that's a really good question because
it would you want to focus your time and sometimes there me a lot going on at
once
so you want to make sure that your energies are being use the entire time
you're at the crisper
so focus on what your goals are for extending whether
you're there to network are you're there to find a job in an interview
stocks as many hours as you can and always do their research needs for the
match
typically in wireless other players I will be intending right on the career
fair
page A rating register so that's a a good tool to
is were attending our hope in priorities for each it
absolutely what it well attending a creature so
Matt we had a couple of questions that came and before today's event that
I'm an experienced professional let it go to honor
I'm not really looking for a job what's the value in it what do you have to say
to those individuals
at some other great question was that for me it the answer is always yes you
should attend with your job search and not so many times that are
these accompanying offense that help you improve yourself and your professional
Graham
things like 9-10 trainings animal discussions and interviews with
employers
so regardless what do your job search and not go there
interact with employers get business cards so that you never know when down
the road may need at
contacts I so doesn't matter always attacks
yeah and you never know who you're gonna meet me it's great now working at a
greatly for you to explore the field and brush up your skills meet new people
and not necessarily about finding that next job but its it's really not
networking and continuing to build
work so a contributing writer I
Heather this is wanna probably my favorite questions that was submitted
before today's
that I'm and it has to do with the fact that employers usually have
but the great things on our table right they have talked they have pens
and I remember when I was recruiting Anna we would have people that was
literally come by and just kind of sweet everything into their backup
a takeaways sheesh and what are you
access actually supposed to be collecting from employers in your career
question Elisabet I say you should be collecting
all in any information that you can about the position
him and the company although some others take ways are great that's not your
purpose for being there
whether job searching or I'm just simply to network
you wanna be focusing on positions that are available and
learning a little bit more about the company and if you do make a great
connection with an M Player
please be sure that you take a business card so that you can follow up
and as jan had mentioned earlier she said the
behind the business card as well you know having I love your contact
information I and perhaps a professional mission statement
or short the letter best at your strengths that highlight you as a
professional
sup employers are going to be asking for resumes must be asking for resumes
some may not by along with that resume having that
extra the behind it that business cards really highlight
who you are as a professional is a great way to get your cell
I'm noticed and to stand out from other candidates
yeah and for the business cards what i really suggest doing is when you're
going round the loosen grabbing business cards for young players that you're
speaking with
credit and right on a few notes about the conversation that you had
so that it can jog your memory after the event I'm so that you're following up
a really strong crustaceans are love the active
I'm Darren business cards now this mission human life from laureate has to
do with
how many copies %uh your resume should you bring
to a career fair so Heather what's your suggestion there
play you know if you've done your research in advance and you see how many
players employers are going to be there
I guess I would bring that many copies with you because you just never know
what kind of connections you're going to make
while you're there and you definitely want the come
prepared more prepared than last prepared
cell um now bring at least as many copies in players that are going to be
present
at a career fair excellent and on the top of this question over your way
this also came in for more regarding should you bring your portfolio we
future career fair and if so how many copies
yeah now that your question so for those of you that have
I am employment portfolios part design and other creative fields
always bring it with you if you can I have a is all our electronic copy
perhaps I
happy quit the show i an employer I or
for those you know are the most fields oftentimes a business major
could have a or olio all certain and documents so
you know bring at least a couple copies with you if you have that as but make
sure that it's ready to go organized and professional
not just him anything up yeah I love that suggestion upbringing
on an iPad and to demonstrate the work that you've done
there's really nothing more powerful than being able to bring your work with
you and really make
thats connection show the great work that you've done so
not that situation there and let's talk about reaching your goals in a career in
the steps you need to take to do that
and just I'll pass this one over your wage
I'm its career first thing I heard rate you feel kinda weird standing around
waiting to it
to have a conversation with someone and when he supposed to be doing right I
just told you not to checking your
Facebook icon on your cell phone so what are you supposed to do when you're
standing in line waiting to speak with the players
I'm got so many as this cuz I can be so awkward and
employers do take a lot from the way you linger around the table
or want to take walks so I always been when Harry
quit looking for those candidates now that works pitching
network with your for letting others pushing for an hour
I'm just steady income credit impatient
and then went to church approach it will go up there have that lbs touch
EN also the right you have to offer on that confidence is really a key piece
when it comes to that
and even just a vector victor expecting that there will be some light sometimes
but you have to patiently waiting
just be prepared for that that elevator speeches
isn't important piece of this I'm not only really need to show some steadiness
already lying but when you approach have that ready to go so you're not someone
around with it
I recall one candidate who came up
after eighteen probably sixty an aggressor
and he just said yeah I in you probably remember my face you see a lot of
candidates today but i wanna tell you I remember
passion fish kills in a row I want to work for certain station
so very real yet professional and I did remember
did so so words are prepare that I
yeah and I'd like to follow up on Kelseys comment as well
here she said is you know be steady be patient
and always be aware the conversations that are going on around
cubans while you can take cues from when employers are seeing two other
candidates
and it may help you to be better prepared when you
have that initial i connect in conversation with the employer as well
so always be kindness and what's going on around you
yeah so important it again your at a networking event
really that's what your you should be there to do which to network with
with other job seekers enter their as although
your green company might not be there that person sitting next to you might
no love somebody that works there maybe they do so so important to network in
and have
really good conversations with everybody
I'm speaking of which generate trust this question your way
and its should you be expected to interview
right there I at the table in your meeting with the players at the creator
something that usually happens
I a bad every interaction that you happen
where can be like an interview I'll I'm it may not be like a formal set up that
you're used to where you sit down and they ask you questions back in porch
but employers asking you about your background erskine all
I'm betting can be considered an interview on so when you go oh and your
career
make sure that you arrive prepared within Greater elevator speech
and I'm some really good examples at your work history to talk about
I work for the company I'm in my past and I went to krueger's on player so
we typically would go to me I'm really good he didn't speak with them
and sometimes this conversation you know just initial know how I what's your
background what are you looking for turned into something
more intact but you know we didn't really like normal interview with just a
casual conversation we were able to really learn a lot about the cats work
experience and if they're really qualified for the job that you're rich
I'm you're interviewing for or hiring former and so
later down the road we could just get the whole process to bring them in to do
that formal sit down and really just
you know look for the right jobs for them
so my next question and Jenna when it came back and had a pretty sad
is if he ran a career fair and you don't get
on-the-spot interview what's that appropriate weights you
ask for that interview
sure I'm so I know a lot of people can buy an hurt me be a little bit darker
just going and asking for an interview
they are speaking about you had a really good interaction with an employer and
you're interested in %uh dropper teenage
I'm be asking for the next stocks is a great way to really approach setting up
interview also
I'm really let him play her know that you would really like to speak with them
brother about a particular job in that ass when you might be able to set up
maybe like a follow-up conversation
i'm for some time after their career fair I'm you can also ask questions
I'm to really show they are interested are questions like What
disciplinary process why take are you currently hiring for any positions now
that my
backgrounds out those has questions also impair their interest in moving forward
with an axe tops yeah you know healthy and Heather have talked a little bit
about that
elevators pitch and making sure that you have a strong opening statement
but have really also think that equally as important
is that closing so being able to reiterate
your passion later China organization
and that you really want to pursue the next step so
a really think that that is something that needs to be prepared acts
are you going to I create a fairer networking events
are how would test this when your way and it has to do with
ensuring you get up call back what are the must use
well I definitely think into just kinda reiterate what
what what's already been mentioned you know having that fantastic elevator
pitch that approach
and then having that salad closing and as chance at
ask just asked what the next steps are an ass
but they know that you're interested in interviewing on
and Elizabeth mention much earlier as well to be sure that you're taking notes
and while you're taking those notes you can be asking what is the preferred way
that
that I follow up with you and I think the follow-up
is ended the third step in the process %uh ensuring
that you're gonna get some type of car call back
immediately after the in after the career fair
you can send a thank you email letting him know how much you appreciate their
time
and maybe reiterate something that stood out to you up position at the company if
they're hiring for particular position that you're interested in
and send a hand-written thank you know within 24 hours
if you really want to stand out from other candidates
jotting down a quick hand-written thank you card is a great way to do it
either I love follow those steps ever one thing it to keep in mind is that
recruiters are seeing
could be hundreds other candidates and so you wanna make sure that you were
doing your part
to make yourself stand out so I think all those things they just mentioned
particularly and written out
well really cool a lot lay making sure that your
memorable that memorable and in a good light
on an expression and when it touched is over 10-man and that has to do with
a lotta events that happened outside up the career fair so
up for example Rasmussen College oscars
several treat reactor events whether it's like a resume review
or linkedin profile training on are those events
valuable and and how do you know which wants to go to do so what do you think
have you seen that before yeah well and to your last when I think that's one of
the ways that you can really help build up professional Brandon
just give yourself some practice and experience so up many times though ever
test ahead a time some
offense resume reviews mock interviews and things like that
and it's just the problem is the a lot so quick
because everybody could use a little bit extra practice like that so it's
important to do your research
our upcoming career fat offense look at those get signed up
arm and again they can't hurt in any way
and certainly be are very high personal should decide our
so run ahead ask the question I'm she wants to know a little bit more about
mock interview what can you expect a map mache interview at you 1 I'll every
little bit on a
yeah will depending upon the event you might actually be sitting down with
a member wanna be in players are there for the day and
oftentimes %uh you know just be- Inc all but studies should be treated as a
professional interview so be sure to come to that
repair mock interview professional dress with resume in hand
I expect this a similar experience to a national interview
a fantastic weights practice for the right back
absolutely and you never know when a mock interview can actually turn into a
realtor
so that's why it's so important to get get to the networking event
and practice because you never know when it when it might actually turn into our
real real show and what's hot a little bit about following up so
Heather you talk a little bit earlier not that the thank you notes emails and
writing a hand-written note and her attention and the following up with
mplayer
after a career fair and what happens nobody calls me that what is the City
Hunter
those are very good questions you know I always say to follow up
at least once you've taken notes you've already asked how they prefer to follow
up
cell if you haven't heard from them in
in the time a lot it's a date the vast
you know when are you looking to fill the position when you looking to start
interviewing
at least one phone call um can be made to that employer
and again it's so important I just want to mention again that
hand-written thank you letter to go out anything really
you really want to hear back and stand out I think that handwritten thank-you
letters can help
I did notice in the pre survey that many have you indicated that you do follow-up
the iPhone and
email and that's great on but you also need to use that hand written thank you
note to kinda seal a deal
on you know keep in mind that she should not be continuously contacting him play
because you don't wanna be overwhelming a be too pushy
on and always continue your job search because you never know what other
candidates had a fantastic connection with an employer
and and what their professional background is and what their
qualifications are
say you always want to be sure that your continuing your job search napping
all your eggs in one basket and waiting for that one employer to connect with
the on
so talking about the follow-up and at Genesis question was just
asked by I Jessica issue she wants to know employer told me that they are not
hiring
for my position so US only develop
what's your suggestion I yeah definitely I think you always want to follow up
with an employer even if they're not hiring
I'm because you really never know what's going to happen in the future
I like I mentioned previously and my I'm past I'm
opposition I went to critters out an employee her as an employer but I was
rarely
really are recruiting for specific jobs most the time it was just
we went to these Christian not working and with Canada
so I'm usually when we met with him that we're
really in Prospect cap arrest me on here but let them know we don't have anything
available at the moment
so after the critters are we trying keep in contact with all those kids but
sometimes it really could have been weeks before we
had a job to open up for that much though having now I you outward like
Heather mention camera no action by it but for
thank you for meeting with me just happened at the top of my mind
when something doesn't open up you know we could just go back to that thank you
and send a quick email let them know that I drop it opened up
I'm so just like you would for an interview I think it's really important
to follow up with a thank you after her career
you know if they're not hiring prayer job and again you never know what will
happen in future I mean always just want to be top of mind just get something
done I
so can you talk a little bit about how employers are collecting
each other information right there there meeting with China's candidates
but what about the job seekers night so Matt
all worker candidates blessed you with all the information that they
eclectic I mean I'm talked about the importance of collecting business cards
and
jotting down notes but keep track lol
now well it's not a good question so I think once you come back from a career
very sure organize all the business cards together in the various marketing
materials in
create separate all holders preached that some players so that when you
interact with them down the road
can certainly see and get to that information quickly
beyond that %uh can take a business partner Adam on the link then
I to provide a not perhaps
future networking connection on the road when %uh looking at different jobs
one of the things I wanted to share so holing up this
some all job search tracker I have a series of columns
I N as you can see here I use this because often times your meeting so many
different players it's hard to keep hot streak
so you can use as a couple different ways for as you're applying to jobs you
can
including individual %uh company's name I and contact information that the
your client I and when you followed up with them which is fantastic
there's also a tap on their or repairs and networking so you can also add I
who you spoke with other career care what was the company name what the
at was and their position title and I also included a top 10 sections
the search range shots and companies employers
positions that you know it would be the most I he also
it's real quick and easy to you jump on this and
individual's name that you want to connect with or have my ass
I at the simple little tractor I want to make sure that everyone knows that
I'm gonna put this on you mean about page so that you can download it
after a bit today excellent
I i think thats a great suggestion map because oftentimes we can get
got down with all the information week left but I love this so important is the
doctor today
sobbing organizes a greatly to make sure that you're successful after the event
and now we didn't elect question come and returning what and nice post
where to a crear and Heather want to take that one
absolutely you know how conservative is always the state
safest route to go don't wear any loud colors are crazy patterns
oMG man a suit with simple sophisticated ties should suffice
on and make sure that your socks are not white sport socks please
when n/a up and soon or a skirt and blouse
there should be I no shorter than slightly above the knee is
and its at maybe a 23 inch heel would probably be
enough for that and everyone needs to keep in mind that last
is more when it comes to jewelery and cologne or perfume
and make sure that you cut your tattoos and take all your piercings
yeah I think those are all great suggestions and I'm free smokers out
there make sure that your
your night having a quick cigarette before walking into the event
as we can smell it yes so keep that in mind
and Janice this question over to you it's from 10 Ren
and she wants to know you know what it is know the players are hiring for the
job done looking for a nice post just walk around
speech all the employers what what are your suggestions
yeah I've got a question came out because I think a lot of people all
how did they get it they should or may be meeting with employers that are
specifically and Turkey alder only in players I have dropped opening
I'm but it's really important in to meet with everyone
crown you should always remember that certain me you'd like medical field can
be generally
wall and people know one another I'm you make a good impression on
when they may know a friend that hiring at another company
I'm a great example doesn't recruiters I know when I was a recruiter I'll
yet and it locks up different networking group and being read by actors for
workers in my community
I'm so oftentimes again workers an HR professionals
I'm will be friends I know one another I had an importer actually that requires
working where are coming networking a bad she met with one of our students
that was an IT and she's really impressed I am
I'm her particular company what that hiring for anyone ninety
I but she did have a friend at a local business that she know
was looking for I'm that student back background she ended up working his
resume over to her friends all
like it but it's really important that your meeting with everyone because you
never know who these employers now even
you know their family members are French I'm soaking make a good impression
players likely
although I'm sure as mange I'm you know just in case the tree toppers he opened
up for
you know even if it's not with I'm yeah and it wasn't like that at your issue
it's always important to keep in mind that some fields art
I'm specific to a certain type of company for example
every company needs IT staff or HR
or counters so really not eliminating
the opportunity to have shortage else's at the airport
yeah you know I love this app Jen your printing how small the community
networking or
recruiting their recruiting feel really is because
are so many professional associations amor and visuals go in it and networks
recruiters are not working with other recruiters so you just never know who
you're gonna eat human
and really who they know so good tips there
I'm good standing out to our players at a career fair
Mac do you have any last minute tips for really
I make that impression now we've had
tips perhaps on a couple of things that throughout this well not today but
that he is being professional addressing professional
and realizing that you when you're in the parking lot you might run into an
employer there so maintaining that professional some
before during and after you get this going key I
as had to mention with perfumes and colognes and dressing professionally
wanna be showered clean shaven
a hair cut and styled appropriately for the event
organization is another area where it's gonna
key so oftentimes if you're bringing twenty or thirty resonates with you or
your
all you having won those leather have only us to carry it all and having %uh
organized but also being
having a hands-free so remember not to have your cell
about that you can't get that employer that firm handshake that
direct eye contact that smile spine which you
and then also recommending to no hat
basically work on your public speech so that you can give
a success or spots you tell me about your cell
point he and his band some I just being related on Jan all professional
set your sights among others great
so now I understand this question over your way it's from
Shaban he has a question about should I mean networking going to create events
even if they have it
complete its ok so my certifications so I know that you work with a lot of our
business in
ninety students and graduates what are your thoughts there should
these individuals be going and networking before they've completed
certification
absolutely was yeah when it comes to that it's not all about maybe
maybe you're setting yourself up for that special job search and
a corner or to you or when you graduate they should be out there networking with
those individuals most employers
right now its and when the time comes you can reach out to them all
then and when you see it now job a out there
you can send them a little know it's a hems I met you six months ago at her
parents house in such an unbranched brawl
and that's getting one or rank into the company and above all the other
hundreds of people are I'm such so you still studying for certifications or
pass a certain exam I would recommend being out there
and meetings many people as possible knows what I can't let you in a lyndon
has been much like what I got I think that's not a good way to stack some
players
it's a really good way to keep in touch in state referenced
right now by email I'm directly so
let's catch up absolutely
it when you're speaking with the players just emphasizing the fact that you are
staying
do you have plans to take the certification is an issue that's under
arrest me
and that the anticipated date you're gonna be sitting that certification
so that you can really emphasize your passions for the crib feel
I'm last question though it left my question that I wanna take
I'm was asked by Renee and Heather I'm you take this one
and has to do with I've been coached to sleep behind
and networking group versus RS H because the resume
intend it to be tailored to a specific position what are your thoughts
well I think if you've done your research in advance and you know the
employers and possibly the positions at their
hiring for work gonna be at the career fair
I don't think it hurts to you Taylor resume
om but that may be another reason to
on have that portfolio in addition to
on you know I think it's its
you can't find the employers there need to be attending the career fair if
you're not sure whether positions
and you here unable to do that research in advance
and perhaps that networking peace might be a better option for you
so I think you just have to the to know the type of career fair at the job fair
that you're going into
and whether or not that resume percent versus that network peace
on is is a good source for you
and you know for for when you bring your resumes to Chris Harris
when I was a recruiter a good a career fairs I would merely collect resumes
you know our HR scam and upload them to our applicant tracking system
I'm and so if you don't have an actual recipe that you got enough that the
missed opportunity
I'm but others plaint you really want to make sure that you do your research
before you go to these events that you can't find your nearest
feature it's perfect for all those players eating
I wanna thank you so much to our panel for being here today and entities live
questions
and I want to thank our viewers for watching today's session I do want to
note that Rasmussen College
host career fairs twice a year and for more information for upcoming events
the go to rest this and I E backslash career fair
also if you're watching this session as part of the career challenge
please email us your name by Monday September 15th
to Career Services online address this and I
EU thanks so much for joining us today and we look forward to seeing you
at our next ask the expert series take care