Navigating Career Fairs and Conferences

1. Navigating Career Fairs and Conferences Amy Hicks, MBA, UNT Career Center

2. Career Services… • Resume/Cover Letter • Networking/LinkedIn/Mentoring • Personal Branding • Job Search • Interviewing • Connections to employers • https://careercenter.unt.edu/

3. Before the Fair • Get onto Handshake.unt.edu and view the list of employers that are registered to attend the fair.  Narrow down the top employers you would like to visit with. • Use tools like www.GlassDoor.com and www.Vault.com as well as the organization’s website to review information about the company.  • Develop a tailored resume for each of the companies you would like to visit and also prepare several copies of a general resume for other companies you may visit. • Prepare at least 3 to 4 questions that are specific to each company you want to visit with. • Bring a pad of paper and a pen to take notes and keep it all organized in a binder portfolio. • Choose a business professional outfit to wear. • Develop an Elevator Pitch / 30 second commercial

4. Chronological Resume • Make your resume visually appealing, well organized and consistent • Make sure it relates to the job you are applying for (use keywords to tailor your resume to the position) (ATS) • Include the most relevant information higher in your resume • Back up your skills and experience using examples, results and achievements • Use a professional font between sizes 11-12 Usually one page long*

5. What to Avoid • Spelling and grammar mistakes Including inaccurate, exaggerated or false information • Using an unprofessional e-mail address or a disconnected phone number • Including a picture or personal information (SS#, Birthday, Relationship Status) • Inconsistent punctuation, alignment and design • Abbreviating phrases or organizations that aren’t general knowledge or common • Bland Objective or Purpose Statements

6. What Employers are Saying • “Give us a confident elevator pitch that highlights the most remarkable thing you have done to demonstrate you are passionate about technology.” (University recruiter, Microsoft) • “Make sure you are professionally dressed. Also, I am always impressed when a student has done their research and knows what my company does, versus asking me what we do.” (R&D technical recruiting manager, Starkey Hearing Technologies) • “Practice talking about yourself and something you are proud of that’s relevant to the job/internship you want. If you don’t have anything you are proud of that is relevant to the job, grab some classmates and start a side project.” (University recruiter, Microsoft) • “One of the biggest mistakes a student can make at a career fair is wandering around not knowing what companies you want to consider for employment.” (IT recruiter, C.H. Robinson)

7. During the Fair • Arrive early to beat the crowd. • Be confident, give good eye contact and a firm handshake, Smile and show enthusiasm. Deliver your Elevator Speech. • Share your marketable qualifications that are relevant to the company that you have highlighted on your resume. • Know how to answer the question “What are you here for today?” • Ask the questions you have prepared. • Ask for a business card and what you need to do to obtain a second interview.

8. Communicating Your Value • Introduce Yourself: • Shake their hand/s • Tell them your name • What you’re studying • Your year in school • A brief description of your relevant experience • Keep the conversation going: • Tell the recruiter what you know about the company and why you’re excited to work there. • Be prepared to answer questions about your resume and experience. • Ask questions that you can’t look up online.

9. Elevator Pitch • Your elevator speech should be brief.  • You need to be persuasive.  • Share your skills.  • Mention your goals.  • Know your audience, and speak to them. • Try not to speak too fast, ramble or speak in monotone.

10. Elevator Speech: PPF • Present “I am” • Past “I have done” • FUTURE “I plan to”

11. Elevator Speech Examples • Nice to meet you, I’m Alex Campbell. I’m currently a senior and am studying Computer and Information Science. I’ve had a couple of internships where I worked on several program applications with a project team. I enjoy developing computer applications for simple business solutions.I hope to become a computer programmer when I graduate.The position you have listed on Eagle Network seems like it would be a perfect fit for someone with my skills. I’d like to hear more about the type of project teams in your organization.

12. Dress Professionally • Professional: • Women • Solid color suit • Coordinated blouse • Moderate shoes • Limited jewelry • Men- • Solid color suit • Long sleeve shirt • Conservative tie • Dark socks • Professional shoes

13. Business Casual: • Women • Khaki, cotton or twill pants or skirts • Button up shirts, sweaters, cardigans, polo/knit shirts • Flats, conservative heels, nice sandals • Men • Cotton or khaki pants • Long sleeved button down or polo shirt • Dress shoes and belt • Tie optional

14. Possible Questions to Ask • What entry level positions do you offer? • What is the typical career path for _______ position within your company? • What can I do during the upcoming year to be competitive for this position? • What skills do you look for in a highly qualified candidate? • What courses can I take that would help me the most in this position? • How do you see the field changing in the next 5 years? What can I do to prepare myself? • What are the typical backgrounds of the other employees/interns in your department? • Do you have a business card?

15. After the Fair • Send a thank you to each employer you spoke with to thank them for taking the time to speak with you, either by sending a handwritten note or writing an email. • Include details from your conversation and restate your interests and qualifications (Be brief). • Follow up again in approximately two weeks depending on initial conversation and opportunity.

16. Networking at Scientific and Academic Conferences • https://hbr.org/2015/10/5-ways-to-make-conference-networking-easier • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqWqt03RNSE • https://www.chronicle.com/article/How-to-Get-the-Most-Out-of-a/242914

17. Key Points - Conferences • Meet up with fellow student or acquaintance before you go. Use social media to share about your attendance and connect with someone you know that is also going – post during and after • Prepare Questions, prepare YOUR answers • Bring Business Cards • Ask others what are their meal plans, and consider asking to join – even asking for restaurant recommendations can be a great conversation starter (recommended books, teaching resources, technology etc.) – share your ideas too! • Ask an advisor, faculty member, or mentor to introduce you to others • Be friendly to others that are by themselves • Elevator Pitch – brief and honest • Download the App • Research before – Presenters, panels, reach out if possible – but be flexible • Booths, special events, poster sessions, social events • Ask for cards and follow up

18. CV Purpose • In the United States, a resume is a short (usually one page) summary of education and work experience, whereas a Curriculum Vitae, also known as a CV, is a longer document with more academic and professional details. Oftentimes a CV refers to an academic resume. However, in Europe and in some other countries, resume and CV are used interchangeably. CV’s Used in pursuing academic and research opportunities rather than the resume, which is briefer and geared toward private industry jobs.

19. Standard CV Format and Content

20. Click Active UNT Student Login Here. Next, sign in using your EUID (ex. ab0012)and UNT password.

21. Uploading your Resume to Handshake Select Documents 2. Click Select from Computer

22. https://www.higheredjobs.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-north-texas/ Uncovering Opportunities

23. https://joinhandshake.com/ Uncovering Opportunities

24. Accessing Resume Resources on Handshake Click on Career Center drop down menu and select Resources.

25. Big Interview https://unt.biginterview.com/

26. Resources for International Job Candidates

27. http://www.myvisajobs.com/ http://www.myvisajobs.com/Reports/2019-H1B-Visa-Sponsor.aspx

28. https://www.uscis.gov/h-1b-data-hub http://www.goinglobal.com/

29. Art Seratelli https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=how+to+finesse+the+visa+sponsorship+question+in+an+interview&docid=607995298862991339&mid=646C19AF6C85A9783B4B646C19AF6C85A9783B4B&view=detail&FORM=VIREHT The immigration attorney who created this video (consultations are free-of-charge): ○ Art Serratelli, Esq ○ www.smimmigrationlaw.com ○ art@smimmigrationlaw.com ○ Cell: 757.235.4624

30. QUESTIONS?