Job Fair Readiness

Job Fair Readiness

Job fairs bring together job seekers and employers with opportunities available within their organizations. Over the years, it has become one of the leading means for entry-level recruiting, giving employers the opportunity to meet job seekers, and to get firsthand knowledge about them through their appearance and first impressions.

Why Should I attend A Job Fair?

• Meet with potential employers to develop a job search network.
• Discuss potential career opportunities.
• Present resume to employers for consideration for part time, full time, or internship position.
• Earn an opportunity to attend valuable workshops.

Planning ahead prior to the job’s fair

• Obtain a prioritized list of organizations based on your interest in the potential opening
• You may visit the organizations’ online sites to acquire more information and learn more details about the corporation you are interested in.
• Prepare a list of potential questions for the employer and develop a personal pitch!
• You may come to c-102 and get hold of the full list of employers attending the jobs' fair.

What Should I bring?

• Around 30 copies of professionally prepared resumes; if you feel like you need help with preparing your resume, don’t hesitate to see a counselor in C-102.
• In addition, you may also bring a business card to hand to potential employers.

First impressions are highly important!

• Dress conservatively, Professional attire is best – Men; wearing ties is a must!
• Be neatly groomed
• For women; avoid heavy perfumes, lots of jewelry and overdone makeup
• Avoid bulky cases and briefcases

During the job fair

Timing is important. Arriving on time to the job fair gives you a calm feeling and you will have the opportunity to meet with as many employers as possible. You want to maintain a positive attitude and be polite, so turn off your cell phone, and remove hats and headphones. After meeting with employers that you might be interested in remembering, collect their business cards so you can send them a thank you note for taking the time to meet with you.

After the fair

Attending a job fair is not a guarantee of getting a job. It is an opportunity for you to present yourself as the right person for the position. Being able to present yourself well takes preparation and positive attitude that would convince an employer to give you an interview.

Kingsborough Community College Spring 2014 Job fairs will take place on Tuesday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 2.  For more information stop by C-102.                         

Yosef Bagdadi, and Nathalie Jean-Elie

INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW

What is informational interview?

An informational interview is one of the most effective ways to obtain occupational information. While it may cover some of the same ground as printed material or information on a company website, it provides opportunities for an intimate and flexible inside view of a job field unmatched by other sources.

How can it be useful in pursuing your intended career?

An informational interview is less stressful, and differs in its settings compared to a typical job interview. In an informational interview you are the one in control. Questions can be asked that may not be strategic during a first interview (i.e., questions regarding salary, benefits, vacation). You can discuss what is done on a day-to-day basis and relate it to your own interests and feelings. Beyond the advantages of gaining valuable career information, the informational interview provides the opportunity to build self-confidence and to improve your ability to handle a true job interview.

Tips for informational interviewing:

• The best starting point is from people you know. Ask your family and friends to refer you to people they know who work in the field you are interested in.
• Talk to your fellow professors, alumni and classmates about possible contacts
• Make a good first impression prepare for the informational interview the same way you would for a job interview: dress appropriately, make research, learn more about job, the company and the industry to better guide your questions.
• Be sure you know the name of the person you are meeting, the correct pronunciation of his/her name, and the title of his/her position.
• You should regard each interview as a business appointment and conduct yourself in a professional manner.
• Always send a thank you letter an informational interview.

Questions you may ask during an informational interview

• Can you describe your career path? How did each job lead you to the other?
• What educational program is recommended as preparation? (Distinguish between courses which are desirable and those which are indispensable.)
• What degree or certificate do employers look for?
• What kind of work/internship experience would employers look for in a job applicant?
• What are the duties performed during a typical day? Week? Does s/he have a set routine?
• What steps besides meeting educational and experiential requirements are necessary to "break into" this occupation?

Finally make sure to sketch out a brief outline of the topics covered and the information gained as soon as possible after the interview. It may require a few minutes yet, it will insure that you remember the important points. Later, working from your outline, you can construct a more detailed report of the interview.

Yosef Bagdadi and Nathalie Jean-Elie