CBE Career Fair

• Identify Employers: Use the Handshake app to identify the employers you are interested in connecting with at the Open House. Research each organization's services and hiring needs.
• Update your resume.
• Dress to impress: Look the part for the position you want. Visit the Well-Suited Wardrobe in Stephens Hall RM303 during their business hours for professional attire available to all students to keep free of charge. 
• Prepare your 30-Second Elevator Pitch: Prepare an interesting verbal summary of your background, achievements and career interests to make a strong and professional first impression to every table you visit.
  • Include things like:
    • Your major/minor and anticipated graduation date
    • Number of years of experience in a particular area
    • Type of experience (marketing, office experience, customer service, etc.)
    • Key skills and tasks, such as organization, attention to detail and people skills
    • Personality traits and characteristics that make you unique
    • Most important thing you want the employer to know about you
  • How to Pitch
    • Emphasize key words
    • Slow down when making a key point
    • Smile!
    • Be enthusiastic

• Know What You are Going to Ask: Try to have one or two questions in mind for each employer. The questions should reflect both your interests and the research you have done on the company. Do not ask about salary or benefits at this point.
• Learn What's Going to Happen Next: Before you leave each table, give them a copy of your resume, request the representative's business card and ask what happens next in the hiring process. You can also ask what, if anything, you can do to help advance your candidacy.

Following Up with Employers

Send a follow-up thank you note or email to each recruiter you spoke with at the Open House within 24 hours.

• Mind your manners: Be professional in your tone and triple check for grammatical and spelling errors.
• Make your emails stand out: Be unique in the follow-up emails you send. Directly reference part of the conversation you had with the employer and mention any thoughts or ideas you had after your conversation.

Interviewing

Interviewing is a skill that takes thoughtful preparation and practice. Before an interview, you should be knowledgeable about the position, organization and industry and feel confident in your ability to sell yourself to the employer. Set up a mock interview with a Career Coach.