JOB FAIR GUIDE

2015 PPWFC SPRING

ADULT JOB FAIR Thursday, April 2,

201511 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Colorado SpringsHotel Eleganté

Located south of I-25 and South Circle

Sponsored by:

The 10 Keys to Success

at the Job Fair

Register in advance – go to www.ppwfc.org• Look under the red ‘Workshop/Events’ tab• Click on ‘2015 PPWFC Spring Adult Job Fair’ and enter the requested

information• Bringing your scan card to the job fair will ensure your quick entry that

day• Sign up for the ‘Make the Job Fair Work for YOU!’ workshop

Research employers scheduled to attend the job fair – identify 3 – 5 employers you are most interested in and learn the basics about each company:• Company mission/values• Products/services• Competitors

• Location(s)• Market Niche• Employment Opportunities

Create targeted resumes• Mold and shape your resume to the specific position in which you are

interested• Present the information in the resume in a concise and focused manner• Proof read the resume to eliminate spelling and grammatical errors• If you are interested in different positions make sure you have a distinct

resume focused on each job title• Plan to bring 2-3 copies of each resume with you to the job fair

Submit your application and resume in advance of the job fair• Tell the recruiter you have already submitted this information

demonstrates your interest• This allows you to focus your time with the recruiter on your questions

about the position, as well as demonstrating your fit for the position

Prepare your 30-second introduction to include:• Your name and related work experience• Primary skills, strengths, and accomplishments• Your interest in the particular employer and position• Engage the recruiter with an open-ended question

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Develop a list of 3 – 5 questions you wish to ask each employerBest questions are ones generated from your research. Some examples

include:• What specific skills or qualifications are you seeking in prospective

candidates?• What are the steps in the hiring process?• In doing my research, I noticed [ blank ]; do you mind telling me a

little about this?Wear appropriate attire• Conservative business attire is essential • Dressing professionally ALWAYS communicates you are serious about

your job search• It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed

Develop a job fair strategy• You have completed the first step by researching companies in which

you are interested• The second step is seeing if any new companies are present when

you arrive at the fair• The third step is surveying the layout of the fair and determining an

order of interviewing• Consider meeting with your top choices first, then converse with your

other choices, and then return to your top choices before leaving to thank them

• REMEMBER - stay flexible as your top choices may be the top choices of many which may mean long lines and less time talking with the recruiter

Manage the intangibles• First, talk only with those companies for whom you want to work • Second, extend common courtesies, such as offering to get the

recruiter a beverage or snack; don't be upset if the recruiter has to take a break before you have the opportunity to speak with him or her

• Third, if your ideal company is hiring computer technicians and you want to work in accounting, go ahead and interview with the company at the fair. Make sure you leave contact information with the recruiter

Network with everyone at the job fair• Career fairs are all about networking. Of course, you are building a

network with the recruiters• You can also network with other job-seekers by sharing information

about job leads, companies, and their recruiting strategies and styles• Don’t forget about employment agencies at the fair. These are also

good sources for networking

Adapted from http://www.quintcareers.com/job_career_fairs.html3

THE JOB FAIR ADVANTAGE:HOW TO USE NONVERBAL

COMMUNICATION TO IMPRESS

Nonverbal communication is as important, or even more important than, verbal communication.

Keep in mind that recruiters may also be in the hotel hallways, lobby, and parking lots, so make sure you are paying attention to your nonverbal communications in all of these settings. The evaluation of your nonverbal communication will start as soon as you walk into the job fair and continue until you leave. If your nonverbal communication skills aren't up to par, it won't matter how well you answer the questions.

Negative NonverbalCommunication

• Reeking of tobacco or marijuana smoke

• Chewing gum• Too much perfume or after shave• Not enough deodorant• Being dressed inappropriately• Scuffed up shoes• Talking on your cell phone• Listening to your IPod while

waiting in line

Positive Nonverbal Communication

• Professional dress• Neat grooming• Polished shoes• Good eye contact• Firm hand shake• Warm, well-practiced

introduction• Prepared questions based

on research

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Important Elements of Nonverbal Communication

• Make eye contact with the recruiter for a few seconds at a time

• Smile and nod (at appropriate times) when the recruiter is talking

• Be polite and keep an even tone to your speech• Stand up straight, shoulders back, knees slightly bent to

keep them from locking - don't slouch• Do relax and lean towards the recruiter so you appear

interested and engaged• Don't lean back. You will look too casual and relaxed• Pay attention, be attentive, and interested• Listen . . . listen . . . listen• Don't interrupt• Stay calm, keep your emotions to yourself and do not

show anger or frown• Not sure what to do with your hands? Hold a pen and

your notepad in your hands as you talk.

Remember . . .There is no Second Chance to make a First Impression

The most important part of your exchange with the Recruiter is when you step up to the table. Be prepared . . . be focused . . . be confident.

Adapted from http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewsnetworking/a/nonverbalcomm.htm 5

DRESS PROFESSIONALLYFOR THE JOB FAIR

A potential employer’s first impression of you is the most important one.

The Recruiter’s first impression of you is going to be based on how you look and what you are wearing. That's why it is so important to dress professionally for a job fair, regardless of the type of work you are seeking.

What's the appropriate dress code fora job fair?

You want that first impression to be a great one. In general, being dressed in a suit is going to make a much better impression than scruffy jeans and a t-shirt. Look your age; don’t dress too young or too old.

Men's Job Fair Attire

• Suit (solid color - navy or dark grey)

• Long sleeve shirt (white or coordinated with suit)

• Belt• Tie• Dark socks, conservative leather

shoes• Little or no jewelry • Neat, professional hairstyle • Limit the aftershave • Neatly trimmed nails • Portfolio or briefcase

Women's Job Fair Attire

• Suit – skirt or pants (if skirt should be long enough to sit down comfortably)

• Coordinated blouse • Conservative, comfortable

shoes • Limited jewelry (no dangling

earrings or arms full of bracelets - no jewelry is better than cheap jewelry)

• Professional hairstyle • Neutral pantyhose • Light make-up and perfume • Neatly manicured clean nails • Portfolio or briefcase

Adapted from http://jobsearch.about.com/od/interviewattire/a/interviewdress.htm 6

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Women’s Resource AgencyCitadel Mall (next to Penney’s)750 Citadel Drive E, Suite 3128

Colorado Springs, CO 80909719-471-3170 ● reception@wrainc.org

Suit-Up for SuccessAt our boutique, job readiness

clients who have a pending job interview receive one-on-one coaching from a Personal Shopper and select an appropriate interview suit to make the transition back to the workforce easier. Outfits include accessories and are free to clients to keep.

After gaining employment, clients return for additional workplace outfits and the opportunity to join our Women's Professional Network, an employment retention and career advancement program.• Interview suiting - 1 to 2 interview

appropriate business suits• Employment suiting - 5 to 8 career

outfits for newly employed women

Special Note – WRA also has a limited amount of MEN’S professional clothing as well. Please call in advance to check on the current inventory.

Need assistance with appropriate professional

dress?Try the following community

resources

Ecumenical Social Ministries201 N. Weber Street

Colorado Springs, CO 80903(719) 636-1916 Phone - CLIENT

INFORMATION (719) 636-3452 Fax

Men's Professional Clothing

ESM has a limited supply of professional clothing for men. Please call in advance to check on their current stock.

Discover Goodwillof Southern and Western Colorado

http://discovermygoodwill.org/find-a-store

• Do NOT cruise the job fair with friends or other job seekers

• Do NOT bring your children

• Do NOT carry an oversized backpack, gym bag, briefcase, purse, etc.

• Do NOT dress in gym clothes, torn jeans, or dirty clothes

• Do NOT show too much skin

• Do NOT “wing it” with recruiters

• Do NOT ask “What does your company do?” or “What jobs do you have?”

• Do NOT monopolize the recruiters’ time

• Do NOT load up on promotional items

• Do NOT talk on your cell phone; leave it in the car!

JOB FAIR

DON’TS

You must be registered inwww.connectingcolorado.com

to attend the Job Fair!

Bring your PPWFC SCAN CARD with you to the Job Fair.

THIS GUIDE IS PAID FOR FROMU.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

FUNDS8