ENGINEERING CAREER SERVICES
UTILIZING THE CAREER FAIR AND

SPRING CAREER EXPO
l You are a first time visitor at the Career Fair/Expo, what should you expect?
l What are the benefits of attending the Career Fair/Expo?
l

 Should you attend the Career Fair/Expo if you are not looking for a job for the following semester?
l Do all the attending companies at the fair have open positions?
l When should you begin preparing for the fair?
l What are some suggestions for your one-minute introduction?
l What are some potential questions to ask the employers?
l What should you do a few days before the fair?
l What should you take to the fair?
l When you arrive at the fair, what should you do first?
l There are many companies who attend, how can you maximize your time?
l How can you make a positive impression?
l It is hard to speak to the first company, how can you make it easier?
l How should you follow-up after the fair?
l What should you do if one of my professors said the company is looking for your major, but the recruiters said they are not interested?
 
You are a first time visitor at the Career Fair/Expo, what should you expect?
 
Engineering Career Services is host to career fairs in September as part of Engineers' Week and in January or February. Approximately 200-250 employers attend in the fall semester. In spring semester, approximately 120-150 employers participate. The fairs are located in Hilton Coliseum. During both fairs, students interested in coop/intern/summer and full-time positions have an excellent opportunity to network or develop contacts with interested employers. The employers are interested in ISU and our engineering students. Many of the company representatives are recent graduates.

FUN!
A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE!
OPPORTUNITY!
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Overview Overview Alumni Rockwell-Collins
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Cargill Iowa D.O.T. Weitz Overview
What are the benefits of attending the Career Fair/Expo?

l Network or develop contacts with numerous companies who employ your major
l

 Develop records including the names of representatives and companies; when possible use the information in communication with the companies
l Learn about careers within companies to help the "undeclared" student choose a major
l
 Collect information about co-op/intern/summer and full-time opportunities
l Gain assistance in choosing a career path within your major
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 Meet potential interviewers because many of the representatives return to conduct interviews
l Learn about the company culture from the employees
l Experience the professional side of college life
Should you attend the Career Fair/Expo if you are not looking for a job for the following semester?
Yes, every semester the career fairs are for everyone, freshman, sophomore, junior, senior and graduate students.
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 You establish a track record with specific companies when you collect business cards and visit with the recruiters each semester. Keep a record of the cards you collect for future reference. If you are unable to collect cards with names, note the names of representatives for future reference. You could develop a spreadsheet to track companies.
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 When you attend during your first semester as either an undeclared or declared engineering student, you become more familiar with the names of companies and learn about the types of opportunities available.
l

 Employers often hire several different majors and learning about their work environment may help with your decision related to choosing a major or specialization.
l

 You benefit from hearing the conversations of experienced engineering students who are seeking employment.
l Each time you talk to an employer you improve your communication skills.
l

 Establishing contacts by attending career fairs makes the job search process easier because you are informed, organized and more confident in representing yourself as a professional.
 
Do all the attending companies at the fair have open positions?
   
Companies may not have open positions when they attend the fair. Your attendance is important because the benefits of meeting company representatives are cumulative. In other words, each semester you meet the same employer you should learn more about the company including the names of representatives who attend. Some of the same representatives attend year after year. When you greet them acknowledge that you met them at the last fair.

The employment market is dynamic. A company may not have a position at the time of the fair, however, a position  may develop later possibly days or weeks. Monitor your ISUCMS account frequently to learn of postings by the companies. Companies are impressed when you know about them. Stand out from the students at the fair who do not research the companies. At the time of the fair, research the information the company has posted on ISUCMS. How?

l

From your home page select either the events tab along the top and to the right, or from the middle of the home page from Quick Links select "Upcoming Career Fair"
l From either option, click the name of the fair
l If you wish to refine your search, select Advanced Search and choose the preferred options
l If you click the name of the company, you can:
m   If available, read the overview of the company which is basic information provided by the company.
m   Select the tab "Available Positions." If they do not have positions, meet with them to learn if and when they expect changes.
m   On the right you can save the company as a favorite. When you access ISUCMS you will see if the company has made changes.
m   Research the information at the company website.
   
When should you begin preparing for the fair?
The fairs are held four to six weeks into the semester. Plan your schedule to complete the following steps before the fair:
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Update your ISUCMS profile and either upload, or update and re-load your resume.
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 Even if you are not looking for a job immediately and it is your first semester at ISU, complete the ISUCMS process to:
m learn how the procedure works and
m develop the habit of updating your profile and resume each semester.
l







 Researching the companies is vitally important. You are immediately at a disadvantage if you have not researched the information on ISUCMS. Conduct a search on ISUCMS using either the events tab or quick links "Upcoming Career Fair"  to see who are planning to attend the fair; search frequently to discover last minute additions of companies. Take advantage of the "advanced search" options.
l Prepare your one-minute introduction for the employers
l Develop potential questions for each employer
l Attend seminars that are presented before the fair
What are some suggestions for your one-minute introduction?
l Students Gathering Information or Developing Career Options
"Hi, my name is ______. If your name is difficult to pronounce, give the employer clues to make it easier to remember.
"My major is _____." or "My major is "undeclared" and I am seeking information related to ________." Briefly state your objective for seeking information.
"Before asking you a couple of questions, I would like to tell you about my background ____." Briefly provide more information about one resume entry in the STAR format. This helps the employer remember you. For example, it could relate, but is not limited, to:
m an extracurricular or volunteer activity,
m a hobby related to engineering,
m an example of an accomplishment that gave you great pride, or
m an example of your work ethic.
After your STAR, the questions you ask should relate to the objective you have mentioned to the employer.
l
 Students Seeking Jobs (full-time, co-op/intern/summer positions)
"Hi, my name is ______. If your name is difficult to pronounce, give the employer clues to make it easier to remember.
"My major is _____."
"I am interested in beginning work ______ (next semester, summer, etc). This should be in your objective on your resume.
"I would like to tell you about my background ____." Briefly provide more information about a resume entry. This helps the employer remember you. Use the STAR format. For example, it could relate, but is not limited, to:
m an extracurricular or volunteer activity,
m a hobby related to engineering,
m an example that gave you great pride, or
m a specific example from your work experience.
These questions are very general. Remember companies are looking for specific information about your objectives and qualifications.
What are some potential questions to ask the employers?
Question Ideas for Students Gathering Information or Developing Career Options
The representatives of the more popular companies are very busy. Approximately 4,500 students visit the fair. Show consideration for the company representatives and other students and do not ask numerous questions, but select one or two that are important. Remember you have researched the company web site, ask questions that add to the facts collected from your research. You can inform the representative that you know their time is valuable and will limit your questions.
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 "I am exploring majors in _____ and _____. How would I use one of the majors in your company." (Make certain the company is recruiting both majors.) Or "I am majoring in ____. How would I use my major at _____ (name of company)?"
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 "Do you have coop/intern or summer positions?" (Do not ask if it is clearly indicated in the company information)
l "What are the requirements for your work experience programs?"
l "When should I apply for a work experience program?"
l "What is your recruitment/selection process?"
l "What are your screening criteria?"
l

 "What courses should I complete before applying to _______ (name of company)?"
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 "Are there course electives that are important at _________ (name of company)?"
l "What type of experience is important before applying for a position?"
l "What are important competencies at _______ (name of company)?"
l "May I have your business card for future reference?" If the answer is "No," ask, "May I




make a note of your name so I will remember for future reference? I may see you next year." Do not be alarmed if they do not give you a business card (some recruiters actually forget to bring them, they may have run out of cards or the Human Resources Department may want only their information given out), but do ask for one because this is important for future reference.
Question Ideas for Students Seeking Jobs (full-time, co-op, intern/summer positions)
Do not monopolize the conversation with numerous questions because the company representatives are very busy. Show respect for the companies and other students by concentrating on creating a positive impression to have an invitation for an interview. Remember you have researched the company web site, ask questions that add to the facts collected from your research.
l




 "With my coop/intern or summer work, I have experience in _____. How could I use this experience at _____ (name of company)?" or "I am specifically interested in ______ will I gain experience in this area at _____ (name of company)?"
l "What competencies do you expect in successful candidates?"
l

 "From your web site, I learned ______. What do you think is an important trend for the future?"
l

 "May I give you a copy of my resume? Should I submit my resume on-line at your web site?"
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 "I notice you are interviewing on campus. Do you have openings on your schedule?" or if they are not listed as interviewing through ISUCMS ask, "Will you visit campus to interview at a later date?" If not, ask about the application process.
l "Where are your entry level positions located?"
l "How do I apply for positions in _________ (geographic location)?"
l







 "May I have your business card for future reference?" If the answer is, "No," ask, "May I make a note of your name so I can refer to you in a follow-up letter." Do not be alarmed if they do not give you a business card (some recruiters actually forget to bring them, they may have run out or the Human Resources Department may want only their information given out), but do ask for one because this is important for your follow-up.
What should you do a few days before the fair?
l

 

 Continue your company research by checking the ISUCMS web site for additional companies
l Prioritize your list with your favorite companies
l Obtain a copy of the booth layout a week before the fairs in 308 Marston
l

 Add less well-known companies that you have discovered in your research; often they have great opportunities
l

 If commercial reproduction of your personal resume is necessary do not wait until the night before, you could face long lines at near-by locations
What should you take to the fair?
l Enough resumes for your favorite companies and extras for additional contacts
l Notes related to your priority list and locations of companies
l Copies of the booth layout you used for your research
l Portfolio for your resumes and collected business cards
l Pen/pencil to take notes about companies for follow-up
When you arrive at the fair, what should you do first?
l Visit one of the registration tables inside the entrance doors
l Complete a name-tag that is color coded for your major
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 Take a plastic bag from the registration table for the company "give-aways".
Remember this is an opportunity to show your professional side. Do not visit a company's booth just to grab the "give-aways".
There are many companies who attend, how can you maximize your time?
l Create your priority list before you attend
l 




Determine the location of your top companies from the booth layout. You may need to wait for some of the most popular companies possibly as long as 20 minutes. Try to maximize your time by locating the other companies and evaluate how busy they are.
l

 Plan a minimum of two hours at the fair if you are seriously seeking a coop/intern/summer or full-time position the next semester.
How can you make a positive impression?
l An enthusiastic and respectful attitude
l Pleasant greeting with the following:
m Firm handshake
m Good eye contact
m One minute introduction to help you maximize your qualifications if you are seeking a position
l One-page resume that is easy for the recruiter to scan
l Appearance
m Dress like a professional in business or "business casual"
Leave the scruffy tee shirt, ripped jeans and tattered tennis shoes at home. The picture of recent ISU alumni is helpful to understand the meaning of the term "business casual."
m Attention to quality of grooming; haircut, polished shoes, and clothing that is clean and pressed; use good common sense
l Close
m Ask for a business card; remember the advice given in questions
m Clarify the procedures for follow-up
ü Process to obtain an interview
ü Person and address to send a follow-up letter only if there is a match of your interests with company goals
m Express your thanks and offer another handshake! These thoughtful details are important to the recruiters on a busy day and you could "land" an interview.
m Submit your resume at the company web site if required
It is hard to speak to the first company, how can you make it easier?
l

 Look for a friendly person who isn't busy
They are easier to approach and save the nervousness of waiting in line.
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 Find an alumnus with an ISU sticker on their nametags
Remember these company representatives were students like you and were once nervous at career fairs.
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 Speak to companies that are not on your priority list and work up to your favorite company
How should you follow-up after the fair?
l Provide the information promised to the recruiter
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 Send a thank you to the person designated by the recruiter via e-mail only if you are seriously interested in the position
Help the recruiter by placing your name in the subject line. Include specific information related to your conversation from the fair to help the recruiter remember you.
l Attach a copy of your personal resume
What should you do if one of my professors said the company is looking for your major, but the recruiters said they are not interested?
l  

Ask if there are other departments or divisions within the company that might be interested and if there is a contact
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 If there is no help from the company representatives, ask your professor for the name and contact information
In some cases, the recruiters understand their own jobs and divisions but may have less extensive knowledge about the corporation as a whole.