New This Year: Bring your ISUCard to Create Your Nametag
Engineering Career Expo Strategies 
Attending career fairs each semester is an important employment development strategy. You establish a track record with employersACB when you collect business cards and visit with the recruiters each semester. Even if you are not looking for a position for the following semester, the relationships you develop with employersACB are important when it is time to obtain Experiential Education (summer, intern or co-op) or full-time employment. The suggestions below provide ideas to successfully plan for the fair.
BEFORE THE FAIR
Research the employers:
Researching the employers is vitally important. Employer representatives are more interested in your qualifications if you know about themACB. Begin your research in ISU CMS https://ecms.eng.iastate.edu/students. You can easily link to employer websites, learn about their positions and if they are interviewing soon after the fair. If you have forgotten your password, click the tab Forgot my Password and you will receive an e-mail in a few minutes. If there are problems, email ecs@iastate.edu for assistance to access ISU CMS.
Where can you find employers who are recruiting your major at the fair?
- From your homepage in ISU CMS, under Quick Links click the statement for Career Fair Participants.
- Under the Participants tab click the arrow for Day, choose the Engineering option and Apply Search.
- Choose the Advance Search tab and choose the Type of Employment, select your major and click submit.
- Clicking either the Employer Name or the website provides valuable information.
Where can you learn more about the positions or if the employer is interviewing?
- From the header select Jobs, click Advanced Search. In Show Me select All Jobs & Interviews, select your major, click yes for the statement ‘Ignores jobs with All Majors selected,’ and the Position Type.
- Click Submit and compare the list with the employers who are attending the fair and recruiting your major. Remember that employers may change their plans by posting positions and interviews later. Your goal is to learn about employers who may fill interview schedules at the career fair. Run the advanced searches frequently to learn about changes and additional employers planning to attend the fair.
Resume Preparation:
Prepare or update your resume.
Use ISU CMS for Pre-select Interviews
Logon to http://www.ecms.eng.iastate.edu/students. Click on Job tab. Perform a search for desired positions (full-time, experiential, etc.) Click on the Job Title on the left for any employers you are interested in looking at for employment. Submit resume online by using the Application Status tab. Submit resume to all employers you are interested in for interview selection. Beware some interview selection dates (pre-select) are before the date of the career fair, so make sure to check ISU CMS a few days before the fair. If you have questions, see the ISU CMS strategies link from the Spring Career Fair homepage.
Develop your Introduction:
You have handed the employer your resume. Help the recruiter remember you with a brief 30-60 second introduction. Note the suggestions below:
"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 about summer, intern, co-op or full-time employment.
"Before asking you a couple of questions, I would like to tell you about my background ____." Briefly provide more information about one resume entry. This helps the employer remember you. For example, it could relate, but is not limited, to:
- an extracurricular or volunteer activity,
- a hobby related to engineering,
- an example of an accomplishment that gave you great pride, or
- an example from your work experience.
Potential Questions to Ask the Employers:
The representatives of the more popular companies are very busy. 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 through ISU CMS and through their website, ask questions that add to the facts collected from your research.
- "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.)
- "Do you have coop/intern or summer positions?" (Do not ask if it is clearly indicated from your research.)
- "What are the requirements for your work experience programs?"
- "When should I apply for a work experience program?"
- "What courses should I complete before applying to _______ (name of employer)?"
- "Are there course electives that are important at _________ (name of employer)?"
- "What type of experience is important before applying for a position?"
- "With my coop/intern or summer work, I have experience in _____. How could I use this experience at _____ (name of company)?"
- “Should I submit my resume at your web site or through ISU CMS?"
- "Since you are interviewing on campus, do you have openings on your schedule?" or if they are not listed as interviewing through ISU CMS ask, "Will you visit campus to interview at a later date?" If not, ask about the application process.
- "How do I apply for positions in _________ (geographic location)?"
- "May I have your business card for future reference?" Do not be alarmed if they do not give you a business card because some recruiters actually forget to bring them, they may have run out or the Human Resources Department may want their information given out.
Last Details:
- Prioritize your list with your favorite employers.
- From the http://www.eng.iastate.edu/spring_fair, print a copy of the booth map.
- Plan your schedule for visiting booths; remember to allow time for the busiest employers.
- Make copies of your resume; some employers will not accept resumes but take enough for each company you plan to visit and extras for additional contacts.
DAY OF THE FAIR
What should you take to the fair?
- Notes related to your priority list, employer questions and a booth map.
- Portfolio for your resumes, notes and the business cards you will collect.
- Pen/pencil to take notes about employers for follow-up.
- When you arrive at the fair, what should you do?
- Visit one of the registration tables inside the entrance doors of the Hilton Coliseum.
- Check the large booth maps located at the entrances for last minute cancellations and/or additions.
- Complete a name-tag that is color coded for your major.
- Evaluate the traffic flow for the companies you plan to visit; some companies may have a wait of 20-40 minutes.
- Plan a minimum of two hours at the fair if you are seeking a coop/intern/summer or full-time position the next semester.
How can you make it easier to begin talking to employers?
- Listen to the conversations of experienced engineering students who are seeking employment.
- Adjust your plans to visit less busy companies.
- Look for a friendly person who isn't busy and is easy to approach.
- Find an alumnus with an ISU logo on their nametags who may remember their shyness at fairs.
- Speak to companies that are not on your priority list and work up to your favorite company.
Make a positive impression with the following:
- Enthusiastic, respectful attitude with a firm handshake and good eye contact.
- Use your short introduction.
- One-page easy to scan resume.
- Dress like a professional in a business suit or "business casual;" use good common sense
- Ask for a business card; if the answer is, "No," make a note of their name so you can remember them at future fairs. Do not be alarmed if they do not give you a business card because some recruiters actually forget to bring them, they may have run out or the Human Resources Department may want their information given out.
- Clarify any follow-up requirements such as submitting a resume on ISU CMS or employer website.
- Conclude with a handshake and a thank you.
AFTER THE FAIR
- Develop a spreadsheet or filing system to maintain contact names and addresses, notes about conversations at the fair, and questions that you will ask at the next fair.
- Follow-up with any contacts providing any information such as a resume that you have promised the employer.
- Send a thank you if you are interested in the employer.
- If you use e-mail, assist 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.
- Attach a copy of your personal resume.
Please make an appointment to discuss your specific questions.
Engineering Career Services
308 Marston
515-294-3553 phone
ecs@iastate.edu
www.eng.iastate.edu/ecs
