How To Work A Career Fair

1. How To Work A Career Fair Kraig Brinkerhoff and Jason Ratliff FHS Advisement Center & Career Services BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY

2. Identify career goals and interests (Objective) • Identify companies of interest • Research the companies (mission, goals, etc.) • Prepare your resume Before the Fair

3. Register with eRecruiting • Prepare for meeting with companies • - practice answering interview questions, etc. • Dress professionally - Business Dress- If look for Internship of Full- time - Business Casual- If attending for informational purposes Before the Fair (continued)

4. Work Sheets

5. During the Fair Locate & visit with company representatives of your choice Introduce yourself to the representative - Give the representative your resume, display a positive self-assured attitude - extend your hand (shake firmly) Discuss your strengths, abilities, interests, and goals - explain how these attributes would benefit the company

6. During the Fair (continued) Ask questions about career opportunities within the company Ask for an “interview” and schedule it at that time – where will it be conducted Ask the representative for a business card, give a firm hand shake, a genuine “thank you” and smile

7. Write the company representative a thank you note, which should include: -a statement thanking him/her for their time and consideration -a brief statement of how your goals, skills, and abilities will benefit the company -ask for an interview at their convenience • Attend career related programs • Continue your career search After the Fair

8. Review notes on company (previously researched) • Prepare yourself for the Interview (resource material is available at the CDC & web) • practice answering various interview questions • Dress (neat, business attire, etc.) • Arrive to the interview early (20 minutes) Before the Interview

9. Be yourself • Be positive -remember, first impressions usually remain lasting impressions • What to expect -you will be asked to give specific examples of past situations -structured questioning -the interviewer may take notes During the Interview

10. Tell me about a time when you gave exceptional customer service • Describe a time when you had to juggle multiple tasks at one time and how you managed it • Give me an example of a situation where you had to exert leadership to get a task done or problem solved Example Interview Questions

11. S = situation (describe the situation/problem) • T = task (describe the task) • A = action (describe the action YOU took) • R = results (explain the results) • Tell the interviewer a story, but be concise Recommended Structure for Answering Interview Questions (STAR Approach)

12. Practice time!

13. Tell me about a time when you gave exceptional customer service • Describe a time when you had to juggle multiple tasks at one time and how you managed it • Give me an example of a situation where you had to exert leadership to get a task done or problem solved Example Interview Questions

14. Kraig Brinkerhoff Academic and Career Adviser FHSS 801-422-3541 Kraig_brinkerhoff@byu.edu Jason Ratliff Career Adviser801-422-3000Jason_Ratliff@byu.edu Your Career Resources