Are you career fair ready? FSC offers tips on preparing for Nov. 6 event

  • Published
  • By Steve Auld
  • Family Support Center
How far along are you in preparing for the Tinker and the Primes Career Fair?
   What? You haven't started? You don't have your resumé completed? Don't have a clue what to wear? Don't know where to go to research companies? Haven't polished that "Three Minute Commercial"? No master application on hand? Haven't prepared questions to ask the employers during an interview? No thank you cards purchased yet?Don't panic.
   We've got the answers to help you get "Career Fair Ready."
   The Family Support Center and Workforce Oklahoma will hold the Tinker and the Primes Career Fair from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Reed Center, 5800 Will Rogers Road in Midwest City.
   The Career Fair is open to all active duty and retired military personnel, civil service employees (current and retired) and all veterans who have served in the U.S. armed forces and their dependent family members.
   Registration is required. Go to www.tinkerandtheprimes.com to register. Admission is free, but appropriate identification will be required on the day of the event.
   Over the next few weeks, we will be answering all the above questions and more. There are many people who have never been to a career fair and many more who may have attended, but really were not properly prepared and walked away disappointed. In order to get the most out of your career fair experience, you must prepare.
   You need to know what to do ahead of time, what to expect during the career fair and what to do following the career fair. In this article we answer questions about what to do before the career fair.
   What should I do before the career fair?
   There are four things to do to prepare:
   -- Research the companies
   -- Finalize resumé
   -- Prepare a "three-minute commercial"
   -- Plan to dress for success
   Why do I have to research the companies?
   You need to know if you really want to work for this company and then target your resumé to meet the company's needs.
   The information you obtain can also be used in your interview process. You will be able to develop questions regarding the company's plans, programs and initiatives as well as indicate how your skills fit in with the needs of the company.
   It will help you to use your time wisely while at the career fair. If you discover the company is not what you expected, then you don't need to visit with them at the career fair.
   Where should I go to get information on the companies?
   Going directly to the company Web site is the best way to research a company.
If you do not already have the company Web address, an easy way to search for a company is to enter the company name in one of the larger search engines. Chances are the site will be listed. Pull up the companies' Web sites and see what they say about themselves in the "about us" or "our company" section of their sites. Check out the "employment" section to see what jobs are listed that you may be qualified for; read and review the job descriptions carefully.
   Use various resource books at your local library such as Dun and Bradstreet's Million Dollar Directory, Hoover's Handbook, Standard and Poor's Register of Corporation Directors and Executives or Thomas's Register of American Manufacturers and Thomas Register Catalog File.
   What should my resumé look like?
   A "generic" resumé is not always the best fit. The best resumés are targeted to a particular job within a particular company. This is where your research comes in.
If you don't have the opportunity to research companies to target your resume, you may develop several different resumés aimed at different types of positions. For example, you may have a resumé aimed at your technical experience, one aimed at your training and supervision and one aimed at your administrative skills.
   Be concise. Try to limit your resumé to one page, but if that's not possible, don't go more than two pages. Use bullet style statements. Focus on skills and accomplishments in addition to your responsibilities. No typos, spelling or grammatical errors.
   What is a "three-minute commercial?"
   The "three-minute commercial" is a well organized sales pitch about yourself and your background. It will help break the ice and provide a quick and clear synopsis of your career and will identify your skills and desired employment situation.
Include the following in your commercial:
   -- Greeting or introduction
  -- Experience related to the position
   -- Education and training related to the position
   -- Two or three examples of your skills and strengths
   -- Your objective
   -- A high impact closing
   -- Share why you are interested in their company
   -- Have a statement of what you are offering the employer 
   -- Ask for specific information about future openings and how you can prepare yourself to be an ideal candidate
   Practice your commercial until it sounds natural. Remember, the atmosphere at a Career Fair can sometimes be very crowded, hectic and loud. Be ready to discuss your value to their organization. Use the information learned from your research to develop intelligent questions about their plans for growth, general employment opportunities, and benefits of working with them. However, don't be disappointed if employers do not have a lot of time to spend with you or if you don't get an interview right then. But do be sure to get the business cards of those you meet so you can do a follow-up contact them later.
   What is a master application?
   It is an organized reference sheet that contains all the information you will need to complete a job application. Do not give your master application to potential employers. Instead, fill out the employer's application, but use your master application to help you remember names, dates, phone numbers, addresses, job experiences and duties, former employer information, military service history, education, certifying organizations, career affiliated organizations, volunteer activities etc. By having and using a thorough master application you won't get flustered trying to remember specific information and you can concentrate on providing a neat, complete application.
   What should I wear?
   Even though career fairs are a little less formal than a typical interview, don't dress down. Dress just as professionally as you would in any interview situation.
Do not underestimate the power of good grooming. Recruiters are going to see you before they hear you, so make a positive first impression. Dress and act professionally.
   Wear conservative business attire:
   Men
   -- Suit, single breasted, white or pinstripe shirt, conservative tie
   -- Sports coat with tan, gray or charcoal slacks, conservative shirt and tie
   -- Clean sports shirt and clean casual pants
   Women:
   -- Clean hair, light makeup, conservative jewelry
   -- Seasonal business suit in solid color or conservative pattern, white, cream or pastel blouse
   -- Tailored dress in solid color or conservative print
   -- Medium heel pumps, no open toes or backs
   -- Stockings or panty hose in nude or beige
   Both men and women should avoid perfume, cologne or strong smelling deodorant and smoking. Carry a briefcase or professional portfolio. Women should not carry a separate purse if possible. If you must carry a purse, make sure it is small and tasteful.
   What about uniform of the day? BDUs only if you can't get out of it. Make sure the uniform is clean, crisply ironed and shoes are highly shined.
   Now we have explored what to do before the career fair, to include researching the company, preparing a resumé, developing a 30 second commercial and finally, what to wear to the Career Fair. The Family Support Center is available for assistance. We have several computers for you to use to prepare your resume or federal application. A list of the participating employers will be available at the Family Support Center, Bldg. 6001, on Oct. 26.
   Next week we will look at what to do during the career fair. We will discuss why employment applications can keep you from the job you are qualified for. In addition, we will examine how to lay out a career fair strategy, the importance of taking notes and how to market yourself.
   For more information or to get started on your resumé, call the Family Support Center at 739-2747 and sign up for one of their resumé writing workshops.