As the snow starts to melt and the flowers begin to blossom, the calendar turns to one of the most exciting parts of the school year. JOB HUNTING SEASON! This is the time of year when students preparing to leave college and begin the exciting process of meeting other school districts and learning all about the networking process. But, what types of things should be considered when attending your first job fair? Dress, Resume, and Conversations should, of course, be in the front of everyone's playbook but there are several others that are equally important.
Here are 10 things that you might be thinking about as you prepare for your next job fair or interview. . . plus one very important bonus tip that I highly recommend you consider.
11 Things You Should Consider When Preparing For Your Next Job Fair
Prepare … Prepare … Prepare
When attending a job fair or interview, it can not be overstated enough. Prepare ahead of time for the big event. Make sure you have everything you need the night before.
* Have your resume's prepped, proofed, and printed and put in a folder so they don't bend.
* Make sure you have your clothes ready and pressed. If you are someone who has a habit of sweating, it might be best to take a second shirt with you.
* Check out the schools ahead of time so you know who will be there and what positions they have available. You want to make sure you are going to be hitting the right schools for you early in the day.
* Are your business cards in your jacket pocket so you can take them out at a minutes notice? They should be put in your pocket in just a way that when you reach in and extend your arm, it is properly presented to them so they read it. (it's a nice touch)
Dress For Success
There are several ways of saying “business casual” and “dress to impress.” For many, you should dress for the job you want.
Be professional:
* Make sure your shirt is clean and pressed. (be careful of what you have for breakfast)
* Wear comfortable shoes… you will be on your feat all day.
* Remember that you may be carrying a backpack or other item with your papers in it… don't over pack… if you need to run to your car to reload …. do it, rather than carry a heavy bag that will exhaust you during the day.
Nail Your Introduction
Your first 60 seconds with a potential employer is the most critical. You should have your game face on and be energetic, happy to be there, and overall, showing confidence.
Be prepared to answer some of the standard first questions:
* How are you today?
* Tell us a bit about yourself?
* How are you enjoying the job fair today?
* Did you travel far to get here?
* How are things these days in ____(fill in your current school district)_____
You should have canned answers for all of these questions. These questions are to get you talking. Your answers should be designed to invite those across the table to answer questions. The quicker you can engage in conversation, the easier it will be for you to relax through the interview process.
It's also best in your into to quickly mention that you have expertise in something that the school is proud of or currently deploying with their staff. It will give them an opportunity to bring up additional questions for you to converse over.
Do Your Homework
As stated in the first section, you should go in with a handful of schools you WANT to interview for. Have them well scouted. Know who their Superintendents are and the names of their Human Resource staff and perhaps the principals. It is always a great first impression when you sit down with a recruiter and ask how Dr _____ is doing.
You should also have some basic facts about the school districts prepped ahead of time:
