DragonFest Job Fair: Tricks on Getting Connections
DragonFest got an upgrade! This year, the Rec and Wellness Center partnered with the Career and Development Center to bring in a whole new aspect to DragonFest: A part-time job fair!
Why the job fair? Sam Gust, the Assistant Director of the CDC, says they want you to make as many connections as possible and set you on track for a successful career path. How could you say no to that?
Sam Gust gave us a few tips on how to leave your mark this Wednesday:
How can students prepare for the DragonFest part-time job fair?
The best way for students to prepare for the job fair is making sure their paperwork is brushed up, such as their resume. Another important thing to work on is your elevator pitch. People hear of the elevator pitch and essentially it is a “tell us more about you” question. We have a formula here at the CDC that is past, present, future and why. Answer those and that is your elevator speech.
What can students do to stand out after they leave the booth?
Always follow up. The best thing to do if you get a business card is to follow up within 24 hours. If you’re feeling bold, which the CDC recommends, ask for an informational interview so you can learn more about their company or positions.
Any other tips for job hunting students?
Practice your handshake. Make eye contact and smile. In general, sign up for Handshake and keep it updated. There are many opportunities on there for students and everyone has an account automatically.
Then, clean up your social media, because everything posted online is there for everyone to see and you want to make sure your future employers see the best possible you.
If you have copies of your resume, bring it to the job fair. First expressions matter, so keep in mind how you’re dressed. For the DragonFest job fair, you’re not expected to wear a suit, but dress appropriately to leave a good impression.
If you still have questions, check out the CDC website for more information.