Student Employment—Tips for Students

Here are some helpful tips. Contact our office if you need help updating your resume.

Dress Professionally

Your meeting with company representatives at the job fair is a brief, but real interview. If you don't impres them the first time you meet, you may not get a second chance! It is a good idea to lay out your clothing the night before an interview. Plan in advance what you are going to wear, and be sure everything is neat, clean and pressed. Simple and conservative attire is usually best.

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Update your Resumé

Before the job fair, review your resume. Is it attractive and error free? does it "sell" your skills to the employer? Is it targeted to the type of employment you are currently seeking? Bring a couple of dozen professional-quality copies with you to the fair.

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Practice What You Will Say

There are a few basic questions you will probably be asked all day. One of them will be ”What type of job are you looking for?“ If you don‘t have an answer ready for this question you will not look prepared. Although it may be partly true, do not say you will take any job they have. Commit to a specific type of job such as customer service support, clerical assistant, accounting clerk, welder, etc. If you don‘t want to be specific, offer your experience: ”I have skills in sales, marketing and advertising, and I am interested in job opportunities with your company.“

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Be Prepared to Discuss Anything

You might be asked to describe your strengths and skills, experience, special training or qualifications for a specific job. Someone might ask you why you left your previous job or why you are looking for a career change. If you are prepared to field a variety of questions, your tact and skill will show you as a superior candidate.

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Network While You Wait

Talk to your fellow job seekers while you are waiting to speak to a specific employer. Who have they talked to? Have they heard of anyone hiring someone with your background?

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Arrange for Some Daycare

If possible, arrange for someone to watch your child while you are speaking to employers. Although children and fairs usually go together, a job fair is a serious opportunity to meet with prospective employers. Be as professional here as you would be at a job interview.

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Preparation

• Preparation

• • Obtain a list of employers
    Plan your strategy for the companies you want to talk to. Do research on the companies in the Career Center, with faculty, at the public library. Prepare questions to ask the recruiter.
    list of this year‘s employers
  • A perfect resume is a must
    Your resume is an opportunity to present yourself. Make it a presentation you can be proud of. Proof your resume for errors. If you are looking for more than one type of work, you may need more than one type of resume. The Career Center has many resume guides and PC you can use to polish your resume.
  • Learn to sell yourself
    You have only a few minutes to introduce yourself, and spark the recruiter's interest in you for a future, more formal interview. This takes practice. Use a mirror, tape recorder or a friend! BE POSITIVE!

• Professionalism

• • Be remembered for the ”right“ reasons
    Now is not the time to have too creative a resume or wear unusual clothing.
  • Be polite at all times
    The person you meet in the parking lot, hallway or restroom may be the recruiter you will see later in the day.
  • Recruiters see you
    As a potential future representative of their company. Display confidence, enthusiasm, and the ability to think and speak "on your feet" - and under pressure.
  • Get the recruiters business card
    Discuss how and when to follow up. A follow up letter is an appropriate way to reiterate your qualifications, what you know about the company and why you are a ”good fit“.

• Patience

• • Make notes
    After you have spoken to the recruiter. Take the time to regroup, prepare to follow-up and be ready for the next recruiter you will be speaking to.
  • Statistics
    Job fair statistics show that up to 49% of the candidates who prepare in advance can receive interviews from job fairs, and 65% of those candidates receive job offers. This process can take three months or longer (the larger the company, the longer this may take).

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What type of products (or services) does your company:
manufacture?
sell
service?
provide?

Do you have any description of current openings at your company?

What types of positions do you have trouble filling? Why?

Do you have any literature describing your company?

Is your work load seasonal?

Do you ever need to hire someone with             background?

am interested in            , do you ever need someone in this area?

What are the main skills or characteristics that you look for in an employee?

Is it important to have a resume? A cover letter? Good letters of recommendation?

What do you like to see in a resume?

How do you like to see someone dress for an interview with your company? Does your company have a dress code?

Could you look at my resume and tell me what you like about it, and what you would suggest that I change?

Can you start someone part-time until school is out for the summer?

How can a job applicant convince you to call them in for an interview?

If you have interviewed someone for a job, do you mind if they call to find out the status of your hiring process?

If you don't have an available opening that fits my background now, but I would like to work for your company, how often could I call without becoming a pest? Who should I ask for?

What skills do you find most marketable in your industry today?

What skills to you project being necessary in tomorrows job market?

Always thank the employer for talking to you, and give them a copy of your resume if you have one.

Download these questions as a PDF

Oswego State University of New York

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