How to Navigate a Job/Career Fair

Good morning, everyone!  Tomorrow is a big day at NEIU - our Fall 2012 Diversity Community Job and Volunteer Fair happens tomorrow from 12-3.  (If you are looking for a job, I highly recommend attending - it's free and open to the community, along with students and alumni.)

We have 68 companies attending - up A LOT from last year's 35ish.  It's very exciting stuff.

Now, I know for many of you, the idea of attending a job fair does not sound fun at all. I remember the first time I ever attended one - I was so nervous and intimidated.  However, while job fairs don't necessarily translate directly into interviews or jobs (though they can), they are an integral part of the job search process, especially for college students and alumni.

Now, for some helpful hints/tips for navigating your first job fair:

1. Research the companies you want to talk to.  This is a big one.  The employers there will expect you to have done your research.  Most job fairs have lists of the companies attending, and sometimes also the positions for which they are recruiting.  Pay attention to this and do some research, writing down notes and talking points.
2. Practice your 30-second pitch.  You need to have something to say to these recruiters, so practicing (not memorizing) an elevator pitch is a good thing to do.  Talk about who you are, why you are interested in them, and why you are a good fit for their organization/position.
3. Print out plenty of resumes.  You will need more than you'll think you'll need, so print out a lot.  If you happen to have resume or other high-quality paper, print them out on that.  Make sure everything looks good when you print them out, and be prepared to give a copy at the door of the fair.  (Also, be sure to put them in a padfolio so that they don't wrinkle or get folded.)
4. Dress professionally.  This means a suit.  At the very least, wear business casual attire (basically the suit minus the jacket).  DO NOT wear jeans, t-shirts, mini skirts, high heels (they will just hurt your feet), low-cut attire, sweats, sneakers, flip flops, or anything too revealing. 
5. Walk around the fair first before you talk to anyone.  Get the lay of the land, observe others talking to companies, and just get a feel of the order you want to approach the recruiters.
6. Before talking to your "dream companies," talk to a company you don't know anything about or when you are less interested in.  This will help you practice your 30-second pitch for real and allow you to build up your confidence before you talk to your "dream company" and blow it.  Talk to as many companies as you need to before you are ready for the big ones. 
7. Be prepared for long lines.  More than likely, you are not the only person who wants to work for said organization.  Be prepared to wait in lines for at least 5-10 minutes.  This is why high heels are not recommended.
8. Ask for a business card.  Be sure to get some contact information from the recruiter before you leave.  (Give them your resume too.)  On the back of the business card, be sure to jot down something that will remind you of the conversation that you had with this person.
9. Follow up.  If they tell you to apply online, do it.  Send them a thank-you note within 24-48 hours of the fair, thanking them for their time and reminding them of your conversation with them and why you are a good fit.  If you have recently applied, let them know of this as well so they can keep an eye out for your application.
10. Don't expect immediate results.  While you may get invited for an interview at the fair, or a few days later, it may take weeks or months before you hear anything.  If you are interested, follow up with them regularly (but not to the point that you are stalking them or calling them daily). 

Job fairs are a great way to meet many companies in a short period of time.  Even if they aren't recruiting for positions of interest, still talk to companies you may be interested in for other positions.  You never know when they will have openings.  In addition, it's great to talk to companies at fairs to ask questions to a real person.

If you have any questions on how to prepare, see a career counselor/advisor, as they can help you get prepared.  Good luck!

TIP: Send a follow-up thank you note!

So you just had an interview.  It went well, from what you could tell.  They have told you that they will let you know in the next few days if you are going to receive an offer.  What should you do in the meantime?

I recently heard from a student that her "mind was blown" when she heard from a friend that she should send a thank-you note after each interview.  She asked me if this was true - yes, I told her.  You should always send a thank-you note after each interview!

In fact, you should send it within 24-48 hours of that interview.  While it is not often the deal-breaker (or deal-grabber) for many employers, it can make a huge difference and in general is a great practice.  Here's why:

• It shows them you are very interested in their position - so interested that you will take the extra few minutes it takes to type up an e-mail and send it to them.
• You can ask questions you forgot to ask in your interview.  Maybe they didn't tell you when you'd hear from them - now is the time to ask.
• You can bring up things about yourself that you forgot to bring up in the interview, or clarify things you feel you didn't explain as well as you would have liked.
• You can re-emphasize how much of a good fit you are for the position.
• You can remind them of who you are - and what sets you apart from the rest of the candidates.
• And finally, who doesn't like getting a thank-you note?

Thank you letters can be in e-mail or snail mail form, but most employers prefer e-mails as it's quick and convenient for them, and you can be sure that they received it.  They should be short/concise, but tailored directly to that interviewer and your conversation with them about their position.  If you interviewed with more than one person, send each of them separate and somewhat different thank-you notes.  They will appreciate it!

As with any form of written communication, double-check everything for spelling or grammatical errors, or typos before sending.  And be sure you have their name spelled correctly, along with their e-mail address.  Then click "send."

You may or may not hear back from them in regards to your note, though it's usually not a bad thing if they respond.  I recommend even sending thank-you notes to employers that you are not that interested in - you want to leave a lasting impression on them of professionalism.  These little notes do the trick!

What is your biggest weakness?

Ah, the dreaded "weakness" question.  What is your biggest weakness?  I will tell you my honest opinion of this question: it's a horrible interview question.  Good interviewers will no longer use this question.  However, most people who conduct interviews for positions are not seasoned interviewers, and thus many are told to ask this question.  So how do you best answer it?

First, I will answer that question with how not to answer it:

Don't say you don't have a weakness.  I have heard this.  This just makes it sound like you are lying or really cocky.  Both are bad first impressions that will become a lasting negative impression on the interviewer.  We all have weaknesses - we are human. 

Don't spin a negative into a positive.  This is what many people have been told to do for years.  However, it sounds like you are either BSing the interviewer, or it just sounds super corny.  My favorite: the "My biggest weakness is that I'm a huge perfectionist.  [example of how this can be a weakness]  However, while this can be a bad thing, it's also great because I am detail-oriented and won't quit until the job is done correctly."  Blah blah blah.  They've all heard this before and it just sounds cheesy.  Be honest and genuine, not a fake broken record.

Don't be too honest and overshare or bring up something that's detrimental to the position.  On the opposite side of being fake and cheesy, you also don't want to be so honest that you dig yourself into a hole.  I once had a student that I was conducting a mock/practice interview with that answered this by giving me a list of at least 3 weaknesses and examples to boot!  Don't do that.  Also, if you know Excel is a required skill for the position, for example, don't tell me you are not strong at Excel.  It won't help you in convincing them that you are good fit for their position.

So, how should you answer this question?

Talk about something that is/was a weakness, but you are working to improve upon this weakness.  Give a specific example and talk about the steps you are taking specifically to improve this skill/quality, and maybe even an example of how it has improved. 

For example, "Something that I am working to improve are my public speaking skills.  A few years ago, I could barely stand in front of a classroom of students and give a speech.  However, recognizing this was a weakness, I decided to sign up for some Toastmasters groups.  In these groups, we were assigned to give a speech each week.  At first, I was really nervous, and was shaking, but I went through with it each week.  The rest of the group members provided feedback on how to improve, as well as things I did well.  This helped me feel more confident and allowed me to keep practicing.  In fact, just this past week, at work, I had to give an impromptu talk to a group of over 100 clients.  I barely flinched.  Aftewards, I received many compliments from both the clients and other staff members about how great of a speaker I am and that I am a natural.  While I definitely still have room to improve, this is something that I am proud to say I am working to overcome."

This example should be specific to you and not anything that would be completely detrimental to the position. 

(One thing I will discuss in a future post is how to appropriately give examples like the one above using the STAR(T) method.)

The key to answering any interview question, including this horrible one, is to think about the reason behind the question.  For this question, they want to know that you can recognize your own strengths and weaknesses, and work to improve any weaknesses that you have.  We all have weaknesses, especially when we first start in a new position, and they want to see that we won't just settle in knowing our weaknesses, but we also seek ways to improve ourselves.  In addition, it shows that you are human.  Be genuine and honest, but not too honest.  It will go a long way!

The Entry-Level Catch-22: Getting the "1-2 years of experience"

Here's the situation:  You have just graduated from college/grad school and are looking for your first full-time, entry-level position.  You are ready to apply the knowledge that you learned in the classroom to the real-world setting.  You have all of the skills necessary, are excited, and enthusiastic.  You start to search for jobs and what do you see?  The "Must have 1-2 years of experience in the field."  You double-check that this stated it was an "entry-level" position.  This begs the question:

How do you get experience if no one is willing to give you the opportunity to gain the experience?

It's the dreaded Catch-22 of job searching.  I was there once, and I was just as frustrated.  However, there are things that you can do to gain the experience to help you land the position:

• Volunteer.  Yes, volunteer in your field.  While it is not paid full-time experience, it's still related experience, and will also allow you to meet people in your field.
• Intern.  I don't care if you've already done one internship - do another one!  It's hard to find an internship for post-graduation, but they are out there.  If you are interested in a company, ask what unpaid or part-time opportunities are available to get your foot in the door.
• Find a part-time position in your field or at the company of interest.  Once you get your foot in the door, people will get to know you and also recognize your abilities.  They are more likely to hire people internally than externally.
• Network and join professional organizations.  Attend conferences and other meet-up groups.  (Meetup.com is a great resource for this.)  This won't necessarily give you the experience, but will keep you current in the field, and allow you to network with people at organizations of interest.
• Take classes or work toward a certification, license, whatever else is extra in your field.  For instance, if you are in the IT industry, work toward some certifications.  This again keeps you current and up-to-date on the latest trends.  And, it makes you more marketable.
• Apply anyway.  You never know.  You may think your experience and qualifications do not meet their standards, but let them decide.  It doesn't hurt to apply - you have 100% chance of not getting the job if you don't apply, and you have at least a chance of getting a call back if you do apply.
• Find an unrelated job that allows you to gain related skills or experience.  This is the "plan B" of sorts, but can help you talk about how while you have not worked directly in the field, you have gained similar or related experiences and skills.

All in all, stay active.  Don't just sit at your computer sulking and then apply to any job under the sun.  Keep yourself current and keep applying and networking!

For those of you who are still in school, keep all of this in mind.  Employers are looking for people with related experience, so do at least one internship before you graduate.  At least one!  Internships are a great way to learn about what you like or don't like, and also an even better way to network and get your foot in the door.  In addition, you'll have gained that experience that they are looking for. 

You may be able to find a company that is willing to train, and that is great.  Many do not have the resources now to do so, and thus, using the tips above can help you get the experience necessary to land that dream job!

Tip: A Positive Attitude Goes a Long Way...

"I'll never get a job." "There are no jobs out there." "No one will hire me." "I'm not getting any calls back." "The economy and job market stink."  I could go on and on with all of the negativity that I hear from job seekers, the media, and the like.  And while some (or all) of these things could be true at one point in time, letting the negativity take over and allowing it to show to others can be a huge detriment to your job search.

Think about this: would you rather talk to someone who was always down and complaining about something or someone who was upbeat, positive, and looking to new opportunities/the future?  Or how about this: are you more likely to approach someone (a stranger) to ask for help if they are smiling (not creepily) at you with a friendly face or someone who looks angry and upset about something?

While no one can or should judge a book by its cover, we do make assumptions about how a person might act or react by how they look and act, especially a person's facial expressions or attitudes.  This means that the awesome first impression that you are trying to make with an employer of interest could start with your attitude when you are applying for that job.  It really does make a difference.

Here are some tips for keeping a positive attitude throughout the job search:

1.  Allow yourself time to do something you like to do each day.  It could be to read, sleep in, watch your favorite show, listen to music, take a bath, go for a run, play with your dog, spend time with friends, go out to eat, and so on and so forth.  Do whatever it is that makes you happy.  This will re-energize you and get your mind off of the job search.

2.  Start catching yourself thinking negatively, and then switch it to a positive thought.  This is when it really helps to journal and make note of the positive things that have happened each day.  Take all of the negative experiences (e.g., a bad interview) and write down what you can learn or have learned from that experience.  Use it as an impetus to do well in the next interview or submit an even better resume.

3.  Vent.  Talk to people about your search.  If you are frustrated, let it out on a friend or relative.  Get it out before you apply to positions or before you go into the next interview.

4.  Exercise.  Yes, this is a great way to relieve stress, but it's also a good way to clear your mind and get refreshed.

5.  Surround yourself by positive people.  That means turning off the news, stopping reading negative news articles online, and not spending time with all of the negative people in your life that try to bring you down.  Surround yourself with people and things that are positive and good for your job search.

These are just 5 small tips for getting that positive attitude out there.  The final tip: fake it until you make it.  Smile more.  Talk positively.  The more you do this, the more you will start to believe these things and act this way naturally.  Above all, be yourself and look forward to the new opportunities that await you.  You can do it, you just have to believe in yourself!

So do I really need to submit a cover letter?

Ah, cover letters.  Do you really need them?  I get this question all the time from students and alumni alike.  No one wants to write them, because they are a pain in the behind.  Are they really necessary?

I guess the question you want to ask yourself is "do you really want the job?"  If the answer to that is "yes" then yes, you need to write a cover letter.

Don't start moaning and groaning on me.  They are not that bad to write.  Once you've written one, they are a lot easier to write, tweak, and send out to the next employer.  However, please, please, please - do not send the same cover letter to every employer, only changing the contact information.

Yes, you need to tailor your cover letter to each employer/position to which you are applying.  Yes, that takes time.  However, if you spend two seconds just changing the contact information and such, you may 1 - accidentally forget to change something and 2 - will more than likely never receive a call back.  Instead, if you spend the 10 minutes it takes to really tailor the cover letter to the position, you will be sure that you are sending a great product AND you will probably get more interest from employers.

Here are some quick tips on cover letters:

1.  They should be one page (or less).  I have seen some that are longer, and really, just like with resumes, it may depend on the position, but no one really wants to read a 5-page cover letter.  Keep it concise, but interesting.

2.  Use the job description for the position to which you are applying for "clues" on what to put in your cover letter.  What are the requirements for the position?  What makes you think you are a good fit for that position?  Emphasize how you have the qualifications, skills, and experience needed and how you demonstrated those skills.

3.  Give a specific example without repeating your resume.  Think of the cover letter as a "teaser" for your resume.  They should be reading this first, and so you want them to read this and think "I NEED to look at this person's resume!"  Include a specific example from an experience that talks about how you demonstrated whatever skill set that you are referring to.  For instance, "Your position requires experience in working with international students.  I have over 3 years of experience working with international students gained from my position at University of Illinois.  For instance, while serving as an advisor, I worked with international students from China and Japan and assisted them in obtaining internships, along with CPT."  (You get the idea.)  Don't just talk generally about the skills and experiences that you have, give an example! Everyone can say they have the experiences, but show them that you have them!

4.  Use "confident" language.  Avoid saying "I feel" or "I believe" or "I think."  This makes it sound like you aren't 100% sure if you are a good fit for the position.  Yes, you want to be humble, but you also want to come across as confident.  If you aren't sure if you are a good fit, how can they be sure?  TIP:  I have a habit of saying "I feel" a lot in cover letters.  I often just let myself write like that, without paying too much attention.  I then go back and look for these phrases and replace them with "I am confident that" or just take out the "feel" and instead of saying "I feel like I am a good fit" I say "I am a good fit for this position because...."  Make sense?

5.  Keep it concise!  Again, while you want to give examples, you don't need to write a novel.  Your resume will provide more details on those examples.  You want them to want to read your resume and also talk to you in person.

Those are just some quick tips.  As far as the format of a cover letter:

1.  Include your contact information first.  You can left justify this or you can use your same header from your resume.

2.  Include the date next, a couple of spaces down.

3.  Include their contact information.  This includes the name of the person you are sending it to.  If you don't have a specific name, try to get it.  If you can't find it, then use the position title at least.  Never say "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam."

4.  Start out with Dear Mr./Ms. [last name]:

5.  The first paragraph should tell them what position you are applying for and where/how you heard about the position.

6.  The second/third paragraphs (can be 1 or 2 paragraphs) should be the part where you really detail why you are a good fit for the position, using the tips mentioned above.

7.  The third/last paragraph should refer them to your enclosed resume, as well as thank them for their consideration and tell them you are looking forward to speaking with them soon.

8.  Sign it.

If you are e-mailing your documents, you can copy this into the body of the e-mail and then also attach a hard copy to the e-mail, along with your resume.

Cover letters are also a sample of your writing, so be sure to have someone else look over it to make sure you didn't have any typographical or grammatical errors, or any spelling errors.  Also double check your contact information and the person's contact information to which you are sending it!

There you have it.  Cover letters can be a pain, but once you get the hang of them, they are really not that bad.  In fact, if you don't have a ton of related experience that is evident from your resume, this is a great time to explain why you are making a switch to a different field.  Use cover letters to your advantage, even if they are only "optional."  

An Introvert's Guide to Networking

Networking - what does that word conjure up for you? 

When people used to tell me "you need to build your network" or "you need to attend networking events" all I could think about was being in a room full of strangers and awkwardly trying to start (and maintain) conversations with people.  At the end, we'd exchange business cards, and that would be that.  It sounds easy enough, but I was always super nervous about these types of things, and thus would avoid them at all costs.  After all, I am introverted, shy when first meeting people, and just don't like to be around large groups of people for long periods of time.  Networking is not for me, or so I thought.

The term "networking" is such an overused term and especially when discussing job searching.  We tell job seekers that the best way to find a job is through networking, but what does that really mean?  Does it mean I have to know people in high positions at my desired companies?  What if I don't know anyone in my field?  How am I supposed to go meet random people and will I even do that successfully since I am so introverted?

Well, I have news for you - you probably already are networking.  Yes, you have a network.  It's made up of your family, friends, co-workers (past and present), your Facebook friends, classmates (old and new), professors/teachers, your connections on LinkedIn, Twitter followers, neighbors, family friends, and on and on and on.  Basically - anyone you have met and have started to develop some sort of relationship, whether it's personal or professional, is part of your network.

When you think of your network that way, it doesn't sound so intimidating, does it?  Knowing that this is your network, here are some tips on how to build and maintain this network to eventually lead to career success:

1. Make a list of the people in your network.  Don't limit it just to close friends and family, think about all of those that are listed above and beyond.
2. When was the last time you talked to these people?  Write down their contact information or try to connect with them on LinkedIn or Facebook.  Send them an e-mail or give them a call.  Meet up with an old friend for a cup of coffee.  Rekindle those relationships.
3. Maintain those connections.  This doesn't mean you need to talk to everyone in your network every day, but touch base with them every now and then.
4. It's not all about you and not just about "knowing someone."  It's about developing a relationship and talking to them about their lives, and maybe even offering to help them out with something career-related or otherwise.  Ask about what they are up to and how they are doing.  People love to talk about themselves and love to feel like you are there for them.  But be genuine.  The more people you help for the sake of helping, the more people will want to help you.
5. Build your network.  Do things you enjoy - join a gym, a running club, a Zumba class, or go for walks with your neighbors, join a sports team, find a MeetUp (www.meetup.com) group in the area that is about something you enjoy (not necessarily career-related).  Attend conferences and join professional organizations (tip: students get cheaper rates in these, so join them early!).  Use LinkedIn and the groups on there to meet people in your field.  Don't be afraid to send a message to a 2nd or 3rd connection or another group member.
6. Maintain these new connections just as you do your older ones.  When you get a business card, send a follow-up e-mail to touch base.  (Tip: Write on the back of the business card something to help you remember the person and what you discussed with them.)
7. Volunteer - you never know who you will meet, and you are also helping a great cause.
8. Use Facebook to your advantage.  Go to your high school reunion or college reunion. 
9. Talk to family and friends.  Tell people what types of jobs you are interested in and looking for, and the types of companies you are interested in.  You never know who might know someone who might know someone... you get the idea.

The key with networking is to realize that the purpose is not to meet people to help you find a job.  The purpose is to develop relationships with people in which there is a reciprocal understanding and want to help each other out.  And this takes time, so don't decide today that you want to network with someone so they will help you get a job tomorrow.  That's not how it works.  Developing and maintaining your network takes time, but it is worth it in the end, especially for you introverts out there!

Finally - networking is not just for when you are job searching, you should be doing this all the time.  That's why LinkedIn is great, because it can help you keep up with your network during the job search and beyond.  Don't stop talking to people once you find a job, instead let them know that you got the job and thank them for any help they offered (even if it was just to listen to you vent).  This is so important and often overlooked!