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document.writeln(' Recruiters: Student Preparedness Vital for Success at Career Fairs
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document.writeln(' By Kevin ');
document.writeln('Gray ');
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document.writeln(' Even in a good job market, the competition for jobs can be tough. How can you ');
document.writeln(' stand out from the pack at career fairs? It\'s simple … be prepared.
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document.writeln(' Recruiters from New York City Transit (NYCT) said many students don\'t realize ');
document.writeln(' the valuable opportunity that career fairs present. In fact, both Joyce Lea, ');
document.writeln(' manager of sourcing, and Stan Karoly, chief electrical engineer, estimate that ');
document.writeln(' just one-quarter of students they meet at career fairs are adequately prepared ');
document.writeln(' for the event. And, they say, it shows.
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document.writeln('From the moment they meet you, recruiters are trying to determine if you would ');
document.writeln(' be a good match for their organization. The key to impress recruiters with your ');
document.writeln(' preparation at career fairs is to do the basics, and then go several steps further. ');
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document.writeln('You already know to dress neatly and demonstrate an ability to communicate ');
document.writeln(' effectively. But, recruiters say, the students that most impress them at career ');
document.writeln(' fairs are those who demonstrate a familiarity with the organization, have intelligent ');
document.writeln(' questions to ask, and have thought about the way they might fit into the organization. ');
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document.writeln('Karoly has some suggestions to help you prepare for and succeed at career fairs: ');
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document.writeln(' - Prepare a resume that is accurate and grammatically correct. Then proofread ');
document.writeln(' it and have others do so. Bring several copies to the career fair.
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document.writeln(' - Do a little research on the organizations of interest in the days leading ');
document.writeln(' up to the career fair. A list of employers scheduled to attend a career fair ');
document.writeln(' is usually available in your school\'s career center.
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document.writeln(' - Learn and use proper interviewing techniques (Prior to the career fair, ');
document.writeln(' ask an adviser in your career center to do a mock interview). Communicate ');
document.writeln(' effectively by speaking clearly and using proper grammar.
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document.writeln(' - Dress neatly. While different employers have different expectations of dress, ');
document.writeln(' you can\'t go wrong by dressing as you would for an interview or business meeting. ');
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document.writeln(' - Make sure you are interested in the organization you are talking to rather ');
document.writeln(' than the "goodies" they give out. Make sure your familiarity with ');
document.writeln(' and interest in the organization comes through during your conversation.
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document.writeln(' - If you don\'t know what type of position you want, provide the recruiter ');
document.writeln(' with information (major, courses taken, skills, experiential education assignments, ');
document.writeln(' and other experience) that could help determine what positions might be suitable ');
document.writeln(' for you. Don\'t ask employer representatives, "What jobs do you have for ');
document.writeln(' me?" or "What can your organization do for me?"
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document.writeln(' - Ask appropriate questions about such things as an organization\'s career ');
document.writeln(' opportunities and relevancy to your major, what the organization values in ');
document.writeln(' its employees, and the best way to present a resume.
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document.writeln(' - If you aren\'t looking for full-time employment, let the recruiter know that ');
document.writeln(' up front.
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document.writeln('While many students are looking for employers that are impressive, employers ');
document.writeln(' are hoping to be impressed by you.
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document.writeln('"It\'s a two-way street," Lea adds. "Students need to understand ');
document.writeln(' that information gathered at career fairs is vital and can provide background ');
document.writeln(' when conducting a job search. Beyond that, the personal connection a well-prepared ');
document.writeln(' student can make with recruiters is very valuable in the job-search process." ');
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