Moraine Park’s Future Fair 2023 is Wednesday, April 12, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fond du Lac Campus Conference Center. Are you prepared?
Dress for Success
First impressions tend to be the lasting ones. When you make eye contact with a potential employer – you are being evaluated from the very beginning. Being properly prepared and “dressed for success” helps you make a favorable first impression.
- Your appearance should be neat and clean, pressed, and polished.
- Make sure your hair is clean, neat, and professionally styled.
- Trim your nails. Leave nails unpolished, or use clear or neutral polish.
- Only wear subtle perfume, cologne, or aftershave. Your scent should leave the room when you do.
- Apparel should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit well. Stay clear of revealing clothing.
- Makeup and jewelry should be kept to a minimum.
What to Bring
Your Best Self. Get a good night of sleep, have a nutritious breakfast, practice your elevator speech, and present employers with the best version of yourself.
Resume and References. Make sure you have plenty of high-quality copies. Some employers may ask for several copies and coffee incidences may happen at any moment.
Portfolio. Interview time is precious so have all relevant documents organized and ready to present in a professional folder before the interview starts.
Important Tips
Bring extra copies of your resume. Prior to the fair, create your resume and also have it critiqued. Free resume reviews are available from Career and Employment Services.
Take some time to research the kinds of jobs and organizations you would like to pursue. Survey the career fair program/guide and come up with a list of priority companies that you’d like to visit. Keep track of time so that you can talk to all of the organizations on your list.
Dress and act professionally. This will show your commitment to your future work life, and companies will take notice!
Develop and practice a 30-second “elevator pitch.” Prepare what you will say when you meet a company representative and hand over your resume. Summarize your qualifications, and put emphasis on what you think is unique about you.
Develop questions to ask the company. Ask about job duties and how you can expect to contribute. Do not ask about salary and benefit-related questions during your initial contact, and be sure to thank them for their time as well as get their business card.
Follow up your meeting with a thank you note, email or call. Call or email to inquire about what happens next if the procedure has not already been explained.
Questions to Ask
- What kind of entry-level positions (or internships) exist within your organization?
- Does your company hire on a continual basis or just at certain times of the year?
- How long does the hiring process take? What does it consist of?
- Are there opportunities for ongoing training through your organization?
- What kinds of skills and experiences do you look for in the employees you hire?
- What are the characteristics of your most successful employees?
- How much travel is involved?
- What made you choose this company and why do you stay?