Career Connections Newsletter • February 2008

Career Topic of the Month: Making the Most of Career Fairs
Career Resource of the Month: Upcoming Career Fairs
Spotlight on Success: SNC Alumni Profile
Career Tip of the Month: Creating Business Cards
Internship of the Month
Upcoming Events 

Career Topic of the Month: Making the Most of Career Fairs

Career fairs provide candidates with an opportunity to meet employers from a variety of industries and receive first-hand information about the organization and available positions. These fairs allow employers the opportunity to view a large number of potential candidates, which aids in the pre-screening process.  The first impression at a career fair is priceless, so read on to learn more about how you can make the most of career fairs.  

Employer Expectations of Students:

• Professional attire
• Professional introduction of yourself - Develop your 60 Second Commercial to introduce yourself in a professional manner
• Ability to answer questions
• Ask appropriate questions of the employer representative
• Follow-up after the fair

Career Fair Preparation

• Resume
• • If you do not have a resume already prepared, be sure to have one written and reviewed by Career Services prior to attending a career fair.
  • Many employers will collect resumes, indicating those candidates with whom they have met and would like to consider further.
  • Have a resume that is clear, concise (one page is preferred), easy to review by a reader within a short amount of time.
  • Be sure you have enough copies to take to the fair with you and have those copies printed on quality resume paper
• Attend the WorkForce 2008 Orientation
• • The workshop details what students should do in preparing for the fair, what they should expect and do at the fair and what they should do after the fair.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 13, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Career Services

• Research
• • Review information about the fair and employers that are scheduled to attend.
  • Many will have links to web sites, a list of the positions available (internship and/or full-time) within the organization and contact information.
• Plan your Strategy
• • After reviewing the list of employers, you may want to make a list of those you intend to visit by order of priority, especially if you have a limited amount of time at the fair.
  • Determine your objective. Are you attending to visit with employers about potential internship positions? Are you interested in hearing about organizations and the positions they may have available for someone with your interests and background? This will help you focus on your objective for attending the fair.
• Questions
• • Prepare a list of questions: Ask about career opportunities, specific position openings for which you might be qualified and the organization.
  • Do not ask questions such as "So, what do you do?" or "Do you have any jobs?"
• What to Bring
• • Resumes
  • Pens, pencils
  • Notepad
  • List of employers to target at fair
  • List of prepared questions
  • Other information not provided on resume (in the event you need to complete an application)
  • Professional portfolio with samples of work (if appropriate)
  • Copy of Transcripts
  • References

At the Fair

• When you arrive, view the layout of the fair, noting the location of employers with whom you have a desire to meet.
• Be patient. There may be some employers that will have a line of candidates waiting to visit with them. You may decide to visit with another employer and come back to this one later or use this time to review the company literature as well as your list of questions.
• Listen. While waiting in line, you will have a great opportunity to listen to employers. You can hear what questions other candidates are asking and the responses to these questions, both positive and negative.
• Professionalism. Introduce yourself and use a firm handshake and genuine smile to begin the conversation. Be sure not to interrupt others that might be talking with an employer.
• Answer questions directly and concisely. The conversation should be two-sided, with both parties asking questions and providing information.
• Ask intelligent, well-thought out questions from the list you have prepared. You may think of additional questions as you circulate through the fair.
• Make notes. You will be able to use these after the fair to assess your interest in certain organizations or compare organizations.
• Be positive. Even if an employer doesn't sound like a future alternative for you, be gracious and thank them for their time.
• Collect business cards and company literature. You will be able to use these to do further research as well as to send an application or thank you note after the fair.
• Network. You might have a specific career interest area or geographic preference. Some organizations may be able to refer you to a specific department, division or location. Keep an open mind while you talk to various individuals. The employers as well as fellow career fair attendees may be able to provide you with resources, ideas and contacts.

After the Fair

• Send thank you notes in a timely manner. Mention how much you appreciated the time he or she took to visit with you and answer questions. Mention your interest in working for them, if appropriate.
• If an employer has asked you to complete an application, send transcripts (or other materials) or contact them, be sure to do so in a timely manner. Failure to follow-through will most likely eliminate you from the potential candidate pool.

Ways to Make an Unfavorable Impression

• Unprofessional/inappropriate attire
• Questions about salary
• Lack of goals or career direction
• Lack of preparation of questions, asking no questions
• Lack of enthusiasm or interest in a company
• Taking the freebies and walking away
• Poor communication skills (eye contact, speech, interrupting others, weak handshake)
• Waiting until the end of the fair to arrive

Please contact Career Services if you have any questions or would like assistance in preparing for upcoming career fairs. 

Career Resource of the Month: Upcoming Career Fairs

WorkForce 2008
WorkForce is the premier job and internship fair sponsored by the Wisconsin Private College Career Consortium (WIPCCC), which is held annually in Milwaukee at Marquette University.  135 companies and organizations will be represented.  Click here a list of participating employers. 
    Date: Thursday, Feb. 21   
    Time: 4:00-8:00 p.m.   
    Location: Marquette University, Alumni Memorial Union, Milwaukee, WI 

SNC Full-Time Job and Internship Fair
Click here for a list of participating employers. 
    Date: Tuesday, Feb. 26
    Time: 3:00-5:00 p.m.
    Location: Campus Center

To register for a career fair, login to Career Connections and click on Career Events.   Please contact Career Services if you have any questions.  

Spotlight on Success: SNC Alumni Profile

Carrie Haverfield, Environmental Policy and Political Science, 1999
Constituent Services Liaison, Boulder County Commissioner's Office, Boulder, CO

Click here to learn about the work experience and career path of this successful SNC alum.

Check out our growing list of Alumni Profiles to learn more about their career paths, experience and to envision what you can do with a degree from St. Norbert College. 

Career Tip of the Month: Creating Business Cards

Business cards are a distinctive way to distinguish yourself from other job seekers.  They are a great tool to utilize when introducing yourself at career fairs, networking events or mingling at a party.  Career Services has Business Card templates online to give you ideas of how to create your own Business Cards.  Be sure to have them printed at the SNC Copy Center, as this will save you money!  Check out the Business Card Templates online and give yourself a unique edge in the job search process by creating your own unique cards.  

Internship of the Month: Stockbroker Intern

Why intern? Internships are a great opportunity to apply classroom theory to real life work and to acquire experience to make yourself more marketable for future employment. It can also be one way to "test" your chosen career area to determine if it is a good fit for you.

Stockbroker Internship, Scottrade, Inc., Green Bay

• Description: As an intern at Scottrade, you will focus on developing the skills necessary to service and maintain client accounts through working side-by-side with a successful branch office manager. You will learn about aspects of the online brokerage business, working closely with experienced stockbrokers to complete general administrative and operational duties, as well as special projects as needed. As part of your internship, you will also have the opportunity to interact with clients, in-person and over the phone.

• Qualifications:
• • Major field of study: Finance, Business, or Economics
  • Must be a currently-enrolled, full-time student attending school in the area.
  • Strong interest in finance and the stock market
  • Customer service experience preferred
  • Computer literate
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Foster company success through professional appearance, being courteous to customer and other Scottrade associates by having a positive attitude.
• Contact: If you are interested in this unique internship opportunity, please apply online at http://www.scottrade.com/EmpMarket/index.html.  

For more information on this internship and to search for additional internships, please login to Career Connections.

Upcoming Events

To register for an event or workshop, login to Career Connections and click on Career Events. 
Click here for the complete Spring 2008 Calendar of Events.  

Teach for America (ALL Majors Welcome!)
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Alumni House

Developing Your Internship
Wednesday, Feb. 6, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Career Services

WorkForce 2008 Orientation
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Location: Career Services

Mock Interviews
Tuesday, Feb. 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Career Services

WorkForce 2008
Thursday, Feb. 21, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Marquette University, Alumni Memorial Union, Milwaukee, WI

SNC Full-Time Job and Internship Fair
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Location: Campus Center

Interviewing Skills for Teachers
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: Cofrin 15

Researching Majors
Wednesday, Feb. 27, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: Cofrin 15