From high-tech to sales, Mihaylo College career events provide an invaluable connection between the Southern California job market and business students. Having a strong résumé, dressing professionally and following up with recruiters are some of the keys to maximize your chances at these events. Photo by Chris McCarthy
The Mihaylo College Fall 2017 Business Career Fair will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at TSU Pavilions. Featuring companies across a diverse selection of industries, the annual event seeks to connect students with companies hiring for jobs and internships. Here are seven things you should know about how to get the most out of the event.
- Research the companies.
Do some basic online research to find out the mission and products or services these companies offer so that you will be better informed when you converse with their representatives at the event. Wondering what type of opportunities these companies have? A review of major job search sites, such as Indeed or CareerBuilder, or a look at the careers section of their corporate website, can give you some idea.
This year, over 40 companies will be coming to the event to talk to you, including Target, Northwestern Mutual, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, PepsiCo, Aerotek, Johnson & Johnson, and the Irvine Company.
- Register for the event.
Undergrads, grad students and alumni of any major may attend the career fair, but you do need to register. Reserve your spot today!
- Fine-tune your résumé and bring several copies to the event.
Make sure your résumé is well-written, free of spelling or grammatical errors and up-to-date. Make sure it reflects your current academic standing, work experience, and internships or service learning. Check out the online guide to résumé writing, produced by Mihaylo Career Services, for helpful tips on what employers are looking for, or book an appointment with a career advisor for personalized advice. You will want to have many copies of your résumé handy at the event – at least two for every employer that you are interested in is recommended.
- Tidy up your social media presence.
Many employers will look you up online, so make sure that your presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and other social networks is professional, polished and up-to-date. Pay special attention to your LinkedIn, as this is the foremost online career tool for many companies today.
- Practice your interviewing skills.
Treat your interaction with potential employers at the career fair as your first interview. You may only have a few minutes to speak with recruiters, so you will want to make the best impression possible. Maintain good eye contact and be able to articulate who you are and what you excel at in a 60-second elevator pitch. Be sure to practice your interview skills with family or friends to build confidence and identify any areas that need improvement.
- Be sure to dress professionally.
Professional dress is required to attend the career fair and is something that significantly factors into an employer’s first impression of you. Be sure to follow professional attire guidelines, which include business suits and dress pants for men and dress pants or skirts with a professional blouse or suit for women.
- Send an email follow-up to recruiters.
Don’t assume that recruiters will get back to you. After the event, send them a professional email, thanking them for their time and reiterating your interest in the job or opportunity. Recruiters meet with hundreds of people and a follow-up will help them remember you. It will also exude professionalism and commitment.
For More Information
Mihaylo Career Services will hold two free Career Fair Prep Workshops in advance of the fair. These events will be held at SGMH 3230 (the O’Brien Center) on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. and Monday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. The first event will cover résumé and networking strategies, while the second will involve one-on-one career advice in preparation for the event.
For more on Mihaylo Career Services, visit them online or stop by their office in SGMH 1401 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.
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