Career Fair StrategyAnne H. Jones

Piton Inc.Student Veterans of America

June 2, 2011

What Does Success Look Like?Strawberry Ice Cream Syndrome• Knowing what you want• Getting what you want• Having it be what you wanted

Today’s Class

• Strategy• Standard Operating Procedure• Rehearsal

Strategy Know the Employer’s Purpose

What’s in it for them?• Connect with candidates• Screen candidates on the spot• Brand their organization

Strategy Know Your Purpose

What’s in it for you?• Understand the market• Plan and prepare for applications and

interviews• Expand your network

– through employer contacts and meet other students

Your Goal: Understand the Market• What are functions and industries?

– Function: what will you do– Industry: where will you do it

• Where are the jobs you want located?• What is the current and future

environment?

Goal: Plan & Prepare for Interviews

Practice for the ‘At Bat’• What skills are they are looking for?• What do they know about you?• How does your ‘pitch’ work?

Expand Your Network

• Get Noticed • Learn who is out there

–Who can help me?–Who can help someone I know?–Can I be a connector?

4 stages of the Job Opening

9Plan-Prepare-Execute: Military Skills for Your Civilian Career Search

Pre - Game

• Get the list of who is attending• Make A, B and C lists• Get on the website of every A & B list• Who do you already know there?

LinkedIn• What makes you value added as an

employee there?• What jobs do they have posted?

Game Day

• Get dressed • Visualize Success• Practice your pitch (out loud)• Consider what to bring

Game On!

• Go to ‘practice companies’ first• Avoid waiting in line• Meet as many in the booth as possible• Check your notes before going to booth• Visit the booth multiple times• Meet as many in the booth as possible• Go to the private receptions• Send follow-up emails

• Check your notes• Wait patiently (pleasant face, standing

straight but comfortable)• Eye contact, smile, shake• Introduce yourself. Ask a question• Ask for and give cards• Say thank you• Step away. Put card away note down

information to follow up

The Booth SOP

The Pitch SOPin 5 Easy Pieces”

• Introduction • Key skill, experience I need to know about

you• A second skill, experience I need to know

about you.• A third thing I need to know about you• Where you would like to take these skills and

experiences

Networking Success for Veterans

The Pitch: Tell your storyin 5 Easy Pieces

Networking Success for Veterans

Battle Buddy Strategy

• This is Not a Zero Sum Game.– You want them to want you, but also to

want to hire more veterans in general. Everyone wins.

• Teamwork has its benefits– Pick a Battle Buddy to work the room with– Practice with your pitch– Reconnaissance– Introductions– Moral Support

Serious Etiquette for Networking • Be clear about what you’re asking• Be over prepared• Be mindful of people’s time• Smile• Say Thank You• Respect Reputations• Be aware of TMI (too much info)• Just One Drink

Networking Success for Veterans

It’s Not Personal…

• You might hear…

– “Don’t give me your resume, send it to our website”

– “I don’t make hiring decisions, I’m just here because….”

– “We’re only hiring for full-time”

It’s Not Personal…

• Don’t be surprised if…

…people don’t remember you

…you don’t get a personalized business card

…you don’t hear from them again

…you see inappropriate behavior

…you encounter tired recruiters

Let’s Do It• Standing Tall• Shaking Hands• The Pitch• Taking the Lead

Contact Information

Anne H. JonesCell: 347 782 1715

• Anne@pitoninc.org• www.pitoninc.org

Military Career Transition Planning for Uncertain Times

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