Duke Career Center Career Fair Preparation Collection

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1) Self-Reflection • Reflect on your skills, interests, experiences, and knowledge • Check the Career Center website for a list of employers attending: studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/events • Access Duke Career Connections for up-to-date job/internship posts and information: careerconnections.duke.edu • Prioritize a list of employers based on your interests • Update and tailor your resume • Carry a padfolio, folder, or organizer for your resume and collecting business cards • Present your best professional self (e.g. wear appropriate attire, avoid strong scents, cover or remove facial piercings, cover tattoos, offer a firm handshake) • Prepare thoughtful employer-specific questions 2) Employer Research What to Research: • Services/products • Revenue • Customers • Company culture and news • Competitors • Rankings • Industry trends • Duke alumni • Training programs • Information that you find important in determining whether an employer’s opportunities would work for you Where to Research http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/online-tools-resources • Company website and social media like LinkedIn CareerConnections: careerconnections.duke.edu CareerBeam — review industry guides like Hoovers Duke Library Job & Career Research Guide — view “Company and Industry Research” tab • Professional publications (e.g. Forbes) Duke Connect (Duke Alumni Database) to reach out to alums/ professionals for Informational Interviews 3) Connect Your Skills and Experiences to Those Sought by Employers • Analyze what skills and experiences the employer or industry seeks from your company research • Write down how you match those qualifications • Brainstorm how you will tailor your introduction and which skills or experiences you will choose to discuss with each employer • Consider whether or not your skills align with the employer’s needs Career Center Duke Career Center • studentaffairs.duke.edu/career • (919) 660-1050 • Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd Floor • 114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Box 90950, Durham, NC 27708 1. Engage in self-reflection. 2. Conduct employer research. 3. Connect your skills and experiences to those sought by employers. 4. Create your introduction and questions. 5. Practice and participate . To review the different types of career fairs at Duke, see Events & Programs 5 Steps to Prepare for Career Fairs

Transcript of Duke Career Center Career Fair Preparation Collection

Page 1: Duke Career Center Career Fair Preparation Collection

1) Self-Reflection • Reflectonyourskills,interests,experiences,andknowledge• ChecktheCareerCenterwebsiteforalistofemployersattending:

studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/events

• AccessDukeCareerConnectionsforup-to-datejob/internshippostsandinformation:careerconnections.duke.edu

• Prioritizealistofemployersbasedonyourinterests• Updateandtailoryourresume• Carryapadfolio,folder,ororganizerforyourresumeandcollectingbusinesscards

• Presentyourbestprofessionalself(e.g.wearappropriateattire,avoidstrongscents,coverorremovefacialpiercings,covertattoos,offerafirmhandshake)

• Preparethoughtfulemployer-specificquestions2) Employer ResearchWhat to Research:

• Services/products• Revenue• Customers• Companycultureandnews• Competitors• Rankings• Industrytrends• Dukealumni• Trainingprograms• Informationthatyoufindimportantindeterminingwhetheranemployer’sopportunitieswouldworkforyou

Where to Research http://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career/online-tools-resources

• CompanywebsiteandsocialmedialikeLinkedIn• CareerConnections:careerconnections.duke.edu• CareerBeam—reviewindustryguideslikeHoovers• Duke Library Job & Career Research Guide—view“CompanyandIndustryResearch”tab

• Professionalpublications(e.g.Forbes)• Duke Connect(DukeAlumniDatabase)toreachouttoalums/professionalsforInformational Interviews

3) Connect Your Skills and Experiences to Those Sought by Employers

• Analyzewhatskillsandexperiencestheemployerorindustryseeksfromyourcompanyresearch

• Writedownhowyoumatchthosequalifications• Brainstormhowyouwilltailoryourintroductionandwhichskillsorexperiencesyouwillchoosetodiscusswitheachemployer

• Considerwhetherornotyourskillsalignwiththeemployer’sneeds

CareerCenter

DukeCareerCenter•studentaffairs.duke.edu/career•(919)660-1050•Bay5,SmithWarehouse,2ndFloor•114S.BuchananBlvd.,Box90950,Durham,NC27708

1. Engage in self-reflection.

2. Conduct employer research.

3. Connect your skills and experiences to those sought by employers.

4. Create your introduction and questions.

5. Practice and participate .

To review the different types of career fairs at Duke, see Events & Programs

5 Steps to Prepare for Career Fairs

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5 Steps to Prepare for Career Fairs (cont.)4) Create an Introduction and Questions gaIntroduction (30-Second Commercial)Pleasereferto“MeetinganEmployerataCareerFair”handout• Usethisopportunitytointroduceyourselfandprovideashortsynopsisofyourskillsandexperiencewiththegoalofgettingemployerstoaskyouformoreinformation

• Taketimetoengageanemployerinaconversationsoyoucanlearnmoreaboutthecompany

• Showconnectionbetweenyourskills/experienceandthecompany’sgoals.

Questions for EmployersPleasereferto“anEmployerataCareerFair”handoutAskintentional,relevantquestionsthatshowyouhavedoneyourresearch•Whatqualitieshavemadepastcandidatessuccessfulinthis<interestingposition>?

• Isawonyourwebsitethatyourcompanyisinvolvedin<interestingnewinitiative>.Whatimpactdoyouexpectthathavingonyourcompanyinthenextfewyears?

• Inoticethatyourpostedpositionsinclude<particularjobs>.HowmightIconnectwithsomeoneinyourcompanyaboutmyinterestandskillsin<adifferenttypeofjob>?

5) Practice and ParticipateEngaging Employers at the Fair• Beawareofnon-verbalcommunication,e.g.walkconfidentlywithgoodposture,makegoodeyecontact

• Shakehandswithemployers(ifoffered)• Useyourintroduction,tailoredtoemployer,tobeginconversation;listencarefully

• Smileandshowyourenthusiasm• Someemployersmightaskforyourresume• Askforabusinesscardfromtheemployerbeforeleaving• Determinenextstepintheprocess• Say“ThankYou”asyouconcludeconversation• Jotdownnotesonconversationforlaterreference

After the Fair• Sendthankyounotesoremailemployerswithwhomyouhadstrongrapportandconnection(24-48hourspostevent)

• Indicateyourappreciationfortheirtime/adviceandincludeinterestinginformationfromyourconversation

• SharestepsyoumayhavetakensincetalkingWhen You Apply

1. Engage in self-reflection.

2. Conduct employer research.

3. Connect your skills and experiences to those sought by employers.

4. Create your introduction and questions.

5. Practice and participate .

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Career  Fair  Preparation  

Presenter’s  Name  Date  

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Agenda  

•  Understand  career  fair  customs,  procedures,  and  a2endees  

•  Prepare  for  career  fair  by  self-­‐reflec9ng  on  skills  and  experiences  and  conduc9ng  employer  research  

•  Relate  your  experiences  and  skills  to  those  sought  by  employers  at  career  fairs  

•  Create  an  introduc9on  and  employer  ques9ons  for  the  career  fair  

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Career  Fairs  

•  What  are  career  fairs?  – Purpose:  explore  companies,  industries,  internships;  network  with  employers  and  alumni  

– Types  include  live  (Fall  Career  Fair,  North  Carolina  Master's  &  Ph.D.  Fair,  Just  in  Time  Fair),  virtual,  TechConnect,  symposiums,  Duke  Entertainment  Media  Arts  Network  (DEMAN)  Weekend  

•  Who  aKends  career  fairs?  – Students,  employers,  alumni,  Career  Center  staff  

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What  do  career  fairs  look  like?  

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Career  Fairs  

•  What  do  I  wear?  – Business  formal  OR  whatever  the  company’s  culture  reflects    

•  Sugges?ons    –  Just  because  a  type  of  job  is  not  listed,  does  not  mean  an  opportunity  does  not  exist  

– Manage  your  ?me  well  and  have  a  visit  strategy  – Give  a  good  handshake  

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Career  Fairs  

Five  Steps  to  Preparing  for  Career  Fairs  1.  Self-­‐reflec8on  2.  Employer  research  3.  Relate  your  skills  and  experiences  to  those  

sought  by  employers  4.  Create  introduc8on  and  ques8ons  5.  Prac8ce  

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Self-­‐Re'lection  •  What  is  self-­‐reflec/on?  •  Why  is  self-­‐reflec/on  important  to  you  and  employers?  

•  What  is  a  professional  story?  

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Activity  #1  –  Self  Re0lection  Handout  –  Resume.Maria    

•  What  kind  of  internship  or  job  interests  you  most  (e.g.  marke8ng,  electrical  engineering,  medicine,  music)?  

•  Based  on  that  role  circle  skills,  relevant  experiences,  and  values  you  see  reflected  on  your  resume.  

•  What  insight  can  you  glean?    –  What  does  your  role  tend  to  be  in  class  projects  or  at  internships?    –  What  tasks  do  you  gravitate  towards?    –  What  posi8ve  feedback  have  you  received  from  faculty/peers/

supervisors?    –  What  are  you  most  proud  of  on  your  resume?  

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STAR  Method    •  Situa%on  •  Task  •  Ac%on  •  Result  As  a  summer  media  intern  at  Non-­‐Profit  X,  I  created  and  implemented  a  social  media  strategy  including  Facebook  and  Instagram  to  share  client  stories  and  the  organiza?on’s  dona?on  goals;  by  the  end  of  the  summer  there  were  over  500  “friends”  and  “followers”  and  dona?ons  had  gone  up  10%  over  last  summer.  

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Activity  #2  –  How  to  Tell  your  Professional  Stories  to  Employers  

Handout  -­‐  STAR    

•  Use  the  STAR  method  to  write  one  evidenced  based  story,  reflec9ng  your  skills/strengths/experiences  that  relate  to  what  employers  seek  in  new  hires  

   

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Activity  #3  -­‐  Create  Introduction  and  Questions  to  use  at  Career  Fair  

Handout  –  Meeting  an  Employer  at  a  Career  Fair  

•  Based  on  your  self-­‐reflec1on,  employer  research,  and  employer/applicant  ac1vity  results,  write  an  introduc1on  and  two  strong  and  relevant  ques1ons  to  ask  an  employer  at  the  next  career  fair.    – Tips  for  introduc1on:  •  Approximately  1-­‐2  minutes  •  Share  name,  relevant  skills/values/interests,  and  how  they  make  you  a  good  fit  for  the  employer’s  company  

 

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 Activity  #3  -­‐  Create  Introduction  and  Questions  to  use  at  Career  Fair  

Continued…  •  Prac%ce  with  a  partner  and  assess  the  following  – How  is  their  handshake?    – Do  they  speak  clearly?  –  Is  their  intro  concise  and  show  connec8ons  between  their  skills/experiences  and  those  sought  by  employers?  

– Do  they  smile  and  have  good  eye  contact?  – Do  they  seem  confident  and  comfortable?  

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Activity  #4  –  Employer  Research  

•  Review  list  of  employers  a1ending  upcoming  career  fair;  pick  one  company  that  excites  you.    

 •  Use  company’s  website  and  CareerConnec@ons  to  

find  open  posi@ons,  values,  mission,  culture.    

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First  Impressions  are  Important  Employer  advice  tweets  from  2015  Duke  Career  Fair  

•  "Prepare  ques+ons  ahead  of  +me  and  have  a  posi+ve  a4tude.  Keep  an  open  mind.”  @Capital1campus  

 •  “Tell  the  employer  what  your  degree  is  and  what  your  experience  can  do  

for  them."  @GEcareers    •  "Be  well-­‐versed  about  a  project  you  have  worked  on.  Show  ini+a+ve.  

Highlight  your  work  experience  and  communicate  it."  @ebayupinc    •  "Ask  thoughIul  ques+ons.  Ar+culate  what  you're  thinking  about  and  what  

you’re  passionate  about."  Consumer  Financial  Protec8on  Bureau    •  "Be  engaged.  Know  one  fact  about  the  company  before  you  come  by.  

Show  interest  in  the  company.  And  be  yourself.  We  are  gauging  personali+es."  @busch_jobs  

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Employer  Research  

•  Why  is  employer  research  important?  •  Employer  Research  Resources  – Na6onal  Associa6on  of  Colleges  and  Employers  survey  

– CareerConnec6ons  – CareerBeam  – DukeConnect  or  LinkedIn  for  informa6onal  interviews  

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Activity  #5  –  Relating  your  Skills  and  Experiences  to  those  Sought  

by  Employers    Handout  –  Employer-­‐Applicant  Activity  

•  ACTIVITY:  Employer/Applicant  worksheet  –    – Based  on  your  research,  create  a  list  of  skills  and  experiences  the  employer/industry  seeks  –  write  these  on  the  “employer”  side  

– On  the  “applicant”  side  write  experiences  you  have  that  match  what  the  employer  seeks  

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In  Conclusion  

Five  Steps  to  Preparing  for  Career  Fairs  1.  Self-­‐reflec8on  2.  Employer  research  3.  Relate  your  skills  and  experiences  to  those  

sought  by  employers  4.  Create  introduc8on  and  ques8ons  5.  Prac8ce  

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Next  Steps  

•  Get  prepared  for  the  next  fair!  – Review  employers  a7ending  upcoming  career  fair  and  compile  a  list  of  3-­‐5  to  visit  

– Edit  and  finalize  your  introducAon  and  pracAce;  complete  research  and  compile  a  list  of  5-­‐10  strong  quesAons  to  ask  at  fair  

– Update  your  resume  •  Please  complete  your  evaluaAons!  •  NEXT  FAIR:  (fill  this  in)  

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Contact  Us  

(919)  660-­‐1050  h+p://studentaffairs.duke.edu/career  

   Facebook.com/DukeCareers      Twi+er.com/DukeCareers  

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Maria  Moreno  Sample  919.555.1212    |    [email protected]    |    www.linkedin.com/moreno443    Education    

Duke  University    |    May  2017  Bachelor  of  Science,  Computer  Science  Bachelor  of  Arts,  English  Certificate  in  Markets  &  Management  GPA:  3.4  

Technical  Skills    

Programming  Languages:  Ruby,  Python,  C#  Database:  MySQL  Software:  MATLAB,  Adobe  Photoshop,  After  Effects,  Adobe  Illustrator  

 Marketing  &  Web  Design  Experience    

Marketing  Analytics  Intern    |  Super-­‐Cool  Start  Up    |    Memphis,  TN    |    Summer  2015  • Collect  and  analyze  customer  demographics,  preferences,  and  purchasing  habits  to  identify  potential  markets  

and  factors  affecting  product  demand  • Gather  data  on  competitors  and  review  their  prices,  promotions,  and  methods  of  marketing  distribution  • Devise  methods  for  collecting  data  through  surveys,  opinion  polls,  and  questionnaires,  as  well  as  obtain  

consumer  data  via  relevant  databases    Graphic  Artist/Web  Designer    |    Information  Security  Center    |    Collierville,  TN    |    Summer  2014  

• Developed  concepts,  designs,  and  sample  webpage  layouts  for  3  nonprofit  organizations;  maintained  each  website’s  coding  

• Built  interactive  features  and  created  a  database  organization  system  to  collect  form  data  • Provided  advice  regarding  graphic  design  and  page  layout  of  currently  existing  webpages  

 Writing  &  Publication  Experience    

Reporter    |    The  Chronicle    |    Durham,  NC    |    September  2013-­‐Present  • Research  a  story’s  background  information  to  provide  accurate  material  that  captures  the  scope  and  impact  of  

breaking  news  on  Duke  University’s  campus    • Revise  content  based  on  editorial  feedback  and  adjust  stories  for  online  and  mobile  formats;  reached  up  to  3500  

page  views  daily    

Volunteer    |    Read  &  Feed    |    Apex,  NC    |    August  2013-­‐Present  • Write  and  produce  a  twice-­‐monthly  newsletter  aimed  at  donors  and  potential  nonprofit  partners  to  inform  them  

of  the  center’s  progress,  the  number  of  clients  served,  and  ways  to  get  involved  • Interview  staff  and  clients  for  developing  columns  and  commentaries;  communicate  personal  experiences  

through  persuasive,  engaging  reporting    

Projects    

Digital  Systems  Course    |    Duke  University    |    Durham,  NC    |    Spring  2015  • Implemented  a  system  using  only  3  materials  to  create  a  processor  to  replicate  a  popular,  multiplayer,  8-­‐bit  

video  game    • Part  of  team  that  earned  highest  marks  on  the  project,  and  selected  as  first  in  the  class  for  anticipating  angles,  

developing  responsive  speed  controls,  and  programming  a  point  limit    Campus  Involvement    

Marketing  Chair    |    Chi  Omega  Sorority    |  Durham,  NC    |    January  2014-­‐December  2014  • Create  awareness  of  philanthropic  milestones  and  academic  achievement  through  directing  banner  creation,  

alumni  communication,  and  reporting  to  campus  offices  Recruitment  Committee    |    Chi  Omega  Sorority    |  Durham,  NC    |    January  2013-­‐December  2013  

• Organized  informational  materials  for  recruitment  sessions  of  200+  attendees;  collected  information  on  potential  new  members  

SAMPLE  FOR  CAREER  FAIR  PREPARATION  WORKHSOP    **DO  NOT  COPY**  

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Meeting an Employer at a Career FairElevator Pitch Examples

Writing/Publishing/Editing Example:

Hi,I’mMariaSample.I’llbegraduatinginthespringwithadoublemajorinEnglishandComputerScience.I’mveryexcitedtotalkwithyouaboutopportunitiesat<mediaorganization>;Iwassoimpressedandinspiredbytheway<mediaorganization>covered<currentnewsstory>lastyear;Iespeciallylikedthemultimediacomponentsonyourwebsitedetailingeventsviaphotoessaysandinteractivetimelines.Asareporteratthestudent-rundailynewspaperhereatDuke,Itrytocombinestrongwritingwithengagingmedia–Ithinkitmakesforastrongerstory.Isawyourorganizationishiringforareporterandcopyeditor;towhatextent,andhowoften,dotheserolesinteractwiththewebteam?[Exampleforspeakingtoanalumorrecruiter]

Leadership Development Program Example:

Hello,Ms.Recruiter,mynameisMariaSampleandIwillgraduateinMay2017withabachelor’sdegreeinComputerScienceandEnglish.Ireadthatyourcompanyislookingtohireambitiousstudentsintoyourmanagementtraineeprogram.Ihavebeenheavilyinvolvedoncampusandservedinseveralleadershiprolesthroughmysorority.Myrecentinternshipworkinginmarketinghasequippedmewithaskillsetthatwillcontributetothesuccessofyourcompany.Whathaveyouseensuccessfulcandidatesfortheleadershipdevelopmentprogram(LDP)communicateasitrelatestotheirexperience?[Exampleforspeakingtoanalumorrecruiter]

Questions to Ask at a Career Fair•Iwasabletogleanalotofinformationaboutthecultureofyourorganizationthroughyourwebsiteandfromtalkingtoacoupleofotherswhohaveexperienceatyourcompany.Howhaveyoufoundtheculturetobeevidentwithinyourteam?[Alum/Recruiter]

•Ireadinthe<tradepublication>thatyourcompanyisinvolvedin<interestingnewinitiative>.Whatimpactdoyouexpectthathavingonyourcompanyinthenextfewyears?[Alum/Recruiter]

•Lastyear,when<technology>waslaunchedatyourcompany,Iwasinspiredtocreateasimilartoolduringmysparetime,justforfun.Ilearnedalotduringthisprocessofcreatingandsharingmywork,especiallyhowimportantitistobeabletocommunicatethepurposeofyourprojecteffectivelytoothers.Inyourexperience,whatdoyouthinkismostchallengingincreatingandthenlaunchinganewproduct?[Alum]

•Whenyouarereviewingcandidates’resumes,whatstudentorganizationsorextracurricularactivitiesexciteyouthemost?[Alum/Recruiter]

•WhattypesofprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesshouldIpursuenowthatwouldpreparemewellforthisindustry?[Alum/Recruiter]

•Isubmittedmyresumeonlineyesterday.AsIreviewedthenextsteps,Inoticedthat<yourcompany>beoncampussoon.Wouldyousharewhatthestepsarefollowingtheon-campusinterview?[Recruiter]

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The STAR MethodSTAR is formula for creating your best response to behavioral-based questions. Interviewers expect you to present your thoughts and experience in this manner. Don’t worry, however. You’ll see that the STAR method is no different than the basics of any story composition.

“LastsemesterItookapsychologycoursethatrequiredagroupprojecttoexaminemotivation.Theprofessorassignedeachstudenttoa4-persongroup.Mygroupdecidedtolookatwhatmotivatescollegestudentstoparticipateincommunityserviceactivities.”

Question: Tell me about a time when you had to provide difficult feedback to a team member?

“Asagroup,wedevelopedaplantodistributetheworkbetweenus.However,afterthefirstfewweeks,itbecameapparentthatoneofourteammemberswasnotcompletingherpartoftheprojectandshemissedoneofourgroupmeetings.Therestoftheteamdecidedthatweneededtoreengageher.”“Itooktheinitiativetosetupameetingwithherwherewediscussedourinterestintheprojectaswellastheotheracademicresponsibilities.Aftertalkingwithher,itwasclearthatifwechangedhercontributionstotasksthatbetterfitherskillsandinterests,shewouldmostlikelycontributeatahigherlevel.”

“Itturnedoutthattheteamcouldredistributetaskswithoutcompromisingsoeverymembergottoworkonthepiecesoftheprojectthatwereofmostinteresttothem.Intheend,wecompletedtheprojectandreceivedpositivefeedbackfromourprofessor.”

STAR

SituationSetthescenarioforyourexample.

TaskDescribethespecificchallengeortaskthatrelatestothequestion.

ActionTalkabouttheactionsthatyoutooktoaccomplishthetask.

ResultPresenttheresultsthatfollowedbecauseofthechosenaction.

A strong STAR response will last one to two minutes.Be brief in your set-up. Give just enough background or contextual information for your story to make sense.The result is critical. Everything in your example builds towards this component.Use the structure of the acronym for direction if you forget what you were saying. If all else fails, skil to the R, result.

A few important tips:

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Organizing Your Experience

Skill,Experience orCharacteristic

Name of Story

Situation Task Action Result

Leadership

Ability to Work in Teams

Analytical Skills

Adaptability

Apply the STAR Method by using this chart to recall specific experiences that will better support your responses in an interview.

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Employer - Applicant Activity

Under “Employer” write down the skills, experiences, and values the employer seeks in an applicant. Under “Applicant” write down the specific skills and experiences you have that match the needs of your preferred industry. Think about soft skills (e.g. teamwork, communication, leadership), technical skills, and relevant experiences.

Employer Applicant_____________________________________________

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