On March 1 at 11:00 through 1 p.m. the Department of Career Services will host a career fair in the Demuzio Campus Center. The career fair is open to all current students and alumni looking for jobs in the Carlinville area.
Career fairs are not like typical job interviews. According to Director of Career Services and Experiential Learning Suzanne Krupica, while businesses may devote up to a half hour for each applicant in a regular interview, conversations with a prospective employer at a career fair only last about five minutes. This means to get the most out of a career fair, everyone needs to put their best foot forward.
Krupica offered several tips for how students should conduct themselves at a career fair. The first step is actually showing up. “The more students that attend, the better the attendance of employers willing to come in the future,” said Krupica. This is key to career services continuing to have career fairs for students in the future.
After ensuring that they have time to attend the career fair, students will need to make sure that they are adequately prepared. Krupica hosts several workshops for improving resumes and interview skills which are listed in the daily announcements emails. For those unable to attend a workshop prior to the career fair, Krupica encourages students to set up an individual appointment with her to get more information and useful tips.
Applicants should come prepared at the career fair dressed as they would be for a professional job interview. This means jeans are not a good idea to wear when speaking to the employers.
Perhaps one of the most valuable items for a job interview or career fair is a resume. A well-crafted resume can be the difference between being hired or being looked over in a competitive job market. Attendees should take the time to properly format and organize a resume. This is a service that Krupica provides.
Another tip is bringing a professional looking folder or notebook to take notes and collect business cards. Krupica stressed that getting an employer’s business card is very important so that you can send a thank-you note. “Sending a thank-you note really makes you stand out,” said Krupica.
Career services hopes to have about 10 different employers present at the career fair. So far Karmak, State Farm, and the Macoupin County Police Department are among the employers confirmed to participate. If any students or alumni want to attend but are unsure about what to do Krupica encourages you to set up an appointment by email at suzanne.krupica@blackburn.edu or phone at (217) 854-5761.