In this chapter, Starting your Career, it talks about how you should find a job, type up a resume, write a cover letter, make a portfolio, and most importantly how to act professionally. That means don’t pick your nose during the interview.
I took an interviewing class last semester and one of the sections was the typical business interview. The tips they gave were very helpful in writing a resume and cover letter which they cover really well in this chapter. I suggest everyone follow them if you want your foot in the door. The chapter then goes on to mention how to write a scannable resume. Technology, a blessing and a curse. Unfortunately in this situation it is a curse, because the one thing I hate about job searching now a days, is that it is so impersonal. I am sure many of us go to job fairs here on campus and feel like a complete reject when they are over. You wait in line, hand them your resume, and try to sell yourself. That is fine by me, as you are both trying to get a feel for each other. Of course this whole process is cut short by them taking your resume, tossing it in a box, and then telling you to go apply online. Thanks Mister or Miss Job Fair Person, I could have done that at home.
This all shows us how important a good looking resume and cover letter are to your future. All of your education and work experience summed up on one piece of paper. Many of us probably feel we are not best sellers but that new book written by some no name author. Sitting on the shelf, just waiting to be picked up and given a chance based on the pretty cover we have.
On Career Fairs
I completely understand where you're coming from Jeff when you begin talking about the impersonal nature of job or career fairs in recent years, and how the process has become completely electronic and "to the point". It's really unfortunate in my opinion, and I got very little, if anything, from attending any of them featured at Purdue over the last year. With that said, I think this fact only further stresses the importance of being able to present yourself well on paper, as it may now be more important and crucial than ever. I think it's very good that you brought this up.
I also feel that the job
I also feel that the job fairs that I have been to recently have been pretty much a waste of my time, but at the same time it has made me turn toward and rely on my personal network. The phrase "its not what you know, but who you know" in some cases can work to your advantage if you use your personal network wisely. The reading suggested to get in touch with professionals in your field and that they would probably know what direction to tell you to go, or they might know someone who does. How far can a personal network reach?
Who do you know?
I feel that job fairs are a love hate relationship. While at Purdue, I've been to four job fairs trying to find some sort of success. I don't like going to a job fair because, I feel as if I'm just another part on an assembly line. How do you sell yourself in 2 minutes?
Job fairs can be important for at least making yourself personally to one of the HR representative and starting a network in that company. I kept contact with a company at the job fair and got an interview. The famous phrase came into play "it’s not what you know, but who you know."
Job Fairs
I agree that job fairs can be too impersonal, but they are still important. I've attended the Computer Technology round table job fair twice, and have felt that waiting in line with a suit on to hand them your documents, shake their hand, and them throw your resume in a pile is a little disheartening. However, making a good first impression is sometimes all it takes for your resume to get a second look and you to get a phone call about a real interview. This job fair process makes it ever-important that your resume is absolutely the best it can be, and the tips given in this article are really great. I read a similar article just yesterday on digg.com that gave even more great tips for the wording of your resume. Here it is If you'd like to check it out: http://www.squawkfox.com/2009/01/19/6-words-that-make-your-resume-suck/
I Agree, Somewhat
I want to start out by saying that I agree with what you said about the book teaching us about the importance to act professionally and create professional documents. These documents and skills are undoubtedly required to make it anywhere in the professional world. One thing that I disagree with is your stance on job fairs. Yes it can be discouraging when you have worked hard to sell yourself and you are told to just apply online but I have noticed the benefits of attending the job fairs rather than just apply online. Sometimes the connections you make while selling yourself will ensure that you are moved to the next point in the online application process. Also the employees you meet can also serve as a contact you can consult with if you have questions during the application process.
Career Fairs
I would have to say that I feel the same way about career fairs as you do Jeff. All it is waiting in line for forty five minutes at every location, and then you get two minutes to try to make yourself stand out in front of the other 2000 people who have given them applications that day. The worst part is when its 100 degrees out, your in a suit and tie, and after 45 minutes of waiting they just tell you to apply online! But all in all, career fairs are a great way to meet different companies, a way to get your name out there, and a good experience.
From personal experience, the best way to land a job is from just knowing the right people. If you just have that one right connection it can take you far.
Career Fairs
It's unfortunate if job fairs are becoming too impersonal. In my opinion there's no better way to get a company recruiter's attention than by walking up and taking it. I have been shooed away from enough booths to know what you are talking about. Unfortunately, it seems there's a lot of dishonesty at job fairs, from recruiters as well. I think they try not to discourage people who are interested in the company, even if the company is not interested in them, so they try to set people down easy.
But don't let companies fool you. If they weren't looking to hire, they wouldn't be paying employees to sit at a booth and talk all day. This fall I had the privilege of sitting on the other side of the booth at the CEM job fair with the company I'm interning with (Mass. Electric). I learned quite a bit that day about how recruiters go about doing what they do.
The best advice I can offer is to know who you are talking to and what kind of work they do. Further, it really helps to show excitement about it. There was a girl who walked up while I was at the booth with a brilliant resume. But when she was asked why she was interested in Mass. Electric she basically very eloquently stated, "I've never heard of this company and I have no clue what you even do." She might as well have walked away right there. But what's further, she said was looking for design work. Mass. Electric is a contractor; she definitely wasn't looking in the right place. We've all done something similar to that I'm sure, but recruiters aren't looking for someone who isn't interested in their field or the available job. Even if that person has an amazing resume and "a very open mind" (she did).
My point here is that the ideas from the chapter - like educating yourself about employers and selling your skills in terms of what recruiters are looking for - can be used at job fairs, too. And try not to get down on career fairs, even if they leave you feeling dejected; if you are trying to get notice by a company, its gotta help to go directly to where its recruiters are looking.
Resume's
I have never heard of anyone getting hired just because they have a neat resume. I'm sure it happens sometimes, but very rarely. Making a good impression on a recruiter is all about convincing them that you are well qualified for the job and have a strong ambition. I agree that a lot of recruiters are almost useless and just throw your resume in a box. Does anyone know what happens to that box? Do they just throw it away? I have had some good experience with recruiters though. If you impress them enough, they will go out of their way to set up an interview slot for you.
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Career Fairs
I agree with everyone about the career fairs. They seem to be an unwanted necessity. Lately I have decided to skip going to the big, well know companies all together. Waiting in line for an hour to talk to someone for forty seconds hardly seems worth it. For the last two job fairs I have looked into smaller companies. They tend to have shorter lines and be a lot friendlier. I know most people want to work for the biggest and best company they can, but personally I think smaller is better. The biggest thing I have learned from the job fairs is just be confident. I see students walking around all the time looking like they just saw a ghost. The worst they can say is no, or go apply online.
Reply
I agree with the rest of you about job fairs. Overly impersonal, hardly efficient, and seemingly worthless. Being a student at a big job fair can be pretty overwhelming, sometimes you feel like just another face in the crowd. I would bet that there are a lot of companies feel the same way. It's probably kinda hard for a smaller company to get much attention when they're competing with huge institutions like GM, P&G, or Boeing. I personally think a better approach (from both company and student standpoint) is to have smaller info sessions set up through academic departments that interested students can attend. These are usually much more informal, and students get a great opportunity to display themselves afterwards during a Q/A or meet and greet session. The company also gets the opportunity to give a presentation to sell themselves. Too bad companies don't use this method more often.
Informal Sessions
I also like the smaller more informal info sessions. I had a recitation that representatives from John Deere came and talked at. It was nice to be able to see a presentation from them and have an informal question and answer session. It felt a lot more relaxed than when you go to a big career fair and wait around all day to talk to someone. There also was a lot more time to hear about the company and hear the questions that other people had. I enjoyed hearing their experiences with John Deere instead of just a quick formal career fair.
-Chris
Info Sessions
The info sessions are a much better way for a company and employees to find a good match. For the most part, the students that go have done some research and actually want to work for the company, not just walking around handing out resumes to anyone with an open hand, and the human resource people know this. I have found to also always bring another copy of your resume, even if you have already given them one at the fair, they like to jot down notes on the back if you talk to them one on one. This way you can really bring out the strong points in your resume and sometime have a mini interview. These are great ways to get your foot in the door, and some free food.
Agree on the info sessions
I too have had some great experiences attending the info sessions. I've found it has let me get to know the company a little more and kind of display what they would have in store for me. The hiring process is a two way channel. One being you want to get a job and two being the company wants to attract qualified candidates. The companies have to show what they have to offer in turn for yourself showing them what you have. I've found the info sessions to be very informative and give me a better idea of what kind of things the company has in store for me.