JobFair FairPreparation Preparation Job Job Fairs events are formatted to provide an open forum where large numbers of students have an opportunity to interact with numerous employers. Organizations participate in these events to meet students, recruit employees, and provide information about career options. Career Services invites you to attend all of our special events throughout the year to gather information and to begin developing a network of contacts.
Tips for Success at Job Fairs • Research the companies. At least two weeks prior to the event, visit www.careerservices.txstate.edu ( Jobs4Cats) for a tentative list of employers attending. • Be prepared to go beyond the face at the booth. Sometimes the company isn't hiring for the position that you want. Get the name of the HR Director or the hiring manager of the department in which you are interested. • Make a great impression. Dress professionally. Refer to information in this guide on "How to Dress For Interviews." Come prepared to give a brief introduction of yourself and your goals to each recruiter you visit. • Follow up after the fair. Collect business cards and write thank-you notes or letters.
YOU’LL NEVER KNOW HOW BIG YOUR FIRE IS UNTIL YOU STRIKE THE MATCH.
Bring copies of your resume and Login to Jobs4Cats to research companies attending
Tipsfor foraaSuccessful SuccessfulDay Dayat atthe theFair Fair Tips Remember:
You will take from this event exactly what you put into it. Be assertive and positive.
For Seniors, Graduates and Alumni • Don't stand in a long line; keep moving and return later. • Don't hesitate to approach a representative. • Have your résumé ready, and be prepared for an interview. • If the employer says they do not have a position in your field, ask for the address of the Human Nearly all employers hire all types of majors. of all the opportunities offered by his/her company. • If you make an appointment for an interview, keep it. • Be sure to send thank-you letters to employers thanking them for the opportunity to visit with them.
Sample Questions • “What skills do you use that make you successful at what you do?” • “Which parts of your job are most challenging?” • “What does your company do well versus its competition?” • “What recent changes have forced your company to refocus its efforts?” • “What is at the top of your to-do list?"
Notes:
For Undergraduates • Don't stand in a long line; keep moving and return later. conversations with the employers and maybe even a formal interview. • Don't hesitate to approach a representative or to join a group already in discussion. • Take notes during your conversations if you wish. • Be sure to ask about internships, co-ops and summer employment. • Be sure to send a thank-you letters to employers thanking them for the opportunity to visit with them.
Sample Questions • “In researching your company, I discovered that you offered several different kinds of internships. Could you tell me more about __________?” • “How is your internship structured?” • "What would an intern do in the job on a typical day?” • “What advice do you have for me, as someone who is interested in this career field?” summer job or internship with your (company/
Notes:
Overview of Career Services
T
undergraduates, graduate students and alumni who seek help in formulating and implementing career plans. Our services consist of career planning, career counseling, job search preparation and employer connections. If you are not a Texas State undergrad or information. Career Services is open year-round. During the regular academic 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summer hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students can call 512.245.2645 or stop by the LBJ Student Center, Room 5-7.1, to schedule appointments. www.careerservices.txstate.edu
Workshops Workshops are scheduled each semester on a variety of job search topics, including résumé writing, interviewing techniques, researching prospective employers, salary negotiation and other career related topics. Presentations can be made to organizations and classes, as well.
On-Campus Interviews From late September until mid-November and again in February, March and April, representatives from business, industry and government visit campus to interview Texas State students. Procedures are described in detail in this guide and are also available on our Web site at www.careerservices.txstate.edu.
Career Information Center
Job Fairs
• 10 station PC lab • Job postings and internships databases • Sigi3 and other career exploration resources • Job search sites and Internet links • Employer literature/binders
Employers are invited to visit the Texas State campus throughout the year to speak with students about their organizations and what
• Directories such as the City Book of Lists, Chamber of Commerce, and National Association Directories • Videotapes on companies and the job search • Salary survey information
Career Services are: Fall Job and Internship Fair (October), Health Professions and Social Services Job Fair (October), MassComm Career Fair (October), Construction Job Fair (October and February), Teacher Job Fairs (November and April), Summer Job Fair (February), and the Spring Job and Internship EXPO (February).
Individual Assistance
All students are invited to take advantage of this unique opportunity to network with employers and to learn more about potential job possibilities with their organizations.
Students are encouraged to discuss job search plans with the director, associate director, assistant directors, career advisors, and career counselors in Career Services. Individual career counseling appointments are recommended at least 1-2 days in advance for these services. Our
accessible through Jobs4Cats on our Web site. We also provide a
and offer suggestions for possible improvements.
vacancies.
The Enigmatic GPA Multiply the credit hour of each course you have completed by the numerical value of the letter grade for each separate course (i.e., A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0). Add them together to obtain the “Grade Value Sum.” Next add the number of credit hours (not grades) for all courses in question to obtain the “Credit Hour Sum.” Divide the “Grade Value Sum” by the “Credit Hour Sum” to obtain your GPA. Pass-fail courses and non-credit courses are not included when calculating GPA. For example:
2.93
2.93
Assessing Yourself: Job Search Readiness
Y
ou may soon have your diploma in hand, but how ready are you to tackle the job search? Before contacting employers, you should do your homework and be well prepared to commu-
how these relate to particular employers. Your responses to the following questions will provide an assessment of your job search readiness and point you toward some helpful resources.
How Much Do You Know About Yourself? Can you... • Clearly articulate what you have learned during your university preparation as it relates to the type of job you are seeking? • Explain the reasons you selected your major and minor? • Identify and describe your greatest strengths? well? Five things you enjoyed most? Five things you learned? • Describe prior experiences and activities in terms of transferable skills? • Describe your ideal work environment including the characteristics that would make you happiest and most productive? • Clearly state your career goals? • Explain the contributions you expect to make to a prospective employer?
knowledgeable about who they are and can effectively sell themselves to potential employers. Clear and confident answers to the above questions are essential in conducting a successful job search.
Also, information at interviews with individuals who work in areas that interest you are an excellent source of information. A handout is available in Career Services to get you started. For assistance in helpful. Refer to information in this guide on what you should research.
Are You Ready to Contact Employers? Have you... experience and accomplishments? • Had your résumé critiqued in Career Services? • Composed a letter of application, a follow-up letter and a thank-you letter? • Determined the salary range for people with your major and for positions you are considering? • Prepared to answer the questions employers are likely to ask you in an interview? • Developed an action plan with timeframes to implement your job search? • Developed a record-keeping system to enable you to keep track of your job search? • Name several relatives, friends or other acquaintances who might know of jobs in your field? • Registered and posted your résumé online? • Checked the list of on-campus interview dates? • Marked your calendar for this year's job fairs? Counselors are available to provide individual feedback on résumés and job search letters and to conduct mock interviews.
How Much Do You Know About the World of Work? Can you... • Identify the types of organizations that employ people in these positions/fields? • Name at least 10 organizations that you plan to contact regarding employment opportunities? • Discuss the structure, services, programs or products of the organizations you plan to contact? • State reasons for your interest in each of these organizations? If you answered "no," you should learn more about the world of work before proceeding with your job search. By doing so, you will be able to interests. If you need help generating job possibilities, check out the Career Services Web site link to “What Can I Do With a Major in...?”
Broaden your search It is essential that you use each and every resource available rather than focus on any one lead. Once you answer "yes" to each of these questions, you will be well on your way to a successful job search. Good luck!
“
The noblest search is the search for excellence.” — Lyndon B. Johnson 36th President of the United States, 1963-1969
Southwest Texas State Teachers' College Class of 1930 (now Texas State University-San Marcos)