Doing well in class and acing exams are great, but the end goal of earning a degree is typically employment. With a large job fair at Collin College later this month, students should make sure their resumes and interview skills are up to date. Career Services Coordinator Elaine Stewart shares tips to remember.
List of Employers Registered for the Job Fair: employers
1) What can I do to make my resume stand out?
Your resume’s overall appearance will affect an employer’s opinion of you. The employer can form a negative or positive opinion in a matter of seconds. Is the resume well formatted or laid out? Is it crisp and professional in appearance? Consider applying the following:
- Use high quality white or ivory paper with a quality printer.
- Clearly state your objective, skills, qualifications and education followed by work history and organizations that relate to the objective.
- Edit, edit, edit for typos and grammar.
2) How should I prepare for an interview?
The best way to prepare for an interview is to research the organization and the job. Know your qualifications and experience. In other words, know yourself and what you can offer the company.
The upcoming job fair is a good opportunity to meet with employers from a variety of organizations, learn about their opportunities, gather information when applying for jobs and find out about the next steps in the process.
3) The job I’m interviewing for is a casual attire workplace. What should I wear to an interview?
How you dress creates the first impression. Dress and groom like the interviewer or a little better. If you are applying for an office job wear clean, pressed dress slacks or skirt, dress shirt, jacket, polished shoes, trimmed nails and clean hair. For labor jobs, clean pressed khaki pants and pressed shirt. Professional dress sends a clear message to the recruiter that you are serious and interested. Give a nice, firm handshake, make eye contact and smile.
4) What questions should I ask an employer at a job fair or interview?
Listen to what the employer is saying about the job description and be ready to describe your skills and interests.
Should you apply online? What should you do to be considered? Can you have a business card? Can you leave a copy of your resume? What new products or services are on the horizon? How can you contribute to the organization’s success?
5) What are the most common interviewing mistakes?
- Not having researched the company
- Lack of interest and motivation
- Not emphasizing your range of skills
- Failing to keep your answers brief