DANA COLLEGE 2008 CAREER FAIR:
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
11:00 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.
Gardner-Hawks Center – Dana College:
Employer Information: Registration for the Career and Graduate School Fair
Following is a list of 2008 participants to date. Click on each employer
to link to their web site.
For a list of 2007 Career Fair Participants. click here.
Aldersgate Camp & Retreat Center
Boys Town National Research Hospital
Cargill
Children’s Square U.S.A.
Cornerstone Bank
Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
Easter Seals Nebraska
Farm Service Agency
Great Western Bank
Hammond & Stephens
Hertz Corporation
Huntel Systems, Inc.
Lutheran Service Corps
Nebraska Army National Guard
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries
The Salvation Army
Timberline Total Solutions
Topeka Police Department
TSL Companies
United States District Court
UNMC Biomedical Research Training Program
Woodhouse Auto Family
How to Get the Most from a Career Fair
Conversation Starters at the Career Fair
Suggested Questions for Career Fairs
How to Get the Most from a Career Fair
1. Dress and look your best. First impressions last. Dress casually but not sloppily if you are seeking career information only (typically freshman, sophomores). Casual dress means no jeans, shorts, sweat pants or shirts, flip-flops. Dress in interview attire if you are a student/alum seeking to discuss full-time or internship opportunities within a year. Interview attire for men means a suit, tie, and dress shoes; for women a suit, blouse or sweater and conservative heels (closed toe and heel). Remember, this is what your competition at other career fairs will be wearing.
If looking for a full-time job or internship: If possible, have copies of your resume ready to give the employers. If not, send them a copy with an application letter as soon as possible after the fair (two weeks later at the latest so they don't forget you) if you want to apply for a position.
2. In preparation, have some questions prepared to ask either about the company or about careers of interest to you (some suggested questions below). There are some suggested ways to approach employers and start conversations below as well. Take a notebook and pen so you can jot down information you learn in your conversations.
3. Study the advance list of employers and organizations attending (available on the Career Services Events website http://www.dana.edu/careerservices/career_fair.html before the day of the fair, and in the student registration packet the day of the fair). Select which employers to see first so that, if you do not have time to talk to them all, you will have spoken to the ones which interest you most.
4. Visit those companies of most interest to you first. Introduce yourself and ask relevant questions. Jot down some notes after talking to a representative.
5. If looking for a job, be prepared to state some of your skills, experiences and goals. Be prepared to listen. If looking for an internship, ask if such an internship is offered, or, if not, if they would be willing to offer an internship.
6. Pick up copies of promotional literature, job descriptions, and application blanks if available. Ask for a business card so you have their name and address to use in follow-up letters.
7. Talk to as many employers as you can. You are there to learn. Knowledge is power – knowing something about employers, occupations, issues in your field will make you a much more attractive candidate when you graduate.
8. Do not expect to get hired that day. Do expect to get knowledge and contacts. Find out what next steps you can take on the road to your career.
9. Send a thank you or follow-up letter to those companies that interest you the most. And, send a resume even if you already gave them one.
Conversation Starters at the Career Fair
Here are some suggestions for ways to start the conversation with an employer.
"Hi. My name is __________. I'll be graduating in ___(month/year)____ with a major in __________. When I graduate I think I'd like to pursue a career/graduate program in __________. I'm wondering _______________"
OR
"Hello, I'm __________. I'm trying to choose a career direction and an appropriate major. I'd like your opinion on some questions I have. For example, what opportunities do you see coming up in the field of ___________"
OR
"Hi, my name is ______ and I’ll be graduating in __(year)_____. I'd like to work for your company. Do you have (internships, summer, part-time, full-time) openings?"
OR
"Hi, I'm _________________. I am interested in the field of _______________, and am very interested in gaining experience in that field. Does your company offer internships in ___(field)_______?" (If answer is yes…."How should I go about applying for an internship?" If answer is no…”Even though you don’t have an established internship program, would your organization ever consider offering an internship in that field?”)
Suggested Questions for Career Fairs
1. What are the various types of positions within your organization/firm for which you anticipate hiring recent college graduates?
2. What are the chief qualifications you seek in a first-year trainee or employee?
3. Does your firm/organization offer training programs?
4. What courses, or course of study, do I need to better prepare for a ____(type of position)_____position in your company?
5. Where are the plants/offices/divisions of your company located?
6. What are the opportunities for career advancement within your organization?
7. In the next 4-5 years, what do you foresee as being trends or changes in your field?
8. What do you like to see on a resume?
9. What are the steps in your compan's hiring process?
10. What style of management does your company have?
11. (to the recruiter) What is your own educational background, and why did you choose your career?
12. What would you say is the most common misunderstanding most college students have of the type of work your organization does, or your industry?
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