How to work the career fair? There's an app for that!

Read well, because the Tufts Career Fair Plus App knows all. I was honestly amazed by how much the app can do, and I admit to playing with it for a good half hour. It knows who you could talk to, where to find them, how to impress them, and much more. If you use it wisely, the app can be your guide, your informant, and--in the nerve wrecking moments of the Career Fair--your moral support. Also, it's easy to install: The app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or the Play Store, and it's free! 

A look into the main menu of the Tufts Career Fair Plus App

The app can help you strategize your attack!

Are you ready? (www.cioresources.com)

In my last blog post, I mentioned the idea of figuring out who you wanted to speak to at the fair and organizing your approach. The Career Fair App is perfect for that!

On the app, when you click on "Companies", a list of all 180+ employers come up on the screen. Under every company, there are details describing the company, what positions they are offering, and what kind of applicant are they looking for. It's basically your cheat sheet to the company.

Of course, no one has time to go through 180+ companies. That's why the app has a filter function to organize your choices by industry, positions offered, desired major and/or location. You can narrow down your choices even further by favoriting the ones that you find most interesting. 

Once you find the companies you want to talk to, you can see where they are stationed using the Fair Map on the app. 

The app knows what you need to know, ya'know?

I promise it's less confusing than this...(rebloggy.com)

Announcements about the fair will be visible through the Announcements section of the app. Any updates about the fair will be posted here, as well. 

Finally, the app has a GOLD MINE of Career Fair Tips in the Career Fair 101 section of the app. These short articles give advice on how to dress for the Career Fair, offer your elevator pitch, and impress the recruiter. So basically, the Career Fair app is like a blogger that you can fit in your pocket.

So the moral of the story is: It's a better use of your time to scroll through the Tufts Career Fair Plus app during class than Facebook or Insta. The app is a great tool to make the most out of the Career Fair. It's perfect for preparing you and putting you in the best position to shine at the fair. So go out there today and be prepared for the fair--cuz now there's an app for that!

(www.cioresources.com)

Thanks for reading!

Nina Joung

Class of 2018

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Seasoned Seniors: Career Fair Prep and Tips

As seniors on campus, there is an array of useful knowledge that we have picked up through the years. We know how to track the elusive Joey, which dining hall is the best (Dewick, no question) and how to get across the hill quickly without panting.  And if you're a senior like me, you've been attending Career Fairs for a while, and have racked up some good experience.  

In this post I will highlight Career Fair resources, how to prepare, and of course, how to stand out.  Now is when it really counts, as many of us are searching for our first jobs out of college. So let's do this!

Preparation

One of my favorite all-time quotes is from UCLA coach John Wooden who said, "Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." This quote was the theme of my title from my post last year on how to prepare for the Career Fair.   Preparation is the name of the game here.  A career fair is very much about what you do before the fair.  If you prepare well enough, you should walk around like the "boss" you are.  Here are a few tips to ensure that you will have an effective experience at the 2015 Tufts Fall Career Fair.  

1. Use your previous career fair experience to instill some confidence; this isn't your first rodeo!
2. Update your resume, get it critiqued in the Career Center (there's still time!) and make sure your LinkedIn profile is in good shape
3. Download the Career Fair App and check the list of companies attending. Research the companies and "favorite" the ones that interest you (your favorites will appear on the map in the app)
4. Know your personal brand to differentiate yourself from other candidates and craft an elevator pitch, tailored to each organization, that will serve as your introduction; practice your elevator pitch out loud before the fair
5. Dress swaggy (check weather.com to determine outwear)

During the Fair

Career Fairs can be really overwhelming. With the 187 companies registered this year you will want to avoid feeling lost or wandering around aimlessly, like a lost kid in a supermarket  (the worst feeling in the world!).   If you find yourself in this situation don't panic.  Head to the front of Gantcher and find the Career Center Information Table.   A friendly career advisor will assess the situation and pump you up with the necessary courage to get back out there.  One suggestion is to scout out tables before you approach - walk by to see who is representing (human resources reps, alumni?) the organization and pick the individual who you'll approach.

How to stand out
Now that I've covered some of the basics of achieving success at the Career Fair, here are a few steps that will take you the extra mile.  Everyone at the Career Fair is trying to make a good impression, so it's important to know how to differentiate yourself.   

1. Swag business stationary and folder:  your hard copy resume should be copied on resume paper (it's a bit heavier than printer paper and has a nice look and texture) and you should be carrying your resumes in a portfolio or folder (no rips and tears please)
2. Thoughtful questions for recruiters (Think outside the box):  what do you say to an employer after you've introduced yourself?  In doing research before the fair, you'll likely come up with some legitimate questions about the job or internship, geographic location of the position, or the organization. A career fair is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the job by asking an intelligent question.  Just don't monopolize the employer's time
3. Ask for a business card so you can follow-up
4. Master the follow-up thank-you email: reference the Tufts Career Fair (they've probably been to many fairs by this time), and thank them for attending.  Mention something from your conversation that will help them remember you, and attach your resume.  Now they have the electronic version
5. Apply for the job or internship online.  Just because you dropped your resume at the table doesn't mean you've applied for the job

Source

Alright, alright, alright seniors. It's time to put the game plan in action. The Career Fair is a great place for us to hit the floor running while looking for the next step in our career paths. If you don't see a company of interest, still come to the Career Fair. It's great practice, and networking is always a good thing.

Carpe Diem,

Nicole Brooks

Class of 2016

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