The Career Fair is Over. What’s Next? Job Search 5.0

Resume: Check. Elevator Pitch: Check. Career Fair: Check.

Now what? "Job Search 5.0" Top 5 steps after the career fair.

5. Career Fairs are not the only way to find a job - use other resources too. The number one way to find a job is through personal contacts. If you need to grow your network and improve your online professional image, get on LinkedIn.com. You can connect with alumni and others and search for jobs in LinkedIn too. Some other job search resources to tap into are Hokies4Hire, Career Shift and Going Global, all linked on the Career Services web site.

4. Treat your job search like a 3-credit class. After logging some hours preparing for a career fair, don’t let up now. Looking for a job can seem overwhelming. To break up this monumental task, carve out some time each week to work on your job search.

3. Prepare for interviews. Get ready for interviews by practicing responses to questions  and deciding on questions you would ask in an interview. If you need to practice your skills at interviewing, sign up for a mock interview or visit Interview Stream.

2. Research salary requirements. One of the more difficult questions an employer can ask during an interview is one about your salary expectations. To be prepared for salary questions, do your research. Visit the Post-Graduate report to find out the median salary for your major. Link to Salary.com to search for a salary for a certain job at a particular location. Check out glassdoor.com for salary information for a particular company. Visit paycheckcity.com to figure out what your take-home pay would look like when you receive an offer. Come up with an acceptable range to quote to an employer if you get asked the dreaded question about salary. Need help evaluating an offer? Make an appointment with a career advisor in Career Services by calling 540-231-6241.

And, the number one step to take after a career fair is... 

1. Follow up and follow through. Be sure to enter your information online for those employers you met at the fair or follow the other instructions they gave you. A couple of weeks after the fair, call the employer to check on the status of your application. Ask what the timeline is for the position to be filled and if there is anything else you need to do to be considered for an interview. Send the employer a follow up email, thanking them for talking to you at the fair, and reminding them how your background and experience fit their opportunity. Review previous posts linked here if you want to know more about thank you's and follow up. The saying in the graphic below is so very true...follow up can be a difference maker.