There are several excellent opportunities this spring to attend "job fairs," both on campus and regionally.
The premier event on campus is the Career & Opportunity Expo that will be held on Friday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Welch Health & Education Building.
This is the fifth year for the event and it is expected to draw 70 plus employers to campus. For up-to-date information on the Expo and its employers, visit the website two weeks prior to the event at http://www. monroeccc.edu/careerexpo/. This is a free event for all job seekers.
Monroe County Community College students also are invited to the Collegiate Employ-Net Job Fair on Friday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Franciscan Center on the campus of Lourdes University, Sylvania, Ohio.
This fair is hosted by the 19 colleges and universities that are members of Collegiate Employ-Net. Typically 50 to 80 employers are in attendance.
Several weeks prior to the event those employers and the positions that they will be hiring for will be listed at http://www.collegecentral. com/employ-net/. This is a free event for all job seekers.
The third job fair that you should be aware of is the Michigan Collegiate Job Fair (MCJF) on Friday, March 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a state-wide job fair. Companies primarily recruit qualified graduates for degreed and entry-level positions.
This is a great opportunity for job seekers to identify employers who are actively seeking candidates or to begin networking with companies for future employment. MCJF is open to any graduating college senior or recent alumni across the State of Michigan seeking entry level employment opportunities.
On average, this fair brings together approximately 700 candidates and 120 employers. The Michigan Collegiate Job Fair is held at the Burton Manor Banquet and Conference Center, 27777 Schoolcraft Road, Livonia, Michigan. There is a fee to attend: $10 pre-registration or $15 at the door.
For additional details visit their website at www.mcjf.org. MCJF is sponsored by Eastern Michigan University and supported by the Michigan Career Educator and Employer Alliance (MCEEA).
If you plan to attend one or more of these great events, please prepare to succeed. Treat a job fair as you would a job interview, because that is what it is.
First and foremost dress for success. Do not show up in jeans and a t-shirt/sweatshirt. You cannot overdress unless you wear a tuxedo or evening gown.
Put your best foot forward. Make sure your hair, nails, facial hair etc. are presentable. Look in a mirror and be honest with yourself "Would you hire this person?" If there is any doubt- change that outfit, shave that beard, cut that hair, etc.
Bring plenty of resumes. Each attending company will be listed on the respective websites with the positions that they will be interviewing for. Use this to your advantage and tailor your resume to the company(ies) and positions that you are interested in.
Bring several generic resumes in case you come across a position that you were unaware of.
Practice interviewing with a friend or family member. We have sample interview questions available in our office to assist you with this. Get plenty of rest the night before.
Most importantly, the day of the event try visiting several employers that you have little or no interest in working for before you approach your top choices. This will help you settle your nerves and let you get a feel for how the process works.
I compare this to stretching before you exercise. You wouldn’t go out and run 5 miles without warming up first, then why would you interview for a life changing job without doing the same?
If you have questions or would like to learn more about resume preparation, interviewing skills or how to approach a job fair, plan on attending one of the FREE Resume Workshops that are coming up on campus.
There is no charge, but registration is required. To register, please call (734) 384-4127. The dates and times are as follows:
To learn more about the Office of Workforce Development, please visit our website at http://www.collegecentral.com/monroeccc/.
You can also like us on Facebook at Monroe County Community College Employment Assistance/Workforce Development or follow us on Twitter @ MCCC Employment.
