Penn State Education Career Day

Tips for Success

Prepare Yourself	During the Fair
Interviewing	Follow-Up

Check your info! Login to Nittany Lion Career Network and check your Name and Major which will be printed on your nametag at the fair.
Attend prep workshops offered by Career Services.
Review the detailed resume help.
View Employers Attending.
Research and identify the school districts you want to meet BEFORE the fair.
Have specific questions prepared for each recruiter at each organization you meet.
Offer a firm handshake, show enthusiasm and maintain eye contact.
A thirty-second commercial is something to practice and perfect. Don’t assume you will have a great answer when the time comes.

Wear comfortable shoes!
Dress for success! When in doubt, be conservative
The average employer makes a hiring decision with in the first 15 seconds of meeting you.
Gentlemen-- Wear a clean, pressed suit and tie. If you do not own a suit, you should wear clean, pressed dress pants and a long-sleeve, light-colored, pressed shirt and tie.
Ladies-- Wear a clean, pressed suit - either pants or skirt. Skirts should be no shorter than 2” above the knee.
Anything that could detract a recruiter from paying attention to your qualifications (i.e.: facial jewelry, heavy perfumes/colognes), will negatively impact the professional impression you want to achieve.
Review what to expect at the fair.

crowd

Be sure to carry a professional portfolio – usually a black leather bound folder that has a notebook and business card holders
Adhere your nametag to your right chest. This way, when you reach out to shake someone’s hand, they’ll see your name.
Eliminate such habits as playing with your hair, chewing gum, fidgeting, rocking from side-to-side, acting distracted, rubbing your nose, etc.
Introduce yourself – include your major and graduation date. Provide additional information about your background and experiences. Offer a copy of your resume.
Indicate why you are interested in this particular organization. Obtain information about the availability of positions in your interest areas. Determine requirements to apply for a position.
Thank each recruiter for his or her time.
Always ask for business cards after meeting a recruiter. After you’re done talking with them, take notes on the back of the card and use those notes to draft a personalized thank you note.

Catch the interviewer's interest with something unique about you.
Ask what a perfect candidate would be like.
Research the school district BEFORE the fair and interview.
Show your research - mention something you have learned about the organization.
Keep your answers to questions short and to the point
Be polite to absolutely everybody. You want to leave a good impression.
If you are getting interviews but missing out on opportunities, consult with a career counselor. Understanding how to tackle hard questions is an art that can be mastered. (No appointment necessary, Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm) or call 814-865-2377.

After the fair concludes, jot down notes about conversations you had with recruiters. If you wait too long, the conversations will start running together in your head, and you'll forget what you said to whom.
Within a few days, send a thank you note to each recruiter with whom you talked – especially if you are considering future opportunities with the organization.
Penn State students and Alumni: create an eCredentials account to manage and send prospective employers your credentials.
Remember to apply online after the fair if the recruiter instructs you to!
Don't know what to do next? Drop-in to see a Career Counselor (no appointment necessary, Monday-Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm) or call 814-865-2377 for cover letter help, mock interview practice, or other questions.