The JobMatch Project Setting the stage for career possibilities -and helping you get there!

The
  JobMatch
   Project

Setting the stage
   for career
possibilities – and
 helping you get
      there!

EXPECTATIONS

• Expect to know your target(s)
  – Prior to the event, check out the employers’
    websites. Get as much info as possible about the
    companies and their job postings/job
    descriptions.
  – When possible, apply for the jobs online prior to
    the Hiring Event and let the representatives at the
    event know that you applied online.

• Be sure questions you ask the recruiter are not
  general questions in which you should have found in
  your research. Do your homework!
• Develop a Hiring Event Strategy - Know your Top 10
  Employers you "Must" see so once you receive the
  map you can efficiently plan your time.
• Utilize any recent news or media info you discovered
  during your research about the company or its
  interest to emphasize how
  your background/experience can contribute to the
  company.

• Look for opportunities to set yourself apart from
  other job seekers.
• Stay true to yourself, but when appropriate seek
  opportunities to do something for the employer.

• Use Social Media and communications -
  before and after the Hiring Event
  – Create and/or update LinkedIn profile, Facebook,
    Twitter.
  – Follow-up with contacts made at the Hiring Event
    (both employers and fellow job seekers).
  – If possible, make sure you are using a professional
    email address – “sillylady@aol.com” might not
    impress the business world as you’d like.

Expect to Mingle
• In addition to employers, meet people who know
  other people.
   – NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK!!
• As you move around at the event, be observant and
  listen to other conversations (however don’t
  eavesdrop or intrude!).
   – Listen for potential job leads/info that may pertain
      to your job search.
   – NETWORK some more.

• Plan for a BIG crowd of people; long lines
  both when entering/registering and at the
  employers’ tables.
  – PRE-REGISTER. This will save you time when you
    arrive.
  – Be patient and use the time for professional
    NETWORKing.
  – Allow yourself plenty of time for this event; the
    full time (2:00 pm – 5:00 pm) if possible.

• Prepare and Expect to get positive results
  from this event.
  – If you have this expectation before coming, you
    are more likely to get positive results.
  – You may not get a job immediately, but you will get
    some good leads.

Follow Up
• Expect and plan to follow-up with potential
  employers.
• Create a Professional Contacts list and add contacts
  gathered at the Hiring Event to a spreadsheet or
  database such as Zoho.com.
• As soon as possible after the event, send thank-you
  notes, resumes, etc.
• Make contact with HR/hiring managers, etc.
• Take advantage of social media (LinkedIn, Facebook,
  etc.) to connect/contact.

DON’T EXPECT
• DO NOT EXPECT to get hired on the spot.
  – It has happened, but is rare.
• DO NOT EXPECT all the employers to
  contact/follow-up with you.
  • Again – this is why you get THEIR business card.

• DO NOT EXPECT that you will be able to
  answer all questions on the spot
  – Prepare yourself with a comfortable answer such
    as:
     • “I need to research that idea.”
     • “Would it be possible to craft the answer in an
       email and get it to you?” (great way to plug for
       a business card)
     • “I’m not sure I’m able to answer that question.”

• DO NOT EXPECT each company will be able to take a
  lot of time talking with you – so be PREPARED (See
  above!).
• EXPECT AND PREPARE to present yourself as
  someone that company needs!

PREPARATION
• Documents to have ready:
  – Resume
     • Make sure your resume is not fancy, has
       everything spelled correctly and the grammar is
       correct, and that the same font and size is used
       throughout the document.
         –Include licenses and certifications.
         –Include url for LinkedIn, FB, Twitter (as
          appropriate).

• Portfolio
  – For applicable fields, have samples
    of previous work you’ve done such as:
     • Graphics
     • Writing

• References
  – Plan to have a sheet of references available –
    make sure your references have given
    you permission to use them!
  – Include affiliation
     • How do you know them and for how long.
     • This is a hiring event, so work-related
       references are preferred.

• Business Cards
  – GIVE THEM TO ANY AND EVERYONE
                 YOU CAN!
     • Actually – give two cards out to
       everyone you meet, either company representative
       or the person you’re standing next to in line.
     • You can print business cards on VistaPrint.com and
       only pay for shipping.
  – Get as many business cards from company
    representatives as you can.

• Research to do
  – Types of companies you’re interested in so that
    you can expect to understand the type of
    employees they’re
  – Research their
     • Mission
     • Culture
     • Client base

• Presenting yourself
  – Elevator speech
     • Have a 30 second - 1 minute summary of your
       experience and skillsets and what you’re
       looking for – build your speech(s) to target
       companies you’re interested in.

• Prepare Q&As and practice them before the
  event so you’re comfortable with the answers
  –   Questions you expect to get
  –   Why you were laid off
  –   Types of certifications and licenses you have
  –   How you are on the job
       • Strengths and weaknesses
  – Samples of challenges you faced and how you handled
    them
  – Ability to work in the US
       • Make sure you will have proof when applying (not necessary
         at the event itself)

• Questions you want to ask or comments you
  want to make
  – Possible on-site interviews
     • Prepare a list of questions you would ask each employer if
       you were to be interviewed. Use the research you’ve done
       of their website to guide possible questions.
  – What you’ve been doing while you’ve been looking for
    a position
     • Volunteer work
     • Pro bono work
     • Training
  – Success stories to demonstrate how you’ve helped
    your employer – either directly or indirectly

• Participate in an interactive interview with Job
  Match prior to the hiring event to polish your
  interview skills.
• Leave interviewers with open communication
  channels.

• Present yourself as organized and in charge
  of your future.
  – Have paperwork organized and in folder.
     • Paperclip like documents – don’t fumble
       through the papers.

Appearance

http://x204project.com/2011/10/30/interviews-from-hell-%E2%80%93-what-not-to-wear-
                               and-what-not-to-say/

Consider Your Industry

http://www.burnetts.com/tag/what-not-to-wear

Dressing faux pas to avoid when interview time
                comes around

• Wild Nail Polish: For women or men - extremely long or uncut nails
are a real turnoff, too. Your nails should be groomed and neat.

• Jangly Jewelry: Don't wear more than two rings per hand or one
earring per ear. Also, no face jewelry or ankle bracelets allowed.

• Open-Toed or Backless Shoes and mules are a definite no-no. Out-
of-date shoes should be thrown out or kept for other occasions.

   http://career-services.monster.com/yahooarticle/10-Interview-Fashion-Blunders

Dressing faux pas to avoid… (cont’d)

• Bare Legs: Wear stockings in neutral colors or a fashion
color to match your shoes, even in humid summer weather.

• Short Skirts: Hemlines should not be more than three
inches above the knee. Capri pants or leggings are
unacceptable.

• Purse/bag: Keep it simple, or carry a small briefcase or
business-like tote bag in place of a purse.

http://career-services.monster.com/yahooarticle/10-Interview-Fashion-Blunders

If the job you’re interviewing for is in an office:
•Wear a suit. This rule applies to both men and women. Navy
blue, black, and dark grey are the most conservative colors, so
choose one of these.

• Make sure your suit fits you properly.

• If you’re a woman wearing a skirt, it should be a conservative
length.

• If you’re a man, your button-down shirt should be white, and
your tie should be a conservative color like red or blue.

•Shine your shoes, and make sure the soles aren’t too worn
down.
                  http://www.goodtemps.org/blog/109/

If the job you’re interviewing for is in an office (cont’d):

• Men are expected to wear black dress shoes, and women are
generally expected to wear conservative dress shoes with a medium-
height heel.

•Ladies are generally expected to wear makeup, and gentlemen are
generally expected to shave.

• Comb your hair and wear it so that it is out of your face. This rule
applies to both men and women.

                   http://www.goodtemps.org/blog/109/

Interviewing for a non-office job, such as in a factory, as
        a laborer, or in a food or retail business:
• Dress more formally and professionally than you would for
the actual job. While a suit isn’t expected (unless you’re
applying for a management position, in which case it’s not a
bad idea), you can’t go wrong with dark pants and a button-
down white dress shirt.

• Make sure they’re clean and free of wrinkles.

• Ladies - wear a dress blouse and dark pants or a skirt that
falls within two inches of the knee. Essentially it’s the same
dress code as the one listed above for an office job interview,
but without the suit jacket.
                  http://www.goodtemps.org/blog/109/

Interviewing for a non-office job, such as in a factory,
as a laborer, or in a food or retail business (cont’d):

  •Men - unless employees where you are interviewing
  wear jeans and t-shirt to work everyday, add a tie too. A
  tie can make you stand out from other candidates as
  looking more professional.

  • Ties - choose a solid color or a simple design.

                 http://www.goodtemps.org/blog/109/

                                                              33

Other things to be mindful of:

More Do’s & Don’ts
(Just in case you were wondering…)

Recruiters were asked, “What is the one piece of fashion and/or
grooming advice you wish more candidates would heed before going
on an interview?” Here’s what they said:

     • Get the Details Right: The night before the interview, lay out your
     wardrobe to make sure everything fits, is free of wrinkles and is
     current with today's styles. Also take the time to polish your shoes. --
     DeLynn Senna, executive director of North American permanent
     placement services, Robert Half International
      • Accessorize with Mints: I wish more candidates would take a
      strong breath mint before their interviews. -- Bob Hancock,
      independent staffing consultant

 http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-appearance/recruiter-
 roundtable-fashion-grooming-tips-hot-jobs/article.aspx

… Here’s what they said (cont’d):

  • What Are You Revealing? Look in the mirror: If too
  much is showing, don't wear it. -- Joelle Thies, staffing
  specialist recruiter, Wells Fargo

   • The Smell of Success Is Scent-Free: Keep it scent-free. -
   - Cheryl Ferguson, recruiter, The Recruiter's Studio

http://career-advice.monster.com/job-interview/interview-appearance/recruiter-
roundtable-fashion-grooming-tips-hot-jobs/article.aspx

GROOMING TIPS FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Hair: Should be clean and neat.
Shoes: Should be in polished condition. Make sure heels
are not worn.
Details: No missing buttons, no lint; and don’t forget to
remove external tags and tacking stitches from new
clothes.
Hands: Clean fingernails.

http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/BusinessCasualAttire.html#when

GROOMING TIPS FOR MEN AND WOMEN (cont’d)

Fit: Clothes should be clean, neatly pressed, and fit
properly, neither tight nor baggy.
Smell: Perfume or cologne should be used sparingly or
not at all. No odors on clothes. Don't smell like smoke.
Padfolios: Preferred over a bulky briefcase.
Bookbags/backpacks/totes you carry on campus:
Consider the industry and venue. May be too bulky or
inappropriate to carry to a job or career fair.

http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/BusinessCasualAttire.html#when

Additional Tips:
~Employers gauge your judgment which is reflected in
your choice of attire.

~Your choices regarding your attire and appearance show
how you choose to present yourself and is a form of
communication to the people you encounter.

~Show your awareness of the culture and expectations of
the industry in which you are pursuing employment by
dressing appropriately.

~Don't substitute your manners and mannerisms for the
content of what you say.

Virtually nothing is
  impossible in this
world if you just put
your mind to it and
 maintain a positive
      attitude.

     Lou Holtz

   GOOD LUCK!