7 myths about Career Fair

On Feb. 9, FIU will host 135 employers at the Spring 2015 Career Fair at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, which will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the FIU Arena. The Office of Career Services anticipates 1,500 students and alumni will attend the event.

Each year, the Career Services staff encounters students who don’t attend Career Fair because of misconceptions about what to expect.

“Many students don’t think they should attend unless they are looking for a job right now,” said Ivette Duarte, associate director of Career Services. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. Every student has something to gain from Career Fair, even if it’s just shaking off nerves about introducing yourself to potential employers. We have such a wide variety of employers who are looking for students at all levels to join their team. This is a great opportunity to make an introduction and start to build those relationships with employers.”

FIU News sat down with Duarte to learn the seven most popular myths about Career Fairs.

7. I DON’T REALLY NEED TO WEAR A SUIT.

Recruiters will be speaking to several students in a short, four-hour time span. Those who are prepared – wearing proper attire, carrying a professional resume, and networking with others – are seriously considered as potential candidates. Your appearance tells a recruiter that you are professional, ready to take on the opportunity and represent their company. So SUIT UP! Wear a business suit that is conservative in color – think navy, dark grey, charcoal or brown. Make sure it is clean, ironed and fits well. Dress shoes should be closed toe, match your suit and clean. Ladies: go light on the makeup, conservative nail color, minimal accent jewelry and light perfume. Gentlemen: light cologne, trimmed nails, and clean trimmed or no beard.

6. I AM OVERWHELMED BY MORE THAN 100 COMPANIES. DO I VISIT EVERY BOOTH?

No, you don’t need to visit each and every booth. Create an action plan. Research the companies to find out if they are a fit for your career goals. Start out by visiting career.fiu.edu and scrolling through the list of employers. Then, make a list of your top 10 employers. Have 15-20 resumes on hand and make a plan to visit your top choices first.  As you pass by other booths, listen to the conversations taking place and see if there is something that may be interesting to you. DO NOT ask employers what their companies “do” and do not stand in long lines. Keep an eye on the busy tables and return when the line is shorter.

5. I HAVEN’T HEARD OF MOST OF THE COMPANIES ATTENDING; IS IT STILL WORTH MY TIME?

Though the company of your dream job may not be attending, Career Fairs provide a great opportunity to network and interact with several different companies. First, it will help you solidify your career aspirations. Secondly, you will get the chance to practice and perfect your “elevator pitch” on multiple recruiters. Lastly, you can increase your network by gathering information on different companies and recruiters and following up afterward through email and LinkedIn.

4. I DON’T HAVE ANY SKILLS THAT AN EMPLOYER WANTS.

While some internships and jobs require a baseline of knowledge, skill or experience specific to their opportunities, some do not. Many will accept transferable skills if the candidate has excellent soft skills. For example, a technical position may require some familiarity with a technical software package, or a foundation in a specific major. However, an internship for juniors may be more interested in your personality and passion for the field. Also, many students and alumni do not value the experience that they do have. Working as a barista in a coffee shop or a clerk at a grocery store may not be major-specific, but they show skills in customer service, teamwork, cash management and problem resolution. Most employers do appreciate this type of entry-level work as a representation of a  good work ethic and basic “people” skills.

3. THE COMPANIES ATTENDING DON’T TYPICALLY HIRE FOR MY MAJOR. 

This is one of the largest misconceptions about career fair. The thought that companies only hire for specific majors or careers is just not true. Companies and organizations at the Career Fair hire for a variety of full- and part-time jobs and internships. They may be looking to fill a variety of different positions across multiple departments. It is important to not assume that they only hire specific majors, and at a minimum research the company ahead of time, looking at their profile in LinkedIn and open positions on their career website.

2. I CAN JUST SHOW UP WITHOUT PREPARATION.

While some students may feel super confident expressing their skills or interacting with employers, we strongly encourage anyone seeking opportunities to prepare by attending one or more of the workshops that Career Services hosts. We especially have a large concentration of workshops during Mega Weeks (the weeks leading up to career fair) including networking, interview skills, resume writing, and how to prepare for Career Fair.  Some of the workshops are even co-presented by recruiters. We also have walk-in hours to get your resume critiqued and polished just in time for the Fair.

1. CAREER FAIRS ARE JUST FOR SENIORS OR STUDENTS WHO HAVE GRADUATED. 

Every student can benefit from attending Career Fair.  There are employers with internship as well as full- and part-time opportunities looking specifically for FIU students to fill these positions. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors can benefit from attending since there are always internship opportunities available. We know that internships open doors for careers down the road. Plus, it is always good to attend prior to needing a position because it allows you to see what it’s like and gives you an opportunity to start building connections with employers.

MEGA CAREER WEEK EVENTS

Students and alumni are encouraged to attend events leading up to Career Fair, known as Mega Career week, to help prepare for Career Fair. Click here to view upcoming events and services for students.