Ahh, career fair season. This is arguably one of the most stressful times of the year for seniors and juniors (and maybe even the courageous sophomores and freshmen) looking to get a job or internship. From what to wear to what to say to, there are tons of unknowns and uncertainties when it comes to actually applying for that dream job or internship.
I sat down with Joe Lovejoy, Director of Career Services at Arts & Sciences Career Services, to get some insight into common mistakes made during the job hunt.
The Resume
We know that resumes should not exceed one page, but what to put on that page causes some problems. Lovejoy says:
“Resumes should be a reflection of the job you want. I always tell students to look at the job description and tailor your resume accordingly. At the same time, all experience is good experience, so make sure to include clubs, leadership roles and previous employment.”
Additionally, Lovejoy says resumes should include a professional email account (ie. an @indiana.edu address) rather than personal email accounts.
Tips for action words to use in a resume can be found here.
The Outfit
The line between business casual and business professional, especially for women, is incredibly hard to define. Lovejoy’s solution?
“I can’t think of a situation when being overdressed is a bad thing, particularly when you’re trying to stand out from other applicants.”
He recommends suits in any of their forms for job fairs and interviews alike.
The Career Fair
“Students need to realize and remember that they’re sought after,” Lovejoy says.
At the upcoming Fall Career and Internship Fair , all 115 spots are filled, and a waitlist has even been implemented for companies who did not receive a spot.
For freshmen and sophomores, Lovejoy encourages attending even if they are not actively searching for a job or internship.
“There is no better time to network than when the stakes are low. Gain experience so when it counts, you’re ready,” he says.
For juniors and seniors, Lovejoy recommends looking over the list of employers attending the career fair and developing a strategy based on the positions wanted at each company.
From there, he suggests picking the top five positions wanted and to rank them. The next step is researching company initiatives and becoming familiar with each company’s mottos, missions and values. Lovejoy encourages creating a different, customized resume for each of your top five positions.
At the career fair, Lovejoy says students should visit their fifth favorite position first and work their way up their list to practice their pitch prior to visiting their top employer.
“The best thing to keep in mind is says what you can do for the company, not the other way around. Market yourself well and present all of your relevant strengths and skills to the companies rather than asking what they can offer you,” he says.
The Interview
Lovejoy says behavior-based interviews are becoming increasingly more popular.
“Employers think past actions dictate future performance, so they’re looking for students who have succeeded in skills and activities needed for the job.”
To prepare, Lovejoy recommends students practice talking about their experiences using the acronym CAR—context, action, resolve. The interviewee can explain the situation, what happened and, most importantly, how it was resolved and what was learned.
“We aren’t born with incredible interview skills, but all you need to obtain them is practice,” Lovejoy says.
Final Thoughts
Lovejoy says many students don’t take advantage of the career development resources available on campus. Each college has a career services department with advisors ready to help students with cover letters, resumes, interview preparation and anything else.
“IU students are powerful and have the potential to do incredible things. Students deserve to present their best selves to employers, and we’re ready to help them do that.”
Upcoming Fall Career Fairs
All are open to all majors
Fall Career and Internship Fair—4-7pm on September 17 in Alumni Hall
Fall Career Expo for SPEA and SPH majors—4-7pm on September 24 in Alumni Hall
Youth & Family Services Careers—6-8pm on October 6 in the Frangipani Room
Sports & Business Careers—6-8pm on November 10 in the Frangipani Room
