Tag: unemployed

Life Outside Your Phone: A Student’s Guide to Job Fairs

Posted on by Diana Ramirez

High school students today are constantly on their phones. Still, a job fair presents a unique opportunity to step out of the digital world and make real connections. Attending an employment fair can be an intimidating experience, but it doesn’t have to be. With the proper preparation and attitude, anyone can make the most of a recruiting event and take the first steps toward their future career. This blog post will guide high school students looking to make the most of their experience.

What to Wear
When attending a job fair, it is vital to dress in a way that conveys professionalism. Generally, this means following the business casual dress code. This can mean different things for male and female-identifying individuals, so knowing what you should and should not wear is essential.

Business Casual Guidelines for masculine presenting:
• A collared shirt (like a polo or dress shirt)
• Slacks or chinos
• Dress shoes
• A belt
• Clean shaven

Business Casual Guidelines for feminine presenting:
• Blouse or a dress shirt
• Skirt or dress pants
• Closed-toe dress shoes
• Modest jewelry
• Hair styled neatly

At the very least, all attendees should wear nice jeans or khakis, a collared shirt, minimal jewelry, and closed-toe shoes. They should not wear perfume/cologne, loud patterns, or heavy makeup.

What to Say
It’s essential to be prepared and practice what you want to say before attending the job fair. Before the fair, you should also research each employer and know what questions you’d like to ask them.

The key is to be professional but friendly. Make sure to smile, make eye contact, and use positive body language when speaking with potential employers. Give an appropriate handshake, maintain an open posture, and keep your voice level and polite.
Remember, a job fair is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and make a great first impression.

What to Ask
Attending a job fair can be an overwhelming experience for any high school student, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing what questions to ask is the key to having a successful job fair experience.

It would help to always ask about your desired position when approaching an employer’s booth. Employers are looking for someone enthusiastic and interested in the job, so ensure you know as much as possible about it. You can also ask for more information about the goods and services that the company provides. Asking about the workplace culture is also essential, as it will give you a better idea of whether you would be a good fit for the job.

Finally, ask about new hires’ training and if any extra skills are needed to succeed in the role. Additionally, asking about the hiring procedure and when to expect a response will give you peace of mind about your job prospects at the job fair.

By asking these questions and engaging with employers at a job fair, high school students can gain valuable experience and increase their chances of finding summer work.

15th Annual Cecil County Job Fair

Posted on by Pat Chambers

www.swnetwork.org

Susquehanna Workforce Network Announces 15th Annual Cecil County Job Fair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

______________________________________________________________________

3/25/2022

Susquehanna Workforce Network announces the launch of the 15th Annual Cecil County Job Fair. The event which previously ran successively is back after a 2 year hiatus due to Covid-19. Susquehanna Workforce Network will partner with the Cecil County Office of Economic Development and Cecil Business Resource Partners to bring the event back to Singerly Fire Company Banquet Hall. The event, which takes place on May 12th, will run from 12pm – 4pm.

Due to Covid-19 the event did not run in 2020 or 2021. Given the need for recruitment post pandemic, this event will be free for businesses to register and attend. The event is poised to bring over 50 employers to the Singerly Fire Company at 300 Newark Road in Elkton, making it the largest job fair in Cecil County.

Employers will meet with hopefuls who are looking to make a career transition or who are looking to reenter the workforce. Businesses will be utilizing aggressive tactics to secure talent, including non-traditional hiring methods. While not all employers apprise our organization with the details of their hiring strategies, it is likely some will be making offers on the spot.

SWN anticipates the release of a full list of employer’s one week prior to the event. Leading up to the event, Susquehanna Workforce Network will have two workforce center locations open and available for jobseekers to assist with résumé preparation and interview skills. Limited additional assistance will be available to jobseekers on-site.

The 15th Annual Cecil County Job Fair will always be free to attend for all jobseekers.

Registration Details

Jobseeker Registration

https://tinyurl.com/CECILCountyjobfair

Pre-registration is recommended.

Registration for jobseekers will be available on-site.

View the full list of employers below. For open positions, Click Here

PressRealease_2.0Download

Register Here

Thank you & See You There!

Get Hired On the Spot

Posted on by Pat Chambers

10 Tips to Make Your Next Job Fair Successful

By: Jessica Fessler

If you’re planning to attend a job fair, PLAN. Don’t waste an opportunity due to lack of preparedness. Get hired on the spot with these tips, curated by our career coaches.

#1 Dress Professionally

This is your first opportunity to make a good impression. If you’re not sure what attire is appropriate, it is always safe to overdress. While business casual is recommended, keep in mind the positions you’re applying for. If styled appropriately, jeans are an acceptable option for a job fair. Pair with a blazer for a modern business casual look, sure to impress your future employer.

#2 Plan to Attend Early

The early bird gets the worm. Meet with employers first before other candidates have the opportunity to meet with them. This could give you the competitive advantage. Some employers choose to leave job fairs early, or put forth little effort after they’ve met with candidates that they feel are a good fit. Don’t jeopardize your chance by underestimating the competition.

#3 Prepare Your Elevator Pitch

Employers will only have a few minutes to talk with you. Prepare what you plan to say in advance. Mention your occupation / industry or start with the title of the position that you’re looking for. Provide a brief synopsis of your experience and skills and demonstrate the value you bring to the table. How do you demonstrate value?

Answer these questions- What can you provide to employers that will benefit them? Are you a self-starter that requires little supervision to complete tasks? Do you have specialized training? Are you a creative thinker, able to solve problems quickly?

#4 Do Your Research

Research the company in advance. Scour their website and appear knowledgeable about the company. Recruiters are looking to hire someone who has done their research.

#5 Ask Questions

While it’s important to answer a recruiter’s questions, it’s equally important to ask your own. A common mistake is not asking follow up questions. Follow up questions show that you’re an active listener and are engaged. Nobody likes a one-sided conversation. Prepare your questions in advance. A great way to get to know employers is to ask about company culture.

#6 Apply for the Position in Advance

Applying to the position before attending a job fair is a great way to get your application reviewed quicker. Make it easy for employers to hire you. Provide them with everything they need to make a decision or grant you an interview in advance. Use the job fair as an opportunity to put a face to a name.

#7 Bring Multiple Copies of Your Resume

It’s a great idea to bring multiple copies of your resume, even if you’re only interested in one particular employer. Having a digital copy on hand is a must-do! You never know what you might come across at a job fair. Be open to all opportunities.

#8 Ask About the Hiring Process

Ask the recruiter about the next steps. All companies hire differently. Some may have extensive interview processes. Ask about their hiring process so that you can align your expectations.

#9 Thank the Recruiter

Thank the recruiter for their time. Show genuine appreciation for their effort. Provide a compliment and restate your intentions. Your exit is as important as your entrance, leave them with a great impression.

#10 Follow-Up

A strong follow up can make or break a recruiter’s decision. Those who engage with the recruiter and show continued interest overshadow candidates who don’t follow up. Send a thank you email within 24 hours of meeting with a recruiter. In that email, reiterate why you’re a great candidate for the position. As you navigate the hiring process, remember to send thank you emails to anyone who helps facilitate the process. It can be short and sweet, but the administrative assistant who coordinated your interview will appreciate you thanking them for their efforts and your extra effort will be noticed.

Goal Crushing Strategies for your Job Search

Posted on by Pat Chambers

Goal Crushing Strategies for your Job Search

How to Visualize and Manifest a Successful Career by Setting Achievable Goals

By: Jessica Fessler

I wasn’t always a goal setter. I never understood the difference between having goals and setting them into motion. It took until my late 20’s to realize the value in setting realistic expectations.

Consistently, I would set large goals, “The End Goal” and would leave feeling empty when I failed to achieve them. It wasn’t until COVID-19 that I was able to take a step back and understand the science behind breaking down my goals into smaller, more satisfying milestones. It was then that I began to see my success.

But what do you do if you’re feeling overwhelmed or rushed?

Here are my 3 key goal-setting tips for you to keep in mind when CRUSHING your goals:

Mini Vs. Massive

An achievers mind-set is always focused on the big picture, but it’s important to remember that even big goals, start out small. Setting smaller, easily attainable goals within your overall plan helps keep you on track. It’s easy to forget that forward motion is forward motion. While it can feel like a sprint to the finish-line, it is important to keep in mind that crushing your goals means preparing for a marathon.

Keep Yourself Accountable

Tracking your progress helps you visualize how far you’ve come. This might seem trivial if you’re just starting out, but sometimes the first step is the hardest. Goal tracking apps like Strides allow you to organize and customize what you track, best of all its FREE! If you prefer something tangible, vision boards are a great way to keep your goals front and center.

Surround Yourself with Support

Find groups within your community who share your goals. Sometimes friends and family don’t offer the support you’re looking for. Support from those in a similar position as you can be motivating on days when you feel like throwing in the towel.

Networking events are a great opportunity to find like-minded individuals. Virtual happy hour events allow you to network from the comfort of your own home!

Workforce development organizations not only provide services, but are a space for goal-oriented individuals to come and thrive.

Susquehanna Workforce Network has an abundance of resources available to help you achieve your goals. Whether you’re looking to go back to school, find a new job or start your own business, SWN has the resources to set your goals into motion.

Now, put yourself out there and CRUSH your goals!