Today’s tip:
4) Consider including the salary range for the position in the job posting. We have found that employers that include a salary range in their job postings get increased response and a higher caliber of applicants.
Leave a Comment December 18, 2009
Today’s tip:
3) When describing a job, be specific. Paint a complete picture of the job opening. Make sure to include the job requirements, the level and type of experience you are seeking, the education and language proficiency preferences, as well a description of the daily responsibilities of the position. Job seekers like to have an idea of what their day at a job might be like and what the job entails.
Leave a Comment December 17, 2009
Today’s tip:
2) Include the name of the hiring company in the job post. Many experienced and high caliber applicants prefer not to apply to job postings in which the employer has chosen ‘company confidential’. Besides allowing job seekers to research the company before applying, revealing the employer’s name may generate more interest in the position.
Leave a Comment December 16, 2009
Our goal is for companies to get excellent applicants and to get exceptional results from the job postings placed at BilingualJobFair.com. Based on the performance of previous job postings, and on feedback we have received from job seekers, we have come up with five tips for writing better, more effective job postings.
Today’s tip:
1) Think about the title of the position when creating a job post. Be sure you are using the most descriptive title possible, and avoid abbreviations. Remember, people are searching for job openings using common job titles and skills. Consider what someone might search for to find the job you are posting. Ask yourself: “Does the job title describe the position well enough? If I came across this job title in a search, would it interest me?”
Leave a Comment December 15, 2009
We’ve all heard the common saying, “Dress for the job you want”. This is an important idea to remember when attending a job fair, and should help you avoid the last common mistake on my list:
Mistake #3: Inappropriate attire
Too many times, I’ve seen job seekers attend job fairs dressed too casually to make a good first impression. When getting dressed for a job fair, where you may meet your next employer, do not make the same clothing choices that you would if you were going to the mall or to a concert. The more professional you look, the better the impression you will make. The opposite is also true.
My advice: when dressing to attend a job fair, select apparel that does not detract from your professional image. Here are some guidelines that you can follow.
For men:
Acceptable options for men (cleaned and ironed, of course):
• A suit, including a jacket & a tie
• A blazer and a nice pair of pants, with no tie
• A nice pair of pants, and a nice shirt, with no tie
With all of these options, clean, polished shoes are your best bet.
Clothing to avoid:
• Jeans
• T-shirts
• Sneakers or other casual shoes
For women:
Acceptable options for women (cleaned and ironed, of course):
• A suit (a jacket with matching pants or skirt)
• A dress
• A blouse and a nice pair of pants
Clothing to avoid:
• Dresses and skirts that are shorter than knee-length
• Transparent or tight-fitting clothing
• Low necklines
• Jeans
• T-shirts
• Sneakers or other casual shoes
Note: If choosing to wear perfume, it should not be strong. Keep the accessories simple, including simple earrings, rather than large dangling ones. The idea is to keep the focus and attention on your credentials, not on your appearance. Your attire should help you create the impression of being a professional and should not be a distraction.
Leave a Comment December 11, 2009
In addition to not bringing family members with you to a job fair, you should take extra care to avoid this job fair mistake as well:
Mistake #2: Attending without (or with too few) printed resumes
The resume is essential to a job seeker’s success at a job fair. It is the introduction their credentials, their work experience, attributes and qualifications. (For more on resumes, click here.) A job seeker attending a job fair without copies of a resume to hand to prospective employers is equivalent to a baseball player stepping up to home plate and facing a pitcher to hit a ball without a bat. Don’t hurt your chances at a home run by making this mistake!
My advice: don’t leave home without plenty of copies of your resume! It is better to have more copies than you think you’ll need than not enough. Bring a folder or briefcase with you to the job fair to keep your printed copies organized and looking neat. (More on this here.) You don’t want to miss a single opportunity.
Leave a Comment December 10, 2009
This week we will continue to cover job fairs, specifically mistakes that I have seen job candidates make at job fair events. When job seekers make any of these mistakes, I believe that they cut their chances of getting a follow up interview with the companies participating at the job fair.
Mistake #1: Taking family members to the job fair.
Believe it or not, I have seen this a dozen times. In some cases, the job candidate may not have someone to watch his or her young kids the day of the job fair, and they decide to bring the kids along. Or they bring Mom with them for company and moral support. Simply put, it is unprofessional and will not make a good first impression with any company. I’ve even seen people with strollers at job fairs — definitely not the best presentation of professional demeanor. From an employer’s perspective, if a job seeker is unable to find someone to take care of their kids the day of the job fair, it may give the impression that they will not have enough freedom to come to work every day, or that they have too many responsibilities at home to be able to perform well at work. Taking Mom along also gives the impression that the job seeker lacks confidence, and may not be able to independently manage the responsibilities that the position entails. My recommendation: to make the most of the job fair day, leave family members at home. Attend the job fair on your own, as you would the first day at a new job.
Read this post for more information about how to prepare for a job fair, and check back tomorrow for the next mistake to avoid.
Leave a Comment December 9, 2009
You made a good impression on the recruiters at the job fair and did your best to communicate your serious interest in finding a new career. You came prepared for the event, dressed professionally, and were confident, positive and polite. Now it’s time to follow up.
For the job openings that appealed to you most and fit best with your skills and experience, it is important to take the time to send a follow up email to the recruiter who you spoke with. Say that you enjoyed speaking with them and learning about their company. Reiterate that you would like the opportunity to take the next step to move the process forward – with a formal interview if appropriate. You can also inquire about other opportunities in the company if the position that you discussed wasn’t the best fit for you.
Remember, attending job fairs is a great way to make all sorts of connections. You may find the perfect job opening, or make a contact in another area of a company that interests you, or even learn of employment opportunities from other job fair attendees. Make your best effort to make a good impression, make the most of the day, and you may find your next great job.
(Start your job search now at BilingualJobFair.com, and don’t forget to sign up to be notified of future Bilingual Job Fair events in your area. Click here to sign up!)
Leave a Comment November 25, 2009
You arrive at the job fair prepared, looking great, feeling positive — you are ready to start meeting companies. What now?
It’s time to make your plan for how to make the most of the day. As soon as you walk into the job fair, pick up a program. Review the map which shows where each participating employer is located and make some decisions about which companies you want to meet the most. Depending on the number of people at the job fair, you may be fighting through crowds, but your first objective should be to meet with your top 5 or 10 companies.
Approach your top companies one by one. Use the introduction you practiced as a way to begin a conversation about the positions each company currently has available, and the qualifications they are seeking. Offer a copy of your resume (and cover letter if you have one) and give a quick summary of your qualifications, being sure to touch on those that match the credentials they are looking for. Before you leave that booth, make sure you have expressed your interest in the position, thank the recruiter for their time and find out what you need to do to get a more formal job interview with the company.
After you have met with all of your top companies, take a break. Take a moment to drink some water and/or eat a little something. Take another look at the job fair program and booth map, and pick out your second tier of companies. Use the time you have left to visit the booths of your “B List” to make sure you are taking advantage of every opportunity to make a connection with a potential employer. By the time you have completed your secondary list, the job fair may be coming to an end. You should leave the event with a good understanding of what each of your top companies is looking for, ready to follow up with the companies that appealed to you the most.
Next: After the Job Fair: Following Up
Leave a Comment November 23, 2009
A job fair day is a day when the job candidate needs to shine. To make the best first impression, it helps to come prepared.
You should have multiple copies of your well written one-page resume printed and ready to hand to the recruiters at the event. You can also bring copies of a cover letter introducing yourself and your qualifications. You may find that having a pen or pencil and some paper available for taking notes is helpful. To stay organized, bring a folder or portfolio to hold these materials, as well as any handouts you may receive at the job fair.
Self-confidence is very important. If you believe in yourself, it comes through to the participating companies. Dress for success. Put forth your best effort in how you dress for this day. Plan ahead and dress appropriately for the type of position you are interested in. Once you are ready with an outfit that is professional and gives you confidence, spend some time thinking about how to make an impact with your introduction. To feel more assured, it may be helpful to practice introducing yourself with a friend or family member. Be positive, smile, make eye contact, shake hands and say “Hello, my name is _____ and I am interested in learning more about opportunities with your company.”
If the information is available prior to the event, review the list of companies that will be participating in the job fair. The more familiar you are with the types of employers attending and the positions that they may have open, the better prepared you will be to discuss how your qualifications are a good fit.
Next: At the Job Fair: How to Make a Good Impression and Make the Most of the Day.
Leave a Comment November 19, 2009
Mylene Duffy is the founder of the Bilingual Job Fair. She has hired many professionals over the course of her career, and is an advocate for bilingual employment. Mylene did not speak English when she came to live in the States in the early 80’s. She took an intensive English course and enrolled at Syracuse University, where she graduated with a degree in communications. She is now proud to be fully bilingual in English and Spanish. Posting tweet...