Moultrie Tech Tifton Offers Timely Advice to Local Job Seekers
In a period of economic downturn and recent business and industry cutbacks and closures, local job seekers may find themselves in a no-win situation.
But the upcoming 2008 Community Career Fair in Tifton on November 13 could help ease some worries and give weary job hunters a leg-up in a competitive employment field.
“The purpose of this event is to familiarize the businesses and industries in our region and job seekers with one another. However, potential employees need to be prepared to put their best foot forward to call the fair a ‘success’ for them personally and professionally,” says Lisa Griffin, director of career services at Moultrie Technical College (MTC).
Griffin offers the following tips to make the best of the Career Fair:
- Be professional in dress and attitude
“You want your first impression to convey that you are serious about finding employment. Few aspects of the job interview are more important to the impression you create than your appearance. An employer may consider you if you’re in business casual, but professional attire gives you a winning edge and reflects your motivation. No matter what position you are applying for, sneakers, jeans, shorts, t-shirts and chewing gum or candy are not acceptable. Present a professional demeanor and appearance,” she advises.
- Create the ideal résumé
“It should be short, sharp and digestible in one minute’s reading by an employer. Make sure it is professional. Use résumé-quality paper. Do not use pictures, graphics, colored paper or garish print styles,” says Griffin. She also suggests participants bring plenty of résumés and pens.
- Visit all company representatives
“Make sure you pick up a list of the employers participating and visit all of them. Don’t assume a company has no positions for you! A hospital may be looking for marketing staff, and a manufacturer may be hiring a network administrator,” Griffin adds. “Check with temporary or specialized agencies to see what companies they represent, because the company you may wish to work for could be represented by one of them.”
Additional guidelines from Griffin include:
- Prepare questions in advance and a verbal 60-second summary of who you are and what you have to offer the employer.
- Make sure you are prepared to answer questions regarding education, work, as well as skills and abilities.
- Show enthusiasm. If you appear as though you are apathetic or just browsing through the career fair instead of seriously looking to land a job, you won’t impress the recruiter. Give each recruiter an idea about your enthusiasm for their work and industry.
- Keep in mind how you should act for an in-office interview and apply the same rules at the Career Fair.
- Ask for a business card. Failing to get the correctly-spelled name of a hiring manager is not productive for future contacts. If you spend 15 minutes talking with a contact, that person will be a good networking opportunity for you in the future.
- Send a thank-you letter or note for taking time to talk with you at the Career Fair.
Whether or not employers have jobs to offer at this time, job seekers will be interested in learning about local companies and what skills they would expect their employees to possess. In turn, businesses may find matches for future employment.
Industries expected to be at the fair include armed forces, banking, beauty, child care, education, fitness, food processing, government, health care, home improvement, industrial manufacturing, insurance, law enforcement, media, non-profits, sales and transportation, among others.
Approximately 50 businesses and industries will gather on Thursday, November 13, 2008, at Moultrie Tech’s Tifton Campus Conference Center at 52 Tech Drive just off I-75. MTC and the Georgia Department of Labor will join forces to present the event from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. The event is open to the public as well as all MTC students and graduates.
Admission and parking for the fair are free. All participants who register at the door will be eligible for door prizes throughout the day. For more details about the 2008 Community Career Fair, contact Joy Warnock at (229) 391-2611.
