The Career Center will host more than 160 employers and organizations at its annual Cardinal Job Fair.
The fair is Sept. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Worthen Arena.
The Cardinal Job Fair gives students the opportunity to show off their skills and experience for full-time and internship positions with potential future employers. The fair also allows for great networking opportunities where students can speak with employers now and follow up with them later when they are ready for employment.
Here are some tips and tricks to be successful at this year's job fair:
Dress professionally
The appropriate attire for career fair attendees is more relaxed than what you’d wear to an actual job interview. "Business casual” is the norm.
Don't have any dress clothes? Check out the Cardinal Closet, located in LaFollette Complex. The Cardinal Closet, a new Ball State initiative organized by the Student Action Team, is where faculty and staff members help students preparing for the interview process by donating men's and women's gently used and new professional dress clothing, according to bsu.edu. The Cardinal Closet is open by appointment for eligible students to select one free business outfit.
Bring copies of your résumé
Bring multiple copies of your résumé to give to potential employers. Your résumé shows you are prepared and ready to join the workforce. Be sure it represents your knowledge, skills and abilities effectively.
Does your résumé need help? The Career Center offers Career Coaches who will help perfect your résumé.
Research the employers
If you know you are interested in a potential employer, do some research and find out what qualifications the company requires and what job opportunities are available. A little advance preparation goes a long way and can make you stand out from the masses of other attendees. Also, by doing this before the fair, you won't waste your time at any booths you don't care about. If you go in with a focused plan, you're more likely to stick to your plan, which, in turn, allows you to hand out more copies of your résumé.
If you are interested in seeing which employers are attending, you can find a list on Cardinal Career Link along with the positions they are seeking to fill.
Be prepared to ask questions
The questions you ask at a career fair depend on your goals. Are you interested in finding out about a particular career field? Ask generalized questions about working within the industry. If you’re seeking career opportunities with a specific employer, focus your questions on the application and interview process and ask for specific information about that employer.
Have a smile, strong handshake and positive attitude
First impressions are important, so make sure to smile and shake the employer's hand when you introduce yourself and give your "elevator pitch." Maintain a positive attitude, and be polite. Don't interrupt the employer representative or any of your fellow job-seekers. Patiently wait your turn, and if someone is monopolizing the employer's time, try to make eye contact to let them know that you're interested in speaking. When you are done, always thank the employer for their time in speaking with you.
Tips and tricks provided by Ball State University's Career Center's Career Guide and military.com
Read More
Board of Trustees approves new Ball State Athletics Performance Center during May meeting
By Olivia Ground / 15 minutes agoThe Board of Trustees met May 3, revealing plans for an upcoming renovation of the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) building, plans for an upcoming sports performance training center, changes in the university core curriculum and many hiring and human resources developments being made in the upcoming months.
Point-by-point evaluation for Gassensmith & Lindstrand’s Student Government Administration
By Meghan Braddy / 7 hours agoThe Gassensmith & Lindstrand administration, consisting of Joseph Gassensmith and Monet Lindstrand, was in charge of Ball State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) for the 2023-24 academic year. The pair served as president and vice president.
Anti-transgender legislation makes me feel like an outsider in my home state
By Meghan Holt / 9 hours agoI still have a deep love for Indiana. It’s not quite where I was born (that honor goes to Aurora, Illinois), but it’s where I was raised. I’m a Hoosier at heart. At least I like to think I am. But I’m not so sure anymore.
